TVD - The Originals

Before Sunset - 1

I stare at the highschool building. There are just some things I hate about being on the decoration committee. Like coming to school at 8am on a Saturday to clean up. I adjust the sunglasses on my face. I cried myself to sleep last night, and I’d be guilty if I said I didn't take a bottle of liquor in my sleep. 

I need to distract myself. When I got inside it turned out I was the only one here. I looked at the clock to check what time it was. 7:50. Might as well just start. I grabbed a black trash bag and began to discard stuff. Cups, streamers, balloons. “What are you doing here?” Rebekah I turned to see Rebekah wall in. “I’m on the committee, I’m here to clean up.” 

Rebekah sighed as she looked at the gym. “How was the dance?” 

“Not as good as you’d think.” I handed her a trash bag. “I’m sorry you couldn’t attend.” 

“I was otherwise preoccupied.” 

“I know.” I sighed and removed my glasses, putting them in my bag. “I’m sorry about your mom.” She nodded. “I’m sorry about your teacher. I get the feeling you were close.” 

I nod. “We were.” The two of us kept cleaning in silence, at least till we were joined by Caroline. "Where's Matt?" Caroline asks as she enters the cafeteria. "He bailed.” I said as I popped a balloon. “Got called into work at the last minute." 

Caroline scoffs. "Are you kidding me? So, it's just us?" 

Rebekah nods. "Yes, and you're late. Clean up committee started at eight o'clock." 

Caroline looks at her phone and holds it up. "It's like 8:02."

Rebekah looks up at her. "Exactly. We managed to turn up on time and I didn't even get to attend the dance that I organized.” Rebekah walks past Caroline and empties out the trash. "I'm gonna get started at the gym." 

"I'll go with you" I offer. The two of us walked out of the cafeteria and went down the hall. I freeze in my steps when Alaric comes around the corner. No, there- there’s no way. I blinked once. Twice. Seeing if it was an illusion. “Alaric?” 

Rebekah was just as in shock as I was. "You're supposed to be dead." Alaric smiles wickedly. "I am!" 

My eyes widened when Rebekah rushed at Alaric, but Alaric threw her against the locker. "Caroline!" I call out so she can come and help, because I can’t do this myself.

I can see the white oak stake in his hand when Caroline rushes out of the cafeteria and pins Alaric to the locker. Rebekah takes the stake and stabs Alaric with it. 

They backed away from him, Caroline stepping in front of me. Alaric groaned, grabbing the stake and pulling it out. Oh god. Before I have time to react Caroline grabs me and we rush out of the school. 

Caroline and I rush to her car and she pulls out her keys and fumbles with them. We both see Alaric's reflection in her car window and she drops her keys. Oh no. Alaric snaps Caroline's neck and she falls to the ground.

I whirl around, fist clenched as I throw it. He didn’t even flinch, the second my fist connected with his face I felt my hand shatter. “God!” I yelled in pain as I brought my fist back to my chest. Son of a bitch that hurt.

Oh dear god. Alaric grabs a hold of my hair and I winced as he pulled tight. “Alaric, stop it!” He ignores my pleas and smashes my head on the car window. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My head pounds in pain, my hand feels limp and my wrist feels tight. I groaned groggily as my eyes opened. I lift my hand to touch my forehead except I can't. My vision is still a little blurry but I didn’t need to see in order to know I was tied up. “Good morning Ariel.”