Chapter Nineteen: What Hurts the Most
"What hurts the most, was being so close
And havin' so much to say…
And never knowin', what could have been
And not seein' that lovin' you
Is what I was trying to do…"
Ooo0ooO
When I opened my eyes again, my head was throbbing like a drum. Groaning, I lifted a hand to where the pain was at its greatest and, drawing my hand back, saw blood smeared over my palm.
Another groan alerted me that I wasn't alone. I looked around, but couldn't see much, since where I was was very dark. I thought I made out a shape a few feet away from me and flinched when I saw it move.
"Isn't this cute?" said a deep voice. I turned my head away from the moaning shape and saw an opening in the wall, or maybe it was a door, besides me. Light filtered in and I spotted two black eyes glaring at me through it.
Suddenly there was a snap and light flooded the whole room. I blinked rapidly so my vision could adjust and saw I was in a small dirt floored cell.
"It's a family reunion in there," said the man, who I assumed was Mark.
What? I thought. Looking over my shoulder, I felt my heart slam into my throat.
Lying on the floor, covered in dirt, bile and a lot of blood, was my brother.
"Charlie," I gasped. Scrambling over to him, I put his head on my lap and placed a hand on his cheek.
"Enjoy your stay," Mark said. There was another click and faint buzzing started.
Immediately, the air was thick with something poisonous, making me cough. Pain slammed into my chest but I ignored it. Shaking Charlie, I started screaming.
"Charlie!"
"Charlie!"
Ooo0ooO
When I left Annabelle behind in the meadow, I returned to the mansion. Still feeling a little twisted up inside, I decided some painting would soothe me for some time.
I walked to the drawing room and began sketching next to the fireplace, with a glass of whisky by my side.
My phone buzzed and seeing it was Annabelle, I answered.
"Hello, sweetheart," I said.
"We got your little sweetheart," a familiar voice snarled. Black fury filled me fast, like a hot consuming fire.
"What have you done with her?" I demanded, standing up. The glass fell to the floor, shattering. I barely noticed.
"Well, after you had your little romantic moment, I decided to tell her hello. And one thing lead to another, and one of my buddies smashed her head with a tire iron."
My hand gripped the phone tightly. "You are going to regret that," I said, my voice deadly calm.
The man snorted. "Bring it on, pretty boy."
Immediately, I knew it was that man from the woods. Mark.
"I will find you, and her, and I swear I will kill you. Slowly. Painfully," I threatened, my teeth clenching. It took every ounce of will not to crush my phone in my steel grasp.
"Looking forward to your little visit," the foolish man said, before hanging up.
Snarling, I jammed my phone in my pocket. I picked up the table next to me and threw it across the room in a flash. It splintered against the wall. Runing my hands through my hair, I growled.
The bastard had Annabelle.
My Anna.
Someone was going to die.
Ooo0ooO
I held Charlie in my arms, willing him to open his eyes. Tears fell down my cheeks silently.
"Charlie, please," I begged.
After what felt like an eternity, his eyes finally flickered and slowly opened.
"Charlie?" His gray eyes were unfocused, blurry, reeling. I coughed and looked up. I saw a yellow plant dangling in front of a fan.
Wolfsbane, my mind snarled. Those bastards.
"A… Anna?" Charlie croaked. I sobbed slightly.
"Yes, Charlie, it's me. I'm here," I cried, brushing at his dirty hair.
"Anna," he whispered. His hand reached for mine and gripped it weakly.
"Oh, Charlie, what have they done to you?" Biting my lip, I cradled my brother to my chest.
"They…they took me away… Kept me here… Anna, the wolfsbane…" Charlie's weak voice filled me with a frightening rage.
Looking towards the door, I glared with murderous gold eyes.
Those bastards were going to pay for hurting my brother.
Klaus, I screamed in my mind. Klaus, please find me.
Find me!
Ooo0ooO
I ran back to the meadow.
There I scented the men who took Annabelle. I followed the trail, which lead away into the thickening forest, away from Mystic Falls.
Along the way, I felt a tingling within me. It felt like I had forgotten something and it was surging forward so I could recall it.
A burning sensation in my wrist made me flinch and when I looked down at it, I saw the gray lines glowing along my skin. The same lines that had faded away when the soul bond had grown stronger between Annabelle and I.
Immediately, I knew she was trying to call out to me. Somehow, through the bond we shared, I felt the piece of her soul inside me crying out. Closing my eyes, I focused on her.
There was one message that broke through within me, a desperate, angry cry that echoed in my mind.
Find me!
Following it, I intended to do just that.
Ooo0ooO
I leaned against the wall of the cell, still holding Charlie's head on my lap. I stroked his hair.
"What did you do when they took me away?" Charlie asked before coughing. I wiped the blood from his chin.
"I tried to find you, of course," I told him. Charlie's eyes focused on me.
"Did you find him?" Understanding, I nodded. Closing my eyes, I placed my head against the wall.
Klaus, I thought.
A sharp, hot sensation burned my wrist, making me gasp. Opening my eyes, I saw the dark blue lines from the soul bond on my arm.
"What's that?" Charlie asked, eyes wide. I shook my head sharply and furrowed my brow. Reclosing my eyes, I followed my instinct, focusing on Klaus.
I will find you.
I nearly broke down crying again at the sound of his voice in my head. It wasn't like telepathy; it felt more like a solid emotion he was pushing on me, assuring me with his determination. And I knew he would find me.
We always found each other.
With a secret smile, I looked down at Charlie. He stared back, his eyes confused.
"Help is coming," I said simply.
Ooo0ooO
I found myself crossing the state line into West Virginia, following the scent trial and the growing feeling that I was getting closer to Annabelle.
The gray lines had yet to fade from my wrist, which I didn't mind and ignored. All I focused on was finding her.
No matter what it took, I would find her and I would save her.
Many miles passed, and I came upon an old, rotting farm in the middle of the woods. I sniffed the air and caught the scent of more werewolves, along with Annabelle's.
Walking forward with some caution, I took in the surroundings. The barn was falling apart, black and crumpled, obviously deserted.
"Well, well, look who showed up."
Looking to my right, I spotted Mark standing with his arms crossed. He was surrounded by at least ten more wolves, all which had their gold eyes focused on me.
"Where is she," I demanded, clenching my fists. Mark shook his head at me.
"Did you really think I was going to just hand her over to you because you threatened me?" he asked sarcastically.
"No," I agreed slowly, "But you will anyway."
In a flash, I attacked the pack of werewolves. None of them were as fast I was and I ripped out all of their hearts easily.
Throwing the last one at Mark's feet, I studied him. His eyes were wide now, face a little pale. I then studied my bloody hands, before watching him while I licked my fingers.
"Run, wolf man," I taunted.
And he did.
Ooo0ooO
Hours ticked by slowly. The only thing that kept me hopeful was the growing sensation, a sort of knowledge that Klaus was getting closer.
"Charlie, do you know where we are?" I asked. Charlie grunted and sat up from my lap, propping himself against the wall besides me. He coughed slightly.
"Not completely sure," he said. "I think somewhere in West Virginia. At least that where I thought I heard one of them say."
"West Virginia," I repeated.
"Yeah. Why do you say it like that?" I gave a short laugh.
"All this time looking for you, you were next door to me," I said, shaking my head. "Right in the next state."
"Virginia?" he asked, his voice a little curious. I started coughing violently, covering my mouth with a hand. I saw some blood on it when the fit passed.
"Fuck," I groaned. "Fucking wolfsbane."
"Tell me about it," Charlie huffed. I looked him over.
"What did they do to you Charlie?" His gray eyes looked at me, filled with bitter hatred.
"Some slicing and dicing, a few wolfsbane baths… you know, typical wolf torture."
"Charlie," I breathed, placing my hand over his. He squeezed reassuringly.
"I'm okay. Tougher than I look," he said with a weak wink. I couldn't help but smiled a little.
"I know," I said, holding his hand tightly.
Suddenly, the cell door flung open. An unfamiliar man with long black hair and green eyes glared at us.
"You," he pointed me, "are coming with me."
"Like hell I am," I snarled, standing up. I felt a little weak but I held my ground, standing in front of my brother protectively.
The man snatched my arms and snapped both of them before yanking them behind my back. I screamed.
"Anna!" Charlie shouted.
"Shut the fuck up!" the man snapped, kicking Charlie in the face. Charlie collapsed to the floor.
"No!" I cried, struggling. The man gripped my arms, holding them at an awkward angle so they wouldn't heal. Pain coursed through them but I ignored it. I fought back, struggling to kick or bite the man. I bared my fangs and snarled.
The man's hand flashed out and a needle was suddenly buried in my neck. I gurgled a little before collapsing.
Ooo0ooO
Flashing, I caught Mark before he could disappear into the trees.
"Where's the fire, mate?" I snarled, throwing him against a tree. He gasped and fell to his knees. I kicked him and had him sprawled on his back.
"Where's Annabelle?" I demanded.
"I…don't know," Mark wheezed. I kicked him against another tree, relishing in the sound of his ribs breaking.
"Where is she?" I grabbed the man by the throat and held him in the air, enjoying how he thrashed for air.
"Tell me, or I will rip you apart," I said calmly. Mark gasped and gripped my hand, trying to claw at it. I ignored the claws slashing at my flesh, I ignored the blood that fell.
With my other hand, I shoved through Mark's chest to grip his heart.
"This seems awfully familiar," I commented, tightening my drip. Mark stilled, eyes widening.
"Tell me where Annabelle is, or I will end you."
"In the barn!" Mark yelped. "Someone's going to get her from the barn!" He wheezed.
"Where are they taking her?" I snarled. My hand tightened further.
"I don't know! I don't know!"
"Wrong answer," I scolded.
With a twist of my hand, I crushed his heart and ripped it away from his chest.
Ooo0ooO
My world was blurry, slow. I stumbled forward, barely registering the pain shooting from my arms.
I fell forward, face first, into the ground. I felt blood slowly trickle and someone roughly yank me to my feet.
"Keep walking," they hissed. Something sharp- a knife?- pierced my back.
"Annabelle!"
I rolled my head to the side and thought I saw Klaus running towards me.
The man holding me yanked me closer.
"Don't come any closer or I'll kill her!" A hunting knife was pressed to my throat.
"Klaus," I whispered, struggling to keep my eyes open.
"Give her to me."
"No," the man snarled. The knife bit into my throat and I felt more blood trickle. I whimpered softly.
"I will kill you," Klaus warned.
"Klaus," I repeated, my knees trembling to keep me standing. I saw Klaus lunge forward and felt the knife slice across my throat before quickly embedding itself in my side.
"No!"
The last thing I remember was falling.
Ooo0ooO
I was swimming in a dark pool. Everything was black, calm and thick. I struggled to find a way out. The darkness was suffocating.
I thought I heard a voice in the dim.
"Annabelle."
Klaus?
"Annabelle."
Where are you?
"Wake up. Please wake up."
I can't…
"Open your eyes."
Help me!
"Please, Annabelle." The voice was now sobbing.
Klaus!
I saw a graying light in front of me, a literal light at the end of the tunnel. I ran towards it.
When I opened my eyes, I found myself staring at an unfamiliar ceiling. I heard beeping, muffled voices and footsteps. Turning my head, I saw I was lying in a hospital bed.
Klaus was sitting beside me, holding m hand in both of his, his head bowed. I saw tears running down his face. When he lifted his head and our eyes met, my heart broke and felt relief at the same time.
His eyes were a deep, distressed blue, almost black. They swirled with fear, anxiety which was quickly fading, replaced by relief.
"Annabelle," Klaus sighed.
"What happened?" I asked quietly. I felt a pain in my throat, my side. Anger flickered over Klaus's face but was quickly smothered.
"You were taken by the werewolves who took your brother-,"
"Charlie!" I gasped. "Is he okay? Did you find him?"
"Yes Annabelle, he's fine. He is in the room next to yours, recovering. He is healing thanks to Dr. Fell."
"And the werewolves…?"
"All dead," he said shortly. I nodded and sighed, placing my head back against the pillow.
"And what about me?" I asked. Klaus reached over and traced my cheek with his knuckles.
"You were poisoned with wolfsbane, which is being flushed out of your system. You are still healing from the cut to your throat and the stab wound to your side. The knife didn't hit any main arteries in your neck, but did puncture a lung in your side. Dr. Fell wants you to stay here until you made a full recovery."
"How long have I been out?"
"Three days."
I winced. "Yeesh. Have you been here the whole time?"
Klaus furrowed his brow. "Of course, sweetheart," he said as if it was obvious.
"Klaus," I sighed, shaking my head slightly. My eyes met his.
"You found me," I murmured. He lifted my hand a little.
"I told you I would, thanks to the bond," he answered. Looking down, I saw the lights had faded away from my skin.
"When did the lines go away?" I asked.
"I believe as soon as I found you. They were gone after that man… hurt you…" he trailed off, hand clenching mine tightly. I reached over with my other hand and stroked his cheek. He leaned into my touch.
"Shh. I'm okay now," I soothed. Klaus's eyes flickered up, filled with pain.
"I almost lost you," he murmured in a pain filled voice. My heart ached.
"I wanted to tell you… Before I left you in the meadow… I had something else to say… Then he took you. He took you and I thought I was going to lose you."
"Niklaus," I whispered. He shuddered a little, tears sliding down his face. I wiped them away gently.
"I thought I was never going to be able to tell you this," he continued. His eyes met mine again, that breathtaking, heart shattering blue.
"Annabelle, I-,"
"Well I'm glad to see that someone's awake."
Klaus and I turned at the sound of a woman's voice. I saw a slim brunette standing at the door, wearing a doctor's coat labeled 'Dr. Fell'.
"Glad to be awake," I said, giving her a slight smile. Klaus leaned back, but kept holding my hand. I felt a twinge of regret at being interrupted.
"You and your brother are lucky," Dr. Fell said. "Any human would have died from the injuries both of you sustained." I raised a brow.
"I'm guessing you know then," I said. The woman nodded.
"Yes, I'm well aware of what really goes on in Mystic Falls," she answered.
"Doc, is my brother going to be okay?" I asked, still worried. She smiled reassuringly.
"He's a fighter. He'll have to stay longer than you so I can make sure all the wolfsbane is cleared from his system but other than that, I'm confident he'll make a full recovery. You, on the other hand, can go home tomorrow."
I nodded, sighing a little with relief. "Can I see him?"
"I don't see why not. You might need some help standing though," Dr. Fell said.
"I'll do that," Klaus said right away. With one smooth move, he scooped me into his arms and started to carry me towards the door. I felt myself blush a little when Dr. Fell stepped back and gave me a knowing, yet somehow longing, smile.
"You don't have to carry me," I said to Klaus. He looked down at me patiently.
"Just shut up for a moment."
He leaned in and kissed me softly. His lips slid against mine and I sighed, biting his bottom lip. He chuckled against my lips before pulling back.
We walked into Charlie's room and I saw him sitting up in bed, pressing the TV remote.
"Is there anything on besides holiday movies?" he complained. I laughed and Charlie turned to grin at me. Klaus placed me in the chair next to Charlie's bed. I looked up at him and he nodded before leaving the room.
"How are you doing?" Charlie asked softly.
"I'm doing okay," I replied. "You were the one that looked like he fought a bunch of thugs."
"I basically did," he retorted. I snorted.
"Basically," I agreed. Glancing towards the TV, I saw he was watching 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas'. I giggled.
"Wanna watch?" he asked, moving over on his bed. I climbed into the bed besides me brother. I dropped my head on his shoulder and grasped his hand tightly. He rested his cheek against my hair.
"I missed you," I whispered.
"I missed you too, Anna," Charlie answered quietly.
Together, we watched the Grinch steal all the Who's presents. I saw Klaus stand in the doorway briefly and I sent him a smile. He smiled back before disappearing again.
I sighed and snuggled against my brother.
Finally, after a long time, everything was clicking into place.
Ooo0ooO
Author's Note: Hello again! I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter as much as the last one…
Let me know what you thought of it!