Consumed » Kai Parker

Thirty Four

I sink down into my bed, my hand clutching my phone as I waited for a call, a text, something to inform me of whether or not Kai survived the merge. I make a mental note to get Kai's number next time I see him because this is just torture, not being able to contact the witch himself to see if he's okay.

Who says there's going to be a next time?

I shove the pessimistic thought out of my mind, sighing in frustration.

I left the hospital to give Caroline and her mom some alone time, while Elena stayed behind to wait for Damon. Now I'm in my dorm, alone with invasive thoughts that refuse to back off no matter how hard I try to push them away.

Finally, after what felt like I'd been laying here anxiously for an eternity, my phone vibrates next to me. I waste no time in shooting up into a sitting position, grabbing my phone and peering down at the screen lit up with a new message from Damon.

Kai won. Merged w/ Luke??

I read the message five times before I slowly lower the phone and lift my head. Kai won the merge. Kai is alive.

My loud sigh of relief fills the empty room at the confirmation that the witch I've grown to like and enjoy being around lately didn't die tonight, like I'd been fearing since he left me in that hallway earlier.

"I'm going to win, Charlie, I promise."

A small smile forms on my lips as I stare absentmindedly down at the mattress. He kept his promise.

Then, I rethink the latter part of Damon's text and frown, smile gradually fading. Kai merged with...Luke? I didn't even know that was possible. They're not even twins.

Which means Jo is still alive. And Luke is dead.

I don't know how to feel about this, but it definitely doesn't feel good or remotely okay. Luke and I never really got along, there was always tension whenever he and I were in the same room. But we tolerated each other due to one crucial thing that the two of us had in common: we cared about Liv.

Liv.

I scramble for my phone, immediately unlocking it and tapping her contact, pressing the call mobile button.

I wonder if she even knows yet that her brother, her twin brother, is dead. The thought leaves a dull ache in my chest and I exhale shakily, my finger tapping against the mattress as I wait for her to answer. She's my best friend and she just lost her brother–I need to be there for her, see if she needs to talk or just someone to be with, without speaking at all. But she won't pick up the phone.

"Come on, Liv," I whisper, redialing the number. Still nothing but the irritating ringing noise on the other end. I make a pattern of hanging up and calling, hanging up and calling again, and I don't know how long I do it for until I eventually give up with a defeated sigh.

Wherever she is, I just hope she isn't alone. I know it would be stupid to hope that she's okay right now, because that's just wishful thinking. No one, except for maybe a humanity-less vampire, is capable of being okay after such a loss. I sigh quietly, tempted to call her again but decide against it. Maybe she just needs her space, some time to think.

I stare at the black screen of my phone for a while, relief and sorrow mingled together in the pit of my stomach. Kai is alive, but Liv lost her twin. I don't know which emotion to even feel right now. It's just a combination of everything and nothing all at once.

Being alone when your mind won't shut up sucks.

So I decisively get down from my bed, pulling on my black ankle boots and coat. I grab my car keys, the metal tinkling together as I leave the dorm.