Chapter 23
Barbie Almost Bites The Dust
A/N: There are no excuses for how late/short this chapter is. Bit of a filler, unfortunately.

"I miss my phone," I sighed, my head lazily resting on my palm.

Rebekah smiled at her iPhone in glee as she completed another level of Angry Birds. "I'm sure you do. I don't know how I survived all those years without mine."

I halfheartedly glared at Rebekah and continued staring out the car window. I was incredibly bored and filled to the brim with anxiety. The closer we were to Mystic Falls, the larger the knot in my stomach grew. It wasn't like I didn't want to go home. I mean, of course I did. I missed Damon and my friends like crazy, but Mystic Falls was a supernatural mess, as was my psyche. The last thing I wanted was to be greeted with disappointment when the people I cared for found out I flipped my humanity switch. I knew they would immediately try to get me back on the straight and narrow path with feelings and inhibitions, and I really didn't want that. As my anxiety built, I really missed my phone. My white iPhone would've been such a great distraction from everything going on. Alas, my phone had been left with Esther. Apparently, Klaus thought I was a higher priority than my poor cellphone. God, he was wrong.

"Becca, can I pleeeeease use your phone for five minutes? I just want to check my email," I practically begged.

"Sorry, Emma. I'm at 6% and I'm using all my juice to kill these goddamn pigs."

I groaned and repeatedly rapped my head on the back of Klaus's seat. I could practically hear him roll his eyes.

"If I give you mine will you please shut up?" Klaus huffed and glared at a minivan who dared to cut him off.

"I promise," I hastily replied and snagged Klaus's Droid out of the cup holder. I was more of an iPhone person, but at least it wasn't a flip phone.

I hurriedly logged into my email, desperate for any distraction from the tension in the SUV and in my body. Instead, what I saw caused my body to stiffen. Approximately fifty-two emails from Megan replaced the spam mail I was accustomed to receiving. Every message was similar.

Emma, it's Megan. Please come see me. It's really important. I'm sorry for upsetting you last time. You may hate me, but you need to come. I promise this is serious.

Emma, it's me, Megan. Again. I need to talk to you. I'm really sorry.

Emma, I am so, so, soooooo sorry, but please answer your phone. I'm starting to worry about you.

Emma! Where the hell are you?! Elijah is worried sick. So am I. Please come home.

Please, please, please be okay. Stop by the bar if you can. It's about your mom. Emma, this is big.

"Oh, my God," I whispered as I hurriedly scrolled through my messages. "Klaus, have we passed a little bar with a tacky pink car yet?"

I watched Klaus narrow his eyes in the rearview mirror. "Yes, we passed it about a minute ago. Are you finished with my phone?"

I logged out of my email and practically threw the phone at Klaus. "Turn around."

"Turn around?"

"Yes, you idiot. Turn around. I have a friend who works at that bar. I need to talk to her. Just drop me off and go on your merry little way. As much as I want to help torture your idiot brother, this is a bit more important."

Rebekah and Klaus turned to look at each other for a moment and then sighed in unison.

"Okay," Klaus huffed and made a dodgy U-turn in the middle of the road, the tires speaking in protest.

"Thank you," I tried to smile as Klaus pulled into the empty parking lot. "Really."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Just shut up and get out of the car," Klaus replied, although good-naturedly.

I was halfway to the front door of the seemingly empty bar when I abruptly turned around and strode to the SUV. I motioned for Klaus to roll down his window.

"What did you forget?" he started to say, but before he could finish I lightly pressed my lips against his in a chaste kiss.

"That's for saving me."

When I entered the bar I was chilled by how empty it seemed. It was empty when I first visited it, but I could still feel Megan's presence then. For once, I actually missed her excited chatter and raucous laugh. The silence was deafening and caused me to shudder.

"Megan!" I called, my voice echoing on the linoleum floor. "It's Emma!"

Silence.

"Oh, Megaaaan!"

The only reply I got was the howling of the wind outside. I felt like I was the shoddily paid starlet in a horror film. I was half expecting the guy from Texas Chainsaw Massacre to impale me on a meat hook. I was also overly aware of the possibility Megan was butchered by a couple dangerous vampires, but the idea of a homicidal manic coming after me wasn't quite as chilling.

After I crept to the bar to pour myself a dose of liquid courage, a blood-chilling scream rang through the building. My glass fell to the floor and shattered as I sprinted to the source of the sound. What I saw made my stomach drop. There, in the backroom, lay Megan. Burns covered her body and she was obviously unconscious. As I raced to her, I found myself wishing I'd asked Klaus and Rebekah to come inside with me. I was hyperaware of the other mystery presence in the room. I could sense more vampires, and the thought of being attacked made the hairs on the back of my neck shoot up. Once I'd assured myself Megan was still alive, I slowly backed away and started towards the landline.

Klaus answered on the second ring. I cut him off before he could speak.

"Klaus, turn around. I'm at the bar and I need help," I whispered, barely audible. "There's someone–" Before I could finish my sentence I was slammed into the back wall with so much force it gave me whiplash. Once I recovered and focused my eyes, I saw a face I thought I wouldn't see ever again: Katherine Peirce.

"You bitch," I spat before lunging at her.

"Oh, nice to see you again too, Emma? How's Elijah?"

"According to Klaus, you know damn well how Elijah is," I glared before tightening my grip on her neck. "But I don't give a damn about you being his little whore. What did you do to Megan, and why?"

Due to me still being weak, Katherine was able to wriggle out of my grasp and push me away.

"I didn't do anything to your friend, okay?" Katherine said as she rubbed her neck.

"But you know who did, don't you?"

Katherine held her hands up. "I'm just an innocent bystander. I came in for a drink and found Barbie over there. Shortly after, you waltzed in. I didn't do anything, I promise."

I snorted. "That's rich. Like I should trust any promise you make. Was anyone here when you came in for your "drink"?"

"Yes, actually," she replied before sitting on a barstool. "Some lady. Short black hair, pale skin, pretty small build. I didn't see her face, sorry. Now, I'm sorry to cut this lovely reunion short, but I have to get back to my boyfriend before Klaus makes his grand appearance. Good luck finding your friend."

Katherine was half-way towards the door when three words escaped my mouth against my will.

"How is he?" I asked, my voice echoing in the mostly empty bar.

Katherine turned around and looked me up and down. "Okay," she said, void of emotion. "He misses you. He thinks I don't notice, but I do…"

"Oh."

"Mmhm. I heard your mom was spotted outside Richmond. I hope you find her, Emma."

And just like that, Katherine was gone.