Chapter 21: Chasing The Shadow

Flashback

Shanyra was sitting on the floor, looking numb, and panting heavily. She was staring at the space with unblinking unfocused eyes. Davina and Josh looked at each other worriedly. Shae didn't suffer much since she was compelled only once. It was really her emotions that had her in a frozen state.

"Shanyra, are you alright?" Davina asked softly, not understanding why was Shae being like this. What did she remember? But she received no response.

"Shanyra?" It was the third time Davina called her name did she finally look at her.

"You were right." Shae said. Her voice only above a whisper.

"Kol used his compulsion on me." She said sadly.

"What did he compel you to do?" Davina asked curiously. Thinking of something horrible in her mind. But what Shae said surprised her to no limits.

"Not to stop being his friend." Davina and Josh looked at each other hearing that.

"Well that doesn't sound too bad" said Josh but Shanyra shook her head.

"But it is." She stated but didn't explain the reason. It was bad because Shae couldn't be friends with Kol anymore. Her feelings for him have changed on their own. It was neither Shanyra's fault that she couldn't stop herself from falling for him nor it was Kol's that he couldn't return her feelings. It was just what it was. An unwanted turn of events for both of them and their bond. Shae understood though, why Kol compelled her to forget about Violet. She was intentionally distancing herself from him and Gabriella had stated it clearly that the soul sharing bond between them wouldn't allow them to stay apart from each other for long, specially Kol since he was the protector of her. Shanyra also understood that she couldn't live like this. Always staying around Kol and still having him so out of her reach. And their closeness wouldn't even let her get over those troublesome feelings. She'd be in constant pain all the time.

"Thank you Davina." Shae said sincerely.

"You saved me from the false hope I had in my heart a while ago." Yes, Kol had fixed everything between them with the compulsion but soon enough Shae would've gotten her heartbroken again. It was inevitable to happen. And she understood that every time she'd not act according to Kol's preference, he'd just compel her again and again. Use it like a reset button. Shanyra couldn't let that happen to her. She deserved to live in reality, not in an illusion. She deserved to have a chance to try and fall out of love with Kol. And there was only one way to do it.

"There's a witch named Gabriella. She lives in New Orleans. Do you know where she lives?" Shae asked both Davina and Josh.

"I've heard her name but I don't really know where she lives" said Davina.

"It's okay. I'll find her myself."

End Of Flashback

It's not been that long since Shanyra went missing. As soon as Kol didn't notice her in the hall where the party was happening, he started looking for her. But unfortunately, she was nowhere to be found.

"Where could she go from the party?" Caroline asked over the phone. She actually called Shae to know if she was having fun. But instead Kol received the call and informed her that Shae has gone missing for sometimes and her phone was left behind as well.

"I don't know but I'll find her" said Kol with strong determination as he walked down the pedestrian path.

"How the hell did you lose her in the first place Kol?" Caroline asked sounding majorly pissed off and worried as well.

"Look one minute she was there in the party and then the next minute she was gone. I'm mad at myself for losing her. I promise I'll find her before the sun rises." Kol assured Caroline.

"Do you think it's Markos?" She asked fearfully.

"I don't think so. But I'm not sure either." Kol answered truthfully. Caroline sighed out heavily hearing that.

"Look Klaus and I are on our way over there. Whatever happens, let us know." Saying that she hung up the call. Kol put the phone in his jacket packet. Right then Marcel approached him who was helping with the search.

"Please tell me you got good news." Kol said with edge in his voice. Clearly he was way too worried to hide it. Marcel however had no choice but to disappoint the original

"My men are looking everywhere for her. But it seems she has disappeared into the thin air." He felt worried about the girl himself.

"How is this possible? Shae wouldn't go anywhere without me. Someone must've took her. And I want to find that person and rip his head off." Kol said with gritting jaws. He was having a hard time controlling himself. The only thing keeping him together was the fact that he was alive which meant Shanyra was unharmed. But then again where did she go? Why couldn't he find her?

"Two men saw her walking out of the party all by herself. She must've gone outside for some reason and then someone took her cause nothing happened inside the party hall." Marcel informed Kol of what he found out.

"But why would she go outside all by herself?" The original asked that more to himself than to the other vampire.

"That I do not know but I know what to do to find her" said Marcel with confidence.

"We need a witch's help." He stated.

"Shanyra is cloaked but I suppose a powerful witch can break through the cloaking spell and locate her. You have a little powerful witch in your circle, don't you?" Kol asked immediately thinking about Davina. She was a powerful witch indeed. After all she was able to bring back his father Mikael from the other side. And then Klaus and Elijah had to send him back to hell along with their mother and their brother Finn as well. What a twisted family they were.

"Let me speak with Davina. I'm sure she will help. But please you stay away from her. She isn't exactly fond of the Mikaelsons." Marcel said with seriousness but it made Kol roll his eyes.

"Fine, you talk to your witch. I'm gonna keep looking around." Saying that Kol started to walk away but then he stopped and looked over his shoulder again.

"And Marcel, if I don't get Shae back before sunrise, this city would rain blood." Kol threatened which was no empty threat at all. Only if he knew what really happened to Shanyra and how did she suddenly disappear. While Kol was going crazy looking for her, Shae herself was dealing with pure madness.

Flashback

Shanyra made sure Kol saw her in the party once before she fled. It was her only chance to find Gabriella and talk to her. Once she leaves New Orleans she wouldn't get another chance. Shae needed to hurry because she knew it wouldn't be long before Kol notices her absence. She needed to put a fair amount of distance between them as soon as possible. If it took Kol long enough to find her, perhaps she'd be able to use that time to find out where the witch lives and visit her. Having no other option, Shae decided to sneak into a stranger's car which would take her far away enough and fast. She spotted an old rusty hummer truck parked on the side of the street. She climbed up in the back and hid herself underneath whatever junk was there.

Shae prayed that the owner would return soon and start the truck. Unfortunately, her prayer was heard. The truck soon shook and came to life as the owner started it. For about half an hour, the stranger drove his truck before finally stopping. Shae thought he must've reached his home and now gonna park his truck. It was supposed to be her opportunity to get off the vehicle. However, that's not what happened. She heard footsteps of the stranger approaching the back of the truck. Her heart started beating fast. What if she got caught? And that's exactly what happened.

"You know I know you're there" said the stranger who turned out to be a man. Shae still didn't move. But the man revealed her soon enough. Her face paled with fear.

"Hello" said the man with a smile. He appeared to be in his late twenties.

"I can explain." Shae said quickly.

"Yes, I'd love to hear what a girl like you doing in my truck but first-" He helped her get off the back of the truck.

"My name's Martin Costa. What's yours?" The man, Martin asked. Shae knew it wouldn't be wise to give him her name. He was after all a stranger.

"Look, I just need to go somewhere and needed a ride. I'm sorry I-" Martin cut her off.

"I asked you your name." He said snapping a little at Shae. She realized he was trouble and should get away from him fast.

"Which I won't tell you. Thanks for the ride. I'm gonna go now." Shanyra was leaving but then suddenly Martin grabbed her and pressed his hand against her mouth so that she wouldn't be able to scream.

"That was rude of you. And I hate rude girls like you." Before Shae knew it, Martin pushed her inside the car. She struggled against him and tried to run away but he was too strong for her to overpower. Martin struck her hard to weaken her for a moment. He was quick in tying up her hands and feet with duct tape. If Shanyra could think straight, she would've wondered why this guy was such an expert in kidnapping a girl? And why did he have ropes, duct tapes and many other suspicious items in the truck? But at that moment all Shae could think about was what did she got herself into?

End Of Flashback

Shanyra knew she has gotten herself into serious trouble. Though she was yet to find out exactly how serious. Martin was driving to god knows where. He was taking her out of the city, it appeared. When the truck hit the highway and there was no one around, Martin peeled off the duct tape from her mouth knowing no one would hear her even if she screamed at the top of her lungs.

"Where are you taking me?" Shae asked right away.

"How about you answer one question and I'll answer one. So what's your name again sweetheart?" She thought about it for a moment.

"Leah." She lied.

"Now tell me where are you taking me? What do you want?" Shae demanded answers. However, Martin only smirked at her nastily.

"You'll find out soon enough." She should've known he wasn't gonna tell her anything easily.

"Look, let me go. You have no idea who will come for you, if you don't." She warned him with serious tone of voice but obviously her kidnapper didn't believe her.

"Who? Certainly not your parents. Otherwise you wouldn't need to hide in my truck for a ride. Do you even have anyone who cares about you?" Martin asked.

"Of course I have. He must've already started looking for me" said Shanyra about Kol and she really hoped now that he'd find her soon.

"Whoever he is, he's never gonna find you." Martin assured.

"I wouldn't bet on that." Shae said with strong tone of voice. After a brief silence Martin spoke up again.

"You maybe telling the truth. Perhaps someone's indeed looking for you at this very moment. But there's another truth, you were running from that someone, weren't you? Who is he?" Martin asked and seemed quite interested to know her story.

"Go to hell." Shanyra spat at him angrily. Suddenly, Martin grabbed her hair and hit her head against the dashboard. It didn't knock her out but hurt her like hell.

French Quarter:

While Shanyra was heading towards horror and her possible death, Davina was doing everything she could to locate her.

"She's moving. I can't locate her at one place. I think she is traveling." She said which troubled Kol even more if possible.

"How is she traveling? Shae never travels alone. Unless she isn't alone. She wouldn't go with a stranger. Someone took her." Knowing that for certain now, he started acting like a madman. He was going crazy with worry. Marcel and Davina looked at each other. They both felt very uneasy, specially Davina. She obviously told Marcel what happened, what did she do and why Shae left the party? Marcel had already sent one of his guys to Gabriella's place but she never reached there. Something happened to Shae right after she left the party. If Davina knew that breaking compulsion would get Shanyra into danger like this, she would've never done it. Not to mention, Kol actually never compelled her to stay with him. And it appeared that the original cared about her more than he cared about even himself. This made Davina feel even more guilty. However, neither her nor Marcel would ever confess this to Kol. He'd kill them both.

"I'm gonna head towards the way she's going now. You-" Kol said to Marcel.

"Keep me informed." Saying that he left. Once Kol was out of earshot, Marcel turned to Davina.

"We must find her Davina and pray that she is alright otherwise Kol would really create havoc in this city."

Martin's House:

Martin dragged Shanyra inside his old miserable looking house. It was in the middle of nowhere. There was no neighbors. No one. Escaping this man seemed more impossible now despite the fact that her hands and feet weren't tied any longer. The situation was more frightening because Shae was clueless about what this man really wanted from her. Was he gonna rape her? Kill her? Kol would die if she's dead. He'd never forgive her. Hell, she'd never forgive herself if anything happened to him. Stupid! Stupid girl! Why couldn't she have picked up the car of a decent person? Why she had to get involved with a crazy man?

"This is my home sweet home." Martin said as he locked the door properly. There was a strange smell in the house that was making Shae sick.

"I know it's not much but I'll make sure you're comfortable here. Not that you'll stay here for long." Martin muttered the last part under his breath with low tone of voice so that she wouldn't hear it clearly.

"What are you gonna do to me?" Shae asked fearfully. He looked at her with hunger in his eyes but not exactly lust.

"For now, just let you rest. You look exhausted. You can sleep in my bedroom." Martin offered rather friendly. Shanyra didn't dare argue and just nodded her head. The last thing she wanted was to provoke violence from him. Besides, during the time he'd leave her alone, she might find a way to get the hell out of the house.

"Where is it?" Shae asked about the bedroom.

"Upstairs" replied Martin. She started to walk towards the stairs but he stopped her.

"Stop." Shae looked over her shoulder at him.

"Wait here for a moment. My bedroom is a mess right now. Let me clean it up for you first." She nodded her head and stepped away from the staircase.

"Good. Now stay right here. I don't want you wondering in my house." Shanyra vehemently nodded her head again. But just as soon as Martin left, she started looking around for a way out. Her search made her go further inside the house. She came across two doors. First one was locked. The second one opened and revealed a staircase leading to the basement. Shae thought the basement must have some tools in there that she could use to hurt Martin and escape him. Having a little hope, Shae started going down. It was really dark in there and that disgusting smell only got stronger. It hit her full force. Where was the damn light switch? She wondered to herself while searching for it in the dark. Perhaps leaving her phone behind wasn't such a good idea after all.

Shanyra was also worried that Martin would come back downstairs soon and find out she was doing exactly what he had forbidden her to do. God knows how he'd punish her then. She stayed close to the wall. Soon her hand touched a doorknob. Another room perhaps. She turned the doorknob half expecting it to be locked but it opened. When she searched for switch board on the wall, she found it this time. Shae tried one switch first and a light turned on. And as soon as she could see what was inside the room, a loud scream escaped her mouth before she could stop herself. Blood stains were everywhere on the wall. Girls' hairs, clothes and someone's jaw was lying there on the floor just two feet away from her. Shae understood that she didn't just get kidnapped by a common criminal but a sadistic serial killer. Just her luck.

"I told you to stay in the living room." Martin's voice spoke up from behind. Shae jumped up and turned around immediately. She looked at him with more fear than before which seemed to please the psychopath.

"Naughty girl." He said with a smirk.

"I like naughty girls. They taste delicious." Taste? What was he talking about?

"What are you?" Shae asked feeling terrified.

"Me? Oh, I'm just a normal guy though most normal guys like to fuck girls, I however like to eat them. Believe me sweetheart, there's nothing tastier than human flesh. Though I once ate a man but it didn't really satisfy me. After that, I stick to female flesh only. It's been a long time since I had a decent meal. You see that jaw right over there." Martin walked over to it.

"This belonged to a girl named Hanna. She was eighteen years old. Delicious, she was simply delicious. After her I didn't eat anyone which was over two weeks ago. So you can imagine how much I'm starving." He said sighing out heavily to himself before he looked back at Shanyra.

"But you definitely worth the wait. I bet you'd taste far more delicious than her." Martin said and he licked his bottom lip hungrily. Shae not only felt terrified but she felt like throwing up right then and there.

"Oh dear! My mouth is already watering at the thought of chewing on your young flesh. They look so fresh and juicy. I think I will start with your cheeks. They look so delicious." Saying that Martin tried to touch her face but Shae slapped his hand away.

"Don't touch me." She tried to run away but couldn't as Martin grabbed onto her. Then he whispered into her ear.

"Oh I'll be doing a lot more than touch you. I will eat you. Your cheeks, your lips, your tongue- I'll be chewing on them all in no time. And your breasts. Those perky little things. I'll take my time with them." The cannibal monster tried to touch her chest. Shae remembering a move Stefan taught her, she kneed in his groin as hard as she could. It made the monster double over in pain and curse out loudly in anger. She ran but couldn't get far. He caught her again and hit her hard for attacking him. The slap caused her to fall over on the floor. A painful yelp escaped her breath. The corner of her lips burst open and started to bleed. Shae got more scared knowing that the monster was just getting started with her. And she could do only one thing, pray-

"Please Kol, come fast."