Wayward Hearts: Book 2

Part 12

 Emma followed closely behind Stefan as he navigated through the tunnels towards the Grill. Above them they heard the steady banging of something against the rocks. Stefan handed Emma the flashlight and started digging with the shovel where they had both determined the banging was originating. It didn't take them long to break in to the kitchen of the Grill, where they were met with the surprised faces of Matt and April. A huge bang went off in the front of the restaurant, followed by the sound of shattering glass.

"Oh my god," Matt said as he looked over his shoulder.

Emma and Stefan traded places with them.

"Follow this map, get out of here, take her to Caroline so she can...you know," Stefan instructed Matt before handing him the flashlight.

"Okay," Matt nodded, "Stefan, that guy is armed, if you go in there he will kill Jeremy."

"No one is killing anyone," Stefan motioned for them to go.

Stefan started to sneak in the main part of the restaurant as quietly as he could, but the hunter spotted him, before Connor could take the shot Stefan sped over to the bar for cover. He looked back at Emma and shook his head, telling her not to move.

"Connor, you don't have to do this," Stefan reasoned, "we can end this right now if you just put the gun down and come with me."

"Sure," Connor almost laughed, "come out and I'll hand the gun over."

Emma started to make her move for the take down, she just needed to get behind him and out of his line of sight. Connor started to look over his shoulder.

Stefan quickly distracted him, "Think about this. No one has to die. I'll tell you everything you need to know!"

Connor turned his attention back to Stefan, "I don't make deals with vampires!"

"Listen to me, if you die right now, then your whole life, all that killing; it'll all be for nothing," Stefan tried to reason with the hunter again.

Stefan saw Emma was getting close, "I can give you the truth. Just put down the gun and let Jeremy go!"

Emma had begun to move faster to close the gap between her and Connor so she could get her arms around him, when the door opened and Elena walked in. Emma ducked out of sight instantly. She breathed deeply, trying to keep her anger from flaring and burning the Grill to the ground at the sight of Elena.

"Please," Elena drew the attention of the hunter, "don't hurt him."

Connor pointed the gun at Jeremy, "You come any closer and he's dead."

"Elena, get out of here," Jeremy pleaded with his sister.

"He's the only family I have, please, just let him go," Elena tried pleading again.

Connor smirked, "You hear that? Your girl is watching, I will shoot the boy right in front of her! On the count of three! Two! One-"

Stefan quickly stood up with his hands raised, showing he was no threat. Before Emma could take her perfect opportunity to take down Conner, Elena rushed him and knocked him over. In the scuffle Connor's gun discharged and he shot Jeremy in the stomach.

Emma took the chance she had and rushed Connor from behind, knocking him to the ground before she began hitting him in the face again and again. Elena ran over to help her brother, feeding him her blood to heal him. Stefan grabbed Connor from Emma and pulled him back towards the tunnels.

Emma stood up and began to walk to the entrance of the Grill, the fight was over for her; Jeremy and her friends were safe, and Stefan had Connor in his grasp. She walked slowly back to the boarding house, she was in no rush to confirm what she already knew. Damon would have forgotten her completely.