Hello again!
I'm so sorry to have kept you guys waiting for the next update. Trust me when I say that my college positively hates its students over burdening us with a billion things before the break. *phew*.
Anyway onto better things - Thank you all so so much for your amazing reviews. I've loved the contrasting opinions of everyone with regard to Kol's attack on Arianna's brother and I've enjoyed both - the positive and negative equally.
This chapter - well, this chapter is in for a long awaited (for me) plot twist. I hope you guys enjoy it.
Now without wasting much of your time - I'll just get onto addressing each of you.
TinyDancer563 - I am so sorry for not having replied to your PM yet. You must think of me a twit. But, now that I have time I WILL reply to your PM ASAP. I'm looking forward to hearing your opinion about this chapter!
Snowberryxoxo - You know, I've got something planned along those lines - What if Kol gets jealous seeing Arianna with another man. What'll he do then?! Wil be quite interesting, won't it? Its not too far away. I promise!
Meisyree - Thank you so much for being so very nice and assuring me that you'll always review. Nothing makes me happier than to hear things like that! Also, as I've always said to all of my readers so far - here, in this story, Kol is a crazed psycho. Psychos don't change over a day. What ticks them off and what makes them tortured is something I intend to understand over the course of my writing and with the help of all your reviews!
LysaaLoo - Thank you so much for your review. I hope you like the next one too!
DreamsForTheDead - Good Lord. I know I have a PM to respond to. Trust me it'll be a long one. I have been so tied up with everything off late but I have time now. Finally I have some time! Thank dear good lord for it. Remember I was talking to you about the plot twist and was skeptical about how everyone might take it? Well, here it is. And I'm nervous as hell! And about Kol harming anyone of Arianna's kith? I'd never let him kill, because I don't think I'd want her to be with him in that case. She'd rather become some crazed revenge seeking vampire hunter which is more kick-ass! Okay, I'm writing you a PM and telling you a million other things I want to.
WhatsGoingOn - Thanks for you review! I'm looking forward to your take on this one!
LucyRider17 - Oh he is, isn't he? I'd guess this was all because of sheer jealousy, anger and ofcourse a twisted little glitch in his brain. I hope you find the portrayal of Kol alright so far? Please let me know what you think!
unternasty - Thank you so very much for the compliment. It makes me happy when my story is appreciated and makes me want to write more. I hope to hear from you again!
CritiqueOfReason - Professor Shane, well well - I'm not saying anything *grins*. Jealousy and Kol - why ofcourse that's an upcoming chapter. Don't you worry about that!
Lotheriel - Welcome back! I still have to review your chapter 5. I promise that's happening soon! Thank you so much for your reviews one after another, I think I'm going to have to write you a PM with all I want to say, so be sure to check your inbox! For now, I'm dying to hear from you for this one. And good luck with your story! Hope the upcoming chapters are coming along well.
Cielja - I'm glad you understood that Kol was being absolutely unreasonable when he attacked Nate, which is exactly why I'd like to think it was so very in his character to do so. When have crazed psychos ever made sense. They just need a triggering point with as unreasonable a reason that suits them best. I'm glad you think I've gotten Rebekah right on because she intends to stay here more than her other siblings other than Kol. I hope you like this chapter too, and please do tell me how you thought it was!
appreciation - The previous chapter has really missed your review. I hope to hear from you after this one! :)
Now, to all of you -
Happy Reading! :)
Chapter 8
Kol waited in the woods, at a distance from the Salvatore Boarding House. The lights from within shone brightly. The light bantering of two males was the only sound he could perceive within the periphery of his hearing.
He was wicked, vengeful, murderous even. Why was he to spare the elder Salvatore if he was to punish his little brunette toy?
No, he certainly wasn't to be spared and with good reason. It was time the young vampire learned to respect the originals – the source of his species.
It was yet another unending night for Damon. He couldn't begin to put words to the fight he had with his holier-than-thou sibling. They both knew well though that he would do what was his perception of the right thing. He was one-track minded after all. And when it came to issues regarding Melanie, he was the only one who had the privilege to decide.
It was settled. He was going to help her heal. He was going to feed her his blood and it was final. He downed another glass of bourbon.
Was the petite wounded young blonde even aware of the existence of vampires? He wondered. It made him curious to know her perception of the creatures of the dark. Would she laugh it off? Would she be hysterical and loathe him? He certainly didn't want her to loathe him. He groaned. When was the last time Damon Salvatore wanted someone to not loathe him? Why was he thinking along the same lines? It was Melanie. Ofcourse he wanted to think along those lines.
Amidst his musing, he was instantly reminded of her friend – Arianna Griffiths. She was peculiar. He thought of the fit of hysteria that had overcome her not too many hours ago. He couldn't quite comprehend what had catalyzed her strangely odd reaction.
Light thuds on the wooden floor of the boarding house distracted him instantly. He put his glass on the counter and headed to the foyer, the sound of footsteps only quickening. Damon cautiously looked around for its source, the scent of which was unfamiliar.
He followed the leading footsteps.
The wooden door of the basement was left open, a small source of light illuminating the dingy enclosure. He pushed it open and walked in, surveying the quite that surrounded him.
Before his reflexes could come to his aid, before his heightened vampire abilities could be of any use to him, before he could prepare himself for combat, he was incapacitated. He looked at the source of pain in his otherwise agile body and watched with horror as a wooden stake pierced his abdomen. He tried to pull it out but his fingers burned. It had been laced with vervain.
As he tried to stand, another blow was dealt onto his knees.
"Relax Darling." Kol chuckled in sadistic pleasure as he watched him writhe in pain.
"Oh you son of a bitch." Damon muttered angrily struggling for air.
"Ah, you know the problem with you young ones?" Kol happily circled the pained vampire. "You know little respect." He caught a piece of wood, his own hands burning in the process. He cared little however, he would recover sooner than an others, he was an original. The stake was laced with vervain.
"About time you were taught." Damon couldn't have been more thankful for having a brother, no matter their differences at that instant. Before the sordid foreign object even pierced his hard skin, the younger Salvatore had intervened knocking the vengeful original away. He knew he had it coming after their very polite encounter, the evening of the ball initiated by mama original.
He shifted himself, leaning against a wall – weakened by the staggering amount of blood loss from the sudden attack as he heard his brother struggling against the original in the foyer.
Nathaniel lay unconscious on his bed, his face bruised. It appeared that the perpetrator of the crime, the one who might have been responsible for his wounded condition wasn't particularly careful in his actions. Then there was the possibility that his wounds might have worsened because of the way he was delivered.
Eleanor watched her son; a bandage was plastered on the left side of his neck. She was thankful for having found him while the slight traces of his waning pulse were still present. She ran her fingers through his roughened brown hair affectionately, her eyes heavy with emotion.
The past few days had been rough.
It seemed to her that the men of the Griffiths family were doomed to the same fate.
"Mom?" Eleanor was so lost in thought that the small voice of her daughter momentarily startled her.
Arianna watched her mother's tired eyes as they stared back at her, blank. She walked to her side and quietly sat on the floor, resting her head on her mother's lap.
Both watched Nathaniel with hope and sorrow as he continued to lay unconscious, fighting reflexively for his life.
It was going to be a long night.
The bright gleams of the morning sun sieved in through the unevenly pulled blinds of Nathaniel's bedroom.
Arianna stirred slightly, a little miffed and pained by the stiff position she found herself in. Her head rested on the fluffy cushion of the rocking chair. She had fallen asleep on her mother's lap. Eleanor however was not to be found. She cast a glance at the watch that continued to tick on the side table. It was clear to her now that mother must have left for the hospital hours ago.
She turned to look at her brother. He was gaining consciousness slow and steadily.
"Hey!" She moved to sit beside him on his bed; her eyes tired and sagging.
Nathaniel looked at his sister who wore a pained smile on her face. He was confused, unable to process his predicament, his surroundings.
"How do you feel?" Arianna inquired, clearly noticing her brother's perplexity.
"What happened to me?" His voice was hoarse. It hurt him to even make an effort at uttering words. The skin on his neck felt itchy. He instantly placed his hands on his neck, discovering the plaster of cotton and gauge against his skin – one of the sources of discomfort. Irritated and confused, he began tugging at it in an effort to free himself.
"Nate, don't." Arianna attempted to stop him. She held his hands away to the bed.
"Don't." Her voice was strong, commanding – just like it had been when she had once caught him copying his homework straight out of the book of one of his classmates when he had been thirteen. His hands slowly found their way to his side.
"Wha… How… What happened?" he stuttered, unsure of what question to ask, unsure if he could ask a question.
Arianna's eyes softened. She looked at him sympathetically, taking his hand and hers and rubbing them gently, soothingly. "I was hoping you could tell me." She encouraged.
Seeing the hope, the comfort and warmth in his sister's eyes, he felt as if nothing had mattered more to him ever before than simply confiding in her his regrets, his fears and most importantly his associations. But no, he wouldn't. He looked away, not giving Arianna what she wanted to know.
"Nate," she began, not knowing how to coax words from his mouth. She needed to know, she had to protect her brother. She needed his cooperation more than anything at that moment. "Look… I know I haven't been around for-"
"Save the speech Arianna." He snapped, irritated. He didn't want her concern, no matter how much he wished for it. She was upset. It was visible on her face. Patience however had been her dear friend, teaching her a lot more than the years that were behind her.
She wasn't discouraged, she started again. "I'm sorry." Two simple words were all it took to redeem her mistakes in the eyes of her brother. He looked at her, his face an opaque mask of the turmoil of emotions seething within him.
"I'm sorry for being a lousy sister." She continued. "I'm sorry for not being there for you." Nathaniel did not interrupt her; he listened to her apology patiently. "I'm sorry for being selfish Nate." She was fiddling with her fingers – a clear sign of nervousness.
Nate didn't think it necessary to take aid of speech for response. He knew the difficulty Arianna faced for admitting her mistakes, apologizing was pushing it too far. It was difficult for her, yes. He wanted it to be difficult for her, yes, but he knew better than to push her buttons more than required, lest she snap.
"I don't know what happened last night." His voice was almost inaudible. "I can't remember." It was lie. He did remember. He remembered the frosty air, the cracking woods, the bracelet, Lynette, and screaming.
Arianna searched her brother's face for any sign of familiarity, hoping he remembered the events of the previous night. "Anything?" she enquired after a long silence.
He hesitated, unsure if he could tell Arianna of what he had gotten himself into. Somewhere deep within, he was still scared. He had always wanted to be in her good graces. Only, he didn't realize that she held him closest to her heart and his efforts were unnecessary.
"You can tell me Nate. You know you can." She encouraged him; her fingers brushed his tangled hair. "It'll be our secret." A pregnant silence engulfed them.
"I was in the woods last night." Nathaniel began, his voice wavering. "We were doing our usual thing… I never thought they'd die." His voice was heavy, tearful.
She waited patiently while he continued reciting his story.
"Who was with you Nate?" Arianna encouraged. "How many were you?"
"Five. It was five of us. Chace didn't show up."
"Chace? Chace Smith? The lad you played soccer with?"
"Yeah." Nate nodded. "I swear… I swear I don't know what happened Aria. I…" his body trembled with fear, uncontrolled sobs barely escaping his strong façade. She knew what was coming next. It was characteristic of members of the Griffiths family to be poor receptors of any extreme emotion.
Arianna took Nate in her arms, comforting him as her hands soothingly rubbed his back. "It's alright Nate. We'll find out what happened." Nathaniel did not question, he did not over analyze. He simply let himself enjoy the reassurance his sister's presence and soothing gestures provided.
"Morning little sister." Kol's chirpy voice wasn't one Rebekah had been too accustomed to hearing early in the morning.
She grunted in pain as she shifted from her awkward position. Her neck felt as if it had been broken, she felt weak.
"Slept like a baby, didn't you?" Kol taunted as the blonde original struggled to get to her feet. Kol simply enjoyed the sight of his stumbling sister, sitting on the chaise longue not bothering to assist her.
"Whatever happened to you?!" he mocked her again. Rebekah's patience was wearing thin. Even in her fragile state she couldn't hold back her tongue. It had never been her area of expertise unlike Niklaus. She was much like Kol. She winced however, ignoring her brother's taunt. Kol chuckled at his sister's speechlessness. It was his turn to be the victorious one.
"I brought you some snack." He walked towards her, looking her in the eye, smug about his victory. "It's waiting for you upstairs." He watched her hollow eyes as they glared at him, her skin ashen. She wasn't pleased with her defeat.
He rested his arms on her shoulder purposefully, knowing it would irritate her. "Is this any way to bid adieu to your brother darling 'Bekah?" his voice was deceitfully saccharine sweet. It had the desired effect on Rebekah though.
"Where are you going?" she sounded much like a croaking frog. He didn't reply, only smiled at her. It wasn't his signature wicked smile, he wasn't even smug and it certainly wasn't his triumphant smirk. "Take care 'Bekah." His finger traced on her jaw line and his eye brows contorted for only a second soon replaced by his usual complacent façade.
He walked past her towards the door. Rebekah didn't know how to react or what to say. She wasn't even pretty sure if she understood what Kol might have just told her. "You can thank me when we meet again." He called before disappearing from sight.
She was reminded of her thirst by his closing statement. Without much thought she hurried to her room, her mind and body anxious for blood, eager to regain strength. She froze however at the sight before her. On the carpeted floor lay Matt Donovan's unconscious form.
She was horrified. She rushed to his side quick to assess the damage her brother had caused. To her surprise the boy of unscathed. If this was his idea of a tall story, it didn't make Rebekah laugh. But there was nothing she could do now.
Kol had left leaving an agitated Rebekah in his wake.
Arianna stood before the vast expanse of green vegetation, at the starting point of a trail, not too sure if she was doing the right thing by following her instinct. She had to take a chance though.
She debated with herself, pacing back and forth. She was scheduled to leave for Denver the next day, but it was her brother. She couldn't possibly leave without warning him sufficiently of the dangers that were abundant in this town and the only way to know was to discover, was to follow to her instinct, and so she did.
Visibility in the woods was extremely meager. There was not a soul around, the winds were absolutely still. It felt eerie to be in them, as if it wasn't a place for the living. She walked nonetheless, following the trail she had chosen on the recommendation of Chace Smith, Nate's fellow groupie. She shook her head in despair at the thought of what her brother had gotten himself into. It was never too late though.
The familiar pang of pain was beginning to crawl into her mind. Every now and then she would be supplied with visions – snippets of an ancient time.
A young boy of not more than fourteen ran after a young girl a good few years older than himself. He had the same brown hair as that of her brother, Arianna realized. He was lanky, about five feet at best and no taller. The clothes he wore though were of a different era. A pre-historic era perhaps.
"Wait for me." He playfully called out to his sister whose giggling resonated in the woods. Arianna only caught sight of her braided orderly blonde hair.
She was abruptly brought back to reality as the young boy and girl faded into the deep woods. She didn't have a very good feeling about it.
There were no voices around, no sound apart from the occasional snapping of a twig under her boots. The woods only got darker until she came to an abandoned clearing.
They screamed in pain, anger lacing their shrieking voices. The women at the stake burned slowly, steadily, their kith and kin wailing. The towns folk watched the uncouth demonstration of blind faith.
A man marched furiously before the pedestal where the women burnt. "They are the evil that live among us, inconspicuous. Sorcerers, witches, architects of the supernatural abomination that has plagued our town." He paused for dramatic effect before continuing, pointing fingers at the half burnt carcass on the stake. "Show them no mercy."
The wailing continued; the air was filled with the stench of burning human flesh and blood. It made Arianna want to vomit. She was afraid she wouldn't be able to hold back the bile that was rising in her throat.
She coughed loudly as her mind started to retract from her state of trance. The force of it threw her off guard; her back slouched against the bark of a fir tree in the vicinity. Beads of sweat covered her forehead and suddenly she wasn't feeling so well. She knew she couldn't hold back anymore.
Pulling her hair back, she threw up on the ground before her; the bile leaving a strange taste in her mouth. She felt strangely sick, light, and weak. Closing her eyes for a few minutes, she rested her head on the bark of the tree. Cold wind had started billowing in the distance. The feel of soft breeze on her cheek was welcoming. It felt like she was being caressed by it. It felt strangely human.
Her eyes snapped open in horror.
The young boy from her previous vision stood before her. It felt as if he had been watching her all this while. He smiled at her. She was puzzled. This boy wore clothes entirely suitable for another era. His boots were held in place by worn out black strings around his ankle and lower limb. His shirt was long, more of a rag than what she was accustomed to seeing. He looked like an ancient cobbler or blacksmith's son. His hair was long and brown, eyes expressive and confused, face full of playful innocence.
"What's your name?" Arianna found strength in her voice.
He didn't reply. The boy simply started walking away from her. She couldn't fathom why. "Wait." She called after him but he kept walking. She got to her feet quickly and followed the elusive boy. The winds around her picked up pace, working against her, preventing her from moving forward.
She was determined though. The little boy looked in her direction from afar as she edged closer, he continued walking.
"Who are you?" she screamed into the woods, hoping in vain for a reply. None came.
She was curious. Who was this boy? Why had she spotted him? Where was he leading her? A million different questions plagued her mind. Without realizing she found herself standing at a very familiar place. It smelled of death, like it was fresh in the air.
The young redhead giggled and sped to catch the familiar platinum bracelet, reveling in her achievement, analyzing her prize.
Arianna knew that it belonged to her brother. She watched as he sat back in frustration against the tree, eyeing the redhead.
In the distance she heard the angry growl of an animal she hadn't heard before. The others seemed to have realized that they had company too, unsolicited nonetheless. From the woods emerged her personalized monster, none other than Kol Mikaelson. She needed to know no more but the curse she was blessed with didn't approve of it.
She watched in despair, horror and disgust the way he drained the bodies of blood, delighted at his actions, satisfying his desire. He was vile. He made her wrench.
Her face was pale, numb. She stood rooted to the spot unaware of where her feet had carried her. Darkness was soon replacing the little light that penetrated the semi-permeable woods. The young brown haired boy appeared in front of her again. She made her way cautiously to him, hoping he wouldn't resort to his elusive ways again. He didn't run, he didn't move.
Arianna walked towards him and he smiled as if it was what he wanted. She bent on her knees, her eyes in level with his. "Who are-" he cut her short, placing his hand on her mouth. She could only feel faint traces of skin and no more.
He looked into her eyes, taking her palms in his tiny ones. Not a word escaped his mouth. His eyes turned ashen white though, devoid of pupils as if he was being possessed. Arianna didn't realize when she was being transferred to another world. She felt her life force being meddled with.
A young man ran towards his house.
"Mother… mother" he carried in his arms the lifeless form of a young boy, his limbs dangling in the air. "Henrik." He cried in despair.
An older man and woman emerged from the hut followed by the blonde she had seen before and another man. Their resemblance indicated that they were family.
"Henrik?" the blonde gasped shocked and ran towards the lifeless body of her brother.
The elder woman hurried towards her son, "No, no! What happened?"
"The wolves! I am sorry, I am so sorry." The younger man sobbed relentlessly, defeated.
Arianna watched the scene before her carefully. The young boy who lay on the ground had long brown hair, complacent features and wore the clothes of one who had guided her thus far. He was no more.
And the young blonde who sobbed mournfully beside her brother was none of than Rebekah Mikaelson.
She felt her life force waver again. Her mind was closing, she was being pulled out of the strange dream she seemed so lost in.
When she opened her eyes, she saw nothing. The young boy had faded into oblivion, not to be found. She looked around, shocked at her surroundings. It had all seemed so real. She got to her feet, searching in the woods for the elusive boy until she came across a small glimmering source deep within the woods.
She walked in its direction, the source remaining stationary. When she finally arrived at her destination, the glimmering ball of light plunged into the ground beneath her feet just a few meters away.
Arianna bent down to where the light ball had disappeared. It was cemented. She bent on her knees dusting away the dried leaves and damp mud that covered cemented area.
Her shock knew no bounds when she read what was inscribed on it in old Viking script.
"Henrik Mikaelson.
Beloved brother, son, family."
Okay, what would my score be?
What did you think of the chapter? To your liking?
Also I have a question - How many of you would like a Christmas gift? - A Christmas update?!
I'm eager to read your reviews already! :)
