Before Sunset - Part Two

Coldness came over me. I felt alive... but at the same time, I felt dead. There was this emptiness inside of me, a pit in the middle of my stomach. I had this hunger, this uncontrollable urge for a certain red substance.

My eyes shot open as I came back to 'life' with a gasp. The craving grew stronger with every second. I knew what I wanted.

Then it all came back to me, hitting me like a ton of very hard bricks.

"Louise?"

I looked up. Klaus knelt beside me and placed my head on his lap. He bit his wrist and offered me his blood. I drank it. He stroked my hair as I did.

As quick as lightening, the image distorted into the happenings in the very room I woke up in. There was a knife in my hand.

"I'm not about to let my sister die, Klaus," I said, scared out of my mind. I tried not to show any fear as I pointed the knife towards my stomach. "And if you die, then... then Stefan, Caroline and Damon die, not to mention thousands of vampires." I shook my head slowly. "I can't let that happen. I have to do this."

As he rushed towards me, I plunged the knife into my stomach.

The last thing I heard was Klaus' roar before darkness took me.

I was dead... a-a vampire. I hadn't realised Klaus' blood was in my system when I killed myself. Maybe I was lucky? For some reason, vampirism didn't cross my mind when I plunged a dagger into my gut.

Shakily, I stood up. I smelt it... the delicious substance I desired. Like an animal, I followed the scent, holding myself up by placing my hands on either side of the wall, rocking sideways and trying my best to stay up.

It led me into Klaus' art room. A pale, blonde girl was standing like a statue in the middle of the room. She'd been compelled, I realised.

Klaus sat on an armchair left to girl, his legs crossed and deep in thought. But I didn't care about him... it was the girl I cared about. My gaze rested on the vein in her neck. I never realised how much that vein popped out before, how much it throbbed. I wanted to rip into it, I wanted to drain every drop of blood in her body. I was so freaking hungry.

I gulped. "Klaus..."

His eyes shot up to meet mine. "You're awake." There was a trace of a smile etched on his feral features.

"I'm a vampire," I stated, feeling the sweat drip down to my eyebrow. My heart was beating loudly and rapidly, I could almost hear it. I was sure Klaus did.

"You found that out quickly, love," he said, chuckling. "I'm impressed." I shivered slightly beneath his stare. If there was a time I didn't need that, it was now.

Along with the bloodlust, came feelings I didn't want. Feelings for him. I never noticed how handsome he was. I mean, there was no doubt that he was good-looking, but wow. His curly blonde hair framed his face perfectly. His eyes were cold, but relief shone through his usually empty eyes.

He brushed the girls hair to the other side of her shoulder, displaying her very appetising vein. It was bad enough when it was covered... "I brought you a snack," he told me.

"Her?"

He nodded. "There's nothing better than human blood from the vein. It's warmer, better, and it will make you stronger."

"I can just drink from a blood bag," I replied, breathing heavily.

"Nonsense!" Klaus boomed, grinning. "No sire of mine is going to drink blood from a blood bag. As soon as the human's body weakens, you pull away. Simple as. Now, drink up."

He bit into the girl's neck and pulled away. Blood quickly pooled up in her wound and dripped down her neck, teasing me even more. My feet were moving on their own. The blood was intoxicating. The sweet scent filled me up and drew me to the unfortunate girl. I only hoped I could stop. Maybe Klaus would stop me... wait, what was I thinking? Klaus wouldn't stop me! He'd probably sit back and enjoy the show!

"Are you trying to force me to turn?" I asked him, swallowing hard.

"I'm not forcing you, love," he answered. "If I really wanted to force you to complete the transition, you would have downed a blood bag by now. You're not a witch anymore. I can compel you, remember?"

His voice become a murmur. The only sound I heard was the girl's vein, pumping blood into her body. The only sight I desired to see was her blood. I wanted to turn, I wanted immortality. This was actually what I wanted. I could be free.

I pressed my lips to the girl's neck, soaking up her warm blood like a sponge. The taste was better than anything I ever imagined, even chocolate. I moaned into the girl's neck. Klaus looked like he was enjoying this, almost getting off.

I pulled away from the girl. Fangs broke through my soft gums, causing me to groan in pain. I threw my head back and plunged my teeth into her neck, penetrating her skin and draining her of her blood. I felt her slipping away underneath me. I had to stop, but I... I couldn't. The blood was too good.

"Louise, stop," Klaus demanded. "Louise." He placed a gentle hand on my back. "Stop. You don't want to kill her."

Surprisingly, I did. I stared at the girl's wound. For some reason, I didn't want to feed off her anymore.

"I stopped," I stated in shock. "I stopped!" I smiled madly and wrapped my arms around Klaus' strong shoulders. Her tensed, but then relaxed and stroked my hair with his hand. I pulled away, still smiling. "You helped me stop!"

Klaus smiled at me kindly. I didn't think he was able to be kind. I guess I was wrong. "You did it on your own, love. You'll make a superb vampire. Feeding from the vein requires control if you are to have a conscience. I have long abandoned such a nuisance, but since you haven't, compel her. Tell her to leave, to forget everything that happened today and to go home."

I gaped at him. Klaus was showing mercy... to a human? I never thought I'd see the day. Gladly, I turned to the girl and compelled her. "You'll forget everything that happened today. You went for a... coffee?" Klaus nodded reassuringly, telling me to go on. "And you'll go home."

Robotically, she walked out of the room. A few moments later I heard the front door shut closed. It was amazing what a vampire could do. "Why didn't you kill her?"

He shrugged and poured himself a glass of alcohol. "You needed practice. Personally, I prefer the true identity of a vampire. It's who we are, but it's not who you are. Yet."

I rose an eyebrow. "Yet?"

"Vampirism corrupts even the purest of souls eventually," he explained. "You won't even need to turn it off."

I frowned at him. He was wrong, he had to be. Vampirism didn't corrupt Lexi. She was a good person, Stefan was too when he wasn't on a ripper binge. Stefan... Elena. Elena! Where the hell was Elena? Did he... "Klaus," I said suddenly. His head snapped back over to me. "Where's Elena?"

His face fell. "Here is where the fun has to end, love." He vamped over to me, spilling some of his drink on the carpet. "You'll go home." I opened my mouth angrily to yell at him. "And you won't speak until you leave my house. Don't come back for the rest of the evening."

Again, I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. I opened it again... nothing. Even when I tried to groan in frustration... nothing. I glared at Klaus and felt a greater power spin me around. I walked towards the door unwillingly. So, compulsion worked. At least I was a normal vampire.

Alaric... was he dead? Or did Elena have to die too?

When I went outside, I saw Damon, Stefan and Tyler approach Klaus' manor. "What are you doing here? We were just about to rescue you," Damon said.

"I was..." I sighed in relief when I realised I could speak again. "Klaus took me at the high school. Elena's in there, you have to save her!"

"We will," Tyler said. "That's what we're gonna do."

"Good," I replied, nodding.

The hybrid's face twisted in confusion. "You smell different."

I pursed my lips and said to the three of them, "I'll tell you later. You guys get Elena. Klaus compelled me so I can't get into the house. I have to go home."

"Dick," Damon growled. "But I suppose I'll have to thank him, now I don't have worry about you wanting to tag along."

Stefan's face lit up in realisation. I guess he was the only one smart enough to remember I was a witch. I shot him a 'don't you freaking dare' look and he nodded, albeit slightly reluctantly. "Good luck," I said to the three of them.

They nodded to me and went on inside.

I hated being like this, not in control. Everything was heightened. Anger, sadness, feelings... I didn't even know I had any for Klaus. It sucked being like this. A defenseless little baby vampire, susceptible to compulsion.

When I took the last turn to my house, Tyler was getting out of his car, two bottles of tequila in his hands. I walked up to him. "That was quick," I commented.

He looked extremely giddy. "We desiccated Klaus."

Why did that bother me? That should make me happy, right? Then why did I feel like I should help him? Stupid vampiric heightened feelings.

"Oh!" I said with faux happiness. Couldn't let Tyler of all people know that I wasn't happy with the day's outcome. "That's great!"

The mood was dampened as Tyler scowled. "You're hiding something from us."

I felt my cheeks redden. "No, no, I'm not."

"You're a vampire."

Oh. Right. That dirty little secret. At least it was less dirtier than my other one. "You caught me," I said sadly.

"How? Did Damon feed you his blood?" Tyler asked.

I shook my head. "Alaric stabbed me and Klaus fed me his blood. I killed myself. Actually, I didn't know Klaus' blood was in my system when I died." My eyes became tomatoes when I thought of the enhanced Original/vampire hunter. "Alaric! Is he dead?"

"No," Tyler said pitifully. "He's still alive. Looks like you and Elena both have to die."

I scoffed. "Waist of a human life then, huh?"

"Weren't you already dying?" Tyler asked, confused.

"Nope. Esther found a magical fix-it," I told him. "She lied at first so I wouldn't be as depressed on my death bed when she killed me to end her children. I think it was also to make herself feel better."

"Hm," Tyler said thoughtfully. He shook his head and grinned. "Well, I think we should go inside."

He grabbed my arm and dragged me, not roughly, towards my house. "Am I even able to enter my house? Don't I need to be invited in?"

"No, you don't," Tyler answered me. "Come on. You won't regret it."

I laughed as he continued to drag me inside. He let go of me once we reached the kitchen. I smiled at the sight of Caroline, Jeremy, Matt and Bonnie drinking, laughing and having fun. We didn't chill and have fun very often anymore. There was only one person who could have come up with this with a crazy vampire hunter on the loose...

"Caroline came up with this, didn't she?" I asked amusedly.

"Uh-huh," Bonnie replied, taking a gulp of bear and throwing a lazy arm over our best friend's shoulder.

"We deserve it!" she declared proudly. "We finally got rid of Klaus!"

My face fell a little, but I recovered quickly and plastered a smile on my face. Caroline noticed my slip, so did Bonnie. "Elena'll be home soon," Tyler told them.

Now Elena wouldn't have to be a human blood bag anymore, I should be happy. I should be over the moon right about now. He killed Jenna. He deserved it. I accepted his impending doom before before, why not now?

I once again blamed it on the heightened vampiric emotions. I was in love with Damon. Damon. He was my 'epic love' in the eyes of Caroline Forbes. Caroline freaking Forbes who hated Damon's guts, but she still admitted that he was my true love. Klaus was a monster and I hated him. Klaus is a monster and I hate him. Klaus is a monster and I hate him.

I don't know how many times I repeated that, but by the time I looked at the clock again, it was ten minutes later.

Elena walked into the kitchen, gaping at our friends. "What are you guys doing here?"

"Welcome to our victory party!" Caroline exclaimed happily.

"What victory? We failed. Alaric's still out there," Elena said.

Bonnie stepped in and replied to the doppelganger, "We know, but we've been trying to get rid of Klaus forever and Caroline convinced us to enjoy it for a night."

"Oh, Louise," Elena said, turning to me. "Damon wants to talk to you."

I nodded, looking towards Matt who was pouting in the corner. "You know, to be honest, I'm a little pissed none of you let me help you take down Original brother number two."

I laughed as I went outside to the porch. Damon was sitting on the swing. He stood up when he saw me. "Hey," I said. He stared at me. I flinched under his gaze. It was like he was examining me and I didn't like it. "What?"

"You're keeping something from me," he noted. "You look guilty."

I let out a shaky, uneasy chuckle. "What, are you psychic now?"

"Louise..."

"Fine!" I relented, throwing my hands in the air. "I'm a vampire, okay? I wanted to wait until I told everyone. At least until after this Alaric business blew over. We have enough things to worry about."

He placed a hand on each of my shoulders comfortingly. "Hey, hey, Louise. This is important. I'll give you a couple of blood bags, get you sorted with this and everything will be right and dandy."

I gave him a small softly said, "Okay."

He didn't speak for a little while. I was getting worried about what he was thinking of. "Who turned you?"

I pulled away from him. "What?"

"Who's blood? I didn't give you mine... Was it Stefan? Or Caroline? Who?" he pressed. I pursed my lips, knowing the answer would upset him. Damon's face fell. "Louise, who was it?"

"Klaus," I blurted out. Damon's jaw dropped as his expression twisted into rage. "Alaric stabbed me and Klaus healed me with his blood. Then I killed myself, but I... I forgot and now I'm a vampire and gahh! Stop looking at me like that!"

He looked hurt. I felt guilty. Why did I have to kill myself then of all times? I could have waited two days and asked Damon to give me his blood. Stupid, stupid, stupid!

"He won," he said quietly. "He always wins. Even when he's desiccating in a coffin, he still wins!"

I was confused. "How did he win? He's gone, Damon."

"He turned you," Damon angrily stated. "He was the one who turned you. His blood, not mine. That might not mean much to you but it means a hell of a lot for me."

I stepped closer to him. "Why?"

"Because it does, Louise!" he shouted. I flinched away from him. His tone quietened as he continued. "I thought it could be something we shared. I'd be the one to turn you, not that hybrid freak."

"Hey," I said, suddenly all for defending Klaus. I shook my head and gripped his shoulders gently. "Hey, Damon. Klaus hasn't won. His blood turned me, yeah, but that doesn't mean that I'm in love with him. I love you, Damon."

He smiled and cupped my face in his stronger hands. He brought his lips to mine in a soft, sweet kiss. The vampire pulled away and pressed his forehead to mine. "I love you too, Louise."

"Uh oh," I said in mock-terror. "Don't you dare not call me for a week again!"

He chuckled. "I wouldn't dare. Can you just tell me one thing, Louise?"

"What?"

"What do you feel for him?" I rose an eyebrow. "Klaus." I opened my mouth to respond, but he interrupted. "Don't lie. I want the truth."

I gulped, trying to put it into words that wouldn't offend him. "Honestly, I'm not sure," I admitted. "I'm confused, Damon. Everything's heightened. And I... I didn't even know I felt something for him before I turned." If it was even possible, his expression looked even more wounded than before. "I'm sorry. I really am. I don't... I don't want this. But I'll promise you one thing." I grabbed his hand and squeezed it. "I love you. I don't love him."

He looked slightly appeased, but then he ripped his hand from my grasp. "You know, sometimes I wonder if Katherine's your twin, not Elena."

He vamped away. My eyes stung with tears as they welled up. One tear rolled down my cheek before I wiped it and blinked the rest of those stupid tears away. Damon knew I didn't like being compared to Elena, or Katherine.

I wouldn't cry. I wouldn't cry over a guy, certainly not. Even if I was a vampire with heightened senses, I still had my standards.

I walked back into the kitchen. Caroline came up behind me and gave me a shot of tequila. "Here. You need this." Caroline said. I gave her a inquisitive look. "I heard. Don't listen to Damon. You're nothing like Katherine, but you do know you have to choose, right?"

Before today, I wasn't even sure that there was a choice to be made. "I know."

She rubbed my arm soothingly. "Alright, let's drink!" Caroline boomed.

Elena shot Jeremy a very parental look. "I do not condone this, by the way."

"We survived Klaus." Jeremy grinned. "Alright? Make an exception, you can go back to being responsible tomorrow."

She nodded, although reluctantly. "Okay."

Elena mentally asked me if I was alright with this and I nodded. We raised our glasses to our mouths at the same time, when Tyler said suddenly, "Hang on. Do you guys hear that?" We listened for a noise or even a bird, but I heard nothing. "That is the sound of a Klaus free life."

We all laughed, though mine was forced. "To a Klaus free life," Elena said, raising her glass. We all rose our glasses with her. "And to all of you. My family."

"Cheers," echoed through the room as well as the sharp noise of glasses clinking together.

A/N: Last chapter tomorrow! It'd mean so much to me if we could get up to one hundred reviews before it's finished.

Love you guys like apple pie!