Cold.

She was so incredibly cold.

A dim light shone above her head as Caroline Forbes fought to crack open her lids. It turned out to be quite the fight as they felt like they'd been turned into lead. Finally, on the third attempt, she managed to pry them open and keep them that way.

Immediately, wide, green orbs darted around trying to grasp the surroundings.

Where was she?

What had happened?

And more importantly, why did her head feel like bombs were going off inside of it?

While she struggled to remember, Caroline risked another look around. She appeared to be in a damp, cold basement, with no windows, molded walls and a string of leaking pipes in the corner accounting for the only sound she could make out: an annoying dripping that could drive almost anybody insane. In fact, now that she had gotten a better hold of her bearings, she could discern that her hands were tightly tied to one of the rusted metal poles.

How had she ended up in this situation?

Panic was starting to make itself known and the woman had to inhale and exhale deeply a few times in order to keep the anxiety attack at bay. It was the last thing she needed. No, for her to get out of here, she had to keep her wits.

But, first things first, she had to remember how she'd ended up here in the first place.

Closing her eyes, Caroline went over the last thing she recalled- a movie. She'd convinced Klaus to go see one -"Beauty and the Beast" of all movies. A miracle that she still could not believe she'd accomplished. Then… she'd gone out to grab some popcorn…

Frank.

He'd been outside and asked for her help and she, like the dumb girl she was, had believed his ridiculous sob story. God, she'd been so stupid!

Desperate tears were threatening to take over at the reminder of her idiocy. She'd walked right into Mikael's trap. She'd made it so spectacularly easy. Just like those characters she always loved to criticize in books and movies. Who'd have ever thought she'd end up becoming one of them? God sure loved his irony, didn't he?

However, that was done with and she had to move past it and focus on finding a way out of this wretched place. And now that she stopped to think, there was something that did not make sense: Frank. He was too young to be Klaus' stepdad. Yet the hatred with which he'd looked at her had been much more than she'd expect from a mindless lackey.

No, there was something she was missing, a detail that she was overlooking. But it didn't matter. She could figure it out later. Firstly, she had to get out of there before Frank, or whatever the hell his name was, returned.

Biting back a wince as she lifted her head to get a better look at the knot around her wrists, Caroline finally noticed the small trail of blood slowly running down her neck. It was probably just a mild concussion caused by the blunt force trauma to the head, but it definitely explained the dizziness, weakness and pain.

But those could be ignored, had to be ignored until she was away from this place and, hopefully, in Klaus' arms. With that image in mind, the woman began tugging at her restraints, mouth tightly shut, teeth grinding as the rope started digging into her skin.

With each and every pull, the strings cut deeper and deeper into her flesh, but didn't elsewhere budge. All she'd accomplished, she noted frustrated, was to peel away her first layer of skin, a small trickle of crimson rolling down her forearms.

This was pointless!

Whoever had tied her up had known perfectly well what they were doing and there would be no miraculous escape. Not by her anyway. Perhaps someone with Klaus' background could improvise something, but 10 years of medical training did nothing to prepare her for liberate herself from a deranged psychopath. It was pointless to continue wasting energy on something impossible.

As the gravity of her predicament finally dawned on her, Caroline could feel the warm prickle of tears. Desperation was starting to rear its ugly face and the doctor did not know how much longer she could keep it at bay.

Images of Klaus' past flashed before her eyes. His father torturing him. Burning him with a cigarette. Forcing his little brother to shoot him. If he'd been able to do that to a boy he'd watched grow up and treated like a son, what would he do to her?

A choked sob escaped her lips at the realization of just what was awaiting her. She was not as strong as Klaus. She could not survive something like that. However, she quickly rationalized, she probably would not have to. Mikael would kill her before the opportunity of breaking free ever arose. He'd most likely learned the lesson from past experience and would not stand by as another one of his prisoners escaped.

This was the end of the line for her, she could feel it. And to think she would die before saying goodbye to Klaus, Elena, Bonnie and all of her other friends. It hurt so much that she could no longer swallow back the tears that started falling freely down her cheeks, violent sobs wracking her body.

She must have been making more noise than she'd originally believed because footsteps got closer and closer to the basement's door. Her captors must have heard the ruckus she'd been making and decided to grace Caroline with their presence.

Then and there, with rivulets running down her face, Caroline realized that she did not want to be the weak, insignificant girl who cowered at Mikael's feet. She wanted to be someone Klaus would be proud of. Someone who did not show weakness, but rather bravely faced all life had in store for her, just like he had.

And she would be that person until they killed her, for they would have to drain every drop of life from her body before she gave up. Never had she been a quitter and this was not the moment when that would be changing.

Pursing her lips and blinking away any residual tears, Caroline steeled herself for what was to come. No sooner had she managed to clear her vision than the door was slammed open and none other than Frank started to slowly go down the stairs.

Only this was not the Frank she'd grown to know.

Gone was the white, medical robe and sympathetic, kind smile. They had been replaced by a crisp, black suit and a malevolent smile. His hazel green eyes no longer radiated warmth, but they rather chilled her to the core.

"You're finally awake," he had effectively managed to reach her. "I was starting to worry I might have hit you too hard."

"And you wouldn't want that, would you?" she could not help throwing back, cringing at the croakiness of her voice.

"Of course not, Caroline," a shiver went down her back at the way he spoke her name. "I want you to be fully awake for what's coming."

The words had sounded ominous enough for the woman to choose not to focus on them. She was good at talking; she'd always been good at talking. Perhaps she could distract him long enough for somebody to come looking for her- for Klaus to come looking for her. He was her only hope. So she had to try and stall.

"Who are you?" she asked as confidently as she could manage. "I know you can't be Mikael. So who are you? Just some deluded henchman who thinks he'll get a reward for capturing someone you believe Klaus cares about?"

"You are right that I am not Mikael, but you couldn't be more wrong about everything else," he leaned down to whisper in her ear.

"No, I am not," Caroline resiliently moved as far away from him as the rope allowed. "Klaus is too smart to ever fall into yours or Mikael's trap. Having me here is pointless and will get you nowhere," she laughed in his face, hoping to plant the seed of doubt in him. Mikael didn't appear anywhere in sight and if this man did not know Klaus enough, he might start second guessing his plan. It was the only thing that crossed her tired, foggy mind.

"I might have believed you, you're not half bad at deceit," the man's green eyes flashed dangerously. "However, there is a problem with your attempt. You see, I know Niklaus more than you think. In fact, I might know him better than you do, sweet, innocent Caroline. I have seen the darkest sides that my brother has kept veiled from you so far. I have witnessed the monster within."

How could that be possible? She knew Klaus and she had experienced first handedly how hard it was for him to allow somebody in. So how could a vile lackey of Mikael's know him so well? It was impossible unless…

He was no ordinary lackey.

"You're Klaus' older brother," she weakly mumbled.

"Bingo," her captor grinned wickedly. "He picked a smart one, Niklaus." As he said that, his fingers trailed down her cheek, leaving frozen skin in their wake. "Finn Mikaelson at your orders, Caroline."

Finn Mikaelson.

With those two words, he'd managed to squash every remnant of hope she'd had lingering about the possibility of escaping. Klaus had told her about him. Briefly, but enough for her to have grasped his malice, his hatred towards his half-brother, but also his intelligence and cunning nature.

"You know, I'm surprised that he even spoke to you about me. He rarely does."

"Well, having an insane older brother is not exactly a source of pride, is it, Finn?"

The woman regretted the words the second they'd left her lips, but by then it was too late. She'd grown to hate Finn from Klaus' story and having him in front of her had dredged all of it up. She'd been thrown back to the countless times in which Finn had pounced at the opportunity to hurt Klaus, at how he'd mercilessly hunted him and Henrik down at the orders of Mikael. She'd remembered the pure agony in her boyfriend's eyes as he'd told her all of his past and she couldn't bite down on her words.

Suffice it to say, the hit had been expected. However, its force had not. The entire left side of her face felt like it was on fire, a pungent, metallic taste invading her mouth. Quickly, she checked that all of her teeth were still in place before snapping her head back, glaring straight at Finn.

"You'd do better to watch your words carefully, Caroline. I do not possess my brother's foolish sentiments and you do not want to push me."

"Why? You're going to kill me anyway." she furiously spit out the blood swimming in her mouth at his feet in one more act of pure defiance. She knew she was going to die in this basement; the least she could do was refuse to bow down and be the obedient prisoner he wanted.

"Oh, dear Caroline," he grabbed her by the hair, pulling it back and forcing her to stare into his heinous eyes. "There are many ways to die and, trust me, I know the most horrendous ones. It would be a shame for you to… experience them."

The veiled threat had chilled her to the bone. She knew he was not making idle threats, but she also knew that she could not back down. He could not be allowed to believe he'd broken her. She would not give him that. It was the last thing she could offer Klaus, even if he would never know it.

"I am not afraid of you," she forced out, thanking the Universe for miraculously keeping her voice steady.

"You should be."

With that, he unexpectedly, stepped away, making his way towards a small wooden table in the corner of the room. Confused, the blonde watched as he carefully took off his jacket, revealing a white, silk shirt. Then, he reached into a cardboard, dirty maroon box, a clattering metallic sound rasping through to the blonde.

What was he doing?

Shadows had partly enveloped him so the doctor could not accurately make out what it was that he'd pulled out, but she wasn't sure she wanted to know anyway.

Maybe God would take mercy on her and grant her a small reprieve from his wrath. Perhaps a phone would start ringing or a crazy ex-girlfriend would come barging in. She really wasn't picky when it came to distractions. Anything would suffice, even a call from Mikael himself if it could somehow delay the agony she knew was rapidly heading her way.

However, that did not turn out to be the case, as Finn finally stepped back into the precarious light, humming quietly as he got nearer and nearer. The serenity with which he was approaching was unnerving and so was the dangerous glint in his green eyes.

He was done messing around.

Gulping, she allowed her gaze to travel south and land on the object clutched tightly in his palm. She wished she hadn't.

A knife.

He was holding a knife and smiling like it was a bouquet of flowers or a box of chocolates.

At the sight, all biting words abandoned her as she tried to somewhat calm her pounding heart. She could hear its furious pumping echo loudly in her ears, drowning out all other sounds of the world around.

Her time was up.

She'd managed to anger him enough that he would kill her in that very instant.

"What's the matter, Caroline. Cat got your tongue?"

She wanted nothing more than to find a witty retort, but nothing came. All that she could focus on was the way she could see her own reflection in the knife's blade. Wide, green eyes, mouth gaping open and pale as a blank sheet of paper.

It was too much.

She couldn't take it anymore, so she turned her head away, averting her gaze.

A delighted chuckle let her know that her action had not gone unnoticed. "It finally dawned on you, didn't it? You finally realized that I can do whatever I want with you and nobody, not even my dear brother, can stop me. You're at my mercy," the knife slowly traced her cheekbone, venturing lower and lower and reaching her throat. "Unfortunately for you, nobody succeeded in teaching me the meaning of that word."

With no further warning, the blade pressed down on her skin, drawing the first speck of blood. However, Finn pulled away almost immediately, not venturing any deeper than a small flesh wound. For a fleeting moment, Caroline dared hope that he'd managed to learn the definition after all when she felt the knife ebb away at the cotton material of her shirt.

He was toying with her.

Just like one would taunt a caged animal by opening the door only to slam it shut in its face the second it started moving towards freedom.

Not a fan of wasting precious time, Finn had effortlessly removed her garment, leaving her clad in only her bra and jeans. The sharp sting of humiliation tore Caroline apart from the inside, but the worst part of it all was the pure impotence. She was powerless at stopping him. He could virtually do whatever he pleased with her.

And that's precisely what he did, peppering her entire torso with little, shallow wounds. Caroline had lost count at number seven, but she was sure they were well past 10 and Finn showed no sign of stopping.

Her midsection felt like it was on fire, blood seeping out of nearly every inch of skin and the woman could feel her grip on reality start to slip. Her body could not take much more of this abuse and she was veering closer and closer towards unconsciousness. Yet, she clawed tooth and nail to remain awake and aware of what the man was doing to her. If there was one thing she was grateful for, it was that he'd shown no desire of wanting to rape her.

Being raped by Klaus' brother was something she could not stomach. Something that would send her plummeting down the steep, precarious ledge she was still holding on to.

A small whimper left her mouth and the woman could barely believe that the weak, hoarse sound had come from her. It had sounded way too pathetic even to her own ears.

"I think this is enough for my first surprise," Finn dragged her back to the world of the living. "Smile for the camera, sweetheart."

Camera? What camera was he talking about?

Forcing half-lidded eyes open, Caroline finally understood. He was taking her picture. Probably to send it to Klaus and lure him into their trap. God, she shuddered only at thinking what a pitiful sight she must account for with blood practically oozing out of every pore of her body.

"What I would give to see Niklaus' face when he receives this photo."

And that confirmed her theory. They were simply using her to draw him to them. He'd been evading their grasps for so long that they had to make Klaus come to them. And she was the reason why he would.

"He'll never fall into your trap, Finn," she murmured with all of the strength left in her body. "Not even for me."

"We'll see about that."

The sound of one more photo being snapped was the last thing Caroline remembered before she completely lost the fight and succumbed to tiredness and blood loss. That and the prayer she sent to whoever was listening, begging for Klaus not to come for her.

There was no reason why they should both die.


Klaus slammed the door to his car as he got out in front of the hospital where Caroline worked. He'd decided to try his luck and maybe convince someone to allow him to have a look at the surveillance cameras' recordings. Maybe he could find something there leading him to where Mikael was hiding like the sadistic coward he'd always been. Evading him had been all Klaus had tried to do since he'd lost every single thing that mattered to him. But he hadn't done it out of fear of his stepfather. No, the younger man had never truly cowered at the crime lord's feet like the rest of the world had.

The only reason why Klaus had held back was because of his siblings. He had not wanted them to pay the steep price of his actions so he'd remained in the shadows, keeping everyone at a safe distance from the death he wreaked all around him. Until Caroline had barged into his life with her crazy revenge plan and turned it all around, making him feel emotions he'd run from for years. Emotions that he hadn't thought himself capable of experiencing and that had left him exposed and vulnerable.

And now Mikael had found Klaus' weak spot and, worst of all, he knew that perfectly well and was taking advantage of the situation, playing Klaus like a violin to the dark tune he'd chosen.

The prepaid phone he'd stopped at the gas station to buy beeped in his pocket announcing a new text message.

Boarding the plane now. Do not do anything foolish before I get there to help you, brother. Please.

Elijah sure had a way of attempting to boss him around even after all these years. He still hadn't learned that it was pointless. If he found a lead, he was sure as Hell going to follow it. Caroline would not spend a second more than absolutely necessary in that deranged man's grip. Not if Klaus had a way of preventing that.

Jogging to the front office, Klaus stopped in front of the young, brunette woman who was engulfed in a thick manila file. She couldn't have been more than 21, with her hair up in a tight ballerina bun and light pink lipstick coating her thin lips.

"Hello, Sir, can I help you?" kind brown eyes turned to look at the disheveled man posted in front of her desk. "Are you looking for a patient?"

Seeing the concern embedded in her orbs, Klaus decided to abandon all lies and just be honest, hoping that would be enough to get her help. He wasn't sure he would be able to come up with anything remotely convincing anyway.

"No," he shook his head in an attempt to clear it of the million different sick scenarios running through his mind. "Do you know Caroline Forbes?"

"Of course," the receptionist's eyebrows furrowed while she took him in." Wait a second…I know you! You are her boyfriend. I've seen you pick her up at least a dozen times but," the triumphant glint started to be replaced by worry. "You guys already left at least three hours ago. Why are you back here alone? What's wrong?"

"Look," he stole a quick look at her nametag, "Rebecca, what I am about to tell you will sound crazy, but I'm asking you to please trust that I'm only telling you the truth, ok?" After a weak nod, Klaus went on. "A really, really bad person has taken Caroline and I need your help to try and bring her back safe and sound."

For a moment all that his words received was silence as Rebecca was clearly processing the implications of his last sentence.

"Why not go to the police?" she finally questioned.

"Trust me, they cannot help her; this man has been on the F.B.I's most wanted list for more than 5 months since he escaped from a maximum security prison. No one has come even close to apprehending him because he has at least half of the police force on his payroll and the other half is way too afraid to cross him."

"Then how can you help her on your own?"

"Because I am the one he truly wants to hold captive. Caroline is just a means to an end for him." Those words left a bitter taste in Klaus' mouth and he had to force back bile as the last picture he'd received crossed his mind. "Please, Rebecca, help me bring her back unharmed."

No more than 5 seconds had gone by before a determined look replaced the worried, fearful one. "Ok, what do you need?"

Five simple words.

That was all that Rebecca had said, but it had been enough to reignite hope in Klaus' battered heart.

"Can you help me access the surveillance footage the hospital cameras captured?"

Munching down on her bottom lip, the woman contemplated his request. "Normally, I am not allowed access over there, but I think I could work something out. Just give me a minute."

Klaus wanted to scream that Caroline might not have a minute, but he bit down on his tongue before he could scare away the only person in this building who appeared willing to help him.

However, that became exponentially harder when the receptionist took out a bolder, red lipstick, applying a hefty amount before brushing her hair and spraying nearly half a bottle of perfume. Was she going to help him or was she preparing for an audition in the next porn movie starring a naughty nurse?

Catching sight of his judgmental glance the woman frowned. "Stop looking at me like I just murdered half a dozen puppies! This was needed for my plan to work so enough doubting and just follow me."

Being honest, Klaus could not see how pampering herself up could, in any way, be beneficial to him being granted access to the security room, but he decided to just do as she'd said, seeing as he had no better lead to follow.

Making their way through intricate hospital corridors, Klaus could not help hoping to see Caroline pop from around one of the corners, clad in her pristine white coat, smiling at anybody passing her by. But that was only a figment of his imagination and unless he did something really fast, that was all it would ever be.

"Wait here," Rebecca suddenly ordered, placing one hand on his chest and pushing him back behind a wall. "The moment you see me walking out of the door with the security guard accompanying me, you go in and search those recordings. You will probably have around 30 minutes. I will try to hold him longer, but even with his crush on me, I cannot guarantee more than half an hour."

Realization dawned on him as to why the woman had cleaned herself up and he felt like an asshole for even doubting her.

"Thank you," he genuinely said.

"Don't even mention it," Rebecca smiled nervously. "Just bring her back safely and remember to take care of yourself too."

"I'll bring her back, I swear," he effortlessly ignored the last part of her request knowing it would probably be next to impossible for them both to make it out alive.

Going by the disappointed shake of her head, Rebecca had caught the subtle nuance of his promise, but instead of wasting more time on arguing with him about it, she just plastered on a smile and, without hesitation, entered the security office.

No more than 3 minutes had gone by and she was already coming out, a tall, buff, extremely young guard holding her hand, a smitten look in his eyes letting Klaus know that he would probably have more than 30 minutes should he need them.

Which he really hoped he didn't when every single second mattered in this race to save the life of the only woman he'd ever truly loved.

But that appeared to be wistful thinking after more than 20 minutes had passed and he had not found one single, viable lead. There had been no one suspicious visible on the recording from outside with them kissing, Mikael probably hiding in one of the three blind spots while snapping photos of them. So the only thing remaining had been to check the entire day and hope something would pop up.

So far he'd had no luck.

He was about to close the footage and just wait for the next text message which would surely contain something more than a picture, perhaps even a meeting time and place when he saw it. To pretty much anyone else, it would have looked like a harmless conversation between Caroline and a fellow doctor.

But to Klaus something had rung all of the alarm bells in his head. There was something awfully familiar about that stiff position and slender figure, but for a few moments he couldn't place it.

All he knew was that the person on the footage had the hairs on the back of his neck standing up as an unexplainable rage built up in him at the sight of him talking to the blonde.

And when the man turned around, his green eyes landing straight on the camera, Klaus could finally pinpoint the cause for his feelings.

Finn Mikaelson was staring back at him with a coldness that was way too much even for the darkest Mikaelson brother. The cruelty laced in those pools of emerald froze Klaus' blood. And when a smile crossed those lips as he bid goodbye to Caroline, the younger man knew it was not really meant for Caroline but for him.

Finn had known this would make its way to his sibling and he was enjoying torturing him more than ever before. If there had been any trace of humanity residing within Finn when they'd last seen each other, Klaus was sure that it was completely gone by now.

All that remained was a man thirsty for blood.

And the only way he could sate himself at the moment was Caroline Forbes.

Running out of the security room, he didn't stop until he was back in his car, not even bothering to apologize when he slammed into a nurse, knocking her down. He didn't trust himself to speak any coherent, kind words. Not when he pondered on the concept of Caroline being at Finn's mercy.

It was actually even worse than her being held captive by Mikael himself. His stepfather was indeed cold and violent, but he had never reached the same heights of sadism with a person who had not wronged him as Finn. The oldest Mikaelson took great pleasure in watching anybody bleed and beg for mercy only to always deny it at the last second. He had a way of making you feel like you were already burning in hell's darkest pits only to realize that his torture was far greater than anything the devil himself could accomplish.

And now the subject of that was Caroline.

The picture he'd received almost two hours ago had probably just been the beginning of the blonde's torture- Finn's appetizer. And he was still powerless to prevent it. His half-brother was draining the life out of one of the few people he'd ever truly loved just to hurt him and there was nothing Klaus could do.

Unable to hold it all in anymore, Klaus slammed his fist on the steering wheel and then did it again and again until his flesh was raw and blood was coursing down his knuckles. Now, besides the overwhelming anger at least he felt satisfied that Caroline was not the only one bleeding. He was the one who deserved to suffer not her- the most selfless, full of light, kind and innocent person he'd ever been around.

To make it all worse, he still did not know where she was being held and if Finn deigned it fit to torture her for two more weeks it would be out of his grasp to do anything about it. He knew Finn's modus operandi. He did not ever leave any loose ends and he would not be found unless he wanted to.

This was all his fault. He should have never allowed Caroline into his life. He knew that he only wrought heartache and pain to the people dumb enough to wish his company and he'd still given in. He'd allowed himself to be weak and listened to his heart's foolish longing.

He could have just as well signed Caroline's death warrant.

And to top off his list of monumental mistakes, he'd gotten Elijah mixed into his mess as well. Him getting on that plane towards Mystic Falls had equated painting a bull's eye on his back.

How could he have been so stupid?

Once more his fist connected, leaving a trail of crimson on the black leather, but he didn't feel the pain. He was numb to any physical pain. Moreover, he welcomed it. It gave him clarity and the blood was the first step towards cleansing his sins. Gallons more needed to be spilled though for him to be granted a shot at redemption. By the time he would be worthy of it, he knew life would have long left his body and he was absolutely alright with it.

All that mattered was bringing Caroline back.

By a strange twist of fate, for the first time in decades, one of his prayers was answered and his burner phone announced a new text message from an unknown number. Klaus did not dwell on wondering how could Finn have gotten a hold of his new number so quickly because he knew that when Mikael was involved, things moved at a speed unrivaled by any.

Abandoned cabin in the forest, 1 hours. Come alone or Caroline will pay the price. And when I am done with her, I am going to make you watch as I kill dear Elijah. Your choice, brother.

No sooner had Klaus double checked that there were no pictures attached to the message than he was speeding towards the appointed location, breaking at least a dozen laws, but knowing nobody would stop him. Mikael and Finn were sure to have the only road leading to the forest watched and cleared of any unfriendly police.

He was well aware that he was most likely running towards brutal death, but he was determined to spare Caroline that gruesome ending.

In the end, trading his life for hers was not such a bad way to go.

In fact, it was a better, more noble death than he deserved and surely Finn would find a way to take that away from him too.

That's all Finn and Mikael ever did, after all, carve at a person's soul until there was nothing left for them to feast on and then put an end to the empty carcass left before them.

And Klaus was walking without any hesitation straight into their trap.

For Caroline. It was all for Caroline.


A/N: I am so sorry for the delay, but I was on a student exchange program and just got back. I hope you all have wonderful summers! Now, I would like to thank anybody who is still reading this story- if there is anybody left. Thank you so much for sticking with me and I promise you there is not that much left. A few chapters and we will end this journey, but I can promise you that they will be quite crazy. Now, I hope you enjoyed this chapter and if you have the time let me know what you thought of it. Knowing that somebody is still reading this is the fuel that gets me writing. Hope you have a great week and thank you once more!