K I N G • KLAUS MIKAELSON [1]

as i lay dying

RIVER tossed and turned in his sleep, the unconscious boy dreaming deeply, images moving through his head. 

Damon rested weakly in the chair, Jeremy turning away from the pale, sickly looking vampire. The human boy pulled his phone from his pocket, calling a friend, speaking softly as to not overload the ill vampire beside him.

A movement sounded out behind Damon, the vampire pushing himself to his feet. Damon turned, seeing the Sheriff stood close by, her gun pointed square at him. Her finger squeezed the trigger, Damon managing to speed away, out of the grill, out of harm's way.

Jeremy wasn't as quick. The human took the bullet to the chest, blood beginning to pour from his wound. He looked up briefly, locking eyes with the Sheriff before his legs collapsed, his body falling to the ground.

River quickly awoke, sitting up as he surveyed his surroundings. He was in bed. The ex-witch sighed, rubbing his eyes as he swung his legs over the bed. River moved through the Salvatore house, his body still aching as a sizzling sound began. 

Moving into the parlour he saw Damon, his sunlight ring on the floor, skin burning in the light.

"Motus" River raised his hand.

It took only a moment for the witch to realise why it hadn't worked, and instead the sound attracted the younger of the Salvatore siblings.

Stefan entered the room, quickly figuring out what had happened and pinning Damon in the shaded area of the room.

"Get off me" Damon spoke.

"You're not doing this" Stefan argued.

"Just did" Damon sighed "You know what happened to Rose, Stefan, River"

The younger of the Salvatores grabbed him, pulling him towards the cellar, dumping him in a cell.

"We don't care" River rolled his eyes "You're not dying today"

Stefan closed the door, locking it behind him, peering through the bars at Damon.

"What the plan, Superman?" Damon asked.

"We're gonna find a way out of this" Stefan answered.

"A miracle cure" Damon spoke "Good luck with that one"

"We've got Bonnie looking for something" River added "Anything"

"Always the hero, Stefan" Damon huffed "Just tell me good bye, get it over with"

Damon began to cough, hacking as he rolled onto his stomach, blood spat onto his hand.

"Lie still" River advised "Conserve your strength"

River exited the cellar, Stefan behind him, the pair turning towards each other.

"I'm gonna spend the day with Caroline" River sighed "I know she's been having a hard time with her mom"

"Isn't she going to the film festival with Elena?" Stefan asked.

"Yeah" River answered "Figured I'd be able to watch both of them"