Araya groaned and tapped her fingers on a large wooden crate. She was tired of being dragged around by Klaus like a child with their stuffed bear. When her phone started ringing she looked at it, reminding herself to get a new one whenever she got the chance. Money was easy to come by now. There was no pick-pocketing, just compelling, and she worked still—keeping up appearances—plus she had things from Elijah's house. She could sell something if need be.

"Hello."

"Is he around?"

"Not that I can tell."

"I gave Damon Klaus' blood."

"Good."

"Why was it so important that he get it?"

"They all need to be safe."

Katherine laughed. "What for? I thought you didn't care."

"You know as well as I do that flipping the switch doesn't change how you feel about people completely. I just don't feel remorse or hurt anymore."

"What about Elijah?"

"He knew about my trust issues and that I wouldn't take kindly to being betrayed. That . . . stunt he pulled . . . it was the undoing. I was never allowed to be around him anyway, so . . . no trust, no love."

"Well, I don't trust you, but I still love you."

"That's different, Katherine."

"I know."

Araya laughed as her phoned beeped. "Ugh. I have to get a new phone. This damn battery only lasts a day."

"Get an iPhone. Bye, Ray."

Araya sighed and turned around back to the crate. She nearly jumped in fear when she saw Klaus out of the corner of her eye.

"Glad to see you stayed."

"You would have found me again if you really wanted me here."

Klaus shrugged. "Perhaps I would have."

"Why did you want me here, Klaus?"

"We're going on a trip."

She could handle going on a trip as long as it wasn't just her and Klaus. She thought it would not end well.

"And Stefan?"

"He will be along as well."

"Do I at least get to pack?"

"No. We're leaving as soon as Stefan is done feeding."

"But my—"

"I'll buy you new ones, love."

"I can't turn that down."

"I'll also supply you a new phone. Yours is a piece of shit."

"Because I haven't noticed."

Klaus listened to everything around him. "Stefan's done."

"We're leaving then."

"Not quite yet," Klaus answered. "I've found that I don't quite like this side of you. It isn't who you are. Being a ripper sure helps out my cause, but I'm afraid I can't tolerate—"

A new voice entered the conversation. "Didn't you see, Klaus?

"Stefan, don't!" Araya said. Klaus looked at Stefan, silently ordering him to spit it out.

"The second you killed Elijah, her emotions came back. I watched the emotions cross her face."

"Go back to the truck, Stefan. We'll meet you there in a minute."

As Stefan retreated back to the truck, Araya's heart sank. Klaus wasn't facing her so, she couldn't tell if he was angry or not. She was willing to bet he was.

Then she was proved wrong as he chuckled. "You really are a great actress. I was starting to loathe your resemblances to Katerina." All emotion left his face and was replaced with anger. He pushed her against a large wooden crate and wrapped his hand around her throat. "Why were you lying? What were you planning?"

"I'm not stupid enough to try to kill you again if that's what you think. I need out of Mystic Falls just like I needed out of Chicago. It's not enough, but it's too much."

Klaus instantly dropped his hold on her.

He thought he shouldn't have threatened her like that while she wondered why he didn't do anything further.

"I'm sorry."

Araya was a bit taken back.

Sorry? she thought.

The End.

The first chapter of the sequel will be uploaded within an hour!

xoxo

-TGCTW