However Long It Takes

Chapter Five - The Vampire Hunter

The next day was nothing short of chaos. Elena and Caroline were captured by the new invincible vampire hunter Alaric at the high school, so you met with the Salvatore brothers and the others at Elena's house. You were talking with Stefan and Jeremy in the kitchen when a soccer ball went flying into the kitchen after busting open the front door. "What the–" A piece of a fence flies in next and you grab Jeremy's arm, pulling him to crouch behind the kitchen counter. Damon is suddenly taunting whoever is throwing the objects into the house as you remain in cover with the younger Gilbert. Eventually, the throwing stopped, but then you smelled gasoline and heard a familiar voice. Klaus?

Against Stefan's objections, you vamped from the kitchen to the front door and were met with an angry Klaus. His eyes go wide, clearly not having realized that you were here. "Charlotte," he says with a serious voice, holding a newspaper and a petrol can.

"Charlotte get back," Stefan calls out, and Klaus's angry eyes leave yours to glare at him for a short moment. Instead of listening, you step outside and are almost chest to chest with the angry hybrid in front of you.

You stare into his eyes, essentially challenging his rage. He narrows his eyes at you for a long moment before throwing the newspaper down onto the ground and putting the petroleum can down. You knew he wouldn't hurt you, and he just proved it. "Elena's not here. Alaric took her and Caroline and he's holding them hostage at the school." You inform Klaus matter-of-factly. He closes his eyes tightly in exasperation and sighs. Stefan steps outside behind you and you can feel his body heat radiating onto you from his close proximity to your back. You don't miss the intense glare Klaus shoots his way, but don't dare start anything right now.

The men start coming up with a plan to get the girls back and you went off to the side of the house to try calling Elena in an attempt to get Alaric to answer. In hindsight, this wasn't the best idea – because while your guard was down, someone was able to snap your neck.

~~~

You woke up in a classroom, tied to a desk chair. When you tried to move, your body burned and you quickly realized that the rope was covered in vervain. An evil chuckle made you look up and you locked eyes with Alaric. He looked so malicious, not like himself at all. To your left were Elena and Caroline, each in their own chairs. Caroline was in the same position as you, except with pencils in each of her hands and a rope in her mouth as well. You felt bad for her as you watched her wincing in pain. Alaric walked over to you and you lunged up, fighting the pain to try to snap his neck. In your weakened state, Alaric easily subdued you and slammed a pencil into your shoulder blade. You screamed in pain.

Alaric and Elena argued back and forth as he tried to get her to stake one of us, but she refused. Eventually, you spotted an opening when Caroline tried to get free. You took the chance while he was distracted and lunged up from the desk, throwing it at Alaric and using your elbows to break the rope. You took the pencil out of your bicep and threw it into Alaric's neck, then took off running. You vamped away until you reached the furthest hallway and stopped to lean against a wall momentarily, catching your breath and trying to think. You knew you needed to figure out a way to rescue Caroline and Elena, but you weren't sure how. A hand grasped your mouth out of nowhere and you were pressed into a larger, hard body. You resisted and tried to scream to no avail, before the person grabbing you said: "Shh, it's okay. It's okay. It's me. It's okay, you're safe." Klaus whispers in your ear, slowly removing his hand from your mouth. He places his hand on your shoulder and leans in to your ear: "We'll save them. You go straight home. You stay inside. Do you understand?" You are too frazzled to respond, a combination of the fear, adrenaline and his hands on your body. He grabs your arms and turns you around to face him. "Do you understand me?" he demands, staring into your eyes with his intense blue ones, his hands on either of your arms. He looks genuinely worried and uneasy, but you felt safe now that he was with you. You nodded after a moment to process what he actually said, relief washing over you.