Chapter Four: Misunderstood Bats

"Father!" Kol called out to his dad while running towards him and his other brothers' direction in the forests.

"Father!" He shouted.

He shouted a couple more times till he reached to him. Each time louder than the one before.

When he finally reached for him, his father was talking with Elijah.

"Father?" Kol again called out to him.

Mikael turned and asked,

"What son? Why have you been shouting for so long?"

"I hunted for the first time, father!" Kol expressed his happiness. He was so blessed when he finally hunted and joined 'the men' of their family. He was waiting for this for so long! He thought that from that moment onwards, Elijah and Brother Nik would stop picking on him and that father would finally show some interest outside Elijah's nobility and Finn's greatness. He would also receive some respect.

"That's marvelous." Mikael compliments with no emotion of excitement whatsoever.

But look! (Points down to the dead bear) Elijah hunted this bear! This huge, gigantic bear! Now we could eat ourselves this warm meat and prepare ourselves for the cold nights!"

Mikael said and got back to praising Elijah.

Kol was left alone with no one to participate in his first hunt. He was left alone due to which his happiness faded away and he joined others in praising Elijah though carrying his sassy attitude.

     ---Few days from the present---

The key was inserted in the keyhole and the entrance door was opened only for Miss Killy Mayenes to enter before Kol himself. She exhaled in awe at the sight of his apartment. It was painted light brown color and few decent furniture were lying around. But not too few. A fair amount. There was a huge mirror in front of the entrance door which reflected Killy with her striking jaw, white skin, thick lips, red hair, small black eyes, and tight black skirt with a deep neck which revealed just the right amount of her blown up breasts.

"Why do you have that mirror there?" she asked.

"It's a mirror," Kol replied taking support of the closed main door, hands fold.

"Yeah, but why there?"

"So that I can see how messed up I am the moment I enter this place. Based on that, I decided to do the next thing." Kol explained.

Killy shifted herself away so that Kol could see only his reflection. 

"And what would you do next?" she asked.

Kol smiled impressively and replied,

"That will be known soon."

Killy nods in defeat and starts wandering. She stops in front of a painting that seemed to be around the 1600s.

"Is this yours?" she asked.

Kol nodded, "Yes. Why?" 

Killy shook her head,

"Just didn't take you for a painting collector." Kol was silent.

Killy was approaching a closed-door when suddenly Kol spoke,

"Oh, that's my roommate's room."

Killy turned with a crossed brow,

"Roommate?" 

Kol chuckled, "Yeah, roommate! How do you suppose I manage this big place?"

"Oh, where's your room then?" Killy asked.

"That same one. We share the room. But now he has locked it and went to visit his family with the key. I didn't expect a girl to accompany me here while he's gone." Kol explained.

Killy smiled and said,

"That's okay. The couch seems comfortable actually." After saying that, she went towards the couch.

Kol played Feeling Myself by Nicki Minaj on his cell. As soon as the music played, Killy chuckled and waited for Kol to sit beside her.

"Really? Feeling?" she asked once he sat down.

Kol got closer to her and replied,

"Well, I thought it was fitting." He gave a smile and within seconds, Killy was all over him. She pushed him down and sat on top of him. She unzipped her dress and removed it being fully naked. She slowly unbuttoned Kol's shirt and removed it. She unbelted his pants and removed them a little and the rest was removed by Kol himself. She brushed her hands all over his chest and abs and after that, started licking his nipples. 

Kol took her in her arms and was now on top of her. He took her legs and put them on his shoulders to spread them. He pushed his lower member inside her and she moaned deeply. 

It was morning and Kol's eyes were open as usual. He looked at Killy who was still sleeping beside him on that couch. He got up, wore a robe, and stood in front of the painting Killy was talking about last night. He lifted the painting to remove only to reveal a hole in the wall where a box was kept. He took the box, opened it only to see the one thing that was inside in it: a key. 

He took the key and walked towards the room. He looked at Killy. She was still sleeping. He opened the door with the key, got in, and locked the door before him.

"Kol?" Ayana asked.

                         ---Past---

Kol was heartbroken. He had his first hunt and no one was bothered. They all cared about Elijah's hunt. All the fifteen years of his life, he saw Elijah and Brother Nik in the spotlight. Always the center of attention.

Rebekah would be the caring sister and Finn was the serious one. And Henrik was too small to be someone in the family. He was an outcast and when he finally hunted, he believed he too would be something in his family. But the response he received, convinced him that he'll be forever just the brother who'd be seen after Elijah and Brother Nik.

While he was mourning outside his house on his loss at the chance of being something in his family, Esther came and sat beside him.

"Elijah told me you hunted for the first time."

"I did…" Kol replied dejected and dismayed.

"That's great. Why are you so detrimental?

"Because I didn't feel like I did."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because although I hunted a deer which is better than the sheep that Brother Nik hunted for the first time he still received more appreciation than I did. Just because of that bear Elijah hunted!"

"Because that saved us days of cold nights."

"Then at least they could've been happy for me, mother!"

"They were, Kol."

"Then why didn't they express it? (Looks at Esther with teary but hurtful eyes) Why didn't father show any kind of merriment?"

Esther was speechless for a second,

"Kol, your father had always been more appreciative of what was more important to his family. And at that moment, the bear was more important to him because it would keep us safe. But he was cherished when he heard that you hunted for the first time. We all are so proud of you!" 

Kol chuckled and hugged her.

                              ------

Kol's life in Austin, Texas was like this only. Dancing every night in Barbarella Austin or any other club and hook up casually with some random woman. 

"To see my condition whenever I come in." 

Kol replied to Sandy, a girl when she asked him about the mirror in front of the entrance door. He hooked up with her later.

Some bands would occasionally sing crazy songs. Everyone would jump and cheer for the band including Kol. He would criticize them in the noise.

"I am a painting collector, that's what I do for a living." 

Kol replied to Amanda, a girl who asked him about the painting. He hooked up with her later.

Sometimes he would dance off his legs and be so tired afterward. But he would enjoy it.

"Oh, no we aren't allowed in that room now. It's my roommate's."  Kol replied to Felicia, a girl who was about to approach the locked room. He hooked up with her later.

Sometimes Kol would be damned in his misery. Even the dancing, the hooking up, feeding on people. Sometimes he would be so sad. So sad that nothing in the world would give him happiness except Ayana.

Kol locked the bedroom door once he was inside the room secretly from

Elle; the girl he slept with them last night. He looked here and there and smiled. There were paintings and sketches of Ayana everywhere. The room was filled with them.

                       ---Past---

While going back to their house after Brother Nik killed Davian, Kol tripped over a stone and hurt himself on the knees. He expressed his pain but no one seemed to show much interest. Not even Rebekah who got so close to him. He knew the situation was tense and everyone was scared but he wanted anyone to show a little bit of concern. But no one did.

While Kol was cleaning his wounds with water, Esther showed up and said,

"How did you get that?"

"I fell," Kol replied dismissively.

"Does it pain much?" She asked.

"Not that anyone cares but it does."

"Why do you say that Kol? Everyone in the family adores you!"

"If they do, then why no one asked me how was I when I fell?"

"Do you understand the situation we are in Kol? Your brother Nik just killed a son of a powerful witch. For them, your wound is something to be bothered about but not enough to distract from the grave situation we're in!"

"Why is it that whenever something happens to me, something greater and larger happens to someone else that overshadows my happening?"

"In time, you'll shine son! You'll shine so bright that it would be difficult for people to even see you with their naked eyes. Just give it time."

Esther patted his shoulder and went away.

                           ------

"Kol?" Ayana asked.

"You're here again?" Kol asked annoyed in the bedroom.

"I am not anywhere. I am dead." She spoke.

"I know that!" Kol shouted.

"If this hurts you so much, then why do you this?"

"I can't control it! The only way to forget you is to sleep around with other women and fill that void. And the only way to remember you is like this."

"Kol, do you want to remember me, or forget me?" Ayana asked.

"I don't know! I want to stop having these stupid, unreal conversations with you but at the same time, I want to see you!"

"Kol…."

"No, Ayana! You shouldn't have died on me!" Kol shouted in pain.

                        ---Past---

When the Order was dead, Kol took Ayana with him and they then decided to live together and embark together on the journey with his other siblings. 

One day while Kol and his other sibling were staying in New Orleans in that Mayor's house, Kol prepared a meal. A surprise meal for Ayana. She was so in awe when he surprised her and loved him even more.

"Jesus, this meat is heavenly!" Ayana expressed.

"Thank you. Anything for you, my lady." Ayana smiled.

"So what do you think of Brother Nik now?"

"He's fine."

Kol gave her a crossed brow.

"Okay, he's terrible! But he was such a darling when you first visited us at the Orders."

"I know and we all kind of miss the old Brother Nik but we at the same time know that we are not going to get him back. I can understand what he goes through every full moon and what he had gone through with Father would be excruciatingly painful but that doesn't give him the excuse to behave as he does."

"I know. And the way he just kills the men Rebekah fancies just like that is beyond my understanding." Ayana confessed.

"Yes, sister Rebekah is in turmoil but cannot do anything. She is silly and stupid enough to believe whatever Brother Nik is doing, is for her good. She has no idea of the insanity Brother Nik has reached. I mean, he slaughters women now and then to control his thirst. And the rage he carries is inexcusable."

"Have you ever witnessed his full transformation?" Ayana asked.

"I tried peeking from the door of the room he chains himself up whenever he transforms, but never ended up seeing the whole thing. The shouts, the screams are too infuriating."

"Not to take his side or anything, but that amount of pain can change someone."

"Great! All I wanted tonight was the woman I love biased about the brother we all despise!" 

"Kol please don't! I don't want my remaining years fighting with you." Ayana complained.

Kol's face dropped,

"Don't you ever say that!"

"Not say what, Kol? I was 35 years old on the inside when we first met. 42 when we flew away and now with the witch's power of being extremely old, I am 180 years old. I don't believe I have left a year."

"Don't say that!"

"We were prepared for this. I prepared you. Whenever we would meet secretly, I told you that I am going to die. And you told me that then let's make the most of your remaining life. So I don't want you dismayed now and instead want you to make love to me to make most of my life you said.

Kol chuckled.

                             ------

Kol got out of the room and locked the door behind him only to see Sandra looking at him from the couch. He made an irritating sound. "I thought the bedroom was locked. How did you get it to open?" She asked.

Kol sighed in exhaustion.

Kol slipped his mop on the floor and started scrubbing off the bloodstains on the floor.

Kol had a habit of wiping off anyone who'd catch him in his lies. Like Killy who found out about that hall in the wall behind the painting. He removed her head and drank the blood pouring out. Warm and fast.

He burnt the clothes of the women and would burn the bodies of the women he fed on crazily and hungrily minutes ago. He would throw other accessories.

He didn't like doing all this, but he didn't want anyone to find out about Ayana. He wanted the women to only know about the things he told them and not anything else. But those who caught him in a lie, he finished them off.

                       ---Past---

Kol stormed out of the house after Mikael refused Kol mating with Ayana. Rebekah warned him that his father would say no because of their current situation regarding Niklaus but he still asked him. He was once again put backward because of Niklaus. Soon Esther came and said,

"Kol…"

"No mother! Unlike others in this family, I want a wife. I want a family.

How can father just deny my request?"

"Kol, the situation is very dire because of Niklaus being a wolf, you know that."

"Once again! My life is put on second before his. I just don't get why."

"Kol, you're not getting this…."

"No! Countless times I have been deprived because of them and you explain things to me. Tell me that everyone cares for me and they all love me equally! But no! Father always liked Elijah more than others. I have always been Kol: Elijah's brother. You tell me it's going to change, but when is that?"

Esther couldn't answer. Kol walked away.

                           ------

It was another night in Barbarella Austin. Another night in dancing and hooking up. But he wanted to talk. It's been so long he did. He walked up to the bar counter and saw a woman enjoying her drink.

"Hello." He shouted.

"Hello there!" she shouted back.

"My name is Kol. You?"

"Andrea. Andrea Phillips."

"Nice to meet you, Andrea. So, tell me. What is your favorite animal?"

Andrea chuckled at the unusual question.

"Um… Horses. They are big, strong, and courageous."

"Nice one."

"Yours?" 

"Bats," Kol replied.

"Maybe because they are the most misunderstood creatures. Everyone is scared of them because of their appearance. But all they are is just an animal like others. All they want is love and care which no one gives and thus receives the dull treatment from them."

"Are you sure talking about bats? Or someone else?" Andrea asked.

Kol chuckled at Andrea's wisdom and wit.

Andrea was using the bathroom and Kol was sitting naked on the couch when he got the call from Rebekah.

Elijah once again put forward Rebekah first before him. Like every other person his whole life. 

He fucked Andrea hard but not enjoyed as he wished he would. Maybe because of that call from Rebekah.

                       ---Past---

Kol hurriedly entered the room and saw Brother Nik, Elijah, Rebekah, Henrik, and others in the room with sick Ayana on the bed.

As soon as he entered, others left but Kol didn't leave his eyes away from Ayana. He sat beside her and saw her smiling weakly.

"I never should've gone to bring the ration. I could've spent those days with you."

"Not to dwell on the past, Kol." She said in a low voice. "We should be thankful that we are blessed with this moment. (Kol smiled with tears in his eyes) Any last thing that you want to say to me?"

"I love you. Always."

Ayana chuckles, "You told me that every day. Anything new?"

"Why to say anything new when you're not bored with the old one," Kol asked.

Ayana laughed.

"You are not a bad person Kol. I think you have the sweetest heart of all.

But misunderstanding you your whole life is everyone's fault. Everyone interprets you as a handsome man with charms but I know you are just a dumb person who was blessed with looks."

Kol laughs,

"This is a strange last conversation we're having, aren't we?"

"Well, we talked about this."

"Yes. No tears and no statements like: I don't want to let you go or I am not ready. Because…?"

Kol chuckled, "Because I am not letting you go. You are just going away that's all."

Ayana slowly nodded. After that, she took a deep breath and said,

"It's time isn't it?"

Kol nods even though he doesn't want to,

"Yes….."

"Then I guess I better say this before it's too late. I love you too Kol

Mikaelson. Forever."

Kol smiled,

"Take care you…. (Blinks in denial) Ayana?"

                               ------

Just when the plane was in the air, Kol called Henrik. He picked up.

"Hello?"

"Hello, Henrik?" 

"Yeah, it's me."

"How are you?"

"What is it Kol?"

Kol sighed,

"Father is returning."

"Wh—Who told you this?"

"A witch told Elijah."

"(Takes a deep breath) I'll come."

Henrik hung up the call because he thought that they would sort everything out before they reached the New Orleans residence. Guess it's not the only quarrel he'll be solving.

And to think all this could've never happened if he had said no.