I promise, I'm writing as fast as I can guys!
This chapter gets a tad darker, but I don't want to spoil anything, so...yeah.
Anyway, hope you enjoy, and thank you to all the people who wished me Happy Birthday! :) Meant a lot!
April had never screamed so much in her life.
She, Chris, Lauren, Kol, and Briana had just finished walking out of Fright Night Manor, and it was the worst yet.
So many things that randomly popped out, ghoulish creatures from the worst of your nightmares lingering behind you, and the awful lighting that hid the monsters before they came out to scare everyone.
The hair on her arms were still standing up, but the smile was glued on her face.
"So much for not being scared," Chris smirked, throwing an arm around her shoulder.
"I never said I wasn't scared," April retorted, "I said that the clowns in the front weren't scary."
He let it drop, as they stepped down, "Where do you want to go now?"
She looked around, "We haven't gone to the Mansion of Illusions yet."
"We've already been there," Lauren interjected, "I want to go check out the House of Horror's."
Briana nodded, "Yeah, me too. See you guys later?"
April nodded, "Kol, you coming or going?"
He shrugged, "I'll go with you guys, have ya'll checked out the Devil's Field yet?"
"Yeah," Chris nodded, "But not the other trail...Wolves Run?"
"I haven't been there either," he noted, "We can go there next."
"Sound's good," April agreed, and they made their way over to the attraction.
The line was kind of long, but eventually they got to the front, and were ushered in with a group of others.
The opening room was dark, but had glowing lights that lit the path they were supposed to follow.
It opened to a spinning walkway that flashed different colors, and they were forced into the middle of the group to cross, with everyone trying to keep their balance.
The room they stepped into was completely black, and April's arms immediately stuck out to feel around.
"Chris?"
"Here," he announced, from somewhere ahead of her.
She stumbled forward, other voices from the group calling out for their companions.
Then things started to move, and April felt like she was being turned around.
She kept her hands in front of her, not liking the total surrounds of the dark.
She swore she could feel something breathing down her neck, but refused to look behind her, just in case it was another scream inducing mask.
She felt her way around, until a door opened, and white light flooded in.
She saw that she was surrounded by some other people, and the small crowd moved to get out of the dark.
This room was definitely better, though slightly disorienting.
Neon colors moved on the walls, under rays of black lights, but at least she could see around her.
She spotted Kol.
"Hey!" she rushed over, grabbing his arm, "Where's Chris?"
He shrugged, "No idea. I think they split the group back there..."
"Great," she huffed.
He smirked, "It's not that bad...come on, just keep moving, and we'll make it out eventually."
She looked around one more time, but didn't see Chris among the clearly fewer amount of people with them.
"Okay," she agreed, not coming up with anything else.
Her grip tightened on Kol's arm, just to be sure she didn't get separated from him too.
The house turned and tricked through a few more rooms, until finally it opened into a space filled with mirrors.
"It's a maze," Kol noted.
She sighed, "So how do we get out?"
Others had already started walking, and Kol stepped in that direction, but it seemed like everywhere they turned, they were running into themselves.
Kol stuck his hand out, feeling, instead of looking, and finally, April caught a glimpse of the night outside.
"This way," she pulled him eagerly, and they finally came to the end, stepping outside.
Kol shook his head, "Well that was boring."
Her brow rose, "Boring?"
"Yeah," he insisted, "Not scary at all."
His breath was warm with how close he was standing, so she took a step back, "How much did you drink before coming tonight?"
"Not sure," he admitted, "Lost count after a while, but I got us out, didn't I?"
She allowed him that, "Sure...now where's Chris?"
Kol shot her a look, then glanced around, "Maybe he's already out? Probably already headed down to the Wolf's Run...that's where we're supposed to go next, right?"
April shook her head, "Yeah, but I don't think he'd just leave like that..."
"He might if he was trying to scare you," Kol pointed out, 'Besides, if he hasn't made it out yet, he can meet us down there...save us time on waiting in line."
She glanced hesitantly at the entrance door, but Chris didn't seem to be appearing.
"Yeah, I guess so."
Kol nodded, "Good, so we'll go see if he's down there, or wait for him to catch up."
"Okay," she allowed, "That sounds alright."
He offered her his arm, and still looking over her shoulder for Chris, she took it and let Kol lead her down the hill.
Elena was having more fun than she was willing to admit.
She and Damon had walked around for a while after everything had started up, with him complementing her every couple minutes on her costume.
She teased him about his normal dark attire, and he'd shrugged it off.
Other than a few curious glances from an occasional passerby, thinking they recognized Damon, it was almost like a normal date.
Damon had talked her into participating in a lot of the games set up, and now they were eating grilled burgers on a picnic table, under an opened tent, with Caroline, Stefan, and their children.
"I finally feel like I can take a breather," Caroline was saying, swishing her tightly curled blond hair over her shoulder.
"That's what you get for freaking out over nothing," Stefan smiled at her adoringly.
She rolled her eyes, but leaned in to give him a quick kiss.
"You should know by now that I'll be worrying until the night is over with," she reminded him, after pulling back.
He nodded, "Yeah, but that doesn't mean you should...everything's going great, and the kids are having a blast. Right, Nik?"
The blond boy nodded vigorously, and Caroline chuckled, just as her mother, the sherrif, walked over.
"Hey, Liz," Elena addressed, smiling.
"How's everything going?" she asked, running a hand over her granddaughter's hair.
"Great," Stefan noted, "Food's fantastic."
"Courtesy of the Mystic Grill," Liz smiled, "Now, Caroline, I think Carol was wanting to see you. I think there was an issue that came up with the band or something."
A big sigh left the girl's mouth, "See, this is why I don't relax."
Stefan gave her a supportive pat on the shoulder, before she stood, and followed Liz to figure out what the problem is.
Elena watched them leave, "You think she needs help?"
Stefan shook his head, "Nah, she's Caroline. She'll get it figured out."
"Or she'll come back in five minutes telling you what she needs," Damon added, and Elena chuckled, "You're probably right."
"Did Chris text you?" Damon asked then.
"Yeah, a little bit ago," Elena nodded, "Everything's going good, and they're having fun."
Damon seemed satisfied with that, "And he's going to Tyler's later?"
Again Elena nodded, "Yeah, I think all of the boys are staying at the Lockwood's tonight."
"And the girls?" Damon pressed suggestively.
Elena leaned into him, "I think they have their own thing going. Besides, Carol is pretty no-nonsense about those kind of things...she'll make them behave."
"I hope so," Damon nodded.
"But since we're on the topic," Elena added, looking over at Stefan, "Has Chris talked to you about anything regarding him and April?"
Stefan blinked, "Not really...if you mean what I think you do."
"I do," Elena assured him, "Damon seems to think that they might have...that kind of relationship, and I was wondering if maybe Chris had said anything to you about it."
"No, sorry," he shrugged, "I would have clued you in if he had."
Elena sighed, "Great...well, enjoy your kids while they still think the opposite sex has cooties, Stef. It's a lot less complicated."
Damon rubbed her arm, "It's not that bad, Elena..."
"You can say that until the poor girl ends up pregnant," she pointed out.
"Well, I did talk to him," Damon reminded her, "And we can't make him stop, but at least he knows that he can come to us if he needs to, and that he's being safe."
She nodded, but wasn't very comforted by it, "I just can't shake the fact that he's actually doing that...that he's old enough to be interested in that...I mean, I look at him, and I still see my little boy."
"It's natural to be freaked out," Stefan reminded her, "There's been a lot of changes, especially lately," he shot a look at Damon, "And you're worried. But I agree with Damon. Even though it's not ideal, Chris is a good kid...he's gonna be okay, Elena."
She smiled a little, "Thanks."
Damon kissed the top of her head reassuringly, and she felt herself relax some, just as Caroline walked back over, with Carol Lockwood, and Valentina.
"Okay, huge, huge favor to ask," Caroline started immediately.
Elena nodded, "Sure, anything."
Val shook her head, "No sweetie, not you...Damon."
Elena looked up at him and his brows furrowed, "What's up?"
Carol sighed, "Apparently the second band that was supposed to perform tonight can't make it, and didn't think of being curtious enough to call someone and let us know."
"So we were wondering if maybe you would mind stepping in and filling the spot?" Caroline all but begged, "I know it's totally last minute, but you're a pretty well known name, and we really need someone to fill the spot."
Damon smiled easily, "And I was the first person you thought of? I'm touched."
"Damon," Val chided, "No times for jokes right now. We could really use your help."
"Yes ma'am," he smirked a little, before looking back at Caroline, "And of course, whatever I can do to help."
A grin broke across the girl's face, "Thank you, thank you, thank you! Really, you just made things so much easier for me!"
Damon nodded, "No problem...I have an acoustic set up in my car, but if you wanted more of a show, a band would be useful."
Caroline nodded, "We have the demo band we use for the Grill most of the time. I'm sure they wouldn't mind, and they know a lot of popular hit songs...so still to the basics, and we should be good."
He nodded, "Sounds good."
"Awesome," She smiled, "I'll get them to use the sets in the Grill, and you can have about an hour to run through some stuff while everything is getting set up, but the music has to start by 9:30."
"We'll make it happen," he promised her, and she nodded, thanking him again, before dragging Carol off to take care of the next thing on the list.
Valentina sat down next to her grandchildren.
"Thank you baby," she smiled at him, "I think poor Caroline was going to give herself a hemorrhage."
"Sounds about right," Stefan smiled, shaking his head.
Damon smirked, "It's no problem, really."
He turned, kissing the side of Elena's head, "I'm gonna go grab the guitar from my car...I'll see you in a bit?"
She nodded, letting him plant a small kiss on her lips, "See you."
He winked at her, before standing and making his way toward the cars.
April was surprised to find that there was hardly any line at all waiting for them when they reached the Wolves Run Trail's gate.
She turned to Kol, "I don't think Chris would have went in...we should wait here for him."
Kol raised a brow, "Do you do anything without Christian?"
She smirked, "Yes, I do, actually."
"Really?" he teased, "Because it seems to me like you might be a little scared. What's wrong? Need Chris to hold your hand, just to make it down a dirt path full of volunteer workers in masks?"
Yes.
But she didn't want to admit that to him, especially when his description made her feel so childish.
"I just don't think he'd want to go in alone," she said instead.
"Right," Kol scoffed, "Because Chris is totally afraid of these things. Just admit it, April, you're a chicken."
"I am not," she blushed, crossing her arms.
"You you so are," he pressed, "You can't even go down a trail without your boyfriend...Scaredy Cat."
Her annoyance flashed, and she placed a hand on her hip, "Fine. Let's go. I'll show you Scaredy Cat."
"By all means," he teased, laying his hand out, as if telling her to go first.
Before she could lose her nerve, she marched forward, and some guy pulled open the gate for them.
After stepping through, it was closed, and everything suddenly seemed more quiet.
"So, um...what do we do exactly?" she swallowed, turning to Kol.
He motioned forward, "Just follow the path. It's kind of a free roam, and there's some buildings and stuff with "werewolf" labs set up...it's kinda cool."
They started walking, and she eyed him suspiciously, "I thought you said you hadn't been down this one."
"Did I?" he seemed confused, "Oh...well, maybe I have. I've been through a lot of them, not sure which though."
She rolled her eyes, "Great. You're still drunk, and I'm walking through werewolfville with you."
He smirked, "Don't worry, I'll save you from the boogeyman."
"Oh, shut up."
They walked in peace for a few minutes, until the path grew more complex.
It seemed to lead into a wheat field or something, and before long, all she could see was Kol in front of her, and the sky above her.
Everything else was tall plants that obscured her line of sight.
Then she heard the growling behind her.
She knew in her mind that it was ridiculous.
It was a costume that some adult was paid to wear just to scare them...but still, her heart jumped, and adrenaline filled her veins.
"Kol..."
"Shh," he insisted, "I heard it."
About that time, there was a ruffle next to them, and April screamed, just as some giant deformed wolf creature jumped onto the bath.
Kol's hand enclosed around hers, "Come on!"
She did as he said, and suddenly the were running, the thing chasing them for a moment, then disappearing.
Still though, they ran.
Kol must have known where he was going, because suddenly, they were in the clearing again, the wheat field behind them.
"Oh my God," she chuckled, "That was freaky."
Kol grinned, "It's just a costume."
"Oh, you were running too," she pointed out, then looked around, "Uh, Kol...where's the path?"
It seemed as though they'd somehow come out side of the wheat, instead of the front, like they were supposed to.
He looked around confused, "Not sure...I just ran."
"Well, the lights and screams are coming from that way," she pointed back to where the sky glowed a little, "So if we go back toward them, we should find the path again."
"April, it's a fenced off area," he reminded her, "This might just be a part of it."
She didn't feel convinced, "I think I'd feel better going back toward the path."
That's when she noticed that Kol was stumbling a little.
"Hey, are you okay?"
He inhaled sharply, "I don't feel so good."
She sighed, "Okay, well, try sitting down for a minute."
Even though staying idle in a giant field of creepy things wasn't her ideal plan, she figured that the park's volunteers would at least be curtious enough not to scare them if they saw that Kol was sick.
Or at least getting that way.
He had paled a little, and April had a feeling he'd be puking up all those drinks soon.
"Here," she motioned toward a tree near them, "Sit down over here for a second."
He did as she said, crouching down near the tree, using the trunk for balance.
He took a few deep breaths, "I think I'll be okay."
"You sure?" she asked, concerned.
He nodded, then straightened back up, "Yeah...just need to breath for a sec. I don't think all that running helped."
"No," she agreed, "Probably not."
He leaned against the trunk, and she turned looking back toward the wheat field.
It was so dark, she couldn't really see anything, and could only hear the faint screams from beyond the fence, as the crowd outside enjoyed the attractions.
Now she was thinking that they probably should have waited for Chris.
She was about to voice said thought, when an arm sneaked around her waist.
She spun quickly.
"Kol...what are you-"
She was cut off when he pushed his mouth against hers in a sloppy kiss.
After the surprise wore off, she pushed him away, "What are you doing?!"
He smirked, grabbing her waist again, "What does it look like?"
He leaned down again, but she pulled away, "Kol, I'm serious. You need to stop."
"Shh," he told her, "If you're worried about Chris, it's okay. I won't tell him."
His words seemed more slurred now, and she didn't like the way his bloodshot eyes lingered over her body.
He reached for her again, and she shoved him, hard.
"I'm not kidding, Kol," she stated firmly, "I will leave your drunk ass out here alone."
Anger covered his features, "Oh come on, it's not like you don't fucking want this."
Her brows furrowed, "How in the hell could you think that I do?"
"All the provoking all the time," he pointed out, "All over Chris when you know I'm watching. You're a little tease, April."
"Chris is my boyfriend," she defended, "And you're his friend."
"Right," Kol chuckled, "And Chris is so special because of his twice gifted founding family heritage. Is that why you put out for him and not me? Do you think I'm not good enough for you?"
April blinked against his words, trying to think of how to quickly defuse the situation, "It's nothing like that, Kol. I love Christian. That's it. It has nothing to do with your families, or thinking I'm better, I promise. I just love him, and I never meant for it to seem like I was teasing you. I'm sorry."
He smirked, "No you're not...but you will be."
He grabbed her again then, and pulled her to him.
She fought his hold, but his grip was stronger than she anticipated.
For the first time all night, real fear filled her.
She wasn't sure that Kol was in his right mind, or how far he was willing to go.
"Kol, stop, " she pleaded, as her back came in contact with the tree he'd leaned against.
She was trapped between it and his body, the bark pressing into her skin through the thin fabric of her cheap costume.
"Don't worry, April," he breathed heavily, the smell choking her, "After tonight, you'll be begging me to never stop."
One of his hands gripped at her thigh, and slid upward, under the hem of her dress.
So she screamed, hoping it would stand out from the hundreds of others echoing through the air.
Okay, yes, evil cliffhanger, I know!
Please review anyway lol, even if it's just to tell me how mean I am for leaving it like this ;)
So what did you guys think?
Damon singing?
Kol putting moves on April...
What do you think will happen?
Review, review, review! :)