Apologies for the really late update - I've been super busy with Uni work and plus my laptop decided to not work for a couple of days :( In return, I'll be posting two new chapters (including this one) to make up for all you amazing readers/reviewers and ever so lovely followers! Thank you so much to everyone that read this story and added it to their favourites and even reviewed and followed- I really appreciate it and am sending you virtual hugs! :)
This is kind of a filler chapter but it kinda had to be included in order to get on with the story. Kinda short but I promise Chapter 3 will be long and shall contain A LOT of Klaroline :) Enjoy lovelies :)
2. These Foolish Games
Caroline woke abruptly, clutching her chest as though she had just been stabbed. She could feel the daggering sword needle pierce into her skin and into her chest, merely scraping her heart.
"Caroline" a voice called her back to reality. It was Tyler. She blinked frustrated, trying to sit up but the sharp pain in her chest wouldn't let her.
Tyler came and crouched down beside her, they were in her room and the sun was creeping in through her window.
"Hey Care, how are you feeling?" Tyler asked sympathetically.
She'd forgotten how she got here and how both Tyler and herself were alive. The last thing she recalled was being staked by Klaus' sword, those menacing eyes melting into hers as she closed her eyes and succumbed. What changed? Hadn't Klaus killed her.
"Ho-how am I alive?" she asked, trying again to sit up. Tyler helped her this time.
Tyler sighed before sitting beside her. "Trust me, that's what I keep asking myself." He paused and Caroline's eyes grew wider, wanting to know more. For some reason, she couldn't remember what happened. Only that she closed her eyes thinking she was about o die – she'd felt as though she was dying – and then opening her eyes now. She figured she must have passed out.
"Klaus didn't kill you. After you stepped in and pushed me away – which by the way I can't believe you did – he stabbed the sword into your chest but once he realized you had taken my place. He stepped back." He paused, as though reliving the moment. "He dropped the sword instantly and told me to get you home". Tyler was grateful last night that Klaus had spared their lives but hew as still fearful that he would return.
Caroline was still trying to get her head around it all. She still hated Klaus, that was for sure.
"How long have I been out?" she asked, rubbing her chest where it still hurt. She guessed most of the wound had healed since there was only a tiny bit of a sharp pain.
"About six hours, I bought you back here after midnight and you've been out ever since".
"I could have sworn he staked me in my heart" she said with a sharp breath, counting her lucky stars that they were both alive.
"Yeah, he kinda missed" Tyler agreed, pausing, "I wouldn't know what I would've done if you hadn't made it Caroline. I'd never forgive myself if I lost you" Tyler said, his voice broken. Tears started trickling down his face and Caroline was instantly by his side, reassuring him.
"Hey, it's okay Tyler. I'm here." She whispered, "And I wouldn't change a thing that happened last night. I'd always protect you Ty".
"You nearly got yourself killed Caroline" he erupted and Caroline half jumped back.
He saw her scared reaction and planted his face in his palms, "I'm sorry" he whispered in between his soft cries, "He nearly killed you because of me." He said.
"Shhh Ty, it's gonna be okay. He didn't kill me or you for that matter. I promise we'll figure this out" she tried to calm him but he wasn't having any of it. He just shook his head and put his hands over Caroline's, moving them away from him.
"What if he did Caroline? He killed my mother" he said and Caroline flinched, remembering about Carol.
"I mean," Tyler continued, "how long before he comes back and kills me or even worse, you? I could never live with myself if he killed someone else just for revenge. Last night was a wakeup call."
"But he let us go. You said so yourself" Caroline adjusted herself and picked Tyler's face in her hands, making him look her in the eyes, "that must mean something. He let you go alive. He didn't' kill you".
"But he'll come back" Tyler finished.
"When he does, we'll be prepared" Caroline tried to reason but Tyler just shook his head again, forcing Caroline prying hands away. He stood up-, away from Caroline and just stared o9ut the window.
"The longer I stay here, the more of a risk that he'll hurt you or anyone I care about". It felt as though he was talking aloud to himself, not Caroline.
Caroline stood up, ignoring the pain in her heart. She couldn't believe what she wa shearing. What was Tyler implying? That he was going to leave her?
"Where are you going with this Tyler?" she asked, scared of the answer.
There was a moment of silence as Tyler dropped his head and looked back at Caroline, taking a deep breath.
"I have to leave" he said, "I have to get away from here. Out of Mystic Falls and go somewhere he won't find me".
"What?" Caroline half-laughed, "And go where? This is Klaus we're talking about", she was in front of him now, grabbing his hands into her, "he'll find you no matter where you hide".
"What else can I do Caroline?" he asked, a broken man.
She contemplated the idea for a second.
"I'll come with you" she finally said and Tyler's eyes met hers.
"No" he whispered and Caroline was shocked for a second. "He'll come after us both then and I don't want you to leave everything you have here behind. I won't make you restart your life on the run Care".
"I don't care. My life here isn't complete without you. I want to come with you. And what makes you think he won't come after me when I'm here alone?" she asked, trying to fight away her tears. She knew he had already made his mind up. He was leaving, alone. And she doubted anything she said would make him change his mind, he was already gone.
"You'll have Stefan and Elena and Bonnie-" he started but Caroline interrupted him.
"I won't have you" she said in a small voice, her voice breaking on the last word. And that's when realization hit Tyler. Was it really worth running away?
"I have to go Caroline" he said, pushing himself away from her, he started for the door.
"Tyler" she cried after him and before eh could step out of the room, she was in front of him.
"Please don't" she whispered.
"Caroline" he began, holding her pretty little head in his hands and smiling, "I love you. I love you more than my own life and if I honestly thought there was another way, I wouldn't be doing this. But I have to. I can't risk any one else I love. He won't come after you. He's after me. And only me. That's why I have to go".
He kissed her forehead and she couldn't voice the words she'd wanted to say because of the huge lump that was now growing in her throat.
"How long will you be gone for?" was all she could manage.
"I promise I'll come back. As soon as I can, I'll contact you. I'll call you and I'll be back. For now, this is what I have to do".
Before she could say another word or breakdown, Tyler clutched her in his arms, holding her from breaking apart in front of him.
"I'm so sorry Caroline. But I have to do this".
"No you don't" she fought, "you could stay, I could protect you. We could all protect you". Tyler pulled her face up.
"And risk another violent confrontation like last night?" he asked. He shook his head, clutching her one more time, "no. I'm not letting him hurt you or anyone because of me again". He finished.
"But-" Caroline began and Tyler parted from her.
"Caroline" he interjected, "I've already made up my mind. Nothing you can say or do will change it. I'm sorry".
Caroline pursed her lips, knowing there was no point in trying to reason with him.
"I love you" Tyler repeated, "Just remember that. Maybe, sometime down the line, we can be together again", his voice was a whisper now and Caroline's tears began streaming again.
"I'll always love you" she whispered and he smiled, blinking away the tears and pulled her up for one last kiss. The kiss that defined them.
They parted after a few moments and Caroline clutched onto him and tightly as she could, praying she'd never have to let him go. But she felt him trying to pull away and she let out a deep sigh, trying to control her feelings.
"Take care of yourself Care" he whispered, kissing her head.
"You too" she whispered back. "And don't you dare move on" she joked, "you'd better not find another Hayley out there – I swear I'll rip her head off this time" she snapped, but it only made her hysterical. Tyler laughed, looking down at his hands.
"I won't" he promised. He pulled off his bracelet from his hand. "Here. Take this to remind me of you. You'd better not forget me" he teased. And Caroline took the silver chain and smiled back.
They hugged once more and she followed him out the front door.
"Wait Tyler" she began before forgetting. "What about your mom's funeral arrangements?" she asked. And he just turned round and smiled.
"I'm sure you'll come up with something special Caroline. I've already said my goodbyes" he finished.
"I love you" he whispered.
"I love you more" she whispered back.
"That's debatable" he joked and Caroline laughed, tears stinging in her eyes.
"Goodbye Care" he finally said and she couldn't reply. She somewhat mimed goodbye as she watched the love of her life turn his back to her and walk away. She watched him leave, his outline fade into the far horizon.
She clutched her heart as he realization sunk in. Tyler was gone. She didn't know when she'd see him again.
The pain in her chest from earlier w as no replaced with heartbreak. Her silent cries turned to sobs as she melted in the doorway, against the door.
She'd now have to learn to live without Tyler. All because of Klaus. The monster that tore apart lives and took away all happiness. He might as well have killed Tyler last night, because that's what it felt like with him leaving.
She didn't understand why he didn't just kill her last night even though he was more than hinting that her life meant so little to him. She wanted to ask him why he did it but she didn't want to see him. Not now, not ever.
She figured it was just another one of Klaus' games. She had never hated Klaus so much as she did now. She wanted to hurt him as much as he had hurt her but she knew that wouldn't make her any better than him. She didn't want anything to do with him ever again. But she knew that sharing the same town, it wouldn't be long 'til he bumped into her or had a part to play in another plan to end him which would only end disastrously taking another innocent life. It always ended like that. It was an endless murderous cycle.
The game wasn't over until someone had lost their life or someone had been hurt. And God only knows how many times Caroline had been hurt from these games.
But no more, she thought.
She'd now have to adjust to life without Tyler and mend everything Klaus had ruined, starting with her boyfriends dead mother's wake.
Caroline half wished Klaus had succeeded in killing her last night; there were times like now when Caroline felt truly useless and out of place.
She only prayed time would make things better.
Tomorrow's another day, she thought, pulling herself up off the floor.
Liked it? Loved it? let me know in a review :)
Sorry if it was a bit dragging and I apologise for any Forwood fans - I had to get rid of Tyler in order for things between Klaus & Caroline to progress - please don't stake me for it! ;) Please review - i'd really appreciate it!
Thanks for reading!