Dragon's Keeper

Chapter 16

~Previously on Dragon's Keeper~

MayBeth turns around to see Dr. Paige preparing a syringe, and the doctor lunges at MayBeth to inject her with it. MayBeth grabs her arm and pushes it away from her, headbutts the doctor to disorient her, and then stabs the syringe into the doctor's neck. When the men in the lobby see what happened, they run toward the door, but she manages to shut and lock it before they can enter. One of the men rattles the doorknob as MayBeth struggles to open the window to escape. When they finally get in, MayBeth has already escaped and began running away.

OUTSIDE ROUSSEAU'S – DAUPHINE STREET MUSIC FESTIVAL
Outside, Tim struggles to unlock his car, as his hands are full with his fiddle case. "Hello, Tim." Klaus says behind him. Tim just stares at him blankly. "I believe you and I share an acquaintance." Klaus says and grips him tightly by the shoulder and compels him. "Be a good lad and help me send her a message." Klaus says. Cami and Davina are still inside Rousseau's, looking for Tim. "Well, he couldn't have gone far, he just got off-stage a minute ago!" Cami says. Davina sighs and blinks tears from her eyes. "It doesn't matter, this was a stupid idea anyway." Davina says. "No, it wasn't! Davina–" Cami starts. "Just forget it." Davina says and runs off. Klaus approaches Cami from behind and hands her a note. "Tell her this is from one of the musicians. She'll want to leave, and you're going to want to help her slip out the back exit so Marcel doesn't see. Whatever you do, don't let her out of your sight." Klaus says. Cami looks slightly annoyed, but when she turns around to talk to Klaus, he has already zoomed away. "Wait, Davina!" Cami runs to catch up with her.

ST. ANN'S CATHOLIC CHURCH
Tim is standing in the aisle, staring at the statues and lit candles at the altar in the front of the room, when Cami and Davina find him there. Cami smiles at Davina encouragingly. "I can't do this." Davina whispered. Cami, still smiling, gently pushes Davina toward Tim and watches as she approaches him. Tim turns around when he hears her, and his face brightens. "Hey, Tim. I got your note." Davina waves awkwardly. "I got your text message." Tim says. "Thanks for meeting me here." Davina sighs and smiles. "Uh, it's so amazing to see you—I can't even believe I'm standing here right now. I just...Wow." Tim says. Davina giggles nervously. "SO, how have you been?" He laughs. "And why did you want to meet here? It's so creepy...all the terrible stuff that happened?" Tim says. Davina walks toward altar. "I dunno, I kinda like it! It's quiet. The place can't be bad for all time, just because one bad thing happened... right?" Davina says. "Wait, no, uh, alright, backup. So where...? One day you just stopped coming to school, and then it's like you just... vanished." Tim says sadly. "There was an emergency... and I needed to take care of some things." Davina says. "Oh, are you okay? I mean, you look okay—you look great, actually." Tim says shyly. Davina giggles. "So, are you coming back to school?" Tim asks. Davina's smile falls, and then so does Tim's. "No. But I need you to know that even though I was away, I miss you." She says and smiles. "I miss seeing you at school, seeing you play your violin." Davina says. Tim gulps nervously and gestures to the walls of the room. "Well, this place does have great acoustics." He says. Davina looks confused for a moment, until she sees him pick up his violin and bow. She sits down to watch and listen to him play.

~o0o~

Cami is staring at the bloodstains on the walls in the back of the church, listening to Tim play for Davina, when Klaus joins her. "The boy has a gift. You can't compel a person to play like that." Klaus says. "I know what you are. It's crazy to me, but at least it makes sense. But this... massacre... was just a pointless, brutal thing. In your life, have you ever heard of anything like that? A good man, an aspiring priest, just goes on a killing spree out of nowhere." Cami says. Klaus sits next to Cami. "I've seen quite a lot in my time. The world is a rather awful place. Best to meet it on its own terms." Klaus says. Cami shakes her head. "No. The world isn't awful. People aren't awful. They want to be good; something makes them bad. Something breaks them down, makes them snap. There are always signs, symptoms, before someone has a psychotic break. The guy who did this had none of them; he didn't drink, he didn't do drugs..." Cami says. "You're well-informed on the matter. You knew him, didn't you?" Klaus asks. "His name was Sean. He was my brother. My twin, actually. I can't sleep, I... dream, about what happened, and I hate it, and I hate that I couldn't help him." Cami said and cries softly. "We all must stand alone against our demons." Klaus says. "What if someday, his demons become mine too?" Cami says. She looks at him expectantly, and he notices that Tim has finished playing. "I have some business I should attend to...but before I do–" Klaus places a hand on her shoulder and looks in her eyes to compel her. "You should go, enjoy the music. Put this out of your mind." Klaus lets go of her, and she leaves the church to return to the festival.

DAUPHINE STREET FESTIVAL
Father Kieran walks down Dauphine Street when he sees Marcel walking around the festival. "Marcel!" He calls. "Father Kieran—welcome back. I wasn't sure when you'd be coming home." Marcel says. "I can tell, judging by what's been going on in my church attic." Father Kieran says. "I didn't think you'd mind. Lord knows I've done you a favor or two." Marcel says. "I take it you know the Originals have returned? The sister, Rebekah? I saw her earlier, snooping around the church, asking about the attic. She doesn't know I take vervain. You gotta problem on your hands." Kieran says while he lowers his voice. "No disrespect, for the grieving process, for you and your church, but just so I know—are you here to help, or are you just going to drop in with criticism?" Marcel says. Father Kieran laughs coldly, and leans in to whisper to Marcel. "Never forget, Marcel, that you live in this city by the grace of those who know your secret and tolerate you." Kieran says. "And this city thrives because of me and my people. Anytime that you need a reminder of that, just let me know." Marcel said. Marcel stares at Father Kieran menacingly, but their argument is interrupted by Josh. "Marcel? Diego said he lost eyes on the girls." Josh says. Marcel turns to Father Kieran. "To be continued!" Marcel leaves.