Broken Souls

3

After a great lunch with Niklaus, she had to walk him out so she could get ready for work. She'd admit she was a bit hesitant to invite him into her apartment, but he hadn't shown any aggression towards her whatsoever. Besides, she had promised to make him lunch. It would've been strange to make it to her door and then have a change of plans. She should really avoid being so impulsive.

Finally alone, she checked the time. Her and Niklaus had an early lunch so, if she made the batter now, and got ready while they baked, she could have the muffins done before work. He'd only just left, but she wanted to see him again.

Mixing together all the ingredients into her big bowl, she scooped the batter into her greased pan. It took her almost no time at all since she always had the ingredients for her favorite treats. Washing her hands, she was off to change her shorts to jeans for work. After retying her hair, she checked her purse to make sure she still had everything. It would not be the first time for her keys to be left behind.

With the timer almost finished, she grabbed a container to place them in once they cooled for ten minutes. The timer dinged and the muffins were pulled from the oven. She folded a paper towel to lay on the bottom of the plastic container.

The cooling time for the muffins was spent drinking water, listening to music, and slipping her shoes back on. Once the muffins were finished, she carefully placed some into the container before laying them in her purse. It was probably bigger than necessary, but she liked to have it stocked with anything she may need. Mini first aid kit? Yes. Mini sewing kit? Most definitely. Packs of tissues and alcohol wipes? Sure. Tavel umbrella? You bet.

Lightly jogging to work, to make up for a bit of missed time waiting on the muffins to cool, she sent a text to Niklaus to stop by when he could. His response came almost immediately, saying he would stop by soon. Her heart fluttered, happy the two had exchanged numbers after lunch.

Making it to the Grill, she'd heard Jeremy and Matt speaking in the back in hushed tones.

"Are we really going to do this?" Matt asked.

"He wants to kill Elena. Besides, it's better for everyone if he's dead." Jeremy hissed.

"Isn't he like a thousand years old? Can we even beat him?" Matt sighed.

"Klaus needs to die." The young boy reaffirmed. Those words brought her and her heart to a halt. They were trying to kill Niklaus? Now? Tonight? She didn't want him to die. Why? She wasn't sure. She hadn't wanted to be involved in any of this stuff. This was a prime reason why. It would kill her to lose people. How could she be so sure she could change the flow of the story? What if her efforts were fruitless?

But... I don't want him to die. Surely he can handle a group of teens, right? They never got him in the show, but this never happened either, did it?

Her feet moved her body before her mind could catch up. When she was aware of her actions she was running towards the mansion Niklaus was living. How'd she know where it was? She studied a map of the small town to learn where everything was so she wouldn't have to completely rely on GPS. It was certainly paying off now, but it would still be better if she had a car.

How long had she been running? Solène had no clue. She never checked the time, but with how heavy her legs had become and how shallow her breaths had become... it was probably a long time.

When she found Niklaus laying on the ground, she cried out and ran to him. Placing her hands on his shoulders, she called his name softly. "Klaus? Niklaus? You're still alive, right?" That was a silly question considering he didn't have a stake in his chest, nor gray skin, but she was panicking.

"And who might you be?" A deep voice spoke behind her. Turning only her head to look at the people here to injure Klaus, she narrowed her eyes when she spotted Damon. She grew angry at the group that hurt Klaus.

"None of your concern," she spat before she felt Klaus move beneath her hands. Quickly, she looked back at him.

"What're you doing here, love?" He coughed, moving to sit up.

"I- I don't- I'm not sure." Her head shook.

"Who's your little friend, Klaus?" Damon spoke, twirling a white oak stake in his hand.

"She's no concern of yours, Salvatore." Klaus gripped Sol's hands in his own, concerned at how exhausted she looked.

"Then, it's fine if I kill her next?" Damon began to speed towards the pair, pulling a gasp from Solène's lips.

"No!" She threw her hand out towards Damon, which sent the older brother flying back towards his accomplices. This shocked everyone present, Solène the most shocked. Had she done that? She saw Klaus glancing at her from her peripheral vision. He was visibly intrigued at what just occurred. Wanting more information from Sol about it, but putting a pin in it to handle the Scooby gang on his door step.

Damon groaned and Elena called out to her. Why was she even here? Maybe she doesn't think Klaus will kill her since he needs her blood for hybrids... Does he even know about that yet? "Why are you protecting him? Do you even know who he is?"

"I know very well who he is!" Her tone dripping with malice. I know who you are, too, you self-righteous-

Klaus stopped her thought when he pulled her back onto her feet, stepping forward to be in front of her.

"And you'll still stand by him?" Her face was full of confusion, and even a hint of disgust.

"And what of Stefan and Damon? What of their atrocities? Do you overlook them because you find them attractive? Don't act so superior when you're nothing but a hypocrite!" God, how badly she'd wanted to say that to her face. It was something she'd thought since watching the show. Elena was a self-righteous martyr, who made her friends feel like they also had to risk their lives to protect her. Also, a hypocrite who could overlook the Salvatore brothers' pasts, but no one else's. Of course this was her own opinion, but she felt strongly about it.

"Excuse me?!" Elena scoffed at Sol. How could she say something knowing that what Niklaus had done was worse than Stefan or Damon?

"Well," Niklaus started, using the girls spat as a distraction, speeding over to snap the necks on Damon and Stefan; he did not forgetting to pick up the stake. "It seems todays battle is over." His gaze moved over to Solène. "I have more important matters to tend to."