Retaliation: the beginning

Chapter 12: "Forgiveness."

Two blocks before he reached his destination, Derek Jacobs parked the car in a dark corner of an alley. The tension in his shoulders was release and he could finally let go of the steering wheel he has been holding for three hours and after a few minutes of walking and watching his back every now and then, he was now facing Mayville high school gate.

Derek's eyes were dazed for a moment as he looked at the school sign, he tried to remember last time he was there.

Long time, he whispered halfway up the wall. He paused for a fraction of a second before putting more effort into climbing to the top when he heard shouting.

"Maybe I'm a coward" The voice was achingly familiar, even sounding so harsh and ragged. Then he saw Aaron walking away from behind the building, immediately assuming Harper would be there too.

And he was.

"I knew I'd find you near." Derek said in triumph when he found him sitting on the wooden bench biting of his finger nails.

Elias looked up and was surprised for a minute then clicked his tong. "Dear god, can't I have a break?!"

"What's got you brooding?" Derek asked approaching carefully.

Ely looked up at him and found him truly wondering, not just pretending. That was what prompted him to ask, "Why do you care?"

"I don't. I came to get the book." He looked at him steadily.

The blond rolled his eyes, it was pretty obvious. "of course you did!"

Derek stood motionless for a moment until his patience wore off "Well, hand it over."

"No."

"No?" The demon blinked "If you think you can-" Derek started, not totally sure what he was going to say but if there was threatening that needed to be done he was ready, however Elias held up his hand. His long fingers wagging back and forth in front of him.

"Not until you answer one question."

"Fine." Derek replied and it was wrong the way he sounded, so quiet and subdued. Elias didn't expect him to fall for it, or at least this quickly.

"I read the book, and I understand that you serve Brian as his demon," He started and Derek nodded "If that's true, then why are you acting so conflicting and frankly annoying and reckless," The boy cleared his throat forcefully before continuing. "Did you kill for Brian before?"

"No. Now give me the book."

Elias' eyes lost the darkness that had overtaken the normally warm and playful brown orbs. He blinked a few before he made a sound that seemed like a relief.

"Then why are you doing this? He clearly doesn't want you to."

Derek sighed in annoyance before he turned his gaze to him "Want and need are two different things." He said "Now, the book."

"I don't have it."

"What?!"

"No, I mean I don't have it here, in me, it's in my house. I'll grab my bike and go get it, jeez."

"My car is faster, come."

"Eh yeah right! like I'm gonna get in a car with you-" Derek glared "Ok I'm right behind you."

It was the longest, most boring ride he ever took. And when they finally got there Elias let out a breath he was holding all the way, he prayed to arrive home in one piece and thank the heavens he did.