The man behind the wheel jumped at the last second, the car slammed into the body. His eyes were not on the road, instead he was distracted by his wife. "OH MY GOD OH MY GOD....WHAT WAS THAT!" She hyperventilated. "Is he dead? Oh my god. What have we done? We have to check!! You need to go check!"
He fumbled around attempting to unbuckle his seatbelt but was overcome with fear and panic. "Sh-shitt! Damn it!" As he freed himself, he tumbled out the car, scrambled to his feet, running over to the still body. He leaned over the young man. "Are you okay? please be okay....". He begged, muttering to himself. His eyes enlarged when he reached down feeling for a pulse, but it was blank. He screamed at his wife to call for help. "Don't be dead...please." He turned back to the still man whimpering.
"Relax darling." The hoarse voice alarmed the man, jolting him back. His hands grazed the concrete road as he shuffled backwards. Poor man was petrified. The man who was no longer dead, rose triumphantly to his feet. His eyes darkened red, tiny veins throbbing under his eyes and fangs sprouting from his gums as he snarled, mouth wide open. A predatory animal ready for his prey. The animal pounced, grabbing the prey by the collar, and fangs sank into its neck. Sucking out the blood, tearing further in. Satisfied with his kill he let the empty vessel drop. Hitting the ground with a thump. The female screamed, horrified at what she witnessed. She bolted, dropping her phone from her hands. Another sudden scream as she slammed into a hard body, throwing off her balance. A woman with a wolfish grin and blonde hair, glowing under the moonlight.
"Right luv, this will only hurt a bit." The birds took flight clapping their wings to the blood curdling shriek that rippled through the night.
Both Mikaelsons wiped their mouths, smiling. "Well, that was fun."
"Careful sister, you sound like you almost enjoy my company."
She rolled her eyes. "Believe it or not I've always adored you Kol, and your wild company."
"Better not let Nik hear you." He flashed her a cheeky grin.
"Right, if I know you Kol, you're not just here for me. You arrived here before us. So, what is it?" She looked to her brother, waiting for a response. He ran his fingers through his hair, nervous. He was Kol Mikaelson, and he was never nervous. "Well spit it out." She urged.
He sighed still running his fingers through his hair. "I better show you." He shoved his hands in his pockets, sticking out one arm for his sister.
She looped her arm through. "Come on then." Smiling at her brother who she wholly loved. Perhaps a little more than she did the other two.
Sophia
I hadn't moved from my spot. I remained glued to the ground as I sobbed hard into my hands. My whole world fell apart. The truth slapped me hard, shaking me violently. I was a mess of tears and blood. I wanted to move, to get out, to do anything other than feel this never-ending pain but I had no will. I was shattered just like the pieces of glass scattered around me. A mess. Damon betrayed me. He lied. Bonnie betrayed me. I found Stefan, only to lose him. One moment I had everything I ever wanted but in the next it was savagely torn away from me. Once again, I was empty, a big gaping hole in my heart that only opened up wider. I cried, curling into a ball as I flopped to the ground. Hours passed and I still remained there, staring into oblivion. It was as though I had fallen into a train wreck and there was no one there to pull me out. No one, not even my brother. No one. My eyes slowly flickered closed, eventually immersing into the arms of darkness.
~
They looked up at the modern house. "What are we doing outside my old house?" She asked, dubiously scouring her surroundings. She had forgotten about this place. Once she left Mystic Falls, she never looked back nor thought about it. Even while living in Mystic Falls, she barely spent any time there.
"She lives here." He stated, as he thought about the girl.
"Bloody hell, Kol! Do you ever stop speaking in riddles? Which poor girl did you kidnap and hold hostage?"
He shot her a sideways glance, irritated. "No one! But if you insist on making fun of me sister, I'm sure you know your way back-"
"Bloody hell who bust up the windows!"
"She did. Now let us go in before we're spotted." How nervous he was standing there, running his fingers through his hair darkish hair.
A cold breeze greeted them upon entering the house. Glass and broken furniture scattered all around, crumbling beneath them as they walked further in. There, in the open living room lay a girl, her back towards them. She was lifeless. Kol ran to her side, lifting her head tenderly. He gazed down at her, brushing away the strands of hair that fell loosely around her face.
Rebekah gawked at him, opening, and closing her mouth but unable to form the words to express herself. This was not her brother. He never cared for anyone. He was reckless, Psychotic, wild and wily. The Kol that stood before her was alien. For once when it came to him, she was loss of words. Keeping light on her feet, she soundlessly moved over to them. "She's pretty...who is she Kol?"
"She's divine..." was he lost in her beauty, she observed. The way he ran a finger ever so gently down the side of her face. Rebekah Mikaelson had never been this confounded. "Sophia...Salvatore-" he breathed our, lips settling into a soft smile.
"What? As in Damon and Stefan Salvatore?"
"Yes, the youngest Salvatore. But I want to protect her. Will you help me sister?"
Perplexed, she gave him and owlish stare. "And from who exactly? The Salvatores will come for your head if you touch her."
"From everyone. I don't know why sister, so let's skip the 21 questions shall we!"
"Why am I here, Kol?"
"Believe it or not sister, unlike our siblings you are the only one that will understand and help me. You can help me keep an eye on her until I know what to do."
The longer she stood there, the more astonished he made her. She was at a loss for words. Was he truly interested in the welfare of the girl or was this a new game? What does Kol know that Niklaus may not? Yet she agreed to help her brother as they made their own vow of "Always and Forever" and he promised to fill her in on the missing details. A fraction of her was curious to see where this would lead them.
•
The windows were replaced, the room spotless. As if nothing drastic had taken place, everything was in pristine condition, undisturbed. The original sister was mighty pleased with herself. She learnt all she needed to know about the new addition to the Salvatore Family. She knew the girl was at odds with her brothers, something that resounded with her. She spent her life at odds with her siblings, yet she never left their side, she always returned no matter what barbaric things they had done. She would always love her brothers. Kol the most.
She followed him up the stairs, while he carried Sophia in his arms, leading them into the master bedroom. What was once her room. He lay her down on the bed, taking her block heeled boots off one at a time, careful not to wake her. He was unnaturally gentle. "Kol, we better leave before she wakes up and blows us up into billions." She said, her head leaning against the doorframe. "We can discuss how to keep her safe from our brother Nik." She gave him one last glance before turning away and disappearing in a flash.
When he saw her collapse and cry out in pain he felt as though his world was torn from right under him. This unexplainable affection he held for this exquisite being had him in a knot. Had him wrapped around her finger. Her face twisted in pain. He wanted to take it away, wanted to gift her a dream so she may sleep in bliss. Sitting down beside her, he couldn't stop his hands from stroking the side of her face. Closing his eyes, clearing his mind, he focused.
"Catch me if you can." She teased.
An innocent, vivacious laugh escaped her lips as she stumbled through the woods, hands lifting the hem of her cream dress; giving freedom to her bare feet as they carried her further between the tall trees that breathed with life. His laughter followed her, he was close, but she wasn't going to let him win. This was her favourite part of being human. She continued to run, giggling, glancing back every now and then. Her feet pressed against the wet mossy ground, causing her to slip, but she managed to regain her balance. She glanced back once more. She couldn't see him or hear him. Where had he gone? Forgetting to keep her eyes forward she slammed into someone, her body meeting his chest. His arms caught her, wrapping them around her waist, drawing her in closer. A small gasp escaped her when she looked up. "Kol..."
He chuckled. "I will always catch you, darling."
He ran his finger down the side of her face, bewitched. She began to stir.
Sophia
Sensing a presence, I woke but as my eyes fully opened, no one was there. Perhaps it was just the wind. My thoughts were a jumbled mess. Why had I dreamt that? I saw him in my dreams. I saw Kol. I was human. What had my subconscious fabricated? I hung my feet over the bed, trying to recall what happened that evening. Conflicting thoughts plagued my mind. Stefan killed my family. But he was my family. Damon lied to me. They both were mt family. My blood. It was all a mess. It was still dark out. "How did I end up here?" Had Damon come back to check on me? Did he find me curled on the floor in a ball? Maybe he did and he tucked me in bed. Enzo and Damon were always the ones to tuck me into bed whenever I fell asleep. That was the only reasonable explanation. Unable to go back to sleep, I set to clear the mess I wreaked downstairs, no doubt it still remained there. But it was all gone, I came to realise as I reached the last step. Everything was cleared. Replaced. Repaired. Even the windows. "What..." I muttered to myself, astounded. Damon again I was certain. Why was he doing this?
I sat at the kitchen counter with a mug of herbal tea, alone with nothing but my tumultuous thoughts going round and round in circles. I was helpless. I spent hundreds of years chasing after revenge. Yet the moment I came face to face with my culprit I was powerless...and that enraged me. I had to seek justice for my parents, for my brother. If I didn't, that would mean spitting on their memories, I couldn't do that. I won't let them down. I was doing this for them. They're the reason I fought for so long. I had chosen this life of misery. They are the only reason I took the decision to survive. Without my goal I was lost. That was my only purpose. Not once in my life as an immortal have I ever felt or tasted peace. Not even for a fleeting moment. Killing Stefan Salvatore would bring me that peace.
My gaze fell on the small jar, tucked away on the top shelf beside my mini flowerpot. Making my way round the island i reached for the jar containing silvery ashes.
The ashes of my best friend. Tears rolled down my face one after the other as I recalled her and how she was killed right in front of me. It was my fault. "I haven't forgotten you, Val." I clutched the jar to my chest.
July 18th 2019
London
The music from my phone blared. I looked at the caller ID and smiled big, answering the phone.
"Hey Val."
"Sophia! Oh, is it good to hear your voice. I'm at your house. Damon said you'd be here...but clearly you're not and he just left."
I chuckled lightly. "Oh Val, I'm sorry I had to go get more bourbon for Damon. Keep him stocked up while he stays here. I'll be there in a-" I hung up as I now stood in the passageway of my home. "Val I'm home."
I hear her jolly footsteps. Her head popped out the living room and she beamed. "There's my best friend!"
Placing the crate of bourbon down I ran to embrace her. She squeezed me tightly. After some time, she pulled away, tucking her hair behind her ears. She seemed off. She wasn't her usual self. "There's still no accurate location on the Mikaelson." She said flatly. I let out a long, exasperated sigh. All these years and yet he's nowhere to be found. The last known location was Mystic Falls but then he fell off.
Let it be. I could hear Enzo's voice in my head. Always that pesky voice in my head telling me to let it go. And I always gave in.
"It must be one hell of a cloaking spell."
She gave a short laugh, shifting uncomfortably in place.
"Val, are you okay?"
She smiled feebly. "I'm okay-"
The door flung open. The house filled with the chanting of latin words. A hidden force cast me to the side, pinning me against the mirror while Valerie was thrown across the room. She crashed into the window, sinking down unable to free herself. One by one witches marched in, forming lines, chanting. Tatiana the plump, fair skinned woman threw her hands in the air. Fire pokers soared through the air, impaling my torso. I could barely scream. The pain excruciating, all I could do was groan and gag in silence. I tried to free myself, clawing at the end of the pokers but there were too many that had me pinned. I looked at Valarie. She was squealing and screaming as they tortured her. Her siphon abilities were of no use. She couldn't fight. "Va -Val..fi-fight..." I croaked. My voice throaty and low, barely audible. The chanting continued in a crescendo.
Tatiana hovered above her. "You knew all this time where he was didn't you?!" Her voice stentorian.
"I-i d-don-" Came her strangled voice but she couldn't respond.
Tatiana muttered. Fire sprung to life, and I watched hopeless and helplessly as Valarie erupted into flames, burning. Her screams were barely discernible. A shrill scream erupted through my lungs. The roaring flames engulfed her, till all that was left were her ashes. The chanting came to a sudden stop and the hold on me disappeared. Gritting my teeth I pushed through the pokers, falling to the ground, weakened. "Why did you do that?!" My shouts and screams fell to deaf ears. The witches had gone. All that was left were the ashes of my dear friend. What had she done that enraged the witches so much so that they resorted to violence? To her death. I crawled to where her ashes lay. Sobbing and shaking. Through the piercing cries I muttered under by breath, watching her ashes gather, swirling around in the air. Grabbing a small round jar, i watched as it filled up with the silvery remains of my one true friend. My sweet Valarie.
Present Day
The memory of her death still burned in my mind. She never got to have a proper funeral, a burial. But she will now and so will my family. They will be avenged. I will deal with Stefan first and then I will hunt the witches that were on the run. I was coming for them all. They will all face my wrath. I glanced out the window, it was reaching daylight. Making my way back to my room, where I awoke, I stored her ashes in a safe place, till I was ready to set her free. I climbed back into bed, curling up once again. I wanted to sleep. I wanted to turn it off. Never had I ever turned off my humanity. Not once, because I wanted to feel everything. The burn of rage, the pain. I wanted to feel it all and remember it. It's what fuelled me. It made me that much hungrier for revenge. For justice. Laying back in bed, the thoughts of the stranger I met back in London filled my head again. I recalled the dream, reliving each moment with him and with that, I found a strange solace.
It snowed in the few hours I had fallen asleep. The snow covered everything it could in a thick blanket. I heard America always got snow during the winter season. Christmas was nearing. I never celebrated it, as for me it was a pointless holiday. These were trivial things only humans cared about. Not me. I lived through several Christmases. They all were the same. Dull. Lonely. I stalked my prey, in desperate need of something refreshing. Blood straight from the vein. The Large, beefy man hauled his backpack into the boot of his truck, grunting and muttering incoherent words. He was bitter. My nose crinkled at the sight of him spitting on the ground. I observed him closer, noticing blood trickling down his nose. By the looks of it, someone threw him a right hook. Something hurled its way at him. A football. "And take your shit!" The venomous female spat. "Get your cheating ass off my property!"
I smirked. I abhorred lying, cheating scumbags. That made him the perfect candidate. The absolute scum of the earth. He grumbled a few more incoherent words, got into his truck, and started the engine. It sputtered a few moments then roared to life, slowly rolling out the driveway. I pursued the truck with ease. It was quiet out. The only sound being his engine. Inspecting the jagged stone between my fingers, I gave it a gentle rub. With a small flick of my wrist, I sent it slicing through the air. It hit the tyre, puncturing, and deflating it. "Serves you right you bastard." I murmured.
The man cursed and slammed his hand down on the steering wheel. It was entertaining. Watching him lose his calm and how he screamed, lashing out at the steering wheel. Wobbling out the truck, he slammed the door shut and made his way to the right; bending down to examine the damage. He let out an anguished cry. Cocking my head to one side, I chuckled. By his reaction it was clear his truck was his life.
In a fit of rage, he kicked the deflated tyre. I circled around him, zooming fast, and laughing in his ear. He spun around, pressing his back against the truck. "Who's there? Show yourself!" He demanded, jabbing his finger in the crisp air. I shoved him from behind. He whirled around, clenching his keys, jolting at my cackle.
"Relax, I'm just having some fun."
He toppled over after giving him a slight nudge. Tugging at his collar I yanked him back up to his feet, exposing my true self. Like a child he whimpered, big beads of sweat rolling down his face. "Pathetic." I clipped. Having enough of his tantrum I resorted to compulsion. "Be calm." He followed obediently. Fear still present in his grey eyes. I sunk my fangs into his hot sweaty neck and gulped down the thick warm blood. Salty. It was probably the endless booze he drowned his liver in. He reeked of it. I drew myself back and scrutinised him, wiping my mouth clean of any blood, utterly dissatisfied. "You will go home, sober up, you will completely give up the alcohol. You will straighten yourself up and start to lead an honest life. Forget this happened. You never saw me. Some bratty high school kid slashed your tyre." The man walked off without a glance, forgetting what happened. Despite his despicable behaviour I set him free. Not everyone deserved to die. I thought.
I walked back home in a slow pace, my feet sinking into the snow, leaving a trail of footprints. The blanket of snow was soft, not icy. There were no crunching or sloshing sounds. Sensing an omniscient presence, I glanced around. Shaking myself I continued further down the path that led to my door. Once reaching the front steps of the porch, I caught notice of an A5 sized envelope. Sceptically picking it up, I brought it a few inches away from my face, examining it. There was no name written on it. It had a red wax seal. M. Opening it up, I took out the card with a message written in gold, fancy handwriting.
Please join the Mikaelson Family, this evening at 7 O'clock. For dancing, cocktails, and celebration.
K.
Tucking the card back in its envelope, I scanned the area to see if I could catch the person who left this at my doorstep. Nothing.