Lottie Salvatore // Vampire Diaries

Chapter 18

Chicago, Illinois, 1932

"Charlotte?" A man says. How does someone know my name? No one knows my name anymore. Everyone who knew my name died a long time ago.
I had been walking the streets of Chicago for a while now, looking for a good bar. I passed one which was already burning down, and decided to avoid it, as the police had already began circling the place.

But now I am stunned, because the man behind me knows my name. I turn around and see someone I thought I'd see again. "Niklaus?" I say in shock.
He is wearing a black suit, which makes him look very handsome in the evening light. He has the same smile as the first night I met him. He's leaning against a brick building that I had just walked passed. I feel my heart stutter a bit as I meet him.
"Never thought I would see you again, love." He say. "You know you're still wearing your dinner?"
I look down at myself. I had borrowed this rose coloured flapper dress from a corpse I may or may not have killed a little while ago, and have not wanted to take it off, despite the small blood stains on it. "It's just wine." I lie.
He seems to see right through this lie and approaches me. "You've been killing people around here two, haven't you?" He takes out the handkerchief from his coat pocket and wipes my face. When he pulls it away, I see that it is covered in blood. "I knew there were other vampires around here, but I never expected to see you. Although I suppose it makes sense."
"You're a vampire too?" I ask him. Although I realize this is a stupid question. How else would he know about the blood or even be here, looking the same age he did 75 years ago?
To this he smiles. "You and your brother seem to have the same appetite." He says.
"My brother? What are you talking about?" I question.
"Yes, Stephan. He's long gone but he was around here. You didn't know?"
"I thought he died a long time ago. Is he...?"
"A vampire, yes. He may be more ruthless then you are, love" he says.
Stephan is a vampire too? How is that even... Katherine must have turned him too. "Did he say where he was going?" I ask.
"Nope." He says. He places both of his hands on my shoulders and looks deeply into my eyes. "But you'll forget about your brother being alive for now. I want you to come with me"
All thoughts of Stephan vanish form my mind and I look into Niklaus' beautiful blue eyes.

"Come on." He says, offering me his arm. I loop my arm through his and walk with him. "You've been bad haven't you, Charlotte?" He questions with a smile. I forgot how much I love hearing my name come from his lips.
"Well I just don't see a point anymore to be honest. Everyone I've ever cared about is dead, or so I thought. I guess you're here now." I smile up at him.
"Well, I suppose you have a point." He smirks. "And I'm glad to hear you still care about me."

He takes me to a boat dock, which has a giant boat like I've never seen before. "You see, love, I need to leave Chicago. There is someone here that is trying to hurt me." He says as we walk along the dock slowly.
"Let me come with you, Niklaus. I can help you run."
I notice the boat that we have stopped at has a few men on board who I do not recognize. They are moving a few big crates and other pieces of luggage onto the boat.
"No, love. I do wish that you could come with me. I really do." He says, cupping my cheek with his hand. He slowly strokes my cheek with his thumb. "But unfortunately, I cannot worry about anyone's safety but mine and my siblings."
He tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear and kisses me softly on the lips. This is the first time I've kissed someone in this way since the night at the Michelsons house in Mystic falls, when Niklaus and I first kissed. I've kissed plenty of men and women at clubs, but none of them made me feel like this. This kiss makes me feel grounded yet vulnerable. He pulls away, and looks deep into my eyes.
"I'm sorry to do this darling, but I need you to forget you saw me today. In fact, if anyone asks you, tell them you have never met the Michelson siblings. Finally, head east, and don't looks back."