"So I met this guy on the bus... He was tall and businesslike... Oh, and he was older... He looked like he was in his early thirties. I haven't been... Wait yes, I have. Not much though. I don't sleep with really older guys. Although this one time I slept with a grandpa and it actually wasn't as bad as I thought it was. I met him in a club and he was-"

"Daniel?"

"Yes."

"Shut up."

I looked up at Lukas and rolled my eyes at him. Lukas flashed me a feigned smile, his misery palpable. Of course, I thought bitterly, I always end up stuck with the miserable one. Why couldn't Kol have been the one injured? Then at least I'd have some entertainment, and we'd have a car to ease this trek.

I glanced up at Lukas, a hint of annoyance in my voice. "Do you want me to call Kol? Walking is really stupid when you have a brother with a car," I suggested. Lukas looked down at me, his expression etched with a scowl. I shrugged my shoulders. "You're the salty twin, aren't you? Like you were born salty, weren't you?"

"Daniel, shut up." He flashed me a crooked smile. I did as asked, not because he asked but because I wanted to. We walked in silence for a while. I kept staring at him as we walked. He and Kol aren't that similar. I mean if you look at them really you'd realize a few differences--besides the fact that Lukas is still bruised in the face area. His eyebrow is misshapen and more arched than Kol's, and his lips are thinner (I've stared at their lips a lot of times, so I know). Lukas is taller than Kol, just by a little, but he's taller.

"What?" Lukas asked, his tone gruff and uninterested. I rolled my eyes, finding Lukas to be a tougher nut to crack. He was like a fortress of stone, even more guarded and ruthless than I had expected. I had anticipated that level of intensity from Kol, the one who had once chased me through my neighborhood with murderous intent. But Lukas seemed to simply not care about me at all.

"Nothing," I answered. "Do you have friends?" I asked him.

"Are you trying to make conversation? I don't want to talk to you." Lukas looked at me.

"What did I do?" I asked him with my eyebrows rising. I mean, I know what I did. But I thought we were past that. I thought we were on our way to friendship. Why is he suddenly so cold towards me? We've had good conversations before this, and we've laughed together before this, so what changed?

"I don't know, exist." He replied. I stared at him and he looked down at me and flashed a smile. I sighed in relief inwardly. His smile assured me a little. Maybe nothing has changed. Maybe he was just moody. I let out an almost nervous laugh. "You know I'm sorry, right? About everything."

"Are you serious?" He asked me incredulously.

"Yes. I am. I'm like a major screw-up. I'm sorry for like this... All of it." I'm no good at apologies. I think it's obvious by this failure of an apology. Lukas only chuckled softly. Honestly, over the times we've spent together, learning and understanding his family and his situation, I do feel a bit sorry. Would I do it again? Maybe. But at this moment, there's a twinge of remorse deep inside me when it comes to him. He's going through a lot, and I understand that. It sucks that I'm part of the reason for his troubles. Because, aside from being a stoic asshole, Lukas isn't a bad guy, and he didn't deserve any of this.

"Daniel, please stop. You suck..."

"Yes. I'm aware of that." I smirked.

"I mean, stop apologizing. I get that you're sorry or whatever, but just.. Just stop." 

"Dude, I'm trying to be serious, here!" I said and was about to push him jokingly, but soon realized he was on crotches and if I pushed him he'd lose his balance and someone end up being rolled over by a car. "I mean, you're getting better and this dumb 'punishment' crap will soon be over and we won't really have a reason to see each other. So I should just say it now--I'm sorry."

Lukas remained silent as we walked—or rather, as he hopped—ahead. The atmosphere was thick with tension, and I racked my brain for something to say, but it seemed like I had already expressed my thoughts. My gaze dropped to the pavement beneath my feet as I continued walking. Then, unexpectedly, Lukas drew closer to me, sending a wave of confusion over me. He finally broke the silence with a tense whisper. "I think someone's following us."

"What?" I asked in a hushed tone, then instinctively glanced behind us. My heart pounded as I confirmed my suspicion—two men were indeed trailing us, and I had little doubt they were Monster's henchmen. Panic surged through me as I turned back to Lukas. "Cross the street and get away from me," I urged.

"Why?" he asked.

"Can you just do it?" I shook my head, a surge of fear rushing through me as I glanced back. They were picking up their pace, closing the distance between us. The once-bustling street now lay empty, devoid of any cars or pedestrians except for us. "No, what the fuck? Do you recognize them?" Lukas inquired, his voice filled with anxiety as he too looked back.

"For Christ's sake, man, fuck off!" I said loudly. They are close enough to hear me shouting at him, I know it. If only I could push him.

Lukas furrowed his eyebrows, "Daniel."

"Leave me. Fuck!" I almost shouted and walked ahead of him. "Daniel!" Lukas called after me. Glancing back, I saw the two men approach Lukas but then pass him. I sighed in relief, turned my head forward, and broke into a sprint. I was pretty sure they started running after me too.

I didn't get far before two more men emerged in front of me, and the first pair closed in behind me. I was completely trapped, surrounded by Monster's men. I nervously bit my bottom lip, scanning their faces. It was the second time today that I found myself face-to-face with people who wanted something from me, something I didn't have, and it was bound to get me into serious trouble. What the hell was I doing with my life?

"Hey..." I uttered with a nervous smile.

"You've got some nerve walking around freely like this," one of them said, his voice laced with a menacing tone.

"Monster's been waiting for you," added another, the threat in his words hanging heavy in the air.

"Guys, he'll get it. Don't worry, I'm just working out...uh...the...uh...the payment options. You know...Card...Cash...Maybe Credit Card?" What the fuck am I saying? I chuckled nervously. They all seemed to grow closer to me. I couldn't go anywhere.

"I don't give a fuck. He wants what is his and if he doesn't get it things are going to get messy," the first guy retorted.

"Fine, give me another week," I replied hastily.

"You said that three weeks ago," one of them reminded me, his patience wearing thin.

"Okay, well I mean it this time. Give me a week and Monster would have his money and you'd stop following me and everyone would be happy."

"One week."

"Yeah, okay. One week."

"Or else."

"Yeah, I get it. One week. Can you leave me now? Jesus Christ." I scoffed and ran my fingers through my hair. They all stared at me and I smiled at them. They can't kill me... Ofrat least I think so. They all moved away from me and I let out a sigh of relief. Finally, they all moved away from me and got into a long black car that had pulled up nearby.

"Fuck." I muttered. I needed money, and I needed it fast—fifteen grand in just one week. How am I going to do that? I have no idea. I racked my brain, trying to think of any possible solution. Selling an expensive watch from Lukas' place crossed my mind, but it wouldn't even make a dent in that amount. I was stuck between a rock and a hard place.

I should demand payment for Kol. I should demand fifteen grand from Boris and Har just for Kol. That probably would never work. They won't ever give me fifteen grand for flimsy Kol. I raked my fingers through my hair in frustration, thinking hard.

Bird, as charismatic as he was, couldn't get me out of this mess with Monster. Monster wanted his money, and no amount of sweet talk could change that. Plus, if I involved Bird and anything happened to him, I'd never forgive myself. This was my mess, and I needed to find a way out on my own.

I remained standing on the sidewalk for a long while. I had no idea how to go on. What can I do now?

"Daniel, what the fuck is wrong with you?" I looked up and found Lukas making his way to me. I walked back to meet up with him, although he was coming to me. I sighed softly. "I'm sorry. I just-"

"You just what? What the hell was that? Who were those guys?" he asked me.

"Uh... Old friends."

"They are you friends? They seem like they want you dead, Danny! What did you get yourself into?" He screamed at me. I pressed my lips in a thin line and blinked downward. "Jesus Christ, Daniel, answer me. What's going on?" Honestly, it shocked me he even cared this much. I was flattered. I almost blushed.

"Something really bad. I gotta talk to Kol," I said firmly, instead of going all red. Now isn't the time for that.

Lukas let out a sigh. "Talk to Kol? Seriously? What happened to— you know what, fuck this, fuck Kol, and fuck you." He started to walk away, and for a moment, I didn't really care. I pulled out my phone and dialed Kol's number, holding it up to my ear as I hurried to catch up to Lukas. However, he seemed determined to distance himself from me.

"What's up?" Kol spoke on the other end of the line. I could hear the music in the background, and it sounded like he was in a lively place. Is he at a party? Or a club? It's daytime; who parties in the daytime?

"Okay, I really need to see you," I said to him.

"Why? What's wrong?" he asked, sounding genuinely concerned. Under other circumstances, I would smile at that and then make him admit that he actually cares about me. But I know now isn't the time for that.

"Uh I just need to see you and I can't really tell you over the phone."

"Danny, I'm in the middle of something important. I can't just come whenever you call." Kol said over the music that surrounded him. "Please, can you just.." I sighed and ran my fingers through my hair. "Can you just please meet me back at your place?"

"Danny..." he mumbled. He sighed over the phone, "Fine, I'll be there." I smiled. "Thank you." I hung up the phone. I have to tell him. I have no idea why I feel that way, or why I feel like he would help me, but I want to tell him.

I blinked up at Lukas. He looked away from me and said nothing. "I'm sorry."

"Go back to when you did shit and never apologized."

"Why? I'm being nice."

"Yeah well, it was easier to hate you then." He said. I looked up at Lukas. "Interesting." I began to walk faster so that we could reach his place quickly, hopefully, Kol would get there quickly as well.