Chapter 2 – Real Vampires

"Are you people…crazy? Or honest?"

His question was met with a chuckle from Elijah, and Rebekah answered with her own question. "Do we look like liars to you?"

"Mate, we are speaking the truth." The second statement was added by a smiling Klaus when Andrew did not stop eyeing the three in the room with suspicion.

Andrew couldn't think clearly, but then a memory hit his brain, a realization he wasn't sure he wanted.

"Am I…dead?"

He heard Rebekah yell at Elijah-after he gave him a nod-as if interrogating him for information she didn't have, but Andrew wasn't listening.

Andrew remembered being shot, by Katherine nonetheless-and her eyes-fangs-the talks in the Council of vampires-falling into the river-water entering his lungs as he couldn't breath-feeling weird as he gasped outside the water with a branch holding him up-being carried outside the water-

"It might be hard to believe, but you are indeed dead." Klaus interrupted his jumble of thoughts and memories, appearing too calm about this situation than Andrew was.

Maybe that was because he wasn't the one dead?

But Klaus had said they are vampires-aren't vampires supposed to be creatures that are dead?

Then was Andrew also-

"Am I a vampire?" He asked, not understanding if all the events from the beginning-the party-until now-right now, was all just a part of a nightmare he would wake up from.

There was a problem if that was the case…

Everything was all too real to be any sort of dream.

Clenching his eyes shut, Andrew opened them again, blinking a few times, but not waking up.

This was real.

"-Not exactly." Elijah spoke as he put his cup on the table in the middle of the room-stopping Rebekah from continuing on with her questions-everything about him screaming calm, so much that Andrew just…couldn't look too long at him.

It made him want to shout at Elijah to show some emotion.

Andrew really hated people that were so calm, or looking so-

"You are in what is called a 'transition'. Right now, I think you have about…" Elijah checked his watch for a second, and continued. "…five to ten hours to choose. Give or take."

Choose?

"Choose wha-"

"In order to become a vampire-in order to finish the transition, you have to drink human blood. After you drink human blood, you turn." Rebekah spoke over him; her words not being processed by Andrew. "If not, you die."

Becoming a vampire? Transition? Human blood? Turn? Die? -

"I should go-I have to-ugh-" Before he could make out anything else, he ran to the front door, getting out, slamming the door open as he ran, making it as far as he could, so close to the river he could almost touch the water, and right then his knees gave up, and whatever he may have had in his stomach came out.

He felt like he puked his guts out, the acid burning his throat so much he wanted to drink something-he was just so thirsty-

After a few seconds of breathing heavily, he wiped his mouth on his sleeve-this wasn't his clothes? -and stood so fast he felt dizzy for a few seconds when he heard footsteps, the birds chirping much louder, the leaves on the trees brushing against each other with the wind-the noise louder than usual-

"Come on now, mate. There isn't anything you have to worry yourself over. Just come back inside and we can continue having our nice little chat." Klaus Mikaelson. A vampire. A freaking vampire!

He took a step back, heart racing.

"But Klaus said something about Katherine-What does she have to do with this?"

He felt like he was cornered.

"Rebekah, stop pestering me with questions. If I knew which vampire it was for certain, I'd tell you." Elijah Mikaelson. A vampire too!

He could see as he was the prey to those in front of him-the predators.

Unconsciously, without any realization, he had been taking steps back, so when his left foot felt like it was on air when he took another step back, he lost his balance, falling backwards, to the river.

He didn't see how, but Niklaus was in front of him, grabbing him by the arm and yanking him back with so much force Andrew had to hold on to him before he regained his balance again. After Andrew realized he was clutching at his shirt, he quickly let go of Niklaus, but even if he did, Niklaus still held onto his arm.

He was being led back to the house; Rebekah already gone with Elijah.

"-can just choose to turn, or, if you don't want to, you don't have to. It's your choice." He heard as he focused on what Niklaus was saying.

Taking a deep breath to calm his heart, he found there to be no way to slow his heart about to explode.

Once they entered the house, he saw the said-to-be-vampire bringing him a cup of something that probably was warm, considering the-When had he sat down?

"Here you go." Niklaus said as the cup was suddenly handed over to him.

After instantly putting the cup on the table-it was so hot-he raised an eyebrow in question, not understanding anything right now, he was met with an eye roll. "Tea."

Tea? "I hate tea." He said, still not able to calm his heart.

"You can calm down, you know. We don't bite…if we don't want to." Andrew could just hear the smirk from the way he spoke. What an arrogant bastard! "Still, you really have nothing to worry about."

That did not give him any comfort, and Andrew just wanted to know what was going on-if this was all true.

"Choosing quickly could be the better option if you ask me." Niklaus stated, drinking his own cup of tea, sitting on the opposing couch, one leg over the other, left arm spread around the back of the couch as it rests.

This was their home, he was reminded, and they were vampires.

Of all the things!

"So, Niklaus? -"

"Elijah is mainly the only one that calls me that. You can call me Klaus if you want."

He saw nothing wrong with that, so he tried it. "Klaus…"

Looking up at Klaus, his heart no longer beating as fast, he asked, "If I don't drink human blood, will I really die?"

The smile gone, a frown in place at how serious Andrew was, Klaus gave a slow nod, wanting to know what the decision would be.

After getting his answer, Andrew felt his throat close up, and he leaned further into the soft couch, letting out a breath at getting a confirmation. If more than one person really agreed, the chances of this actually being true was a lot higher, and since this entire thing felt all too real to him, it could only mean that this was reality, and he was going to die…

"And if I…" Swallowing, he tried getting rid of how thirsty he was feeling. "If I do drink human blood…?"

"Then you become a vampire. Simple, really."

Nothing about this felt simple to him. Not even the slightest.

For a second, he thought of drinking the tea in front of him to quench some of his thirst, a thought he quickly got rid of as he knew it was tea. But he felt tired enough to not get up for a glass of water.

Andrew did have an idea of what could be true about vampires.

No aging. Immortal to a certain degree. Sunlight-

"Wait a minute. I thought vampires are creatures of the night-not night and day?"

Klaus had put his empty cup on the table, resting his head in his arms behind him as he thought of a way to explain this.

"Do you know anything about witches?" Asking a question before explaining was starting to get boring, so he was about to explain in detail everything and anything, having absolutely nothing else to do, and getting bored was not on his agenda today or any upcoming day.

Before Klaus could start, he was hit with many things said by Andrew, none of which he wished to speak of anymore. There were too many things to be talked about. Also…did this boy know anything?

"-Just a minute. Witches? You mean there are witches too? Then, what, zombies are real too? And ghosts? Mermaids? Unicorns? Werewolves? Fairies? And-What about dragons? Are they real too? Or is all this made up as a joke?"

The last question caught his attention. Andrew still didn't believe, did he?

Was there a need for proof, always, to be certain of something?

Speeding into one of the rooms, the frown not coming off his face, he got back downstairs with four new people.

People he didn't even remember the names of.

People his siblings were no doubt to get more of.

After they all made it to the living room, Klaus couldn't believe at the person slouched on the couch, dozing off.

"So," he started rather loudly, getting Andrew to startle awake, back straight as he saw the people in front of him.

What was going on? He thought. Did Klaus have more siblings that were no doubt vampires?

There was something weird going on with all these ladies though…They all seemed to be in a daze…

"Meet a few of my lady friends I don't remember the names of! Since you are so keen on not believing the simplest of things, I will demonstrate." Klaus said, compelling two of them to sit on the couch, grabbing one of the two still standing softly, and then holding her neck wide open for him.

Getting his fangs out, he stared straight into the eyes of his audience, knowing the veins around his eyes and his fangs would have already been enough as a demonstration. He couldn't help it. He wanted to feed on a human after the events full of blood. He didn't get a chance to have that much blood from any of this bloody event, so he had rights to do so now.

As Andrew watched, standing as he could no longer sit so still, he was getting a sense of having been in a similar position.

Without thinking, he brought a hand to his own neck, the memory of having his own neck sucked dry clear as day. Although the injury was gone for a while, the memory was still there.

But then, the smell-

There was no way he could-he wasn't going to-not ever-

"Can you-please-stop?" He asked Klaus, fearing for both the person that was far, far too calm, and for his own sake. If this smell continued getting stronger…

Klaus ripped his fangs out of her, his mouth covered in blood, some dripping down his chin, the taste making him feel euphoric once again, the ecstatic taste of blood only making him want more. The blood always tasted so delicious, yet he could never get enough of it. But after so long, he knew to stop.

He hadn't even gotten that much from her, yet Andrew couldn't take it. This was interesting.

"Why should I stop, Andrew? I am a vampire, and you must know vampires live on blood." He stated, watching as Andrew struggled to make a choice. "…Do you want to die? Or would you rather be a vampire?"

"It's not hard. Here, have a taste. I can assure you it's delicious." He said as he roughly pushed the girl to him, looking at how good Andrew was at resisting temptation.

Did he really not want something he could have so easily?

Andrew, on the other hand, did not feel curious anymore, only conflicted on whether he should do as his instincts begged him to, or just let himself die.

A quote he had memorized popped up in his head-a quote from the book 'The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha'. It had said 'Take my advice and live for a long, long time. Because the maddest thing a man can do in this life is to let himself die', a well-known quote that had been around for more than two centuries.

There was a loophole though…

It didn't really count as him letting himself die if he was already dead. At least, that's what he thought.

He couldn't tear his eyes away as the blood slowly bled out of the human in front of him.

He was no longer human, right? So, why couldn't he…

Leaning in closer, he was so close at getting a taste, just a little taste of the blood that smelled oh so good…

But then he was stopped as the lady was yanked back by Klaus, who was now wearing a scowl. Not understanding why he did that, Andrew asked, or rather, yelled, "What the hell?! I thought I was supposed to get a taste! Why stop me if you let me in the first place?"

Klaus did not want to let anyone make a decision they would regret if he was the only one to stop it from happening. After all, nothing good had come out of a decision he had made. Sneaking out with a brother to see something-a forbidden action that had simply gotten his brother killed.

"I never said you were supposed to, and that was me offering this human girl's blood, not telling you to drink. I want you to first make a decision you won't ever regret." Klaus spoke with such seriousness that Andrew saw the similarity between him and Elijah. Both brothers had their moments when they were very serious, though Elijah usually was that way.

And anyway, how was he supposed to know what decision was best?

"Alright. How about something simpler?" He heard Klaus mutter, trying to figure out what he wasn't grasping on. Reality, maybe. "Do you want to die?"

The question was asked so suddenly, Andrew had no idea if he should answer, or if he even had an answer to that sort of question.

But wasn't he already dead…?

"Just answer the question! If you could actually die right now, would you die?" It looked like Klaus wasn't a patient person.

If he could actually die…No! Andrew obviously would do whatever he could do keep on living.

But…He was already dead…And to become a vampire! No!

"No." Before the smile on Klaus' face could widen any further, he continued, not believing his own words as he spoke. "But I wouldn't want to be a vampire."

A deep anger flashed in Klaus' eyes, and then he sped over right in front of him, the lady right in between them, facing Andrew.

"What do you think is so wrong about being a vampire, exactly?"

At the sudden confrontation, Andrew's defenses went up, glad to have the lady between them, not liking it so much since both Klaus and the lady were facing him. "Well-um-vampires…they kill, right?"

"Only because we have to, mate. You know, with how we need blood to survive and all."

"What about never getting to see the sun again? I, for one, like the sun-mainly sunsets."

"That can be arranged. Walking during the day is nothing special, and a witch can easily make that happen."

Not even getting into the witch argument, Andrew continued on. "What about…vampires in general? They die?"

"Getting staked can easily kill, and so can wooden bullets. Or fire."

"Bullets aren't made of wood-everybody know that-"

"There are people that use them on vampires."

A few moments passed by, neither speaking.

It didn't last long.

"Then, what about-"

"Admit it. There is nothing wrong with vampires. You just haven't ever seen one, or experienced how it is to be one. You're blinded by what you've been taught, and aren't even trying to use facts that are obvious!"

At that, Andrew flinched back, still not fully comprehending just how he got into this mess of a situation.

"I've never…killed someone. It's wrong. To kill someone. Isn't it?"

The simple question got a short laugh out of Klaus, and then an answer was given. "Of course, but who's to say it is wrong to do what you can to survive? After all, doesn't survival come before all else?"

After finishing his rhetorical question, Klaus took another sip of the girl in front of him, feeling so good.

But Andrew wanted to be anywhere but here right now, seeing as he was inches apart from the two standing right in front of him, the smell more overwhelming than ever.

"Have you decided?" Klaus asked as he took a step so he was standing at the side, watching the two, Andrew on his right, the girl on his left, eyeing both of them. The girl was compelled, so nothing was problematic there. But the other wasn't compelled, even though he could just compel him right now and get everything over with.

But if he did that, he knew Rebekah would no longer want to be with him, and Elijah would also have things to say.

He didn't understand-it was so simple!

Don't die = Become a vampire!

Why did nobody get this?!

Acting out of rage, he pulled Andrew towards the girl, watching the desire build up in his eyes, and he could hear Andrew's heart race.

Grabbing his hand, Klaus guided it so it was on the girl's shoulder. Contact made. Only thing left now was blood tasting.

"I'll get some more tea." He said, not getting any reaction from the boy.

It was like Andrew was hypnotized by the blood slowly trickling down the girl's neck, so after Klaus pushed the girl at him, he went to the kitchen to get some more tea for himself, quite intrigued on finding out just what the choice made will be-how all this would go down.

In the living room

Andrew did not know what to do.

Was becoming a vampire really that bad of a thing as the people in his hometown said? He was starting to have doubts as he thought of what Klaus had said.

Was dying really considered dying if he was dead already? But he always had the choice of living as an undead…living person…right?

The smell was getting more and more overwhelming, so before he knew it, he had taken a small lick from where the blood was dripping, but then-the taste-the taste was so-

Thoughts gone, he was now sucking at the wound on the girl's neck, and unknown to him, veins were starting to form around his eyes, the part around his eye turning red as he kept on sucking, not able to stop his thirst. He was so damn thirsty-

And the taste was so delicious! He thought, continuing on drinking the blood as he sat on the couch, fangs already there, the girl on his lap, her blood all he cared about. Nothing like he had ever tasted before!

Before he knew it, the girl was dry of any blood, and then quietly fell on the couch, eyes open, lifeless.

But Andrew didn't even notice-wasn't even looking. All he cared about was getting more of the blood to lessen his thirst that-for some reason-hadn't been affected in the slightest even though he was sure he had drunk delicious liquid that should have made him thirsty no longer.

Hearing blood thumping in veins, his red eyes turned to the person closest, another lady sitting on the couch.

Quickly draining her, he left her on the couch too, speeding over to the one standing on the opposite side, stumbling over the table as he had hit his leg to the corner of it, letting out a small hiss as the table was-for reasons he could not think of, made of wood.

Right after regaining his balance, his eyes locked onto his next victim, speeding to the lady in a beautiful dress, and let his fangs enter her neck as he started feeding from her, his eyes closing in bliss.

But he was still thirsty-still so thirsty, he thought as he continued drinking-

In the kitchen

The tea kettle was whistling, the steam coming out of it reminding him to turn the heat down. And after doing that, he took the kettle still making sounds and poured himself some, adding some wine into it, because why not. It wasn't like it affected him much.

While he stirred the tea, Klaus didn't know if he should go to the living room.

What if Andrew didn't want to become a vampire? What if he chose to die?

Klaus knew barely anything about this person, but seeing somebody die just because of judgmental thoughts would be cruel, to everyone around.

There was also the other option, the alternative where Andrew had a taste of human blood, and turned into a vampire.

And if he did, he might get a bit more than needed blood from the girl he had pushed at him.

Walking into the room to check on what had happened with the cup in his hand, he scanned the room, and then dropped the cup out of shock, eyes wide at seeing something he hadn't been looking for, the glass scattering around the area, the sound echoing.

He had been out for barely two minutes! And a third was being sucked dry!

Going as fast as he could, he ran to where the two were standing, ripping the girl away from him-the girl probably had no strength left as she had been held up by Andrew.

The bodies weren't damaged too much, so…not a ripper, Klaus couldn't help thinking, trying to make this whole thing look better than it actually was. But…way too close to possibly being one. He felt…oddly disappointed at that fact.

Andrew glared at him, and Klaus disliked the way the innocent boy was now-as well as the disrespect.

He had been so…unlike how a vampire would be-talking about what was right and wrong…though he hadn't ever said what his choice was.

Was this his fault?

As he was suddenly punched-almost, he looked at Andrew-covered in blood, eyes red, fangs out-and scowled, instantly feeling angry at a new vampire going against him, an original, someone that lived longer than what could be imagined.

Holding Andrew's wrist, he used his own strength, and threw the boy towards the wall behind him, hearing the cracks made by the wall-or the bones in his body.

After making sure Andrew was out, and still alive, he turned to the living room, eyeing what the boy had done-actions he never thought he was capable of doing. The two girls on the couch were bloodied, eyes open, staring at nothing, the one on the floor making a mess as her blood kept flowing out of her-wasted blood. Perhaps he should've allowed him to finish…

The girl would most likely be dead in a minute, he mused as he stared at the blood on the ground. And the last one was sitting still, compelled, not having any idea of what her surroundings were really like.

Since it was his first time, it must have been hard to control himself. But to go this far…

He would say he was impressed, if not for the fact that this would have to be explained to his siblings.

Taking a few steps around the area, he glanced back at the boy, the crunching of glass audible to him as his shoes stepped on some, turning them into smaller pieces.

Andrew looked so peaceful while he was unconscious, nothing like the way he had been acting mere seconds ago.

Out of all this, at least he got human blood, and made a choice before time ran out. And he sure had a lot. When he woke up, Klaus was certain the hunger for blood would be a lot less-after all, people in transition were always wanting what they needed more than when people didn't really have to have any blood.

"We brought a few of the villagers…"

That was Elijah.

Why did it have to be him that had to be stuck in an unexplainable position? He thought to himself as he turned to look at his older brother.

"Elijah! You're back. Where's Rebekah?" Changing the subject would no doubt not work.

He knew he was right when Elijah let go of the two people beside him, and slowly walked around the glass pieces, scanning the room, his face expressionless, hiding emotions so well Klaus once again had barely any idea what emotions were hidden beneath the calm façade.

It seemed like his older brother was getting better at hiding emotions as the years passed, Klaus thought as he found a flicker of irritation in his brother's eyes. Oh, that's right. Elijah didn't like the place he lived to be messy.

"Niklaus. Explain what exactly happened while we were gone."

Several minutes later in the living room

"…turned..."

"-mean he…."

"…and you-"

Andrew could hear bits and pieces of what was being said by three different voices, his head pounding like never before.

Those voices were also so much louder than he could take.

Not yet being able to open his eyes, he tried to make whoever it was that was speaking so loudly quiet down.

"Shh!" He tried shushing the loud voices, one hand flailing at the voices so he got their attention.

He was sure he was heard when the voices stopped speaking, but then one of them spoke, super loud, and amused for some reason he couldn't think of. "Did you just shush me?"

"I think it was meant for all of us, Rebekah. Don't get so upset."

Right. One of the voices-the one that asked him something-was Rebekah. Mikaelson. And the one to speak next was…Hmm…

Was it Edward?

No.

"Eliezer?" He heard giggling at that-must have been Rebekah, and then the memories came back, back to being fully awake and alert, eyes open, looking at the sour look on the usually no emotion face.

"I have been mistaked for many other names, but never in all these centuries of living has anyone made the mistake of calling me a name so…different." Elijah said, sounding anything but happy.

After finishing making fun of Elijah, Rebekah tried to speak in the midst of laughing. "Different-hah! More like unrelated! At least both names start with the same letter."

Quickly sitting straight-he was sitting on the couch-he tried taking back the name he said by mistake, "Elijah-"

Before he started blabbering like an idiot, he saw Rebekah holding a wine glass filled with a familiar smelling red liquid.

"Is that…?"

Rebekah glanced at her glass for a second, and then, like she didn't understand what was so wrong, asked. "Do you want some? It's fresh blood."

"I think that our young guest wanted to learn a bit more about what he now is than that, Rebekah. Have some manners, please, and go drink it elsewhere before he gets distracted." Elijah intervened before Andrew could think of an answer. "Niklaus should be free to talk to you."

Grateful that Rebekah left with the glass, Andrew gave him a small smile.

"Would you like some tea? I, for one, enjoy it immensely."

Elijah sat on a chair nearby, hands full with a few items, clothes so neat-a suit that must have been very expensive, showing his wealth without a single thing being said. "No, I hate tea." Andrew nearly yelled out, getting very angry all of a sudden-maybe because people kept on asking if he wanted something he hated.

Focusing back on the jacket that looked so similar to his own… well, the only difference being it wasn't ripped or wet or disgustingly dirty. On his other hand were two things-some sort of a book, and a piece of paper…

"Hey! Those are mine!" He yelled, and-somehow faster than he intended, he stood and went to Elijah, nearly grabbing the book and the piece of paper.

Well, he almost did.

Elijah had grabbed his hand that he had reached to take his journal and paper-so much faster than he could ever anticipate, and then looked him in the eye as he talked. "You will sit and listen to what I have to say, and answer all my questions truthfully."

Sitting back down on the couch, he didn't know why he was so interested in hearing what Elijah wanted to say.

Or why he was sitting.

But there was no time to dwell on meaningless questions. He felt like he just had to.

"Andrew Grayson, was it?"

He gave a slow nod, not knowing whether this was a get-to-know-you time, or an interrogation. But one thing he knew-he had to answer.

Wanting to jump up and snatch his things away, but remaining seated, he stared intently at Elijah-who was reading the cover of the journal that belonged to Andrew. "Then…"

Pointing at the written title, Elijah showed it to the supposed owner of the 'journal'. "…Why does this say 'Journal of Andrew Grayson and Smith?"

Gulping, Andrew hesitantly answered, wanting to be anywhere but here right now.

"…I am a Smith, but the Grayson family took me in, and I wrote it like that, that's why." He wasn't able to stop himself from saying the truth. And also, there was no 'and' written there! It was 'or'!

Humming at his answer, Elijah thought as a few seconds passed. Then, he opened the first page, Andrew able to do nothing except watch.

If his journal was going to be read…He felt horrified at the thought of his journal being read by anybody other than him. It held everything-his thoughts-information-things he would rather be asked permission for before ever allowing anybody-let alone a complete stranger to read. Friends could-maybe read it.

Andrew was filled with complete relief when Elijah shut it, and glanced at him. "Is this private only to you?"

"Yes." He answered evenly, wanting to scream the one word until he made Elijah's ears bleed. How dare he take something that belonged to him?!

That was odd. Why was he so irritated about something he would usually pass off as nothing that big of a deal?

Putting the things in his hands on the chair next to him, he took the piece of paper, and asked, "How do you know Katherine?"

"She's…She's a friend of my friends." He said vaguely.

Stefan and Damon Salvatore-people he would most likely never get to see again, were friends with her, so it was true.

"Good enough. Now then," Elijah stood, grabbing all the items with him as he made his way to Andrew. "I'd like you to have these back, seeing as these belong to you."

Andrew felt so happy at getting his journal and the last piece he could remember his hometown by, happier than he thought he would ever be at getting things back. "And here is a jacket to replace the ruined one. I simply couldn't stand the condition it was in-I like clothing with good quality, so I found this for you."

He took the jacket he was handed, surprised at the sudden nice gesture.

"People consider me a man of honour, somebody that will always keep his word, and I find my reputation quite fitting…considering my family and their own reputation." Elijah was now toying with the idea of not telling anything more to a mere stranger, but continued speaking nonetheless, knowing for certain both his younger siblings were outside the house, hunting any unlucky travelers.

"I will be leaving tonight in search of Katerina Petrova. Her being a vampire doesn't benefit me or my siblings, but Niklaus is keen on getting revenge."

Looking at Andrew, he compelled him once again. "You will forget everything we spoke of until the next you see me."

A thoughtful expression passed Elijah, and then he asked. "You don't know much about anything…right?"

"Nobody thought of telling me much, so, yes, I have little knowledge of everything in general." Andrew answered, glad that somebody was willing to explain things to him.

"It's a good thing we have the entire night then."

Outside where two vampires are hunting

As another traveller screamed for help, desperate to run to a safe place, not able to get rid of the gruesome things he saw happen to his camping friends.

She was not able to outrun this monster, she thought as she gasped for air after running as fast as she could.

Her long hair was grabbed, harshly pulled towards the creature she thought of as a monster, watching with terror as she saw a man with the face of a demon, eyes golden, teeth sharp.

The second another shriek was leaving her mouth, she stopped, frozen in fear as the man who was actually known as Niklaus Mikaelson drank her blood greedily, not leaving any for Rebekah as she caught up, looking upset about something or another.

"Her friend I was after tripped and hit his head on a rock-How come you get all the fun while my food dies before I do anything? So unfair." Rebekah grumbled in annoyance. She had gotten the other female humans, true, but she wanted to eat him too.

While the light in the girl's eyes was replaced by a dull look, Klaus kept on draining her, and then let her fall onto the hard ground, turning to his sister. "Maybe you just have bad luck with men."

Knowing his words were connecting the event to the past-to so many other events, he knew he deserved the powerful kick Rebekah landed on his ribs, possibly breaking a couple. "Nik, please just shut up."

After letting out a breath, Klaus changed the topic with his next words. "Don't you think we should move to another city? Los Angeles, maybe?"

Rebekah sighed, not liking the example given. "How about Chicago? Or even Florida? Both were recently found."

Thinking about the three cities, Klaus replied with a, "How about one after the other?"

A smile grew on Rebekah's face at seeing the older brother she knew. He had been so into this whole 'getting vengeance for wasting my time' thing, it was rare for her to see this side of Nik.

"I thought you were too wrapped up in finding Katherine?" She couldn't help asking. "Rebekah, sister, we could search for her and have fun while doing so. Who knows, you might even come across somebody worth your time."

"And you could make a friend." She joked back, knowing full well they could both be dead before either thing happened.

Benefits of having somebody chasing them with the intent to kill.

For a few minutes, they listened to the dying breaths of the girl, the blood pooling around the grass, trees surrounding them, any and all animals nearby gone, no birds chirping.

"Do you think he'll ever stop trying to kill us as he did to our mother?"

The question was asked quietly, with barely any hope left as Rebekah thought they could die any time so long as they were being chased.

Both siblings wearing a frown, Klaus answered carefully, not wanting to say the wrong thing. "Not if we run from him."

Disliking the sad look Rebekah had, Klaus asked with a smirk, "What do you think of Andrew? Does he make your heart flutter?"

"No! He punched me a few times-I'll get him back for that-but the most we could be is most likely friends. And you? Do you think he'll leave? Or do you want him to leave?"

Rebekah stared at Klaus as he gave her an answer she wasn't expecting, not knowing if sarcasm was used or not. "If he does leave, that could lead to the deaths of countless people, so being the gentleman I am, I find it my duty to show the way to a young vampire. One exception made because I have nothing better to do."

"I'd have preferred if he had been a ripper…" He muttered under his breath; a quiet statement made as he stared at the dead body on the ground.

Because, had that been the case, then it would have been much easier to perhaps be friends. No control or any rules to try and follow. Endless nights of fun hunting with a companion…

Too much to ask for, he supposed.

Glancing one last time at the dead human, he recalled something he had said to Elijah. 'A life means nothing.'

"For now, though," Klaus started, eyes roaming around in search of any other travelers. "Getting Katerina to pay is on top of my list of to-do things."

Later in the house

Rebekah shut the door as she entered the house, going to the kitchen to get some tissues to get rid of at least some of the blood off herself.

Finding the tissues at the corner in a box, she took around a dozen, and then started cleaning herself up before heading up to wash herself clean.

"Nik?" She called, wondering if they would have a family dinner for once in which everybody was present.

"Elijah?" Letting out a frustrated sigh after a few moments of silence, she threw the tissues away, heading to the living room to sit there and do nothing-maybe she would find the best way to make both her brothers feel bad about not being on time. And especially the always-on-time and never-late-for-anything brother Elijah!

She was maybe predicting Nik to not make it on time because of his art, but Elijah made it on time-always!

Huffing, she turned the lights on, and nearly jumped out of her skin once seeing the deadly quiet guest sitting on the couch, staring at his lap.

Sometimes, a vampire being in the same room as another was a pain-after all, both were excellent at remaining silent.

"What are you doing here-Have you seen the other two?" Making her way to the bookshelf after not getting a response, she grabbed a book from the dusty shelf-barely anybody ever read these, Elijah constantly using the excuse of people actually once having memories before they existed, and Klaus simply chose painting and drawing over reading.

Making her way to the guest Andrew, she sat next to him, wondering where in the world her brothers had to be that was more important than their more than peaceful dinners-if peaceful meant arguing over trivial things.

"Elijah said he left to find Katerina Petrova, and would not return until he did-and said that Niklaus would look after you until next time." Rebekah heard him say, and she instantly turned to look at the now confused guest who had just spoken as if reading a note.

"What do you mean he left?!"

Her shout must have been enough to break Nik's concentration upstairs, because he had sped over, looking from her red eyes to Andrew with a questioning look. "What's the problem, Rebekah…?"

"Ask him!" She yelled, grabbing a hold of Andrew as she stood, making him stand too.

Klaus glanced at the two again, still trying to wrap his head around what this problem was about. Then, as if it just occurred to him, he turned to his sister. "If this is about Elijah, he said he would be leaving tonight."

"I'm assuming he didn't mention it to you." He added as he took a step back from the angry original.

Angry and an original vampire never mixed well.

"Rebekah, behave. We have a guest."

At his tone, she huffed, letting her eyes go back to normal, and walking away from the living room to her own room.

She couldn't deny it-this hurt, knowing her brothers had gone behind her back. And to think that Nik didn't say anything when he knew everything! It hurt to think of him not saying anything about their older brother leaving.

First Kol and Finn disappeared, and now Elijah left?

"-Just listen, Rebekah." She heard Klaus behind the shut door, and thought of letting him in. But just because Nik was being nice didn't mean she was going to immediately forgive him! "Go away, Niklaus!"

"Please, sister, listen to what I have to say!"

So, she decided on listening to what he had to say as she stood on the other side of the door. "Elijah had already given me his word to get Katerina back-and this way there will always be somebody searching. We, on the other hand, should focus on surviving. We can't stay here for long. I fear we will be discovered soon, so we will not be here for as long as planned."

Not replying-or opening the door she knew could have easily been broken by Nik, she stood right behind the door, listening to the light footsteps that left.

After making sure he had gone, Rebekah sat on her bed, glancing at the mirror near, and saw the necklace shining under the moonlight.

It was laughable, really. It was under the moonlight she had seen those necklaces-and then got her hand burned-things that felt as if they happened yesterday. Even though the memories felt that fresh, she knew for a fact it had been more than…how many centuries?

Longer than usual for any living vampire, she concluded.

After a few minutes of silence in her room, she came to one concrete knowledge she knew she had.

She would remain by Nik's side forever-no matter what-because they were family.

And, maybe, just maybe, she might find a man that proved she did not 'have bad luck with men'.

Back in the living room

"Ugh. That sister of mine will be the death of me." Klaus groaned as he rubbed his hands over his eyes, laying on the empty couch.

"Wait-I forgot. I can't die easily." He added in a light tone, trying to feel better after that little argument with Rebekah.

Perhaps the stress of arguing with people would finish him off first.

Letting out a long breath, he noticed the other person in the room. "You're still here?" Hm. Now there was something he could do on his free time-aside from having petty little fights with his sister, of course. A new vampire.

"I don't have anywhere else to go…"

Klaus waited a bit longer, not understanding why the guest seemed like he was unwanted-sitting straight, on the edge of the couch, as if ready to leave if asked. And not meeting his eyes, averting like not wanting to step on a knife.

There was also those stuff in his hands, items clenched in tight holds. Especially that book.

"Those belong to you." He stated, wondering what they were.

Yes, it was a jacket, book, and that note from before, and he knew that-but why did the book matter that much?

If it did matter so much, he was curious as to why, and checking what it was for himself crossed his mind, but he quickly shook that thought away.

Looking through personal items of guests was not polite, and he had manners, did he not?

So, he simply shut his eyes and remained on the opposite couch.

It was nighttime, the moon was already high up, and every living being needed some rest-

Right. Manners.

Standing up, he caught the attention of his guest. "Since you have nowhere else to go, you can spend the night here." Anywhere else he could think of was far from here-very far.

After getting a nod, he went up the stairs, and opened the door to one of the rooms-the room Elijah had brought Andrew to the day they found him. Klaus' eyes going to the only two rooms taken-by him and Rebekah, the two rooms that both had their doors shut, and were opposite to each other.

The room he was now gesturing to Andrew to enter was between an empty room and his own room.

"This is the room you were in-Make yourself at home." He said, speaking with well manners he hadn't used in…quite a while.

Standing outside the room, beside the door, he waited as patiently as he possibly could-doing his very best to remain the polite person he was not-

It didn't last ten seconds.

"Andrew, you can enter the room." Watching as the realization of what to do hit the guest, he stood by the door, looking at how the guest kept his eyes shut for a few seconds after checking everything.

Klaus went with the assumption of it being the cause of the heightened senses a vampire has.

A few more seconds later, Klaus took a few steps away from the room. Pointing at his room, he spoke. "I'll be in the room next to yours. If you need anything, let me know."

Getting a nod from Andrew, he went to his room.

Shutting the door, Klaus went to sit on the chair in front of the unfinished painting. Leaving a painting unfinished was one of the things he hated, but had to deal with when he had a sister like Rebekah.

Grabbing a paintbrush, he mixed two colours with it.

Listening to the silence, and making sure everybody was most likely asleep, he brought the brush to the painting.

All he wanted to do right now was finish this painting.