Chapter 8: Downhill
Caroline woke to the horrendous burning of her skin, but for a few moments, her vision was blurry. She felt as though she was on fire. The whimpering turned to cries as Caroline began to feel the pure intensity of the sensation. She heard movement from somewhere, wherever she was and began to huddle to what she assumed was a wall. She was confined by something and could not escape the burning. The soreness of her neck caused her to hiss between her cries.
As she began to see clearly, her eyes quickly darted around the room. She was in some… old abandoned house? It was late afternoon, maybe? She was alone for now… She looked down to see legs and arms wrapped in chains. The chains coated with something wet. The acidic smell hit her nostrils.
Vervain.
She growled as she tried to rip the chains off her but she couldn't. The chains remained unbroken, and nothing she did would break her out of it. She was trapped. She scooted to the corner as she heard footsteps walking towards her. She was petrified and all she could do was watch the door to see who was coming. When the door opened, she saw him.
"Welcome to the Witch's House." Damon greeted as he came inside the room. "Enjoying your stay so far?" Elena crept behind him and was staring at Caroline expressionless. The intense spark of emotions hit her like a freight train as soon as she saw Elena.
She screamed and cursed at the bastard before trying violently thrashing. Attempting to break the chain but to no avail. She gritted her teeth at the pain and Damon's cocky smirk. "What are you gonna do when Tyler finds you, huh?! He'll kill you." Any reservations she had about not killing Damon had been thrown out the window. She wanted him dead. The bastard had tormented her enough during his stay in this town and this right now… this is where her patience and empathy for him ends.
"I wouldn't worry about him. After all, the Spirits only let who they want in this home. Pretty powerful seeing as they can keep you chained up like that." Damon's grin growing wider as a sudden wave of pain surged into her head, causing her to gasp. "Now we wait for Bonnie to come to collect you."
"Why are you so sure she'll come?" She managed to hiss at him as the headache became more pain inducing.
"She isn't too far gone. The witch will come running when she hears you're in danger. It's in her nature, and people's nature is hard to kill off. Then the Spirits will make her see reason…" Damon squatted to her eye level, and if she had any strength left in her, she would have headbutted the asshole. "I should thank you. If it weren't for your avid support of Bonnie early this morning...I am not sure how I would have gotten her to come here." A lightbulb in her head clicked, and all she could do was let out a groan. The truth was so painfully apparent that she wondered how she had not become suspicious before. Her friendship with Elena blindsided her.
"So, I was set up by you." She spat at her ex-friend who couldn't even look at her in the eye. "That's why you wanted me there at that specific time so he could get me." She had never felt more stupid, and she regretted that she didn't at least bring Tyler with her to stay in the car if something went awry. She had thought she had the upper hand, but in reality, she had walked into a trap.
"You were going to compel me!" Care mustered a glare at her. The constant pain of vervain and the uncomfortableness from having her head snapped alongside the Spirits fucking with her head made her a little bit irritable. Today had been a long day, and she knew her hellish day wasn't going to end anytime soon. Her strength swindling slowly, and black spots began to appear in her vision.
"Go fuck yourself, Elena." She hissed before passing out from the pain.
-X-
They were about fifteen minutes away from the destination, but any confidence she had in her plan had been dwindling since the beginning of the car ride. The faith in her abilities plummeted as her nose began to bleed. Reality came crashing down as her head began to spin. No! No! No! Not now! Please, I have to do this! She pleaded in her head as the blood dripped down to her chin. But...fate wouldn't have it any other way and made sure to remind her of the gravity of the situation. She was about to play savior despite being a ticking time bomb. This spell...was about to unravel her.
"Fuck." The panic in her voice caused Stefan and Klaus to turn their eyes away from the road and onto her.
"Napkins in the glove compartment." He ordered, and the Ripper obliged. He hastily gave her the napkin before she began wiping the blood off. But her nose would not stop bleeding. The blood gushing from her nose had never been this bad. She could feel her muscles from her feet to her upper back begin to tighten and tense. Her head felt a migraine coming on, and her heart would not stop racing no matter how many deep breaths she would take. This was her undoing.
"Stop the car." She then hollered. "I said, STOP THE FUCKING CAR!" Klaus reluctantly pulled on the side of the road and parked. He didn't even have time to ask why before she barreled out of the car. She had made it onto the grass before her knees buckled from both stress and the cramping of her muscles. For a moment, she was imobile.
Speedy thoughts raced in her head. Why is this happening now? Why now? Is fate this cruel? A new wave of thoughts rushed past her. Why is everything always up to me? Why does this depend on me? Is this worth what my body is saying it will cost? Bonnie was at a loss, and no amount of confidence would get her to get back up. She wasn't that magical soldier anymore. She was... at her limit.
"Bonnie!" The Ripper jumped out of the car as she began sobbing. Klaus quickly follows suit.
"I can't do it."
"Bon…"
"I can't do it, Stefan. I just can't…"
"Here," Klaus said before tossing the Ripper his keys. "Go to Tyler and Matt. We will be there shortly." She didn't hear their last exchange of words, but she guessed he had listened. She heard a door close and a car speeding off.
"You get a tiny nosebleed, and it makes you upset." Klaus then sat down in front of her. "But I know you, you don't get fussy about the small bumps in the road. So what is really making you upset?"
"The nosebleed," She pushed the tears away. "I'm weak. I can't take on those Spirits. Not in this state…" Her body aching was surely a warning. How could she take on a deranged vampire and dead witches when her body was ready to become comatose?
"A Bennett witch—"
"I haven't committed to being a dark witch...all the way. It's getting to me." She wrapped her arms around herself. "I just can't. I don't want to go crazy or become a murderer, but I can't decide. And it's getting to me… I know I've changed because of it. And the dreams…." She shivered. "I just can't do this. I know I am not strong enough."
"You don't have to be any of those things." He frowned. "There are other options out there."
"What other options? A whore?" Bonnie shook her head. "I'm not like that. I'm just not. I was and never will be a woman that just opens her legs for anyone that asks."
"Then keep the men to a minimum. You don't have to mess with every man you come across." Klaus then tilted his head. "There may be a few restrictions in being a dark witch, but there is so much liberation and freedom from it. I've known witches similar to you or at least your stance on the matter, but they come around. They learn to deal with the consequences of their actions and try to make the most out of the decision."
"It doesn't matter if I even accept what your saying as truth. Right now, I'm not strong enough due to my indecision. I don't think I can save Caroline from them without someone getting hurt or winding up dead. Not in this state. I doubt I can even save her." Another rush of pain filled her head and she knew the breaking point was closing in.
"We'll find a way." Klaus moved closer to her. "Don't regress from this. You said it yourself that you're free now. You love the liberation it gave you. Don't doubt yourself now. You are powerful but your doubt is clouding your judgement." She just shook her head at his words.
Crossroads of a decision…The voice still taunted her. She knew what it all meant. What was she willing to lose to save Caroline? They weren't going to make it out if she didn't use her powers. She just knew it. No one could convince the Spirits they were wrong, and they were set on convincing her. Punishing her for her disobedience like a misbehaved pet.
"Liberation and freedom… I wanted that at the beginning. I didn't care what it cost me but I also didn't know what it all entailed." She was just rambling. She knew she was, but she didn't have the energy to stop herself. The truth was faster than her mental filter. "I guess I am paying the price for it. Serves me right I guess… I am always supposed to be the morally uptight one. Never straying away from what's good for everyone. I guess that doesn't matter anymore, nothing does." The moment of silence was followed up by her saying, "Dark magic didn't scare me at first, but now it does. I fear it."
"You sound like it's already over." Klaus leaned toward her. "This type of magic… It isn't win or lose. It's a complex system… why do you fear it?"
"It makes me want things I shouldn't want." Her eyes lowered to the ground. "It makes me have these dreams...desires… that I shouldn't have. I just…" She felt a gust of wind brush past her causing her to shiver. "You were in one of them...the dreams."
"Me?" Klaus's expression flickered. "And I suppose these aren't dreams that are platonic?" She remained silent. "You shouldn't want me, is that it?" I know I shouldn't.
"Your kindness at first felt like a sham, but it didn't stop the dreams from occurring. There were parts of me that became drawn to you, and the other night you helped me without asking anything in return. I enjoy your company even though I shouldn't considering our history. But... I cannot say in good faith, that's all me. I'm scared of that. Is this my free will or is the magic convincing to do things? I know my behavior has changed, and I don't know if that's me or not." She felt his hand brush away the remainder of her tears. "What if I regret it all?"
"And what if you regret none of it?" He retorted. "You don't know how you'll feel about any decision down the road. You may be a witch, but you are not a seer. You can't see everything ahead of you, no one can. Don't be blinded by hindsight. Hindsight is good, but you need to see what is right in front of you as well." Somehow the advice had calmed her down. He calmed her down. Her eyes looked from the ground to him and never had she seen him openly look so worried.
"When did you learn to be emotionally supportive?" It was a non-answer but she just didn't know what else to say. She then bit her lip as another wave of pain went through her body. The pain duller than before, but it still hurt.
"Elijah has good advice from time to time." Klaus paused before continuing, "What would help me to convince you to go over to the house?" She could feel her stomach turn at the question. A similar feeling from this morning creeping in. Her body temperature rising and a familiar heat flooded her senses.
"No," she shook her head as though shaking away the thoughts that were coming to the surface. "No amount of confidence or assurance will help me. My nosebleed wasn't a coincidence. My body is at its limits as well as my magic due to my indecision. I don't know what will happen if I use magic now unless..."
A witch feeds them her magical energy during sex which drains her magic, and like that, she's as good as new.
"Then what do you need?" Klaus's blue eyes fell onto her.
The air became hotter. Her hands were tied behind her back, and she was face down on the grass. She couldn't see him but could feel his presence.
"You look stunning this way. If only I had known earlier..." His hoarse voice traveled to her ears. His voice full of arousal. "That fucking you... Having you submit to me... It would have made things much easier." His hand ran down her back. The coolness contrasted her hot skin. Her body ached for release. Ached for his touch.
The flashback of the dream made her heart race. For a moment, any other reasons for what she was about to do was in the background of her mind. What did she need?
She needed to survive.
She leaned into him where only an inch of space was left between them, "Do you want me?"
-X-
"Where's Bonnie?" Was the first question Tyler asked as the Ripper had stepped out of the car.
"She'll be here soon." Was all he could say. He didn't want to talk to anyone at the moment except for Bonnie. Time had been a cruel bitch all day. The hours of her being gone while he was pacing around the house, waiting for her to return felt like an eternity in hell.
The Ripper didn't worry for anyone, but the exception came in a brown eyed witch. Her erratic behavior had left him with more questions than answers. Not to mention he was stuck with a raging boner for more than half the day with no release. He had been so close even though he was hesitant. The hesitation was reserved for her, though.
He wanted her legs entwined with his hips and screaming his name (because she would definitely be a screamer). His hesitation was not due to not wanting her, but her being regretful due to her...condition. He didn't take rejection easy, and he was sure Stefan would be moping for the next century if he fucked up the newly mended friendship.
Their short conversation at the house had left him furious. Even now, Elena was ruining his life. The honorary girl code should be null when the friend became a backstabbing bitch, but that isn't how Bonnie functioned apparently. How could he convince her? She has hesitations about him, and he doubted she would say a word to Stefan, so he was stuck. Shit outta luck. She wanted him. She said so herself!
If only he had time. Time to explain himself and Stefan. He wanted to grab her and tell her everything. What Stefan honestly thought of her but time... Time was his enemy at the moment. Or more so, his idiotic brother and Elena.
The little fiasco in the car did not help the unending stress that was pumping through his veins. Seeing her crying her eyes out on the side of the road had left an image in his head that he wanted to erase. He felt helpless in the moment as he saw the pain in her eyes. He knew he couldn't help her so he had followed Klaus's instructions. Klaus was much more familiar with helping witches than he was. Besides, he had to act fast with all that was going on. Arguing wouldn't have helped anyone especially not her.
He didn't know how he could have helped her. It isn't like he has a way with words. That was Stefan's forte. Or how to cease whatever pain she was in...
"Like how soon?" Matt badgered. "Because he is right there." His eyes quickly darted to find him and dilated when he saw Damon in the doorway. How long had he been there? The Ripper had been so furious that he was ignoring the world around him. The only thing that was in his head was his witch that was in pain.
He and his older brother locked eyes for a few moments. His smirk was a challenge which only enraged him more. To say he was upset with his brother was the understatement of the century. He was ready to take a page out of Klaus's book when it came to dealing with an unruly sibling.
"Why did he open the door? Seems like he'd want to be as hidden as possible."
"The dead witches are protecting him, which means we probably can't enter." The Ripper paused. "He's waiting for Bonnie and probably came out to taunt us."
"How cordial of him." Matt rolled his eyes. The three of them move closer to the house but kept a safe distance away.
"Hello, Stefan," Damon greeted.
"Hello, pain in my ass." He crossed his arms and knew to keep his defenses up. Who knew what other tricks Damon had up his sleeve. "How's fucking my ex doing for you?"
"Great actually. She says I'm much better, but I'm not sure if that's a compliment since she said you were a bit of a bore. She was probably thinking about what groceries she needed to buy while she was with you. Though I suppose you don't care because you're off having fun with the kooky witch that bores librarians." The Ripper knew it was bait to get a rise out of him and make him do something ungodly idiotic but… he wanted to wipe that smirk off his brother's face. Plus he's been pissed off way before noon.
"Good for you, Damon. You got the girl who probably still thinks about me, bravo. And don't worry about returning her when she inevitably falls out of love with you, she's all yours. I hate used items anyway so no refunds." He let the words sink in before continuing. "Besides, I prefer my new partner in crime. A bit of a hellcat. Too bad for you brother that you didn't even get the chance to hate fuck the witch. You'd leave the doppelganger in a second if you knew how much better she is."
"So you are fucking the witch. I thought sleeping with an ex's best friend would be beneath you, but I suppose the Ripper will fuck anything that walks. Bravo, brother, you chose the backup. You got the coach seat, while I am riding first class."
"First class, huh?"
"Yep, but enjoy the witch for all she's worth. She couldn't entertain a human so not sure what makes her so special? Hit it and quit it kind of gal." Stefan would have retorted, but Tyler was already on the move. The young hybrid growled before charging at his brother. As soon as his foot stepped on the porch, he was sent flying towards them. The Ripper dodged out of the way, and Matt narrowed escaped before Tyler landed hard onto the ground.
"What the hell, Tyler?" The Ripper hissed. "What about this place is protected by dead witches did you not understand?" Tyler got up just enough to face them and scowled.
"Go fuck yourselves! I didn't come here to see you two have a dick measuring contest and I sure as hell not listening to you two talk about Bonnie like this!" Tyler's eyes glowed and his fangs barely hidden by his lips. "Where's Caroline?!"
"Calm down, wolfie. Your girlfriend is still breathing." Damon smirked. "Well, technically not but you get the picture."
"Tyler… please calm down. She'll be fine, okay? Just be calm…" Matt cooed.
"Nice bromance." Damon hollered. "The gayness is just barely poking out." Matt's face turned a pink shade, and he began to wonder if his brother's words rang true but didn't have time to think about who was fucking who.
"What did you do to her?" The Ripper asked as he turned back to his brother.
"Snapped her neck and left her upstairs with chains coated in vervain. If the Bennett witch doesn't show up soon, I may do more. She may come a bit faster when she hears Blondie screaming her head off."
"And Elena will let you do that? I know she's in there somewhere." Even the Ripper was wondering how Elena could be so heartless. She's become more like Katherine than I originally believed, he thought.
"She will." Damon leaned against the doorframe. "Tick tock little brother. Tick tock." The Ripper was ready to curse out his brother, Elena, and the dead witches. Maybe the universe fucking too. He turned away and went over to Tyler, who was still recovering from being magically thrown. The Ripper could feel his jaw clenching from anger.
Why the hell are they taking so long?
