Diving into the Stories

09 - Hybrids

"Okay, it's a three-step process, Ray," Klaus walked around Ray who was breathing heavily on a pool table. All bloody from torture. Klaus held a small pocketknife in his hand, "This is step one." The hybrid set his hands on the side of the pool table and looked at Ray, "I want you to drink from my wrist."

"You already know where the pack is," Ray held his breath for a tense moment. He said in a tired, helpless voice, "What more do you want from me?"

"Have you been listening to a word I've been saying, Ray?" Klaus smiled and pointed the knife at Ray's face, "I have great plans for you." He pulled the knife away and slit his wrist with it. Then, he forced Ray to drink his blood. Klaus looked around the bar with a broad smile and chuckle, "He'll thank me for it later."

Ray continued to struggle, but he was completely unable to get out of the hold. "There we go! That a boy!" Klaus pulled his wrist away from Ray when he got enough of his blood. He dropped the werewolf's head down on the table. The hybrid took a quick glance up when Stefan walked in. Hope shortly after.

Ray coughed, then looked up at Klaus, "What are you gonna do now?"

Klaus nodded, "It's time for step two, Ray." The hybrid paused. Then, suddenly, he snapped the werewolf's neck. He was dead. Klaus walked around the table towards Stefan, "You're back." Before Stefan could make any remarks, Klaus finished, "Not that you wouldn't be," he glanced at Hope.

Stefan and Hope both glanced at each other, then stayed quiet. Klaus furrowed his eyebrows, looking between both of them. There was something off. He readjusted his posture, "Did some something happen?" The hybrid stepped closer, "Perhaps something I should know about?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," Stefan raised his eyebrows. He broke his frozen stance by walking past Klaus and towards Ray.

Klaus glanced at Hope, who seemed unable to speak, then turned around to follow Stefan, "Oh really now?"

Stefan stopped with a bottle of beer in his hand now. He gestured out with an 'emotionless' tone, "The only thing that happened was me dealing with my brother. He shouldn't be a problem any longer."

Klaus let out a slight laugh, "And nothing else?" He looked at Hope, "So Stefan did exactly as he said he would? And nothing more?"

"Yes," Hope said shortly. She had no idea how to casually go on as she has the past few months now.

"I don't believe you," Klaus stated firmly. He glanced between Hope and Stefan. He settled his eyes on the vampire, "You don't have to hide it, Stefan." A smirk grew on Klaus' face. "Not with me."

"It's obvious you still care," Klaus continued in a deepening voice as he stepped closer to Stefan, "But if you and Hope can become friends," Klaus's raised his eyebrows and exaggerated, "Then perhaps you'll move on from your old life easier."

"We're not-," Hope shook her head and broke her uncomfortably still posture. She walked towards the pool table where Stefan and Ray were. Stefan glanced at her, giving her an unsure look about what she said.

Klaus set his hand on Hope's shoulder, "Don't worry, love. Stefan would make a phenomenal partner," he raised his eyebrows at Hope then glanced at Stefan.

The hybrid took his hand back to his side, "Anyways, we best get a move on to the mountains. Ray's pack awaits." Klaus turned away to walk out of the bar. "Today, we build an army!" 

Stefan set down his drink and pulled Ray over his shoulders, then he and Hope walked out of the bar to follow Klaus. The sun was already rising.

~~~~~~

"What's keeping you two so quiet?" Klaus remarked loudly towards Hope and Stefan. All he's been hearing for the past 30 minutes since they made it to the mountainous area was faint breathing and the crunching of leaves and branches on the ground where they stepped. It got boring. "C'mon!" He pleaded, "No need to be shy. I am rather curious of the details of last night." Klaus looked to his side at Hope and Stefan, "It's so obvious, so stop trying to hide it. Embrace it!" He shouted.