Chapter 1 – Endings and Meetings
1863, February 17th
Gasping, he woke up.
Looking around with bleary, wide, alert eyes, he was confused as to where he was.
There were pots full of different plants near the shut windows. The curtains barely open, allowing little sunlight to fall near the other end of the room, nowhere near him. Decorations were scattered across the entire place, with some beautiful paintings of landscapes and other things, as well as a few necklaces hanging with rings on the counter of the window, though those might not have been for decoration.
In short, the room he was in was extremely…
It was not his room, he concluded.
Head throbbing, he ran his left hand through his hair, searching for any of his memories. It was very difficult though, with the pain overflowing in his head.
Gritting his teeth, and with far too much effort than he thought he'd need, he tried to stand up from where he lay in the bed in the room under a way too soft blanket and a pillow under his head that was so fluffy it was hard to believe it was real.
At least he tried standing or sitting up, he thought after trying. Trying was supposed to be good, right?
His head had immediately hit the pillow before he had been able to do much of anything.
And then his head started hurting again, But, this time, it was not the only place that hurt. For some reason, his right side felt like it was on fire, feeling as if it was burning. Or like a knife was poking in and out. Not any better.
Taking deep breaths to control his ragged breathing, he tried thinking of where he could be, or what might've happened. His mind came up with nothing.
Eyes roaming around the room again, the bright light shining away from him hurt his eyes, so he decided to look elsewhere.
Keeping his right hand on where it hurt, he slowly turned his head to the left, where he noticed was a door.
"Hello?" He croaked out.
Right after saying that one quiet word, he realized just how thirsty he was. It was as if he hadn't had anything to drink in years. And his stomach felt empty too. And it was a bit cold, which was odd, considering the super warm blanket on top of him.
But he was sweating?
Pushing the blanket down, he pushed it away further and further till it was nearly at his waist. Feeling the cool air made him shiver, but he could still feel how sweaty his hands had become, so maybe he was just feeling too warm.
If he could, if he had the energy, he would've kicked the blanket away. It was efficient, after all. And faster. But he had barely any energy he could use. Maybe he could try speaking again?
Coughing a bit, and then swallowing, he tried speaking again, a bit louder.
"Anyone there? W-"
He suddenly felt choked, air caught, unable to get out.
Was it always this hard to breathe? He thought as he coughed again and again, some coughs coming out violently. It was like the coughing wasn't stopping-
His throat felt like it was being slashed from the inside. But that may be just because he was thirsty, nothing too bad. Probably.
After a little while, the coughing was gone, and he was left with an extremely sore throat. And very weak and exhausted. And his eyes were so tired.
Feeling drowsy, drained of energy, his eyes slowly shut, thoughts leaving him, darkness taking over.
As sleep took him over, he did not see when a figure walked in.
The only thing he felt was warmth as it was once again on him. Maybe it was because of the drowsiness, or because he barely had any energy, but the last thing that crossed his mind was him being serious.
If this blanket had a mind of its own, he was glad he hadn't kicked it.
2 weeks ago
"Damon! Stefan! It isn't fair for the two of you to team up against me!" He yelled, not at all liking the odds he was going against. And they hadn't even explained the game!
As they all ran around, the Salvatore brothers passing the ball to each other, him trying to get it, a retort was yelled back, the grin audible from the tone of the older brother.
"Who said anything…about rules?"
It was like an echo, words so similar to the ones said by the lovely Miss Katherine.
Though he had only been able to watch from afar, having much to do for his family at the time, only able to go out and play today.
Finally, the ball thrown slightly to the right, fallen to the ground, the game paused.
"I also wasn't told-about the rules the first time…too" Stefan said to him, understanding showing in his eyes.
As they were all out of breath, smiling, and grinning at each other like fools, the clanking of heels came from the steps of the house. "Hello, there."
She spoke with such a sweet voice; it was hard not to pay attention to her.
"Ms. Katherine-Didn't know you'd be here today." He said, sharing a look with the two brothers.
Receiving a sweet smile and a short giggle, an explanation was given. "I had some business to attend. Meetings happen at odd times, after all."
"And you? Damon Salvatore?" She asked, putting a hand on his chest as the older brother gazed at her with what he thought must be honest and sincere love. "Were you not in battle, busy elsewhere?"
Quickly, with a smile, Damon spoke. "I returned last night. Couldn't stay away from you for long."
He watched as her hand was taken, and a kiss was placed at the top of her hand. And he noticed the tense shoulders of the younger Salvatore.
Would the two brothers ever be happy together, without a woman being between them?
Focusing, he listened to what was being said.
"So, before the big event, we will be hosting a party?" Stefan asked, glancing at Katherine.
"Yes. Tonight, to be specific. But there is one problem."
At that, both brothers looked at her, as if they were ready to tackle this problem. "Who will take me to this party?"
The brothers looked at each other, and then at Katherine. "I will." They both answered at the same time.
He put a hand on his face for a moment, unable to take this.
Katherine hummed, and put a hand on both Salvatore's shoulders. Looking at Damon, she gazed at him for a moment, and then, turning at Stefan, she spoke. "Would you take me to the party, Mr. Salvatore?"
"With pleasure." Stefan responded in delight, his face brightening instantly.
He couldn't help feeling bad about Damon.
Being reminded of something, he entered the conversation. "I won't be able to make it tonight-"
Katherine interrupted him before he finished his sentence. "-You'll be there too, Mr. Grayson, and perhaps you could keep Damon company while I'll be busy with Stefan."
"But-"
"I spoke with your father, and he said you can join us." She explained with a giggle.
Not knowing what else to do, he thanked her.
All this time, Damon must've been thinking, because he suddenly chimed in, questioning Katherine. "Why do I have to spend time with this little troublemaker? Stefan might be busy later…?"
Damon must've been very hopeful, and to see the hope get crushed wasn't fun.
"I'm actually free for the entire night, brother."
He felt a sudden tension covering the air after that smug remark, as the two brothers glanced at each other, as if speaking simply with their expressions.
Must've been a sibling thing.
He didn't have any brothers or sisters, so he wouldn't know.
"Does anyone want to play?" Katherine asked, the ball that had fallen in her hands, her hat nearly covering her eyes.
She started running in her dress, giggling as she ran away from the three.
The three looked at each other, and then Damon spoke, hitting the two on their chests. "Why am I the only one that understands a girl and her wants?"
Right after speaking, he ran after her. And Stefan followed soon after, as if broken from a trance.
He was also going to follow, but heard his name being called by his father.
Looking from his father to the three that ran, he felt awfully sad about not being able to join them.
Near the End of the Party at Night
"Still can't believe you're fifteen." Damon muttered as he took a sip of the drink in his hand, eyes glancing at Katherine and his brother dancing. "You look like...five."
He, however, was a bit offended by that statement. "I am not fifteen! I'm sixteen!"
It was true! His birthday was tonight.
He, also watching, saw as Katherine went to where he assumed would be the washroom, as Stefan had a drink.
"Not any better-That's like a year younger than Stefan."
Huffing, he went outside, leaving the finished drink Katherine had given him, not really liking the party since all the people ever did was either talk or drink, the latter mostly.
The only two people he spent the most time with were the Salvatore brothers, and even though Damon was twenty-five, and Stefan seventeen, and him just turning sixteen tonight, they had been really great friends.
And so many people talking-too loud.
Right now, he stood in front of a lake-or was it a river? Could also be the ocean? His knowledge was horrible.
But he liked to listen to the relaxing splashing sounds of the water.
"Hey! I'm sorry, alright? Didn't mean to upset you." He heard Damon say, his back turned, not bothering to turn around as he heard the footsteps come closer, the grass moving with the wind.
"It's fine…It was loud in there, that's all." He says, not as cheerful as he hoped his voice would come out.
Some shuffling sounds, and then a small rectangular item inside a little bag was handed to him-scratch that, it was shoved in his chest.
Looking at Damon with a raised eyebrow, he was shocked after hearing the happy voice. "Happy birthday Andrew!"
"You…remembered." He breathed out, feeling full of joy.
Stefan was busy tonight, and Katherine and him weren't close, and Damon being the other brother he knew, he was so happy right now. "Of course I remembered. Now, open it."
Fumbling with the wrapper, he opened it to find a book coloured with the same dark colour. Damon must've also remembered he loved reading books! It was a book called 'Gone With The Wind', and it was a book he had been hoping to find. "Thank you so much, Damon!"
He shrugged it off, but smiled and gave me a quick hug.
"Salvatore, and…Grayson. The two of you did as I asked, it seems." Katherine said-How was she here? Was she not at the party?
"Katherine?" Damon questioned as he went next to her, also appearing confused about what was going on.
She took a step towards him, eyes different than usual locked on his, and on instinct, he took a step back, closer to the river behind him, like a prey would from a predator. "You are getting in the way…"
He was extremely confused at that-
What did she mean? What did he have to do with getting in the way? The way of what?
But before he could ask anything, Katherine suddenly took something out of her coat-it was a bit chilly outside, so it was usual for everyone to wear a coat right now, but what she took out…
She took the gun, and, in the blink of an eye, shot him.
He did not understand what had happened, and by the shock on Damon's face, neither did he.
His legs were giving away as blood started pooling in the grass, and he had to take a few breaths to stop from falling to the ground, the sudden stinging-horrible pain from numbing or tuning out everything else.
It was really hard to concentrate on anything else other than his side, where blood was trickling down from.
"-t did you do Katherine?!"
"I did this for us! For Stefan, and you! So we can all be together-only us! It will be a whole new world!"
"What are you talking-"
Before he knew it, Katherine was in front of him, and then Damon was running towards him, and then Katherine was making Damon look at her, speaking to him as she locked eyes with him, and then Damon was leaving, the gift he had gotten no longer wrapped up in his hands, and then Katherine was looking at him with her eyes…
What was happening to her eyes? How were those veins showing? Were her eyes red, or was he seeing things? And what was up with her teeth? Were those…fangs?
A moment later, he felt teeth breaking skin on his neck, and then losing blood-he did not know how much, but he couldn't seem to push Katherine away, or ask anything, only one of her hands holding his head to the side, the other holding one of his wrists away.
He felt really, really tired after a few moments, and his legs were really no longer working, but before he could fall, Katherine was holding him upright, looking at him, smeared in blood-his blood?
And her eyes were really red, and those veins-and the fangs covered in blood, and how was she this strong? -
"What…?" He choked out, holding his throat, feeling it soaking with his blood, and after a second of checking, he knew his hand was covered in red.
Wasn't it a few moments ago Katherine, Stefan, Damon, and him were all having a good time?
If Katherine said anything, he did not hear, for he was shoved, and then was falling into the deep waters of the river he watched whenever he felt lonely.
The first thing he felt once his back made contact with the cold water was…panic.
He didn't know how to swim.
Wherever he looked, it was blurry, and the moonlight he could sort of make out kept going away, further and further from where he was.
Or was it him that was going deeper?
And then the colours in the water were turning a deep shade of red, covering his view. His ears were filled with water, and the stinging in his side increased as his throat started to numb.
Flailing made no difference since he had no idea how he was supposed to swim, arms wildly trying to grab onto something, anything-
As his consciousness left him, his thoughts were mixing up, questions and accusations confusing him as he thought of what had just happened.
He felt…cold.
The water was just so cold.
With that last thought, his eyes shut, the river continuing to flow into the south as the moon shone, illuminating the surroundings of the house filled with guests and hosts and drinks and laughter, partying and chatter still ongoing.
In that house was a male oblivious to anything actually happening around him who would later on after the big event would be known as the ripper, dancing with a female who would later on be found by the members of the council as a vampire, and lastly, a male who was now downing drink after drink, his heart feeling a bit heavy for some reason he concluded being because his brother was dancing with the lovely lady he wished was his, a man who would later on read the book in his hand, a book he would have with him even after the day he turns.
The party went on, and the river kept flowing to one direction, the air getting colder and colder as the wind grew stronger.
After nearly two weeks
Sighing, he answered his siblings in boredom, wishing their arguing would come to an end. "Rebekah is right, Klaus. Her necklace really is better than the symbols on your sword."
Rebekah smirked at her brother in satisfaction, very much pleased with Elijah's answer.
Niklaus, on the other hand, did not share her reaction, having stood up from where they were having a picnic, and walked away in childish irritation.
The sun had set just a little while ago, the flowers moving back and forth with the little puffs of wind. Picking a flower, Niklaus smelled it, the scent making him think of all the different paintings there could be. And the colours of all these plants, simply a great combination if mixed properly. But what was that other smell-
Sniffing the air, a frown made its way to him as he followed the familiar smell of iron.
His younger sister, older brother, and him were all isolated from any of the humans that lived within society, the only place closest to them that had humans living in them were the people in a small village nearby, and even that wasn't so close to where they were living.
There were many bears and lions they could hunt, which they did, though they did visit the village with ease as they could be there in mere minutes-even though it took the average human at least half a day, and when they did visit, they got stronger, feeding from them, and then making them forget because their older brother insisted on not hunting them like some prey.
Elijah really did take all the fun out of things.
They went to the village, leaving them all alive, but sometimes barely, visiting two or three times each week, and with the added animal hunting they did that was like an endless supply of food seeing as how they lived in a forest, and the occasional travelers that he and Rebekah sucked dry without Elijah knowing, or joining them, it left them strong.
Niklaus hoped they could just hunt the way they should be, but Elijah just never agreed with them, so it was an argument they often had.
But, he thought as he quickened his walk towards the smell, there was no way Rebekah could hunt on her own, or go to the village to bring a human for a snack, could she?
And there was absolutely no way whatever this was had anything with Elijah, seeing as how he had these morals and code he always followed, no matter the situation.
So, what was this smell of blood?
He was far enough from the other two that they wouldn't really smell or hear anything from where he was on the opposite side of the house, well, so long as no loud sounds were made.
As Niklaus glanced around, confused about where the blood was, he found himself standing in front of the river they sometimes used as a fishing area, eyes widening at the shocking amount of blood it flowed in the water.
Slowly kneeling down, he put a hand in the water, feeling the warmth from the blood, the freezing temperatures now unusually warmer than it should've been. After all, winter was just starting to end. It was February, so the weather was still cold, not that any of them felt it, being vampires and all.
Taking his hand out, he wiped the blood that got on his hand to the grass around him.
He still did not understand what had happened.
Then, a barely audible groan caught his attention, a sound so quiet he wouldn't have heard it had he not been what he was.
Turning to look at where he heard the sound, his eyes found a young boy covered in red, his jacket stuck to the branches from the low bushes nearby, the jacket ripped slightly, barely hanging on, like it would rip any minute.
Quickly going there, he entered the water, staying above the water where the boy was lying at the edge, the water swaying the boy, as if the water was going to take the boy.
Seeing the wet blood soaked on his neck, Niklaus started thinking that maybe one of his siblings really did do this.
But after a second of scanning, he found the boy's side completely red, the white shirt ruined by the blood spilled everywhere.
Taking the branch out of the jacket, Niklaus held the boy from under his arms, swimming to the shore.
After lying the soaking wet boy on the grass, carefully holding his head as he lowered it to not cause any more injuries, he felt a bit annoyed at the fact that he had also gotten wet while under the water, and then focused back on the boy.
He appeared to be young, black wet hair sticking to the contrasting pale skin, the really ice-cold skin. Niklaus then noticed just how good the blood smelled, and had to fight the urge to just…eat him.
It wasn't easy, but having centuries of practice, it wasn't too hard. Still, it was good he had just eaten.
Then, blinking a few more times, he realized just how bad the condition of this boy was.
"My god…" He whispered at himself, not understanding why either of his siblings would do something this cruel to someone. Had they been hungry, they could've gone to the village to get some blood from the people, or hunt, not feed on only one person so they die!
Taking the jacket off as gently as he could from the boy-because he knew wet clothes could be bad for your health, he grimaced at the small whimper leaving the boy, not at all liking the position he was in.
Niklaus had never been one to take care of someone.
Brown eyes slowly opened, looking around in confusion, and then, like everything in his body was reminding him of his condition, he suddenly let out a pained cry, clutching at his side with one hand, the other on his throat, eyes swimming with tears that were slowly dripping down his cheeks.
"Hey, mate, it's alright! I'm not going to hurt you." Niklaus whispered in his ear, trying his very best to calm the boy, not understanding why his siblings wouldn't just compel the boy to forget-unless they thought he would not survive.
Gently putting a hand on his throat to see the damage, Niklaus had a confirmation of this being the work of a vampire.
Not werewolves. Not humans.
Taking back his hand, he did not like how much blood was there. The boy had lost far too much blood. And if this were to continue, the boy would surely die.
Unconsciously bringing the hand to his mouth, he tasted the blood, the delicious blood he never seemed to have enough of since the day him and his siblings had been turned. But an instant later, he noticed what he was doing, and put his hand back down to the grass, wondering what he should do to help.
Before he could do a single thing, a harsh and inhuman strength pushed him away from the boy.
"Niklaus! What have you done?!" Elijah shouted at him, hands formed into fists, ready to strike his younger brother.
Rebekah, Niklaus saw from where he had stood up, was watching in shock, most likely both siblings blaming him for what was seen here. There was no other explanation to be found, and if one were to take a look, it appeared too much like he was the one at fault.
But he had not done this!
"Sister, brother, I didn't-" He started, trying to defend himself, but stopped once a quiet sob was heard.
All three siblings looked at the boy, Elijah glaring at his younger brother for a few more seconds before quickly sitting near him, eyeing the ripped open skin on his throat for a moment, and then, with skill he acquired over the years in his long life, felt the side covered in red, getting a flinch from the boy. "Were you shot?"
After repeating the question, he got a slow nod of confirmation, and Elijah couldn't explain the relief he felt at knowing it wasn't Niklaus who was responsible.
"Can you hear me? What's your name?" Rebekah asked as Elijah examined the injury.
She wanted to be of help, and she knew distraction was very useful for those injured, having seen people come from battle and others talking to them to have their mind off the pain. That was one of the things she had seen before she was turned and left her home with her brothers.
Niklaus was standing, observing from afar, wary of his brother's rage, not knowing whether he was still being blamed for something he hadn't done.
Cautiously, Niklaus approached them as Elijah waved a hand at him, telling him to get there. "The bullet is still in him. The wound has no exit." Elijah spoke in a low voice to his brother, thankful for the distraction Rebekah was causing.
"How am I supposed to help?" Niklaus asked, the sincere words coming out more sarcastic than he intended.
"You can hold him down while I take the bullet out."
Nodding, Niklaus went to sit near the boy's head, holding his shoulders to the ground, tuning out the talking Rebekah was doing, and the slurry words she got as answers.
Letting out a long breath, he watched with some pity as his brother rolled up his sleeve, putting his hand above the wound. For who he felt pity, he did not know. The boy that got shot and was about to have the bullet taken out in a horrible way, or Elijah who had to do this.
Having already ripped the shirt where the bullet must be, a part of the clothing ripped made it look no better.
Without saying anything, Niklaus and Rebekah couldn't help watching as their older brother put his index finger and thumb into the bullet wound, concentration covering his expression.
Rebekah couldn't watch any longer, never having liked this sort of thing. Inflicting pain for means such as torture, and inflicting pain without meaning to were two different things after all. And Niklaus had to keep down the boy struggling to move and stop Elijah, writhing in pain, and Niklaus was starting to feel bad about having to hold him down.
Not a minute passed, and Elijah had taken out the bullet, holding it in his two fingers, hand smeared in fresh blood. "Got it."
Both Niklaus and Rebekah were in utter disbelief as they saw the bloody bullet, and if Elijah felt the same, he did not show as usual.
"It's a wooden bullet…?" Rebekah's statement was clearly what the three were taking in, because after her statement, Elijah put the wooden bullet in his pocket, and took out a handkerchief he always had, soaking it in the river, and then slowly rubbing off the blood from the boy's throat, holding his head as he did.
Niklaus watched, knowing that the one person best at taking care of others would be their older brother, Elijah.
Stopping for a second, Elijah glanced at his sister. "Have a bed ready in the guest room, and bring some clothes for him."
After Rebekah vamp sped to the house, Elijah stood, and held Niklaus by his collar. "If this was you…I will-"
"-I already told you, brother. This wasn't me! I found the boy in the river."
Not a single emotion was shown on Elijah's face as he let go of his collar, and put his arms under him, speeding as he was carrying him to the house.
Later on, the boy was in bed, Rebekah and Niklaus sitting near the bed as they observed the human.
"He looks so young." Rebekah said, a hand playing with her necklace.
"So do you, sister. Considering your age." Niklaus said in return, trying to lighten the mood a bit, only to get a look in return that said 'shut up'.
The door creaked open as Elijah came with a few packs of blood in hand, offering one to both siblings, and then leaving the packs on the shelf as neither felt hungry at the moment.
"He isn't from the village." Elijah stated, breaking the silence that had taken over the room.
"No, he isn't." His sister agreed, having seen every person there so many times.
Looking from one sibling to the other, Elijah came to a conclusion, a plan. "Rebekah and I will look around the woods to see if there are any others we haven't seen." Putting a hand on his brother, he spoke, using his full name to show how serious he was. "I trust you to look after him, Niklaus."
Just as he was about to decline, wanting to see if there were any vampires himself-after all Rebekah could stay behind, he saw how Elijah glanced back to the person in bed, and then back at him, and realized that Elijah was putting his faith in him.
"Alright, Elijah, if you think our sister can manage herself out there, sure."
Rebekah hit his shoulder as she made her way, putting little effort in the punch, and Elijah jammed his hands in his front pockets, the atmosphere no longer as tense as it was.
Glancing at where Rebekah had left, and then at Niklaus, the older brother spoke in a calm voice.
"We'll be back ten minutes to midnight."
Elijah was being as specific as ever, Niklaus thought with a small smile. At least he knew no mercy would be shown to this vampire-or human, seeing as how there was a gun used.
Hearing the door close, he started a new sketch, the pencil and notebook he used frequently in his hands.
Now
Niklaus had gone to get different pencils, downstairs in the living room bookshelf, searching through everything he planned to clean up later on.
But then he had heard some mumbling and coughing from upstairs, so he sped into the used guest room, only to relax seeing nobody around, except for the boy sleeping. And why was his blanket…
Huffing at having to do work, Niklaus walked up beside the bed and wrapped it around him.
After being satisfied with his work of wrapping a person in a blanket, he went back downstairs, grabbing the items he wanted, and then made his way back to the chair that was near the door, leaning against the wall, next to the bed-he did have some experiences with Kol and Rebekah, though it had rarely ever happened, and the only few times were when they were human.
"Now then, what should the next topic be…?" He asked himself as he sat, resting his head in his hand, elbow on the armrest, mind searching for a new topic he could use for a new sketch.
Thinking for so long, and he came up with…. nothing. It was so hard to get the inspiration he wanted-needed.
Being reminded of the flowers from before, he decided on drawing those.
Line after line, the page was nearly fully covered in flowers, very alike to the ones outside their house, drawn with a skill Niklaus had mastered over the decades. This hobby of his had kept him busy for most of the times he felt bored out of his mind, with Elijah not allowing them to do anything he was tempted to do to humans.
After being done, he watched the person in the bed, sleeping soundly, soft breaths allowing Niklaus to know he was only asleep and not a corpse, the blood pumping through his veins so audible to him in the silent room that it was getting harder to resist the temptation to go and suck him dry of any blood.
Flipping to a new page, Niklaus tapped his pencil on his notebook, leg bouncing quietly.
It was far too quiet for his liking.
Checking the clock, he was not too happy to say there was still around five more minutes until his siblings were to return. And until then, he had nothing fun to do…
Great.
Standing up, he started pacing around the room, feeling restless, questions filling up his head.
Who was this? Who had done this to him? Were there any vampires they did not know of nearby? Had the werewolves really taken up the bad idea of hiding and not showing their face so people do not think of them as real? Was there any possibility of Elijah or Rebekah knowing what he had done to their siblings? How he was hiding both Kol and Finn in those wretched yet reliable coffins in a hidden place? Did his two siblings know of his actions? If not, would he go with his plan? If not, would they go against him even though his intentions were nothing bad? Would his siblings forgive him for doing what he thinks is best for them? What if his siblings hate him forever for wanting his family together? What if-
"Excuse me-" Coming to a halt, Niklaus was surprised to say the least for not hearing any changes in the boy's breathing, watching carefully as he looked back with eyes wide and alert, not dizzy and drowsy like the first time. "-Who are you?"
Taking a deep breath, Niklaus calmed his mind for this conversation, and sat down to one of the chairs closer to the bed. "I could ask you the same."
"I-I'm Andrew. Andrew Grayson." He stuttered out, feeling something was horribly wrong.
"Well, Andrew, I'm Niklaus Mikaelson." Niklaus wasn't sure how to feel about revealing who he was to a random stranger, but this person could just be compelled to forget everything later, so he did not worry much about what he said, speaking as he wished.
But, Niklaus thought as he leaned into his chair, there was no need to compel anyone right now, so the two could have a simple conversation. "So, do you mind telling me what happened? Or what's the last thing you remember?"
Confusion flickered in his eyes as he kept staring at the blanket, back resting against the headboard. "I don't really know…But there was my friend, and a party, and-but-…Why do I feel so sad? I'm thirsty…And why does my head hurt so much? And my teeth hurt too…"
The question came out right as tears fell from his eyes, his mind not processing his thoughts properly as so many events passed through, none of them meaning as much.
Niklaus mentally sighed, not wanting to deal with anything emotional, but the eyes staring at the blanket seemed so…
No way. This was overthinking it.
As fast as possible, he was right next to the bed, holding the boy's face in his hands, looking straight into the teary yet so dull eyes, and was shocked at what he found.
This person was in transition.
How was this even…" You were saying what the last thing you remember was? A friend and a party? What happened after?"
"Well, uh, Miss Katherine was there, and she…No, she couldn't have…" He continued denying the truth that was clear in his mind, shaking his head a bit as he avoided the eyes of who was in front of him.
Niklaus was having none of it though, making him look at him as he spoke, compelling this person, whether this person was really in transition or not, being an Original and all. "Tell me what happened."
So much for not compelling anyone and having a simple conversation.
"M-miss Katherine found me and my friend outside, and then she shot me, and then…she, um…"
Repeating the question, Niklaus was shocked at who might have done this.
After years of searching…Katerina? "She b-bit my neck, her eyes turning into that of a demon, and then pushed me into the river."
There was no way this was Katerina, right? If she was nearby, he wouldn't have missed her!
"When did this happen?" Niklaus asked, compelling the truth once more.
"Well, it was around when February began-It's the second day-or night of the month now, right?"
Not even listening to the question asked, Niklaus stood and turned around, not wishing to make assumptions he knew may just be false hope to rip apart a person that escaped from him.
"It's the middle of the month."
The answer was given with no thought, still wondering whether or not this really was Katerina. "You don't happen to know the full name of this Katherine person, do you?" Niklaus asked, back still facing him.
"She had given me this…note, with her name written on it in her native language…uh, I'm sure it says Katherine Pierce…" He said as he searched for his jacket pockets.
Letting out a shout, he looked around the room, trying to stand up as he was held by his shoulders, being stopped from standing up from the bed.
"Where is-where is my jacket?!"
"Stop trying to stand up already. You're injured!" Niklaus yelled, not caring about what he wanted, only knowing he was supposed to look after this person in transition until his siblings came back, glancing at the bandages on his throat that were the only ones visible, the one at the side hidden beneath his old shirt.
Confused as ever, he glared back, not understanding why he was making a big deal out of this, why he was getting so angry at something he would usually just get a bit irritated at. "What do you mean I'm injured? I feel fine!"
Oh. Was it possible for this person to have healed fully while still in transition? Niklaus wondered, stopping the hands fumbling to get the bandages off.
But how? How was he in transition? He had been with this person the entire time since he was found, and no vampire blood was given-not any he saw of, and-when had he even died?
Giving a slight shove, Niklaus watched as he appeared to be tired quickly, taking quick breaths as he rested against the bedhead.
"I thought you might be thirsty. There's a glass of water next to you." He spoke calmly, trying to imitate the way Elijah remained calm in the midst of chaos.
Though it was highly unlikely water would do anything to ease the thirst he must be feeling right now…
His eyes went to the cup next to the bed, sitting on top of a box, easily in his reach.
Grabbing it, he drank it hungrily, greedily, not waiting for a single second to take a breath as he gulped it all down, like someone left in the desert for decades.
"Slow down or you'll choke on it." Rebekah said, happy about seeing him awake so they could get some answers. Like how anybody was here when it was nearly impossible for people to find their hidden house.
Elijah entered the room after her, eyes roaming around the room, finding his brother seemingly troubled by something, and the other person appearing extremely thirsty.
Once Niklaus noticed their arrival, Elijah was curious as to why his brother immediately took him by the arm outside the room, leaving Rebekah speaking with him, both having to like talking in the room behind the shut door.
"What seems to trouble you, Niklaus?" His question was ignored, as Niklaus went to the living room, searching the jacket for something or another,
After a few seconds of searching, he took something out, nothing wet in the jacket after thoroughly leaving it to dry in front of the fireplace.
Holding the dry paper, reading it over and over, and then finding what he looked for, he held it to Elijah, who had followed and was now sitting on the couch.
"Here. What does it say?" He asked as Elijah took it, reading it. "It says 'I'll see you at the party. Hope you have a good birthday.'"
Not understanding what any of these nearly ruined ink writing had to do with their current situation, he turned it around at the look Niklaus was giving him, and read it aloud. "'Катерина Петрова' As in…"
"Yes. Katerina Petrova."
A scream stopped either of them from commenting further.
"Just so you know, he's in transition." Niklaus added before speeding over to the room, not seeing the look on Elijah's face.
Opening the door, Niklaus and Elijah were met with his sister sucking the blood from the other.
Quickly acting, Elijah broke the two off, pushing Rebekah off him, not believing that after such a long time later, his sister could not control herself.
The pained expression was leaving him as soon as it got there, because he had stood from where he had been sitting, and jumped at the stranger, punching her as hard as he could before anybody could do anything, his speed nearly the same as a real vampire would be, not that he was aware of much of anything.
He was blinded by rage.
But before he could throw the fourth blow, Niklaus was holding his wrist, and looking him in the eye, he felt his anger slowly leaving. "You'll have to forgive my sister. She can be a bit…rash, at times, thinking only with what she wants. Why don't you go and wait in the living room downstairs?"
After a few moments of hesitation, Niklaus compelled him, again, tightening the hold on his wrist without meaning to, letting go after seeing the flinch. "Go downstairs and wait there."
After waiting for more than half an hour
He had no idea what was going on.
From when Katherine pushed him to what was happening now, he really did not understand what was going on. Even so…
The one thing he knew he had to do was to wait here, not knowing at all why he would, but he had to.
But there was a really good smell coming from the rooms nearby, a smell so good he got hungrier with every thought at what it could be.
"You can stop now."
At that statement given by the person in front of him-Niklaus Mikaelson, was it? -he was relieved to say the least, stumbling on his feet as he felt himself being let loose of invisible threads controlling him. Not even a few seconds and he was sitting on the first sofa his eyes landed on, feeling tired still, and standing in the middle of a living room not helping in any way.
Rebekah was giving him a death stare, Elijah drinking a cup of tea, while Niklaus was staring from one person to the other, waiting for someone to start talking.
Rebekah and Elijah sitting on the sofa opposing to him, and Niklaus sitting on a chair in between at the side, looking at both sides, the silence was finally broken as he spoke.
"Do you know what vampires are?"
His eyes narrowed at that question, not believing anybody would ask something so unbelievable.
While his father may have been in this Council thing, he had not taken part, not wanting to have anything to do with it. "They are vicious creatures told in fictional stories." He answered, his voice laced in fury, lingering anger from before.
Elijah entered the conversation, watching the bubbles in the cup disappear, wanting to know more. "Anything else you know about them?"
"I know they're talked about in this thing called the Council in my hometown. My father is in that group-they thought vampires exist, and even believed there may be a few around us."
"I also know they're not real." He added, not getting why the three sitting in the room suddenly grinned, the anger in Rebekah's eyes gone, Niklaus appearing to be amused, and Elijah seemed like he found humor in his words.
As Niklaus stood, so did he quickly, not trusting any of these people, and not wanting to feel cornered, or defenseless, guard up. "Well, you see Andrew…"
Exchanging looks with his siblings who had also stood, Niklaus spoke, watching the reaction at the rude awakening-the reaction that would no doubt be like any other he had seen in his lifetime.
Shock? Disbelief? Horrified? Sickened? Doubt? Dumbfounded? Speechless?
Either way, a person could always be compelled if necessary.
"We happen to be vampires."