Chapter 12
And if I only could
I'd make a deal with God
And I'd get Him to swap our places
Be runnin' up that road
Be runnin' up that hill
Be runnin' up that building
Say, if I only could, oh
Running up that Hill – Kate Bush
Raising her hand Bonnie knocks on the Salvatore house front door. As she does the door opens to reveal Carolines smiling face "Hey, come on in." As we walk in we notice Stefan and Bonnie tells him "We got your message." "Hey, you brought the grimoire, thank you." He responds. Placing her hand on my arm Bonnie guides us further into the house where we find Alaric and Damon standing behind a table with a collection of weapons on it. Weapons made to kill vampires. "What's going on?" asks Bonnie as Jeremy walks into the room. As he makes his way towards us Jeremy tells us "We're gonna kill Katherine." "I can explain." Says Stefan as Bonnie and I look at them in shock and confusion. "I'm sorry we are going to what?" I ask as I get over my shock "We're gonna kill Katherine." Reiterates Stefan. From behind him, I notice Alaric hold up a weapon as he says to us "This works with compressed air. The trigger mechanism is up here. I have two of these in a different size. For you I recommend this. It fits nicely under the jacket sleeve. You use the trigger when you're ready." "Wait. Just stop. Are we seriously doing this?" I ask. Alaric looks me dead in the eye then pretends to stab a vampire "You wanted me to show you how to kill a vampire." I guess we are really doing this.
Bonnie, Stefan, Damon, Alaric and I are standing together discussing the plan to kill Katherine or there for a lack of plan. "I know you love Elena and you want to be with her but it's risky. Too many people could get hurt." Announces Bonnie to Stefan. "Look, I want Elena back, yes but it's more than that. What Katherine did to Jenna it crossed the line. She has to be stopped before it happens again." "I know Katherine is miserable. But how can we ensure no on else gets hurt if we do this?" I ask. Looking at me Stefan ahs a look of resignment as he says "we don't. But I do know that if we do not do something Katherine will kill anyone and everyone she can." "I don't know, Stefan." Interjects Bonnie. Glancing back at Bonnie he announces "Katherine knows me, right? She knows that I'm not gonna try something in a crowd full of innocent people so that gives me an edge. I could catch her by surprise." "I could do a spell to trap her, like the tomb spell." As Stefan nods in agreement, he states "Right. We can isolate her, away from the others. Please Bonnie." Looking between hem both I ask, "What do you need me to do?" "Be on Elena look out. Alaric will try to keep her away, but she might still show up. If she does you need to help keep her safe." Says Bonnie.
Not too long later Caroline joins the group in the Salvatore living room to continue discussing the Katherine situation. "Alright, if anybody wants to back out, I'll understand." Announces Stefan to the room as he looks at every one of us. As I start to weigh the odds in my head, Damon speaks up "Yeah. Cold feet speak now. I don't want this going wrong if someone chicken's out. Caroline." "I won't. Look, she killed me. Fair's fair. As long as there's no werewolf running around." Nodding to himself Damon turns to me, "What about you little witch?" What about me. Is this worth it? Go behind Tye's back. Yes. No….. Yes, for Elena. "I am in. You don't need to worry about me Damon." I announce to him. Slowly raising his eyebrow at me, he gives me a look of what I can only assume to be concern. From beside us Jeremy adds in "As long as Tyler doesn't kill anyone, he won't turn." Glancing around in confusion Caroline starts to ask "but what about Ma-" "Be serious Caroline, Mason left remember." Says Damon with conviction as he stares Caroline down. "Right of course." Caroline says slowly as she quickly glances at me. Just as I am about to ask what is going on Stefan speaks up "Bonnie? Are you with us?" After a moment of pause Bonnie responds to him "But no one gets hurt." As Bonnie responds she purposely looks over at Damon, who has made his way to the bar cart. "Except Katherine. Tonight, Katherine gets a stake through her heart." He announces as he raises a glass of bourbon up before downing it.
Act normal. Nothing is going on. You are not helping vampires kill another vampire at your stepmothers masquerade ball. You are also no hiding it from your brother….. I think to myself as Tye and I are in our fathers office as people start arriving for the masquerade ball. Sitting on one of the couches across from our fathers desk I watch as Tye fixes his tie. I hate lying to you. As I am watching Tye, Carol walks into the office and approaches Tye "It's already packed out there. You know, we need to keep that door shut. Your father would be very unhappy if I let guests in here." As she is speaking to him, Tye stands in front of her. "Oh, look at you! So handsome." She says with a smile as she fixes his cocked tie. Giving her a smile back Tye says "Thanks. You look pretty good too mom." "Oh, a compliment. I think I'll fall over." Says Carol sarcastically. As I laugh to myself the mood quickly shifts as Tye shares "Listen, I'm sorry I've been a dick lately...a jerk lately. It's just...Have you heard from Mason?" with as sigh Carol responds" No and I don't think we're going to. He's coming, he's going, it's just his way. He's the exact opposite of your father." Nodding to himself Tye looks towards me "you really do look great Carol" I announce as I stand up from the couch and make my way to the pair. "Annie, don't you just look gorgeous!" Exclaims Carol as I approach. I give her a small smile as Tye says "We should have cancelled this party." Carol walks towards our fathers desk and grabs a family photo from it "This whole masquerade theme was his idea. I don't know what it has to do with helping the homeless but once he made up his mind, he could really be a dick...a jerk. But I loved him and I know you did too. It's natural to feel abandoned. I just don't want you to feel alone." Giving Carol a smile Tye quickly but gently grabs the both of us and says "Come on, put your masks on. Let's just go out there and pretend to have some fun." Letting out a small laugh I agree as Carol announces "I think I need a cocktail first."
With Tye off with Matt I wander around keeping an eye out for Katherine. From the distance I make out Bonnie and Jeremey making their way upstairs. Looks like the plan is in motion. After about five minutes of wandering, I find Bonnie and Jeremy in the crowd. Once I make my way over to the two, I give Bonnie a quick hug. As I do I feel her tense in my arms. Pulling away from her I ask, "What's wrong?" As she almost frantically glances around, she asks back "Do you feel that?" I quickly glance at Jeremy in confusion when Bonnie suddenly makes her way to an unknown party guest and taps her on the shoulder. "Excuse me, do I know you?" The woman gives Bonnie a once over before announcing "No, I'm a plus one, I know no one, but it's a great party though." Before she walks off into the crowd. Bonnie quickly returns to Jeremy and I, and Jeremy asks if she is okay. "I just got a weird vibe. Let's find Damon." Announces Bonnie. Nodding I say "You and Jeremy go; I can't leave too much or Carol with get annoyed. If you need anything let me know, okay?" Bonnie gives me a quick hug and agrees before her and Jeremy head off in search of Damon. Let's hope this plan goes smoothly.
After a while of socializing with random people I make my way outside for a breather. As I make my way to a more secluded area, I notice Jeremy and Bonnie talking to ELENA. Not Katherine. Elena. I quickly rush over and hear Elena scream in clear pain. Changing my pace to a run the three of us surround Elena and I notice blood seeping through her shirt. We quickly move her to nearby chair and table and sit her down as Jeremy asks, "What's going on" "Look at her back Jeremy she is bleeding like she got stabbed or something!" I say in confusion. Suddenly Elena screams out again and grabs her right arm as more blood appears. Just as suddenly Bonnie yells out "Jeremy, it's Katherine. She's linked to Katherine, get them to stop! Now!" Nodding Jeremy takes off in a run to inform Stefan and Damon of the change. Glancing at Bonnie I ask, "What can we do" looking at me Bonnie shakes her head as Elena once again screams in pain, then whimpers to us "it hurts." Grabbing Elena's hand, I quicky ask Bonnie "Can I absorb her pain?" "I don't know Annie but if you do you might feel it too." Taking a deep breath I say, "that's a risk I have to take." Closing my eyes I allow my senses to explore Elena for the source of pain. Once I find it, I use my magic and pull. As I do my eyes fly open and a sound of pain escapes me. I can feel Elena trying to pull away from me, but I close my eyes again and hold onto her hand as tight as I can. Please work. Oh god this hurts. Please be okay. From beside me I can hear Elena sigh in relief. Keeping focus on taking Elena's pain I vaguely hear Bonnie and Jeremy speaking and then Bonnie leaving.
Pull. Pull. PULL. I am broken of my thoughts by a hand on face and a voice whispering "You're bleeding Annie." Willing my eyes to open I see Elena has turned towards me and is holding up her other hand. "What?" I whisper back. Suddenly, my head starts to spin "You have to stop Annie! You are hurting yourself!" Yells Elena, in my weakened state my grip loosens, and she pulls her hand from mine. All at once the ache of pain disappears from my body and crosses Elenas face. As the pain leaves me, I can feel a wetness on my face under my nose. Raising my hand, I feel and look to see blood on my hand. "Why did you stop me, Elena?" looking towards me she whispers, "I don't want you to hurt for me." "And I don't want you to hurt!" I tell her. Just a quickly as the pain started, I can see it stop from the look on Elena's face.
Shortly after Elena tells Jerem to go check on Bonnie and Stefan comes to check on Elena. Seeing him walk towards us I tell Elena "I will give you two some space, just yell if you need me, okay?" Nodding she agrees. Standing from my chair I quickly greet Stefan and walk towards the house, within yelling distance but unable to hear their conversation. Looking around I seeing Bonnie and Jeremy talking and blushing? Is Bonnie Bennett blushing? Shaking my head I smile and see them walk away together towards the car lot. Glancing back at Stefana and Elena, I watch as Elena turns and storms off. Shit I should follow her.
I quickly make my way to Elenas side "hope it is okay with you, but I am driving you home." I tell her. Glancing towards me she goes to disagree but nods in agreement "Let me call Jeremy and let him know what's going on. Nodding back, I wait for her to call as we continue walking towards her car. Somethings wrong. As we get to Elenas car she ends her call with Jeremy and as she pulls out her keys, she drops them. Bending down in front of me Elena goes to pick them up, when from behind her a dark figure appears. RUN. Darkness. Pain. What just happened.
"Hello Love, it has been a while" The unknown but familiar figure says to me. I go to speak but he continues "You know I expected you to have connections with the supernatural but a witch and werewolf? That is a welcome surprise." I quickly jump in "how do you know that" giving me a smirk he responds "I know all about you love. I might not when we finally meet but I will want to." Meet? I think to myself. Taking a step towards him I ask, "When will we meet?" giving me another smirk he says "Sooner than you think. But until then I need you to wake up love." As he speaks, I see the darkness around me start to fade into light. Before I know it, the darkness is gone and I feel someone shaking me.
"Wake up Annie! Wake up!" I voice whispers. Opening my eyes I see Elena kneeling in front of me. What in the hell happened?
A/N
Just for clarity's sake I wanted to jump on here and mention that the gang knows Mason is dead but have not told Annie! This is for various reasons including future plan I have for this plot point!