I sprinted down an old trail behind the Fitzroy estate, panting loudly, trying to catch my breath. Come on, a little bit faster. I kicked up my legs and picked up my pace, jumping over roots and rocks in my way to move forwards. I gasped with each step.
My lungs were burning as I tried hard to breathe. I had been doing this for almost two hours now. I kicked up my leg again and picked up my pace again.
"You're slacking off." Uncle Nate called out, bored from somewhere in the woods behind the thick foliage.
"Am not." I huffed loudly, kicking up my leg and pushing myself to the finish line. I crossed the line and crashed onto the dirt floor, facing up at the early morning sky.
"I did it." I panted out.
My lips dry, sweat dripping from my forehead as my chest rose and fell. My heart hammered against my chest as I clutched it, trying to catch my breath.
"Am I done? Please tell me I'm done." I begged uncle Nate, trying to get up from the floor.
Leaves rustled and twigs snapped in response. "Mm-hmm. Yeah, you're done." He came out from behind a set of trees and passed me a pink water bottle.
I picked myself off the ground and took the water bottle, opening and draining the bottle in one go. "I hate you." I said between gulps. "How could you do that to me? I thought we were gonna train?"
"And we did. Build up cardio and stamina first then we do strength before moving on to the fun stuff. Well that was fun too."
I stared at him incredulously. "That was torture!"
"Pfft. That was nothing. Blame yourself for deciding to go all Buffy and not staying out of supernatural business." He turned around and started walking back to the house.
I groaned and capped the lid of the bottle before following him back home. "Well...I couldn't just sit still knowing Damon was gonna rip Bonnie apart." I unzipped my jacket a little and fanned myself. It was December but the heat from my workout made it unbearably hot for me.
"You could've just told Bonnie the truth and gave that Steven-"
"Stefan."
"Yeah, him. A head's up to the whole situation before it happened. At least he and his brother are leaving now." He paused and turned around to glance at me. "They are leaving right?"
I halted in my tracks. "I've been told they are. Stefan seemed pretty adamant even though Elena begged him to stay."
He turned away from me and stomped through the trail, skillfully avoiding any obstacles in his path. "One less problem for us. Still can't believe your dad is now not trusting the Council."
I panted, almost tripping over a tree root, only to catch myself before I hit the ground. I grabbed the nearest tree for support and pushed myself up straight. "...He already had trust issues with the Council. What else is new?"
"Huh. He did trust them enough to want to turn the Salvatore brothers in..." He stopped to jump over a boulder. "But that was before."
"Before?" I mimicked him except I lept on to the boulder and hopped down from it.
"Before the Council was stupid enough to lose the Gilbert compass. Y'know the one that detects vampires. Was one of the reasons why they left us alone for a while."
I stared at the mossy ground. My eyes unfocused around as my mind wandered. "How did they lose it?" I asked after a moment of silence.
"That's the thing. They refuse to tell us. Liz started telling me around Halloween meetings but Mayor Lockwood aka Mayor Dick decided to change the subject and keep us in the dark." His voice, getting distant now.
I picked up my pace and followed him faster. But it was hard. My limbs were starting to ache and it hurt to move. "So that's why dad's pissed at them?"
Twigs snapped. Branches swayed in the wind lightly as uncle Nate came into view. He stood, leaning in front of the small picket fence gate, separating the Fitzroy estate from the trails.
"That's not the only reason. He's pissed because the council was stupid enough to invite a vampire to join them." He unhooked the latch on the gate and opened it.
I followed him past the gate, making sure to put the latch book, pushing it gently to check if it was locked.
"They invited a vampire to join them." I said to myself in disbelief. "I'm speechless." I mumbled.
Uncle Nate laughed. "That's not even the funny part." He replied, walking through the perfectly manicured gardens.
"I don't know how you're finding this funny. It's tragic."
"No. It's hilarious. Especially the part where you find out who they invited."
"Who did they invite?"
"I was waiting for you to ask that." He gleefully remarked, pushing the door to the living room.
I folded my arms and narrowed my eyes. I didn't have time for this. I had school in an hour or two.
"Damon Salvatore." He finally revealed with a grin, walking into the leaving room. "But it doesn't matter now because he's leaving. It's still funny if you-"
"They invited Damon to join the Council. Do they all have worms for brains or something? I know they hate us but to invite Damon is..."
"You sound like your mom. She said the exact same thing." He commented, picking up the remote of the TV and turning it on. "Anyways, go get ready for school. He's leaving anyway. No need to give yourself a headache over him."
I propped the empty pink water bottle on the coffee table and marched upstairs. If Damon wasn't already leaving, I would personally drive him out of town. No wonder he was so god damn smug about me threatening him with the council.
He joined them. He was resourceful, a part of me was impressed.
I squashed that part and stepped into the shower, leaving my worries behind. Today was a new day. Things were going to be different. I'm going to finally enjoy a vampire-free day in Mystic Falls, I thought with a giddy smile.
─────⋇⋆✦⋆⋇─────
I waltzed out of my room with a smile on my face as I fixed my sweater dress. A normal school day. God I missed these. It was weird but as the more time I spent in this little town, the more rare normal became for me. Maybe with the departures of Salvatore brothers things would go back to normal.
With a satisfied smile, I prepared to march down the stairs when I stopped. In front of me was an old antique dressing table. It looked familiar. I had seen this before but where. It was Lydia Fitzroy's dressing table. I remembered it now. But what was it doing out here in the hallways outside my room?
Last I remembered it was supposed to be in the old master bedroom on the second floor east wing.
Curiously, I took a step forward and let my hands over the now clean surface of the dressing table. I admit, it looked better than I remembered. A bright light from the mirror shined into my eyes, making me turn my head away from the dressing table and clutch my necklace in reflex.
"Miss Katherine?"
Bright green eyes greeted mine as I stared at the mirror in front of me. I brought a hand to my fair face and gently caressed it in confusion. This wasn't me. This was-
"Yes, Miss Lydia. It was Miss Katherine." A maid replied from behind me. My head dropped at that and I stared at the
I breathed out. I was Lydia once again just like that day when I found the bloodstone. I picked up my head and stared at the young woman in front of me. I let go of my cheek and turned my attention to a set of lace gloves in front of me.
Carefully, I picked one of the delicate gloves and slipped them on and followed suit with the other. Giving myself a quick glance over, I gently pulled my hair over my shoulders.
Nodding, my hand reached out to the maid whose name I had forgotten. Without hesitation she slipped an envelope into my gloves hand. It was light but for some reason it felt heavy in Lydia's delicate hands. With a dread in my or Lydia's heart, I brought the envelope in front of me and laid it on the dressing table. Mindlessly I rubbed the expensive paper with my hand tracing the seal of the letter.
The maid left and told me she would be outside, should I need her. I was alone now, only with my thoughts to keep me company. Sighing, I broke the crimson wax seal and opened the letter. There was no point in avoiding this.
My eyes scanned the letter but really processed it. She was mocking me. I thought or Lydia thought. I read the letter again. My eyes went over each of the letters one by one, the curves and lines as if I was memorizing it.
I clenched my fists and slammed my hands into the dressing table in front of me. A bored and bitter laugh escaped me as I stared at the dressing table.
"Winnie." I called out to my loyal maid as I bunched my sky blue skirt and carefully got out of my seat. "Winnie." I called out again. I had made my decision, I wasn't going to fight for Damon.
There was no point, Damon was never mine. It was a transactional engagement. I would be stuck in a loveless marriage. A marriage that I never wanted. A marriage decided upon my birth which was more of a curse than anything.
Winnie rushed into the room. She halted to stand still behind me as I turned to face her while she smoothed out her skirt. "Yes, Miss."
I handed her the invitation without a word. "Prepare for a carriage." She accepted it, confused.
"A carriage?"
"A carriage." I said, turning away from her to pick up the necklace that father had always insisted I wore.
An odd present since it wasn't as pretty as the other jewels father had given me but it was a family heirloom nonetheless.
Winnie didn't move an inch but stared at me. "Winifred." I warned her with a cold look. She swallowed heavily as she inched closer to me.
"Forgive me, Ma'am but your father insisted that you should never be allowed to be alone with Miss Katherine. She isn't wor-"
"Exactly why I will be attending this 'tea party' of hers." I took the invite back and waved it in front of her face. "I shall put an end to this mindless rivalry she seems to have with me."
I placed the invite back onto her stretched out palms and turned away from her to powder my face. "She can have the Salvatore brothers. I want no part in this shameless game she's playing. I have my own pride."
Winnie nodded fervently. "You're right. Putting up a fight with that...woman...will only damage your reputation."
I put down my powder puff and walked over to Winnie. "Exactly. It's best I draw the boundaries now, else I will find myself caught up in this silly game."
The colors around me swirled and I was not in old Fitzroy manor anymore. I was outside. The sun was shining brightly as birds chirped. I walked carefully with calculated steps to the garden where the tea party was supposed to be held, Winnie beside me. She clutched a frilly pastel purple sun umbrella under my head as she walked.
I paused in the middle of the path as a chill went down my back. I pulled the light shawl tight around me before continuing down the path of the Salvatore garden. I knew these gardens well, too well perhaps.
After-all, I had played in them with the Salvatore brothers many times. Hah. I laughed bitterly. That time was long past. We had grown up and changed. The past was in the past. We could never go back.
I reached a set of white ornate garden tables and chairs and stood by it. A woman sat alone, calmly drinking from a china cup.
"You came." Her low seductive voice stated as she slowly picked her head from the cup.
I paused.
This woman looked familiar. Not to Lydia but to me. Elena?
"Miss Pierce."
Or not.
Lydia greeted her tensely as Winnie pulled out a chair for her. Carefully, she took a seat across from the Elena-lookalike. "Forgive me for being so late. I mean no disrespect but I was not expecting an invite from you."
"You're forgiven, Miss Fitzroy. And please call me Katherine. It was my fault for sending the invite out so late but you see I've just been too busy settling into this humble town." She laughed innocently.
"Oh. But the Salvatores, well, mainly the Salvatore brothers have been very helpful." She flashed an inviting yet chilling smile. I shivered involuntarily. "Your fiancé especially has been quite...hands on with helping me settle."
Winnie leaned forward to retort. I stopped her without hesitation. I placed my hand on hers to placate her. "Really now?" I asked innocently.
Katherine who really freakishly looked like Elena nodded.
"Well, I'm glad. And I think you meant your former fiance." I clasped my hands together.
"Mr Damon Salvatore and I are no longer betrothed to each other." I confessed. A weight lifted off my shoulders. I felt lighter. Like there was no string holding me or weights pushing me down. I was free.
"Oh." Katherine's cat-like eyes widened for a second. Her eyes were so different from Elena's. Elena's brown orbs reminded me of a doe while Katherine's was that of a tiger's.
"What a shame. You must be disappointed."
"It would be strange if I was."
Her head snapped to look at me. "How so?" She asked quietly.
I picked up the steaming hot cup of tea Winnie had poured me. "Because I'm the one who called it off." I revealed, taking a sip of the warm tea.
"You called off your own engagement? Why? Is it because of me? I'm so sorry. I know the rumors have been vicious but to push you this far."
I laughed. "You can stop, Miss Pierce."
"-Katherine."
"Miss Pierce." I repeated and picked off where I left off.
"I broke off my engagement because I had no wish to get involved with whatever game you seem to be playing with the brothers. I will not be caught up in it nor will I be a victim to it." I finished, carefully laying down the cup and getting up from my seat.
I turned to stare at Katherine with confidence. Her face was that of a cold fury. She was angry and it was somewhat unnerving to see that ugly expression on a face I knew too well. But before Katherine could reply.
A set of loud voices interrupted us. "Miss Katherine." "Miss Katherine. We're back." The two Salvatore brothers yelled out as they ran to where Katherine and I were. They halted when they noticed me.
"Miss Fitzroy."
"Miss Fitzroy."
"Yes." I replied mindlessly, stepping back from the mirror and letting go of the necklace in my hand. I was back at home. In front of me, the old dressing table.
I blinked twice and glanced around me. Two movers stood side by side at the antique dressing table while Maria stood in front of me. She looked concerned. "Are you okay?" She asked as she leaned over me.
"I'm fine." I answered with a smile. I ran my fingers through my hair and breathed out. "What's this doing here?" I gestured to the furniture in front of me.
"We're cleaning the second floor east wing, so we're putting this in the storage until that's done." One of the servants replied as he and his companion picked up the table and carried it away from me.
I watched them along with Maria disappear down the hall as I rubbed my arms.
Katherine.
Her again. This wasn't the first time I saw Lydia's memories but the thought of Katherine and Elena looking alike scared me.
─────⋇⋆✦⋆⋇─────
"Did I miss something?" Elena asked, staring at a blonde couple from a distance.
Bonnie and I walked beside her and turned our heads to look at Matt and Caroline. "They've been hanging out." Bonnie replied.
Elena nodded but still looked confused. "Kinda weird."
I glanced at Elena. I shivered as Katherine's spiteful face flashed into my mind. It wasn't real. I tried to convince myself as I blinked nervously.
This was Elena. Sweet and kind Elena who would never hurt anyone, not that woman from Lydia's memories. Brushing those thoughts aside, I focused back on Matt and Caroline. I grinned.
"Not really." She turned to look at me to elaborate. "Stefan's birthday party, Caroline got wasted and Matt being the nice guy-" I made gestures with my hand making air-quotes. "-took her home and made sure she was safe. They even cuddled." I said with a satisfied smile as I continued walking
"Still weird."
"But it's adorable, she needs someone nice like him, as opposed to a homicidal vampire like Damon." Bonnie commented.
"And Matt's been through a lot as well." I added, remembering his situation at home.
"Exactly. It balances out."
Elena breathed out loudly and shook her head. "I give up." She pursed her lips and turned to Bonnie. "Anyways, how are you doing with all that?"
Bonnie turned away from us. "I'm freaked out. Damon attacked me. I could be dead right but I'm not thanks to Ava going all Buffy on us-"
"-I'm not Buffy." I cut in, shaking my head at that thought.
"Yet." Bonnie pointed out. "And I'm grateful. To Stefan. He also saved my life."
"Told you he's the good one."
Elena smiled sadly but chose not to say anything.
"Speaking of Stefan. Have you seen him?" Bonnie asked her. I broke off from the group and walked over to my locker.
I swung it open, placing some of my books inside and taking some out. I closed it and walked back to the pair.
Leaning against the lockers next to Elena's. I watched as Elena threw her scarf and bag inside hers. "-leaving. For...he's already gone." Elena ranted while I zoned out of the conversation. Now and then, I would focus before staring up at the ceiling.
"-leave without...goodbye. "
"—He thinks he's protecting me. Clean break and all that."
I zoned back in and glanced at my two friends. "He does have a point." I pointed out, folding my arms and checking my freshly manicured nails.
Katherine flashed into my mind. The thought of Elena being Katherine's lookalike made her relationship even weirder. Stefan was doing everyone a favor by ending it before it became worse.
I turned to glance at Elena who gave me an exasperated look. Bonnie glanced between us both. "He does..." She agreed sheepishly before glancing at Elena. "But what are you gonna do about it?"
Elena shrugged and took out some books from her locker and closed it. "What am I supposed to do? I've already begged him not to go. If I ask again, I'm being selfish. It is what it is."
"As much as I am 'Team Stefan', this is for the best." I put my hands down and got off the lockers and started walking down the hallways. Elena and Bonnie trailing behind me.
"Maybe it is." Bonnie agreed.
Elena scoffed. "What? Why?"
We stopped and stared at each other. Bonnie and I gave each other a look. We understood exactly why this relationship was doomed. Elena on the other hand didn't.
"One, he's a freaking..." I stepped closer to my friends and lowered the volume of my voice. "...vampire. you never know what he may do. He could lose control. No matter how good he is now. And two..." I swallowed. "Did you forget the whole Katherine thing? You don't even know who she really was."
"Katherine doesn't matter." Elena bit back.
"I don't know, Elena. Ava has a point. Also what kind of future would you two have had, even if he stayed." Bonnie nodded.
Before Elena could retort, a banner fell down on top of Elena.
'Promise of the Future' It read.
I couldn't help but laugh while Elena scoffed as Bonnie looked on with wide eyes. It felt nice to have the universe be on your side. Elena picked the banner and showed it to Bonnie and me.
"Did you just..."
"No, I swear." Bonnie defended herself.
In response, Elena shoved the banner out of her way and stormed away from us. Bonnie looked at me, tiredly before she went after Elena.
I decided not to follow them instead my eyes lingered to the banner as I fidgeted with the strap of my bag while making my way to the student council room for a meeting.
─────⋇⋆✦⋆⋇─────
At least I was supposed to be, making sure the careers fair preparations for tonight went off without a hitch. Instead I stood outside an abandoned red-brick building with dead trees outside.
I stared at it with a well-kept antique compass in my hand. The Gilbert compass to be more precise which was supposed to be lost.
A cold chill passed through me as I shivered through my sweater and pulled at the maroon sleeve. Not shivering because of the early winter cold but because there was a vampire nearby.
My dark hair gently blew in the light December air as I slowly walked towards the building. Though, it was daylight, it was still creepy. Dead leaves littered the entrance of the building. Stepping over them, they made a loud crunching sound. I winced as it did so. I looked down at the compass in my hands.
The compass pointed towards the building. Nervously, I took a step forward. The chill grew. "This is the place." I called out, putting the compass down.
Damon flashed in front of me, making me jump back a bit. "You sure?" He asked, tilting his head and taking back the compass. "Maybe I interfered with the signal."
"Unless, you went inside that dump." I pointed towards the abandoned building. "Then no. You didn't. I had the compass which worked fine and if that failed I have me." I finished, folding my arms around me.
"Point taken." He turned away from me to survey the red brick building in front of us.
I clenched my jaws. "Remind me again. What am I doing here?"
"Well I needed someone who wouldn't interfere with the compass. Can't use it myself. You see."
"Cause you're a vampire. Gotcha."
"Exactly. It was either you or Caroline. And since you're big on protecting your friends, I picked you. Bonus that you're already a human vampire tracker...somewhat human." He turned on his feet and grinned.
"Another bonus, I needed a partner in crime and you seem like the perfect person. Plus we're friends."
"Yeah...No." I sighed. "And this new vampire..." I carefully took a step forward. "You sure you didn't turn them?"
"Nope." He walked over to the entrance, putting the compass into his pocket.
Pursing my lips, I carefully followed him up the rusty steps of the red brick. "And I should just trust you because..." I asked quietly. His hands gripping the door handle.
"Because I wouldn't be hunting them down if I did." He answered, turning the handle and walking in.
He had a point. I cursed Damon for making so much sense. He disappeared inside the building before I could say anything more.
I blew out a breath and ran my hands through my braid. "I'm going back." I called out to no one in particular.
No response.
"I'm going then..." I tried again, craning my head and turning around to get to my car.
The only thing that responded was the echoing of the wind and rustling branches. Well, whatever happens now is on him, nothing to do with me. I thought as I speed-walked to my car, flipping my hair behind me, I unlocked the car.
Bang. Bang. Bang.
In an instant, I jumped and I dropped to my knees in front of the door of the driver's seat. Gunshots echoed throughout the abandoned parking lot. Slowly, I crawled on my knees to the front of my car and craned my head to look at the abandoned building.
The door was shut but the sound still echoed. I bit my lip and debated whether or not to go in and check what was going on. But at the same time, my mind screamed at me to go back and ignore this.
The intelligent part of me won while my curiosity dimmed as I realized I would once again be putting myself at risk. Unlike Bonnie, Damon was not worth putting myself at risk for. I mean I would probably risk myself to help Stefan but Damon, that was being too kind.
Besides Damon himself was a vampire hunting another vampire, he would be fine.
Craning my head to glance at the entrance of the building, I checked to make sure I was alone. I stared at the sky, it was still day. I sucked in a breath and got up, dusting myself off of any dirt and dust before getting in the car.
There were only a few hours left till the sun went down.
I only hoped Damon was smart enough to actually take down the vampire before sundown. That is if the vampire could not walk in the sun like Damon and Stefan. All I knew of their sun-walking abilities was from Zach.
I drove out of the distant parking lot of the red-brick abandoned building and headed back to school. I took out my phone and flipped it open, sending a message to Damon for any updates before texting the student council members about the careers fair. I groaned. The vampire would be the least of my worries tonight.
─────⋇⋆✦⋆⋇─────
A few freshmen students dragged their parents to the different booths beside me while seniors and juniors just casually strolled along the hallways. I dodged them all and weaved through them to get to the art booth.
Mrs Saunders along with a few other people stood by and conversed with students. Nodding at her with a smile, I walked towards one of the canvased artworks displayed on the wall. It was the mischievous yet dream-like fairy that I painted at re-do for class. I let out a small but proud smile staring at it. I did that and it was good enough to be displayed.
"Yours?" A quiet but rough voice asked.
I turned my head to the sound of the voice. Tyler Lockwood. My smile died as I pursed my lips and looked at him bored. It wasn't like I despised him but he was a questionable person. For one, he was a Lockwood.
As far as I could remember, the Lockwoods never got along with my family. I wasn't the type to pay attention to family grudges but some are justified. Mayor Lockwood and his wife were not kind people. Then again, I had yet to actually talk to Tyler one on one since I came back so who knows.
Tyler breathed out loudly interrupting my train of thought. "I meant the painting." He gestured to my work as he stood leaning over an open portfolio of sketches done by various students. I nodded with a polite smile. I craned my head to look at what he was standing over.
I let out an impressed sound as I stared at the sketch. It was a semi-realistic sketch of a man.
"Did you do that?" I asked, coming over to stand next to him and pushing my stray hair out of my face.
I was actually impressed. I squinted my eyes to get a better look at the sketch. Sure enough, it was signed, 'Tyler Lockwood'.
"Wow, this is really good." I gushed with an impressed smile.
He stumbled backwards a little before standing up straight. "You...you think so?" He asked, unsure.
I paused, flicking through the pages to get a look at more sketches and turned to look at me with a deadpan expression.
"Um. I know so." I flicked back through the sketches and stopped on his sketch. "Like the details and expressions. It's so good." I carried on with a look of awe. Tyler had talent but not confidence.
"Thanks. It means a lot, coming from you." He stepped forward and flipped it back to a random page. "But I'd appreciate it if you kept it to yourself." He requested, facing me.
I tilted my head. "First of all, I'm not an expert on art but thanks I guess." I stared behind him at the museum curator who had come to the careers fair. "And second of all, why? You're clearly talented. Also why have you not joined the art club? You'd fit right in."
Tyler huffed and folded his arms. "No, you're not an expert but you're probably the only one who knows art—"
"—Private art teachers." I cut in, staring at my nails.
"Seriously?" He asked in awe.
I nodded with an innocent expression. "And talent. According to my mother, I had an innate talent for art. So my dad got private art tutors for me and Dan."
"Supportive parents. Must be nice." He muttered under his breath, too quiet for anyone to hear but unfortunately for him, I heard it anyway. I chose not to comment. "Anyways, I don't wanna join the stupid art club. It's full of hippies."
Clenching his jaws, he turned away from me. "I don't have time for that. Football is my main focus."
And the puzzles fit in place. My eyes widened as I realized what exactly was going on with his family.
But before I could say anything else, Jeremy interrupted us. "Surprised to see you here." He called out from the other side of Tyler. "Harassing Ava?"
I rolled my eyes. "Jeremy. Be nice." I warned, walking back to have one last look at my painting before making my way back to the rest of the student council members in the atrium.
I stood there for a few seconds before picking up my camera and taking a picture of the artwork.
Click.
Jeremy grinned. "I'm just saying, art implies culture..." I put down the camera and turned to glance at the two boys. He walked closer to Tyler to stand over the portfolio and flick through its contents. Tyler clenched his jaws and let go of the file. "And culture implies...well..." He paused to glance at Tyler. "...not you." He finished with a grin.
Tyler glared at him before walking off and disappearing down the halls. "Wow, way to be the bigger person, Jer." I commented, walking off. "He was just checking out his work." I added while Jeremy flicked through the file. I didn't stick around to find out Jeremy's reaction.
─────⋇⋆✦⋆⋇─────
Elena aimlessly walked through the exhibits as she made her way to me. I caught her eyes by accident while I talked to Will about the upcoming Christmas events. I stood near the center of the gym with the members of the student council all gathered around me.
It was getting darker but the school was still packed. More and more students along with their parents poured into the school as the night carried on.
From the corner of my eyes, I could see Elena hesitating. She walked towards me but backed off a little, circling around the school council members before plucking up the courage to come and face me. I smiled before shifting my focus back onto the council.
"Hey." Elena called out awkwardly.
I glanced at her with a smile and quietly excused myself from the council members. "Hey." I greeted back as I led her to a quiet and less busy part of the gym. "How's it going?"
"I wanted to apologize." She began clasping her hands. "For earlier. I was being a total brat. I should've heard you out instead of storming out."
"Yeah. You should've."
"But you brought up Katherine. Stefan and I did talk about her—"
"—Really?" I cut her off, folding my arms and looking around for any vampires, mainly Stefan or Damon. There were none.
"I mean how much do you really know 'bout this 'Katherine', Ellie?"
"I know what you mean but I know Stefan and Damon both loved her. She was manipulative, and played both of them. Made them believe she was in love with them, turned them against each other. I know."
She placed her hands on my shoulders. "I get it, you and Bonnie are looking out for me. I appreciate it but Stefan is a great guy, he wouldn't hurt me."
"Yeah, funny story." I muttered under my breath as Katherine's face flashed on my mind.
I picked up my head and glanced at Elena. Her face overlapped with Katherine's and I gasped, taking a step back. I swallowed heavily and blew out a breath. I was at a crossroads.
On one hand, I could keep this to myself.
On the other hand, I could tell her what I saw. But I didn't even believe what I saw was real.
"Ava." Elena called out, taking a step forward. "Is everything okay?" She held out her hand and leaned over me.
I pursed my lips and sighed. "No. Everything is not fine." I confessed, walking over to a dark and lonely corner of the gym. Elena followed me without hesitating. "You're not gonna believe me even if I tell you. So it doesn't matter."
"I'm sure it's not that bad." She stopped and crossed her arms. "Wait. Stop. Did Damon put something in your-"
"Don't even. Do I look that gullible?" I looked at her, offended. Like I was not that stupid. I had moments of stupidity, that was me on my bad days. "Why would you even think I would believe him for a moment?"
She sighed. "I'm sorry, I'm just really defensive when it comes to Stefan. He trusted me about his past, about Katherine. So what else should I be worried about?"
"Maybe how she looks?" I blurted out.
I clamped my mouth shut with my hands. I so did not mean to blurt that out. I cursed myself for losing my patience so quickly.
"Y'know what, forget it. I'm just a little jumpy cause of..." I trailed off, staring into the distance as I remembered how eerily similar Katherine looked to Elena.
From her deep brown eyes to her heart shaped face. It was exactly the same.
I tried to walk off and go back to the student council or go elsewhere. Just anywhere away from Elena. But I didn't get far as she grabbed my arms and carefully dragged me back to the dark corner.
"No. Wait." She let go and stared at me, confused and concerned. "Why would I be worried by how 'Katherine' looks?" She asked, wrapping her arms around her.
I bit my lips. "You wouldn't believe me. It's pretty weird and freaky." I tried to escape once again, only to be stopped by her.
"At this point, I'll believe anything weird and freaky." She breathed out.
"Look." I paused, trying to gather my thoughts. "I'm not sure about this myself. I don't even believe this right now."
"Ava. Come on, Stefan's a good guy. You said so yourself."
"Never said he wasn't. I would totally root for you two if..."
"If what?"
I stared at the ceiling and blew out a breath. I'm sure she could handle this. "Remember when we were kids, I would get these weird dreams-"
"Like Bonnie where you predicted the future. Oh my god!" She gasped. "How did I forget about that?"
"Probably 'cause my parents were professional liars and said I was a very observant kid." I loosened my braid and let my hair cascade down my shoulders. "Not exactly a lie but still."
"But it wasn't true." She stepped back and turned her gaze away from me. "I don't get it, what does this have to do with Katherine?"
"I saw her." I confessed and shut my eyes.
Silence greeted me. Carefully, I opened my eyes. Elena stood there shocked. "You saw Katherine? Right. She's a vampire and...she's here."
"I didn't see her 'see her'." I sucked in a breath as I gestured to my necklace and held it up. "This belonged to one of my ancestors, Lydia Fitzroy. When I first got this—found it actually. I saw her memories when I touched her stuff."
"You saw her memories?"
"Actually. I was 'her' through the 'Founder's Ball' where she met Katherine and today I was her again, at a tea party with none other than Katherine."
Elena made a strangled choking noise. "You saw Katherine!" She gasped as she pushed her hair back. "What did she look like?" She stared at me with wide eyes.
"That's the thing..."
"You didn't get a good look at her."
"Oh I got more than a good look. I—well Lydia, sat across from her at a tea party and was threatened by her at the ball."
"Then what did she look like—"
"—you."
She tilted her head as her right hand grabbed her left arm in confusion. "Me?" She asked tiredly.
I poked my cheeks and pursed my lips, shutting my eyes. Katherine's vampiric face flashed across my mind. When I opened my eyes, she stood before me. I jumped back, ready to run but I didn't.
Katherine was not in front of me.
It was Elena who looked lost and confused. Elena who was kind and sweet. Elena who I had grown up with and always competed with over everything. This wasn't Katherine. Calming myself, I picked my head up and stared directly at Elena.
"She looked like you." I quietly confessed.
"What?" She questioned out-loud. "That's not possible. Stefan would have told me."
"I have no doubt he would have."
For a moment, she didn't say anything before bursting into a smile. "It must be hard coping with all of this on top of vampires and witches." She gestured to the student council. "Look, I get you're worried but you said this yourself, you're not even sure 'bout if what you saw was real."
"You're doubting me." I commented with a sigh.
I knew she had a point but I also had a point. It was better to be safe than sorry and I didn't regret telling her my suspicions. It would make sense that Katherine looked like Elena or the other way around since the Salvatore brothers were way too enamored by her and they had only known her for what? A few months.
Damon's constant references to Katherine around Elena also made sense but I didn't know if it was real, Lydia's memories. I knew I could see the future but this was new to me.
I glanced around my shoulders and shrugged, walking off. Elena followed after me. "I'm not doubting, I'm just...keeping an open mind."
I paused and turned around. "An open mind to how freakishly you may look like Stefan and Damon's evil ex which makes this ten times more weirder." I huffed and dropped my voice.
"You said 'may', it's a possibility. So it can go either way." She replied looking hopeful.
I opened my mouth to retort back saying it could either way but Elena beat me to it.
"I know what you're gonna say—" She turned away and started walking towards one of the career stands and picked up a pamphlet. "—it can go the other way." I nodded at her words. "But. I'm deciding to trust Stefan...because he makes me happy. Even if he is leaving." She added with a bitter smile and handed me the pamphlet.
For a moment, I didn't say anything and just followed her with my hands folded. Elena stared at me with a hopeful look.
"Fine." I let go of my arms and walked over to the student council. "I'll drop it." She beamed brightly and started to walk away.
"But." I stopped her in her tracks. "Only 'cause I'm doubting myself over what I saw. I'm still not ruling this 'ex' situation out."
"I didn't expect you to." She glanced around. "You were always big on facts and the truth. Speaking of which, still wanna be a journalist." She gestured to a broadcast journalism stand from the local new station.
I snorted. "That's broadcast journalism. Two different things."
"What's the difference?"
"Broadcast journalism is where narcissists whose only talent is being charming and pretty go, since it's just reading what you are given to the masses i.e Logan Fell. Besides, after seeing him, I think I changed my mind."
"So what do you wanna be now?"
"Tough question. I'm confused between a therapist, an attorney like my dad or an artist. Or I could go the engineer route like my brother." I glanced at her. "What 'bout you? Still wanna be a writer."
She looked down and sighed. "I don't know. Writing was something—"
"You and your mom did. Sorry. I shouldn't have—"
"No. It's fine. I can't be the sad girl forever."
"You're not the 'sad girl', you're mourning and you're allowed so stop forcing yourself to be happy when you're not."
Elena smiled. "Thanks. I forget that high school isn't forever but I keep...getting caught up in this whole 'what are people gonna say?' but I know you're right." She sighed and walked off, leaving me standing in front of the broadcast journalism stand.
I stared at the stand in front of me. Broadcast journalism. I laughed quietly. I was not a 'Logan Fell' type who craved attention. But the idea of becoming one was interesting.
I picked up a pamphlet and opened it, only to let it fall as a strange paralyzing sensation took over me. I froze, watching the paper fall to the floor.
Before it could hit the ground, someone caught it. That someone picked it up and it was gone from my sight. I followed the last sightings of the paper to a man who stood in front of me, blocking my path.
My breath caught in my throat and I almost gagged at the thought of the man in front of me being a vampire.
"You dropped this." Logan Fell passed me the pamphlet with a grin.
With a nervous smile, I carefully accepted it, being careful not to touch him.
"Ava Fitzroy." He greeted me, looking at me, almost sizing me up. It made my skin crawl the way he stared at me.
"Haven't seen you or anyone in your family in a while." He looked around and stepped closer to me. "It's almost like you guys are avoiding something."
I pushed my hair back and away from my face as I nervously laughed. "You're funny." I commented awkwardly.
"But we're all just busy with stuff. Speaking of being busy..."
I turned around to look for the members of the student council but they were not there. I puffed up my cheeks and blew out some air. Great, now I needed to make up some half-assed excuse.
"Y'know, I have to go. Student council and all that."
"You know what I am."
My eyes widened and my head snapped to stare at him. I took a few steps back and looked around for anyone else around me.
"Excuse me?" I asked, tilting my head and acting like I had no idea what he was talking about.
He rolled his eyes. "Don't play dumb. I'm one of the founders. I know what you and your family are capable of."
I blinked. "What 'we're capable of'? Wha...What do you mean?" I bit my lips and stared at him in feigned confusion.
"Gotta hand it to your acting skills—" I blinked again and looked at him with my best confused and disgusted look. "You're not pretending."
"Well I am pretending—" I muttered under my breath.
"So you are."
"—That you are actually someone I want to talk to and waste my time on." I finished with a sarcastic smile.
Before Logan could reply, my phone rang out with its annoying ringtone which I really needed to change. I smiled awkwardly and took out my phone. The name kept flashing on the screen. I held it away from Logan's eyes, even if he did see it. He wouldn't be able to tell—
"Leech?" Logan asked as he leaned over my phone.
I stared at the ceiling and stared back at him, cutting off Damon's call. "It's an old classmate from my last school." I lied and looked around for someone else. "I should go and take this." I gestured to my phone. Logan nodded understandingly.
"Wait." He grabbed my arms, stopping me. I resisted the urge to shiver. He was making my skin crawl just by his presence. "Has your uncle said anything about me or..."
"Uncle Nate?" I asked. He nodded, his stare was intense and predatory, sharply contrasting the friendly smile on his face.
Yes.
"No. Not that I know of. Then again, he's been pretty busy with his thesis and classes."
He let go and said nothing, staring off into the distance. I followed his gaze to uncle Nate who stood at a distance talking to none other than Jenna.
Seeing him distracted, I quickly walked away before he could focus on me again and rushed into an empty classroom, making sure to lock the door behind me.
The minute the door behind me was locked, I pushed through the empty desks and chairs to sit on a desk in the middle of the room. This way it'd be a little harder for Logan to overhear me. I didn't want to go outside where I'd easily be vampire bait but this would be the next best thing.
I flipped my phone open and held it to my ear. It rang only once before the person on the side picked it up. Before I could get a word in, I heard a groan. I sighed.
"So Logan Fell, huh?" I asked, staring at the ceiling.
"Are you a part-time psychic too?" Damon panted and groaned in pain on the other side of the phone.
I rolled my eyes. "I don't have to be a psychic to realize you failed."
"You heard me get shot and you walk—"
"—I heard gunshots but that was it. I didn't stick around long enough to find out what happened." I cut him before he could accuse me of anything else.
"Yeah, well—" He groaned. "—He got the upper hand and shot me with wooden bullets. He was prepared."
I clicked my tongue in annoyance. "That's great." I paused for a moment and glanced at the window to check if anyone was outside. "...How did he die?"
There was a moment of silence on the other side for a while before there were sounds of wind rustling. "...Yeah about that. You can thank me for that and Vicki for finishing the job."
I sucked in a breath and let go. It still hurt thinking about Vicki.
"Vicki killed Logan." I said out aloud, trying to make sense of what was happening. "And you or Stefan gave him vampire blood to heal him and now he's a vampire. Great."
"Actually. Stefan and I didn't give that scum a drop of our blood."
"What?" I stared hard at the desk in front of me and fiddled with a strand of my hair. "Well...if you and Stefan didn't...then who did?"
Another moment of silence passed. "That's the thing we have to find out."
"There is no 'we', Damon." I retorted, kicking myself off the desk I was leaning against. "I'm turning Logan into the council."
"Even if you blow your cover of the whole 'preppy student council' that everyone loves and hates that has no idea of the supernatural."
I rolled my eyes. "Who said I was gonna blow my cover?" I smirked. "You should get rid of the bullets before you get here."
"Here, being 'the high school'?"
"Where else would he be? Almost the whole town's here." I paused when I heard something outside. "I'm hanging up. This is your mess, clean it up before more bodies pile up."
"How is this—"
I hung up before he could finish and took out a compact mirror. I quickly checked myself in the mirror before sending an SOS message to my uncle about Logan before carefully making my way out of the classroom and into the hallway.
"Uncle Nate." I called out as he stood next to Sheriff Forbes who was weirdly enough still in her uniform.
This was good, I guess. It meant the council was aware of Logan or so I hoped. Uncle Nate turned to glance at me with a bored smile while Liz gave me a nod. She didn't walk away, instead she stood there.
"Hey, um. Logan was asking about you. Did you guys have a falling out or something over...y'know."
Uncle Nate opened his mouth but before he could utter a single word, Liz beat him to it. "Logan? As in Logan Fell." Sheriff Forbes asked with a slight panic in her eyes. "He's here?!"
I nodded, still pretending to not know anything. "Yeah, he looked so out of it. Maybe he was drunk or something." I shrugged while giving a knowing look to my uncle.
Luckily he picked up what I meant and quickly left to go find Jenna. I watched him leave and then turned my attention back to the Sheriff. "
Well, that was something. I should go." I gestured to the hallway behind me and walked off.
I walked through the hallways with a clipboard in hand and Dana along with Will next to me as we walked side-by-side, checking everything. It's not like we had much to do but really we were pretending to be somewhat helpful.
Being a teachers' pet had its benefits after all. We stopped as Dana leaned against the locker and rambled on about something while now and then Will and I would comment.
My eyes wandered around the busy hallways while Will was talking when I stopped and pushed myself off the lockers. Logan was here again and this time he was staring down Jenna and Elena.
I swallowed hard as a chill passed through me. I stared at the crowd but didn't react yet. Logan was already suspicious of me, the last thing I wanted was to deliberately get his attention.
"—form of self-preservation." Jenna retorted to Logan about something.
But Logan didn't look offended, instead there was a predatory look in his eyes. I looked at him disgusted
"—Um, Elena, why don't you and Jenna go somewhere else?" Stefan interrupted Logan and threw Elena a look.
In true Elena-like fashion, she hesitated and Logan caught on. I groaned and quickly bid the other two goodbye and walked over to the trouble. I threw on a plastic smile and walked over to them.
"Oh my gosh! Jenna." I went over and placed my hands on Jenna's shoulders in a really sickly sweet perky voice that would put Caroline Forbes to shame. I see why she wanted me to be on the cheer squad now. "I was looking everywhere for you."
"You were?" Jenna asked, clearly confused. "Your uncle sent you here. Didn't he? " She asked in a bored tone. "I swear Nate needs to stop acting so weird."
Logan's head snapped to stare at me with a suspicious look. I suppressed a shiver and snorted.
"Do I look like his errand girl or something?" I retorted. "No. I wanted to show you and Elena, Jeremy's artworks." I added, glancing at Elena to play along. "It's great, you guys need to see it especially since you guys were so worried about him."
Elena nodded understandingly. "Lead the way." Elena nodded and grabbed Jenna's arms. "Let's go, Jenna." She dragged Jenna behind me as I walked off in another direction. But I made sure to throw Stefan a meaningful look while Logan was too busy staring at Jenna.
─────⋇⋆✦⋆⋇─────
I left Jenna and went off to find Stefan but I didn't get far when Elena decided to tag along. "Did you know about this? Logan..." I stopped her before she could finish and gave her a crazed look. She really had the worst timing.
"I knew only a little." I replied as I carefully weaved through the crowds and led Elena to a door to the back of the school.
"You're good at this." She commented quietly, hugging herself.
"Good at what?"
"All of this. Like I'm freaking out right now." She paused to take a deep breath. "But you. You're handling things fine." I scoffed. "No, don't deny it. Back then with Jenna and..."
I turned around to give her a look to not mention 'Logan', in case he heard us or something.
"You handled things pretty well. And I don't think he even suspected a thing."
"Good."
"Good?"
"I mean that it's good that he doesn't suspect that I know. It just means I can live peacefully. You should do that as well."
Elena didn't say anything for a while but just dodged oncoming people. "...It looked like you had practice." She commented after a while.
I paused. "I told you and Bonnie about my family. Didn't I? Pretending is just a part of survival. You should learn to hide your expressions."
"What for?"
"So you don't become a vampire snack. You're like an open book, El." I retorted, stopping outside the door for a few seconds.
Elena nodded understandingly before I pushed the door outside open and let her go out first. I knew she wouldn't bother listening, she was stubborn. And not the good kind.
I watched in silence as Elena stomped over to Stefan with a determined look. I followed behind wordlessly. I almost felt bad for Stefan. He really was trying his best to keep everyone safe but he had to deal with problems that were not his. Kinda like me in a sense except I wasn't that nice, I knew when to walk away.
I stood by on the side while Elena went off on poor Stefan who tried his best to explain the situation to Elena without giving too much away or giving too little.
This was a doomed relationship or it was at this point in time. Things change with time but right now from where I stood, I could tell Elena wanted too much and Stefan gave too much. When Elena was done, I walked over to Stefan and told him that I wasn't getting involved but the council was.
I expected him to be disappointed or angered but he wasn't. To my surprise, Stefan nodded understandingly and let me go. He didn't try to rope me into helping him like Damon did. He just let me and Elena go back to our normal lives.
─────⋇⋆✦⋆⋇─────
"Ava. Hey." Matt greeted me while I was mid-conversation with Aimee. Aimee glared at Matt before disappearing through the hallway. "Sorry. You looked busy."
I sighed and pushed myself off the locker. I strode towards the front school doors and led him to a couple of picnic tables. Gesturing him to sit down, I took a seat on the table. Matt didn't sit down, instead he stood in front of me with his hands in his pockets and kicked at the dirt in front of him.
"What's wrong?" I asked, folding my hands and staring at him. "You don't look so good. Careers' fair that bad? Huh."
He swallowed hard and started to protest. "No, it was great. Lots to think about. It's just..." He sighed. "I miss talking to you and now I don't know what to say."
I breathed out loudly and pursed my lips. The feeling of guilt was constricting. Matt was probably one of the few parts of my life in this town and the only one I could be myself around. I was pushing him away because of my selfishness and my inability to deal with failure. I failed to save his sister and now I was avoiding him because I couldn't stand to look at him without wanting to cry. I needed to pull myself together and get over this. I couldn't go on like this forever.
"Ava?" He asked when the silence filled the distance between us. "You here?"
"I'm listening. I was just thinking." I replied, pulling at my sleeves. "...I'm sorry." I quietly said without glancing up. "I'm sorry for being a terrible friend."
Matt laughed. My head snapped to stare at Matt in disbelief. I'm sorry but here I was wallowing in self-pity and guilt while the subject of my self-pity was standing here laughing at me.
"I'm sorry." He said in between his laughter. "...It's just. It's funny that you're so dramatic."
"I'm not dramatic." I pouted. "I'm genuinely upset over being a terrible friend." I complained, letting go of my sleeves and mock-glaring at Matt.
"Well, in that case." He took a seat beside me on the bench. "I'm glad."
"You're glad?"
"Yep. I'm glad that 'Ava Fitzroy' is a human that can make mistakes. Here I was thinking you were perfect." He commented, staring at the full moon on the starless night sky. I followed his gaze wordlessly. "Would help if you could teach Caroline, a thing or two." He whispered to no one in particular.
I looked down and gazed at him. "Caroline?" I repeated my blonde best friend's name while staring at Matt, confused. "Thought you guys were hitting it off so well. What happened?" I picked up my legs off the floor and sat cross-legged on the table.
Matt sighed loudly. "Nothing. It's just..."
"Just? Come on." I grabbed his hands into mine. "You're not giving me much to work here, Matty." I leaned towards him with a smile. "Look I don't know what exactly is going on but Caroline is doing her best right now when it comes to you."
"I know. It's just. It doesn't feel like it." He replied with a sad smile. "Doesn't help that Tyler keeps bugging me about Caroline. Like he's being such a dick about it as well."
I snorted. "This is Tyler Lockwood, we're talking about. Being a dick is his only personality trait." I joked. I knew after today it wasn't true but I was trying to cheer Matt up and be a good friend.
Matt smiled. "Well, he's being extra dick'ish today for god-knows what reason."
"He's dad's here today. No sign of his mom." I commented lightly.
"I know. I get his family. My family's complicated too but doesn't mean he has to take it out on others."
"Have you...I don't know...tried telling him all of this?" I questioned with an eyebrow raised.
He opened and closed his mouth but no words came out.
"Thought so. Okay, new plan."
I clapped my hands together, letting go of Matt's as a result.
"You're gonna give Ty a piece of your mind and then tell Care how exactly you feel. Got it." Matt nodded. "Good. Now go." I tried to push him off the table, only to fail.
Matt laughed and then sighed. "That's great but Caroline's gone. She left already."
"Already?" I asked, perplexed. "But Bonnie's still inside. She was meant to hitch a ride with Bonnie." I gestured to the open doors of the school.
"Yeah, she hitched a ride with none other than Logan freakin' Fell." I choked and started coughing violently. "Woah. You okay?"
I swallowed and nodded, trying to convince Matt I was fine. "Caroline went home with Logan." I commented with wide eyes.
"Yeah..." Matt replied, confused. "What's going on?"
"Oh my god. I have to..." I glanced at Matt and grabbed his shoulders. "Go give Tyler a piece of your mind. It doesn't matter to him whether or not you date Caroline. Do what makes you happy. Okay?"
Matt's deep blue eyes flickered to amber as he nodded blankly, getting off the table and heading off somewhere else. I watched him go before I glanced around me and quickly took out my phone, calling Damon.
"Logan took Caroline." I said without waiting for Damon to answer.
"Well, hello to you too."
"I don't have time for this. Find Logan and get Caroline back...please." I bit my lips anxiously as I tugged at my sleeves, worried sick about Caroline.
There was a wave of suffocating silence on the other end. "I got this. Don't worry."
"Thanks." I quietly said and hung up before Damon could say anything else.
I stared at the night sky and sighed before back inside as I plastered on a smile. Even if I was not okay, I had to pretend to be okay.
─────⋇⋆✦⋆⋇─────
"Now the Sheriff is running around after Logan because he kidnapped Caroline." Uncle Nate rambled on as he stared at Jenna and Mr Saltzman from a distance. "I'm just glad it's not you."
"But it's Caroline." I groaned, throwing him a sharp glare. "Y'know the same girl who was abused by a vampire not too long ago." I whispered aggressively.
He shrugged. "Bad luck? Hey, at least they got her back and she's safe." He offered, quietly as Jenna and Mr Saltzman walked up to us. "Anyways, act normal. Jenna and Rick are coming here."
"Rick?"
"Mr Saltzman, your new history teacher." He replied with a carefree grin.
I rolled my eyes and threw him an annoyed look. "That's my history teacher."
"Who is a very cool guy, might I add. Much better than Tanner."
I huffed loudly. "Whatever. Just don't make it weird cause J—" I felt someone stand behind me while Uncle Nate suppressed his smile in front of me. I turned around and glanced behind me to get a better look. "Mr Saltzman and...Jenna." I greeted and then looked back at my uncle.
"Ava." Mr Saltzman smiled. "Jenna was telling me—"
Just then my phone started ringing. I smiled awkwardly and carefully took it out, avoiding my uncle's gaze.
"I'm sorry about this but I really have to take this." I said politely while the other three looked on as I quickly excused myself and ran outside to the dark and empty parking lot. "Elena? Hey. What's up?"
"Can you come get me?" She asked without hesitation.
"Where are you?" I replied, running to my car.
"I'm at Stefan's." She gasped and started sobbing loudly. "You were right...I look like her."
I got in the car and started the car while the phone was pressed between my shoulders and my ears. "Look...like who?" I drove out off the parking lot and into the road.
"Katherine." She breathed out as she quietly sobbed out. "I thought you were joking but I saw it...there was a picture of me—No, it was Katherine!" She gasped in pain as I heard some doors closing and a sound of running while I sped through the empty roads. "She looked so much like me. It was..."
"Elena. I need you to calm down and breathe, okay?" I focused my eyes on the road. My hands felt clammy and started shaking violently. It was real. Lydia's memories. Katherine's appearances, they were all real. "...Real." I spoke out-loud.
"...I'm so sorry. I should've believed you." She moaned as she gasped and tried to stop herself from crying.
I didn't say anything for a while as I haphazardly parked in front of the Salvatore boarding house and quickly unlocked the car. "Get in." I said quietly. Elena got in wordlessly, throwing one last look at her own car which was parked on the other side. "Do you want me to—"
"No." She sniffed. "I'll come back for it later. Please just...take me home."
For a moment, neither of us said anything while Elena stared at the road in shock. "I'm sorry." I quietly began. "I didn't know if it was real or if I was going mad. I...I just wanted to let someone know—I didn't mean to hurt you." I sniffed as a few drops of tears rolled down my face.
"It's not your fault. You at least tried to warn me." She folded her arms around herself. "But he approached me knowing I look like her...I can't...I can't—"
"But you're nothing like her." My phone started ringing just then. "Wait. Hold on."
My eyes widened as I realized who it was. I didn't pick it up immediately, instead I held it up for Elena to see. She swallowed and turned away from me without saying anything. Conflicted, I flipped it open and pressed it against my ear with one hand.
"Hey, Stefan..." I glanced at Elena.
"Have you seen Elena? I called Bonnie already and she's not with her."
"Isn't she supposed to be with you?" I questioned, sharing a look with Elena.
"She was and now she's gone. Her car is still here."
"Huh." I clenched my jaws. "So she left."
"I don't think she went home...but why would—" He cut himself off.
I rolled my eyes, berating myself for getting involved in this lover's spat but this wasn't just a simple lover's spat. "I don't know, maybe she found one of the skeletons in your closet." I remarked sarcastically. It wasn't exactly a lie.
"Look, it's been a long day for me and I'd like to just go home and sleep. So if you don't mind." I hung up without expecting a response.
"Can I crash at your house?" Elena asked quietly, her voice a little dry from crying.
I nodded wordlessly. "If it makes you feel any better...you don't act like her."
"Then why do I look like her? I'm a Gilbert and she—"
"—She's a Pierce." I shook my head. "It doesn't make sense. Katherine was clearly a vampire and from what I know they can't have children and there's no records of Pierces in Mystic Falls." I took my eyes off the road for a while to stare at Elena.
It was confusing. Elena was a Gilbert. Katherine was a Pierce. There was no way for them to be related, especially since there were no records of Katherine having a family in Mystic Falls or them marrying into the Gilbert line or maybe it was the Sommers' line that we needed to look at.
I was confused about everything, from Elena's heritage to my own flashes of memories of another time. I didn't know what to do.
"Then how—" Elena turned away from me and sat up straight. "LOOK OUT!" I snapped my gaze back onto the road.
There was a man standing in the middle of the road. Unmoving. He just stood there. A cold chill passed through me as I shivered violently.
Without a thought, I stopped the car and tried to reverse it. But I didn't manage to get far as the man was gone when we looked back. Elena sighed in relief. But I knew he wasn't gone. I could still feel it.
For a moment, we were sitting ducks. He was carefully hunting us while we silently panicked.
"Carefully get my bag, it's in front of you. There's a dagger. Get it out." I quietly commanded Elena without taking my eyes off the road.
She hesitated for a moment. "Now!" I gave her a sharp glance and quickly locked all the doors.
Elena fumbled around in my bag and got out the dagger and held it up to her chest defensively. "Wha—"
She didn't manage to get any words out as the car was tossed and turned upside down in an instant. Elena gasped and moaned in pain, trying to get herself loose.
I struggled against the seat-belt which felt suffocating. Every time I tugged and pulled at it, it felt tighter and tighter around me. I gasped in pain, trying to keep myself awake and not give in to the pain.
I pushed one of my arms free and turned to help Elena get free when the unknown vampire flashed in front of us.
"You smell good. But first..." He hissed, his face shrouded in darkness while his figure hovered over us.
"Hello, Katherine." He turned his attention to Elena and made an attempt to grab Elena. She shrieked and tried to stab the vampire with the dagger but she missed and the vampire plucked the dagger from her hands and threw it away.
Without thinking, I grabbed the vampire's hands and before I knew it a warm glow filled the car, illuminating the car and the woods around us, almost blinding me. I could hear the sizzling of flesh as I gripped the vampire's hand tight while he desperately tried to pry my hands off of him.
His screams echoed throughout the empty roads as the putrid smell of flesh burning hit my nostrils. Elena gasped in surprise. Warm blood started dripping down my nose as I let go and used whatever energy I had left to push the vampire off of the car.
I blinked twice to get my sight back as I pushed him with my glowing hands. His chest sizzled and burned as he propelled through the air and landed a few distance away from us. I breathed in and out in relief as I swallowed heavily.
Turning to look at Elena, I sighed in relief as my eyes drooped and I faded in and out of consciousness.
"Ava!" I heard Elena scream as my eyes rolled to the back of my head and head fell to the side while everything faded into nothingness.