TRIBULATION
chapter six embrace
Caroline felt unreachable to grasp her current hurricane of vehemence that flushed her entire body as she tried to feel something. But the thing she can only pinpoint is the emptiness of nothingness that invades her.
A part of her wishes she could be crying or the lummunious suppacting nightmare, or that she can feel the life-like visions- pain. She shifts up to see Bonnie completely breaking down as she told her every horrific event, feeling that she has felt.
Caroline's voice breaks, "All the memories I had just come to the surface and I promise Bon, I tried to move on but I can't."
Bonnie felt her heart break for her best friend. How clueless could she be? The fact that Caroline was afraid that she would not believe her, made her sick.
Bonnie grabbed her hand, "I'm sorry. I was blinded by everything as you have been all by yourself and I let you go through that all alone. Is not fair."
Bonnie grasped her hands softly as cupped Caroline's pale cheek, "Is not your fault. Okay? Nothing that happened to you or to the other girls was your fault."
All Caroline could do was nod as the tears came out of her eyes. It felt so good to tell someone but the feeling was too much. She felt the four walls closed in on her as if it was trying to slowly squeeze the life of her away. Her ears were ringing with blood. Her chest thudded with her heartbeat. Her hands trembled as her feet were tingling.
Her eyesight was distorted, as if she were viewing the world through a fish-eye lens. She couldn't remain anywhere near this cursed home any more. She couldn't bear looking at it.
"Caroline, you're safe. Breathe with me."
Caroline was so lost in that moment she could not understand Bonnie's words. She wanted to leave, go away from this place. Maybe join the blazen blue sky that felt harmonizing to her as she tried to steady her breathing. But her tears flushed out as bile swelled in her throat, she wept even louder, her chest tightening.
Bonnie held her as Caroline wrapped her arms around her waist, "I can't breathe."
Bonnie's eyes widened in fear as she rushed to soothe Caroline as much as she could, "Is okay, I am right here. Breathe for me Care, breathe."
Breathe. Breathe. Breathe.
But she couldn't do that. She couldn't gather the air around her or possibly let the fear in her out. She was struggling to breathe but couldn't. Is if someone had her neck gripped, preventing her from actively taking breaths.
But there was no one around her; but Bonnie guiding her to breathe. Maybe she needed to comprehend this may be the end of her, as the lallic tears began to fall from her eyes.
"Care, follow my lead."
Caroline's blue glossy stared straight into the delicate green orbs. As she nodded slowly. She inhaled slowly as the circle of oxygen hit her empty void lungs. Then she exhales as hoping all the anxiety and fear will wash away into the ampohsepere.
She felt her trembling hands grip on Bonnie, "Good. Can you get up?"
Caroline did not respond as she forced her legs to fall but they stumbled-- she would have hit the floor but Bonnie caught her, "I got you, Care."
She tried to think of the things she loved the most. But it all felt useless. Anything was wonderful to receive a little reprieve from the never-ending stone clasp wrapping around one's heart. Because he slowly won.
Somehow she made it to a chair, when she saw Bonnie rushed downstairs to get a blood bag. Bonnie hands her the blood, Caroline tilts her head not wanting anything. Bonnie grabbed her hand and put the bag in her hold, "Drink."
Caroline sighs, but does what she is told. She grasped the bag as her dried lips came into contact with fridge crips blood, as it slid down her throat. She couldn't lie to herself; it felt incredible to have some blood in her.
Caroline gives her a grateful smile which Bonnie returns. Bonnie moves to her, "When was the last time you fed?"
Caroline shrugged as she thought she had a bag last night but was not too sure. She heard a soft sigh come out of Bonnie. Bonnie made it her goal to stay by her side no matter what, and make sure she fed. She will help her heal and once Caroline is healed she will help her get revenge.
She wants to do it now, but she knows Caroline needs to do it herself in order to get closure. Caroline let out a bitter chuckle, "Well I put quite on a show for you?"
Bonnie gripped her hand tightly, "Yes, you did but it is okay. I'm here now and I promise, I won't leave you alone."
Caroline let out a small smile. But they both knew it was a fake smile. She knew that Bonnie knew her internal struggle to live. She only was here; she was living not for herself, but for the sake of everyone around and because she felt like she owed it to all of them for some reason.
"Life isn't fair."
Caroline glanced at her as she slowly nodded. Didn't she know that well enough, "No it's not."
The two girls fell asleep together as Bonnie watched her like a hawk.
𐄁𐄁𐄁𐄁𐄁𐄁𐄁𐄁
Caroline sat devastatingly in a classroom as it was her last period of the day; she felt extremely exhausted. She wanted to go home but she wanted to ask Klaus a favor. She just hoped he would do it. The bell rang as Caroline grabbed her bag and headed to her locker.
Bonnie was waiting by her locker. It's been a week since Caroline told Bonnie and she feels much better to have someone on her side.
Caroline gave her soft smile as Bonnie literally never left her side and made sure that if Damon came to their view, they would avoid him. Bonnie made sure that she fed, even though that was still a bit hard for her.
Bonnie leaned against the lockers, "Any plans tonight."
Caroline nodded as she put her things away, "Yes, I need to go ask Klaus for a favor and after you are coming with me."
Bonnie tilted her head in curiosity. Don't get her wrong she does not like Klaus, but anyone would be blind to not see the way he looks at her. Bonnie shook her head, "What is this favor?"
Caroline gave her a gentle smile, "I'm ask him to design something and when it is done, I'll pick you up, okay?"
Bonnie gave her dumbfounded look but nodded. Caroline's smile brightly at her, as she gave Bonnie a hug and whispered to her, "Thank you for being by my side."
Bonnie returned the embrace, "Always."
Caroline pulled away as she waved to her and headed out the school. She walked to his home but she was about to chicken out, when the door opened.
To her surprise it was Elijah who looked surprised to see her, "Miss Forb-," he corrected himself remembering their last conversation, "Caroline, what can I do for you?"
Caroline gave him a gentle smile as she fiddled with her fingers, "Hi, Elijah. Umm I'm looking for Klaus. Is he here?"
Elijah nodded as he had a soft smile on his face. He knew that she brought out Klaus's humanity. Elijah took a step aside as she entered. Caroline felt herself eyeing the home, it was pretty quiet. She assumes the youngest siblings were out.
She felt a soft hand on her shoulder. Caroline moved her shift up to face the noble brother, "He is in, his art studio. Is down that hall on your right."
Caroline nodded as she remembered her way there but regardless told him thank you, as her foot swept across the floor. She stood outside the door nervously as she knocked softly. She heard a soft, "Come in."
Caroline gently opened the door, she entered immediately feeling his eyes on her as she shut the door. She let out a shaky breath, as she faced him completely and waved at him, "Hi, Klaus."
Klaus wondered what she was doing here. He took a moment to study her, as her blonde hair was loose with a white headband in place. She was wearing loose denim jeans and a light pink, tight, long sleeve shirt. He thought she looked cute.
Which surprised him to say the least but he ignored that as he made his way to her, "Hello, love. What can I do for you?"
Caroline hesitated as she thought is was kind of dumb now. Klaus noticed this as he frowned, "Caroline? Are you okay?"
Caroline nodded as she fiddled with her fingers, "Is nothing bad. I was wondering if you can sketch something fast for me?"
Klaus's curiosity was at a huge peak, as he nodded to her. He moved to grab a piece of paper from his sketchbook and a pencil. He sat down setting the paper in front of him. He shifted his eyes to her, "What do you want me to sketch for you?"
Caroline smiled brightly at him as she moved to sit next to him. Caroline has thought about this for awhile, "Three small butterflies, please."
Klaus nodded at that as he grabbed his pencil lighting sketching a wing. He continued as he questioned her, "Any reason for this?"
Caroline shook her head, "Is a surprise. As to why butterflies, it is because they can symbolize many things such as rebirth or transformation. Plus I always loved them, I think you saw my guitar in my room, they have butterflies on it."
Klaus nodded as he pressed the pencil a bit harder on the paper to get darker shade. He remembered seeing the guitar and a sketchbook, "I do and I remember seeing a sketchbook as well."
Caroline let out a nervous chuckle at that, "Well, I'm not an artist like you. Is just a book for clothing designs but I couldn't draw a stick figure to save my life."
Klaus paused as he glanced at her, "Well, I have to disagree with you sweetheart. Art can be expressed in many ways, whether through music, clothing, or painting. Is the beautiful thing about it."
Caroline smiled at him. It was interesting seeing the feared original hybrid be so gentle about art. He gave her a look that she could not detect as he returned to finish the drawing. Klaus finished the drawing as he felt nervous for some reason to show to her.
It might be because he cares for her opinion or the fact that she came to him for this and did not want to disappoint her. He shook his thoughts away, "Here you go, love."
Caroline grasped the paper as her eyes scanned the beautiful drawing. Every detail was beautiful and she could not help it as her arms were wrapped around his neck. He returned the embrace as Caroline pulled away, "Thank you! Thank you! I love it."
Klaus chuckled at her but was relieved she loved it. Klaus helped her hand, "I forgot to tell you I enjoyed the cupcakes. Now, whatever this is for, I want to see it right away."
Caroline smiled brightly, "I promise."
Klaus returned the smile as Caroline took her phone out texting Bonnie. She moved her gaze, "I better go. Thank you."
Klaus nodded as he walked her out to the front door, "You better keep your promise, sweetheart."
Caroline nodded at him, "I will."
She smiled at him one last time before she flashed out heading to Bonnie's house who was already outside waiting for her. Bonnie eyed her as Caroline had a piece of paper which she assumed was from Klaus.
Caroline smiled at her as they entered Bonnie's car, and Caroline gave her the address. Bonnie started to drive to the destination, "What are we doing?"
Caroline let out breath, "Something that can I remember for all the pain I survived."
Bonnie gave a soft sad smile. Caroline sighs as her head is on the window. Her voice broke, "For the longest time, I questioned why he did what he did. And why I lived and others didn't."
Bonnie gripped on the steering wheel, wishing she could make Damon pay slowly. Which he will and slowly but right now is about Caroline finding herself in this cruel world.
Bonnie shook her head, "Don't question it. Is a question you will have and you will never understand it. No one will ever understand why people hurt other people. Why horrible people do horrible things is something we can never understand and the moment you do is the moment you become like them."
Caroline nodded to her words, "I know that. I drive myself crazy but I just can't understand why he gets away with all the terrible things he has done."
Bonnie shook her head as anger flashed into her green eyes, "He won't get away with that, is a promise. But right now you are more important. What happened to you is not okay and never will be okay. All you can do is move on from that and take the time to heal."
Caroline bit her lip, "I want to get justice, Bon. But not right now as I'm not strong enough."
Bonnie eyed her quickly, "That is were you are wrong. You are the strongest person ever. You had this pain built up in you and kept to yourself because you were strong. But you are not alone anymore."
Caroline grabbed her hand and gave a big squeeze which Bonnie returned. They drove from a bit until they arrived. They exited the car where Bonnie stared at the neon light of the store.
Caroline nudged her as they entered the store with someone greeting them, "Hello, can I help you?"
Caroline nodded at the person, "I would like to get a tattoo."
The person nodded guestering for her to follow them as Bonnie followed her. They were greeted by an older man, named Theo. Caroline hands over the design that Klaus made for her, as the man turns into a stencil.
Bonnie had a soft smile on her face. She knew what this meant to her. The older man finished the design showing to Caroline as she nodded in approval as it was exactly how Klaus did it.
Caroline sat on a chair as the man put gloves on, "Where would you like it done, angel?"
Caroline smiled brightly, "On my ribcage, slowly going to the stomach area."
Theo nodded as Caroline lifted her shirt up as the man placed the stencil on, approving with her before he started. Caroline nodded as Theo grabbed the tattoo gun, "You ready?"
Caroline nodded as Bonnie held her hand. Theo put his hand on her waist, "Okay just breath."
Caroline let breath as she felt a prinkle sensation across her skin. She found the pain comforting in a way as maybe it is because it is nothing compared to what has been through. Theo had stopped as he put vaseline and clear plastic wrap on it.
He helped her up and pointed to the mirror. Caroline's heart stopped as she loved the delicate wings on her skin. The three butterflies were free as she was now.
She had tears in her eye's, "Thank you, is beautiful."
Theo smiled at the perky blonde, "Is no problem angel. Just keep the wrap on to until end of the day and it will be okay."
Caroline nodded at him. She paid him as she and Bonnie exited the parlor. Caroline gave her small side hug, "Thank you for coming with me."
Bonnie nodded as she returned the embrace, "I'm proud of you."
Caroline had tears in her eyes. Bonnie wiped them off as she had a teasing smile on her face, "Klaus did a good job, let me guess you are going to show him tomorrow."
Caroline had blush on her face but nodded to her, "I promised him."
notes!
THOUGHTS?!?!
the reason I made Caroline had tattoos because I have one as well and is such beautiful thing to have escpailly if there is meaning behind it!!
Caroline will get revenge but Im not sure how to do it, because I wanted it to stay to her character but yet satisfying for her to feel relieved!!