Disclaimer: I do not own The Vampire Diaries / The Originals, or any of the characters, plot-lines, dialogues from the shows or books
However, I do own Catherine Matthews/ my very own Katherine Peirce, her backstory, the storyline, and any additional characters that do not belong to The Vampire Diaries or The Originals. Characters in this story may not have the same opinion as you. These characters are all fictional.
I STILL DONT UNDERSTAND what the bloody hell happened to me.
One minute I was bitching about how the main character in the show, Elena Gilbert, got a happy ending while all others' life got fucked up, and the next thing I know, there was a bang and a flash of bright light. And suddenly, I was standing somewhere in total solitude, on the side of the road, in the middle of nowhere, holding an unfamiliar dress and an outdated bag—
I turned slowly on the spot, and the first and most obvious thing I noticed was my surroundings. The roads were deserted, and the night, cold and quiet. Then a noise reached me through the nothingness that surrounded me: the small soft thumpings of something that resembled that of heartbeats. I could also hear a few whispers —voices from afar.
Within no time at all, I spotted the thing that was making the noises. A couple of people were walking by in the distance. They talked about a fire accident at an Old Medical Clinic near the Town Square, due to which the festival got cut short.
And the strangest thing I could gather, omitting the time where I was magically teleported to a place I have no fucking clue about a minute ago, was that; I can overhear them. I was eavesdropping on a conversation that was happening a block away from my spot.
Any normal human being can not possibly hear their conversation from such a long distance with such a small range of frequency. It wasn't scientifically possible. But, apparently, not to me —at least, not now, not here. Because their words were so damn clear and enunciated as if they were just beside me, talking right next to my ears.
And there was also no way I am dreaming this shit up. Because never had I held such a level of awareness when I dream. My dreams were usually unbelievably messy and not vivid. This is real, I declared within.
The second weirdest thing about the situation was that I don't know any town square near Melbourne. City Square...yes, Town Square, hell no. I shook my head; for a second. I, honest to god, wondered if I was going nuts.
I psychologically prepared myself not to freak out as I stood on that lonely road for a few more moments. Once I mastered enough courage, I decided to ask around, with the first question being —where the fuck am I?
I walked down the road, taking in my surroundings that looked completely alien. It was far too calm for people living in the city. Maybe it is a gated community, or a small town, at best.
I let out a relieved breath when I saw an Old man trudging up the road at a distance. He had a warm vibe about him, and he didn't seem to look like someone who would cash my strange situation if I asked anything weird. So I decided to question him about my whereabouts. I was so determined to catch up to him and find some answers, and the next thing I know, I sprinted and was standing two feet behind him in a millisecond.
'Teleportation or Super-speed?' yelled my mind, thinking the foremost thoughts I had on my brain, followed by a quick, 'Thank god, no one saw me, though.'
Stunned yet determined, I still decided to question the man. "Ah— Sir—" I called out to the middle-aged man, clearing my throat. "Excuse me?"
When he turned around, I gave him a friendly smile. But before I could even question him, he started speaking to me with a hint of familiarity in his tone, "Ahh! Elena, how are you doing nowadays?" he asked.
Elena? Maybe he's got Alzheimer's'. Great! Just what I need —a patient.
Just as I was about to say 'you probably got the wrong girl' line, I heard a ping, intimating me of a notification. And, I was pretty sure I sensed the slight buzz in my jeans pockets a second before. I shuffled through the skin-tight jean pockets, cursing myself for not checking for a phone minutes ago. I found an iPhone 3G that I have no memory of buying.
I then found another peculiar thing when I instinctively tried my own phone's password and realized that I could unlock the phone in my hands. Great minds think alike, my mind mused, desperately trying not to think how creepy the whole thing was.
However, my blood ran cold as I looked down at the message that stared back at me.
It's done. They are dead.
— Isobel.
'Who the fuck died?' was the foremost thing my mind could scream back at the phone all the while I stood rooted on the ground, without moving a muscle. How can someone be so stupid to openly chat about murder? I mean, if it comes to it, I would gladly murder someone to save myself, but I would've thought of all the possible ways to get away from it before I commit a crime and would've given a four-day notice to my lawyer and grandmother. Well, now, dead grandmother.
My mood instantly changed when my thoughts went to her. My throat closed up at the memory of the crafty businesswoman, and my hand clenched around the phone as I push my feelings down.
"Are you alright, Elena, honey? You look quite shaken up?" the Old man who was waiting patiently through my panic attack asked quietly, concern apparent in his eyes. "If it's about the fire in Gilbert building, you don't need to worry. Your uncle is safe. I just talked to John before coming here," he continues, assuring me with a kind smile.
Wait? Did he just say— Gilbert building and uncle John?
I took a quick peep into the phone in my hands and read the date on display —February 25, 2010. But isn't it August 25, 2018? I couldn't help but question myself rationally.
But now that I look more carefully, the wallpaper on the phone has Nina Dobrev on it. Well, she kinda looked more like Katherine with the loose curls than Elena. God! This whole thing is so damn confusing.
"Er— I think...I should get going, sir. There's an emergency at my home, apparently." I tried to excuse myself from the elderly man in front of me and turned to walk away from the absolute insanity staring back at me.
"Your house is this side, though, sweety," he said, pointing in the counter direction towards a house in another lane.
I breathed out a laugh. "Oh, yes! Of course. How silly of me? Thank you," I said, shaking my head and walking in the pointed direction, giving the neighborly man a tiny nod.
"Poor girl. Must be pretty shaken up with tonight's events," I heard him mutter as I walked away, my mind whirling at the strange turn of events.
Elena. Isobel. Town square. Uncle John. Gilbert building. Fire accident at the medical clinic. Feb 2010.
"Maybe this is a prank," my thoughts deflected under pressure, unable to accept what was practically burning holes through her skull. But I couldn't fool myself anymore, even if I tried, when all the pieces were just before me, waiting to be pieced together flawlessly.
"You have got to be fucking kidding me?" I spoke aloud, "This is crazy —absolutely insane. I can't be Katherine fucking Pierce," I hissed, moving the stray hair out of my face. I then looked down at myself, and realization dawned on me, "And I can't possibly be in the very first episode where she makes an appearance physically."
Wow! Just when I thought the universe can't fuck with me anymore after all these times of screwing me up.
I reached the house the old man had pointed me towards —House No. 2104. I just stood before the unfamiliar place with my mind full of questions like how, why, who —I just stood there, not knowing what to do next. I stood in thought for a long time, or perhaps seconds. It is very hard to focus on such things in a situation like this. I played the past few minutes of conversation in my head, trying to decide whether to accept what's happening around me or not.
And if I, for some unexplainable reason, do believe it, what am I going to do? Maybe I should just turn around and leave the goddamn country, a thought crossed my mind moments later. Because, if it's not the Salvatore's, then it's the Mikaelson's or Travelers.
However, in mid-consideration, I saw something that made my heart hammer wildly against my chest as reality started to set in. Ian Somerhalder was leaving Elena Gilbert's house through the front door. And he threw a smile at me, or Elena-me, as soon as he saw me on the front porch. Well, there goes my plan to escape the Salvatores, I thought wryly.
And just as I openly admitted the fact that the person standing before me is not Ian Somerhalder, but instead, the cocky-blue-eyed-vampire, Damon Salvatore, it became clear. And that clarity was all I needed to believe how real this all was and how utterly fucked I am.
To be Katherine Piere of all people in this goddamned show was like a hopeless curse. The vampire has gained more enemies in this world than the number of haters Justin Bieber and Donald Trump combined.
"Elena," Damon called out to me, oblivious to my inner predicament.
"Ah —What are you doing here?" I asked. And fuck it, I lost my Australian accent. Just what all am I going to lose for being stuck here? Hopefully not my head and heart.
"Failed and feeble attempt at doing the right thing," Damon commented with a light shrug, stepping down a little just as I walked up the stairs.
"Which was...," I asked, trying to organize my thoughts to think what exactly he was there for. Apparently, my brain decided that exact moment to become inactive. It seems even my messed-up mind can take only so much stupid at once.
"It's not important," he tried to wave it off with a half-shrug.
"Humour me," I insisted, nonetheless. Maybe a kickstart is all that needed for my brain to run again.
Damon sighed, relenting, "Anna was there with me in that building. John staked her in the heart. So, I came to inform your brother about it."
"Oh," I allowed myself to think back to season two episodes.
"You know, I came to this town wanting to destroy it. Tonight, I found myself wanting to protect it. How does that happen? I'm not a hero, Elena. I don't do good. It's not in me," he said, feeling very emotional for a person who is apathetic most of the time. But I wasn't really in the mood for these heartfelt monologues.
Like, seriously, dude? Why are you saying all this to me? I just want to figure out this whole stuck in a tv show drama and look for a way to survive this shit until I find my way back. And, FYI, therapy is really not my forte.
But I didn't say it — instead, I indulged with small words, "Maybe it is."
"Nah, it's reserved to my brother," he waves me off, "—and you —and Bonnie, who even though has every reason to hate, still helped Stefan save me."
How can one say, I don't care about your new-found feelings, with a little bit of empathy and not sound like a bitch.
"I know she did it for you," Damon continues, "which means that somewhere along the way, you decided that I was worth saving. And I wanted to thank you for that."
You could've just told the damn thing already and saved me from all this emotional drama. Why did I ask in the first place, anyway?
"You are welcome," I replied. To which Damon bent down a little to kiss me on my cheek. The action made me stare at him wide-eyed. Oh! No, he is going to kiss me now. Before I could move away from him, his lips already met with mine.
Fuck! I shouldn't have got it this far. Now he would definitely know I am not Elena once he talks to the real one. I all but burnt the bridge that would have helped me cross the future teenage drama.
Maybe, it won't be so bad after all, I thought. To play along with the role I am given. And I always did love a good challenge. It's a known fact that Damon is a tad bit in love with Katherine even at the beginning of season 2 —even after all the heartbreak, lies, and secrets. And if I were to use this to my advantage and give a little push, I would gain a formidable ally.
With that thought in mind, I spoke, with a click of my tongue as I stepped back from him a little, "I am disappointed, Damon. You waited for me for 146 years only to fall in love with my lookalike." I feigned a look of hurt. "I have watched you for years, with girls who you have known for more time than you know Elena. But you never loved any of them, not even Charlotte when she was ready to die for you. It's like you are expecting me to not be in the tomb just so you could hate me and love the next best thing near you."
Damn, I should get nominated for the Oscars.
"Katherine?" Damon found his words at last, thoroughly petrified, at my heartfelt confession. It was too damn funny. The way his facial expressions keep changing in mere moments. But being the good girl I am, I didn't laugh in his face.
"I can't blame you for it, to be honest." I shook my head ruefully, a pretended chuckle escaping my mouth as I spoke, "I am the reason for my own destruction, after all."
"You—"
When he couldn't utter another word from his mouth, I maintained my course, "—I know you have questions. But I can't answer them. I can't say why I left you both to die that day. All I can say is —I wanted to protect you, and me being far away from you is the best way I could do it."
Damon looked dazed by the sudden confession. And I decided to give him one last push for the day, "I missed you," I stated with a soft smile, raising my arms to touch his hair, hesitating just a little, unsure if the plan was working, and when he looked rigid as a board, I continued. "I love you...even if you don't love me anymore." With that, I gave him a small peck on the cheek.
Just then, there was a sound of clearing throat, and I turned around to see Jenna standing at the door, with a hand on her waist, pursing her lips. "It's late. You should probably come inside."
I gave a longing look at Damon, and went inside without another word, and waited as Jenna closed the door behind me. I know he won't come inside because of Jenna. It would be absolutely awkward as she just saw us kissing and was entirely disapproving of it. He would, however, enter the house if I do something dangerous —like kill Jenna. Which I will not. Honestly, Jenna's cool, so—
"I don't want to talk about it," I said to Jenna, not meeting her eyes when she looked as if she wanted to say something. She didn't look happy about it, but she did relent in the end with a sigh.
When I saw John Gilbert going to the kitchen, I followed him to enact the second part of my plan. I guessed Damon must be lurking outside the house. The poor guy must be out of his wits. He won't be able to decipher, which is the 'true me.' The one that left him thinking she was in a tomb for a century and a half, or the one he met on the front porch. So, I decided to be quick with John.
"You know when I first met Isobel...I was a teenager," John began when he saw me, "I fell in love with her instantly. Although, I am pretty sure she never did. A part of me, why I hate Vampires, is because of what she became and how it ruined her. I would've never sent her to Damon if I had known she wanted to turn."
God! I have heard enough confessions today. Damon is at least easy on the eyes. John, on the other hand...
All I wanted to do was punch in his hypocritic face ever since he was introduced into the show. He loves Isobel, works with Katherine. But he also wants to exterminate the entire species of vampires. Like dude? Pick one goddamn thing and stick with it. But now that I am in the presence of the said hypocritic character, I decided to make the most of it.
Just then, Jenna left, saying she had to meet the fire chief about building. I quickly grabbed a knife and sliced of John's fingers that have a ring on them. It was a necessary evil if I wanted the Salvatore's to believe in me once again. So, before John could say anything, I hissed in an infuriated tone, "I told you the Salvatore's should not come to any harm. Yet, you still went and did it."
And I know how vindictive Katherine can be, so for good measure, I stabbed him with a knife. The blood on my hands proved to me it was all true, once again.
Omg! I just stabbed someone with a knife, and I am not feeling an ounce of guilt for it. Or, maybe, it's just John.
However, if I am gonna play the villain, I know I should get used to it. Because not everything can be achieved with my silver tongue. Definitely not in the world where vampires and other bloodthirsty supernatural creatures are real. Where not even half of them think with their brains.
A soon as I saw Damon entering the kitchen with a surprising look etched on his face, I sped out of the house without another word, leaving him with bleeding John. I knew he was going to be alive since I was careful where I stabbed him at.
I stayed a few meters away from Gilbert's house listening to Elena's conversation over the phone about how someone stole her outdated bag and stupid dress. The heroine of the TV Show then entered the house. In no time, I heard her shouting at Damon.
"Oh my god, John? Damon? Did you stab him? How could you? He is still my father, Damon...you can't just kill him," she rambled, seeing the blood-stained kitchen and coming up with one conclusion.
"It's not me, Elena," Damon said, annoyed at the accusation, "It's Katherine. She was here," he declared, "I would've gone straight to neck if I wanted to kill him."
"Katherine? Why would —why would she do this? What is she doing here?" Elena inquired, confused and unsure. Her mind was probably blacked out with the revelation.
"Will you call an ambulance, or just keep on asking questions?" he snapped at her. "Because I honestly don't care if the guy lived or died when he wanted to kill me just hours ago."
And so, after a few minutes, an ambulance came and took John to the hospital.
Stefan Salvatore came minutes later to check on Jeremy, a 15-year-old boy, who thought it was one-fine-night to end his life and become a vampire. But, good for him, he didn't take enough sleeping tablets to complete the task. And while Elena went to the hospital to take care of the admitting procedures for John, Damon left when he got a call from the Sheriff about Caroline being in an accident, leaving Stefen in charge of Gilbert's house and Jeremy.
And since I already revealed myself to Damon, I decided to do with Stefan too, on my own terms. But I had to remind myself that he is a brooding Vampire who hates Katherine and absolutely neck-deep in love with Elena Gilbert at this particular moment.
"Hey, how was Caroline?" Stefan inquired, pulling me into a hug as soon as he saw me enter through the door.
I tutted him, stepping back, saying, "Wrong question, Stefan. I mean...right question, but the wrong person."
"Katherine?" he uttered, realizing who he was talking to, and grabbed me by the neck without any further questions.
"Now, now, what did I do to you to be so hostile to me, Stefan?" I asked, feigning innocence.
"Are you kidding me! What did you do, really?" he asked, getting angry, slamming me into a wall.
"Yes, what did I do, Stefan...other than turning you?" I inquired again calmly, "Is being a Vampire that bad, Stefan? The speed, the strength? The immortality? Don't you enjoy it?"
"You turned me into a monster," he said, throwing me on a couch, and damn, that didn't hurt a bit. And I stood up straight in a second.
Perks of being a 500-year-old vampire, I guess.
"I didn't turn you into a monster, Stefan. That's on you," I said in all honesty, "It is not my fault that you can't control your bloodlust. I wanted you to have this...this gift. You weren't meant to die in this small town, and honestly, I really don't feel guilty for what I have done to you and your brother," I continued, trying to think of all the points that would make Canon Katherine's actions a little good to the ears. Admittedly, they were only a few, but I have to make do.
"You should live and enjoy your life. See the world, meet new people, learn about their cultures. I loved you enough to give that to you —the whole wide world on a silver platter," I said. " The only thing I regret is I couldn't be there for you both when you did turn—" I paused for a fraction of a second, leaving him to wonder, "—But I will never regret wishing you both a life that you will enjoy. Away from family burdens and responsibilities."
"Don't you see how well the immortality suits you? Did you ever see Damon being that confident when he was human? He was always a disappointment to your father, always trying to prove himself. Your brother had to live in your shadow every single day. But now, he calls himself eternal stud, and every girl swoons at his sight. Damon couldn't have done 90% of the things he is doing now. And you—" I paused, giving him a pointed look, "—Just how long were you willing to play the perfect kid for your daddy? Don't you want to evolve? You were always compassionate about others when you were human. And I thought, being a vampire will just intensify it, make you a better version of yourself."
Stefan stood there, astonished, and when he looked like he wanted to say something, I continued, not giving him a chance to debate. "Again, the rivalry between your brothers is not my fault. You were the ones who switched off your humanity and fought like toddlers. I thought your bond was stronger than that. It was what I admired in both of you when you were humans. What made you stand out —The Salvatore brothers, best friends," I remarked, trying for a touch of nostalgia by repeating a dialogue he has yet to say.
"—Then why did you leave him?" Stefan inquired at last. "Why leave us? Why fake your death while you are not in that damned tomb? Why did you play with both of us? Why?" he looked frustrated at my confession that absolutely didn't match with the picture he portrayed of me in these past few months. All Stefan saw Katherine was as a bitch who broke the firm bond between two brothers, and I am dead set on proving him wrong.
"I can't tell you why I left," I sighed resignedly. "I don't think you would believe or understand it," I spoke with conviction, trying to show the ex-ripper how sincere I was. "All I can say is, I did it to protect you both. I didn't just play around, Stefan. I loved you both," I admitted in a surprisingly gentle voice. "I have lived a long life to know that you can love two persons at the same time. You were both goods in your ways, Stefan. And you both saw good in me, and I loved you both for that, with all my heart," I lied to him, looking straight in his eye.
Stefan looked torn, not knowing what to think —what to believe.
"It's okay if you don't believe. I understand," I said with a sad smile. "I just heard the past months were pretty hard on you, with the kidnapping, Lexi, and your bloodlust. I just wanted to know that you were doing okay. And now that I know you will be—" I stopped mid-sentence, my lips twitching in a weak smile. "Stay safe, Stefan." After giving such a heartwarming performance, I left the place.
And since I really wanted to know my progress with the Salvatore brothers, I decided to lurk in the shadows and wait to hear their discussion. Because, if my oscar worthy performance hasn't moved their hearts even a little bit, I decided to just hatch another plan.
"Elena," I heard Stefan's voice greet my doppelganger.
"Stefan," the bitch, whom I cursed with passion as the show progressed, said.
"What happened?" asked Damon. He probably saw the damaged furniture in the living room.
"Katherine happened," said Stefan, in a hesitant tone.
As the brothers spoke about me, I knew my effort paid off. They were in a dilemma, and that was all I need for my name to be crossed-off from their hater's list and add it into their Christmas card list.
Well, today was fun, I decided at the end, thoroughly satisfied with the reality game show. Maybe staying here for a few days until I figure my way out of this world isn't so bad after all.
I am going to survive this protagonist-biased American teenage drama.
I am Katherine Peirce now. I am a fucking Survivor.