XIX : Losing control

Felix displayed a pout as he tried to sharpen his white oak stake. He was definitely not made to work in wood. And yet he found himself in such a situation. He didn't even understand why they chose him. Worse still, he already knew that he regretted it with all his might.

"It's too thin. I keep telling you that!" Stefan barked in exasperation as he jabbed his brother in the chest with a piece of the old Wickery Bridge sign.

Damon recovered the wood from his brother's hands before cracking."We have to do as much as possible if we want to put the odds on our side."

"I only need one shot." Stefan snarled back."We finally have the opportunity to kill the Originals I don't want to miss this because they are badly cut."

Felix shook his head in his corner at the hateful words before turning his eyes back to his stake. Honestly, he shouldn't even be here. Their plan was to kill the Originals and until now Mila was still linked to them. Plus, he knew that Mila would never agree to work on a new plan to kill the Originals. Unfortunately, that was what worried Felix.

He was probably one of the only ones with Stefan and Damon to really know Mila. She did not easily deliver to everyone. And yet she seemed to have developed a bond other than that which Milana already shared with the family of the Originals.

Hence the reason why Felix had accepted Damon's invitation to share, as he defined it, 'a time between men'. Obviously, he might have thought twice if he had known the activity of that time between men.

"Hey, why the frown wolfie?" Damon hailed suddenly seeming to remember his presence leaving Felix to raise his head simply to realize that the trio was gauging him in expectation.

"What?" Felix asked immediately on the defensive before rolling his eyes.

Damon and Stefan exchanged a suspicious look before Damon gave him a wary nod."Tell me, you're not going to betray us, right? Like telling your boss and everything."

"Klaus doesn't compel me to do anything except keeping an eye on Mila. Something that suits me rather well given the situation." Felix replied somewhat frustrated with the people who were constantly waiting for his betrayal."Speaking of Mila, is anyone thinking of finding a damn way to untie her? Because I remind you that she will die with them if the plan is carried out."

"Mhm, careful there you're almost as moralistic as Stefan on his squirrel diet." Damon immediately replied, letting Felix hold back a groan before turning to the other brother in impatience.

However it was Alaric who spoke as he pointed out with one of his stakes."Félix is right. We must find a way to save Mila."

"Oh relax! Everything is under control !" Damon assured, rolling his eyes."Our little local witch is currently looking for a spell as we speak. It's just a small formality. By tonight we plant a good old stake in Klaus's dead heart."

"What if she never finds a way to untie Mila?" Felix insisted, clearly anxious, immediately drawing Stefan's attention.

The latter advanced towards the hybrid with serious. "Bonnie will find a way. I give you my word. Nothing will happen to Mila."

"Yeah, sorry to be a little skeptical, but Mila always told me to be wary of your sham plans." Said Felix dubiously, leaving Damon to roll his eyes at the impression of hearing little Gilbert.

However, a sudden arrival called out to him more as he jumped to his feet before beckoning the whole group to remain silent. He walked to the front entrance door before he smiled brightly at Elena and said cheerily."Hello, gorgeous, what can I do for you?"

"Hi. How is Alaric?" Elena asked immediately, leaving Felix to look for the similarities between Mila and Elena.

Honestly, he wasn't at all comfortable with the fact that he worked with others behind her back. He knew it was for her own good but he was still not reassured. Plus, he feared her reaction. He knew for a fact that Mila did not take betrayal lightly.

"Not presentable. But he's fine."

Felix briefly listened to listen more to their conversation somewhat aggravated by the skepticism of the human doppelganger."So, there was no problem with him last night?"

"No. He slept like a baby. He woke up as an Alaric and there was no founder killed in the middle of the night."

"So why do I feel that you're preventing me from passing?"

Damon quickly blocked the entrance to the apartment. "Oh well maybe because you're a paranoid who wants to control everything."

"Seriously?" Elena scoffed, letting Felix roll his eyes clearly not an elder Gilbert fan.

Thinking quickly, Damon snatched the brown bag Elena was carrying and asked."What did you bring me?" Peering into the bag he sniffed."Yum. Chocolate muffins."

"They're not for you. They're for Alaric." Reprimanded Elena as she reached for the bag but Damon used it to swat her hand away.

"Okay, keep convincing yourself that you hate me." Damon said letting Felix give Stefan a knowing look before rolling his eyes at the vampire's demeanor."Too bad he's on psycho killer lockdown. His visitation has been restricted."

"Look, you give him that and tell him that Mila and me miss him a lot."

The mere mention of Mila was enough to bring back Felix's guilt as he looked down at the stake he held in his hands. He even forgot the conversation between the vampire and Elena until Damon flanked the door, turning to them. He heard Elena go down and leave the building like the other two vampires before resuming his activity as a wood cutter as Damon gave the signal.

Felix leaned against a tree, he again ignored Mila's umpteenth call before raising his head after hearing Caroline and Elena's approach. He quickly pocketed his phone in the pocket of his black cargo pants before crossing his arms over his chest. He could easily hear Elena trying to plead Alaric's cause with the blonde vampire before rolling his eyes to Caroline's praise for his best friend's sister.

It was so bad what he was doing.

He could feel the guilt overwhelmed him a little more each time he passed by the side of the Scooby-gang.

And as if that wasn't enough, Matt the human entered the mix letting Felix instantly give a look at the Salvatore duo. He was definitely not aware of this addition.

"What? What's that little look of judgment?" Damon asked immediately, doing this thing with his eyes as Mila could explain so well. Felix sighed, pushing himself from the tree he was leaning on before advancing alongside the vampire duo to join the trio.

"Felix?" Elena exclaimed immediately, frowning."What are you doing here ?"

"Yeah. Mila is with you?"

Again, Felix was overwhelmed with guilt as he thrust his hands into the pockets of his bomber before shrugging his shoulders."I was offered to help. And no, you can imagine that I would not be here if Mila knew what they were planning to do."

"And what do you plan to do?"

"Where's Bonnie?" Stefan asked immediately, seeming to at least share Felix's concern about Mila."I also sent her a text."

Caroline looked suspiciously at their trio before responding to Stefan."Unfortunately her mother is gone. Once again. It's better to forget about her."

"Yeah, right. It will not be possible!" Felix said immediately in panic before turning desperately to Stefan for his approval. "Right, Stefan?"

A heavy silence fell on each of them as Stefan avoided Felix's gaze, leaving the charcoal-eyed hybrid to quickly display his hybrid face as he suddenly rushed towards the youngest Salvatore. He grabbed the collar of Stefan's leather jacket, taking him by surprise, before pressing him against a tree under the girls' shocked gasps.

"You promised me ! Mila should no longer be linked to them!" Barked Felix in his face with pure rage as the veins and his yellow hybrid irises came out.

"Damon!"

"For the love of God, what's going on here?"

Damon rolled his eyes at the slightest counter-time before accelerating at vampire speed towards the hybrid in full whim before placing his hand on his shoulder with slight condescension. "Whoa, whoa, calm down, wolfie."

"Don't. Touch. Me !" Growled Felix in a warning before tugging Stefan sharply to press him against the tree again."Why don't you say nothing?"

"Stefan! Felix, stop!"

Felix immediately turned to Elena to prevent her from approaching. This left the perfect opportunity for Stefan as he immediately grabbed the hybrid's wrists before twisting his left arm behind his back. Felix let out a cry of pain as he knelt down before struggling again as healing resumed.

"Stefan, stop! He's Mila's friend!" Caroline immediately intervened as she pushed Stefan out of Félix before watching the youngster fall to the ground.

Felix immediately cradled his healing arm against his chest before emitting a new groan as he straightened up with a disdainful look at Caroline as she tried to help him up. He didn't need her help. None of them. He couldn't believe he'd gotten himself into something so stupid. It was obvious that they had no way to untie Mila. And it was probably the worst for him. Because it clearly meant that they didn't care if she lived or died.

"Felix, listen to us! "

Felix immediately turned on his heels, giving a stinging look at Stefan." To say what ? Do you have another way to untie Mila?"

"Damn it, are you going to tell us what's going on at the end?" Finally exploded Elena clearly frustrated at not getting all the attention as always.

Felix took a deep breath as his arm pulled back into place before glancing at Stefan in anticipation."Do you tell her or I'm doing it?"

"We found a little white oak." Damon finally said, shrugging his shoulders."We'll tell you later but we're going to have fun."

Elena gave an incredulous look between the trio before frowning as she turned to Stefan."Wait, white oak? So, you have a stake to kill Klaus?"

"No, we will all have a stake." Stefan announced, throwing the duffel bag filled with stakes on the earthy ground of the forest.

Felix ticked his jaw at the sight of their bewildered expressions before crossing his arms over his chest clearly on the verge of speeding up at vampire speed out of here to report to Mila.

A fact that Damon quickly seemed to perceive as he hastened to join his side by casually placing his hand on his shoulder."I wouldn't do anything reckless if I were you. Don't give me a chance to tear your heart out. I've been dying to do that for too long."

"Your threats have no effect on me!" Replied Felix venomously with confidence before squinting at the vampire coldly."So, withdraw your hand before I plant my fangs in your rotten flesh!"

"Okay, stop this right now!" Caroline intervened again as she took charge of repelling Damon from Felix before taking a look at the duo in frustration."I think we have a more urgent subject to deal with. Felix is right. Mila is even more in danger with these stakes."

"Klaus has always been one step ahead of us, but this time we have the advantage. We're all armed while their fate is linked. Conclusion : just kill one of them." Stefan explained before giving Felix a look at the sight of the tick in his jaw."I agree, Felix. We have to protect Mila. This is the first step in the plan."

"Oh really? And how do you plan to do without Bonnie?"

A new silence fell over their group leaving doubt to settle in each of them before Caroline anxiously spoke again."It's too risky. Mila should at least be here to discuss it with us. We're talking about her life."

"It will be useless. Elijah forces her to survive no matter what." Stefan revealed leaving the whole group speechless.

Damon left a falsely shocked hiss."Yes, the noble Elijah knew how to secure his back!"

"How do you know that?"

"She told me." Confessed Stefan before swallowing somewhat embarrassed. "When she was drunk."

Felix immediately left an indignant scoff. He was sincerely beginning to regret his presence here."Of course! She tells you a secret and you hasten to betray her. I shouldn't be surprised that you have no problem considering her death."

"Hey, hey, hey, gently on the charges!" Damon said, giving a scathing look at the hybrid. "No one is going to let Mila die."

Elena suddenly shook her head, visibly overwhelmed before reaching for the stakes."Mila would never pass up an opportunity like this."

"The fuck?" Exploded Felix about to run for the stupid human just to get caught by Caroline.

"Have you lost your mind?" Caroline replied, making sure to keep the hybrid at bay."We are talking about your sister."

"I didn't say she had to die!" Elena defended.

"No, you just hinted that your little sister would agree to dying!" Barked Felix clearly on the verge of losing the little control he had.

Finally Matt decided to make his entrance, letting all of the supernatural creatures turn to him with mixed expressions of annoyance."Okay, I said nothing!"

"Felix, I give you my word that nothing will happen to Mila." Caroline assured finally, supporting his smoky look with a barely confident little smile." You can believe me. She's my friend too. I worry about her. We're all here to protect her."

Felix rolled his eyes, shaking his head before pushing Caroline's hand away from him as he turned to Stefan."Fine, suppose you manage to untie Mila, how do you plan to kill them?"

Stefan nodded in recognition before standing up straight."We will have to seize the best opportunity. This means that we must seize all opportunities."

"Scenario # 1." Damon announced visibly taking pleasure in reproducing the worst possible cases as he walked towards the doppelganger before pulling her by the shoulders to place her."You, Elena, I need you to stand here. Don't move. You're Klaus."

Obviously it was very logical ! Klaus was definitely going to stay still while they attempted to kill his beloved little sister. Clearly, they did not know what they were getting into. Now Felix understood why their plans were so bad. They always underestimated their enemies.

"Rebekah is going to be our target. We're going to distract her and attack her by surprise." Stefan explained in turn leaving Felix somewhat skeptical before he turned to Elena."For that we will isolate her from Klaus whom we will keep very busy."

"Uh ... I just have a question." Matt intervened before setting his sights on Felix, suspicious."Is it really safe to talk about this in front of him? Isn't he like Tyler, enslaved to Klaus?"

"Seriously?"

"No, Matt raises an important point." Sustained Elena further stirring up Felix's hatred for her.

The hybrid narrowed his eyes at the brunette clearly nothing like the girl he had come to care about before clenching his jaw as Stefan defended him."Felix is important to Mila. And Mila is important to Klaus. He has been kind to him from the start."

"Yep, Mila would have been an ideal diversion if she weren't closely tied to this story." Damon added sarcastically visibly annoyed by the situation Mila found herself in.

"Hence the reason it will be you, Caroline."

The blonde widened her eyes in a petulant pout."Why is it always up to me to play the bait?"

"Because Mila is not there to do it." Damon replied immediately before going to the blonde to place her in turn."But for now, all we ask you is to play the role of Rebekah. And it's the quarterback who will distract her by making her speak."

"And how ?" Matt immediately asked, ignorant.

Félix rolled his eyes before devoting himself to giving him leads."Take an interest in her. She likes enterprising men."

"Exactly! She's a lonely, desperate girl." Added Damon, mocking.

"That's for sure she slept with you." Caroline replied, still extracting a faint grin from Felix.

The hybrid could see the scowl on Damon's face as he moved behind Caroline."Mr. Muscles holds the atomic bomb by holding her from behind and putting her arms like that." He suddenly had both her wrist in a tight grip behind her back.

Stefan immediately went into action as he walked over to Caroline, mimicking planting his stake in the blonde's chest."Which gives me time to hit her. It's understood ?"

"No! No, it's not understood!" Intervened Felix in the total objection. "Are you seriously going to let everything rest on a frail little human? Rebekah is not to be taken lightly. It will only take one bite. Not only is your plan barely a plan, but you risk killing Mila in the process."

"We will each have a stake, Felix." Stefan reminded, waving his hands."We will only strike if an opportunity arises."

"And out of the question to have mercy on them none deserves it." Damon warns, intentionally turning to Elena.

The latter straightened, nodding her head."No worries on that side. With what they did to Bonnie's mother, no mercy."

"Blondie?"

"I'm ready!" Caroline immediately assured. "I will do anything to free Tyler from his bondage to Klaus."

"The waiter ?"

"Do I have a choice?" Matt replied, showing a silly smile letting Felix clench his jaw again in frustration.

"Well answered."

Damon then turned to Felix with an arched eyebrow as a challenge."Bad wolfie?"

The latter raised his chin as the whole group turned to him, letting him take a deep, visibly aggravated breath before shrugging his shoulders in defeat.

"Well. We have twelve stakes."Stefan said."It gives us twelve chances to succeed. We can do it. We're just going to repeat another scenario. Elena, you will do Rebekah."

I was seriously starting to worry. I haven't heard from Felix in almost two days now. He didn't even answer my calls anymore. No matter how I left him texts, he seemed to ignore me.

Which resulted in my obsession that something serious was going on. I knew Felix enough to know that he was easily influenced when Klaus was involved. He could easily walk into a stupid Scooby-gang plan if it meant killing Klaus.

Just the thought was enough to spark Milana inside me. I had never felt her so close to me that in that moment. It was almost like all those times when she ended up taking my place.

I anxiously chewed my fingernail at this new revelation before continuing my stimulation along my room. If I continued like this, I would end up setting the floor on fire.

Suddenly the sound of an engine stopping in our driveway called out to me. I rushed to the windowsill just to feel my heart drop in my chest. There was Felix and Elena. The duo hardly seemed to be aware of the other, but they were still in the same car.

It was probably the last thing I could have imagined.

It made no sense. Felix probably hated Elena more than Katherine. And that was an understatement when you knew how much Katherine could be a bitch.

I swallowed as I watched my sister and Felix get out of his pickup before frowning more at the sight of my sister giving her faithful charming smile. She really liked playing with all the boys of this damn town.

A sudden burst of jealousy coupled with Milana's distrust exploded in my chest leaving me rushing to my door when the front door opened. I walked up the stairs just to feel a lump forming in my throat at the start of their conversation."Thank you for bringing me back, Felix. You didn't have to do it."

"I didn't do this for you." Felix replied impassively, easing my jealousy and concern somewhat."I wanted to see Mila anyway."

I leaned on the railing hoping to catch a glimpse of the duo just to catch a glimpse of my sister giving a secret look on the stairs before she whispered to Felix."Are you going to tell her about the stakes?"

I frowned at once feeling suddenly overwhelmed with a whole new worry before swallowing nervously as I could feel Milana fluttering inside of me. Worse still I could suddenly feel the sparks of magic running down my fingers letting me disconnect from the conversation to look at my fingertips with slight confusion.

However, it was not long before I jumped back when I saw the electricity traveling between my thumb and forefinger.

"Mila? "

I widened my eyes as I realized that Felix had probably heard me before rushing stupidly into my room. Soon enough, I heard Felix's footsteps on the stairs just before he burst into my room.

I instinctively hid my arms behind my back in a sense of self-awareness. I didn't know why but the fact that Felix was working with Elena behind my back didn't inspire trust.

The latter took in my expression before leaving a sigh letting me predict the worst."You heard everything."

"What did she mean by the stakes?" I asked, gathering the little courage I had left.

The mere thought that Felix had betrayed me for working with the group was enough to literally break my heart. So far, he had always been the only one I could really count on. I hadn't even noticed that Stefan always let me go after Elena because I knew I would always have Felix by my side. But if he had really decided to go behind my back then I didn't know how I was going to react.

Felix gauged me visibly in trouble at the sight of my unreadable expression before letting another sigh as he hastened to go and sit on my bed. All the while I was just watching him in silence.

"Stefan and Damon asked me to help them cut white oak wooden stakes."Felix suddenly revealed letting me freeze in the realization."They have twelve to be exact."

White oak stakes. The only weapon that can kill an Original. They were going to kill Klaus. And all his family at the same time.

I could feel my heart speeding up in panic and anguish as I remained completely frozen. They were actually going to try to kill Klaus. Klaus, who had done absolutely nothing lately. He wasn't even an active threat. He hadn't done anything to get Elena's blood. He hadn't even tried to create a new Hybrid army. He hadn't hurt anyone. They were just going to kill them in cold blood, without any remorse. And they were going to kill me at the same time.

"How much?" I end up asking in a monotonous voice.

"What?"

"How much time do I have left?" I asked more sharply.

Suddenly, the bathroom door was opened letting me redirect my glare on Elena."Mila ... we're not going to let you die. Bonnie will find a solution."

"Bonnie?" I exclaimed in Milana's indignation and anger mixed."Is that your quick fix? I was linked by Esther! The Original Witch! What are the chances that I would survive in your opinion ?!"

"You are not going to die, Mila!"

The more I heard the word die, the more I started to feel this overload of energy invading me. I could literally feel Milana about to take control. And to be honest, I was no longer sure I wanted to pose any obstacle. Before all this I thought I would have to fight to live with the people I loved but it would seem that this love was only one way from the beginning.

I had never been someone's priority. I've always been there to serve Elena's interests.

I suddenly turned my back on the duo before taking a breath as I could feel Milana about to take control. Knowing the ancestor and her current state of mind I doubted that Elena and Felix would emerge unscathed if she appeared now.

"Mila ..."

"Go away !" I warn without ever turning around.

I could suddenly feel my breathing becoming more and more labored while a light trickle of sweat covered my forehead. I could feel my mind slowly weakening as Milana gained strength. She fed on my weaknesses.

I could literally feel my heart stop as I finally understood all of Milana's motivations. It was not a passive colocation but rather a strategy. She had waited for the right moment to strike and Felix had just given her the right moment. I no longer had the ability to fight her. He had finished me. And unfortunately for him, he was going to pay the price.

I could feel a groan leaving my lips as I suddenly brought my hands to my head in the hope of stopping Milana's progress. I grabbed my hair with all my might as I could feel Milana pulling on my conscience leaving me to suffer in silence.

"Mila, are you okay? Mila? "

"I said… GET OUT!" I shouted in a last burst of combativeness before feeling Milana relegate me to the background.

I literally had no control over my body as I suddenly found myself stuck in the back of my mind while Milana used my body to slowly straighten up. She tested her new body with sudden unhealthy joy before suddenly reaching for Felix's call."Mila? You're scaring me."

I could easily see Felix and Elena's worried expressions changing quickly as Milana turned slowly on my heels before showing a fierce smile so contrary to mine.

"Milana." Elena huffed in horror.

Felix immediately frowned before giving a puzzled look between my sister and Milana."Wha-wha-Milana?"

"Well done, Felix!"Darkly congratulated Milana."Goodbye, Felix."

I was trying to stop Milana as I could sense her intention only I was again forced to witness the horrible act of my ancestor as she suddenly threw Felix against my ceiling. Elena immediately started screaming clearly in terror as Felix let out a groan of pain before gasping as Milana threw him against another of my walls before turning her head towards the window.

I didn't even have time to hold my breath as she suddenly threw him through my window leaving a shower of shards of glass on my floor. Elena cried out as she gripped her hair in horror before freezing as she felt Milana's gaze on her.

"Mila-Milana ..." Trembled Elena as she hastened to back away in panic.

"You tried to kill me!" She said coldly as she narrowed her eyes at my sister before suddenly lifting my arm tightly clutching her fingers.

Almost immediately Elena grabbed her throat, struggling as if she was choking, letting me knock against the walls of my mind in rage and pure anger.

"You were a bad girl, Elena."

Unfortunately I was unable to do anything except watch Milana hit Elena's head against my dresser, knocking her out.

I remained totally prostrate as I watched Elena glide across the floor through my eyes before feeling hatred invade me as Milana spoke directly to me."Sorry Mila but it's my turn to do the right thing. You're not the only one who chooses who lives or dies!"

I was trying to get my rage out as she knew how to do it only it only sparked a simple laugh of disdain from my ancestor. Trusting her with my weaknesses was probably my first mistake. She wasn't really on my side. She had waited wisely to regain control.

"I have been nice so far but keep fighting and I will kill each of them."

Realizing that I had no other choice. I gave her complete control.