A f t e r S c h o o l S p e c i a l

"Carol Lockwood always said that togetherness in times of tragedy leads to healing. But how does a community stay strong after losing its leader? Carol was so much more than a leader; she was an open-minded friend and a concerned mother, taken from us too soon by a terrible accident."

Malik sat there quietly next to Bonnie, listening to Liz and her speech, but noticed how Tyler just got up and left the memorial. He felt bad for him. He lost his father in the raid of vampires and now his mother died too. 

Everyone said it was a terrible accident, that she drowned in the fountain... but at the same time when the officials said it was a terrible accident... it meant supernatural.

Malik had a suspicion that it might have been Klaus, taking revenge on Tyler for turning the hybrids against him.

"Please join me in observing a minute silence in her memory" came the voice of Liz which got Malik to stop thinking.

Everyone put their heads down for the minute of silence, both Bonnie and Malik noticed how Elena looked over to the other side of the gym but then quickly turned back and closer her eyes before looking again, a confused expression on her face.

"Are you okay?" asked Bonnie gently.

"Yeah... I'll be right back" responded Elena and standing up left the gym without any explanation.

"In the wake of this tragedy, the town has selected an interim mayor" spoke Liz again. "Many of you may already know him. Please welcome Mr. Rudy Hopkins."

Malik and Bonnie rolled their eyes and leaning against each other they weren't exactly happy. Rudy stood up and walked behind the podium, beginning his speech.

"Thank you so much, Sheriff. Carol Lockwood put this town first and that's why I'm here to talk to you guys. You are the future of Mystic Falls..."

Once the memorial and Rudy's speech was over the twins exited the gym very quickly, not even wanting to look back at their father. Once they were outside the duo walked around to clear their heads.

"Unbelievable" commented Malik. "Did you know about this?"

"No" Bonnie shook her head and gently grabbed Malik's hand. "I don't understand why he did it... probably best if we ask him."

"Do we have to?" whined Malik quietly.

"What else do you suggest we do?"

"I know, I know" sighed the boy defeatedly.

It seemed their dad has left the school and meet up with the Sheriff, it was quite easy to find him after that. Aiming for the Grill the two of them were preparing for this conversation, Bonnie had a feeling it wasn't going to go well.

In the Grill Rudy sat with a straight face while Liz was pulling out documents and began her initiation.

"So, first speech under your belt. Now for the fun part "she pushed a folder across the table to Rudy and opened it. "We've ruled Carol's death as head trauma from a fall- that's the official autopsy."

"She did not go gently. Any leads?"

"We have ideas."

"Let me guess: sharp teeth and bad table manners?"

"You sure you want this? I mean, six people were offered this job before you. They all said no for a reason" asked Liz concerned, but Rudy seemed adamant.

"I'm saying 'yes' and my two reasons just walked in" Liz turned around slightly, seeing the Bennett twins walk towards them she smiled and turned back to Rudy.

"I'll let you know what we find."

"Thank you, Sheriff."

"Hey, Sheriff" chorused the duo and took their seat at the table. "Hey, dad."

"Hey."

"So... Far cry from being a traveling pharmaceutical rep" started Bonnie without hesitation while Malik leaned back and remained silent.

"I noticed a few of your friends missing from the assembly. So much for mandatory, huh?"

"Dad, stop. You can't come in here and start making rules."

"I think this town could use a few more rules."

"You're forgetting you got me in here dad. We can protect the town just fine without you."

"I'm well aware of your gifts, kids. But don't forget I'm your father. That means I get to protect you."

Bonnie was about to speak but then changed her mind and remained silent, Rudy looked at Malik but the boy refused to say anything, he just looked at his father before he got up and Bonnie did the same.

With a quick excuse of doing a project and school stuff they left him, walking out of there in a hurry. Malik noticed that Bonnie was about to explode, she was fuming with their dad.

"Unbelievable! How can he do this?"

"I don't know Bonnie. But what choice do we have?"

"I'm going to see Shane, maybe he knows something to distract me from this. You coming?"

"No" declined the boy with a small smile. "There is something I need to check out. I will see you later?"

"Sounds good" complied Bonnie and they hugged each other tightly before going on their separate ways.

Once Bonnie left Malik walked towards the woods, he wanted to talk to James, perhaps he knew something about his mental powers suddenly returning even if the spirits have refused to aid him in anything else.

While he was walking ahead that all too familiar sensation began to surround him, making him stumble but grabbing a tree the warlock managed to stop himself from falling.

These random visions were unpredictable and he didn't know how to control it.

But he suspected it was important. That was the only reason he slowly lowered himself onto the ground and leaning against the tree allowed the foreign images to flood his mind.

He had his eyes closed for a couple of seconds, but once he opened it, he stood in the school library, walking ahead he heard voices. Soon enough he arrived there and saw Caroline, Stefan and Elena sitting at the table. It all seemed acceptable until a certain blonde original came into he picture.

"So, vampire Elena is a trollop who likes bad boys, which explains why Stefan reeks of alcohol. But what it doesn't explain is why sweet, loving, innocent Elena could be so heartless towards Stefan" hearing that comment Elena looked at Stefan with a guilty face. "How could she hurt you like that? Answer, please."

"She didn't know it at the time, but she was sired to Damon."

Rebekah became excited and sitting on the chair between Stefan and Elena spoke to them.

"A sire bond! Now we are talking. And what do you think about that, Elena?"

"I think you're sad, bored and in desperate need of a hobby" sassed Elena but Rebekah wasn't having it.

It seemed she was determined to get answers and use those to hurt them as much as she could, so she compelled the doppelgänger without a moment of hesitation.

"Tell me what you're hiding."

"I didn't sleep with Damon because of the sire bond. I slept with Damon because I'm in love with him."

Hearing that revelation Stefan looked up and at Elena, clearly hurt by what she said. Elena looked shocked realising what she said and looking at Stefan she wanted to explain herself but wasn't sure what to say.

"What does any of this have to do with the cure?" butted in Caroline immediately, hoping to stop this awkward and painful discussion.

"You're right. We got off the point. Stefan, how do I find the cure? Unless, you'd rather talk about Damon and Elena all day."

"There's a professor. He knows where the cure is."

"Thank you. And where do I find this professor?"

Malik panicked and pulled himself away immediately but he forgot about the consequences. The moment he pulled out the headache and ringing ear ambushed him, his vision was blurry, and he couldn't get up from the ground. Grabbing his head tried to focus until suddenly he let out a scream, followed by a wave of energy, pushing everything away from him but also clearing his mind.

Getting up from the ground he began running out of the forest when he received a text message from Bonnie:

K o l  h a s  S h a n e

I  l o c a t e d  t h e m  i n  t h e  s c h o o l

P l e a s e  h e l p

X

He had to be faster. Knowing that Rebekah was in the library with Stefan, Elena and Caroline he was certain Kol would take Shane there too. But where did he stand with Kol?

As sketchy as Shane was he knew about the cure and he did help them... knowing he could not be compelled meant Rebekah and Kol would do everything to make him talk. Even hurting him.

He arrived to the science lab at the same time as Bonnie did, both siblings were out of breath so instead of talking they just nodded and entered the room.

"Bonnie? Malik? How did you know everyone was here?"

"Who's everyone? We came to find Shane" responded Bonnie surprised but both of them began to look around.

"Did you do a GPS magic locator spell or something?" questioned April which shocked the siblings. "Rebekah told me that you're a witch."

"Okay, April dial down the attitude and the judgement" snapped Malik and raised his finger for her to stay quiet. "If you think you know everything then better check yourself because even we don't know everything. Yet alone you or Rebekah."

"Rebekah?" interrupted Bonnie looking between April and Malik. "What the hell is going on?"

"Rebekah has Stefan, Elena, and Caroline compelled. She's getting them to actually tell the truth for a change" spoke April with he same level of justification but Malik groaned, getting fed up with the ongoing developments already and he walked to the counter with Bonnie, frantically looking around. Seeing that April addressed the twins worried. "What?"

"Shane can't be compelled. Which means Rebekah will torture him to find out what he knows" explained Malik and they kept searching.

"What are you looking for?"

"For starters we need salt" spoke Bonnie looking int he cabinets.

"I think I just saw some."

April went over to the shelf and pulled down a jar of salt. She opened the container and handing int to Bonnie she poured it into several beakers.

"What are you doing?"

"If this pendant will connect me to Shane, then I can do a protection spell..."

"I can try and create a connection" spoke Malik and stood next to Bonnie. "I can use my powers to make that link with him."

Bonnie just nodded and they held each other's hands while grasping onto the necklace. As they connected themselves to the necklace Malik released his magic and opening his eyes they had a golden light in them, his mind traveling across the school to find Shane.

Suddenly Bonnie felt a connection and starting the spell the salt ignited, which startled April but tried to remain quiet as she watched the twins with a slight awe.

Malik opened his eyes and April saw how it was filled with golden light, but what she didn't see was what Malik saw... Kol tortured Shane, drowning him in the water while shouting.

Once more Kol shoved Shane's head into a sink filled with water, holding him there for several seconds. Kol yanked Shane's head back up, allowing the man to gasp for air.

"Where is the cure?" asked Kol again, Shane was breathing heavily but refused to reply.

Rebekah walked in suddenly smirking, allowing Kol to shove Shane under the water again to yield some answers.

In the lab, April began to cough, hearing that Bonnie opened her eyes and stared at her in confusion, but then back at Malik, who's left eye returned to normal allowing him to see Shane and Bonnie at the same time. Malik was startled seeing Shane drown and April cough, he did not understand what was happening. Before he could have thought about April, Bonnie let go of Malik and walked to her to check on the younger girl.

April's coughing worsened and Malik noticed it, realising what just happened.

"April?" asked Bonnie while April grabbed her throat, trying to breath but water kept coming out of her mouth.

"What's happening?"

"She's linked to Shane" spoke Malik quietly unable to move. "I can't break this connection... what's happening? We wanted to connect ourselves to Shane not him to April!"

"Try to break it Mal!" begged Bonnie but Malik's left eye began to flicker between his normal colour and the golden light, losing his connection to his present location.

"Stop!" ordered Rebekah which made Kol bring Shane back up for air.

The original let go of Shane, taking a few steps back decided to listen further.

In the lab, April stopped coughing and she breathed heavily. Bonnie helped her to her feet but seeing that Malik was still in connection worried her.

"He's of no use dead" reprimanded Rebekah looking at her brother.

"Did you not just hear what he said? Silas will kill us all, sister."

"Silas does not exist. He is a-a fairy tale made up to scare children into eating their vegetables."

"Silas is very real" butted in Shane wiping the water off his face, earning the attention of both originals. "I know where he's buried, and soon I will have the spell that wakes him."

"Wait a second, you're lying. You can't get to him" argued Kol, but Shane was quick to explain himself.

"Without his tombstone? Dozens to die in a blood sacrifice? Believe me, I know. I've done it. Those massacres are a pain to engineer."

"You're the one who got the council blown up."

"It was a noble sacrifice...and temporary, because once I raise Silas, Silas will raise the dead. He will bring back every last soul who died on his behalf."

Kol picked up a thin metal pipe and drove it through Shane's stomach without hesitation.

"No!" shouted Kol and in that moment Malik was pushed out of there, he could barely stand, grabbing onto the tables his attention turned to April and Bonnie, seeing the blood on her shirt Malik began to panic and tried to go to them, only to fall on the ground next the April.

"Oh, my god" exclaimed Bonnie looking at April. "Help! Someone help!"

Suddenly Elena and Stefan rushed rush into the room and saw April's limp body.

"Bonnie, what's going on?" asked Elena immediately but Malik quickly answered while pushing himself up.

"She needs help."

"What happened?" enquired Stefan while grabbing April bit into his arm.

"We did a protection spell, but it accidentally linked Shane to April."

"And you couldn't control it?"

"We didn't know we were doing it!" defended Malik and Bonnie decided to explain further.

"Usually we feel pain or we bleed, but this time... it was just more power."

Stefan fed April his blood, when she suddenly gasped and seemed petrified, she was moving along but Stefan was quick to hold her tight and sooth the terrified girl.

"It's okay! You're okay" Malik and Bonnie looked at April, Stefan waited till the girl managed to calm down somewhat, that's when he turned to the witches. "Guys, get out of the school. Just be careful. Tyler's out there, and he turned."

"What about you?" asked Malik and getting up held April close to himself.

"We can't leave. Rebekah compelled us" explained Elena quickly, earning a surprised look from the siblings.

"Just go. We'll deal with her later. Come on."

Bonnie and Malik helped the still terrified April out of the room, Bonnie looked back at Elena and Stefan before they ran out of there with April.

Malik was alert, looking around he was ready to protect themselves in case Tyler attacked, but they heard nothing and managed to get out of there safely. Once they left the school April was still terrified which made Malik cup her face gently and speak to her.

"You're okay now... everything will be fine. Okay?"

"What happened?"

"We are going to find out" spoke Bonnie, her voice determined which only made Malik nod.

"Do you want us to take you home?"

"Yeah... yeah sure" responded the girl.

Malik looked at Bonnie and after the two nodded they got into the car, Malik stayed in the back with April who seemed to calm down during the car ride, once they got her home she finally regained her calmness.

Malik waited till April closed the door, only then did he walk back to the car and getting at the front next to Bonnie looked at his sister and spoke gently.

"I can't remember..."

"What do you mean?"

"Anything that happened during the connection, I can't remember... I know that Kol and Rebekah were there... a few bits and pieces."

"Why is that?"

"I don't know, this never happened before. We have to talk to him... This wasn't normal."

"Couldn't agree more" responded Bonnie and he drove off.

Arriving to Whitmore Collage they walked in and heading to Shane's office they stormed in without knocking, Shane was changing his shirt. Picking up his old blood-stained one, he just turned to the siblings.

"Turns out I miscalculated. Kol's gonna be a problem."

"We almost killed someone, and that's what you miscalculated? April could have died today!" shouted Malik but Shane wasn't even blinking at that just continued to move around.

He remained calm and collected while he turned to the twins  and answered their questions.

"And that's only because you didn't know the extent of your abilities."

"Our father just became mayor. We can't be out doing black magic" countered Bonnie and they both began to walk out, when Shane shouted after them.

"That's not what Expression is!"

"Then what is it?"

"It's a way of doing magic that isn't monitored by nature or the spirits. It isn't good or bad, but it also has no limits. So how you use it is up to you. That's what I'm here for: to help you. Guys, listen to me. You are the key to everything. I'm not going to let anything bad happen to you."

They both believed him, but the fact Malik couldn't remember certain things made him worried. There must have been a reason why Shane got impaled.

Once they left and arrived back home, walking in the door the house was empty, looking around Malik just let out a sigh and spoke up.

"Some things never change... get some rest Bon, I have a feeling we are about to have a few fast-paced days."

"I'm afraid you're right... don't stay up long either!"

Malik just smiled and walked into the kitchen to make himself something to eat before heading upstairs to sleep. He prepared a sandwich to himself and was happily munching on it when an idea popped into his head.

Pulling out his phone he looked through his contact and finally finding it he just pressed call and lifted it to his ear and waited patiently.

The phone rang for a while but before it would have disconnected he heard a voice speak into it.

"Is this the part where you're telling me off darling?"

"On the contrary" responded Malik with a smile. "I want to talk to you... I need some advice and help and for some reason I think you're the only one who could help. Can we meet?"

"I'd love that. Where?"

"What about my school?"

"I'll see you there darling."

Hanging up the phone Malik grabbed his food and walking out quietly closed the door after himself walked to the car.

He drove back to the school, even if it was dark he just parked it and snapping his fingers the lights came on, he easily walked into he building and while looking around walked ahead.

It was extremely quiet, which made him alert.

As he looked around he heard some distant whooshes but before he could have reacted he was grabbed by the throat and pushed against the lockers. Suddenly he was facing Kol, his eyes had veins under them and his face threating.

"I should probably kill you and then your sister... so no one can get to him."

Malik didn't attack, just looked at Kol with a gentle face and slowly raising his hands touched Kol's cheeks.

"Show me..." spoke the warlock in a strained voice.

"What?"

"Show me. I want to see everything... show me what you know of Silas."

Kol's eyes returned to normal and slowly letting go of Malik's throat the warlock pushed himself away from the lockers and stepping closer pulled Kol's face to his own, placing his forehead against the original's the boy closed his eyes.

The original hesitated for a moment before he collected all of his thoughts and opening his mind allowed Malik to see it all.

Malik stood in the whirl of memories, the images flooded his mind and he saw all of the warning from witches throughout the centuries until he arrived to the point of Kol meeting Silas' worshippers.

Hearing their praises, hearing their plans for the end of the world it seemed very different from what he heard from Shane. Seeing that Kol massacred all of them was no surprise, but Malik decided to keep his eyes open for any detail he could find.

Once they were all dead suddenly it all stopped and he was back in the school, panting slightly and looking Kool in the eye he just noticed that their noses touched and the original did not close his eyes for a moment.

"So much suffering and fear... all that effort to keep the evil at bay, yet..."

"Silas cannot be released" whispered Kol not breaking eye contact but moving forward slowly pushed Malik against the lockers. "Not for the cure, not for anything..."

"I understand..." responded the boy, but his mind began to get foggier as he felt Kol's hot breath on his lips, his eyes were compelling even if he knew witches couldn't be compelled... yet there he was, cornered to the lockers, unable to break eye contact, unable to move.

But what he found strange, was that he didn't want to.