you can't save them all

"Josie? What did you do?"

Josie's hair, now black, and curled, rustles as she looks up. "I fixed her." Her eyes flash black, and she looks over at me.

"Anna," He whispers as I speed towards them. Jade was suddenly sprawled on the floor, and I look at Josie. I had just woke up, alone. Josie had broken the Sandclock. She wasn't the same as before. She was different. She felt...darker. The black magic she had absorbed changed her.

I paused. Why hadn't it done the same to me that it had done to her?

For years, my family practically practiced black magic, I mean that's what Mikaelson witches do. My mother and fathers parents being witches that used dark magic themselves. Hope and I had the Hollow running through our veins only a few years ago. Black magic wouldn't affect me the way it did Josie. I just can't tell if that's good or bad.

♚

Josie and I walk on either side of Dr. Saltzman, a darkness brewing between the two of us. "What exactly did you do to Jade? Josie, talk to me."

"Lizzie's this way. I can feel her." Josie states.

"Why did you break the Sandclock?"

Josie and I stop. "I can't remember." She confesses.

"Well, are you okay? I mean, are you in pain?" He looks at me. "And, I mean, you're neck was practically ripped to shreds."

I nod. "I'm sore, but I'm okay." I say. He notices my blackened veins.

"What happened?" He asks softly. "Are you guys hurt?"

"No. For the first time in my life, everything feels clear." Josie says. Her eyes turn black as she points to a crashed car. "There."

Alaric nods me along, and we both run. "Lizzie." He shouts. I speed over, ripping off the door. "It's okay, honey. Easy does it."

"Dad," Lizzie pants. We see a shard of glass in her stomach. "Something's wrong. It feels like my mind is breaking." When she opens her eyes, theyre black.

"It's okay. Easy does it." Alaric soothes. "We need to get you to the hospital. Everything's gonna be just fine."

I watch closely. "Dad, I drank vampire blood. Please don't let me die." Lizzie pleads.

"You're not gonna die." He says slowly. I bite my lip, knowing whatever was growing inside of me, it wasn't good.

But we had to save Lizzie first.

♚

"You're gonna be okay, Lizzie." Says Alaric, placing Lizzie on a table. "It's all right, it's all right."

Josie stares emotionless. "The black magic is making her worse. She won't make it with it inside her."

I turn towards her. "Well, Josie, can you do something?" I ask her. She sends me an annoyed look. "Please, Babe?" I hum.

"Josie. Please." Alaric pleads to his daughter.

Josie looks up at Ric. "I'll be unconscious for a little while." She tilts her head, her eyes growing black. "Don't be scared." She grabs Lizzies arm, siphoning the black magic. Josie falls to the ground.

"You two are never doing black magic again." He snaps at me. I raise my hands up in defense. "How are you not...like her?"

"Hope and I practically ate the soul of a evil witch called the Hollow. And my grandmothers on both sides were dark witches." I shrug. "I can fight it off, I mean it's not like I'm going to do anything drastically evil." I explain.

Jade runs in. "I can help," She pauses as she sees Lizzie's gushing wound. She turns away from the sight. "Dr. Saltzman. It's me. I don't know how, but Josie turned my humanity back on." She explains. "Look, you can still kill me if you want to, all right? I know that I deserve it. But I was training as an EMT when I was 16, and I've spent the last ten years learning how to patch people up after a fight, all right?" She snaps. "I can help her. But I can't be near the blood. So you're just gonna have to do exactly what I tell you."

I look at Ric. "We might wanna listen time the baby vamp."

♚

"Okay, now you're gonna need to stop the bleeding." Says Jade. "There's a Laughlin clamp on the tray. It kind of looks like -"

Alaric cuts her off. " Yeah, I know what it looks like. Her mom invented it."

I smirk. "Her moms a badass." I chime.

Alaric does as Jade says, the monitor beeping slowing. Jade exhales sharply "Okay. Vessel's sealed. Her pulse is steady."

"Thank you." Says Alaric.

Jade peers around the corner, smiling at us. Josie stands up, her veins around her face now visible from the black magic. "Hello again."

"What happened to you?" Jade asks.

"Her and Miss Indestructable did something dangerous with black magic. And now she can't recall why."

I roll my eyes. "We must have had a reason, right?" I turn to my girlfriend.

"But it's blank. There's something's missing from my memory." She looks at Jade. "Or someone."

The Vampire nods. "Uh same. I don't know what this is, but I found it in my pocket."

Jade hands Josie a note, which she shows to Dr. Saltzman. "Who's Kai?"

"The person who's missing from our memory." Says Josie. "There's a spell affecting my mind. I've felt it before." she opens her eyes, and they're black again. "Malivore."

I sigh, grabbing my girlfriends hands. "You might want to grab a seat, Jade." Says Ric.

"Why?"

"Trust me."

Josie leans up to me, kissing me softly, our hands conjoin. "Harae-tamai kioku yomigaerashi-tamae." We chant, the black smoke waves around us, and we all pass out.

♚

I shoot up from my spot, next to Alaric. The two of us look up to see Josie reading a book. "Where's Lizzie?" Ric asks.

"Sleeping upstairs." Josie chimes.

I stand up, looking up at my girlfriend. "Kai." Alaric growls.

"Try to control your emotions." I say, staring into Josie's eyes. "I remember what Kai said."

Josie nods. "There's still a way for us to get out. This whole place is just another spell. It's made of magic."

"Magic can be siphoned." I continue.

"I can make holes in this world." Josie explain. "Doors."

Jade, Wendy, and Diego come walking in. "So, does this mean you can get us back into the real world?" I glare at Diego. "It's all right. I talked to them." Says Jade.

"We just want to go home." Wendy retorts.

"Well, we can't all go. The magic I siphon here can't travel to the real world." Josie explains. "The energy needs to go somewhere, which means someone needs to stay behind to be the anchor." She looks at the wolf. "It should be Diego. No offense, but you ate my girlfriend."

Alaric shakes his head. "No. We're not leaving anyone here. We're all getting back."

"Shh. Someone's coming." Josie says.

She turns, "Hello. Only Annie and I can see you."

I turn slowly, seeing Hope.  "What happened to you guys?"

"I broke the Sandclock." Josie hums.

"I just make bad decisions." I shrug, not wanting to get too into it.

Hope shakes her head. "Oh, my God, I'm so sorry."

"Honey, who are you talking to?" Asks Alaric.

"Hope, she's astral-projecting."

Alaric shifts towards us "Listen, you have to warn her about Kai."

Hope looks at me, worried. "Why? What happened?"

I sigh. "My new best friend, Kai, went into the Malivore pit, and we think he's trying to get to the real world." I explain.

"Actually, I think he's already here, pretending to be someone else." Hope sighs.

"Kai's at the school." Josie says.

"Hope? Listen to me, Kai's incredibly dangerous. You have to get him away from the school now." Demands Alaric.

I speak up. "Call my mom. She's had a history with Kai, she might be a good help."

Before Hope can answer, "Good luck, Hope." hums Josie, waving Hope away. She looks at her dad. "We need to do whatever it takes to get out of here."

"Fine. We do the spell. And I'll stay behind." I look up at him, shocked. "You were all my students once. It has to be me."

♚

I help Lizzie limp to the clearing. "We need to work together." Says Josie. "Place the spires in a circle to create a boundary spell. As I begin to siphon, doors will open beneath them. Each door can only transport one person. Once I begin the spell, I cannot stop until it is done. So, when you see the door, you have to go."

Josie starts the spell, and I stick a spire in the ground. Wind gusts around us. Lizzie grabs onto Alaric. "Dad, don't do this. We'll find another way." She pleads.

"Lizzie, there's no time. Kai got out. He's at the school. Hope's trying to stop him, but if she can't, you and Josie have to. You got to go now."

"But, Dad, Sebastian is still here." Lizzie cried. "He'll come after you."

Alaric shakes his head. "I'll be fine. Besides, you'll find a way to get me back in no time."

The doors each begin to open. "I'm so sorry. I never should have-"

"It's okay." Alaric cuts off Lizzie. "I love you."

"Dr. Saltzman!" I shout. He turns to look at me. "I'm sorry I couldn't protect them!" I yell.

Alaric shakes his head. "You did everything you could, Anastasia!" He yells. "Thank you!" Tears form in my eyes as I look at Josie, who sends me a go now look.

"We'll get you out, I promise." Yells Lizzie.

"I know you will." Alaric says to her. "Now you got to go!" He leads Lizzie to her door, and the light from the spire turns off. Turning to my door, I see Diego leap at Mr. Saltzman.

He takes Dr. Saltzman to the ground. "I will never forgive you!" Diego growls. I speed over, ripping Diego off of Ric. Another vampire rushes over. Sebastian.

Sebastian snaps Diego's neck, tossing him
to the side. He looks at Alaric, holding out a hand. Alaric takes it, and is pulled up. "It's like I was trying to tell you the night that you shot me. Some people don't know what to do with a second chance."

"Thank you." Says Ric.

Sebastian shakes his head. "I put Elizabeth in danger. If you wish to thank me, take care of her." He says, pushing Alaric to Diego's door. He glances over at me. "Anastasia King,"

"Sebastian," I hum as he walks towards me. He cups my cheek, chuckling lowly.

"You've been a good friend to me, Anastasia." He hums. "Tell your mother I miss her dearly,"

I frown. "You know my mom?"

Sebastian smiles softly. "A beautiful vampire, isn't she?" He chuckles. "Now, go,"

"I'll miss having you around, Sebastian," I call out. "We could've been a real power duo." I laugh, tears rolling down my cheeks.

He nods. "I know," He places his lips on my forehead. "Goodbye, Anastasia."

And he shoves me into my door.

♚

I open my eyes, "Annie!" I feel arms wrap around me tightly. It's Hope. She cries as she holds onto me. "You made it,"

I pull away, smiling. "Hell yeah I did." I whisper, hugging my sister. Dr. Saltzman smiles at me, and I hug him tightly. "You really need to stop with that Martyr Complex," I laugh.

"Anastasia," I turn slowly, seeing my mother in a beautiful cream colored dress, her curled hair falling to her shoulders.

"Mom," I cry, hugging her tightly.

A bright light consumes us all for a moment, and we look to see Josie on the ground. "Hey, you made it." Hope hums.

We watch as she slowly stands, and we're all nervous to see which Josie it's going to be. "Jo?" I whisper.

Slowly, she turns around. The beautiful brunette with the soft eyes. She smiles softly. "It's me, guys. I'm back." I rush towards her, connecting my lips with hers.

And this time, it's a normal kiss.

We pull away from each other, hugging tightly. Hope, Lizzie, and Ric, join in on the hug, when Hope speaks up. "Landon's in trouble."

We run through the woods. "What happened?" Josie asks.

"I had to make a choice." Hope says. "And I didn't choose Landon. But it's okay because he's gonna come out any second, and-and if I When I open my eyes, he's gonna be there." Hope closes her eyes, inhaling deeply.

I raise a brow. "Hope?"

She opens her eyes, letting out a worried whine. "My God. I don't see him." She cries.

Josie looks up at the sky. "I do." Hope and I look up, seeing a pair of fiery wings fly towards us.

It's Landon, carrying Mr. Williams. "Dorian," Alaric yells as he runs towards us. Landon places Mr. Williams on the ground, his wings disappearing. "hey, it's gonna be okay, buddy. Just hang in there, hang in there."

I look over at Landon. "You are officially my favorite boyfriend Hope has ever had."

♚

"Annie?" I look up from my book, MG sitting next to me. "I, uh, have to write a paper on your mom for a project, and it got me thinking..." He cleared his throat awkwardly. "When you were still a ripper, how did you and Dr. Saltzman meet, and then meet again?"

I smile softly. "The first time I met Dr. S was right after I was turned human, I broke into Elena's house. My mom had been searching for me and somehow I knew to go there. It was weird, really. Damon Salvatore ready time kill a 15 year old girl but Elena telling him no. Of course, he didn't listen." I giggle. "He's the reason I'm what I am today." I shrug, almost thankful. "Alaric came soon after, but before he could even try to get me to the school I ran off again, the hunger of a vamp too strong for a young teen. I guess that's when my ripper side came out. I was killing and killing. And then he and I officially met, and he brought me to my mom and dad, who I spent time with until..." I bite my lip, remembering my fathers passing. "And now I'm here,"

MG nods slowly. "So your rapid turnings, they were from your ripper phase?"

"Along with my psycho parents." I giggle, nudging his side. MG nods, laughing slowly. "I just, never felt like telling anyone, I guess."

The baby vamp looks at me. "Well, you should. You're a real inspiration for this school, Annie."

"Thanks, MG." I grin. MG nods, patting my arm before getting up and walking away. "Hey, if you're going to talk to my mom, ask her about a guy named Sebastian, okay?"

MG frowns. "Like, Sebastian Sebastian?" I nod cheerily. "Okay?"

♚

"Hello, Kai,"

Kai Parker glances up at Ophelia King, one of the last Originals. His former lover. His former partner in crime.

"Ophie, hi," He chuckles. "You look beautiful, as always."

"You tried to kill my daughter," Ophelia growls.

"Oh, Annie? Please, she's just collateral damage," He looks up to see Alaric Saltzman walk in the shed with a sword. Kai scoffs. "Given all we've been through, this feels a little anticlimactic. Don't you think?"

"Not to me."

Ophelia puts her hand to Alaric's chest. "No, no. I agree with my fiancé." She hums, stepping closer to Kai. "I have a better plan." The veins under her eyes appear as she sticks her hand in his chest. "This is for Jo." She growls, ripping his heart out. Kai lets out a struggled breath. "Now you can behead him." She glances at Alaric.

Alaric Saltzman nods, swinging the sword, Kai's head falling to Ophelias feet. Blood spatters on her dress, "Just for safety measures," Alaric says slowly, the sword at his side.

Ophelia smiles softly. "Safety measures." She repeats. The two link arms, walking out of the shed. "I can't believe I almost married that man, can you?"

"Maybe I would've crashed the ceremony and killed him," Ric chuckles. Ophelia hums at the thought, the two strolling back to the school. "Your daughters going to be reading Hamlet soon, should we tell her where Shakespeare got the name Ophelia from?"

Ophelia King giggles. "No, no. She'll figure it out on her own."