Dusk til Dawn | n.mikaelson (book one)

XXII: Heart of Darkness

Briana didn't sleep that night. She laid awake, staring at the ceiling as the hours ticked by and the day turned into night. Every time she closed her eyes she got visions of Finn's desiccating body, only it wasn't Finn's face, it was Klaus'. The few moments she was scared by that nightmare, she pictured Damon, hanging by the bear traps with blood dripping down his body. 

In both scenarios, Briana was helpless. She was frozen in her place. She new that the end would in end in loss but she was caught in the middle. If she ran to Damon, she betrayed Klaus and risked losing him and vice versa. 

Her conscious was her own worst enemy. Was she falling so hard for Klaus that she was blindsided by his influence over Mystic Falls? Her town. Home to her family and friends. Each of them suffering at his hands. It didn't feel right, but not being with Klaus broke Briana's heart. 

She didn't know what to do. She sighed as she rolled over glancing at the clock. 2:43 am.

She sighed rolling back on to her back, her gaze looking over at Klaus sleeping peacefully beside her. She formed an empathetic smile as she watched him sleep. 

She knew she was falling in love with him, and it absolutely terrified her. Was it better to get out before she had completely fallen? Especially knowing his hardships with those she cares about most. Or was it better, for once, to be selfish? To wrap herself up in him knowing the things he is doing and the hurt he is causing those she loves?

She was torn between love and logic. And it was a horrible place to be. 

She slowed snuck out of the bed, careful not wake Klaus as she made her way down the stairs for a glass of water. As she sat at the counter drinking it, her mind continued to race. She yearned for an off switch, to calm her thoughts, but it was too late. 

Briana finished her water and let out a sigh as she rubbed her hands anxiously down her face. She just needed time. She needed space to clear her head and gather her thoughts. Last night had been an eye opener for her. She was thrust deep into the supernatural world and experienced the darkness and loss it brings. She hated it. She didn't want to be a part of it, but she had no other choice. All she could do now is decide which side of good and evil she wanted to be on. 

And so, Briana drove home. She didn't care that it was the middle of the night. She used the stillness of the night sky to clear her head as she drove. She needed the comfort of her childhood room to help relax her. She used her key to carefully unlock the front door of the Forbes house, careful not wake anyone. 

As she slipped into bed she felt her muscles relax upon hitting the pillow. Though she wouldn't fall asleep for another couple of hours, she felt relaxed for the first time in 24 hours. She didn't know what to do, but strongly believed that time will tell. 

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Briana woke up the next morning, not at all refreshed, but ready to face the day. She had left Klaus a vague note before leaving his house in the middle of the night, but that didn't stop his worrisome texts and calls. She ignored them all. 

She needed some space. Some time to really think about their relationship and her place in this world. She could no longer play the middle man trying to keep the peace. It was exhausting and more importantly, it wasn't working. 

It was still relatively early when Briana awoke and shockingly the first person on her mind was Damon. After seeing him so weak last night, she couldn't help but be worried about him. 

As she slid out of bed she knew that Liz had already left for work based on the time, but Briana was not ready to face Caroline after their fight yesterday. Even though Klaus was safe, Caroline knew how much his death would hurt Briana and she went through with the plan to blindside her anyway. Briana would expect this behavior from Stefan and even Damon, but her own sister? That betrayal cut deep and with already enough on her mind, she could not face Caroline today.