『Chapter Forty-One』
『the new vampire hunter』

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   Bodie felt numb, he knew that this was what was going to happen when he went to talk to Klaus, but even still, there was a part of him that had hoped that it might change. He knew that Klaus hated him, he knew that Klaus would want to kill him but at the same time he knew that he just wanted everything to go back to normal. As much as he knew that all of this was the worst, that it was his fault, he wished that it weren't, he wished that he could stop this from ever happening.

   The Mikaelson's wanted him dead and there was a small part of him that wished that they made plans to do such a thing and put him out of his misery. Though, he knew that they'd rather torture him to get back at him, they'd allow him to feel the same pain that they did after they lost Henrik. Of course, he knew that he should have expected this, but at the same time, he didn't want to go through with any of this, knowing that it would hurt him more than what it does now.

   At one point, Bodie remembered that Will was with him, though when he looked around, he'd noticed that not only was dawn approaching but the fact that he'd been walking around Mystic Falls. There was a small part of Bodie that wondered whether or not Will gave up following him and headed home. He knew that he should get home, knowing that there was still a chance that Klaus or Rebekah might come after him, but his mind was still all over the place when it came to thinking about the relationship that he's ruined.

   As much as Bodie knew that his father might be pleased that he spoke the truth, it didn't stop Bodie from feeling like shit. He so wished that he could take everything back, he wished that he weren't the one that killed Henrik, he wished that none of this happened. He wished that there were a chance for him to be happy with the family that hated him. He knew that there was a chance that things might change and that he could move on with Leo, but he knew that no matter what, Leo would be at risk.

   He was already risking the lives of the people that he cares about, and he didn't want to add another person to that list, knowing that he wouldn't be able to cope with that as a whole. Klaus wouldn't hesitate to kill anyone that was close to him. Though, now that he thought about it, he wondered whether or not Will actually made it home.

   At the thought that maybe being in a world of his own might have left Will to be killed if Klaus followed them, made Bodie panic in some way as he then fished out his phone only to see a message from Will saying that he's back at home and to let him know when he decides to come back at talk to him about whatever he was panicking about. That sent a wave of relief through him, knowing that he was safe.

   Bodie shook his head. He knew that he needed to be careful, more careful than what he's been. He knew that he should just go back home and be with Henry and Will, but at the same time there was a small part of Bodie that didn't want to face either of them. There was something about being around them, and everyone else, that made him feel more guilty over what he'd done. Any time that he looked at a vampire, Bodie couldn't help but think that it's because of what he did that vampires existed.

   He sighed. He'd just passed the school, and he found himself pausing. Outside the school, Bodie noticed Alaric dragging Caroline into the school. For a moment, Bodie thought that there was a chance that he was seeing things or that there might be something wrong with Caroline, but there was something about the way that Alaric was dragging Caroline that made Bodie feel like there was something wrong.

   Bodie would have ignored it, but Bodie knew the interest that Henry had with Caroline and thought that it was best that he went to see what was wrong. He knew that there was a chance that he was seeing things or looking into things that don't matter, but something felt off. He found himself shrugging and decided to go into the school.

   He hadn't noticed where either Alaric or Carone had gone, but the farther that he'd gone into the school, the more that he realised that something did feel wrong. There was a small part of Bodie that wanted to turn around and leave, but Bodie wanted to make sure that Caroline was fine for Henry's sake. He knew that Henry might hate him if he didn't see what was going on or didn't save Caroline.

   "Caroline?" Bodie called out. He knew that there was a chance that all of this was for nothing, that he was reading into something that might not be there, but there was still a part of Bodie that felt as if there was something that he should do, even if he didn't know what he needed to do.

   There was silence, and Bodie wondered whether or not he was seeing things. He shook his head. A small part of him wanted to turn back because there was something that didn't feel right just as a whole. He chose to ignore that feeling, knowing that there was as chance that he was simply overthinking everything like he normally does. He knew that there was a chance that this was nothing, that he might have just been seeing things, but he wanted to make sure.

   Bodie wondered whether this was something that he truly wanted to do after everything that's happened. He knew that everything that Klaus said was going through his mind like it lived there, which made him feel worse about himself. He knew that there were other things that he needed to focus on but at the same time, knowing that Klaus wanted him dead hurt. He wondered if this was worth it, if checking in to see if everything was okay was worth it.

   Bodie knew that his thoughts were fucked, but at this point, he just didn't care. He knew that there was a chance that none of this mattered. He wanted to curl back up in bed and hope that all of this is some form of bad dream that he can wake up from. He needed to plan everything when it came to what to do about Klaus if he came to kill him.

   There was a sense of uncertainty and panic that then went through Bodie. He felt as if someone was watching him. Bodie removed the white oak stake that was pressed against his back, a part of him wished that he weren't wearing the suit that he was wearing for the decade dance, knowing that it might be harder for him to move around freely in it.

   Bodie didn't like the feeling that was building up within him, he wondered whether or not he should leave, but knew that he would regret it if he did. He knew that the best thing that he should do was keep going, that whatever he felt might pass over, which was something that he was hoping for the most. All that he needed to do was to make sure that Caroline was okay and then leave. That's all that he needed to do.

   "Caroline!" Bodie called out once more. "You in here?"

   Bodie knew that there was a chance that other students might be in here, but at the same time, he didn't care. All that he needed to focus on, or wanted to focus on, was finding Caroline. For a moment, he wondered as to why Alaric would drag an unconscious Caroline back into the school, surely Alaric would take her to Elena's home or something.

   Though, now that he thought about it, he could have sworn that he noticed the way that Alaric was burning. He knew that there was a chance that he was going crazy, but something didn't feel right about that as a whole. It felt as if there was something else that he was missing, something that he hadn't been told about. He wondered whether or not he should text Herny to see if there was something that he missed, but there was something that told him that it would be better if he didn't.

   Bodie turned round sharply after hearing something woosh past him. "Caroline!" Bodie called out. "Is that you?" The things that he does for Henry, and he knows that he's not going to get some form of 'thank you' for anything that he does. Not that he's done much.

   He shook his head slightly, he knew that all of this was bullshit, that this was something that he shouldn't do at all, but he wanted to at least make Henry happy even with the amount of stress that he's put him under. Bodie wondered whether or not this was something that he should actually commit to, that he was sure that this was nothing that he should worry himself with, but he decided against that and continued with his search.

   By the time that Bodie turned back around, he'd noticed that Alaric was standing there. There was something different about Alaric, but Bodie couldn't place his finger on it. He thought that he was mad given that he assumed that something was wrong, but he pushed that aside. "Alaric. Where's Caroline?"

   "She's safe." Alaric responded. The small voice in Bodie's mind told him that he should run and get as far away from here as quick as he could.

   Bodie found himself narrowing his eyes and stared at Alaric like there was something wrong. Because there was something wrong and Bodie didn't know what it was. "If she's safe, then I want to see her." He didn't trust Alaric or what he said, there was something within him that told him that something was completely and utterly wrong with Alaric.

   "No." Alaric said.

   Bodie shifted then. There was a small part of him that wanted to ignore Alaric's demand and search for Caroline until he knew that she was safe, but there was something that was telling him that he needed to keep his eyes on Alaric. He wasn't sure as to why he felt the way that he does towards Alaric, beforehand he didn't care much for the history teacher, but considering that there was something odd about him now, he didn't want to risk anything.

   He tilted his head slightly. "Is everything okay with you, Alaric? You don't seem good."

   Instead of answering, Alaric rushed forward and pinned Bodie to the wall of lockers. Bodie was surprised at the sudden realisation that Alaric had grown in both speed and strength. Though, the sudden impact on the lockers seemed to take the breath out of Bodie's lungs even if it was slight. There was this look in Alaric's eyes that sent a chill down Bodie's spine if it was possible.

   Bodie felt a sense of anger rise inside him, he wasn't sure why, but he knew that he didn't like being thrown around no matter who it was. He wondered if he should turn to his anger, but at the same time, he didn't care, he knew that this wasn't the same Alaric that he knew of, this was someone that was wearing his face. Bodie found that his true vampire face show itself, he found himself pushing Alaric back.

   He was about to pull the stake that he owned from his waistband, but it was then that he noticed the stake in Alaric's hand that was laced with a silver substance. For a moment, there was a sense of panic that went through him, though he quickly pushed panic away, the last thing that he needed was to be in a panic state.

   "Where did you get that stake?" Bodie asked. He clenched his jaw slightly, his hand at his own white oak stake at his waistband at his lower back. "Who gave it to you? Was it Esther?"

   Alaric didn't say anything, he simply went to strike Bodie with the silver-laced white oak stake and Bodie found himself dodging the attack. The last thing that he wanted was to be attacked and killed by the stake at Alaric's hand. If he were ever to die, he'd rather it be by his own hand than anyone else's.

   He removed his hand from his waistband, and blocked Alaric's attempt of taking the stake to his heart. Bodie found it rather difficult to do such a thing, like Alaric was stronger than him, it was something that surprised Bodie more than anything—he knew that he was stronger thanks to him being a hybrid. Bodie growled as he pushed against Alaric's wrist.

   Bodie wanted to give Alaric a hybrid bite, but he knew that by getting close to Alaric, he might stake him. The last thing that he wanted to do was risk his life trying to bite Alaric and put him down. Alaric glared at him like he was the worst person to ever walk this planet and there was something about the look that angered Bodie more than expected.

   "Stop fighting, Alaric." Bodie growled. He glared at Alaric with a sense of hatred, he knew that he had no right to hate Alaric, but considering that Alaric was somehow stronger than him, there was something that Bodie hated more than anything. "Put the Stake down."

   Alaric grabbed Bodie's neck and pushed him back, this dark look in his eyes and as much as Bodie wanted to believe that the previous Alaric was there, but the look was enough for him to know. "Say goodbye, filth."

   He felt the panic grow on him like they owned Bodie's entire body. He knew that Alaric was about to kill him and no matter how much he tried to fight against Alaric, there was a small part of him that wondered if he was hiding his strength. He knew that he was running on pure panic at this point, and he didn't care, but he found himself thinking that there was a chance that he was holding himself back.

   Bodie headbutted Alaric which sent Alaric stumbling a little, it allowed Bodie to kick Alric away from him. Bodie managed to grab the hand that held Alaric's white oak stake and shoved it into Alaric's chest. While Alaric was distracted, Bodie took that opportunity to run, however, it was then that he heard Caroline grunting.

   He turned and went to look for Caroline. "Caroline!"

   Bodie heard the way that Caroline's muffled groans. He ran towards where the sounds came from and he knew that he should focus on his own life but considering that he promised himself that he'd save Caroline for Henry, he knew that he needed to save her. He at least wanted to make someone proud of him.

   He came into a room and noticed that Caroline was sitting there with pencils in the backs of her hand and some form of gag in her mouth. Bodie rushed towards her, wanting nothing more than to get her out of here and out of Alaric's reach. Now that he'd thought about Alaric, he wondered if Esther's spell on the teacher was successful, though he knew that it was.

   He got down in front of her. "Hey, Caroline, I'm gonna help you okay?" He grabbed one of the pencils that was lodged in her hand and tried to gently pull it out. Bodie cringed slightly when he heard the way that she was yelling, as if to tell him to stop.

   However, the one thing that he hadn't expected was for everything to go dark all of a sudden.

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   "—Of course, it is," Alaric was saying. So, he wasn't dead, great! "All those hours you spent training, getting stronger. You could be a hunter, Elena." Great, now Elena was here, and Bodie had no way to beat Alaric to get the pair of them out of here. "But you've never actually staked a vampire through the heart."

   For a moment, Bodie wondered if Alaric meant Caroline or him in terms of the vampire being staked, but he knew that it was something that he didn't want to find out at all. He knew that if either Alaric or Elena staked him then both Henry and Will would die not long after him as well as god knows how many other vampires' he turned in one of his fits of rage and boredom.

   He knew that there was a chance that he needed to do something or move but knowing that Alaric thought that he was still unconscious gave him some form of advantage that he could have. For a moment, Bodie wondered if he should distract Alaric long enough so that both Caroline and Elena could escape, but there was a sense of panic that washed over him knowing that Alaric probably had both the new stake and his own stake, which fucked Bodie over in so many ways.

   Bodie opened his eyes just ever so slightly, he noticed that Alaric had tied Bodie to a chair with vervain-soaked ropes which would be a smart move, but—thanks to Henry and Will—he'd gotten used to consuming vervain and had gotten used to vervain and its pain. Elena noticed that Bodie was awake though subtly nodded as if she knew that he was planning something.

   Though, Bodie noticed the way that Alric was carrying around that new looking white oak stake with the silver on it, and the one that Bodie owned was sat on the desk in front of him. Bodie felt a sense of satisfaction, as much as he knew that he owned that stake for his own protection, he knew that he'd have to use it on Alaric, if it meant protecting himself and the Mikaelson's and the rest of the vampires that exist.

   Bodie shut his eyes once more, knowing that the last thing that he wanted was for Alaric to catch him being awake. He wondered how long it would take for Stefan and the others to realise that Elena was here rather than with them, but he knew better, he knew that it would've taken them minutes to realise, so he expects them to have a plan sooner or later and come for Elena and Caroline.

   He also wondered whether or not Henry and Will were concerned with the fact that he was gone, though he knew that there was a chance that they just thought that he'd gone for an extra-long walk. However, there was a small part of Bodie that hoped that there was a chance that the pair of them knew that something was going on, he'd hoped that the others kept both Henry and Will in the loop with Alaric, knowing that if the Woodford's knew about it, they'd put it together.

   "Why are you doing this?" Elena asked.

   "Because you need me." Alaric responded. "Because you're an eighteen-year-old girl without parents or guidance or any sense of right and wrong anymore."

   "Look at you." Elena shot back. "How is this right?"

   "She's a murderer. She told me she killed someone and liked it." Alaric stated, pointing the stake at Caroline. "And he's worse. He's slaughtered hundreds, if not thousands, of people. If I'm not mistaken, he's the reason why people like me exist, to hunt vampires and kill them to protect humans. Now how is that right? How is any of this right?"

   Bodie felt a rush of anger fill him, as much as he knew that what Alaric said about him was basically true, there was still a small part of him that wanted to deny that he was any of that. Hell, he'd even forgotten the amounts of people that he's slaughtered over the centuries because of his shitty temper and even worse mood swings. He wanted to deny everything, despite knowing how true everything really was.

   "Listen, Elena," Alaric continued, "your parents led the Council. It was their life mission to keep this town safe. They weren't dead six months before you undid it all."

   "You don't know anything about them." Elena snapped.

   "Why? Am I wrong?" Alaric asked. "Do you actually think that they'd be proud of you?" Bodie heard the way that Alaric moved. "If you don't side with the humans. . .you're just as bad as them." Alaric rose up once more. "Now kill them both. Or I'll do it for you, and I'll make it hurt. Of course, there's the risk that your friends are part of his sire-line."

   Elena grunted then as she was dragged up to her feet. Bodie allowed his hands and wrist to turn into his wolf state, given that his hands were tied behind his back, he knew that it would be a lot easier to break out of the vervain rope than anything else. He felt the way that the ropes slid off his wrists and slowly down his chest and stomach, which allowed him to move more freely. He'd shifted his feet and ankles into his wolf state as well just to loosen the grip around them enough for him to step out.

   Bodie opened his eyes as he noticed that Elena had Alaric's stake in her hand, he watched as she went to stake Alaric instead. Instead, Alaric caught hold of her arm and didn't seem to be amused by the action.

   "Thought I taught you better than that." Alaric said.

   "You did." Elena said.

   She then picked up a glass and smashed it over his head. Alaric let out a painful yell as the vervain burned his skin. Elena turned her attention to Caroline and pulled a pencil out of her hand before moving onto the gag in her mouth, Caroline took care of the other pencil. Once she was free, Caroline moved out of her seat.

   "Get help." Elena said. Caroline rushed out of the room.

   Elena went to follow after her friend though Alaric went to stop her. Bodie saw this as an opportunity to step in and help. Bodie rushed from his seat and shoved Alaric to the other side of the room. "Elena, GO!"

   The doppelgänger nodded and ran out of the room. Bodie took the opportunity to grab his stake and he noticed the glare that was on Alaric's face. Alaric then rushed towards Bodie and Bodie gladly welcomed the attack, he didn't care about whatever might happen, he's been holding his emotions tight within him, he needed to let it all out, so if fighting Alaric helped him, then so be it.

   Alaric slammed him into the lockers outside of his room and Bodie twisted Alaric's wrist and snapped it. He then kneed Alaric in the stomach a few times and threw him against the ground. Before Bodie could land a punch, Alaric moved and batted Bodie half-way down the hall. Bodie felt the way that the veins under his eyes moved, he felt the low growl escape from his lips as he then charged at Alaric.

   All that he wanted to do was let everything out, he didn't care anymore on what might happen to him. He felt the way that his bones snapped as if he were controlled by the full moon, the way that his fangs grew in his mouth like the bloodlust was the only thing that mattered. And he smiled, a somewhat cruel smile like he finally had a way to release anything and everything that he felt.

   He charged at Alaric and found himself using his claws to swipe at Alaric, whether it be across his face or his chest, he didn't care. Alaric either blocked or caught hold of his attacks, though Bodie didn't care, he continued anyway like it was all that mattered to him. All that he wanted was to release his anger as much as he could, he didn't care what would happen to him, all that seemed to matter to him the most was being able to release anything and everything that he's ever felt.

   He found that he didn't care much about anything anymore. Even when Alaric pinned him against the wall with the stake slowly starting to pierce his chest. Bodie found himself growling and was trying to pull the stake out of his chest, though it was like all the strength that he had was somehow failing him despite how much he tried.

   Bodie panted, the stake going further and further into him which slowly made him panic more than anything. The last thing that he wanted was to die at the hands of Alaric who held such a hatred towards vampires, vampires that he helped create.

   The one thing that seemed to surprise Bodie then was when both Stefan and Damon came either side of Alaric and pulled Alaric off of him. An almost cruel thought came to mind when Bodie pulled the stake out of him, he wanted to stake Alaric and not have to worry about anything, not caring about what might happen at all. However, before Bodie could even consider doing anything, Alaric broke both Stefan and Damon's neck and they both fell to the ground.

   Alaric turned to Bodie as if to finish what he started but Klaus came rushing towards both Alaric and Bodie, and Klaus shoved his hand into Alaric's chest. It caused Alaric to scream, and Bodie found that it was best that he would help Klaus by pinning Alaric's arms behind his back. He didn't know what the fuck was going on, but he wondered whether or not Klaus was going to kill Alaric, and if so, then he wanted to help.

   The one thing that Bodie didn't expect was when Alaric used the back of his head to headbutt Bodie which made him loosen his grip around both of Alaric's arms and caused Alaric to rip Klaus' hand from his chest. Alaric then snapped Klaus' wrist and threw Klaus across the hallway. Alaric snapped both of Bodie's arms and threw him across the other end of the hallway, away from Klaus. Bodie yelled out in pain and leaned his head against the floor.

   He turned just to see how Alaric picked up Klaus and slammed him against the locker wall, Bodie watched as Alaric turned Klaus on his back and went to use the stake on Klaus. Klaus managed to hold the stake off despite Alaric pressing down. Bodie found that something inside him click inside him and snapped his arms back in place.

   Bodie was about to go for Alaric, though Elena appeared. "Stop!" She yelled. "Let him go, or I'll kill myself."

   Alaric glared at her before returning to make an attempt to kill Klaus. "Put it down, Elena."

   "Why?" Elena asked. "Because you still need me? There's a reason why Esther used me to make you, isn't there? She didn't want you to be immortal, so she tied your life to a human one. Mine. That way you have only one lifespan to kill all vampires and then you'll be gone. So, when I die, you die too. That's it. It has to be."

   "You're wrong." Alaric said.

   Bodie grinned an almost evil grin as he then shot up and wrapped his arm around Elena's neck. "Put the stake down, Alaric! I'll kill her!"

   There was something in Alaric's eye though Bodie wondered whether or not it was worth something. He didn't want to press it, but Bodie found himself grinning even still. Bodie's grip on Elena's chin grew as he started to turn Elena's head to the side with the intention to kill her. Bodie noticed the way that Elena seemed to not fight against Bodie's attempt which was somewhat surprising as a whole, given that he hoped for a fight.

   A moment passed and Bodie was ever so close to actually killing Elena, however, Alaric seemed to give in. "Alright! Stop! Stop! Stop!"

   Bodie grinned then and removed himself away from Elena, standing in front of her with his hands behind her back. Klaus grunted as he kicked Alaric away and rushed off with Elena. As much as Bodie knew that there was no point in staying put, he decided that he should leave as well.

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   By the time that Bodie got back home, Henry tackled him into a hug. Bodie was taken by surprise as a whole, though he didn't care, he hugged Henry back. There was a small part of him that felt some form of relief to be hugged by Henry, though even still, there was a small part of regret that then filled him, a part of him worried about whether or not Klaus would still come after Henry because of what he did.

   "You're alive!" Henry said. Bodie was sure that if he weren't what he was, Henry would have crushed him.

   "Henry." Bodie muttered. "I like breathing."

   Henry pulled away then, only to be hugged Will. They were both alive and that was something that he loved more than anything, that they were safe. Bodie knew that there was nothing that he would allow that could mean that neither of them would get hurt. He promised himself that neither of them would die because they got into the middle of all of this. He'll protect them with his entire life and that's something that he'll do that.

   "You're alive," Will said as he pulled away.

   "You know about Alaric?" Bodie asked. "He's been juiced up by Esther's magic as a fucking Original. He put me on my ass."

   Both Henry and Will gave him a look, as if there was something that they knew. "We know, Bodie."

   Bodie gave them both a look, there was a part of Bodie that wondered if there was something that they were hiding but at the same time, Bodie didn't want to question much about any of it. He ended up shaking his head slightly and headed towards the kitchen. "Fuck it, I need food."

   He pulled off his jacket, leaving it on the floor without much of a care in the world, the hole in his shirt where the stake pierced his skin was the one thing that pissed him off given that it served as a reminder that he was weak—that he needed to be better, that he's allowed himself to weak. He needed to be better, he needed to do better if it meant protecting the ones that he loves.

   He opened the fridge, removing a blood bag or two onto the kitchen counter and the leftover dinner from the other day. He knew that this wouldn't be enough to sustain his hunger, but this was better than him trying to crack someone's neck open, though he knew that one person wouldn't be enough for him, he knew that once he killed one person, he would end up killing most of the town because of his hunger.

   Bodie shook his head slightly and drank through the first blood bag rather quick. Henry gave Bodie an odd look as if there was something that he was concerned about, but Bodie didn't care. As much as wanted to make sure that the pair of them were fine, Bodie wasn't in the right frame of mind at the moment which pissed him off because he didn't want to be too much of an ass to the people that meant the world to him.

   "Bodie." Henry said. "Is everything okay? You don't seem right."

   "Oh, yeah, I'm fine." Bodie responded with a bit of sarcasm. "Totally not pissed at the current state of my life."

   In truth, he hated the fact that he'd admitted the truth, he hated the fact that he was this weakling being that he made himself be because of the fear that the Mikaelson's would find out what he was hiding, he hated the fact that nothing in his life was going his way. He hated the way that his entire life was going at the moment and there was nothing that he could do in order to change the way that it was going no matter how hard he tried.

   He knew that the Mikaelson's would hate him for everything that he did, he knew that given time there might be things that turn the people that he loves will come to hate him. He felt as if everything that he's ever loved might turn their backs on him and that was the one thing that stressed him out more than what he would like to admit. He knew that there was a chance that he was being dramatic but at the same time, it was the only thing that seemed to consume him like nothing else.

   "Bodie, do you need to talk about it?" Will asked.

   "If I talk about it, I'll slaughter this entire town, not caring about anyone's lives that I ruin." Bodie stated. He ripped open the lid of the plastic food container and with a fork, shoved the food into his mouth. "I could honestly slaughter the next person that pisses me off."

   Henry then checked his phone and his face dropped. "Bodie. . ."

   "What?!" Bodie snapped.

   "They desiccated Klaus instead of Alaric."

   Bodie threw his fork through the kitchen window.