Herald of Vengeance

Out of Fear

All through the ride back from the wedding, Zeid would not allow a moment of peace and silence. He was flustered at what he saw earlier and didn't stop blurting it out.

"What was that, man? Where'd you learn that from? You were throwing punches at them goons like a pro! They give sparing classes back there in them cells? I should probably kill someone and get thrown in jail."

He glanced briefly at Hermes then he chuckled. "No offense bro. And what was that thing you said that time? Dumb bitch fucks a dumbass? Uhh? Remind me, man!"

He sneered again at Hermes who was in no mood to answer his piled up questions no matter how many times he repeated them.

"Come on, man." He pestered, "One day, if I got in trouble, then I might escape like you did today."

"I didnt escape!" Hermes cut in at this point, his voice sour as he closed his eyes.

"What do you mean? A bullet would be living in your brain by now if..."

"Look behind us." Hermes cut in again, his eyes still closed.

Staring through the mirror, Zeid was startled. It was a shock out of the blue; right behind them was a blue car trailing their every move.

"I've seen this car for quite a few times now. You think they're following us?" Zeid hoped for a negative response.

"Of course, they are!" Hermes shattered his faint hopes. "They are after us".

"Uhh... So what do we do?!' Zeid palpitated.

"You just have to outdrive them."

"And how do I do that?"

"By DRIVING OUT of their sight!"

"Fvck!" Zeid hit the steering wheel in anger as he pushed the car into speed. "Why don't you call that guy, the one who gave you the wedding address. He seemed very powerful. He should come and help us."

"Then I'll be giving them exaxtly what they want. They want to know with whom I have ties in their world." Hermes smirked a bit. "And I'm not giving them that!"

"So, you would rather give them my life huh?" Zeid retorted as he overtook cars like a madman. "You came back from prison with many secrets. Aren't you even gonna tell me a few?"

"No!" Hermes said almost immediately. "It'll only put you in danger."

"I'm in danger already dammit." He took another look at the blue car which now seemed to be aware of his suspicion. It now looked even more desperate to keep track of them.

Judging by the tone in Zeid's voice, he did not appreciate the reserved nature of his friend. If Hermes could not tell him secrets any longer, then he is not really Hermes any longer.

Hermes knew what was going on in Zeid's mind. But there was nothing to tell to him. It was a long story. Far too long.

The ring, the words he said, the way he fought and the number he called. Everything he was now, he earned from his time in jail. But the story was a forbidden one.

When he first came to prison, he found the favor of an old man who was a prisoner as well - Andre.

Andre was different from all the other prisoners. He dressed different, acted different and commanded a different respect. Moreso, he was treated differently by the jailers.

Rumours about him were constant within the walls of the prisons. Some said he was the true boss of The Predators. The one who ruled the underworld, and that he would never have been behind bars if not for the death of his son, his heir to the top of the crime chain. That was when he lost all purpose in life.

One thing was certain about him however. He was quite friendly, particularly to Hermes. When Hermes sulked around everytime when he first came to prison, Andre took some interest in him.

He asked for his story, and laughed out his heart when he learnt that Hermes was in jail for defending a girl.

"Boy, was that true love? Or was it just some advanced level of stupidity?"

"I love her!" Hermes had proclaimed, with certainty in his eyes.

But then the old man asked, "and you are certain she loves you back as much?"

Hermes did not think too much, he used to beleive Haisley would never leave him for any other. So confidently, he responded. "With all her heart!"

Then Andre nodded slowly before finally saying, "I hope you're right. But if you're not, I hope you won't be suprised. Life can always throw us a suprise when we least expect."

Those words now ring again in Hermes' ears as he caressed the ring in his finger. That was the ring Andre used to wear. When he gave it to him, he said that only the ones on top of the mafia chain would recognise it.

How it all happened so fast! Today he was freed from prison, and today he already met with someone on top of the chain. And that someone is already on his trail.

Opening his eyes again, he checked the blue car. It was still behind them, closer now than ever.

"I should teach those punks some lesson."

***************

"Who is his father?"

"I don't know!" Derek walked towards the table and poured himself a drink. "Because I don't give two shits. You let him walk away!" He gulped the contents of the glass greedily.

He was really vexed at what happened today. That was the second time he would be deprived of something he wanted so badly. The first time was when Hermes stood in his way when he wanted Haisley. He got what he wanted back then in the end.

And now again, the second situation has to do with Hermes. Isn't that loser a thorn sent to his flesh from above? He would make sure to crush him under his feet till his blood dries up in the sand!

"Does he have a father?" Diego sat on a chair and faced Derek.

"I've never seen him before." Derek replied as he poured another cup. "So I don't know. But he has a mother, she came to the court hearing."

"Good. Where is she now?"

Derek smirked. "I don't know!" He fell into his own chair opposite Diego. "Why would I know where the mother is? I want the son dead, not the mother. I have seen what he can do. He is dangerous!"

"You can't harm him. Not until I find out where he got that ring from."

"But why is that ring so important to you."

"It's a symbol. Our symbol."

Derek thought for a while. Someone like Hermes wore a symbol of The Predators. How was it possible?

"And those things he said?" He asked.

"Our language as well. He speaks like someone who has bought our protection."

Diego rose to leave. "You cannot kill him until we find out who it is." Then he walked to the door.

Derek was burning from inside. No problem. If The Predators would not help him defeat his enemy, he would find another way and get rid of Hermes himself.

As the door opened to allow Diego's leave, he turned his head back at Derek. "Don't do anything stupid."

"It's none of your concern. I can't just sit around and watch that punk walk freely."

Diego sighed. "Only a prey attacks out of fear. A predator attacks when he wants to. You remember this, if you go after him, you will leave us no choice."

With that, he left the room and the door closed behind him. As he walked out of the huge mansion into his waiting car, Haisley watched with anger from behind a curtain.

She watched the long line of expensive cars ride away from her new home and dissapear into the roads.

"Did that man just threaten Derek? That old piece of trash!" No matter what that old punk says, she would not stop. Hermes had to go down!