Hello, my lovely readers. This story is winding down—with six chapters to go—after this one. On with the show…
Chapter 44: I am Not Crazy!
Breathing hard, Caroline stared at the heavy door of her "room." She forced herself to her feet. Not that long ago she had managed to attack George. Some part of her was still in control. She could still use her powers, even while trapped in a mental war with Silas, or Henri, or whoever in the hell he was.
Caroline's eyes narrowed and she concentrated on the door. Lifting her foot, she rammed it into the door. It felt like ramming her foot into titanium. "Ow," she groaned, falling onto the floor and grabbing her toes.
"Not such a good idea," Silas said, grinning and shaking his head at her. Crouching down, he brushed her hair behind her ear. "Why don't you just stop fighting me? You'll never win."
Silas's grin spurred Caroline's desire to get away from him. Pushing herself to her feet, she inhaled and exhaled, slowly. "One. Two. Three," she muttered under her breath.
Moving forward, she slammed the entire right side of her body into the door. The pain sent spikes of agony coursing through her entire body. She dropped to the floor, in a heap, crying. "Oh, my God."
"And she cannot learn to give up already," Silas cried, sitting down beside her and stroking her sore arm until she jerked it away, her eyes burning with resentment. "Ready to give up?"
"Hell no," Caroline growled back. Forcing herself to her feet, she sucked in more air, focusing all of her attention on the task. Closing her eyes, she thought of Rebekah, Hayley, and Klaus. They needed her to free herself. Who knew what the real Silas was doing to them in that exact moment. "I'm coming," she promised them. Gritting her teeth, she ran at the door, throwing her left side into the door.
Caroline felt herself falling. Air blew past her in a gentle whoosh. Her body flew, legs flying in the air, head hitting the door, jarring her, making her see stars for a second's time and then she registered something new.
The hallway. She made it. Springing to her feet, Caroline stood up, and looked around. No orderlies to restrain her. No one to say "Boo" about her breaking the door down with inhuman strength.
And her vision. It took a full thirty seconds for Caroline to comprehend her vision returning. Her fingers moved to her eyes, waving in front of them, and she let out a surprised laugh. "Finally," she said.
"Don't celebrate too soon," Silas said, coming to stand behind her. "You're not out of here yet."
"Yeah. But I'm getting there," Caroline retorted, not bothering to look back at him.
"Caroline?" Klaus' voice startled her and Caroline turned to find Klaus behind her, not Silas.
"Klaus?" Caroline felt the urge to hug him, to kiss him, to beg him to help her, but this was not her Klaus. This was other Klaus, Silas's little invention to torture her with.
"You're out of your room." Klaus did not look particularly surprised. "Shall we?" He raised a hand, directing her toward the other end of the hallway.
Caroline's eyes moved in the direction Klaus wanted her to go in. Should she go there? Should she resist him? Deciding to see where this would go, Caroline nodded, lowering her head and allowing Klaus to walk around her, moving toward the end of the hallway.
They took a sharp right, walking past a nurses' station. The nurse talked into the phone, nodding at Klaus, her gaze flicking to Caroline and then back to the clipboard in her other hand.
Gulping, Caroline kept walking. Klaus stopped in front of her, twisting the knob of a door and stepping aside. His eyes fell on her. "After you," he said, a smile that was meant to reassure her on his face. He was her therapist, she could trust him, his smile said.
Caroline did not trust anything in this dream space. However, she did not see the point in fighting him, yet. She moved into the room. An office. Desk. Chairs. Filing cabinet. No torture devices or weapons in sight.
Klaus stepped into the office and closed the door behind him. "So, Caroline, tell me: how are you feeling now?"
"Like everyone thinks I crazy, and I am not," Caroline retorted, crossing her arms over her chest. Her eyes followed Klaus as he moved behind his desk and took a seat.
"Alright," Klaus replied, "Come. Have a seat."
Shaking her head, Caroline stood by the door. "I'd prefer to stand, thanks."
"Right. Well then," Klaus said, steepling his fingers under his chin. "Do you know why my brother brought you here?"
"Nope." Caroline shook her head. No point in arguing with Klaus and telling him none of this was real because he would argue to the contrary.
"Do you remember attacking my sister, Rebekah,'s boyfriend, and making an accusation against him?" Klaus' face showed his concern. His eyes wide, his lips pursed, head cocked to the side.
"Yes. I remember that," Caroline decided to keep her answers short. This was probably a colossal waste of time.
Silence from Klaus. He picked up her file. "And this is far from your first unexpected outburst. Do you recall the first one?"
Now Caroline stilled, thinking, wondering what it was that Klaus wanted to hear. She could not think of anything. "No." She shook her head.
Sighing, Klaus pulled out a piece of paper. "Two years ago, you attacked your boyfriend with a knife. That is when you first began to see me."
"What?" Caroline walked over to the desk and took the piece of paper that Klaus offered her.
Black words on white paper told the tale of a girl, age sixteen, who had an argument with her then boyfriend, Silas Salvatore. Before, she had withdrawn a knife, presumably from the Salvatore's family's kitchen, and thrust it into Silas' chest and arm, repeatedly. She had been arrested and sentenced to six months in a mental health treatment facility.
"That was the first time, Caroline," Klaus said, quietly. Removing another piece of paper, he slid it across the desk. "While seeking treatment, you referred to yourself as what you termed a 'hybrid,' a vampire-werewolf, who had extraordinary abilities, including a keen sense of sight, taste, hearing, and scent. In your first week, you seduced an orderly into your room and then attempted to sink your teeth into his carotid artery."
"I would never do that," Caroline snapped.
"On your second week, you attempted to murder one of my colleagues with a broom handle, saying that he wanted to hurt your friend, Damon. You claimed, the man was a vampire." Klaus set another piece of paper on the desk.
"Damon or the other guy?" Caroline inquired, sitting down opposite Klaus and examining the papers that he kept offering her.
"Both. If I recall," Klaus retorted. He placed another piece of paper in front of her. "And that is when I took on your case. I found you to be remarkable. Smart, resourceful and a delight to chat with."
"I'm glad to know you think so highly of me," Caroline allowed the sarcasm to drip from her tongue. Her eyes flicking up to Klaus.' For a split second, a smirk turned his lips upward.
"I do, Caroline. That is why it troubles me when you do not take the proper dose of your medications and we must go through this over and over again." Klaus shook his head, collecting the papers and placing them back inside the file. "You are capable of being so much more; if only you would allow the delusions you experience to become your reality."
"They are my reality," Caroline snapped at him.
"Are they?" Klaus replied, sighing. "Tell me, Caroline: Who am I to you—in your reality?"
"You're my boyfriend," Caroline told him. "We're having a baby."
"Caroline, this is transference and it is common for patients to believe themselves to be in love with their therapists." Klaus leaned forward, on his elbows, searching Caroline's eyes. "But you must see the truth of your life, not the fantasy you have concocted because you cannot stand the reality."
"I am not crazy," Caroline said, slowly, watching Klaus' eyes dull.
Falling back in his chair, Klaus shook his head. "This is not about being 'crazy,' Caroline, this is about your having repeated mental health episodes."
"Episodes?" Caroline let out a laugh. "Come, Silas, show yourself. I'm really sick of this Klaus already."
"Caroline," Klaus said.
"Come on, Silas," Caroline shouted, getting to her feet, and whirling on her heel, waiting for the man to show himself.
"Caroline," Klaus' sharp tone made Caroline turn to him. He stood, hunched over his desk. "Silas is dead, Caroline."
Shaking her head, Caroline laughed. "I wish."
"Caroline, you were in a car crash, last year. You were in the middle of an argument and Silas lost control of the car. He swerved into a tree, and was killed, instantly." Klaus moved around the desk, placing his hands on Caroline's shoulders. "I believe that your inability to accept his loss is what has been triggering these episodes. Now, if you allow me to, I will continue to work with you through talk therapy and a mixture of medications."
"No." Caroline shook her head, stepping back from Klaus. She pushed his hands from her shoulders. Turning away from fake Klaus, Caroline glared at Silas who leaned against the closed door, a smirk on his face. "You!" she growled, moving toward him and balling her fist.
"Caroline!" Klaus' arms curved around her, pinning her arms to her sides. "What are you doing?"
Blinking, Caroline inhaled, her breath coming in hitches. "What?" she mumbled; she did not understand what she was seeing.
"Caroline," Damon said. His hands held up in front of him. "Hey," his quiet tone making her shake her head. He was talking to her like she was a little kid he wanted to calm.
"Damon?" Caroline said, confused. How did he get in here? Where was Silas?
Damon moved closer to her. His eyes drifted over her shoulder and Caroline knew he was looking at Klaus for permission. "Caroline, are you feeling okay now?" Klaus whispered in her ear. "I will not let you go until you reassure me you are."
"I'm fine, Klaus," Caroline retorted, pulling away from him.
Moving to close the gap between them, Damon wrapped his arms around Caroline and she closed her eyes. Just like Klaus, this was not her Damon, her friend, her protector, for lifetimes. Still, the hug felt real and warm.
"Is it okay if I come in?" Damon asked her, pulling back to look Caroline in the eyes.
"Yeah," Caroline replied, taking a step back and tucking her hair behind her ear. "Where's Hayley?" She figured that if they were together; Hayley would be near.
"Hales is with Bekah," Damon said, moving to sit down in a chair in front of Klaus' desk. "What happened with George?"
"Perhaps that is not the best topic of conversation," Klaus said, glancing at Caroline whose fists had balled at her sides.
Caroline looked from Klaus to Damon. "I think that I should be picking the best topic of conversation here. Since we're in my head."
"Caroline," Klaus began when she held up a hand.
"I am done with your suggestions," Caroline snapped at him. "I need to find Rebekah and Hayley." Moving toward the door, Klaus placed a hand on Caroline's shoulder.
"I'm sorry, love. I cannot allow you to leave, until you have heard Damon's side of things." Klaus turned her around to face Damon. "It took quite a bit for him to come in to see you today—after losing his brother—he has had his own problems to overcome."
Caroline glanced over her shoulder at Klaus and then at Damon. Damon twisted the ring on his finger, his daylight ring. "You're still a vampire," Caroline cried out, feeling excited.
"What?" Damon looked at Klaus.
"You are, too," Caroline walked over to him, and grabbed his hand. "This is a daylight ring. You burn in the sun."
"Caroline, you're confused," Damon replied.
"No. I am not. Take it off and let me pull back the curtains," Caroline walked around Klaus' desk and placed her hands on the curtains, looking back at Damon.
"Caroline, vampires do not truly exist," Klaus said, watching her closely.
"Yes. They do. And Damon is one of them. And me. And you," Caroline let out a laugh. "See, Silas, you think you have total control over me and my mind. But you don't."
"Damon," Klaus said, and nodded.
Damon sighed, pulling off his ring. Caroline stared at Damon, feeling her heart plummet. Jerking the curtain back—she watched Damon who sat—staring back at her. "See, he is not a vampire, Caroline," Klaus said quietly.
"Then how did I beat up George. I was using my werewolf aggression," Caroline argued.
"And I'm sure that is what you thought you felt," Klaus assured her.
Caroline shook her head. "Just stop this!" she shouted as Klaus came toward her.
Damon got to his feet. "Maybe I'm triggering her. Reminding her of Silas. I should go."
"No, Damon, you need to stay. You and I have to prove to Caroline that she has been living a life full of false memories." Klaus placed his hands on Caroline's shoulders. "Caroline, you need to remember what really happened."
"No, Klaus, you need to remember!" Caroline yelled at him, feeling her body begin to tremble with rage. "You need to remember that I am an alpha. I am the leader of my pack. And you will listen to ME!" Rage overwhelmed her and Caroline let out a whimper as the bones in her left arm began to break. "Uhhhh."
"What in the hell?" Damon cried out, watching Caroline. Even Klaus took a step back.
"Caroline?" Klaus' look of shock made Caroline want to laugh.
"Ow," Damon cried out, his sleeve caught fire and he started batting at it. Blowing on the flames. "Shit. Close the curtain. Close the damn curtain."
Klaus' body rotated to take in Damon who was going up in flames. The so-called therapist stumbled away from Damon. Caroline forced her body to move to the curtains. She fell to her knees, hands balling into the curtains fabric and pushing them closed.
"Caroline?" Klaus called from the other side of the desk. She looked up to see him peering at her. "What are you?"
"A werewolf," Caroline replied in a voice that was barely human. "And a vampire." Leaping to her feet, she felt the change stop. Speeding around the desk, she grabbed Klaus by the upper arms. He looked startled, maybe even afraid. "I'm your lover, your friend, your mate, the mother of your children."
Klaus shook his head. "Caroline, that is all in your head."
"Like Damon is not a vampire," Caroline nodded at Damon who put out the flames of his clothing. "You're a hybrid, Klaus. You were born a werewolf and I made you into a vampire, because you asked me to. You love me. And I love you. You hear that Silas: I love Klaus. I love him and these babies. He is the only father they will ever know." Placing her hand on her middle, she felt the comforting curve of her children under her hand. "Hi there," she said, giving them a pat.
"How?" Klaus murmured, placing his hand on her baby bump. "How is any of this possible?"
"Because you're not really here," Caroline told him, pressing a hand to his cheek. "You're here because I need you. Silas tried to use you, to get to me but he is not going to win here. I am." Taking Klaus' hand, Caroline pressed a kiss to his cheek. "Now, let's go find Rebekah and Hayley and go home?"
Klaus nodded, still looking confused about being a figment of Caroline's imagination aiding her in her mission to escape her own subconscious prison, but, for now, he would go with it. "Where are we going?" Klaus asked her.
"To the hospital, where Silas sent them," Caroline replied.
They left the mental health facility; not one of the people there tried to stop them. Caroline felt better. She was gaining control. She could even feel Silas's presence dissipating.
Klaus drove them to the hospital. Getting out, Caroline waited for him. Together they entered the hospital. She knew which floor to go to. Even in her own head, she was drawn to Hayley and Rebekah. Stepping off the elevator, she took a right and then entered the quiet lobby.
Rebekah sat, head in her hands. Hayley right beside her. Elijah stood two feet from Hayley, his eyes resting on the wolf. Moving forward, Caroline dropped to her knees in front of Rebekah. "Bekah, look at me," she demanded.
Rebekah lifted bloodshot eyes to Caroline. She sneered back. "You tried to kill George!" she snarled.
"Yeah. And if I had you wouldn't have. You wouldn't have triggered your curse. And you wouldn't be a threat to Silas which is what he wants." Caroline placed a hand on Rebekah's hand, holding it tightly.
Rebekah's lips pursed. "Nik, she's going on about Silas, again," she complained, tears beginning to run down her cheeks as she tried to pull her hand from Caroline's.
"Let go of her," Hayley snapped at Caroline.
"No," Caroline snapped back. Reaching out, she grabbed Hayley's hand, too. "We're stronger together. We can stop him. Together." Looking from Rebekah to Hayley; Caroline watched them exchange a look.
"You three couldn't save yourselves before—what makes you think you can defeat me now?" Silas asked in a bored tone, leaning against a wall.
"What in the bloody hell?" Rebekah cried out, standing up, moving to Caroline's left.
Hayley got up, moving to Caroline's right. "You're dead."
"Not so much," Silas replied. "And you two, are not real. So, go away," he waved a hand and her friends disappeared. The whole hospital disappeared and Caroline took in the darkness surrounding them.
"Where are we?" Caroline demanded.
"Nowhere," Silas said. "Just thought I would make it clear who is really in control."
"Me," Caroline replied.
"Wrong," Silas waved a finger at her.
"I will get out of here. And I will kill you," Caroline told him.
"You will get out, and you will live the rest of your life, by my side," Silas yelled, moving closer to her, grabbing her by the shoulders and shaking her. "You're mine!"
"No. I am not!" Caroline screamed so loudly that she felt the world shake around her. "I am not yours! I will never be yours! I do not belong to anyone!"
Silas disappeared and Caroline felt her body falling.
Caroline felt like she might be falling for eternity when she woke up. Her eyes snapped open to take in the darkness surrounding her. At first she thought she was still trapped inside her subconscious.
Rolling onto her side, Caroline sniffed the air. She smelled dirt. Lots of dark, dank dirt. Looking upward, she realized that she was inside some kind of cave. Rock walls rose around her, dirt floor beneath. Old. This place. She could feel the essence of the years.
Forcing herself to her feet, Caroline walked forward, carefully. She slammed into an invisible wall. Of course. Why should she have known? Magic, again. "Nice. Invisible walls to keep me trapped. Don't you have any new tricks, Silas?"
"Caroline?" Hayley's voice cried out.
"Hayley?" Caroline called back.
"Yeah," Hayley shouted.
"Are you okay?" Caroline called.
"Sure," Rebekah's sarcasm flooded Caroline with momentary relief.
"Rebekah?" Caroline called back.
"No, it's Kol," Rebekah let out a sarcastic laugh.
"Did he take anyone else?" Caroline shouted to them.
"No," Hayley whimpered.
"Hayley, are you alright, love?" Rebekah's concern left a pit in Caroline's stomach.
A groan came from Hayley's direction. "Hayley?" Caroline shouted.
"Uh. Um. Ow," Hayley cried out.
"Hayley, talk to us!" Rebekah shouted.
"My water broke and I'm having these…owwwwwww….Oh, my God…owwwwwww!" Hayley wailed. "The baby is trying to come… Nooooo! It's too soon. Please, help me… Nooooo. Ahhhhhhhhhh!"
Hayley's screams filled the cave and Caroline banged on the invisible wall. "Silas, let me out of here!"
Silas appeared in the cave, standing just outside of the barrier. "Sorry, Caroline, Hayley will have to help herself. Or she'll have to make a new child because none of you are leaving until my curse is lifted."
"She's going to die, again, you monster," Rebekah shouted.
"You think I'm a monster?" Silas replied. "You haven't seen anything yet. But you will."
Caroline watched Silas walk away and she banged on the invisible wall while Hayley continued to scream in pain and fear.
Thank you for reading faving, following and reviewing.
Peace,
Jessica