The Girl in the Woods

Chapter 29: The Other Side

Chapter 29: The Other Side

MYSTIC FALLS. 2011 A.D.

The weeks passed quickly and with the passing of time, Faith recovered her health and strength. Elijah and Rebekah were with her at every step, trying their best to help.

Every now and then, the sounds of laughter would be heard. Faith, Elijah, and Rebekah would be catching up and reminiscing about the past.

Klaus would hear them and feel envious. He had been avoiding Faith ever since she had awoken.

So it was by chance really that he came across her at all.

No one but the two of them were home that day.

Klaus found Faith sitting outside on one of the garden benches.

She was staring into the distance while fiddling with something around her neck. It was the wooden wolf pendant he had carved all those years ago. She had kept it all this time.

Klaus froze, not knowing if he should leave or approach her.

She was too absorbed with her thoughts and did not notice his presence. But just when he had decided to go back into the house, she looked up and saw him.

He tried to look busy but only ended up looking awkward. Faith couldn't help but smile at his attempts. However, the sadness was evident in her eyes.

Knowing he had no excuse now, and that he couldn't avoid her anymore, Klaus approached Faith embarrassingly.

"Remember this?" Faith held out the necklace to him.

She wore that carved wooden wolf everywhere. Even when dressed formally, she never took it off. In fact, when someone had attempted to take it off – saying it didn't match her outfit – she had slapped their hand away.

Klaus nodded silently.

"I still remember when you made this for me." Faith continued. "You knew I didn't have a birthday, so you decided – on your own – to have my birthday be the same day as yours."

They both chuckled at the memory.

"It was my first birthday present so to speak." Faith looked to him and smiled melancholically. Then her smile faded and she turned away from him.

The silence that ensued was deafening.

Finally, without looking at him, she asked: "Why Klaus? Why?"

Again, there was silence.

Then Klaus swallowed nervously and began speaking, "I wanted you...and I let that blind me..."

"How could you do that to me?"

Klaus stammered as he tried again to explain.

"You know I'd never hurt you."

"You've done enough." Faith interjected. She stood up and was ready to leave when Klaus started speaking.

"I've done more than enough." His voice turned cold. "I've stepped back, shown mercy, was patient, all because of you Faith. It was all for you."

His tone reminded her of the Klaus in her nightmares. She shivered and embraced herself in response, trying to comfort herself.

"Really?" She turned back and asked him in disbelief. Her eyes started to get watery as she became frustrated. That was one of the things she hated about herself. She becomes teary-eyed when she's angry. She didn't like it because it made her feel and look weak.

"How'd you came to that conclusion?!" Faith could still remember the Klaus in her nightmares. Part of it terrified her and part of it made her angry. Those dreams now affected the way she was interacting with Klaus.