Disclaimer: I don't own TVD nor the characters.

I'm a horrible person for not updating when I should have. I wanted- I really did but alas, my grades needed some serious help. And then I had exams. Then I had projects and piles of homework. Then I got the flu. Now I'm here, typing this and feeling bad for not updating but I hope, I pray, most of you are still wanting to read this story. I have two weeks off from school and I plan to keep updating! I promise! Just, please, let me know what your thoughts are about this chapter because it's crucial. Thanks and don't forget to review!

Before Caroline could muster up words, Rebekah shushed her, holding up a lone finger.

"You're a strange little thing..." Rebekah chimed. After a few moments of staring at Caroline, she pulled back, a satisfied smile on her face. "Not bad. Now, how much do you know already?"

Caroline's eyes shifted incredulously. "Uh- about what?"

Rebekah frowned. "About Garnet. About Nik. About yourself."

Her eyebrows scrunched. "Is Garnet that ghost lady?"

The vampire sighed, nodding.

"Who's Nik?"

Rebekah's eyes widened. How in the dark is this girl? She thought bitterly and with great frustration. "Niklaus. Klaus... He brought you here last night when you were in the woods."

Caroline bolted up quickly, her head turning frantically. "Last night?" she searched her pockets for her phone, to no avail. "My mom is going to kill me!"

Rebekah groaned. "That's the least of your problems now sit down!"

"Who are you?" Caroline asked.

"I'm Rebekah. Klaus's sister. But that's not important right now. I need you to tell me how much you know concerning what happened last night."

"I- I don't really know." Caroline answered. "I wandered into the woods and all of a sudden there's a freaking ghost in front of me."

"What did the ghost want?"

"She kept talking about waking up some other ghost named... De-"

"Devin. Yes, what else?"

"She wanted me to say something in some weird language. I- I honestly don't know what the hell she was talking about."

"Caroline," Rebekah pressed. "Do you have any idea what you are?"

Caroline's eyes blinked in confusion and she shook her head. "What do you mean? I'm a person- I'm human."

"No, Caroline. You are about as human as I am."

"What? What do you mean-?"

Rebekah let her face vamp out, opening her mouth to show off her fangs. Caroline recoiled instantly, fear-stricken.

"Get away from me!"

Rebekah rolled her eyes, shifting her face back to normal. "Calm down, I won't hurt you. You're too important to kill as of right now."

"What are you?" Caroline asked again with caution. When Rebekah didn't answer, Caroline repeated furiously, "What are you?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Rebekah questioned back with a bit of sass.

Caroline's clear and frightened eyes shifted, "It's not possible... It's not..."

Rebekah sighed. "For God's sake," she licked her own lips. "I'm a vampire."

"Vampires- Vampires aren't real."

"That's a dirty rotten lie." Rebekah explained. "All of those myths- those scary stories are real, Caroline. And guess what? You just happen to be stuck in the middle of all of it."

"Do not scare the child even more," another voice interrupted. Both blondes turned and Caroline's mind only got more confused.

"Mrs. Bennett?!" she exclaimed.

Sheila Bennett nodded, walking forward. Behind her followed Klaus.

"What are you doing here? Wait- first of all, where is here?"

Sheila sighed, taking a seat in the nearest couch. "A mansion just outside of Mystic Falls. Don't worry Caroline, as far as I can tell, these vampires won't hurt you."

"Mrs. Bennett, what's going on? Why am I here?"

"You were in danger, Caroline. You still are." Sheila crossed her legs. "Caroline, you must first keep an open mind, am I clear?"

Caroline nodded slowly.

"The supernatural world- the scary stories you heard as a child- are very, very real. Beings of the otherworld live among us. It's all true."

Caroline gulped, looking at Rebekah. "So, you really are a vampire?"

Rebekah showed off her perfect teeth. "In the flesh."

"Vampires," Sheila began. "Werewolves. Witches. Spirits. Demons," she looked at Klaus. "Even hybrids exist." she looked back to Caroline. "You, dearest Caroline, are a witch."

Caroline's jaw dropped, "A witch?"

"Very much so."

"But how? Shouldn't I have, you know, been able to do witchy things like make the lights flicker when I throw a tantrum or something?"

Unbelievable. Caroline thought. This isn't the truth- they're lying. They're all crazy... Absolutely insane!

"There's so much to witchcraft that you don't know. And I wish I couldn't taught you sooner- but I assumed your father was teaching you."

"My-My dad?"

"He's the witch in your family, Caroline. You're half-witch. And a special one."

"Special how?"

"Your father is the first and only male witch to be born of the Forbes family line. Your blood, Caroline, is special. It's one of a kind."

"Nothing you're saying makes any sense."

"Be patient, child and I will explain as much as I know." Sheila said. "Your father comes from a line of witches and, consequently, dark and the purest of forces."

"Dark... Forces?" Caroline croaked dryly.

"Demons." Rebekah answered. "She means demons. Uncontrollable beings that were, are, power hungry."

Caroline snapped back to Sheila. "Demons?!"

"Be patient, Caroline," Sheila said. "Yes, demons exist. And where there are demons there are angels."

The blonde teenager huffed, "Unbelievable."

"You, Caroline Forbes," Rebekah interjected. "Are both angel and witch. Neat, isn't it?"

"You have angel and witch blood coursing through your veins, Caroline. This gives you immense power and capabilities. Including the capability to free those from the Otherside-"

"Otherside?"

"A place witches describe as not Heaven nor Hell."

"So... Like limbo?" Caroline guessed.

"In a way, yes."

Klaus cleared his throat and Caroline jumped a bit. She had almost forgotten he was in the room, arms crossed. "And that's exactly why Garnet and Devin need you, you're the only witch alive that possesses the capability to fully resurrect beings from the Otherside."

"And they're bad because?"

"Because they're trying to kill us." Rebekah answered before Klaus could. "And let's be honest, nobody here wants to die."

"But if I'm the only one who can... Resurrect them," Caroline said. "Then why are you two fearing for your lives? They're stuck in limbo, right? They can't hurt you."

"That's where you're mistaken," Sheila answered before Klaus or Rebekah could open their mouths to rebut Caroline's questions. "The Otherside works in complicated ways. Although you are the only one that can bring them back to life- that doesn't stop other powerful witches from allowing them temporary passage to this world. They're spirits, they can possess anyone they want and with that, they can hurt them. That's why they're afraid."

"Okay, but why am I here?"

Klaus answered before Sheila could this time. "Because we weren't the only ones looking for you, Caroline. There are others out there- those still loyal to the practices of Devin and Garnet."

"Listen- This might be all good and sound for you guys but it's just a bit too crazy for my taste," Caroline started. "This is... A lot to take in."

And a total lie. A dream. An illusion.

"Which is precisely why we need you to stay here- where you're safe," Klaus retorted.

"Well," she sassed back. "When can I go home? My mom needs me-my dad needs me."

There was a moment of silence before Caroline gasped, suddenly shooting up from her spot on the sofa. "My dad... He's-He's in the hospital! I need to be there for him!"

Sheila stood up, grabbing a hold of Caroline's shoulders tightly. "Calm yourself, Caroline. Your father isn't dead yet. You need to recollect yourself before you do something you'll regret."

"What-?" Caroline began before realizing how dizzy she was. She tried her hardest to focus on Sheila, breathing in and out before finally making her heart beat normally. These panic attacks were a common thing for her. But they hadn't happened in a long time. The last time they had, Caroline had been out with Bonnie and Elena by the Wickery Bridge the night she'd gotten the news about her dad's condition.

"Please, Mrs. Bennett." Caroline begged. "Take me with you. I need to see him."

Sheila looked to Klaus's unyielding eyes and reluctantly looking back to Caroline. "I'm so sorry, Caroline. You have to stay here until the full moon passes completely. Until then, you're in so much danger."

Caroline bit the inside of her cheek. She was so confused-her mind couldn't get a hold on what was happening. One night she was Caroline Forbes and today, she was suddenly Caroline, the half-witch, half-angel.

Witch. Angel. Two words Caroline had only heard about in books and movies. Never had she thought that they could actually exist. But they did and she was one of them.

What would my mom think? she pondered. Am I a freak? A monster?

Her soft panicky eyes shifted from Sheila's brown ones to Klaus' unyieldingly striking eyes. She immediately withered under their authority.

"Okay," she agreed at last with defeat. There was no point in fighting them. Apparently the decision had already been made. Caroline wouldn't leave today or anytime soon as long as the stupid moon was full.

"The child knows." a voice echoed in the pale light.

The abyss was misty, like something out of a movie whenever they attempted to place a picture of Heaven.

Another voice, female, answered. "Should we take action? Her knowing this puts her in grave danger."

"If we did not believe that she could stop the spawns of the dark lord we would not have given her the power to defeat them and sent her to Earth in the beginning."

"She is ignorant- weak. Perhaps it was a lack in judgment on our part."

The first voice spoke with an offended clip in his voice, "Do you insinuate that my decision was wrong?"

"I insinuate that perhaps your decision was not timely. The girl is not ready for this- she's just a child!"

"Then it is time she learns the sacrifices to be made so the world remains balanced. Garnet and Devin shall not win. If they win, we will have failed. And mark my words, the Elders do not fail."

Rebekah was giving Caroline a tour of their mansion the minute Sheila walked out of the door. Unlike Caroline, Rebekah seemed somewhat excited about having Caroline stay there. Something about being stuck with all brothers...

"And this is your bedroom for the time being." Rebekah said, opening the dark wooden door swiftly.

Caroline blinked, her eyes meeting a classically schemed bedroom. The walls were painted a soft beige, the furniture was a mix of warm tones and the bed was... huge. But possibly what caught Caroline's eyes the most was the terrace, separated only by two French doors.

She took a deep breath, stepping inside as Rebekah showed her the rest of the goods. "And here's your own bathroom- if you use all the hot water the way Kol usually does, I will rip your throat out."

Caroline gave her an incredulous look and Rebekah rolled her eyes. "I was joking."

"Oh." Was all Caroline managed to say. After Rebekah seemed satisfied with her tour, she left Caroline alone in the bedroom.

Gingerly, she carefully sat down at the edge of the bed, her hand immediately falling to her necklace. Her dad had given it to her when she'd been a baby-it was the only item Caroline could connect with.

She wanted more than anything to be by his side because she knew, she knew he didn't have much time left. And it hurt her knowing how ignorant she'd been and how selfishly she'd taken for granted her family. Her eyes shut, thoughts floating back to the night her parent's had told her about his sickness.

Elena, Bonnie, and Caroline stumbled to the bridge, tipsy from the earlier party. It'd been exactly six months since Elena's parents had died in the car accident, and although Caroline and Bonnie had been reluctant to bring her here, Elena had insisted desperately. She kept mumbling about needing closure.

Whatever that meant.

While Elena mumbled to herself at the edge of the bridge, Bonnie and Caroline kept their own conversation up.

"What was that at the party?" Bonnie asked. She was a little less drunk than Caroline or Elena and Caroline could tell by the seriousness in her brown eyes.

"What was what?"

Bonnie put her hands on her hips, "What was that thing with Tyler?"

Caroline bit her lip. "We sort of... Slept together."

"Caroline!" Bonnie exasperated. "At a party? A place where you were drunk and not yourself?"

"I know, it was low of me but... I don't know, Bonnie. Tyler's always been there for me-"

"God, Care!" Bonnie said sharply, trying to talk sense into her brainwashed best-friend. "How can you be so blind? He's just using you, again."

"Look, Bonnie." Caroline began. "I have never judged any of your boyfriends so please, shut up! You don't know Tyler like I do... He understands me..."

"How? Understands you, how?" Bonnie insisted.

Caroline huffed, silent. She was trying to wrack her tipsy brain for responses but the more she pondered on it, the more she realized that Tyler and her never talked. It was always a heated sex session and that was it. Unable to come up with a good reason, she shrugged. "I don't know. He just does."

"Care," Bonnie started. Her tone softened down a bit. "Is this about your parents splitting up?"

"They are not split up." Caroline defended quickly.

Bonnie didn't look convinced. "Your dad doesn't wear his wedding ring anymore-you even told me they sleep in different rooms now. Care, it's okay to talk about it-"

"Talk about what, Bonnie?" Caroline shouted, crossing her arms. "That the life I've known since like, forever is falling apart? How I can't seem to stop thinking about how other people feel instead of what I'm feeling, for once in my life? Or how I can't sleep knowing I'll have nightmares?"

Bonnie took Caroline into her arms, feeling that her friend was reaching a meltdown. Granted, it was easier because of the liquor but nonetheless, she'd gotten Caroline to unleash what she'd obviously been bottling up for some time now.

Elena came forth. "Caroline, your mom called me because she wants to know where you are."

Caroline pulled away from Bonnie's hug and frowned. "Why didn't she call me?"

Elena shrugged. Caroline felt her pockets and cursed, realizing she must of left her phone in Tyler's car. She took Elena's phone and answered into the receiver.

"Mom?"

"Caroline," her mom began. "Your father and I have something important to tell you. Come home, now."

Caroline's heart beat increased with slight anger. If they really were dropping the divorce talk on her, she didn't want any of it. "Just tell me right now. Not that it matters, anyway."

"What?" Her mom questioned.

"You know 'what'. God, mom. Just spit it out already- you've clearly made the decision without me so-"

"Caroline!" Sheriff Forbes exasperated into the phone. "It's about your father. He's- He's not well."

"What the hell are you talking about, mom?" Caroline asked carefully. Her heart felt heavy and she felt a slight pain in the back of her head, her heart heavy.

There was a long pause. "Caroline. We'll talk at home."

When Caroline managed to get home...

A knock on the door pulled Caroline out of her thoughts and she jumped off of the bed. "Come in."

It was Klaus. "I hope Rebekah wasn't too crazy on you."

Caroline shook her head. "No, no it she was great. Um, can I do something for you or...?"

Klaus cleared his throat, clearly uncomfortable. "I was just checking up on you."

"I'm fine."

There was another awkward pause before Klaus nodded solemnly. "Actually, what I wanted to ask was if you understood the situation. If you knew exactly how important it is to keep you from them." he chipped off the last word and Caroline nodded.

"I think I get it. It's just weird for me right now." Caroline stared at the man in front of her. He was tall, lanky but from what she could tell, he had some muscles. His blonde hair looked as if he'd just rolled out of bed but it suited him. His blue eyes seemed piercing and ever-changing. One moment they looked gentle and when he'd mentioned Devin and Garnet, they seemed to electrify with obvious hatred. He cleared his throat, noticing that she was just staring.

"Sorry-"

"It's okay, Caroline." he said, seeing how awkward the situation was. There was something about the way he kept staring at her- like he was glad she was here, in front of him, alive. As if he'd been waiting all this time for her.

"I'm actually feeling kind of tired," Caroline stumbled. Klaus nodded with understanding and backed away slowly.

He stopped short in front of the door. "If there's anything you need, feel free to let any of the housemaids know."

Klaus exited out of the door and Caroline blinked, wondering just exactly what his deal was.

Outside the bedroom door, Klaus closed his eyes in frustration.

Stupid. He repeated in his head. Stupid. Could you be any more idiotic and obtuse?

A thousand years and he still couldn't face her without his damn heart betraying him every single time. She was exactly what he'd heard about- her angelic face was exactly as he'd remembered it that day the old apprentice of the Original Witch had shown him through the vision.

"One day, Niklaus. One day you will realize and see how love can truly save a soul corrupted of the darkest desires," Aiana whispered, mixing ingredients for a cloaking spell.

"I'm not entirely sure of what you speak of, Aiana." Klaus answered back, his eyes glancing at Rebekah who was in the corner of the room, her curious eyes never leaving Aiana's work.

"You saw, Niklaus." Aiana repeated. "I saw you staring at the image of the girl- of the witch who will either be your salvation or your destruction."

"If I let my eyes linger on the girl it would be to commit her face to memory," he said pathetically.

Rebekah snorted in the back. "Of course, Nik. Only you would make up a pathetic excuse for the fact that you found her pretty."

"Rebekah." Klaus stressed. Despite Rebekah being the younger sibling, Klaus felt like the immature one.

"It's understandable," the witch said. "A young man of marriageable age wanting a young woman he cannot have."

Klaus looked down. With his new vampiric senses, he could see every single grain of dirt that was on the ground. And yet, he still felt like his human self in the sense that he was still bashful over something as simple as a girl. Silly when to think that not only forty-eight hours ago his human self had died and been reborn into a vampire- a monster who couldn't feel.

"You remain the same Niklaus," Aiana spoke softly. "You can keep up your guards but you still feel- I believe that to be true with you."

"You are wrong," he insisted.

He was Klaus and he wouldn't show anyone, let alone her, that she was his weakness. His only weakness because throughout the centuries, he'd learned how to be cruel, sadistic and cold-blooded. Hell, he'd even managed to dagger his siblings. To cause mass murders. To be the ruthless hunter. He was a vampire- a hybrid. A monster of a man who could not, would not, show vulnerability. Because as far as he knew it, the Klaus that felt affection had died the moment his father had stabbed him through the chest.

So then why did his heart refuse to be cold the second he laid eyes on her?

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-Fanatic4Fiction