𝐞𝐩𝐢𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐲 | 𝐭𝐯𝐝

-22-

I followed them into Klaus's mansion. He slowed down and dragged her into a room. It was spacious with no windows, a bed, and paintings. It could be safe. I noticed his strong grip on her arm. "Be gentle, Nik," I asked politely. He sighed and let go. "I apologize for the lack of windows; it's to preserve the art. And of course to prevent you from taking off your daylight ring and burning yourself to death in the sun." He told her. "I'm not gonna kill myself. I would never do that." She scowled. "You're gonna want to soon enough. It's just a precaution." I told her.

"I did. The problem is, I'm immortal." Klaus smirked. "You went through this?" I turned to the hybrid. "Yes, I did. For fifty-two years, four months, and nine days. I was tormented, in my dreams, my every waking moment, relentless, never-ending torture. It was the only period of my life when I actually felt time." He explained. Ouch. "So, you knew that this would happen if Connor died? That's why you got involved. Did Stefan know too?" Elena turned to me. "All he knew was that the hunter had to be kept alive," I assured. "You should have listened to him when he said he had it covered, love." Klaus began walking towards the door. "How did you make it stop?" She suddenly questioned.

"I didn't. Eventually it just stopped. The hallucinations tend to appear in strange forms. Don't say I didn't warn you." He looked at her, then turned to me. "Coming, pet?"

"In a minute. I wanna talk to her." I sighed. He nodded and walked out. The door shut and I sat next to Elena on the floor. "Are you gonna taunt me or something?" She frowned. "No. I'm sad for you, Elena. Listen, since you're stuck here, which is for your own good, I want to apologize. I know girls have a code and I invaded that. I shouldn't have and I'll make sure to move out if that's what you need. I promise nothing is going on between Stefan and I. Think of me like another Lexi, okay? I've been his best friend for a long long time, but that doesn't mean anything romantic is happening behind the scenes. Just say the word if you would like me to go-"

She cut me off with a hug. "Thank you, River. You don't have to go. I just needed to hear it from you. Genuinely you." She sighed. I smiled. "I don't lie when I don't have to. Trust your gut, Elena. You don't have a reason to not trust me." I got up. "You'll be okay here," I promised. I knocked on the door, which was opened by one of Klaus's minions, and left.

I walked into Klaus's living area. It was fancy, as expected. "You were very nice to someone who is dating your ex." He complimented, I think while pouring a glass of wine. "I have nothing against her, even if she was a little rude at first. I get it." I shrugged. "Fancy a drink?" Klaus offered. "Water?" We walked to the kitchen. "That was kind. Where's your spunk gone?" He smirked. "Don't think I've gone soft, Klaus." I scoffed, grabbing the water bottle he held out to me. He shrugged with a smirk. "I have not!" I defended. "I'm just saying!"

I uncapped the bottle. "Say less than,"

-

Klaus went to get a drink at Mystic Grill. He invited me, but I wanted to watch after Elena. So, I sat in the living room and nearly fell asleep until I heard a car park. I quickly sped towards the door and peeked out to see Stefan, Tyler, and look at that- Klaus's minion, Chris. I waited at the door with my arms crossed. Stefan opened the door. I wiggled my fingers at them. "I wouldn't even dare." I spat at Tyler, noticing his tightening grip on a stake. I sped towards Tyler and grabbed the stake, which I stabbed on Chris's side. "What was that for?!" Tyler yelled. "That would be proof. Stefan, snap my neck." I told him. "What?!"

"I know what you're gonna do. You're gonna get your way anyway so snap my neck and at least he can see I tried before you rushed at me." I made up a story. "River..." Stefan began. "Just do it."

He sped at me and grabbed my head and SNAP. Black.

-

I felt a sharp pain in my stomach, sending my body into shock. I gasped and sat up. I looked at Klaus. "Where is she?!" He yelled. "Klaus...Stefan and Tyler teamed up with him. They raided the house. Tyler was about to stake me but Stefan snapped my neck before Tyler went off." I explained. "Let's go." He helped me off the floor. "Where?"

"We're paying Tyler a little visit."

I followed him to his car. "It was three against one, Klaus. I tried to stake Chris but he's a hybrid so what am I really supposed to do?" I told him, feeling jittery with nervousness. "If you were a hybrid, you wouldn't have to deal with these things." He gripped the steering wheel. "And be sired to you? Thanks but no thanks."

The ride was silent until we got to Tyler's. We walked up to the door, which was opened for us by a familiar face; Chris. He was holding a bag, as if ready to run. "Going somewhere?" Klaus sped at him and held onto his throat as he ran them into the staircase. I saw a woman with long brown hair and doe eyes. She was stunning, but I didn't let that blind me from what was going on. I sped at her and held her against the wall. She was way younger than I was, so I had plenty of strength against her. "I'm sorry." I mouthed, keeping a firm grip. She finally stopped and turned towards Klaus and Chris. I kept my eyes on her to make sure she didn't try anything.

"When I said don't let her out of your sight, what did you think I meant?" He roared. "It's not his fault, it's mine. I was distracting you. It's my fault she got away!" Tyler defended. "Then maybe you should be the one to die for it." Klaus looked at him. "No one has to die!" The girl tried to protest. Klaus sped at us. I turned around and blocked him from her. "Did I not say mind your business?!" He maintained eye contact with her. I gulped. This is why I feared him.

"Tyler's covering for me. I'm the one that let her go." She confessed. "You really aren't helping yourself right now, you know that, right?" I muttered. "You want someone dead, go ahead. Kill me. I'd rather die anyway than end up as one of your sired little bitches." She spat. "Don't tempt me, little wolf." He advised. "Your existence is to serve me. To please me. Do you understand?" He asked Chris. "I'm sorry, I won't fail you again." He promised. "No, you won't. Get out of here." Klaus ordered. Little did he know...

Chris walked to the front door and Stefan sped through the door and stabbed him with a stake. Chris fell to the ground. Hayley covered her hand with her mouth and cried. Jeremy walked into the house with a cleaver in his hands. "I'm sorry." He said simply. He raised the cleaver and slammed it back down on Chris's neck. His head rolled off of his body and blood splattered. He looked down at his hand. The tattoo must be growing. I winced and sped out of the house.
-
who do you ship river with?