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2nd October, 2002
"Elena! Jer! If we want a ride to school, mom says you both have to be downstairs now."
The sudden trampling of footsteps caused a wide grin to spread across my face. That grin quickly dissolved into a grimace accompanied by a wince at the sound of the crash which followed. My feet had already broken into a run without conscious thought.
I skidded to a halt at the foot of the stairs with Aunt Jenna just a split second behind me and the two of us helped my baby brother and sister back to their feet.
Once I deemed them okay enough to not have sustained any serious injury, my back hit the wall and my eyebrow rose. "You two are idiots," I stated, my voice dripping with reprimand.
Through his clenched teeth, Jeremy managed a rough smile as he rubbed his elbow vigorously where a splotchy purple bruise was slowly forming beneath the skin. "But we worried you. Worth it."
One green and one grey eye narrowed and I whirled around towards Aunt Jenna, mentally demanding back up.
The strawberry-blonde haired woman had been fighting a smile but when I sent the dark look, the look which I had perfected over the years of having siblings in her direction, she quickly composed herself.
My exasperation was reaching a high but I could never be mad at her. She was as just as irresponsible as my siblings. And for that I couldn't help but love her fondly.
Standing up straight and crossing her arms, Jenna tried to look like the responsible authority as she questioned them. "Why couldn't you two just go down the stairs one at a time?"
Elena, who was massaging her jaw, sent a hesitant glance in my direction. When my blank expression didn't change, she hung her head and whispered sadly, "I wanted a lift and I was hungry."
Her forlorn expression was too much. Letting out a sigh, I turned towards the kitchen and swiped up an apple from within the interwoven basket on the table. With a gentle flick of my wrist, I threw the piece of fruit towards her and she caught it with a beam. I smiled back. Apples were always her favourite.
"You're not having anything?" Jenna questioned and my eyes strayed towards the sink where my abandoned mug now lay.
"It's all about the coffee Aunt Jenna," I replied casually before turning to my sister and held up a forefinger. "Life's words of wisdom Elena, heed it."
Elena nodded vigorously which caused my lips to twitch. She and Jer were always following in my footsteps. They looked up to me even when my footsteps took them down the wrong path but where would the fun be if I didn't stray, just a bit?
A clearing of a throat caused me to gulp in some air before I unwillingly turned back round to face Aunt Jenna.
The woman in question had her arms tightly crossed with the toe of her boot lightly tapping against the tiled floor. "Coffee, Sophie? You're thirteen."
"You've done worse," I responded which promptly caused her to zip her mouth shut. Yet she still looked aghast and I defended, "You take our classes then get back to me about caffeine and age. Tanner's face alone makes me want to gouge my eyes out with a teaspoon."
Before Jenna came up with a retort, there came a sudden honking of a horn from outside. Getting back to my priorities. I whipped around to find my siblings lingering by the doorway; the two of them watching the back and forth between aunt and niece eagerly.
"Elena, Jer, go get in the car, mom's waiting," I ordered. Elena nodded and took one last massive bite out of her apple before chucking the core in the trash and scurrying off. When I didn't hear anyone following her, I narrowed my eyes at Jeremy who was watching me, all wide eyed and innocent.
"Why did Elena get food and not me?"
"Because you stole Aunt Jenna's sandwiches – don't try to deny it," I retorted calmly and Jenna nodded along mimicking my expression.
"Yeah you did… wait-WHAT?!"
Gotta go!" Jeremy ducked under the outstretched arm of our gobsmacked Aunt and grabbed my wrist, hauling me rapidly towards the car. Sliding into the seat with haste he turned to Miranda Gilbert who was watching his actions with a smirk.
"Drive mom Drive!" he yelled, watching with panic as Aunt Jenna stormed out the house looking positively murderous.
"Don't you dare Miranda!"
Mom's smirk widened at her sister's warning but she nevertheless complied with Jer's urges and started the engine. We were off before Jenna had even reached the bottom of the drive. "
You're lucky it was me taking you to school and not your father," mom commented and she turned the wheel smoothly, steering the car around the corner. "He would have stayed back to watch you suffer."
Elena and I laughed as Jeremy slouched back into his seat glowering. It was unknown to many that Grayson Gilbert had a playful side. Mom always went on about the old days when he lived to make his teachers lives hell in school.
Rumour had it that dad was actually the one who started sabotaging classrooms the night before senior year, a tradition which had been carried on and officially named Senior Prank Night. How I couldn't wait for that day to come around.
How I wished dad would show that side around us.
He was a loving father, it was true but lately he had been so immersed in his work that he never got out of serious mode.
I was jolted out of my musings when mom turned in her seat to face us. I hadn't even realised we had already arrived at school.
She cast a heart-warming smile in our direction which always put us at ease before stating in a faux strict tone, "Now all of you have a good day and don't cause any trouble. I'm specifically looking at you, Jeremy."
Jeremy began to protest but I quickly put a hand over his mouth to stop his retort. Truth be told, he was the best behaved out of the three of us. We just loved to rile him up but he always took things way out of context.
"We will do, love you mom," I uttered and I hauled my bag over my shoulder, exiting the car.
"Love you too," mom replied softly.
I slammed the car door shut and together, the three of us watched her drive out of sight. My form was engulfed by a shadow not a second after she had gone and smiling, I spun around, my eyes falling on a boy with chubby cheeks and bright blue eyes.
"Hey Jer, Soph, Elena." Matt Donovan smiled cheekily at Elena who blushed and took his hand.
Jeremy groaned loudly and I rolled my eyes before grabbing his hand and dragging him away from the other two. "Really Jer?" I questioned.
"They were going to kiss, I know it!" Jeremy protested, failing to hide his disgust.
I shook my head, feeling a strange irritation begin to itch in my blood. It was sudden and so unlike anything I had ever felt before. Usually I was so composed, unaffected by anything but now, all I felt was... off.
Whipping my head towards my brother, I couldn't stop myself from snapping. "Do Elena and I groan when you and Vikki Donovan make googly eyes at each other? No. So don't do it to her."
Jeremy flushed and looked down. "Sorry. I err, I'll just go and get to class," he mumbled embarrassed, then scarpered quickly away.
I never went off on anyone with that tone. Ever. Especially not my brother. I thought I would feel something. Remorse. Regret. But nothing. The irritation was still there but it was building, changing into a faint surge of anger.
My eyes automatically snapped shut and I dug my nails into my palms hard. This wasn't just a normal anger.
I felt like I was burning.
"Hey! What's his problem?"
I sighed, letting out a long breath and my fists unclenched. Whatever episode I had just experienced had gone. Never had I ever been glad for Bonnie Bennett's timely interruption. "It's nothing Bonnie, Jeremy was just being Jeremy."
Bonnie laughed and crossed her arms. "Then we don't have anything to worry about."
A giggle broke through the air and the two of us turned just in time to see Matt tuck a stray strand of hair behind my sister's ear.
"I predict by the time we're sixteen, they'll be together," Bonnie stated with a grin, her green eyes sparkling.
I sighed as I watched them together. It was stupid to even try and argue against Bonnie. The girl had a knack for foretelling future events. Almost like a sixth sense.
In the beginning, I found it strange but it didn't take long for me to accept her weird quirks. There were probably stranger things out there.
"The jock and the cheerleader," I murmured.
"Sounds like a horror film to me," Caroline shuddered as stood by my other side, her makeshift pompoms clutched tight one hand. "Not to be like a downer on it all but it won't last. Matt's nice but we all know he isn't the guy for Elena."
I bit my lip at that. I wanted to argue, to let my sister be happy but what the bubbly blonde said was true. Elena always wanted more out of life. She wanted excitement. Adventure.
Matt would have been the perfect guy for anyone else.
"Do you think we will ever find somebody or do you think we will all die alone?" Caroline whispered as she stared enviously at my sister.
Bonnie and I exchanged a glance as we noticed the blonde's insecurity bubbling up. Never once had I given the concept of romance the tiniest bit of thought. The only romance I liked were the ones in Disney movies.
I didn't want to think about reality. Truthfully, I found the thought of kissing another person on the lips gross.
"Tell you what Care," I declared, coming up with an idea to placate the blonde. "If none of us have boys when you turn eighteen, we will all move to a hot country with a beach-"
"-and find our prince charming who will carry us off into the sunset," Bonnie finished my sentence with a dreamy sigh and I nodded.
Caroline smiled slightly then put her hands on her hips. "Okay but I get the prince from Cinderella."
The bell rang and as one, we simultaneously grabbed our things and rushed in opposite directions towards our designated classes. As I hurtled down the corridor, I wasn't truly focusing on my surroundings.
One moment I was standing and in the next, I had crashed into someone. Whoever it was immediately pushed me back and sent me tumbling to the floor.
"Oops. I would say I am sorry but I'm not."
Wincing at the pain erupting from my hands which I had flung out to cushion my fall, I blearily looked up towards the owner of the voice.
Aimee Bradley. Of course. And sure enough, there was Sarah Tyson flanking her left side. The two of them stood with their arms crossed and sneers enveloping their faces.
"Now at least you are on the floor where you belong," Aimee continued nastily as she inspected her nails.
The corridor was empty now apart from the three of us. "Do you seriously get your kicks from belittling others? It's pathetic. Really," I drawled as I forced myself to my feet and walking away.
"Well you're brave." Amy's voice carried over to my ears. I rolled my eyes and kept on walking. "Can't say the same for your brother."
That made me stop dead in my tracks and I spun around. "What?" I whispered, my voice was like black ice.
"Did Jeremy ever tell you what he deals with?" Aimee asked with a leer as she strode forwards; her footsteps echoing almost eerily against the floor as she closed the distance between us. She shrugged, her mouth agape in an expression of false shock. "I mean not just from us but from everybody."
"And yet he still tries to be kind," Sarah continued and leant against one of the lockers when my attention snapped to her. "I suppose he gets that from you. All I would have to do is give him a bit of attention and he'll come running like a lost puppy. It's pathetic. Really."
The words began to sweep over me. Sarah's words - her mimicry of my own words. Turning them around and using them as a weapon against my brother.
All I could feel was my pulse throbbing strong in my head. The strange form of anger from before was back. This time it was clawing at my insides, gaining power the more I tried to force it back down. No matter how hard I tried, It just wouldn't go away. My eyes closed.
"You're going to take back what you said or I swear to you, I will make you regret it," I warned, my breaths were now coming out ragged, my palms were beginning to sweat from the blood which boiled hot beneath my skin.
"And then there's your sister," Aimee continued idly as if I hadn't spoken but her dark eyes viewed me animatedly, revelling in the pain her words caused me. "Stringing along poor Matt Donovan who deserves so much better. Give it a few more years and I bet the preppy bitch would let anyone do her."
In that moment, anger flared into rage. A low hiss escaped my lips, the intensity of the emotion surging inside caused my body to uncontrollably shake.
I couldn't hold it in any longer. This feeling had to go away. And there was only one way I could think of letting it out. In my mind, I mentally tried to vision an exit door opening.
My eyes snapped open.
The smiles from the two girls' faces had gone. All that was left was terror. The two of them frantically backed away, Sarah pointing at me with a trembling finger. "Your eyes…" she whispered before her attention snapped to something over my shoulder.
She screamed.
The alarm bells screeched in my ears. Aimee and Sarah were running. Fleeing towards the exit.
"FIRE! THIS IS NOT A DRILL. EVERY ONE GET OUT! STAY AWAY FROM THE SCIENCE CORRIDOR."
It was then when I felt it. The warm caress of heat radiating on my back. I smelt it. The charcoal, sulfuric odour which would have made anybody's eyes water yet mine remained perfectly dry. I spun around and I saw it.
The roaring flames at the end of the corridor. The ember tongues eating away at everything in their path.
I wanted to run, to flee like the others but my feet stayed firmly planted on the ground. It was like I was paralysed by fear but at the same time, some deeper part of me was utterly transfixed by the sight.
"SOPHIA GILBERT WHAT ARE YOU DOING? RUN!"
The vague annoyance at Mr Davis' use of my full name snapped me out of whatever trance I was in. I stumbled back and he shoved me towards the exit. The bright light of the sun caused me to sag and I found myself pulled into two pairs of arms.
My head was buried in Jeremy's hair as Elena sobbed into my shoulder.
"Is everyone out?" I vaguely heard Mr Davis' voice in the distance.
"We won't know for sure until the fire and ambulance services get here," came Tanner's grave response which sent a chill down my spine. "It sprung out of nowhere and its escalation was rapid. Hopefully they will find the cause to ensure the school's safety."
Heart beating fast, I pulled out of my siblings' arms and stepped away, watching them as they joined Bonnie, Caroline and Matt. When Elena reached the blue eyed boy, he pulled her into a hug.
I averted my gaze from the scene and instead found myself straying to the black smoke oozing from the science block. From within the dark cloud, I could see the glowing sparks of orange and I watched the flames in a daze.
Tanner said it came out of nowhere. What possibly could have happened to ignite a fire of that magnitude?
The faint sound of fire engines and ambulances wailed in the distance. Never once did I move. Not even when the fire-fighters began to tackle the flames. It would take a long time to fully extinguish them.
A firm hand on my shoulder forced me back to reality followed by the worried voice in my ear. "Come on Sophie, we need to get you out of here."
I whirled around to find a familiar face. It was sympathetic and it was resolved and it stared back at me with a glimmer of worry.
"Uncle John?"
My eyes snapped open as I bolted up in my bed, breathing heavily. The familiar neutral hues of my bedroom surrounded me and I leaned back against the headboard, running a hand through my sweat-drenched hair.
"Hey, I-I called you ten times last night. We need to talk."
I groaned as I heard Elena's voice getting closer and closer. I slid my body back down onto the mattress. My head buried into my pillows and I jerked the covers over my head just as the door opened.
"If you're mad at me Damon, you need to get over it." There was a silence before I heard Elena press a button on her phone, sighing exasperatedly. I took it she hung up on him. Or he on her. I didn't care. I was exhausted.
"Soph, I know you're awake," Elena's voice once again broke the air.
I moaned as the covers were pulled off me and I fumbled around uselessly until my fingers fell on something smooth. Success! I attempted to pull them back over but was met with resistance. Not even attempting to fight any longer, I let my eyes droop. "Elenaa, it's too early, let me sleeeep."
"Sophie it's eleven."
"My point exactly. No waking the sleeping sister until this afternoon," I protested slightly and Elena suddenly let go of the covers, letting me tumble back onto my pillows.
"I just wanted you to know that I am going to Damon's."
"That's nice," I yawned as I snuggled back under the covers and closed my eyes when I heard my bedroom door close. After half an hour of tossing and turning, I decided it was no use and inwardly muttering swear words to myself, I forced myself up.
My feet took me towards the mirror and as soon as I was met with my reflection, another curse left my lips. My eyes were the definition of a panda bear; the bags underneath highlighting the lack of sleep I had gotten last night.
As if on autopilot, I plodded towards the bathroom and turned the dial on the shower. Without checking the temperature, I quickly stepped in and gasped as the freezing cold water engulfed my body.
The impatience eating at me, I cautiously reached out and ignoring the sliver of fear, I placed my hand on the shower head. The water heated up just short of scalding and blinking back the faint dizziness, I relaxed against the cold tile wall, feeling utterly refreshed.
Once I had deemed myself acceptable for the day, I descended down the stairs and into to the kitchen. At the sight of Elena pacing back and forth by the dining table, I paused and furrowed my eyebrows. "Weren't you going to see Damon?"
Elena smiled faintly before rolling her chocolate eyes. "Sophie you were in that shower way too long. I've already been."
Crossing the room, I opened the fridge door and pulled out a tub of grapes. Popping one straight in my mouth, I turned to face her and scrutinised her through narrowed eyes. "What did he do?"
Elena looked up, startled. "What?"
"Damon. What did he do?"
My answer was met with a groan as Elena slumped onto one of the chairs, her head in her hands. "He slept with Rebekah."
I sighed and steadily approached her. As soon as I witnessed Damon snap Kol's neck last night, I had kind of expected this. The older Salvatore seemed like the type to lash out.
Leaning against the chair I pondered my next words. "Are you angry at Damon because you care for him and felt jealous... or are you angry because out of all the women in the world, he slept with the one you hate?"
"I-I don't know." Elena rested her hands on the table and tapped her nails against the wood, staring up at the ceiling. "I know I hate Rebekah but it's more than that. When Stefan left, Damon was the one who was there for me, he helped me cope when I felt like I had lost everything. But Stefan was my first real love and last night when he took me home, it felt like he truly cared for me again and now…"
"You feel conflicted between them both," I concluded and Elena nodded before resting her head on my shoulder. We both sat there, lost in our own thoughts until the doorbell rang.
Without moving from my position, I yelled, "It's open!" Footsteps approached and my sister and I got to our feet when Caroline and Bonnie entered the room. "Hey, what are you doing here?" I enquired.
"I called them," Elena responded sheepishly. Without looking at me, she grabbed her friends and said almost hastily, "We'll be in my room."
All three of them then left, leaving me standing there wondering what the fuck had just happened.
I sank back into my seat once more, popping another grape into my mouth. After reliving my past memories in my dreams, I was all for having a lazy day but I didn't know what to do with myself. Instead, I chewed on another grape and found my mind wandering to the events of yesterday evening.
Without realising it, a small serene smile travelled across my face and I raised my fingertips to my lips in awe. What had that original done to me? I had never felt anything this pure with anyone, not even with him.
It only took one look, one teasing action and Elijah Mikaelson would make me act like some love-stricken high schooler.
Now, after having just a taste of this raw intimacy which existed between us, I found myself wanting - no, craving more. But I didn't know how to continue with whatever this was. I wasn't exactly an expert on successful relationships, if this even was a relationship.
Maybe this was just some passing fling to pass the time. The man had lived for a thousand years after all. Maybe this kind of relationship to him wasn't as sacred as it used to be.
Quickly getting rid of my rising paranoia, I leaped out of my seat and ascended the stairs to Elena's room. Once I stood at the door, chatter reached my ears. My hand paused in mid-air. Evening out my breathing in case Caroline sensed me, I carefully leant against the door to listen in.
"I think you made the wrong decision Elena. Did you even think of how this would affect her?" Caroline's snappy voice came through the door.
"Why? What does she have to do with all this?" I could hear Bonnie's cautious voice and confused, I knocked gently and entered.
Bonnie, Caroline and Elena were all sat on the bed. They smiled when they saw me, although there was something strange in each of their expressions. Like I had just interrupted something important.
"Hey are you two staying for lunch? I can't cook much but I've been told I can make a mean grilled sandwich."
Bonnie straightened up on the bed and replied, "Abby has something planned but thanks anyway."
Her answer was followed by an awkward silence and I stared at the three of them worriedly. Something was definitely off about this picture. "Are you okay, you all seem kind of tense?"
As one, they all relaxed. I may have been convinced if it wasn't for Elena fidgeting with her hands or the subtle ire in Caroline's hesitant smile. Forcing out a smile in return, I decided not to interrupt their secret conversation for any longer.
"Well, I see where I'm not wanted." I managed to say it teasingly and made a move to leave but Bonnie called me back.
"No, no, it's nothing really - Elena and Caroline were just filling me in on what I missed at the ball," the green eyed witch said quickly before pressing her lips together in a thin line as she scrutinised me. "They told me you were invited too."
Deciding to indulge her, I gingerly walked towards them and sank down on the edge of the bed. Feeling her probing glance on me, I looked away and muttered. "Yeah I did, it was, ah, Elijah who sent me the invitation."
Bonnie bit her lip and exchanged a quick glance with Elena and Caroline but I didn't notice as I stared intently at the fabric of Elena's covers.
"So… do you like him or something?" Bonnie pressed on and Elena jerked her head up whilst Caroline crossed her arms and looked away.
My teeth chewed the inside of my cheek which had started to heat up. The memories replayed over in my head and my heart literally skipped a beat. Caroline's attention flitted towards me. She had heard it.
"Yeah of course I mean who wouldn't? He's just so honourable and..."
Knew exactly where to touch a woman to make her feel enticed and compliant in his arms...
I shook my head, ridding myself of those wanton thoughts and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. "and…erm…I'm no good at this girl talk, so I'm just gonna go."
They all leaned back and I caught the looks of relief but there was also some regret. Feeling the tension, I quickly made my exit.
Once the door was shut, I sank back against the frame, hearing the hushed voices pass through the wooden barrier which separated me from the three girls inside..
"See! I told you! She cares about him Elena. More than she lets on," Caroline affirmed through gritted teeth.
"We don't know that Caroline. She'll get over it," came my sister's protesting but Caroline sharply cut across her.
"Oh come on guys! Am I the only one that thinks she's falling in love with him and he her?"
There was a silence and I waited with baited breath. In that moment, I think I had forgotten how to breathe.
"What?" Bonnie whispered with shock. "Why would you think that?"
"Seriously?" an irate Caroline muttered. "He invites her to the ball, he gives her a dress, he teaches her how to dance, the two of them are like bloody renditions of Romeo and Juliet whenever they are around one another andd…"
Caroline paused to take in a breath.
"if we hadn't been so worried about Matt, if we hadn't gone to ask the two of them for help, I would bet every single dress I own that they would have made out for five minutes, if not more, right in the middle of that dance floor."
Caroline finished off her rant and there was a soft flump as someone flopped down onto the bed. Before that moment, I never fully grasped how talented Caroline was at seeking out everything there was to know about everyone. That girl knew more about me than my own sister.
"Sophie can't have feelings for Elijah. They haven't known each other that long. They respect each other Care, that's it," Elena said slowly as if she was forcing the words from her mouth. Trying to convince herself that what she spoke was the absolute truth.
"My God, open your eyes, Elena!" Caroline exclaimed. "It took you what, like twenty minutes to fall in love with Stefan? Mark my words, Elijah Mikaelson will become her friend with benefits or your brother in law."
Okay, so did not need to hear them say that. Not wanting to push my luck at eavesdropping more than I already had, I immediately backed away from the door and rapidly strode downstairs. Shrugging on my coat, I left the house.
When I was halfway down the road, I hesitated and turned my head back round. Faintly, I could just make out Bonnie and Caroline leaving the house just as a sleek black car pulled up outside my driveway.
For a moment, I debated on indulging in my curiosity; to find out who exactly it was behind those tinted windows who had such an expensive taste in vehicles but I had gotten in my sister's business enough today. It was probably Stefan's.
The Salvatores would have been round long enough to afford something which probably cost a thousand times more than everything I owned.
Instead, I continued to walk on, trying to find something productive to do. After few more minutes, I found myself at the entrance of The Grill.
'Drinking was what I called productive?' I mused to myself but then thought 'what the hell' and stepped inside. I strode towards the bar and hid a grin as I found two familiar faces. Alaric and Meredith. The two of them sat side by side.
Alaric had his phone to his ear and, not being able to help myself, I slid onto the barstool beside him. I steepled my fingertips in front of me as I regarded him inquisitively.
"Finally getting some?" I asked nonchalantly and Alaric choked on his drink. I sent a quick wink to Meredith who hid a smile as we both indulged in the rare sight of the history teacher's reddened face .
"Yes that was Sophie and I'm busy….. Goodbye Damon." He hung up and finally focused on me. At my not too subtle mischievous look, he groaned. "Don't start."
"I didn't say anything, not that I need to. Your blush is giving me all the answers I need."
Alaric flushed harder and avoided Meredith's gaze. The doctor was just as flustered but also quite flattered as she leaned closer to the embarrassed man. Knowing that my work was done, I scanned the drinks behind the glass cabinets, debating on what to order.
"Does he still think I'm a serial killer?"
Meredith's words drifted over and I muttered, "I don't know about serial killer but you two are killing me with this tension."
I must have said that louder than I intended it to be. Alaric sent me a half-hearted glare before whispering, "Do you know who attacked me?"
That caused me to straighten up. The thought of drinks long forgotten as I toned intently in on their conversation.
Meredith sighed and shook her head hopelessly. "Your knife wound was already semi-healed. It's impossible to tell anything about whoever stabbed you. Short, tall. Left-handed, right-handed. No clue."
"Well what about my head?" Alaric pressed on and I looked at him with sympathy. He was worried and I found myself wanting to help. "Why can't I remember anything?" Alaric froze before turning to Meredith. "I know this may sound strange considering that the victim was staked but is it possible the killer's a vampire?"
"It doesn't add up," I uttered and Meredith nodded at me.
"You're right it doesn't but we can't rule anything out yet." Her voice faltered. Her eyes glazed over my shoulder and her face whitened.
I was about to ask her what was wrong but my question was answered by a distinguishable British accent. "Oh come on now. Let's not go blaming the new family in town just because you lot have got yourselves a killer at large."
I spun round in my seat to see Klaus and Kol smirking at us. Klaus took the available seat next to me, with Kol on his other side. The younger original sent me an audacious grin and despite my reservations about him, my lips curved up. "Your neck feeling better baby original?"
"Magnificent darling thanks for asking," Kol retorted back, his chestnut eyes glittering avidly.
Klaus sat back and watched our banter, amused. "Don't mind us. My brother and I are just here to let off some steam. Right Kol?"
"Right," Kol quipped back but his voice had lowered, dragging the word out. His irises had darkened to a pitch black.
Although I had fallen victim to that look from Elijah a few times last night, this one was different to his. This look sported a different type of hunger.
Because in Elijah's eyes, I didn't see a desire to kill.
And that look was currently in Kol's. His attention was fixed on Meredith who shuddered and attempted to ignore him.
"So, how about we get you a drink, love?" Klaus asked when the bartender came over but I couldn't find it in me to answer, still unnerved by Kol's stare. Without waiting, the original hybrid ordered and passed the glass to me. I nodded in thanks then turned back to Meredith.
"Are there any leads?"
The young doctor faltered, looking for a brief second at the two original siblings before turning back to answer me. "Surprisingly no. Nothing weird on the Sheriff reports unless you count the floods or the-."
I sat bolt upright, cutting her off. "What do you mean by floods?" I demanded, ignoring the slight quivers which had started in my fingers.
"Soph?" Ric questioned worriedly, but I ignored him, my sole focus right now was on Meredith. The four people surrounding me were now watching me, concern evident on all their faces but right now I didn't care.
At the pure seriousness of my gaze, Meredith hesitantly began to elaborate. "I'm don't know much apart from they are being sighted in the woods. There are no possible water sources in the area and there hasn't been any torrential weather occurring within the last month. Sheriff Forbes thinks there must be a broken pipe underground somewhere – Sophie? What?"
I was on my feet before anyone could even blink. My head was spinning; perspiration littered my skin as my heart began to palpitate in my chest.
Klaus stood up cautiously and placed a hand on my arm. "You need to calm down love," he whispered.
His hands moved in what was meant to be a soothing motion up and down my arms but even when I tried to control my breaths, I couldn't. Klaus sent a sharp look to Kol who whipped out his phone, his fingers flying across the buttons as he messaged someone quickly.
Everything felt distant. My mind was whirring. Like I had just taken a dose of Adderall. For many, Meredith's words would have meant nothing but I knew what it meant. It meant that one of my kind was here.
"I have to go," I muttered, finally coming to a decision. Shrugging myself away from Klaus, I turned and bolted from the grill. They were probably all still stood there wondering if I had just experienced some sort of psychotic breakdown. Not that it mattered.
Scanning the area I found what I was looking for. A small ginnel. Easily missed unless you knew where it was. Not many people knew it was a shortcut across town.
Crossing the road, I ran down the narrow passage, my breaths coming out in heavy pants by the time it widened out. Bracing my hand against the brick wall beside me, I paused to catch my breath. A minute later I was sprinting round a corner to meet my destination.
The forest loomed over me; the oak trunks creaking as they swayed in the wind and I hesitated for a moment before pushing myself forwards.
Deeper and deeper into the woods I went, absorbing in every single aspect of my surroundings. I needed a sign. Something to tell me my paranoia was right.
Then I saw it out of the corner of my eye.
A small water droplet, trickling along the stem of a leaf. Another water droplet dripped off a leaf to the left of the first and swallowing, I followed the trail until I was met with a small clearing up ahead. Large puddles of water began to block the path and I expertly dodged around them.
Pushing back a water sodden branch, I stepped into the clearing.
The figure of a young woman around my age was standing in the centre. Her long white blonde hair floated around her head like an ethereal halo. When her glowing sapphire eyes focused on mine she held up her hand.
Levitating a few centimetres above her palm was a swirling ball composed completely of water.
"Took you long enough to figure it out."
She thrust her hand out, sending the liquid sphere hurtling towards me. My arm swiftly shot out and with a little twist of my wrist, the water stopped.
Suspended in mid-air.
The girl's form sagged slightly. "Worth a shot," she muttered, only slightly put out.
I smiled as I beckoned with two fingers and the ball floated at a slower pace towards me until it hovered a few millimetres above my palm. In the exact position the woman had it in not just a few seconds ago.
Tilting my head slightly, I gazed into the swirling blue, taking in my reflection, taking in the sapphire glowing orbs which stared back at me. The exact same colour as the woman's, if not a bit brighter.
Then my eyes dulled back to green and grey. The water fell, streaming over my fingertips as it splashed onto the grassy ground. Looking back towards the girl, I noticed her eyes fade back to their normal stormy grey. The panic I felt from before was now replaced with relief.
Knowing it was safe, I walked towards her and stopped a few feet away. "It's been quite a while Brooke," I whispered and she bounced a little on her tip toes before launching forwards, throwing her arms around my neck.
"Sorry about the theatrics but I had to contact you. I knew the floods would be the only way to draw you in."
I nodded, pulled back and looked her over. Her usual rosy tinted cheeks were a tad paler than usual but other than that she was fine. "This isn't a social call, is it?" I assumed, getting straight to business.
Brooke bit her lip and looked down at the ground. "He's here."
My body froze. I thought I would have longer. "Where?" I whispered, my voice incredibly faint but Brooke still heard it.
"At The Grill yesterday. He said you were talking to your sister and a blonde vampire about some ball. He also knows about your interest in the original and he did not look happy."
My face paled. I could feel my eyes begin to water and Brooke appraised me sorrowfully. We both knew what this piece of information meant for me.
Brooke continued, "I know you want to be with your family again. You've had so little time with them but you have to leave Soph. He wants you, not them but if they get in his way they'll end up like…" she swallowed and my heart clenched as she forced herself to continue, "like my brother. You know it's the only way to keep them safe."
A tear streaked down my face and I quickly wiped it away. Thinking of Darren still hurt like hell. He was the one who awoke my eyes to the truth of our world, the one who spent the best part of three years attempting to break through my circle of naivety, idolism and infatuation which I had once found myself stuck in.
He was the one who helped me escape that place. And he was also the one I always heard at the beginning of my nightmares. The one yelling at me to run. That they had found us.
He had sacrificed his life to give me a fighting chance.
"I… I am so sorry Brooke," I whispered and my voice broke. No words would ever express the amount of guilt and grief I carried around in the name of Darren Taylor. "You must hate me."
Brooke paused and looked down at the ground ashamed. "I did at first but like you, my eyes were dulled to the true monsters we share the world with. Who knows what would have happened if you stayed. My brother was right all along. I just didn't want to believe him."
I cast my gaze off into the trees, staring unseeingly into the distance. How could I do this to Elena again? I refused to let her think that I had abandoned her again. "I need to at least say goodbye, I owe them that."
"Soph, you're failing to grasp the severity of this situation. We need to get you out of this small town. Now."
"Elena will think I abandoned her again. She needs some kind of explanation. Everyone here... they're family."
"But are you family to them? Do they really accept you? Do you accept them enough to reveal what you've been hiding from them?" Brooke urged and I turned away from her, pacing along the grass. I didn't need to give her an answer. She already knew I hadn't revealed my secret.
My friend's voice softened as she murmured. "Maybe in blood, you are still family in reality you are all just strangers to each other. That's all everybody will ever see you as until you find it in yourself to trust them: a familiar stranger. You are not the person they remember you to be. That person died the night of your school fire."
Her words felt harsh even though I knew that was not her intention. The past five years had hardened her up and she was trying to show empathy towards me the only way she knew how. Running a hand agitatedly through my hair, I protested, "I owe them at least something. Anything."
"Oh Soph, has anyone ever told you that you are too moral for your own good?" Brooke moaned, letting me know her admission of defeat was near and despite the situation a wry smile spread across my face.
"Once or twice," I replied and she sent a small knowing smile back. I had heard that one too many times from one person in particular. From the person who was standing right in front of me.
"Okay but we have to leave tonight," Brooke yielded and I nodded, making a move to leave but she called me back, "and Sophie?" I looked at her, dreading her next words but was surprised when her face morphed into a wide grin. "If I were you, I would fuck that Elijah Mikaelson six ways till Sunday."
"Alright I'm going now," I said shoving her back gently and she obliged, laughing to herself as she walked off.
I waited until she was out of sight before searching my pockets for my phone. I needed to get in contact with Elena but the device was nowhere to be found.
Feeling slightly irritated, I began to walk through the woods deciding last minute to make a last pit stop by my childhood place. There, I could at least have some time to gather my thoughts together before I finally confronted Elena.
Night had fallen when the clearing came into view. My lilac rose from the other day was gone. Looking around, I couldn't even see through the darkness, never mind where I was stepping.
My heart lurched when my foot no longer met solid ground. I tumbled forwards, dropping through darkness.
My arms stretched out in an attempt to break my fall but not a second later, my body smacked against solid rock. My teeth clenched, holding in a scream as I felt and heard the pop of my right shoulder joint followed by the sickening crack of my leg.
Feeling something trickle down my cheek, I wiped my scraped hand across it and brought it back to see it slick with blood.
"Son of a bitch." My eyes watered in agony as I lay back against the hard ground and stared up at the gaping hole I had fallen through. "That was so not there the other day."
Knowing that I had to find some way out of here, I clutched at the wall with my good hand, ignoring the stinging of my palm and forced myself to my feet. As soon as I put the tiniest bit of pressure on my right leg, a sharp pain coursed through me and I let out a reluctant sob. Definitely broken.
I took in my surroundings and realised what my dad said about the Lockwood tunnels was true. The place was like a giant maze. A dark sense of hopelessness started to envelop me before I squashed it down. I could break down later. Right now, I had to get out.
Clenching my jaw tight and putting as little pressure on my arm and leg as possible, I staggered through the caves, trying to find some way out.
The pain and nausea increased with every step I took. I bit my lip so hard that it drew blood. I didn't dare look at my shoulder as my injured arm curled itself around my stomach. I didn't want to see the bone which had definitely been disconnected from the socket.
There was a fork up ahead and tears streaming down my cheeks, I took the right. Hoping against hope that I made the right decision, I carried on.
When I glimpsed the dead end, I let out a whimper and collapsed to the ground, staring blankly up at the etchings on the wall. It was some type of runic script. When I finally began to adjust to my surroundings, I made note of the candles littering the wall and the large coffin placed in the corner.
This was where Bonnie and Abby released Esther Mikaelson from her coffin. But all of them were long gone.
My head lolled back against the rock face behind me and I adjusted myself so the pain was at a minimum.
Before I had even begun to relax, my chest seared with an excruciating pain and my body lurched forwards. This time I couldn't hold in my scream. Blood began to slowly soak through my shirt and I watched its progress with wide eyes.
"W-what the h-hell!" I cried out as I lifted a shaking hand over my chest. I pressed down hard but I was already beginning to feel dizzy.
As dots clouded my vision I hoped in vain that someone would find me. Right now all I could think of was that I didn't want to die alone.
That was when the darkness came.