The Original: Book 3

Chapter 14

"You expect me to care about bloody hostages?" Nik asked through the phone.

"Well, you should. Damon does. So does Caroline, Tyler, and Elena," Stefan informed.

"If any of them get to Connor, then you just wasted a trip to Italy," I added.

"I can buy us some time, but Damon's getting antsy. So, if you want Connor alive, you better get your hybrids on board with my plan." Stefan hung up the phone as we came to a stop on the sidewalk across the street from the Grill. Looking over at the building, I closed my eyes, focusing on the voices inside.

"What did you find out?" I heard Elena ask over speakerphone.

"I could only make out the voices," Stefan told her.

"How many hostages?" Damon spoke up.

"Three," I observed, opening my eyes.

"But, Elena, it's Matt. And April Young," Stefan added.

"Those two idiots," Damon groaned. "They're like danger magnets."

"We have to get them out of there," Elena declared.

"We just need a little more time," Stefan intimated.

"The clock's ticking, brother."

"You know, I could do without the color commentary," Stefan scolded before hanging up. We scouted the place a little longer before going up to Alaric's old apartment.

"Did you find the tunnel map?" I asked, opening the door. This place looked the same way it did when I was here with Nik and Elijah.

"Got it," Damon replied, holding his phone up briefly before putting it inside his jacket. "It was in his weapon's drawer with seven stakes, a weird MacGyver crossbow, and the last remaining vervain in Mystic Falls. So how about we get this party started?"

"Not yet. Nik is sending one of his men," I announced, reading the text he had just sent me. "He'll take the front and you two can take the tunnels."

"Since when do we team up with Klaus and the lollipop guild?" Damon asked, eyeing me.

"Well, Connor has werewolf venom. We need someone to draw his fire, the hybrids are immune to it, so they're our best bet," Stefan answered.

"How are you so sure he even has werewolf venom? Why are you and Klaus even involved in this?" I rolled my eyes at Damon's words.

"Oh, stop being paranoid, Damon," Stefan asserted, picking a tube up off of the table.

"Start telling the truth, Stefan. Why is Klaus involved? Did he compel you? Did you compel him?" Damon accused, turning to glare at me.

"I am telling you the truth, this is the best way to get everyone out," Stefan argued.

"What is with you two? We're wasting time!" Elena exclaimed.

"You know what, she's right. Screw your plan. I'll kill Connor myself." Damon and Elena moved to leave the apartment, but Stefan stabbed the tube into Damon's back, injecting him with vervain.

"Stefan! Why are you doing this?" Elena cried out as Stefan laid Damon on the couch and searched through his pockets.

"Damon had the right idea with the tunnels, but we're not going in there if I can't count on him to do it my way." Stefan beamed the picture of the tunnels to his phone.

"If you can't count on him? You just vervained him!"

"Do you think he cares about April or Matt? He'll get Jeremy out for you, but then he'll go right after Connor no matter who gets hurt."

"Then I'm coming with you!"

"You're not coming with us, Elena," I countered, sitting on the counter of the island.

"You guys need my help!"

"Believe me, we don't," I mumbled, playing with my chipped nail polish.

"What if Connor attacks and you have to defend yourself? And what if you kill him? The guilt will wreck you." Stefan ignored my comment.

"You don't think that I'm afraid of that? Of course I am. Stefan, I'm barely holding it together. If Jeremy gets hurt –," Stefan cut off Elena's rant.

"I will get Jeremy out. I promise you. Elena, listen to me. This is the most important thing that I have ever asked you to do. I just need you to trust me. Please," he pleaded. She was silent before nodding her head. I turned away as he leaned in, kissing her. As soon as he pulled away, we were gone.

***

"I want you to free the hostages," Stefan demanded, having called the Grill.

"I'll free them. As soon as you give me what I want – you and everyone like you dead," I heard the hunter say on the other end of the phone as I slung my pick over my shoulder.

"What, so your hunter's mark can grow? Yeah, I know all about that. What it means. What you are," Stefan revealed as we came to a stop in front of the steps to the old Lockwood cellar. "Listen, you free the hostages and you and I can have a little chat. Maybe I can tell you about the Brotherhood of the Five." Connor said something about it being a desperate move. "Think about it, Connor. Klaus saved your life, he needs you alive. Aren't you the least bit curious why?" The line went dead and Stefan looked over at me.

"Hope this goes well," I muttered. As we followed the map, getting closer to our destination, I started to hear a hammering. "Do you hear that?" I asked and Stefan nodded. Following the tunnel, we found the opening that led us into the back room of the Grill. There was an explosion from the front of the restaurant, signaling that the hybrid had entered. Putting my hand on April's shoulder, I turned her around, covering her mouth before she could scream.

"Get them out of here, wipe her memory. I'll get Connor," Stefan advised.

I nodded, "Make sure he gets back to Nik's house. Alive."

"Stefan!" Matt exclaimed, stopping before we could get to the opening. "That guy's armed. If you go out there, he's going to kill Jeremy."

"No one's killing anyone," Stefan replied, leaving the room. I pushed April and Matt towards the opening, trying to get them out as fast as I could.

Sorry for the crap chapters. It will get better, I promise. There's always the calm before the storm ;)

Happy early Mother's Day to all the moms out there. I'll be taking my mom to see Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 :)

My character and her story are of my own imagination. They belong to me and nobody else. Please do not steal. Copyright 2017.