CHAPTER SIXTY ONE

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          IT SEEMED TO FOLLOW DAKOTA WHEREVER SHE WENT, THE NEVER ENDING HEARTBREAK AND HORRORS WERE LIKE A PHANTOM IN THE NIGHT AND SHE COULDN'T BEAR IT ANY LONGER. The blonde was so prepared to start anew and leave Louisiana, even if it was just for a few weeks as she went to Merlotte's the next evening to get in her two weeks notice when it all went down the drain.

The moment she had stepped into the bar the sense of familiarity felt far away, as if she was completely disconnected from reality and she knew this was no longer her life. Had probably known this for a long time but didn't want to admit it to herself and a second later she stood outside, staring up at the sky.

"Dakota?" it was Sookie, having followed her into the open air. Her cousin stumbled over one of the many Halloween pumpkins that decorated the parking lot. "Can we talk? About everything ...?"

"What do you want me to say?" sighed Dakota, closing her eyes for a moment, knowing exactly what it was she meant. "I almost died, Eric turned me and now i'm a vampire. There isn't anything else to say."

"Why haven't you told anyone?" she pressed.

"Because this town isn't particularly welcoming, is it?" When Sookie was about to open her mouth she cut in. "And I don't know why I can still walk in the sun or eat human food or any of it. Maybe it's the Faerie blood or something."

"I'm sorry," frowned Sookie, genuinely. "I wish I was there for you."

"I know." nodded Dakota and turned her head to face her with a solemn look. "What a mess, huh?"

"You could say that." And her cousin let out a humourless laugh. "I was supposed to be at Bill's but he said that he and Eric are having a meeting with Nan Flanagan, do you know anything about that? I think they might be in trouble for what happened last night."

"They're fine." shrugged Dakota. "Nan's harmless."

Sookie seemed to be in deep thought when a figure emerged from behind the row of parked cars and strutted their way. The youngest Stackhouse gasped and held her chest in fright, startled. Fairy wings peeked out from behind her shoulders as she approached.

"Hey, Sookie, Dakota." she smiled, revealing a full on fairy Halloween costume. "Do any of you have a lighter?"

"Holly," began Sookie. "you scared the bejesus out of me."

"I'm just a fairy, honey." she smiled, taking the lighter from Sookie's hands. "Ain't nothin' scary about fairies."

"I'll second that." muttered Dakota,

Holly took out a cigarette from her bra and gave both of them a grin as she lit it, the scent of weed like a vile slap in Dakota's face. "You don't mind do you? Halloween makes me kinda jumpy, too. Always has." She took a long hit. "Wiccans, we call it Samhain or the Witches' New Year. It's the day that the veil between the living and the dead is at its thinnest. You can just feel it in the air, you know? You want a puff?"

"Oh, no." declined Sookie, shaking her head. "When I get high I can't shut out other people's thoughts. It's like the world is screamin' at me."

"It calms me down." grinned Holly, taking another hit and blowing a puff of smoke in front of them. "Mother Earths Valium. So all day, I just had this, this terrible feeling in my gut, you know, this dread? I'm sure it's just a hangover from everything that happened with Marnie and all."

"It feels as if the world is about to end." agreed Dakota, crossing her arms over her chest and before she was able to say more, a car screeched over the lot and came to a stop not too far away from them, Tara rushing from the vehicle. "Tara?"

"Tara, what, what happened? What is it?" demanded Sookie.

"She's back." she heaved, alarmed look on her face. "It's Marnie. She killed Jesus. I think she's inside Lafayette."

It was as if the ground beneath her had disappeared the moment those words had left her mouth. Her friend and the one Lafayette had loved was dead and it was entirely that witch's fault. Adrenaline rushed through her veins at the thought of Lafayette being stuck within his own body, not able to take control of his own actions. He must be in so much pain and she couldn't imagine what was going through his mind.

"Where is he now?" panicked Sookie, eyes wide.

"I don't know." cried Tara, shaking her head frantically. "Do you ... do you think she's going to finish what she started? Taking out all the vampires?"

"That means she's going to Bill -"

Dakota was already gone before she could hear the rest of her sentence, heart thundering within her chest. Afraid Marnie was going to kill Eric, and afraid Eric was going to kill Lafayette. 

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IT WAS A BLOODBATH WHEN DAKOTA ARRIVED, BODIES SLAIN LEFT AND RIGHT. One man even had an axe sticking from his chest in front of Bill's home. The woman came to a sudden halt, hair swinging around her face as she widened her eyes at the sight before her. 

"No!" bellowed Eric when he spotted her, shaking his head frantically. "Dakota! Get the hell out of here right now!"

The viking was strapped to a pole in the middle of the field, the king behind him. There were silver chains wrapped around their upper bodies and ankles, bare skin sizzling. They stood on a platform, firewood all around them as if they were going to be set on fire.

"I'm not leaving -"

"Dakota, as your maker I command -" Eric wasn't able to finish his demand as Lafayette walked out from behind them, lifting his hand and choking the viking without even touching him. All he was able to get out was, "Go - go."

"Lafayette," the blonde turned her gaze on her best friend. "you can fight this. You're stronger than she is."

Lafayette released a long breathy chuckle and shook his head as he looked at her. There was no familiarity behind his eyes, only hatred toward her and the rest of the vampire population. Dakota was no witch and she had no idea how to get Marnie out, and she didn't want to risk using her powers to hurt him in the process, but she could play for time.

"I see you're still alive." he said, hand on his hips. "The vampire that walks in the sunlight. It's odd, i've never heard of such a thing before. But it only means you're more dangerous, and you need to go."

Dakota took back a step when he raised his hands, muttering under his breath. It was as if fire itself blasted toward her and in a panic she send back a surge of her power, hitting him straight in the chest with it. Lafayette fell backward and glared at her, seemingly unhurt.

"Get the fuck out of him." she hissed, her fangs shooting out from beneath her gums. 

"You won't hurt me." he smiled, though it was exactly how Marnie used to smile. "Because you won't hurt him. I'm in his mind, you know. He loves you, but he feels betrayed that you kept such a secret for so long, vampire. He wished you had died instead of his boyfriend."

Dakota blinked once, inclined to take another step back at the brunt of his words, well, her words. It was something she had regretted so immensely, but how could she confide in someone when she herself hadn't even accepted what had become of her. His anger was valid, but she also knew that he would never wish such a thing upon her, no matter what, so Marnie was lying.

"I will kill you." she seethed.

"Bill!" It was Sookie who had screamed out his name as she came running up behind her with Holly and Tara in tow. "Lafayette, stop!"

Marnie grinned, slowly getting back to her feet. "As your friend Lafayette would say, what goes around comes around, bitches."

"Lafayette," begged Tara, as if she could reach him wherever the witch had him buried in his own mind. "and Marnie. Please don't do this."

"After all they've done to you, you protect them?"

"Killing Bill and Eric isn't gonna make any of that go away."

"Revenge will never bring you peace." said Eric, his voice was raw as the spell lifted from him. The viking tried to meet Dakota's gaze but she was determined not to look at him, afraid she was going to do something stupid to release him. She could feel his gaze burn on the side of her face like a hot furnace.

"There can't be peace until there is justice for me, for Antonia ..." Lafayette turned his back to the four woman, eyes on the vampires on the platform. Marnie was not at all concerned that she would try something, not while she held her best friend hostage. Holly took out salt from her bag and began to slowly pouring it around them in a circle. "all the woman you tortured. And burned for centuries! All to repress a magic that's older and more powerful than your very existence."

"Marnie, what will this serve?" demanded Bill, eyes moving toward Holly warily. "There are millions of us, more being made every night. You cannot win."

"I'm already dead, vampire." he huffed and raised his arms above his head slowly. "Thanks to you, I have nothing left to lose."

Lafayette opened his mouth and began to chant, fingers opening toward the two vampires on the dais. Fire spread through the wood below, cracking away, licking painfully at their ankles. 

Dakota could feel Eric's panic which only intensified her own as she shot her power toward her friend. Lafayette was blasted back, breaking the spell but the wood was already burning. He emerged a few feet away, face turned into one like Jesus had done as Holly finished her salt circle.

"Gimme your hands! Now!" yelled Holly, as she reached for them.

Dakota couldn't take her eyes off of Eric as he screamed from the flames. They had grown significantly higher and now reached his chest. His skin was burning and she began to panic. Sookie and Holly took one of her hands forcefully and Holly began to chant. "The spirits that watch over us. Friends, family, ancestors, guardians of the gates ... With this rite we evoke thee. Through the veil of Samhain, we call thee forth."

It were words constantly repeated until Dakota was able to tear her gaze away from the two burning vampires and onto the field beyond, where figures started to emerge from behind the tree line.

Marnie .... Marnie .... they whispered.

Lafayette turned his head to a beautiful dark haired woman, face turning back to normal. The stranger glanced toward the burning vampires and blew out a breath, the fire gone immediately.

The blonde didn't hesitate as she dropped their hands and made her way toward the now simmering wood. Her name fell from Eric's lips faintly and she grabbed the chain around his ankles, ripping it off of him in a hurry. He hissed, eyes closed tightly at the sensation.

"Gran?"

Dakota dropped the chain she was holding as her head snapped toward the field to see her grandmother reach into Lafayette's mouth and pull Marnie out. The witch slammed into the grass a few feet away from them, coughing loudly. Tara was at Lafayette's side in an instant, but all Dakota could do was stare at Adele.

"I don't want to go." cried Marnie, as Adele and Antonia joined her side. "I am not ready. Please!"

"I was trapped between worlds for four-hundred years." stated Antonia, muddy dress flowing behind her. "Lost and driven mad by my rage. I do not want that for you."

"And what about what I want?" cried Marnie. "Nobody cares what I want! All my life, i've been afraid. And who wouldn't be? I'm serious! With dead people murmuring in my ears... Who are making me deliver your messages! Making me into a freak! A creepy, pathetic, terrified mess, muttering to herself in the corner."

"But that is not who you are anymore." said Antonia.

Dakota only heard their conversation because of her vampire hearing, but she was not paying attention as she stepped from the dais and stared at the back of her grandmother's head. Tears slipped from her eyes and onto her cheeks. In complete awe to see her after such a long time and such a violent death.

"No. That's right. I'm not afraid anymore. I've got real power now. And you want to take that away from me?" Marnie pointed toward the barely healing vampires. "You want them to win?"

"Oh, Marnie." muttered Antonia, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Marnie, can't you see? Life is pain. But soon all you have suffered and feared will be meaningless. You will be at peace. But them ... "

"They'll be stuck here." realised Marnie, eyes wide. "Forever."

"And there is no victory in that." agreed Antonia.

Marnie looked toward the graveyard beyond and toward the souls that stood there waiting. The witch began to scream, not wanting to go as Adele walked her way, smile on her face. "That's right, honey! Let it all out. 'Cause there's no room for that where we're goin'."

"Oh, this fuckin' sucks." cried Marnie.

"Change is hard." nodded Antonia as she began to lead Marnie away to the line of trees.

Dakota took in a sharp breath, eyes widening when Adele took a few steps toward the forest to follow after them. It was as if she couldn't open her mouth no matter how much she wanted, she was just in complete shock to see her so alive looking. 

Sookie was the one to call for her and the older woman turned around with a soft smile on her face.

"Please don't go." begged Sookie.

"I have to, dear." she smiled sadly.

"I'm so lost without you. I don't know what to do." 

"Yes, you do. Answer's where it always is ... in your heart. Being alone, it ain't nothin' to be afraid of, my Sookie. We're all alone at the end." Adele wanted to wipe the tears from her face, but she couldn't touch her. The older woman moved her gaze toward her other granddaughter and stepped over the damp grass toward her. "My sweet Dakota."

"How - how are you here?" she sniffed, shaking her head in disbelief.

"You called for us, child." said Adele, taking in her features lovingly. "You've come a long way, sweetheart. I am so proud of you. Of both of you. I have to go now and I love you so much. Don't ever change."

Dakota watched as her grandmother turned around, white nightgown flowing in the wind as she followed after the other souls back to the graveyard. Another blink and they were gone, as if they had never been there at all. 

"Lafayette?" tried Tara, shaking her cousin as he slowly opened his eyes. "Please wake up. Bitch talk to me. You're okay. You're gonna be okay."

Dakota felt numb as she kept her eyes on the tree line, but Adele didn't reappear like she wanted her to. The woman moved her gaze toward her friends lazily, seeing Lafayette on the ground, his heart beating steadily and safely. Tara was holding him tightly and Sookie sat on her knees beside them.

"Excuse me." said Eric, skin still raw from the fire. "We're feeling a little crispy up here."

The blonde tore her gaze away from them and toward Eric and Bill and with a small sniff she climbed back up on the dais, taking the rest of the chains silently from both vampires and she caught Eric as he stumbled forwards, staining her clothes with his blood. 

Dakota got him down and he hunched over in her arms, weak from the fire. His skin was healing slowly, too slowly and she carefully sat him down on the grass.

"Here," she sat on her knees beside him, offering her wrist. "drink."

Eric took her forearm and sunk his fangs into the skin of her wrist, closing his eyes as he drank deeply from her. Dakota held onto him, watching as his skin healed itself slowly and she moved her gaze toward Lafayette, who was sobbing in his cousin's arms. 

"Go," uttered Eric as he retracted his fangs, completely healed. He wiped a tear from her cheek and smiled softly. "I'm okay, promise. I'll find you later."

Dakota leaned her forehead against his before she got to her feet and left him beside the dais.

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HE HADN'T EVEN LOOKED AT HER AND DAKOTA COULDN'T BLAME HIM. She watched him from the door opening to her bedroom as he laid on her bed, hand covering his face with his back turned toward her. Dakota could practically feel his pain and his heart was beating anxiously.

"Lala?" she tried, pulling at the skin beside her nails.

The blonde heard him sniff but other than that he gave no indication that he had heard her.

"I know you hate me right now -" she tried, looking around her room thinking of her next words carefully. "but I just want to make sure you're okay. Is there anything I can do for you?"

"I ain't mad." he said, pulling his arms closer around himself. "Disappointed, but not mad. I don't want to talk about anything right now. Can you come lay with me because I really need my best friend right now."

Dakota smiled to herself as she stepped forward and crawled into bed with him. She laid behind him, wrapping her arms around his upper body and she felt him take hold of her hand and squeezed it tightly.

"I killed him." 

"No, sweetie." she pressed a kiss to the back of his head. "You didn't do anything. That wasn't you. None of this was your fault. We're going to get through this shit together just like we always do."

"Don't leave me." he sniffed, holding onto her even tighter.

"I'm not going anywhere, Lala." she muttered. "I promise you that."

"I - I loved him so much, Koko." he cried, not being able to hold it in any longer. "What am I supposed to do nows? He was the love of my life."

"I'm so sorry." she cried with him, also mourning the loss of her good friend. "I'm so, so, sorry, sweetie. It isn't fair. None of this shit is fair. Just let it all out, Lafayette. I'm right here."

and we're finished with season four!!! the last bit is a bit rushed i feel so sorry about that. i've re written it like ten times but nothing that i wanted was coming out. 

i am planning on how to write season 5 but i don't know if i want dakota to go with eric or stay behind ?? thoughts?

THANK YOU FOR 10K VOTES<3