Chapter forty six

Galway

A day felt like an eternity. I Lay curled up in bed, tears splashing down. Walking away was the hardest thing I ever had to do. I missed them so dearly. My heart ached for them. For Theo. For my brothers. For the Mikaelsons, my sisters. For Kol. I was shattered. Memories flashed before me, I could hear our laughter, see us smile and we were happy. Every moment played before my eyes. Every dance. Even the silly ones. The romantic ones. Every play fight with my brothers. Every moment I spent with every single one of them. Just like that, I spent the next several days. Every night the same occurrence. Every night I would stay up and I would tell myself I'm alright with tears soaking my pillows. My own memories were tormenting me. I wanted to run back to them, but it was too late. They had no memories of me. I was the only one left with years and years of moments. Good and bad.

I hated closing my eyes. I would see him. I would see myself dance with his ghostly figure. To know I would die without being held by him, without seeing him one last time; my heart crumbled. I lost my smile and spirit in the words of Harlow. She found love. She found Henry and though I couldn't express it to her, I was happy for her. A part of me wanted to dislike Henry. Something about him reminded me of the Mikaelsons. Reminded me of Kol. It was a cruel joke from the universe, poking fun at me, relishing in my misery.

Dhanika and Noah settled on the street across from Harlow and Ben joined them. They put in simple words: they had nothing better to do and nowhere else to be, so they followed us to Galway and we were together for the rest of the days. It was in ways soothing to see Dhanika thriving and truly dissolve into the women she was always meant to be.

A gentle knock at my door. Wiping away the tears I slid up on the bed, pressing my back against the headboard. I couldn't respond without my voice crumbling. The door slowly opened and in stepped Harlow. She must have heard me cry despite my efforts to stifle them. Without a word she slipped into bed next to me and took me in her arms. "I know you miss them, and you're broken. Cry if you want, I'll be here." She murmured. "You'll be okay-"

I came undone. "No... I-I'll never be okay." My cries were raw, making her wince. I sobbed hard as she held me. The touch I craved the most was Kol's. Our love story was incomplete. There was no more hope for me. Hours had passed, how many I could not tell but somewhere along the way I drifted off to sleep. That night I didn't dream of him. I tried so hard to summon up a dream, but nothing came. I awoke the following day hugging my knees, rocking back and forth as I cried. I dreamt him up so frequently that there was nothing left not even his ghost.

At first it started at the bottom of my stomach, slowly growing as the days slipped by. I didn't notice it at first. I thought I was okay, I was fine. I thought I could get through it. But this weed was watered unforgivingly, and it grew stronger, stubborn, strangling my organs. I began to lose my appetite and when I noticed it was too late–I couldn't breathe, and it was far too late to turn back because it was working its way to my heart–that was what heartbreak was for me.

I remained rooted to one spot, a living corpse that did nothing but stare ahead. Dhanika walked in and out, they all did. They would try to persuade me to eat or drink something-anything, but I wouldn't register anything. I didn't want anything. Their words were muted, and they knew it. Occasionally I would see colour and I would give the odd response, but I had nothing else to give. The room was ill-lit as I glanced around. Tiny shadows often skipped across the room and despite the glow from the lights, the white glossy furniture and bedroom decor, it was barren.

A sudden urge to throw up invaded. I tossed the duvet off and stumbled into the bathroom, gripping my head to stop the spinning. My brain bashed around in my skull. The wave of nausea and sickness struck again. Stabilising myself at the edge of the sink, the contents of my stomach hurled themselves out. Foul and bitter, leaving behind a burning in the pit of my stomach. Straightening myself was impossible when I grew too weak. Throwing up didn't help my situation. Minutes later my head was back in the sink.

Though my body refused to work, my mind was the force that worked exhaustingly. Forcing myself out the bathroom I changed, making little to no effort to conceal my puffy, dark eyes. I never felt depression. Being away from my family was the start of it. I didn't care to eat, to do anything. I picked at my food, sipped some water here and there. Harlow and Henry did their best to change my mood. They would make Dhanika, Noah and Ben stay over some nights. Missing them made me physically sick. I couldn't do anything, couldn't smile, or give a half decent fake laugh. When spoken to, I gave the bare minimum reply.

"I'm going for a walk." I announced dryly. "I'll be back shortly." I couldn't stay indoors; it was too suffocating and the urge to vomit came and went.

"Me or Henry could come with you if you want? Or maybe Ben or Noah?" She was plastered with concern. Shaking my head weakly I declined her offer. Seeing her dejection my lips curved into a wavering smile. It didn't reassure her, but she let me be. Shoving my hands in the pockets of Damon's jacket I headed out, down the paved streets at a dilatory pace. The fresh air did little for my sickness. All my body wanted to do was throw up. My slow, dragged movements bothered no one. People of Galway travelled at their own pace and the faces around me were the opposite of what I felt. The weather was no pathetic fallacy. Soft music came from a distance. Everything was so much brighter, and I despised it.

Finding the nearest bench I slumped down, wiping at my forehead. It wasn't hot yet cold sweat seeped through my skin. Stroking the Pearl bracelet, I thought of Stefan. They were far but wearing their things made them closer. The worn out, wooden bench I took shelter on overlooked the park. Children galloped around, shouting, and laughing. Parents sat on their picnic mats overlooking their children. I caught notice of the three teenagers. Two boys and one girl. It was obvious they were siblings. I couldn't hear what they were speaking about, but it looked like they were bickering. The tallest boy grabbed the sister in a headlock, and they burst out, their laughter now audible. It was music to the ears. Tilting my head with a ghost of a smile, I looked on.

They reminded me of my brothers. I recalled the time both Stefan and Damon snatched my book out my hand and used it to play catch. I was huffing and puffing and dictated they hand it over or there would be consequences. The book sailed across my head and Elijah caught it with one hand. I proceeded to watch them with adulation. They loved their sister; it was clear to see. The other brother draped his arm over her shoulder and poked her cheek. She huffed, hands on hips but couldn't hold back the laughter. Sensing movement, my head inclined to the right. Noah sat back on the bench, grinning at me and to my left sat Ben, leaning forward, watching what I was watching. "Fancy seeing you here." Noah waggled his brows.

I tittered, pressing my back against the cool bench. "Stalkers. I'm fine you know, there's no need to worry about me."

"Yeah nah, we rather be here with you and to be fair, you're hardly fine—look at you, all pale and ugly." Ben quipped.

I swat his right arm, "Speak with some respect."

They both chuckled. "On a serious note, my dad messaged."

Turning back to the bickering siblings, I faltered, "what did he say?"

"He knows you're here and asked-ordered me to follow you around and befriend you."

I scoffed; eyes still fixated on the three gleeful siblings. "Ironic."

The tapping of Noah's foot snagged my attention. He was in an agitated state, glaring at the cobbled ground. Sensing my eyes on him, he sat up straight, eyes looking ahead at nothing in particular. "I know you're upset and you're missing your family...I-I know that you're hurt and you're finding it difficult—the point is, we miss you and wish you'd at least be normal with us. Mum is making herself physically unwell worrying about you, and she keeps blaming herself."

Swallowing the hard lump in my throat, I turned my body toward him. His words really did damage me. "I'm so sorry for making you all feel distanced and-the thing is...it's hard being without them and I know it's been days; I should be fine but I'm not!"

Leaning back and letting out a sigh, "it's not your fault, but don't block us out."

"I won't." I turned to Ben. "Has your dad mentioned anything about the daggers and the sleeping wolves?"

"He doesn't know where in Greece they are, and the daggers are useless if he can't locate them. It's good he hasn't found them and he's alone-I think."

Th siblings were no longer there when I turned back to face the park. They were gone and left behind an empty space. Nothingness. The pain resurfaced, a great stress to the brain and body. My tears, I couldn't collect them and put them back in. They rained down onto my lap, soaking up my long, black solid dress. "I miss them." It came out strangled and rough. Noah and Ben scooted closer, hesitant at first to put their arms around me but seeing my state they couldn't stop themselves.

"We can see them. You can see them." Noah intoned.

"I-I ca-can?"

His nods were animated; full of live and encouraging. "We can do a spell and see them-like a looking glass or mirror or whatever you want to call it!"

Alert and giving them my full attention, eyes desperate and eager. "I haven't heard of anything—I'm ready!"

Jumping to their feet they both held out a hand each and I grasped them, jumping and grinning ear to ear.

Damon

Mystic Falls

The grill buzzed incessantly. Chugging down my third glass of bourbon and a side of whiskey, I demanded a refill. Stefan snatched my glass away. "That's enough brother."

I blew my tongue. "Party pooper." I eyed his glass. It was empty not very Stefan of him to down bottle after bottle of bourbon. I was dead inside, however there was no reason in sight for why I felt the way I did, and it sucked. There was a hole in my heart, and I couldn't explain it. I knew Stefan felt the same. I could see it—I could sense it. Nothing seemed right and for some reason everything was out of place. Life around us flowed as usual but for reasons unknown, we didn't.

"It's about time we get out of here. I don't want to run into the Mikaelsons. Not in the right headspace to deal with them." He patted my back and waited. Jumping off the bar stool I followed him, sticking close. Just our luck, the grill door swung open and the two eldest Mikaelson brothers strode in.

"Ah, the Salvatore brothers. Fancy running into you." Klaus smirked.

"Join us." Elijah motioned back over to the bar. Looking to Stefan for an answer, he grit his teeth and obliged.

"What happened? Don't see you running around with the sycophants of this town." The hybrid heckled. I squinted, zeroing on his smirk. He wasn't his usual infuriating self. He threw his head back. "Oh right, our little brother Kol killed them. How unfortunate-"

"What do you want?" Stefan Interrupted, clenching his fists. We had no issues or threats from them, but we didn't like them. Oddly, it seemed strange to have such disdain for them. There were gaps in my memory, and I tried to piece them together.

"We just want to have a drink together for old times' sake." He grinned. I rolled my eyes and diverted my eyes on the noble one. He sat stoic as ever, with subtle hints of amusement on his face. Yawning I turned back to the bartender, drumming my fingers on the counter. He passed me another glass of golden bourbon which I leisurely sipped from. The grill door chimed open. The chime caught my attention and I looked back. We all did. Siblings walked in. One young lady with both her brothers on each side. She had dark curly hair that fell just below her shoulders, tanned skin, and a disarming smile. Her brothers, an odd pair, directed her towards their table.

"Thank you." She babbled when the second brother pulled out the chair for her. Taking their seats, they handed her a small, blue gift bag. Furrowing her brows, she took the bag. We were transfixed. I couldn't tear my eyes away. Watching them hit hard that I was missing something, with a gaping hole in my heart and nothing to refill it with. Carefully she took out a black box, bubbling when opening the box. She stared wide-eyed. "It's...it's beautiful." She began tearing up, dabbing at the corners of her eyes. Beaming, she picked up the thin gold bracelet with one pearl at the centre.

"Happy birthday little sister." The brothers sang off key. With a sour expression settling in, I turned away. I no longer wanted to watch them. Dismissing my brother and the Mikaelsons with a wave of my hand, I swaggered out the grill and wandered around the town aimlessly. Mystic Falls stopped feeling like home. Being a vampire wasn't as thrilling as it used to be. If it weren't for my wife and brother, I was certain I would have flipped the switch. But why? For what reason?

The moment with the siblings earlier plagued my mind. On loop, it played on and on. I couldn't shake it. Shrugging it off I barged into the house, walking past Caroline without a word. "What is with you brothers?!" She groaned. With my back facing her, I rolled my eyes and headed into the kitchen. Glancing around, making mental notes of what I wanted to change. The entire house could do with a renovation.

Sophia

Galway

It was exhilarating, running home with the breeze running through my hair and gently caressing my face. Looking back at Noah and Ben, trying to catch up with me. I laughed, thrilled, and intoxicated. Running was being free. A sudden surge and my heart pranced with joy. Reaching the door I pounded, calling out to Harlow. Running footsteps and voices from behind. The door flung open, and I was greeted by Harlow and Henry both wearing identical expressions of astonishment. Squeezing through them I dashed into the living room, spirits flying high.

Noah and Ben managed to catch up and they entered, heaving with hands on their knees. "You-you run fast!"

"Well fast and I'm a wolf." He said in between breathy chuckles.

Opening up the square, glass showcase with the star lights, I took out Harlow's grimoire and slammed it down on the round, white top marble coffee table. Flipping through the pages, skimming, and scanning every page until I found the spell I was seeking. Patting the page, "got it!" I gushed. I didn't need their help; I had the talisman that would give me sufficient strength and power. It didn't matter whether it chipped away from my life force. They were worth it. I couldn't understand how I had never thought of it.

It took all my absolute willpower to endure and execute the spell. I underestimated my ability and the level of the spell. Standing back, we watched as the space before us rippled as though a seam was torn and a portal to another dimension was forming. The ripple effect was our mirror to what my heart longed for. Sound was not audible, but I could see exactly what they were doing. The Salvatore boarding house. It was luminous, more than I remembered. Perhaps the time I spent there was in my darkest hours, hence the atmosphere for me was always sunless. They sat in the throne room, passing around drinks and they whooped, was what it looked like.

"They're playing a drinking game." I giggled, pointing, and looking back at Noah and Ben. The titters turned into giggles and then ruptures of laughter, watching them fling paper balls at one another; they must have been writing or doing something but whatever it was, they were brimming with joy. The ball hit Damon in the eye, and he froze, rigid, glaring back at Caroline. I was scared for her, standing quailed. Seizing the newspaper, Damon scrunched it up in an unrestrained manner; eyes never leaving her. Rotating his shoulder externally, he pitched the ball and it soared across with great force and speed, smacking Caroline right in the nose. She was stunned, stammering over her words and definitely not willing to give up. Damon's mien was that of pure joy. When his lips cracked into a grin and a roar of laughter escaped him, smiles were brought to every face. My eyes watered just watching them, but it wasn't painful, not at all.

Seeing Klaus and Elijah stroll in, my breathing accelerated just waiting for him to walk in after them, but he wasn't present. I watched as the two eldest Mikaelson brothers sat themselves down, smirking at my family. Rolling her eyes, Bonnie threw Caroline the deck of cards and she took them out, shuffling them. A warm hand settled on my right shoulder: Noah's. Turning to him, he gave my shoulder a squeeze. "See, they're fine. They're going to be okay just as you will."

Grasping his resting hand, i sniffled as a tear rolled down. "Thank you." I didn't bother wiping away the tears. I felt better than I had in a week. Seeing them was enough to ease my soul-my heart.

London

Her eyes could not believe what she saw, what the video relayed. She shook with laughter replaying the video over and over again. "Well, this changes everything...how splendid."

"What?" The substitute witch questioned from the corner she was bound to, slaving away for the wench. She had no other option. It was sealed in her fate, since the day she was born that she serves the Everleighs. Secondly, she feared for her life and would rather live a long one than have it cut short.

Jameela whipped around, flashing her a cruel smile. "My dear, the tables have turned, and it seems as though fate is in our hands." she turned her head to the left, glancing at the working witch who tore off herbs from their stems and dunked them into a wooden bowl. "Let's just say, Sophia has become more valuable than ever."

The woman with her salt and pepper hair, dared not look up. Jameela loathed anyone that gave her direct eye contact. She felt threatened if one did so. "What could make her so valuable? Didn't the Weatherfords curse her to death?" She was incredulous. The whole concept of the heretic now turned human baffled her. Jameela was a mad woman, she was certain. This war she waged against the poor soul, was getting tiresome and no one wanted to play anymore. For they have lost far too much and those that helped Jameela, they were foolish and saw nothing beyond their greed for power.

"Enough!" She boomed. "You're not here to question me but do what you've been assigned to do! Must I torture you too?" The buzzing of her phone soothed her. The anger now a distant throb. Pressing the phone to her ear she spoke. "Hello....ahh yes, I did and thank you for that.... this changes nothing in particular other than make me want her even more..."she chuckled darkly. "Play games with her...I love games, don't you?"

You make me sick. The bound witch thought to herself, concealing the scowl on her face. Jameela cackled, holding her stomach as if all that laughter pained her. Twisting the dried herbs, the only sound in the now silenced room, the young witch stared down hard into the bowl. What could she possibly mean? What game was she playing now?