I own nothing but my own words.
Chapter 4: You Live To Torture Me
For something that happened nearly eight hundred years ago, he probably should've gotten past it by now.
But how does one forget the first time they took a life?
Of course, one of the many perks of being able to dream meant he not only got to remember that moment, he also got to see it in vivid detail.
Fortunately, he was watching the memory as an observer and not as an active participant.
"Father, I can be of assistance," a much younger Clarke insisted.
Young Clarke had gone out on his own, seeking knowledge, an education. Seeking anything that would help him understand his father and make him want him.
"Let me help you catch the monster," he said again, beseeching his father to give him a chance. His father wanted to absorb the creature but hadn't been able to get to it before it ran off again.
The mud monstrosity that was his father gave his reluctant acknowledgement.
And reluctant, Clarke knew it was.
Father thought he was finally rid of him when he left. Father hadn't been pleased when he showed up again. Clarke hadn't cared that his presence wasn't wanted. He was determined to show his father it was a good thing to let him stick around.
Young Clarke set off in hopes of trapping the creature or redirecting him toward his father.
Of course, it might have helped if he had been armed with a weapon or basic fight knowledge, but he hadn't. He was hopelessly naïve still.
"I don't want to watch this," Clarke said.
"Then don't," his mother replied, standing next to him.
And yet, he couldn't tear his eyes away.
The creature was a vicious one. It destroyed countless villages leaving nothing but death in its wake.
So when it came after a young Clarke, he first called out to his father, hoping he would come and absorb the creature quickly.
When Malivore took his sweet time, a frantic and scared Clarke accidentally tapped into the one other power he inherited from his father.
He couldn't absorb the creatures, but he could consume them and hold them at bay by grabbing hold of them and forcing their bodies to mix with the mud.
The end result was an explosive bloody mess that young Clarke was completely unprepared for.
Finally looking away, Clarke winced.
"At least that didn't happen today," he said.
"You've always done what you needed to survive," she said.
"She wouldn't have forgiven me," he said, speaking of Hope. If he had killed Rafael like that, he knew. There was no forgiving it. He wasn't sure there would've been anything else he could do. A hybrid was threatening to tear him apart. Was he supposed to lie there and take it?
"That answer is hers," she said.
He scoffed. Of course, she would have no way of knowing how Hope would react. He would like to think Hope would forgive him for it just like she had everything else, but he honestly didn't know.
"You know why you're here," he said, knowing he didn't need to explain. He knew it was him, and not her, who had made that giant pillar of ground rise up to protect him. As he was leaving the school, he was able to move the ground back down into the earth just like it had never been moved in the first place.
He went to sleep before his flight to ask her about this newfound power—one that he, once again, was confronted with unexpectedly.
He liked this one much better than the other though.
"Yes," she said.
"Did you know?" he asked. "Or are you learning as I go like me?"
"That's not the question you should ask," she said.
"Then please, by all means, tell me what question I should ask?" he said, slightly frustrated. "Especially if you'll finally give me a direct answer."
"You should ask what harm can you do with it?" she asked.
"What, then?" he asked.
"A great deal of harm," she said. "Be very careful, my son."
Clarke watched as the younger him reacted to what he had done.
He was so upset, he actually cried. He hadn't understood any of it. He just wanted to help his father. How had everything gone so wrong?
It was made even worse when Malivore approached.
Father had been thoroughly disgusted with him.
Not only had he destroyed the creature before his father could absorb it and help strengthen him, but he was acting like a weakling in the face of causing death.
Thus making him an even bigger disappointment.
He wanted to speak up and ask his mother what her reaction would be if he did use his new power to do the harm she warned him about.
Whether accidentally or on purpose…
Would her reaction be the same as Malivore's?
Would he fall short of what she wanted?
Would she reject him the same way his father had?
He would try to be as careful as possible.
Because he didn't know if he could go through that again.
"I can explain," Lizzie said, sitting stiffly in the chair across from her mother who had her own office at the school. Being called to that office instead of her father's was sometimes scarier.
"This should be good," Caroline crossed her arms and leaned back in her chair, waiting.
"I was conducting an experiment," Lizzie said. "For chemistry of magic."
"I know for a fact Ms. Gregory is not doing any sort of sleep studies at the moment," Caroline said.
"Okay," Lizzie shrugged. "I'm doing it as an extra credit assignment she doesn't know about yet. But she will! To, you know, go the distance. I thought you'd be proud." She smiled hopefully.
"Elizabeth Saltzman," Caroline said firmly. "The truth please."
"I am telling the truth," Lizzie insisted. "It is an experiment."
"Making your classmates pass out is not an experiment, especially when said students did not volunteer to be a part of this experiment," Caroline said.
Lizzie sighed. "I'm just proving a theory."
"That theory being?"
"That I'm not broken," Lizzie said. "I mean, I know my mind is, but my magic isn't. So take that Clarke."
Caroline sighed. "Were you able to prove this theory?"
"Yes," Lizzie said. "Sorta. I've put a wolf, witch, and vamp to sleep."
"Then you should be done," Caroline said.
"But there are other things to consider," Lizzie said. "Raf is a hybrid, so does it not work on every hybrid? What about a tribrid?"
"Don't knock Hope out, please," Caroline said.
"What about a phoenix?" Lizzie wondered to herself. "He should be easy."
"Lizzie," Caroline sighed. "There's nothing wrong with your magic. Maybe you weren't at the right angle in front of Rafael when you performed the spell. Maybe you hadn't siphoned enough power since he's stronger than the rest of the students here. Or, maybe Rafael is just different because, well, he's different now. But you can't experiment on him, he's going through enough."
"I won't," Lizzie promised.
It had only been two days since Rafael started working to break the bond, but most people were keeping a wide berth from him. The screams and howls had gotten worse to the point that Emma had to cast a spell to soundproof the cells. It shouldn't be possible for them to hear Rafael but changing repeatedly wasn't going well for him. She didn't think being forced to change repeatedly would go well for anyone.
"What you need is to get your mind off all this for a while," Caroline said, bringing her hand up to rest thoughtfully against the side of her face.
"Easier said than done," Lizzie grumbled, flouncing back in her chair. She had tried, but she couldn't forget what happened. It kept running through her mind over and over. She kept trying to figure out what she should've done differently but nothing came to mind.
"What you need is a night off," Caroline sat up straighter. "Or, a night out."
"Oh…kay?" Lizzie looked up at her mother, suddenly very interested.
Caroline thought back to her own teenage years when she, Bonnie, and Elena would go out to blow off some steam. Admittedly, their parents never knew what they were up to, but still. It was nice to get away from their home and school life and let loose.
"A girls night out," Caroline declared. "This Friday."
"Well… yeah," Lizzie perked up. "That'd be cool…except…"
"Except what?"
"Hope is still grounded," Lizzie shrugged. "It's not really a girls night out if it's just me and Josie."
"So, here's the thing," Caroline said, leaning forward. "Your father has a date this Friday. So he won't be around."
Lizzie made a face. "Ew."
"You, Josie, and Hope, you girls go out, have fun," Caroline said. "You have my permission. I'll deal with Ric if need be." She knew Hope's punishment was nearly over anyway, plus Ric was more concerned with Hope spending time with Ryan. Hope spending time with Lizzie was good for Lizzie; therefore this trip off-campus was absolutely necessary.
"But where do we—"
Caroline held a hand up. "I don't want to know. I'm being cool mom for once. Just go. Have fun. But be responsible. And no magic."
She hoped she didn't end up regretting this. But the girls were all good girls. They were smart and capable. They would be fine.
"Who gets called to the office for bad behavior and comes away with not only permission but encouragement to go out and party?" Hope asked in amazement even as she concentrated on the task at hand.
Hope and Lizzie were calling on the elements one at a time, trying to bend each to their will. Whereas the normal human chemistry class they were all forced to study since the Salvatore School needed to teach it to remain accredited had an entire chart of elements to study, Chemistry of Magic only called on the four main ones.
They were working with water. They had already managed to bring the water to a boil using magic alone, the steam coming off indicating they had turned it to gas. Now was the tricky part, turning the water to a solid. Ice.
"Me, apparently," Lizzie tossed her hair over her shoulder. "So, yes, we're totally going out Friday night. And so are you. The only question is, where."
"I know a place…" Josie said. She was working on her regular human homework, her textbook spread out on the table in front of her though she spent more time watching Hope and Lizzie do their homework than working on her own. "A club."
"What do you know about a club?" Lizzie said, raising an eyebrow.
Josie shrugged. "Penelope."
Lizzie scoffed.
"She said they don't look too close at IDs?" Josie offered.
"Psh, I know how to make a good fake ID," Hope said, breaking her concentration and turning to the girls.
"Since when?" Lizzie asked.
"Perks of having a secret agent as a boyfriend," Hope grinned. "Speaking of…"
"No!" Lizzie snapped immediately. "Absolutely NO S-Os!" Significant others were not invited, not when she didn't have one. She wasn't going to be a fifth wheel to her own party.
"But—" Hope tried to insist. She hadn't thought there would be any way to see Ryan that week, but now…
"No!" Lizzie said again. "Girls night only! Ryan isn't a girl!"
"Well, according to his DNA…" Hope said. He was made up of pretty much everything, but he identified as male so technically… Lizzie had a point. But still.
"Did you just call him Ryan?" Josie asked, frowning at Lizzie.
"Wait, did she?" Hope looked from Josie to Lizzie.
"What?" Lizzie said. "No, of course I didn't. His name is Clarke. And he's not coming."
"Um…" Josie remembered she had a date with Jade on Friday. "Jade's a girl, so she's okay to go, right?" Jade had said to surprise her. Well, a club was surprise enough, right?
"No! No boyfriends, no girlfriends," Lizzie denied. "No S-Os! Period!"
Josie winced. "Could we go Saturday instead, maybe?"
"We can't," Lizzie said. "Mom said Friday because Dad won't stop us since he has a date."
"Why would Dad stop us?" Josie asked.
"Because Hope is technically still grounded," Lizzie said. She looked at Hope quickly. "Don't worry though, Mom gave permission. She'll take care of Dad if he says anything."
"… You're sure?" Hope asked, excitement dwindling. "Because if not, if he extends my punishment… I can't go a month without seeing Ryan, Lizzie. No matter how much fun, I just can't."
"Yes," Lizzie said. "As Mom put it, you're only allowed off-campus for necessary trips. And seeing to my mental health is definitely necessary."
"What if we just ask Dad," Josie interrupted, still trying to find a way not to cancel on her girlfriend. "Maybe then we could go Saturday instead?"
"And risk him saying no?" Lizzie put a hand to her chest in mock horror.
Josie nodded glumly. She understood, but she wasn't happy.
She was going to have to cancel on Jade.
Maybe Jade could go out Saturday instead?
"So, it's really okay?"
"Yes, Hope," Caroline said with a smile, seeing how worried she was.
"And I won't get in trouble?" Hope made sure to stress the question. She wasn't taking any chances.
"I promise," Caroline said firmly.
"Okay!" Hope said. "Thank you!"
"You're welcome," Caroline shook her head with a laugh as Hope practically skipped out of the office.
Hope had to stop in to hear straight from her headmistress that she wouldn't get in any trouble if she went out with the girls. She trusted Lizzie, but the stakes were too high. She had to get her own reassurance.
Doctor Saltzman might not be happy about it, but he wouldn't be able to punish her. Did she feel a little guilty deceiving him slightly? Yes. But she had permission and, as Caroline said, it was the best thing for Lizzie.
Having a best friend like Elizabeth Saltzman was something she had never expected. Growing up she never let herself get close to anyone but ever since she made the decision to open up, becoming friends with Lizzie had been good for her. She had someone close to her age to talk to. She had someone who always spoke the truth, no matter how painful. Plus, Lizzie always had her back, just like she always had hers.
So, if Lizzie needed a girls night out, then she was going to help give her one.
Leaving the administration area, she was so lost in her thoughts she accidentally walked right into Landon.
"Oh," she said, stopping awkwardly. "Hi."
"Hey," Landon said just as awkwardly, stuffing his hands in his pockets. He prepared to walk around her and leave. Thus had been the extent of their acquaintance since she officially broke up with him.
"Um… how's Raf?" she asked.
"In pain. Constantly," he said, tightlipped. "What do you think?"
"Oh," she said shortly. She stepped back. She knew he had been about to walk around her and take off just like any other time they nearly bumped into each other. If this was his reception, then maybe he should keep walking.
"I'm sorry," he shook his head at himself. He missed her, and if he was ever going to get to a place where he could at least be friends with her, he needed to try to be civil and…well, nice. "I know he wouldn't be alive if it weren't for you."
"I'm sure he's wishing he hadn't bothered right about now," she said, relaxing slightly, taking the apology in stride.
"He'll get through it," he said.
"Yeah…" she said. "Um, I know I can't see him but, if he needs anything, let me know? I'll help any way I can."
"Okay," he nodded, then grew silent.
The tension getting to her, she shifted and decided it was time to end the conversation.
"Well, I guess—"
"I don't suppose," he spoke up again quickly, "you could talk to the wolves?"
"What about?" she asked.
"They're having a problem with him being alpha," he said. "He wasn't around much this school year, and now he's a hybrid which means he's not technically a wolf anymore. They're saying he shouldn't even be a part of the pack because he's more… like you."
"But I'm only not a member of the pack because I chose not to be," she said. "He's still a wolf."
"But he's also a vamp," he said. "They're saying he's different. Like you. Like me. Like Wade. They think we should be our own faction. They want a different alpha."
"Do they have someone in mind?" she asked, feeling uncomfortable. She thought she left the faction issues behind in New Orleans back when they tore her family apart by coming after her mother.
"Not yet, but if anyone starts thinking they could take over…"
"They'll have to challenge Raf."
"Or not?" he finished. "He's not really up to it right now. But also, they don't want to challenge him. They don't think they should have to since he's a hybrid, not a wolf."
"What does Raf say?" she asked.
"I haven't told him yet," he said. "He has enough on his mind."
"Does he even still want to be alpha?" she asked thoughtfully. "He only originally challenged Jed to help you. He wanted to be on the council to vote for you to stay."
"I guess…I should ask him?" he said.
"Find out what he wants," she said. "Let me know. If he still wants to be alpha, I'll talk to the wolves."
He nodded, "Okay. And, um… thank you."
"Anytime," she said, smiling slightly.
"Reintegration is going to take a while for that one," Veronica said, staring through the glass to the pit below.
The monster just released was being hosed down to remove the thick black mud.
Clarke shrugged. "It'd be more helpful if that serum was ready."
"I've been assured it should be any day now," she said.
"You've been saying that for two months," he said, not giving away any emotion. He was frustrated, but she didn't need to know that.
"These things take time," she placated him.
"Too bad the original creators had to be killed," he said.
She nodded.
"Most of the associates of these creatures are long since gone," she said. "A serum isn't needed to help them be remembered."
"That's all for today," Clarke said into the intercom.
He turned to head back to his office with Veronica following closely.
"Same time tomorrow?" she asked.
He nodded.
Reintegration was a slow process, but he did what he could. The creatures in Malivore had been stuck there for years, decades, centuries even. And there were so many of them.
Trying to work his way through to find the ones that shouldn't be there wasn't an easy task, nor was it a fast one. He did a few a day when he was at headquarters. He had created a division within Triad devoted solely to helping the creatures he released to adjust to living in the world again. He also made sure a close eye was kept on them to ensure they really weren't up to evil. He hadn't been wrong yet, but anything was possible.
"That'll be all," he said as he reached his office door.
He checked the time and smiled when he noticed it was nearly time to talk to Hope.
She always made his day better.
"You're sure…?" Clarke asked, shaking his head hearing about a girls night out. If she got in more trouble…
"I'm sure," Hope insisted, smiling at her laptop as she sat cross-legged on her comforter.
Skype-ing with Ryan was better than trying to FaceTime. His face was much bigger and clearer. She would've preferred him in person, of course, but this was okay. Sometimes she astral projected to him but that became too much of a tease when she was that close to him and couldn't touch him.
Clarke had never been much for sharing Hope. He thought he had been doing pretty well when it came to her friends, but he was slightly annoyed that she was going to get to go off campus and he couldn't join her. He had already given Veronica permission to schedule him to work that weekend since he knew he couldn't go to her and she couldn't come to him, so he wouldn't be in town anyway.
But he would've cancelled everything for her.
"So, you're going to…?"
"Some place Josie heard of from her ex," Hope shrugged. "None of us have ever really…"
"Done anything in the real world?" he finished for her.
"Hey, that's not true," she argued. "We do plenty."
"Right, and the vampires at your school are learning to live in the real world by not having any contacts with humans," he said sarcastically. "Tell me again how well they do after graduation?"
"Ryan, stop," she rolled her eyes. "They do fine."
"I'm just saying," he shrugged. "The students there are sheltered."
"I go out in the real world plenty," she insisted.
"In that case, have fun on Friday," he said.
She frowned and jerked her head back, studying him.
"You're mad."
"No," he sighed. "I'm frustrated. When do other people stop dictating when I get to see you?"
"It's just one more weekend," she said. "Next week I'll be all yours. I promise. Friday night, Saturday, and Sunday—I'll just go back to school at night, but I'll come home in the morning. Well, after yoga on Saturday, but still."
That wasn't what he meant. But she was right.
Also… he hated to admit it, but Alaric had a good point…
"Bring your school stuff with you," he said.
She shook her head, "I'll take care of it during the week. I just want to spend time with you."
"And you will," he said. "While I help you get caught up."
She stared at him, wondering where that had come from. She didn't think he understood why she kept up with school, but she hadn't minded. He had his thing with Triad, and she had her schoolwork.
"Okay…" she said softly. "I didn't think you cared."
"It's important to you, isn't it?"
"Yes," she nodded.
"Then it's important to me," he said.
She smiled. "Thank you."
He nodded. "How are things with the hybrid?"
"When he's in the cell, he changes for hours. At least he has the past couple of days."
"When he's not, he doesn't come near you?"
She shook her head. "No, I haven't seen him at all. Landon said he's in a lot of pain and the wolves are trying to replace him as alpha. But otherwise, nothing directly from him. I guess he's obeying what I said."
He nodded and looked down, deep in thought.
"What?" she asked.
"How did he get so bad without anyone knowing?" he asked. "Without you knowing?"
"I guess I just thought it was normal for what he was going through?" she offered.
"And what Lizzie said at dinner," he said. "He definitely never—"
"No," she insisted firmly. "He's never touched me. I told you that. Why are you asking again?"
"Because he came after me in a jealous rage," he said, "Which makes me wonder if he thinks he has some kind of claim on you."
"He doesn't," she said.
"We know that, but nothing about him turning into a hybrid has been normal," he said, though admittedly he wasn't sure what was normal. "I don't like the idea of him being let out of the cell at all."
"He's not a prisoner," she said. "He's taking the steps to get better."
"I'm worried about you."
"Ryan, you know I can take care of myself," she reminded him. "Plus, Rafael would never hurt me. You, yeah, but me? No. Stop worrying."
"Can't help it," he said. "Habit."
Boom!
Hope's head swung up and she saw that her roommate had arrived to turn in for the evening, slamming the door closed to announce her presence as she often did.
"Guess that's my cue," he said, knowing that sound by now too.
"I love you," she said, blowing a kiss to the screen.
"I love you," he said too.
"And stop worrying!"
"I'll try," he said.
"Are you done yet?" Alyssa said sharply.
"Yeah, yeah," Hope rolled her eyes. "Bye!" She turned off the app.
"Do you mind?" she asked Alyssa.
"Not really," Alyssa said haughtily.
Hope leaned back warily when Alyssa walked across to her side of the room.
"Yes?..." Hope asked. Alyssa rarely came into her space, at least while she was there. Who knew what she snooped through when Hope wasn't around.
"I know about your plans," Alyssa said. "For Friday."
"So?" Hope said, shrugging. She had permission from Caroline, so if Alyssa wanted to tell on her again, it didn't matter.
"I'm going with you," Alyssa said.
"As if!" Hope burst out laughing. "I don't think so."
"I'll tell Doctor Saltzman if you don't let me," Alyssa threatened. "I know he doesn't know you're going."
"Then we'll just cancel until I can," Hope said. "Anything so we don't have to go with you. Why would you want to hang out with us anyway?"
"I don't," Alyssa said, crossing her arms. "I'm bored and want to go to a club. I won't even talk to you once we get there."
"You mean, you want to ride with us then ignore us once you get there?" Hope asked. "What you're asking for is a ride. Just call a Lyft. You can do that yourself."
Alyssa picked at some imaginary lint. "Going to clubs alone can be…"
Hope sighed, "Dangerous. You're a witch, you know."
"Not like we're allowed to use witchcraft outside of school," she said.
Hope could read between the lines. Alyssa didn't have any friends to go with her, but she didn't want to go alone. And if she did go alone but had to use witchcraft and the school found out about it, she would get in trouble. She already had one huge mark against her for sending the Saltzmans to the Prison World and nearly getting them killed. She didn't want to get expelled.
But this was Alyssa Chang.
She was the pain in her ass roommate who annoyed her at every opportunity and was responsible for telling on her so her off-campus privileges were revoked.
"No!" Hope said again, laughing at the entire situation. "There is no way you're going with us."
"Two," Alyssa held up two fingers.
"Two, what?"
"I'll give you two freebies," Alyssa said. "I come with you, and you can stay off campus twice without me reporting it."
Hope stopped laughing but looked at her hard, trying to decide if she was messing with her.
"Of course, you'll have to tell me when you do," Alyssa said haughtily. "I'm not getting in trouble because I think you're staying out but instead some monster decided to turn you into kitty chow. Then I'll be asked why I didn't report it."
"Not two," Hope said.
"Fine," Alyssa rolled her eyes. "Three."
Hope shook her head. "All. Anytime I want to stay out overnight, you keep your mouth shut."
"Don't be ridiculous," Alyssa said. "You'll get caught eventually and then I'll get in trouble again."
"That's my deal," Hope said. "Take it or leave it."
Alyssa stared her down before finally, "Fine."
Hope's eyes widened slightly.
"IF!" Alyssa held up a finger.
Of course, Hope sighed.
"I'm invited to all other future girl's night events too," Alyssa said. She looked at her nails to study them, avoiding Hope's shocked face. "Assuming I choose to lower myself to attend such an event."
Hope knew Lizzie was going to kill her, but…
"Deal."
She couldn't wait to tell Ryan.
"You live to torture me."
"C'mon, Lizzie," Hope whispered while sitting next to her friend during History of Witchcraft.
"Alyssa?!" Lizzie said. "You couldn't have asked me first?"
"You would've said no," Hope said. "Besides, it was kinda in the moment. I was afraid she'd rescind the offer."
"I might rescind mine," Lizzie grumbled.
"Please?" Hope begged. "We'll be your best friends?"
"You and Clarke so owe me," Lizzie said, unable to believe she was agreeing to this.
"Besides, she said all future girls night out events," Hope said, "but we only have the one planned. Who's to say we'll ever do this again anyway?"
"Am I interrupting your conversation, Miss Mikaelson, Miss Saltzman," their teacher asked.
"No, ma'am," Hope said immediately sitting up straight and staring at the blackboard.
Annoyed, Lizzie reacted without thinking, "Somnum!"
Every student stared in shock as their teacher immediately fell to the floor in a dead sleep.
"Lizzie!" Hope squeaked.
"Oh… right," Lizzie said, remembering she wasn't supposed to do that anymore. "Oops. She, uh, looked tired. She needed a nap."
Lizzie looked down at the teacher.
At least she knew it worked on older witches too.
Check.
"I still don't get it," Jade said.
"I guess he likes it here?" Josie said.
They were watching Jed. He was practicing with a soccer ball, but he was running drills all by himself. He had excellent control of the ball though.
He just didn't seem like his usual self.
"He only liked it here when Ethan was here too," Jade pointed out. "So why didn't he decide to transfer back? It's clear he's not having as much fun."
Josie wondered if it had anything to do with the gossip about him and Alyssa. But, she really didn't know. She didn't know Jed much at all. He liked to hang out with her and Jade at school though. He and Jade teased each other a lot, but he was mostly just sweet to Josie.
"Maybe he's got something to work through?" Josie asked.
"Maybe?" Jade said, shrugging.
"Um, anyway, I have to ask…" Josie started.
"Oh yeah, did you figure out where you wanted to take me?" Jade asked, perking up. "Or are you going to surprise me completely? I'm good with absolutely anything though, just so you know."
"A surprise," Josie said, mainly because she hadn't figured out anything yet. "But Saturday is really a better day for the surprise."
Jade shook her head, "Sorry, I'm becoming a sorceress."
"A what?"
Jade laughed, "Wade's into dungeons and dragons? He wanted a fourth. He's already got Landon and Rafael. He asked me, and I figured I was free, so yeah. Whatever the surprise is, we can do it some other time. We'll do something else this Friday."
Josie winced. There was no getting around it. She was going to have to cancel.
"Well, you see," Josie said, "Um…"
"Spit it out, Jos," Jade said. "What's up?"
"Can we go out next weekend instead?" Josie asked.
Jade looked at her thoughtfully. "Why?"
"Something… kind of came up?" Josie said with a hesitant smile.
"Translation, Lizzie and Hope want to do something and you want to go with them," Jade said, not needing her girlfriend to explain.
"Mom said it would be good for Lizzie to get away, so we're having a girls night out," Josie explained.
"And you couldn't have told them you already made plans?" Jade asked.
"I…"
"You could have, but then they would've gone without you," Jade answered for her. "And you'd rather go with them than with me."
"It's for Lizzie," Josie grasped onto that excuse for all she was worth. She knew it was wrong, but she didn't know what else to say.
"Uh huh," Jade said, looking away.
"If you and me could just go out Saturday…" Josie tried.
"I told you," Jade said. "I already made plans. I'm not cancelling on my friends. I don't cancel on the people I care about."
"I'm sorry," Josie said, feeling terrible.
"Yeah, well, so am I," Jade said, standing up. "I'm gonna go hang with Jed. See you."
Josie needed to figure out a way to fix this, she just wasn't sure how.
When his phone rang on Wednesday evening and the caller ID showed Clarke, Alaric answered with a roll of the eyes.
He wasn't surprised. He should've even expected the call. Clarke hadn't been happy to learn that he couldn't come on campus anymore. That, coupled with Hope's punishment, meant Clarke would do anything he could to see Hope that week.
Fortifying himself for the conversation ahead, having no issue shutting the man down, Alaric answered.
"What do you want, Clarke?"
"Interesting story," Clarke began. "We've been tracking someone or some thing for weeks now. Real bad stuff. Breaking into vaults, killing security guards, attacking my operatives. Then disappearing into the wind."
Not what I expected, Alaric thought. He cleared his throat. "That's some story. So, why are you sharing it with me?"
"The story just got even more interesting when we tracked them to a very special school on the west coast," Clarke said. "One that specializes in supernaturals. Specifically—"
"Witches," Alaric interrupted to finish for him. He put his hand to his forehead. "Shit."
"I assume that means you figured it out."
"Wendy," Alaric sighed. "What do you need me to do?"
"She's left the school, clearly. Near as we can tell, she knows exactly one person as she's lost contact with everyone else," Clarke explained. "Tends to happen when imprisoned for ten years."
"Get on with it," Alaric said, already knowing this wasn't going to be pretty. He should've known. Jade had turned off her humanity before being sent away but it was turned back on now. Wendy though? Just like Diego, Wendy did everything she had done while her humanity was firmly intact. He should've never let her go.
"Since you've made it abundantly clear I can't come on campus, and the rest of my operatives are humans and can't go about unnoticed, someone needs to keep an eye out in case she decides to contact that friend."
"Jade goes to Mystic Falls High," Alaric pointed out. "I can't follow her there."
"Just cover the Salvatore school," Clarke said. "Let me know if you see anything."
"Will do," Alaric said before hanging up.
Damn it.
To be continued...
