Content Warning: Depictions of violence, mention of murder
Bonnie was running through a dark and winding road. The only guide was the moon. Her legs pushed to their limit, but it felt like she gained little progress. A presence was stalking her, and no matter how hard she tried to outrun it she couldn't. It felt like it was only a few yards away. Yet, she never turned back to see what it was. She kept pushing forward.
"You're just like her," a voice screeched from behind.
Who was her? What was she like? It was the voice of the head witch of that coven they had killed. The statement still puzzled her.
When she tripped, she expected to fall onto concrete but instead, she fell onto wood. She frowned as she felt around the dusty wood floorboards. The presence was gone and it was quiet. She looked up and scanned the room. She gulped.
She was in the witch's house. The living room if one could even really call it that. Klaus appeared right beside her causing her to jolt. She was about to ask him what was happening, but his icy blue eyes made her stop. Why did he look at her with such contempt?
"Did you ever believe I was the good guy?"
He vanished and was replaced with her father. His angry brown eyes spelled hatred. He hated every inch of her. She cringed when he spat at her.
"A Disappointment."
When he vanished, she searched around for the next figure. The next figure surprised her. The figure walked from the entrance over to her, but her eyes held a similar gaze to her father. She shivered. No, it couldn't be. She may be disappointed, but she couldn't be mad at Bonnie.
"Grams," she cried out.
"You're a disgrace to the name you bare."
Elena appeared behind Grams who turned to smile at her. Bonnie sunk onto the wooden floor as she watched Grams pat Elena's shoulder and let out a gleeful laugh with eyes full of love and care.
Elena turned to her. "You were never enough."
"I was enough."
"For who exactly?" she mused. "Not Stefan. Not any of your friends. They were always worried about me or their own problems. The Mikaelsons are alive because of your failure to be powerful enough to stop them..."
"I tried."
Elena covered her laugh with her hand. "That's the sad part, isn't it? You tried so hard, but you are still a failure."
"It's time to face your judgment, Bonnie Bennett," multiple voices said in unison.
"No. Get away from me. No!"
She felt her body being hauled off by invisible Spirits. She cried as she clawed the floorboards and thrashed. Despite her best efforts, which were never enough, she was dragged up the stairs. Each step caused her head to bash against it as they cheered with each thud. By the final step, she could see the trail of crimson blood on the staircase. Elena stood at the bottom of the stairs with Stefan. She reached out and called to him, but he remained still with a blank stare. Elena chuckled.
"Don't you get it? No one is going to save you, not even you."
She woke up screaming into her pillow. Her alert eyes flew open as she scanned the room. She took a few breaths as she tried to grasp reality again. She was safe and in the Mikaelson's house, not in the witch's house.
She thanked herself that she had done a silencing spell on her room or else she would have alerted the whole house. She got up and headed out the door in her pajamas. Her hands still shaking from the experience as she opened the door. When she shut it, she tried to take a few calming breaths. Her hands slowly stabilized. She closed her eyes as she leaned against the door.
"Bonnie, are you okay? I could hear your heart rate from my room."
Her eyes fluttered open. She turned to see Stefan coming out of his room and into the hall. His wet hair indicated he had just showered. Had he rushed out to check on her? She blushed in embarrassment. She was getting fussed over a nightmare.
"Just a bad dream."
She was about to go downstairs to go eat something. Maybe that would help soothe her. Maybe. Stefan's gaze made her remain still.
"Is something up?" she asked.
"Klaus told me you wanted Elijah to take you. I can take you instead."
"I'm not so sure considering I may get mad at my father."
"I won't cheer you on to beat your father if that's what you're worried about."
"It's not that."
He scanned her eyes. "Then there's something else."
She crossed her arms. Did she even want to bring up the real reason to Stefan? The last two days had made them kind of drift, especially with Stefan's willingness to send Bonnie off to wherever Klaus determined was safe. It was vindictive, but her insecurities and anger were clawing at her like a caged beast. The nightmare may be a stupid bad dream, but it held truths in there Bonnie couldn't reconcile with.
"I wish you fought for me a bit harder."
"Like I said yesterday—"
"You would have for Elena."
He frowned. "Why are you bringing her into this?"
She met his gaze. It held a mixture of concern and confusion. Yet, she didn't falter. The truth spilled from her mouth.
"No matter how much danger Elena was in, you would never agree to force her to leave."
"Are you jealous of Elena?"
She had expected a number of questions from him but not that. She slammed her hand against the door before turning away.
"So what if I am?" she snapped. "It's hard not to compare how you treat me and her."
"Bon, I don't love Elena. You have nothing to be jealous of her for. How I treat you—"
"Then why didn't you choose me first?"
The crux of the issue. The life and blood of her insecurity with Stefan. The question, even as she uttered it, was unfair. Yet, she had no intentions of retracting it. She walked off even though it killed a part of her to leave Stefan looking so lost. Defeated, almost.
-X-
She had decided on hiding in the gazebo. The smell of the garden did soothe her to an extent as well as its beauty. The array of colorful flowers was pleasing to the eye, but not enough for her soul this time.
"How are you doing?" Rebekah's voice made her look up. "Stefan can be bad with words sometimes. He really knows how to piss off a gal every once in a while."
She was wearing pajamas which was surprising for how nice Rebekah usually dressed, not that her nightwear wasn't fancy. She wore a scarlet camisole top paired with silk black slacks. She strolled over to Bonnie's spot on the bench. Even her walk exuded elegance. Stefan seemed to be attracted to that. Bonnie slouched. She wouldn't consider herself that word on any day of the week.
Bonnie sighed. "So you overheard."
"He can't love you like he loved Elena." Rebekah reached out. Her hand gently laid on Bonnie's shoulder. "Just like I can't love my brothers the exact same. Just like you can't love your friends the exact same. Love is so radically different between each person. It doesn't make that love more or less. Each love can be just as intense but manifest differently."
She was surprised Rebekah was coming to his defense considering their history. She bit her lip. Had she fucked up that badly? She just felt so suffocated. No one had put her opinion first... An ugly part of her also had a permanent residence in her head. The nightmare had proved it. She was afraid of being a temporary replacement for Elena to Stefan. Was it stupid? She wasn't sure. She hadn't had her insecurities soothed like Elena or Caroline did by legions of admirers and a dedicated friend.
"I guess I just felt jealous of that epic love everyone spoused about them."
"Epic loves are for the insane. Do you see how Elena caused him to act? He has common sense with you. Hardly any epic loves I know of turned out good. Epic love didn't stop Elena from cheating on him. Elijah and Klaus also had that epic love for Tatia. She nearly tore them apart that bitch. Who can forget Elijah's stupid fucking love with Katherine after all that."
Why did the doppelgangers have such a pull over men? It was odd. She shook her head. She had more important things to worry about or think about. Her insecurity would only flourish if she dwelled on it any longer.
"And I feel suffocated and my father..."
"I understand having a shitty father."
A small smile formed on her lips. "I think your father was worse."
Rebekah smirked. "Well, it is not like it is a competition."
"There's more than that, but can we talk about something more light?"
"I heard something about a goodbye party," Rebekah didn't hide the excitement in her voice.
"You can plan it with Elena and Care."
"You may forgive them, but I cannot, especially when they dress like they have no taste."
Bonnie sent a playful glare at her. She rolled her eyes before she sat down next to her on the bench.
"Are you hungry?"
"Yes, but I don't want to go back inside just yet."
"I can make Kol grab you something. Make him feel useful. Bagels? Pancakes?"
While she had interacted with Rebekah a few times, her opinion of her hadn't been the best, especially with the cryptic messages. Now, her opinion had radically changed. Rebekah had tried to be by her side and warn her to the best of her abilities. While she wouldn't call them friends just yet, she could see the seeds of friendships planted. She had felt comforted by Rebekah's words and the girl obviously cared to an extent to come check on her. Bonnie smiled.
"How about blueberry waffles with bacon and eggs? Wait, that's too much to ask."
"No, it isn't and you now have me craving that so we have to get it. Besides, what else are brothers for?" Rebekah smirked.
-X-
Thankfully, Elijah drove like a normal person. She was settled in the passenger seat looking out the window. She tried to keep her mind off things, but failed miserably. She sighed. It was going to be impossible to talk to her father even if she forced herself. The fury and sorrow were not being drowned out so easily.
Elijah glanced over. "I am curious about why you chose me today instead of someone else."
"You seem like the one who would stop me if I got mad and not cheer me on. Klaus and Kol are a different story. Though I doubt Rebekah would be much better. I also don't know Finn that well."
"I would agree I have more restraint than my siblings. I am surprised that you think I have better restraint than Stefan."
"We're... fighting right now."
"I see." He paused. "So I was wondering what is going on with you and my brother?"
Which one? The thought nearly made her groan. She sounded like Elena at that moment.
She cleared her throat. "I don't know what you mean."
"It is just a warning from one friend to another. Do not pursue it. Jealousy is a gene that runs deep in my family. We're protective of those we think of us as ours."
"I'm in a relationship with Stefan."
"A monogamous dark witch? A rarity to meet one," he mused. "But you have to at least acknowledge my brothers, and I do mean brothers, are infatuated with you. For your sake, I hope it ends well."
"And if not?"
"Stefan winds up compelled and Kol back in a coffin."
"Klaus wouldn't do that."
"You think my brother is above that behavior after all you've been through?"
"Despite all of that, yes," she chided. "And despite all of that, I allowed you the chance to become my friend. Elijah, you are not innocent from putting me through the wringer either."
"I'm sorry. I stepped out of line for saying those things."
"You should have more faith in both of them."
He gazed over again. "You care for them greatly."
"... I do."
"And the feelings are mutual."
Her heart thumped. She knew they cared about her, but hearing Elijah say it felt different. Before she could savor the sweet and quiet moment, Elijah's expression changed from tender to worry. She raised an eyebrow.
"I hear sirens."
After a moment, she could hear them too. When he pulled into the neighborhood, the sirens became stronger. Panic began to beat against her back. Thoughts raced. Fear consumed her stomach. Her fists clenched.
Then she saw it.
"Stop!"
Bonnie jumped out of the slowly moving car to Elijah's surprise. She rushed down the road.
"Bonnie!" he called out.
Sheriff Liz spotted her after Elijah's yell and then ran over to Bonnie. She wrapped her arms around her, but Bonnie knew she was trying to block her view.
"Hun, we can take you to the police station. I don't think you should see this."
She cried and shook as Liz tried to bring her away from the scene. She could see multiple police cars and two firetrucks. Beyond the sea of chaos, there was her house. What had been once her home. It had been burned to the ground. Only chunks had survived. Everything was stained in ash and soot.
"Is he alive?"
"I'll take you to the station."
She felt a hand on her back. She turned to see Elijah. His soft but alert eyes carefully analyzed her before looking at Liz.
"Mr. Mikaelson," Liz said. "I'll call you when Bonnie is ready to leave the station. Right now, she needs someone more familiar with her and her situation. It may be a while"
"Is he alive?" her voice cracked.
Her answer was met with silence and she knew. No, the answer was no.
-X-
It had felt like an eternity talking with Liz. Liz had asked some questions about herself and some about her father as she filled out a report. Bonnie could barely muster answers, especially at the beginning when she was crying still. Liz never asked her to repeat anything at the very least.
Liz finally admitted to the truth.
"I am sorry, Bonnie." Sheriff Liz looked at her with concerned eyes. "Today your father died during a house fire before firefighters got to the scene. Investigators have been sent to see what may have caused it."
"Did the smoke...?"
"From what it looked like, he... burned to death." She gripped Bonnie's shaking hand. "I'll call Elijah to pick you up now."
"Can I go outside for a moment for fresh air?"
"Of course. When you come back in, there is a room on the left side of the hall that has snacks and drinks in case you are hungry or thirsty."
Liz squeezed her hand one more time before she headed out of the office. When she reached the front door, she started to storm off. She glanced around before rushing into the woods near the police station.
The Spirits would do anything to punish her. The Spirits were hell-bent on hurting everyone close to her. Hiding wouldn't be enough. They will use the others as bait. They could kill this whole town.
I may not like my father, but I didn't want him fucking dead. Lydia was also killed because of me. I... I won't let them win. The Spirits will not win.
It was rash. She knew that much before Bonnie dug her nails into her palm. The blood dripped onto the ground. She exhaled as she felt her chest heat up. She held both her palms up as magic flew out of it.
"Ah!" she screeched as pain flooded her body.
She gritted her teeth. She kept her shaky arms up even as screams came out of her mouth. She wasn't going to let them win the battle or the war. She clawed for her magic to come out. Her hands burned and she couldn't stop the tears that came. Her magic felt like it was tearing her body apart as she saw cuts appear on her arm and felt them run down her leg. She still remained in her stance. The wave of pain kept washing over her again and again. It scratched against every inch of skin, inside and out. Her body was on fire. Soon, blood dripped from her eyes, nose, and mouth. Hatred and sorrow persevered over the pain.
If the Spirits could see her now, they'd say she was a monster. She was a monster. She accepted it fully as she emptied herself of every ounce of magic causing a wave of darkness to disperse around her. She gasped as she felt her magic extend out and bury itself into the ground and disperse into the air and reach the sky. Her knees caved in and the world became shaky.
She coughed as a pain jabbed itself in her chest. Her gaze lowered to see a bloody dagger's tip through her brown skin. Her hands trembled and went to it before it was yanked out. She cried out as she fell to the ground.
It had to be several minutes or even longer than that that she was on the ground. Her face looked up the sky while her body throbbed and ached from the stab wound. The sun's rays for a moment blocked the attacker's face when they came close enough for her to see. The world was spinning and the pain in her chest was expanding. She pressed her hands against her chest, but the blood kept flowing out. The attacker bent down to view her with a grin.
"Katherine," she spat.
"Time to take you back. The Spirits are calling."
"Fuck off!"
"If you come back quietly, I promise to give you your mother's ring."
She gaped as a chill ran down her spine. "You killed him."
"You know it was so easy to compel him. I'm surprised he doesn't use vervain considering who his daughter is," she tsked. "Your room was cute. Sorry about shoving your stuff into trash bags. I was on a tight schedule because of the Spirits. Nags they are, aren't they?"
Before she could process anything she just said, Katherine rammed her dagger into Bonnie's thigh making her screech. The pain of two stab wounds made her nearly pass out as blood spewed out.
"It's so amusing to mess with you, Bonnie. I wish I could haunt your dreams like they do."
Haunt dreams? Bonnie's eyes widen when Katherine jabbed her in the shoulder. She let out a mixture of a cough, a groan, and a scream.
Bonnie cried as she tried to crawl away. Katherine's shiver-inducing giggle made her heart beat faster as she tried to slide further and further away. Katherine easily caught up to her. Katherine slammed the heel of her boot into Bonnie's left hand. She let out another shriek as she retracted her hands and was forced to look at her. Her taunting smile made her stomach turn.
Katherine's head jolted up. She stared away in the distance. Her face went from a twisted joy to fear. She ran off in a blink. After a moment, she felt hands wrapped around her. The musk told her it was Kol. She leaned into his chest as the pain continued to beat her down.
"Can I give you blood?"
She nodded as tears continued to pour down her cheeks. He bit into his wrist and placed the blood into her mouth. She drank a mouth full of blood before leaning away. The pain began to slither away as her wounds started to heal. She tried to breathe, but her crying couldn't be stopped. Even without the physical pain, the emotional and mental pain burdened her. She was still hurting.
"What happened?"
"I was stabbed." She sobbed. "By Katherine."
"Is she still here?"
"I don't know."
"Elijah, check the premises to see if she's still here." Kol then cooed at her, "you're okay, you're okay."
She shook her head. It was all her fault. Her hands were stained with the blood of Lydia and her father. She had caused the body pile that was stacked in front of her. She had to destroy the Spirits before she was stained all in blood.
"Elijah, find her!" Kol roared. "Find her!"
"Our priority is to get Bonnie to safety. What if Katherine planned an ambush?"
The conversation began to fade in her head. She slowly blinked as the world dimmed. The darkness beckoned her to sleep, and she couldn't help but oblige. The world faded into nothingness and so did the pain and sorrow.
She was back at the witch's house. The fake Elena was sitting on a grand chair while she was on the floor near her feet. Bonnie sneered as she looked into her eyes. She stood up and towered over her. The fake Elena tensed as they shared an intense glare.
"You failed," Bonnie hissed.
The fake Elena's eyes widened before gaining composure. "Still, you're weak. You think you can keep this up?"
"Get out of my head!"
She used every bit of willpower to push them out. The screams of multiple voices became silent as her vision filled again with a peaceful, quiet darkness. One not manipulated by the Spirits. Darkness she owned completely.