Jeremy's Point of View
"We cannot allow it to exist! It is an abomination!" A middle-aged blonde haired man wearing, a black leather duster, a black t-shirt, and blue jeans stood in front of a gathering of men and women around a crescent table. The man was yelling and gesturing to a dark hooded figure chained to the walls. I could see the chains rattle violently as the man pointed furiously at the strange hooded figure. There were no sounds, almost as if I was in a silent movie without subtitles as I stood from my seat at the table and moved away from the group. I noticed the man beside me with dark brown. He was wearing a dark green shirt with a strange print and khaki pants. The most curious thing was, his ears were slightly pointed, and he had silvery wings stretching behind him. I went to touch the wings just as I heard a scream erupt from the hooded figure.
My head popped up, and I ran forward as fast as I could. The man was still yelling as I hopped over the fallen tree trunks and came to a stop in front of the creature. I could see the chains breaking, the smell of blood dripping from the creature's tiny wrist where the metal was digging into the skin, and I could see sharp teeth under the hood. I tentatively took my hand and pushed back the hood...
The shrill of my alarm woke me from my dreams, and I jerked awake. I scrambled as I threw the motel sheets away from me and raced to the dresser where my phone was charging. I hastily unplugged the device and answered the call without looking to see who was calling.
"Hello?"
"Jeremy, where are you?" Elena's voice was raspy and fringed with urgency.
"Elena, I'm safe." I sighed as I walked to the bed and plopped down onto the firm mattress.
"Jeremy, it's been nearly a week! Please come home." I could almost hear the tears falling from her cheeks as her voice cracked.
"No," I said firmly. Not until I have found her: Bella had gone missing the day I had left Elena and Damon stuck in some shoddy motel outside of Denver. Kol and I had been searching for her since. Thinking of Kol, I turned my head and looked over to the bed beside mine. The blanket was obviously untouched, and the pillow had no creases. He never came back in last night. I sighed audibly and returned my attention to my sobbing sister who was making no sense about why I needed to go home. Why did she care so much when she had Damon and Stefan both to grovel at her feet? She was no better than Katherine Pierce some days.
"Elena," I said her name harshly and heard her hiccup before she silenced. "You have a Salvatore on each arm, just like Katherine. I do not want to witness that. Get your shit together, and then I will come home." I snapped the phone shut and looked back to the empty bed beside me.
I flipped my phone back open and dialed the familiar number. As usual, Kol answered after two rings.
"Hello, Jer." His voice sounded gruff, and his breathing was labored.
"Kol, have you been out all night?" I asked with a slight huff of irritation at Kol's recklessness.
"Maybe. But I got a lead late last night and didn't wish to disturb you." Kol sighed softly, and I heard a scuffle before he muffled "Hold on one moment." The sounds of a fight were prominent before I heard Kol's voice, distant in the background of the phone, asking where Bella was. His combatants did not know, and soon I listened to the recognizable sounds of torture drifted to the speaker.
I pushed the phone away from my ear, slightly disgusted, and rolled to my side. I stared at the white ruffled curtains. The curtains dropped in scallops onto the ground, and the bottoms slightly marred with dirt and small stains spotted around the folds. I looked around the undusted and ill-kept room and groaned softly. I missed my room and my Xbox. But mostly, I missed the vibrant brunette who kept Kol's anger in check. I cleared my throat and heard a loud thud on the other side of the phone.
"Sorry about that, Jer." Kol finally said in a defeated voice.
"It's cool." I wasn't bothered by Kol's violence. Damon had gotten me accustomed to vampire tendencies long before Kol had arrived. The difference was, I respected and understood Kol. Damon just wanted to get into my sister pants, and before that, he was all upset over her ancestor: Katherine Pierce. Damon was just an angry lovesick fool who had never gotten over his first love. "So, what's the lead?" I asked as I let one hand drop to the floor and play with the fringed carpet.
"It was a dead end. They knew nothing." Kol took a deep breath. "Is her phone still going straight to voicemail?"
"I haven't tried it this morning. We can when we meet up. Where are you?" I said as I pull myself up from the bed and walk back towards the dresser.
"I'm on the corner of Moreland and Ponce. There's a pizza spot nearby call Salvage so let's meet there." Kol said. We agreed to meet up as soon as possible, so I threw on a clean pair of blue jeans and a clean black t-shirt with The Killers Sam's Town Album on it. I went to the bathroom and washed off my face and arms before brushing my teeth hastily. I took a glance in the mirror and stopped. My once round face was now chiseled, but my eyes held dark spot underneath them from lack of sleep. A faint shadow of a beard was emerging, and my hair was growing longer than normal. I took my hand along the side of my jaw and imagined if this is what my father would have wanted me to look like. I shook my head and exited the room quickly. I threw my sneakers on before grabbing the car keys and heading to the address Kol had sent me.
10 minutes later I was walking into a comic book themed pizzeria and greeted by a purple haired hostess with a name tag that said Naki. Kol was sitting outside on the terrace sipping a beer when the purple hair girl showed me to our table. He sent her a wink, and she giggled before scurrying away.
"Interesting choice," I say as take a look around at all the memorabilia and comics plastered along the walls.
"Well, if I'm going to hang out with a dork, like you, we might as well hang out in places I can tolerate." He sniffed the air slightly and smiled when I rolled my eyes at him. "I ordered you a coke." He pushed me a glass, and I greedily accepted the sticky substance. As soon as it hit the back of my throat, I tasted the alcohol and lifted an eyebrow. "With Jack of course." Kol smiled, and I nodded my head as I sipped gently.
"Thanks." A blonde haired man named Sam came over and quickly took our order. We decided with classic pepperoni and sausage pizza with extra garlic butter on the side. The waiter left, and I picked up my cellphone. "Should we try again?" I asked.
Kol looked down at the table where his phone laid and sighed. "Yeah. Let's try again."
Ring. Ring. Ring. Ring. "Hey, it's Bella! I can't come to the phone right now but leave me your name and number, and I'll get back to you as soon as possible".
"Damn it," Kol growled and banged his hand on the table. A few patrons turned to look at him but quickly went about their business.
"Hey, we will find her. No matter what." I said as I stuck out my hand.
Kol looked up at me with his eyes dark, the veins protruding and an evil smile creeping forward."Whatever it takes."
Bella's Point of View
Drip… Drip… Drip
Water dripped from the ceiling onto the iron chains around my wrists, and some even splashed on my face. I can't remember how long I have been in this chamber. The light that passes by is always a softly lighted candle and nothing more. A few times I have heard boys and girls giggling which echoes softly through the chamber.
Many times, I day dream as I sit and stare into the dark void. Mostly I think of Kol or how things with Edward could have gone. I shake my wrist violently in agitation and again feel the restraints firmly in place. I let out a small whimper and let my head roll to the side.
The water from above touches my cheek and strolls down. Is it the water? No, it's my tears. Silent, angry, and painful tears of frustration.
Three Weeks Later
"What do you mean you're ditching my clean up committee?" Caroline asks into her cellphone as she pushes open the doors of the Mystic Falls High School. Her blonde hair falls into her eyes, and she pushes the strands away with an irritated huff.
"Klaus called. He's leaving town and wants me to pack up his house." Tyler's voice crackles from her cell phone as the reception in the school decreases.
"Well, since when does sire bond equal mover slave?" Caroline pouts as she walks down the dark corridor. The floor is a mess, littered with balloons, glitter, and streamers, from the dance and she side steps around a dark liquid pooling around one of the lockers.
"Since Jessica threw him out when he made a joke about Bella being dead." Tyler laughed.
"You don't think she is though right?" Caroline paused as she remembered the dark-haired girl.
"No. I refuse to believe it. If Bella took that vial, she is more likely still in the faerie realm. Time moves a bit differently there." Tyler's voice sounded wispy before he coughed. "Anyway, Klaus thinks I'm still sired to him."
"Seriously?" Caroline stared in disbelief at the phone before returning it to her ear.
"It's fine. I'll keep up the act, and it will all be over soon. I'm late; I have to go. I love you."
"I love you too," Caroline says as she hears the phone disconnect. She sighs softly as she looks around the messy hallway. The balloons were laying still along the floor, and the streamers and glitter were going to take forever to clean up. Bending down, she starts to pick up a few pieces of garbage just as a dark flash brushes by her. Her legs are shaky as she stands and asks tentatively "Hello."
The only sounds that greet Caroline are the balloons swaying softly in the empty hallway. She shakes her head softly and puts a hand to her head. "Maybe I just imagine things." She turns around and walks thru the large double doors into the cafeteria. A blonde mass is circling the room rapidly at vampire speed but stops in front of her.
"Where's Matt?" Caroline asks as she recognizes Rebekah Mikaelson standing in front of her holding a large black trash bag filled with red solo cups, streamers, and popped balloons.
"He bailed. Got called into work at last minute." Rebekah scoffed as she threw the red cup into the large trash bag with distaste.
"Are you kidding me? So, it's just us?" Caroline said as she extended her hand out gesturing around her.
"Yes, and you're late. Clean up committee started at eight o'clock." Rebekah rolled her eyes as she shoved the trash bag into Caroline's now opened arms.
"It's like 8:02." Caroline frowned as she looked at her watch on her cell phone.
"Exactly. I managed to turn up on time, and I didn't even get to attend the dance that I organized." Rebekah growled as she raced away and started to clean up the south end of the cafeteria.
For a few minutes, the room was silent of conversation as the two cleaned up. The awkward tension is slowly rising as Caroline's gaze continued to stray over to the blonde Original frequently. Sighing with frustration, Rebekah dropped the bag she was holding and turned around to face the young vampire. "What Caroline?" Her voice was sharp, impatient, and loud across the quiet room causing the girl to jump with a startle.
Caroline's big blue eyes widened as she turned to find Rebekah standing a foot away from her, clearly agitated, and with her fingers strumming along her forearm. "I...I just wanted to say.." Caroline pushed a strand of hair behind her ear and then looked at Rebekah with determination. "I wanted to say I am sorry about your mom. I mean, I know you hated her and everything, but she was still your mom. I'm sorry." Caroline finished lamely as she bent down to pick up a streamer.
Rebekah's eyes softened a bit as she turned away from the young blonde. "I'm sorry about your teacher. He seemed like a nice guy."
"Yeah. He was." Caroline smiled softly to herself as she picked up a dark red streamer. "Between losing Ric and Bella going missing, I feel...lost?" She mumbled as she tossed the trash into the bag.
"Jeremy and Kol will find Bella. Have no doubts. Ric chose to leave the mortal world, and that was his choice. Don't feel lost, though. Mourn, Grieve, cry if you must. But don't lose yourself to anguish and sorrow." Rebekah's voice was soft and soothing as she walked away. "I'm going to get started in the gym."
Rebekah's heels click softly against the stone as she makes her way down the hall. She turns the corner and stops as she sees the light haired man, with pale eyes smiling venomously at her.
"You're supposed to be dead." Rebekah's voice is a whisper and the man chuckles.
"Oh, but I am." Alaric rushes toward her and flings her into the nearby metal lockers. Rebekah rises quickly, but Alaric is faster than she anticipated. He grabs the white oak stake from behind his back as he holds her still by her throat. Terror races through Rebekah's mind when a huge dark streak crashes into Alaric.
A flurry of movements unfold around the hallway until at last Rebekah sees a small brunette holding Alaric up against the lockers. Red tints glistening in the girl's hair and her skin gleaming as the sun lightly touched her.
"Bella?" Caroline's voice was a whisper, and Rebekah turned to see the young blonde dropping the garbage with wide eyes.
The brunette said nothing as she violent took hold of the struggling Alaric, twisted his neck, and then tossed him onto the cold ground. The brunette look towards the two women and both blonde sucked in a breath.
Bella Swan was there, but her eyes were coal-black, black veins stretched along her skin like cracks, and her clothes were muddied and coated with blood.
"That's not Bella," Rebekah said quickly as she ran towards Caroline and quickly grabbed her arm.
The pair ran forward as fast as they could through the hallways. Just as they reached the exit and saw the bright light, Bella's face flashed before their eyes and darkness blanketed their minds.
Elena
Standing in Alaric's bedroom, I took a deep sigh as I dipped the paint roller into the basin once again. I felt like I was on empty. There was no more energy to me, but I was now on autopilot. Jeremy should be here helping me paint Alaric's room. Instead, as soon as Alaric's funeral passed, Jeremey left town again with Kol.
I felt the tears as the hit my arm, and I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand. I can't cry right now. I have to keep hope. I have to stay brave as we face the originals. I have to…
I bent down again and took a deep breath. I have to stay alive.
I lifted my arm and the roller again, but I stopped when I heard a soft whistling. It was the tune I had never heard of, and it was drawing closer to the bedroom. I turned around and came face to face with Bella Swan.
No. It wasn't Bella. This person had black voids where their eyes go, deep cracks running along their skin as if they were a porcelain doll that was dropped, and patches of blood stains coated the pale gray Ramone's Shirt and blue jeans.
"Ah, if it isn't the Doppelganger." The person's voice wasn't even Bella's. It was darker and huskier, and dripping with venom as she took out a large knife and played with the point. "I have been looking for you for quite a long time." A sadistic smile crossed her face, and she flashed in front of me.
I blinked in surprise at how fast this Bella imposter was. I had been around vampires for a while now, but this was faster than Damon or even Klaus. "Bella?" I managed to squeak out as the imposter grabbed my arm.
"No." That hate filled smile was the last thing I saw.
Klaus
"I swear to Zeus if Beks is late for our shopping trip, I will douse her clothes in gasoline and light a match."
The soft female voice pulled me from my sketches, and I looked up to see Jessica standing beside my art desk with her hands on her hips and an impatient scowl marring her beautiful features. "Now love, Bekah adores you. She's probably busy cleaning up the mess from the other evening's festivities." I say as I put my drawing pencil down. I turn in my chair and grab hold of her waist. Jessica puts her hands on my shoulders before bending to kiss my brow.
"Let's hope so. It's been 8 hours already." Jessica sighed before pulling away.
I sped in front of her and smiled softly into her soft blue eyes. Cupping her cheek with one hand, I drew her in for a long drawn out kiss. Jessica wrapped her arms around my shoulders and returned my passion with fire. For a few moments, we enjoyed soft kisses and light touches before she pulled away. I gently caressed her arm as I held on to her waist and she stared into my eyes.
"I'll go check on her, ok love?" I say as I pull away and she smiles coyly at me.
"Well, maybe it will be ok if she's a little late. I'm sure there are a few things we can do to fill the time." Jessica winked at me before racing from the room.
I laugh before pulling out my cell phone and dialing Bekah's number.
Ring. Ring.
"Hello, Niklaus." A soft but dark voice whispers and I freeze.
"Who is this?" I clench my fist and make my way into the foyer. Jessica is standing there talking with Tyler Lockwood. When the pair sees me, they stop talking immediately.
"Tsk. Tsk. So demanding." The mysterious voice sighs against the phone, and then I hear a shuffling. "I have your sister and her friend Caroline. If you don't want them shipped back to you in tiny pieces, bit by bit, I suggest you come to the Mystic Falls High School. Immediately. I also have something else your brother Kol has been searching for." The voice was female, but it sounds twisted and dark.
Jessica put her hands over her mouth as she gasped. I quirked an eyebrow towards her, and she mouthed the name, Bella. "I'll be there shortly," I said, desperately trying to reel in my uncontrolled anger.
"Oh, and Niklaus, I also have your Doppelganger." The line disconnected. In a fit of rage, I threw my phone across the foyer into the farthest wall.
I took a steady breath and then looked at Tyler. "Alert the Salvatore Brothers to meet me in front of the school immediately. If the person has Elena, it is their fault for not protecting her properly." Tyler nodded and raced away.
"Nik?" Jessica took a tentative step forward. Her eyes were always filled with strong emotions, and now I could see the worry she carefully covered up.
"I'll be okay. I'll get them all back." I kissed her hand gently and raced from the house. Whoever took my family, my friends and the doppelganger will pay.