Now til Forever | n.mikaelson (book two)

XXIV: Alive and Kicking

"That was Matt," Caroline said putting her phone back into her pocket as she rejoined Klaus, "I have to go. Things are getting worse back home."

A brief flash of worry spread across Klaus' face. Briana wasn't getting better, if anything, she was worse than when Caroline had first come to New Orleans. Caroline was supposed to be the key. She was supposed to be the one who could break through to Briana and make her feel again, and now, she was leaving. And Klaus had no idea what to do. 

Klaus swallowed his fear in attempt to hide his true feeling, "Of course." 

Caroline softly smiled at Klaus. It was clear she had her own hesitations. Briana was her sister, and she needed help, how was Caroline supposed to leave? 

"Caroline," Klaus said in hopes of comforting the blonde vampire, "She'll be okay." 

Caroline blinked away her tears as she looked to her sister who was sleeping on the couch beside them. 

"I will ensure it." Klaus said confidently as Caroline nodded her head graciously trying to blink back her own tears. 

Caroline sniffled before taking in the last moment she would spend in New Orleans. She looked over at Briana and her tears began to fall. All she wanted to do was take away Briana's pain. 

Caroline turned back to Klaus nodding her head once more knowing that even in her unconventional state, Klaus Mikaelson would die if it meant keeping Briana safe. She placed a comforting hand on Klaus' shoulder as a sign of gratitude before turning towards the door. 

"Caroline!" Klaus yelled to get her attention, she turned back to him with worry. 

"Thank you." Klaus said vulnerably, just above a whisper. 

Caroline's shoulders fell sympathetically. 

"She's in there, Klaus," Caroline said sadly as she looked to her sister, "You just have to keep digging." 

Klaus nodded taking in every word Caroline was saying. 

"Don't give up on her." Caroline persisted. 

Klaus nodded before watching Caroline walk out the room and out of New Orleans. 

-----------------------------

One week later..

Briana grew more savage by the day. Every day that past she drifted further and further away from her humanity. It was practically obsolete. She eviscerated anyone who dared cross her path with her tongue during the day, and feasted on their blood during the night. She was becoming someone those who were closest to her could barely even recognize. 

For the first time in a long time, Klaus Mikaelson was scared. He didn't have the answer. He didn't know how to fix her. He didn't have the means, but he wanted it more than anything. He needed it. He needed Briana back. Not the Briana she was pretending to be, the real, true Briana who he had fallen in love with. 

Briana made her disinterest in being "fixed" very clear. Instead of bombarding her with emotional triggers, Klaus was forced to take a different approach. He was determine to get through to her without he knowing that was his end goal, so, he had to play the game. 

"What are we doing here?" Briana groaned as Klaus led her to the Cauldron, the hangout of local New Orleans witches. 

Klaus stepped forward just in front of the door, "I thought you might be hungry." He turned to her with raised eyebrows, enticing both Briana's curiosity and appetite.