The subtle sounds of classical music drifted through the hallways of the Mansion, causing me to stir in my sleep. I blinked, clearing the sleepiness from my eyes as I stretched out under the covers and released a small moan as I yawned. I slept the night away, undisturbed. I woke up in the same position as I had fallen asleep in.

Not something I do often, may I add.

I kicked the covers off to the bottom of the bed and sat up, gazing out the window. The chicks were silent this morning. Unusual for them but I didn't think much of it. Maybe they were still sleeping in their cosy nest with their mother. The music was soothing as I listened in and pin-pointed its origin. It was coming from the living room downstairs. I stretched once more, cracking the bones in my neck and back before I headed into the bathroom and washed my face, brushed my teeth and fixed my hair. Pulling it up unto a loose bun on the top of my head, securing it with a black scrunchy.

I didn't change before I let the room. Choosing to keep my shorts and T-shirt on as I walked down the hallway in my bare feet. The cool wooden floorboards were flush with every step I took until I reached the top of the staircase, peering over the railing. The music was clearer the closer I got to the main source. As I walked down the staircase and made a right, my eyes fell upon Klaus.

There he was; standing in the far side of the room, a large canvas set-up on a easel and a paintbrush in hand. He made large, dramatic strokes as he moved back and fourth. The painting was dark and moody, but held such emotion. Ones I couldn't quite work out yet.

"Good morning, love."

I was snapped out of my thoughts as Klaus noticed my presence. He didn't look back in my direction. Instead, he continued to paint, layering up the substance on the canvas. Pushing myself off of the door frame, I walked further into the room and took a seat on the chair behind him near the fire. "Morning." I replied back. Klaus continued painting as I spoke. "When did you get back last night?"

"Quite late," He replied. "Alaric took longer than expected to hand over the stake."

"So, you have it now?" I wondered as I leaned on the armrest, watching as he applied thick, black paint to his board.

"Not quite," Klaus said with a sigh. The annoyance evident in his tone, "Rebekah's handling it. It seems that he's hidden it in a cave that vampires cannot enter."

I bobbed my head, "Ohh, the Lockwood tunnels that the ruins were in?"

Klaus placed his brush into a glass beaker of water and faced me. His eyes trailed up my bare legs before he smirked. "That would be the one." He walked across the room and placed both hands on the arm rest of the chair as he leaned down towards me. I held my breath as his eyes flickered between mine, searching. I tilted my head back to accommodate his movements and not a moment later, his lips were on mine.

The not so subtle clearing of ones throat pulled us apart.

"What took you so long?" Klaus asked as Rebekah stood by the door.

"Alaric didn't want to hand over the stake," She moaned, and then pulled out a White Oak stake from her inside pocket. "Luckily, I'm quite the charmer."

Klaus' eyes lit up at the object in her hand as he stood up straight. "That's it?"

Rebekah stepped further into the room and met her brother on the middle of the floor, by the fire. "The last of the White Oak stakes that can kill us." She held the stake in the air, "Do you want to do the honours or shall I?"

She didn't have to ask Klaus twice. He grasped the stake from her hand and tossed it into the fire. Small sparks of amber flame flew through the air as the stake began to burn and turn to ash.

"Well that's that then." Rebekah smiled. As she readied to turn on her heels, Klaus' next words stopped her in her tracks. Myself included.

"Pack your bags, we're leaving." He spoke confidently as he walked back to his abstract painting.

"Today?" Rebekah asked, slight worry clouded her face as she gazed at her brother.

"Why not?" He replied as he painted, "There's nothing keeping us here. We'll grab the doppelganger and be off by sunset."

"When were you going to tell me?" I asked and dropped my legs from the chair.

"Right now, sweetheart." He smiled, never looking away from the canvas.

I scoffed, slightly irritated by what he was saying, "I'm not leaving, Klaus."

He placed his brush back into the beaker before turning round. "If I'm going, you're coming with me."

I shook my head defiantly and got to my feet, "I'm not leaving my family."

Klaus closed the distance between us, his hand placed on my cheek as he spoke softly. "I told you before, Jessica." He stroked my cheek softly, "I want to show you what's out there. All that the world has to offer."

I smiled at his words and pressed into his hand. He grinned back, happily.

"Sorry to ruin this precious moment," Rebekah groaned, "But tonight is the decade dance."

Ohh, shit. She's right.

"So?" Klaus raised an eyebrow.

"So," Rebekah scoffed, "I'm head of the committee, we have to go."

He shook his head, "I'm not going to any dance." He relied sternly.

"I'm going," I said from his side, "And you're coming." A grin spread across my face at his frown, clearly annoyed but amused at the same time. "Besides, Rebekah missed the last dance, Klaus."

Klaus rolled his eyes, "Okay, fine. One last hoorah."

"One last hoorah, Nik." Rebekah smiled back.

Later that night, I was upstairs in my room getting dressed for the dance. I curled my hair into tight ringlets and pinned it up into an acceptable style for the decade. I left some pieces hanging loose, framing my face. Rebekah had given me a head piece that went along with the dress, and a pair of gorgeous heels that just pulled the whole outfit together. Happy with myself and how I looked, I sent a message to Caroline, letting her know that I was on my way in a few minutes.

Once all was said and done. I grabbed my black, furry coat that was also supplied by Rebekah, and headed down to the foyer. As I walked down the stairs, Klaus walked out of the room from the left, his phone was placed against his ear as he handed out instructions to someone on the other end. He looked right and instantly dropped the phone down to his side.

"I'll call you back." He said hurriedly and hung up. As I continued to walk down the stairs, Klaus crossed the foyer and stood at the bottom, resting his foot on the last step. Once I was a few steps away, he reached his hand out and I placed mine in his as he helped me down the remaining stairs. "You look beautiful, Jessica." He complimented me and smirked as I stood in front of him.

"Thank you." I said, avoiding eye contact as much as I could as to conceal the redness of my cheeks. It took me a moment to realise that he wasn't change into something other than his usual attire. I frowned, "Why aren't you dressed?"

He raised hie eyebrows, "I have something to take care of first."

"You're still coming, right?"

He smiled and nodded his head, "For you? Yes," He guided me to the door and held my coat open as I slipped it on, "Where is my sister?"

I shook my head, "I have no idea." I replied and looked into the empty living room, "She said she had some last minute thing to take care of before tonight."

"Sounds like her," He smiled and turned me around to face him. His hands clenched the either side of my coat, "There is a driver waiting outside, he'll take you to the school."

I scoffed, "Klaus, that's a bit excessive." I laughed lightly, "I could have driven myself there."

"Say nothing of it, love." He grinned at my sudden embarrassment at being driven, "I'll meet you there in a little while."

Klaus place a gentle kiss on my lips and released his grip on my coat as we neared the door. Daniel opened the door with a smile, as always, and Klaus walked me out. The driver of the black SUV opened the back door for me to enter and Klaus helped me inside. Once inside, Klaus stood at the door and smiled as he looked at me.

I felt nervous under his heated gaze, but in someway, it also made me feel settled and secure. Something that I hadn't had before.

"See you there?" I whispered.

"See you there, sweetheart." Klaus replied and placed a kiss on the back of my hand before backing away from the door and closed it.

The drive to the school was quick and uneventful. I tried to make idle chit-chat with the driver but he was unnervingly quiet and transfixed on the road ahead. It made me question whether or not he was compelled. But if I were to put money on it, I'd without a doubt place my bet on it being Klaus' interfering nature at play. When I arrived at the school, the driver climbed out and opened my door for me and helped me get out of the car, sharpish.

We had an awkward goodbye in the lot, but as I walked up to the front of the parking lot, I noticed that the car hadn't moved. Not even an inch. The driver remained seated inside, watching me through the tinted window as I walked away.

And I thought being watched from Klaus was unnerving. This guy takes the cake.

I rolled my eyes and entered into the main entrance and headed for the gym. As I walked down the corridors with other students, the sound of the twenties music blaring from the gym made a smile instantly appear on my face. It really was my favourite decade, so I was thankful that Rebekah managed to pull this one off. Especially to get it over Caroline. That couldn't have been hard.

I know from experience.

The floor was littered with students dancing, laughing and just having a great time together. The further inside I walked, the louder the music was. Just by luck, I managed to spot Caroline stood by the drinks table with Matt, so I made a bee-line in her direction.

"Hey!" I grinned as I approached them.

"Jess!" Caroline smiled and hugged me, "You look great."

"So do you." I laughed lightly. She was sporting a vibrant, red flapper dress. She easily stood out from the rest.

"You look good, Jessie." Matt complimented me and pulled me into a hug also.

"And you look very handsome," I returned the compliment. "Where's Elena?" I asked them both.

Matt looked out into the crowd and furrowed his brow, "What's he doing here?"

Caroline and I turned around to see Tyler walking in through the crowd. A joyful grin on his face and he fist-bumped some of his football friends.

My eyes instantly widened as his appearance. Klaus would be on his way soon, and if he spots Tyler here, I don't know what will happen. Before I could tell Caroline, she marched over to Tyler as fast as her feet could take her. Perhaps she was thinking the same thing as I was.

As I stood on the sidelines with Matt, chatting and catching-up with one another. I cast my eyes back into the crowd as Tyler and my sister stopped dancing. The tempo of the song shifted to that of a slow song. Tyler flashed me a smug grin before he whispered something in Care's ear. The hall was still loud, so I couldn't hear what he had said. He made his way through the crowd and headed in my direction and Caroline followed on behind.

I hadn't talked or seen Tyler since he attacked my dad, so I was a little apprehensive to see him. Let alone worrying about his safety with Klaus' impending arrival at any minute.

"Can I have this dance?" Tyler asked and extended his hand out. "I'm not taking no for an answer, by-the-way."

I looked at my sister who smiled small and nodded her head. I gave Tyler a playful scowl before I placed my hand in his and he led me to the dance floor. His arms rested on the small of my back as I wrapped my hands around his neck as we began to sway to the beat of the music.

"I-It's good to see you, Ty." I stammered in my words as I gave him a small smile.

"Thanks," He smiled, "I uh, I just wanted to say that I'm sorry for everything I've done to you." His tone was filled with sadness as he gazed into my eyes. "I also spoke to my mother, she confirmed everything you said."

"I know it wasn't you, Tyler." I sighed, thinking back to what my dad said on his last night alive. "You lost control, but my father was helping you. He didn't want you to think that he was disappointed in you." I gave him a small smile, "So she really did know about me being Richards daughter?"

"Yeah," He replied, "I don't know why they kept it from us all these years."

I shrugged, "My dad said it was to keep me safe." His head hung lowly, "On the bright side, you now have a beautiful sister!" I smiled and laughed lightly, trying my very best to cheer him up.

"Yeah, I guess you're right." He laughed, before his face turned serious. "So," He sighed, "Caroline filled me in on all things Klaus," I could feel his penetrating stare, "Why would you go there!?"

"Ty, don't!" I hissed, "I'm not having this conversation one more time." I dropped my hands down from his neck to rest on his arms as we stopped dancing. The shift in atmosphere pushed us apart. "I've already told Caroline. You don't have to like my choices, whether they turn out good or bad, that's for me to find out. You just have to respect them."

"But I'm your brother,"

I sniggered, "Yeah, for all of two minutes!"

He shook his head, "You're right, I'm sorry. I'll drop it now."

"Thank you." I smiled small and walked closer to him once more as we fell back into the dance. "You're taking a huge risk being here, Tyler."

"I can pretend to be sired if I have to, don't worry." He tried to reassure me but deep down, I feared for his life. "Can I trust you to keep this from Klaus."

I narrowed my eyes, "As I've already said to Care, you can trust me. I won't say a word."

"Thank you." Tyler said with appreciation. As we danced in a circular motion, Tyler suddenly stopped.

"What is it?" I asked in confusion.

"Where have you been, mate?" The thick accent asked. I followed Ty's gaze and my eyes widened in surprise as I seen Klaus slowly approaching us. He was like a hunter stalking his prey. He had his short, curly hair waxed into a twenties style and he wore a beige three-piece suit that fitted him so well. Klaus stopped a mere few feet in front of us as he scowled. I noticed his eyes travelling down to Tyler's hand, which held mine tightly. His predatory gaze he had only intensified.

Tyler cleared his throat, "I just got back in town."

Klaus narrowed his eyes further, "That's funny, I don't recall giving you permission to leave in the first place." He moved a little closer and the sides of his lips tugged up, "You don't mind if I cut in, do you?"

I was getting irritated with his macho-man performance. "Actually," I began to speak and I could tell by the look on his face that he wasn't expecting me to protest. "We were in the middle of a dance. One that you rudely interrupted."

A playful smirk crawled into his face as he stared at Tyler, giving him a small nod. He was putting his sire bond to the test, to see if he'd back down. I knew that if I protested further, Tyler could be found out and possibly killed.

"No, it's fine." Tyler backed down. He released my hand and Klaus swooped in for the kill.

"Why are you always trying to prove you're the alpha male?!" I asked in annoyance as he sneaked his arms around my back, pulling me closer.

He sniggered, "I don't have to prove anything, love. I am the alpha male." I rolled my eyes at his words. "Come on, one dance."

I gently nodded my head to his request and he guided us backwards further into the dance floor.

As we began swaying to the music, his eyes drifted up and down my body. "You look exquisite."

I chuckled lightly, "You already said that before I left."

"Well, I thought I'd tell you again." He grinned, "You would have loved the 1920's, Jessica. The girls were reckless, sexy, fun." Klaus smiled joyfully as he reminisced. "They literally use to dance until they dropped."

I scoffed, "Are you calling me reckless?" I asked in a sarcastic tone, to which he laughed.

"Have you made your mind up about coming with Rebekah and I tomorrow?" Klaus asked, his tone a little more serious.

"Shh!" I hissed, "I haven't said anything to anyone yet."

"Is that a yes?" He asked with a half smile.

"I-I," As I stammered in my words, "I have to think about it." I replied, "I'm in school, Klaus. My family is here, my friends are here. Not to mention that I just found out that Tyler's my brother."

He sighed, "At least give it some thought," Klaus' hand travelled fro my waist up to the back of my neck, "I'd hate to have to leave you here."

I smiled, "I will." As we continued dancing, I looked around the hall and couldn't see Rebekah anywhere. I just got death-stares from Tyler as he stood by the drinks table with Matt. "Where's Rebekah?" I asked, "Didn't you come with her?"

Klaus stopped dancing and peered down at me, "I thought she was meeting you here?"

I shook my head, "So did I." I took one more look around the room, she was no where to be seen. "I figured that she would have came with you when you left the Mansion."

"I'll go call her." Klaus said and I nodded in agreement.

"I'll check the corridors, maybe she out there chatting to someone."

"Alright, love." Klaus placed a kiss on my forehead, "Be careful."

"You too."

A few moments had passed and I still couldn't find Rebekah anywhere. Klaus was nowhere to be seen either as I walked through the corridors, searching for answers. I lingered against the wall near the gym doors, watching the crowd of people. After a few more minutes, Klaus appeared back in my line of sight, followed by Stefan and Damon. I could tell by the look on his face that something was very wrong as he walked up to me.

"What's wrong?" I asked, my tone low.

"It seems my mother is back." He hissed through clenched teeth.

I narrowed my eyes, "How? I gasped, "I watched her die, Klaus."

This is not possible. It can't be.

"She's placed a boundary spell around the school. No vampire can leave." His eyes flared with anger.

"She's back to finish what she started, isn't she?" I felt the dread filling inside of my stomach. Esther was back to kill off the rest of her family.

Klaus' hand reached out and cupped my cheek, "Don't worry love." He cooed, "She won't have a chance to do anything, not when I find where she is." His tone was soft, but his words were laced with with poison. Klaus grabbed my hand as he guided me into a room down the far side of the corridor and pulled me inside. Damon, Stefan, Bonnie, Jeremy and Bonnie's date were inside.

Bonnie was standing with her hands parted as she chanted in tongue while the others looked on.

"What's taking so long!?" Klaus groaned in displeasure, "All boundary spells have a loop hole."

I walked further into the room, feeling slightly nervous as this was the first time I had seen Damon since that night in the mansion. He gave me a small dip of his head in acknowledgement as I came into the frame.

The doors behind flew open and Matt rushed inside.

"People are walking right out of the dance, past the barrier." He informed the room quickly.

"Matt and I can leave, we can stop Esther ourselves." Jeremy said confidently, "We just gotta find out where she is."

"It's suicide, Jeremy." Stefan sighed.

Bonnie stopped chanting instantly as Klaus flew across the room, his hand grasped around Jamie's neck and began to squeeze.

"Suicide would be disappointing me!" Klaus yelled, "Now work your magic, witch, or I'll start killing people you fancy."

At first, I jumped at the sudden change in dynamics in the room. From calm to violent, all within the blink of an eye.

"Let him go!" Bonnie screamed in horror. Klaus' grip only tightened around her dates neck, causing him to splutter for air. Her eyes flashed to me, pleading for me to intervene.

I rushed after Klaus and grabbed Jamie. I pulled him back, freeing him from Klaus' vice-like grip. He stumbled back into my arms as I held him up. His throat was red and swollen and his eyes were bloodshot.

Klaus' scowl set my teeth on edge as he glared. He was angered at my interference, and he wanted me to know it.

"Leave him alone." I warned with a glare of my own.

"Get us out of here." Klaus said as he turned to face Bonnie.

Stefan got to his feet and walked closer to me. "Bonnie doesn't give a damn about us." He said, causing me to frown, "The only reason she's helping us right now is to save Caroline and Tyler. You start killing people she cares about, she'll tell us all to go to hell."

Once all had settled down.

The classroom was deserted, everyone scattered including Klaus as he left with Damon and Stefan. I remained with Bonnie as we walked down the corridors of the empty halls. Everyone else had left the school as the dance was over, leaving only the vampires behind.

"Thank you," Bonnie sighed, "For stopping him." We rounded into a classroom and she ripped a map from the wall before placing it on the desk.

"You know I wouldn't let anything happen to yous." I reassured her and she smiled weakly as I placed my hand on her shoulder, letting her know that I was here for her.

Footsteps were fast approaching from down the corridor. I peered to the door to see Damon walk in followed by Klaus. He glared at me, still annoyed about my interference but if he thought I was just going to stand there and watch on, he was wrong. Damon approached Bonnie and held up a vile of blood.

"Here." He raised it in the air, "Jeremy made a little Gilbert blood donation for your locator spell."

"I have to do this with you two lurking over me?" Bonnie hissed.

"You're still made at me for what happened to Abby." Damon groaned, "Let me a apologise. I'm sorry Elijah forced us to turn your mother into a vampire to save Elena's life." He spoke with a slight hint of sarcasm to his tone that even pissed me off. "Didn't exactly have a choice."

"There's always a choice," Bonnie spat back, "Whenever you make one someones else suffers."

I looked up from the map as Klaus walked over to the desk. "Let's cut the dramatics and begin, shall we?"

Bonnie snatched the vile from Damon and popper off the cork before pouring the blood on the table. The scent instantly caught my attention as I took a step back. I peered over to Klaus as his eyes were already set on me. His eyes narrowed as I cleared my throat and wiggled my fingers before I leaned back on the table.

"Phasmatos Tribum Nas Ex Veras, Sequita Saguines, Ementas Asten Maihan Ega Petous." Bonnie said as she chanted. I looked on in awe as the blood began to pool in the centre of the map, but it didn't move at all. "Esther is fighting me." Bonnie gasped as she stared at the blood pool.

"Esther couldn't possibly have this much power." Klaus groaned in disappointment, "Unless she's channelling something."

"A hot-spot?" Bonnie threw out into the room.

It was like a light bulb went off in the hybrids head instantly at her words. "Get the humans ready. I know where she is."

As Damon went to fetch Jeremy and Matt, I jogged after Klaus and caught his arm as he headed outside.

"Klaus!" I called as I grasped his arm.

"What is it?" He asked snappily.

"I-I'm going to go with Jeremy and Matt." I stated.

He sniggered, "Absolutely not."

"I can be of use, Klaus!" I pointed out, "I can cross the barrier. You can't. I can help them." His face screwed up, "Besides, I wasn't asking for permission."

His eyes narrowed and I saw the togs churning inside of his head. He was silent, deadly silent. I followed him as he walked down to the salt barrier that held everyone back. Klaus quickly turned to face me, "Step over the barrier." He commanded, and I didn't think twice about it. I stretched my leg out and stepped over the barrier. As I stood on the opposite side of the barrier, I looked at him in confusion and shrugged.

"Now what?" I sighed and hit my hands off the sides of my thighs.

Klaus reached his hand out and I placed mine in his as he pulled me back within the barrier.

"You can go with the humans," He sighed, "There's just one thing I want you to do."

I frowned, "Okay?"

He bit his bottom lip nervously as he narrowed his eyes, "If you have an opportunity to get near Esther...Take it." He growled lowly, "Do whatever you have to do to immobilise her."

My mind fogged over at his words. I heard him tell them to me, but I felt like he was talking to someone else. It was like I had zoned out of the conversation minutes ago. Completely oblivious as to what he just said.

"Do you understand?" Klaus asked as he rubbed my arms.

"Y-yeah, I understand." I said, nodding my head, slightly baffled at what had just happened.

Just as Klaus stepped back, Jeremy and Matt rushed towards us.

"Hey!" I called them as they approached. "I'm coming with you."

Jeremy looked at me dumbfounded, as did Matt.

"What?" Jer asked in confusion.

"She said she's coming with you," Klaus replied before I opened my mouth. "Be a good little boy and keep her safe, won't you." He crossed his arms behind his back as he approached the youngest Gilbert, "I tried to talk her out of it, but you know how she can be when she sets her mind to something."

"I'm right here!" I moaned as I approached them from behind. "I can help, Jer. Trust me."

He nodded his head slowly, "Tell Damon and Stefan," He said as he looked towards Klaus, "They'll wonder where Jess went."

Klaus smirked, "Of course."

"Come on!" Matt groaned, "We don't have a lot of time."

As Jer and Matt rushed towards the car, Klaus held me back and whispered in my ear. "Remember what I said."

I gave him a quick nod as he released my arm and rushed over to the truck.

Once I was inside, Matt wasted no time as he sped off out of the parking lot and headed in the direction marked on the map.

It didn't take us long to arrive at the origin of where the spell came from. Not with Matt's driving anyway. He broke about three laws, if not more. Once we had arrived, Jer, Matt and I rushed out of the car and headed through the woods until we came to a stop outside of the Salvatore Tomb. Cloaked with trees and vines, the entrance was concealed within the foliage.

"What now?" I whispered.

Matt and Jeremy raised their weapons in the air as a noise came from within the tomb, and not a moment later, Esther walked out into the spare ground that separated us.

"Don't move!" Matt warned the witch.

"Where's Elena?" Jeremy asked.

Elena walked out of the tomb behind Esther. "Jeremy!"

"Let her go!" Jeremy commanded Esther, but she smirked at his feeble attempts to intimidate her.

"How foolish of you," She sniggered, "To risk your lives in defence of those who will kill you. But if that is your choice."

Esther stared at Matt and Jeremy intensely. Seconds later, they began to tremble as their bodies turned to face one another. Their weapons still held high in the air.

"Matt!" Jeremy yelled with a shaky voice, "Matt drop your gun!"

"I can't! I'm not controlling it!" Matt groaned as his hands trembled.

"Esther! Stop!" I yelled from the side. The witch just gave me a fleeting glance as she continued to pit Jer and Matt against one another.

I made a move to rush towards her, but she saw me coming and threw my body to the ground at her side with a quick wave of her hand.

"Ugh..." I groaned as my body hit the hard soil. Feeling the rising temperature in my body as I lay on the cold, wet ground, the only thing I could think of is what Klaus said to me before I left the school.

If you have an opportunity...take it Do what you have to do.

His words were like a floating red light, shining bright in my mind as I contemplated what to do next.

I had to seize the moment and take my shot while she was distracted.

I closed my eyes tightly; took a sharp inhale and reached into the pocket inside of my coat and pulled out a wooden stake that I had picked up from the floor of Matt's truck as we travelled here. I grasped a hold of Esther's ankle and sunk my teeth into her calf. The hold which she held over Matt and Jer was broken as she yelled in pain and diverted her attention. I rose to my feet quickly, her face was one of shock as her mouth hung open as I stared back at her. My face was blank, I held no emotion as I stood in front of her. I grasped the stake tightly before I drove it through her chest.

Esther gasped in pain as I thrust the stake deeper into her chest until I felt the bones crack under the pressure. Her body fell to the ground seconds later...lifeless.

I staggered back and shook my head as the haze lifted from my mind. I dropped the blooded stake to the ground with her body.

"Oh my god..." I sighed as I looked down at the ground, "W-what did I do?!"

"J-Jess?" Elena whispered from in front of me as she stood by the entrance of the tomb.

"Agh!" I yelled in pain as I buckled over. Clutching my stomach tightly, I fell down onto my knees as Matt rushed over to me. "W-What's happening?!"

I looked towards Elena as she gasped, "Your eyes!"

Then it hit me.

No. No, this can't be happening.

"H-Help me!" I yelled as the pain radiated throughout my body.

Elena rushed over to me and kneeled in front of my quivering body, "You're gonna be okay, Jess!"

"What happened?" I looked up towards the tomb as Alaric staggered outside.

"I-It's Jess. She triggered the curse." Matt said in a hurried tone as he got to his feet.

"Oh God," Alaric sighed as he walked towards us. "Elena," He said as he tapped her on the shoulder, "Elena!"

"What?!"

"It's a full moon!"

I looked towards the night sky and winced as the full moon shone down brightly on top of me.

"Aghhh!"

My right arm bent backwards as my bones began to break.

Alaric pulled Elena backwards as my transition was taking full effect.

"We need to get her to the Lockwood cellar." Elena gasped in fear, "She needs to be chained up!"

"I'll get her there." Matt said as he pulled me from the ground and held me tightly.

"A-Are you sure?" Elena asked.

He nodded, "I'll make sure she's safe."

Elena's lips pressed into a firm line as Matt and I began to walk towards his truck as quickly as we could.

Matt opened the back door and I climbed inside, wincing in pain the whole way as he quickly jumped into the front seat and sped off in the direction of the Lockwood cellar.

"Matt..." I groaned as I lay in the fetal position in the backseat.

"You're gonna be alright," He reassured me, "Just don't wolf out on me yet."

I sniggered through the pain at his time-appropriate joke. "I'm trying my b-best."

"I know," He sighed, "I know."

About 10 minutes later, Matt pulled the truck to a staggering halt as he slammed on the brakes and jumped out of the door.

"Come on!" He said as he helped me out of the backseat.

"Aghh!" I collapsed to the floor and screamed in pain as soon as my feet touched the ground. "I-I can't do it."

The sweat was pouring off my body as my temperature soared beyond humanly possible. Matt yanked me from the ground and carried all my weight as we walked though the woods. "Come on. It's not much further."

I nodded my head and tried my best to walk alongside Matt as he guided me to the cellar. The air was becoming thick, hard to breath, hard to move without shuddering in pain. Once we made it to the cellar, Matt rushed ahead and opened the large, wooden door that led to the inside room. A section was shut off from the rest of the room, fenced off with a large metal gate with huge metal chains which kept it secure.

I stepped off the last step and collapsed to my knees, "Matt!" I called into the room. He rushed over to the stairs and helped me back to my feet before he took me inside the cage. As he picked up the chain-cuffs from the ground, he looked at me, asking for the go-ahead to put them on me.

I breathlessly nodded as I sat on the ground.

"I-I can't do this, Matt." I groaned as another jolt of pain passed through my body.

"Yes, you can!" He said as he cupped my face. "You can do this, Jess. You're stronger than you think."

Matt helped me out of my coat before he wrapped a large chain around my waist. I was now bound by all four limbs. I just hoped that it would be enough to keep me in here.

I clenched my jaw before I released a blood-curdling scream. Matt jumped back as I dug my nails into the dirt on the ground as I felt my teeth begin to elongate. I braced myself on the ground.

Nothing could have prepared me for this. Nothing.

"Get out!" I yelled as I arched my back into an indescribable position. "Leave, Matt! Please!" I pleaded with him as I panted heavily.

"I don't want to leave you alone!" He yelled back over my screaming.

"I-I'll be alright..." I groaned and balled my fists. "J-Just leave me!"

"No, Jess!"

I pulled against the chains as I lunged for him. Matt quickly scampered back and ran outside of the gate before he frantically tried to lock it with the large chain. ""GO!" I couldn't control myself any longer as I began to pull at the chains, trying my hardest to break free.

He was my friend, one of the best, but all I saw was something to sink my teeth into. He had to leave. Now.

My body arched back once more before it snapped forwards and I collapsed onto the ground, panting heavily as claws began to elongate from my fingertips. Once I was sure that Matt had left, and he was safe; I rolled over onto my back and stripped free from the restricting clothes as the bone-breaking continued. The pain was indescribable. It was inhuman. Something that I'd never wish upon anyone. I wasn't sure if I would make it out of this alive.

I blacked-out after hours in the Lockwood cellar. The transition was excruciating. Every bone in my body snapped, moved and forged together as I transformed into a wolf. I could barely move a muscle as I lay on the ground staring up at the crack in the ceiling. The sky shifted from black to a deep blue as the hours ticked by. The gentle breeze which burst through the gaps in the wall was a welcomed relief. My temperature began to settle and my bones began to heal themselves back into their normal state.

I turned my head to the side as the sound of someone breathing caught my attention.

"W-Who's there?" I groaned as I propped myself up onto my elbows. It was in that moment that I realised that I had broken free from the chains. I was just thankful that I didn't manage to break out of the cellar and hurt someone.

My eyes widened as he approached the gate and snapped the padlock off. I reached over to my discarded dress which lay by my side and covered my body the best I could as he entered the room.

"What are you doing here?" I asked in a raspy tone.

"I came to make sure you were alright, love." Klaus smiled down at me as he closed the gap. "How are you feeling?"

I groaned and lulled my head back as he placed a blanket on top of my shuddering frame. "I feel like I've been in a boxing match, and lost."

He sniggered, "Well, you're still here."

"I-I can't remember anything after I..." My mouth dropped, "Oh my god, your mom."

Klaus dipped his head as he knew what I was referring to, "She's dead." he said coolly.

"I-I killed her." I gasped as he helped me to my feet. I clutched at the blanket as he tugged it tighter around my frame. "Y-You compelled me, didn't you."

"I told you to do whatever it took. Yes."

"Why?" I sighed, "Why would you do that to me if you knew this would have been the outcome?"

Klaus turned me to face him as he rested his hands on my shoulders, "Jessica, love." He cooed, "It had to be done. You were right, I couldn't leave the school. You could." As he spoke, he rubbed his thumbs gently over the skin on my shoulders, soothing the aching from within, "I didn't have any other choice. I didn't trust that the humans would come through with their plan, but I knew you would."

"There's always another choice, Klaus." I sighed and dipped my head as I backed away from him. I picked up my shoes from the ground and grabbed the ripped dress, too. I groaned as I looked at the garment, "Rebekah's going to kill me."

"I'm sure she'll understand, sweetheart."

I snapped my head in his direction, "Don't call me that." I snapped. " You manipulated me, Klaus." I made my way to the exit as he followed behind. "I don't want to go through that again." I murmured as we walked up the stairs.

"You don't have too." Klaus said in a hopeful tone.

Once we were back on level ground about the surface, I turned to face him. "What do you mean?"

"Well," He smiled, "You could always become a hybrid."

I shook my head instantly, "Never going to happen."

Klaus smirked in amusement as he led me to his car and helped me inside. "It's your choice, love. However, you'd never have to change again if you took up my offer."

He closed the door before I could answer and climbed in to the driver seat.

"I'd never take you up on your 'offer', Klaus." I sighed as my aching body began to tingle, "It's bad enough that you compelled me to take your mothers life, causing me to trigger the curse. I won't be sired to you either." Klaus remained silent as he started the car and drove out of the woods, "Besides, now you can't compel me again."

The smile fell quickly from my face as Klaus laughed, "I beg to differ."

I narrowed my eyes as he drove in the direction of the mansion, "But...Tyler said that once he triggered his werewolf gene, vampires couldn't compel him anymore."

"Well, love," He smiled gleefully, "I'm not your ordinary vampire."

I rolled my eyes, "Right...you're an 'Original'."

He didn't have to speak for me to know that he was reveling in that fact. In fact, he was oozing cockiness the rest of the drive back to the mansion. We remained in silence as he drove, which I was thankful for. Even just speaking was causing me pain in places I didn't know could cause pain.

Once we had arrived back at the mansion, Klaus helped me out of the car and up the stairs to my room. My body aches were ten times worse than anything I had felt before. I was just thankful it was over with.

Well, until the next full moon that is.

Klaus helped me into the room. There was already a warm bath running in the bathroom as one of the housekeepers appeared out of the room silently, before she left us alone.

"Do you need a hand?" Klaus asked as he eyed me from across the room.

"I think I can manage," I snapped towards him. "Sorry...I-I just want to be left alone."

His lips pressed into a fine line as he stood tall, "I understand."

As he walked towards the door, I called after him, "Klaus."

"Hmm?" He hummed as he stood by the door.

"I-I'm sorry about your mother." I whispered.

His head bobbed slowly, "It was my doing, not yours."

"I'm the one that staked her."

"Under my command."

"Rebekah won't see it like that." I informed him.

"Leave Rebekah to me." Klaus said confidently, "I'll make her aware that you had no choice in the matter."

I rolled my eyes, "Well, I didn't." As I looked at him from across the room, he shuffled from foot-to-foot. "Do you even feel the slightest bit of regret for what you've just forced me to go through?" Klaus looked in my direction, his chest slowed as he controlled his breathing, "You took the only thing I had left. My freewill."

He released a long sigh, "I don't say it often...but I apologise for manipulating you, sweetheart, but...I don't regret it."

My hand hovered on top of the door handle to the bathroom as I bit my lip. "It's done now, Klaus." I sighed, "It was bound to happen eventually, but you took that choice from me."

"I-"

I raised my hand in the air, cutting him off before he even began, "I don't know if I can forgive you for that," Klaus shuffled from foot-to-foot as he lingered by the door, un sure about what to say. "I just need some time to come to terms with it. With myself."

"Of course."

Klaus left the room quickly afterwards and I soaked my aching body in a bath for a while before changing into something comfy and climbing into the cloud-like bed. It didn't take me very long to fall asleep. My body needed the rest after what it just went through, but I couldn't shut off my ticking mind. All I could think about was the look on his mothers face as I drove a stake into her chest. How Klaus betrayed me and manipulated me into doing his bidding for him. How I was now a werewolf. That was the thing that I struggled to grasp the most. I had just come to terms with the fact that Richard Lockwood was my father, that I had been lied to my entire life, and Tyler was my brother, and that I also carried the gene. But after tonight, everything became clear.

I'd never be the same.