Chapter 8

Blood on the dance floor

Illinois 2009

I gotta feeling that tonight's gonna be a good night. That tonight's gonna be a good night, that tonight's gonna be a good good night. Tonight's the night night. Let's live it up. I got my money, let's spend it up. Go out and smash it. Like Oh My God. Jump off that sofa. Let's get get OFF…

"I have a bad feeling about this", Zora said.

"Oh no, no bad feelings tonight, now we are going to have a good time, even if it would kill us", Nathan replied.

Zora looked at him.

"Ok, bad choice of words, but you know what I mean. This is a nice place right?"

"Yeah, I guess. I haven't been so many nightclubs before."

"Now we drink and dance and what ever. Hell, we've deserve that!"

"No arguments here. Screw Klaus and Elijah!"

"That's the spirit! Bottoms up!"

Zora gulped her drink down and flinched.

"This is terrible. What is it?"

"Tequila, I think", Nathan said. "But who cares, as long as there's some alcohol in it."

Zora didn't really feel comfortable. There were too much people and music was too loud. She hadn't got used to that. But Nathan wanted a night out and he definitely deserved that. They had been staying in all kinds of dumps for last six months to avoid any kind of attention. Abandoned houses, sleazy motels, trailers, even a tent. It was kind of nice to dress up for once. Zora was wearing jeans and a turquoise top. She had let her auburn curls down and even put on some makeup. It was nice to be like a girl every once in a while.

"I'll be right back", Nathan said and headed to the men's room.

Nathan had ordered another drinks for them. Zora didn't feel like drinking any more. This thing, what ever it was, tasted awful. Suddenly Zora felt that someone was staring at her. She saw three men sitting on a corner table. They were all tall and muscular, in their late twenties or early thirties. Zora took a better look at them. Werewolves. No doubt about it. Great. Male werewolves had a tendency to like her a little too much, when human men on the other hand seemed to be repulsed by her. It was probably better to leave. Zora was so concentrated to the three men that she didn't notice when someone sat next to her.

"Hello Zora."

She froze. It took a moment before Zora managed to turn her head. Elijah looked at her calmly.

"You stay the hell away from me", Zora said tensely.

"Please just hear me out, I know I didn't handle things very well last time but…"

"Didn't handle things very well? You tried to rape me."

Elijah looked uncomfortable.

"I should have explained things to you better. Please just listen…"

Zora tried to get up but Elijah grabbed her arm.

"Let go of me right now."

Elijah pulled her closer. Zora was angry but she also started to feel the panic again.

"You have no right to touch me. Haven't you caused enough damage already?"

Elijah seemed confused.

"What?"

Zora laughed bitterly.

"Last time you said that I can't be a virgin but thanks to you the whole idea of letting anyone touch me just disgusts me, so well done."

Elijah tightened his grip.

"I'm sorry about that but right now you are going to listen to me…"

"Hey buddy!"

Zora turned her head and saw one of the werewolves standing next to her. He was very tall guy and he had short dark hair. He was wearing black jeans and leather jacket.

"Can't you take a hint? The lady doesn't want your company."

"That's true", Zora said quickly and yanked her hand away from his grip.

"This is a private conversation", Elijah said coldly.

"Do you want to talk with this guy?" the man asked.

"No!" Zora said and stood up as fast as she could.

"There you have it", the man said to Elijah and turned to Zora. "Would you like to dance?"

"Yes", Zora said and took his hand.

He led them to the dance floor.

"I'm sorry but I'm a terrible dancer", Zora said nervously.

"Don't worry about it; I'm not so good either. My name is Vince."

"I'm Zora."

"Nice to meet you Zora and don't worry, that guy is not going to bother you anymore."

Zora flinched. She had no idea what to do. She knew that Vince and his friends didn't have a chance against Elijah. And she couldn't ask them to fight for her anyway. Vince was actually a very good dancer. Zora felt clumsy comparing to him. She looked at their table. Elijah was gone. Shit.

"Hey what's wrong?" Vince asked.

"Sorry?" Zora asked confused.

"You're shaking."

"I… I…"

Zora didn't know what to say. She hadn't realized earlier how scared she actually was. Elijah was here. He would try to finish what he started. Zora tried to hold back her tears. What could she do? Then she saw Nathan.

"I'm sorry but I need to talk to my dad", she said.

Vince looked surprised.

"Sure."

Nathan was heading to their table. Zora reached him before he sat.

"Elijah is here", she said quickly.

"What? Where?"

"I don't know exactly but he's here."

"Did he say something to you?"

"Yes, I…"

Zora wanted to say that she was scared but Nathan seemed to realize that without saying.

"I'm not going to let that bastard touch you", he said quietly. "Stay close to me."

Zora followed Nathan to the middle of dancing crowd. Suddenly someone grabbed her and started to drag her.

"Let me go!" Zora yelled but music was so loud that no one seemed to pay any attention to her. She felt Elijah leaning closer.

"I don't have time to play with you", he said tensely. "I just want to talk to you."

"Hey! I already warned you once you creep! Let her go!"

Vince and his friends were suddenly standing there. Elijah seemed annoyed.

"As I said this is private, so I suggest you leave right now."

Vince attacked Elijah and he had to let go of Zora. Vince was screaming when Elijah twisted his arm. His friends attacked Elijah too. Some random people joined the fight as well. Other people were screaming and running. Zora ran too. She didn't stop before she was outside.

"Zora!"

Nathan ran to her.

"Are you alright?"

Zora nodded.

"We have to go."

They both ran to their car. Nathan had drunk much more than one drink so Zora drove.

"Well, that was fun, as long as it last", Zora said.

"Why the hell our nights in town always end like this?" Nathan murmured.

Zora couldn't help but smile.

"Good question. Maybe we are not meant to have a good time."

"I refuse to believe that! We deserve some good time, damn it!"

"I know. But maybe we should try something safer next time. Like bungee jumping."

Nathan laughed.

"Yeah, why not. I'm going to have a hell of a hangover in the morning."

"Just try to get some sleep, I'll drive."

"Don't mind if I do", Nathan murmured and closed his eyes.

Zora yawned. It looked like this was going to be a long night.