Ineffable ? Joost Klein ?

Elke nearly jumped out of her skin as the brooding man pulled a gun from his pocket. Her trembling legs had acted in their own and stepped through the gate at Nathan's offer. She didn't know what to say or do when the man before returned to talk to the Belgian. They spoke in German and she didn't understand. She thought she would hear Alanis translate in her ear, but Nathan was already asking her to come inside before she heard the girl's voice.

'Elke, stop. Don't go inside,' Alanis had rushed but it was too late. The gate was already sliding shut behind her and her stomach plummeted when she realised what she was doing.

Running footsteps made her look over her shoulder. She prayed that she would see Joost somehow stop the gate from closing. But instead, Elke caught the moment Donnie slid through the opening before it locked shut behind him.

Panting and panicked, Donnie froze as Nathan and the unnamed man whipped around. The gun was drawn and Elke leapt out of the firing line with wide eyes. She pulled the backpack up to her chest as if to shield herself from a rogue bullet. Donnie wasn't fazed like she was, but at Nathan's mildly surprised expression, the man's jaw clenched in great restraint.

'Sorry, Elke. I can't let you hand it over,' Donnie said, flickering his gaze to the woman.

'Too late, Don. Your timing is impressive but you've not got much to show here,' Nathan said mockingly. 'Does Joost know you're following his ex-girlfriend? Or is this you going rogue?'

'I came here to get the money. I think you owe me.'

'Always with the favours. How many did you earn in the can?'

Elke looked between the two like it was a tennis match. The man who stood waiting with his gun still raised didn't waver his stance. The barrel aimed at Donnie with the trigger just shy of the man's lingering finger. Just seeing the silver pistol made Elke's breathing increase and she was in disbelief at the nonchalance of Donnie. His thigh was only just beginning to heal and yet, he was risking another bullet for her sake.

'Elke, play along,' Joost's voice made her jump. She had forgotten that anyone with an earpiece could hear everything going on around her. Now that Donnie was in front of her, Elke assumed that Joost had taken over as eavsdropper.

'W-What are you doing here, Donnie?' she tried to appear appalled, although it wasn't hard in light of the current situation. 'I thought you were at the shop-'

'I was until I caught you walking out with that,' Donnie eyed the bag in her hold with a convincing sneer. 'I know Joost lied but to steal? That's a low for you, Elke.'

He's acting, she reminded herself. But damn, did it hurt to hear.

Without needing to ask, the man with the gun advanced towards Donnie to search him. Elke remained still as Donnie's shirt was lifted and the gun sitting in his waistband was pulled out. He didn't react, his eyes remaining on Nathan, who appeared to be enjoying seeing Donnie be dearmed.

Elke gulped at the sight of the knife that was pulled from Donnie's back pocket. She knew about the gun but it did nothing to settle the unease at seeing it teamed with the small weapon.

'This is all very theatrical, but someone's wanting to talk to Elke, so you're just going to have to come along,' Nathan said once Donnie's pockets were emptied.

Stepping to be beside Elke, Nathan's hand came to rest on the small of her back. His encouraging push made her start walking up the driveway. The gun moved around Donnie to be aimed at the back of his head and he received his own push to start walking. With clenched teeth and a murderous urge, he put one foot in front of the other and followed Elke and Nathan up to the mansion.