Haper's P.O.V.
I don't recognize anything. I don't know how long I've been in that tomb but by seeing the trees around I, I can tell that it isn't the same season. I keep walking in the woods, as I don't even know where I'm going until a man who is walking through the woods near the church ruins make his appearance. He hears the sounds of the twigs I just snapped accidently and turns around, coming face to face with me. God, I'm so hungry.
- Jeez! You scared me, says the man relieved to see a person and not an animal behind him. I don't get why he is so scared.
- Do you know what day it is? I ask him ignoring his jump scared.
- Saturday, he answers me kingly.
- And what year? I keep asking frowning.
- It's 2010. Are you OK? The man asks concernly.
- Thank you.
- Wait, what's your name? He questions coming towards me.
- It's Harper, sir, I reply as he finally stands in front of me. Gosh, I'm so hungry and he smells so good.
- How did you get out here? And why are you dressed like that? Asks the backpacker gently.
- You seem like a very nice person. I'm sorry, I tell him truly.
- Sorry for what? I extend my fangs and bite down his neck. The man screams as I drink up his blood.
After I drained the man out of his blood, I killed him to take his clothes. I pat myself down to take the dirt off when a beeping sound goes off in the pocket. I confusedly take it. What is this thing? I throw it away from me and quickly leave the wood before someone sees me.
Elena's P.O.V.
I decided to go sit on the porch swing to write down something in my journal. But what? Nothing comes to my mind. Though, so much happened lately. My journal is laying out on my lap with a verging page in front of me. I feel lost in my head. I held my phone up to my ear as I call and leave Bonnie a voicemail. She hasn't talked to me since her grandmother had a heart attack due to spending to much energy on the spell back in the tomb. I hang up as Jenna walks up onto the porch and stops to look at me while sipping her coffee. Since my aunt explained me about my birth parents, it's been kinda cold between us. I still haven't told Jeremy about it. I wonder how he will react?
- What are you doing out here? It's cold, asks and tells me my aunt while sipping her coffee.
- Thinking, writing. The, uh, funeral for Bonnie's grandma, it brought back a lot about mom and dad. I was wondering...you said that you would do some digging about them, the adoption.
- Right, she says looking down sadly.
- So did you? She frowns at me confused. Dig?
- Come on inside, I close my journal and follow her inside. Jenna pulls out her laptop and sits down at the dinning table. I stand next to her, removing my jacket as I watch what she is doing. Your dad kept everything from his medical practice-records, logs, old appointment books. Jenna pulls out a journal and opens it. I found an entry from the night you were born. Patient and a birth date. Isobel Peterson.
- Do you think that's her real name? I question hoping it is my mother's name.
- Pregnant teenage runaway? Probably not. First name, maybe. But where'd she get Peterson? Classmate? Best friend? So I binged it. Jenna pulls up the Internet and types in the name in the search engine. I searched for all the Petersons in this area born the same year as Isobel, found 3--2 men and a woman, Trudie, who lived in Grove Hill, Virginia.
- That's not far from here, I tell slightly smiling.
- Well, watch this. My aunt types something else into the search engine and pulls up an image of Isobel from high school.
- Isobel. I look at the picture with a smile plastered on my face. She was a cheerleader.
- Trudie still lives there. She hands me a post-it note with an address on it. This is her address.
- What about Isobel? I ask confused.
- I couldn't find anything about her, shrugs Jenna as she frowns lightly confused. Listen. There's something else. Mr. Saltzman, Ric, his wife was from around here, and her name was also Isobel.
- Wait. "Was," as in... I was waiting for the worst.
- She died, I look back at the computer where the picture of the woman cheering happily, looks like me. How can she be dead? I thank my aunt and stand up before running to my bedroom and call Stefan.
I am putting away clothes from my drawer as Stefan arrives. He kisses me and hugs me before I go back to my drawer to continue taking clothes off. My boyfriend stands behind me as I explain him everything of what Jenna told me earlier.
- Alaric's wife might have been your mother? He questions as surprised as I was and still am.
- It can't be true, right? I say sighing. I mean, the coincidence alone is just crazy. I turn around to look at Stefan and hold up the post-it note. I have the address for her friend, Trudie.
- You wanna talk to her? He asks taking the post-it note and looking at the address.
- I don't know. I...I--I don't know. If it's true and they are the same person, that means that my birth mother is dead, and I don't know if I could handle that, I answer honestly. Since I learned about my birth parents, I always wanted to meet them but if she is also dead...
- Elena, did Jenna tell you anything about Alaric's wife? How she died?
- Just that she was killed and the case was never solved. Stefan nods at this prior knowledge. I look up at him, surprised.
You knew that already?
- The night at the school when he attacked Gillian and I, he told us some things about her death. I was about to protest but he stops me before I could do it. No, no. He gently grabs my wrists and rubs his thumbs over them. It's not possible. The coincidence is-it's too much. Now, listen, if you do decide to go talk to Isobel's friend, I'll go with you. Okay? I sigh and look around before meeting his eyes again.
- I just don't know what I'm gonna do yet. I wrap my arms around Stefan's neck and he embraces me lovingly. I feel safe with him.
- I should get going. I gotta go deal with Damon before Gillian comes back at the boarding.
- How's he doing?
- He's dealing in his own way, he responds sighing.
Gillian's P.O.V.
I was in my bedroom before I vamp-speed to go grab a blood bag from the refrigerator. My stomach is screaming for food. I get downstairs and pick up one of the bag before heading to the living room where music comes from. I bet this is my uncle dealing with his long lost again. I enter the living room and roll my eyes at the sight of him and girls around. They have bite marks all over their bodies and my uncle has blood all over his mouth. The room is dived in the dark so I turn on the light and turn off the music.
- No! Buzzkill Bob, says my uncle drunkenly. I sigh sadly and annoyed at the same time when dad enters the room. Greetings.
- Can we talk? Asks Dad to the both of us as he comes standing beside me. Uncle Damon nods but don't move. Without the Tri-Delts.
- Anything you have to say to me, you can say in front of them. They're really good at keeping secrets, smirks and chuckles Damon. Dad gets his way through at him and I follow. Damon, dad and I converse in a private corner while the girls lounge around on the sofas, sleeping or unconcious. Uncle Damon has a bottle of booze in hand. You're worried about me. That's nice. Don't be. There's no need. I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be? I spent the last 145 years with one goal.
- I personally don't call this good, I say frowning sadly as I stare at the bottle and then him. Dad doesn't say anything but I can tell he is as hurt as I am.
- Get in that tomb. I succeeded. Granted, Katherine wasn't in there to be rescued, but why dwell? You know, it's so liberating not having a master plan, because I can do whatever the hell I want, tells us Damon as he drinks from the bottle his beverage.
- That's kind of what I'm afraid of, replies my father concerned about my uncle state.
- Relax. I haven't killed anyone in... He sighs, too long, smirks Damon.
- Those girls? I question arching a brow.
- Will end up in their dorm with headaches, think they blacked out. Business as usual. Predictable you didn't pull me over here for a pep talk. So drink up. He pushes the bottle into dad's chest. Spill it, brother. Dad grabs the bottle and places it to his side.
- There was a woman you may have known a few years back named Isobel in North Carolina at Duke, mentions my father. I frown and quickly look up at him confused. Why is he mentioning this woman? what is he talking about firstly? Isn't Isobel my teacher's dead wife?
- You wanna discuss the women in my past right now? Seriously? Questions my uncle frowning now.
- You killed her, accused my father.
- What's your point?
- I just-just wanna know if you remember anything about her, he is lying, I can tell that my father is lying.
- Oh, it's like a needle in a haystack, Stefan, grimaces Uncle Damon. I hate when he is that drunk.
- Well, think hard. It's important, tells sternly my father. I stay standing between the two men as Damon grabs dad's shoulder and whispers in his ear.
- Nothing is important, not anymore. He claps my dad on the shoulder and pulls away, grabbing the bottle from my father's hand. Great chat. I have to go and exploit some women in the name of grief, which I'm sure you understand. "TTFN", said the Tri-Delt. Heh. Damon walks back to the girls laying on the sofas as I sigh and look down. Dad grabs my hand and leads me out of the room which I think is better for now. I don't even want to finish my blood bag because I am not hungry anymore.
Jenna's P.O.V.
After I told Elena about her biological mother, I send a text message to Alaric to ask him to meet me at the Grill. I have to hang those banners there for the Founder's Fundraiser. I take my jacket and go to my car. I start the engine and drive to the Grill. Alaric was already waiting for me. I smile as I approach him. We embrace each other before entering the Grill and command drinks. We take them and go outside to hang those banners.
- I don't know. It's just weird, you know, me being raffled off like a Disney Cruise, tells me Alaric.
- In this town, fundraising is like indentured servitude. You don't have a choice. Besides, you're a bachelor, and you're eligible, so there you go. Alaric moves and comes helping me with the banner I was attempting to hang up.
- Here. Let me help you with this. He hangs up the banner and I smile up at him. Alaric leans in and kisses me on the lips. I look windswept as he pulls away.
- Oh, god. I can't believe I'm gonna do this, I say whining and feeling bad already.
- What? Chuckles Alaric.
- I am totally going to ruin this moment, but I--I have to tell you, he nods confused. Elena recently found out she was adopted, and she's been looking for her birth mother...whose name was Isobel.
- Isobel? Like my wife? Questions Alaric surprised. I nod. Isobel never had a baby.
- Are you sure? Not before you were together?
- Nope. No way, I take out my phone and hand it to Alaric, showing a picture of Isobel.
- This is Elena's birth mother, Alaric's expression changes radically. He looks alarmed.
- Ah, she, uh-she never told me. I, uh-I'm gonna go. Yeah, I'm gonna-gonna go. Alaric awkwardly walks off, leaving me alone in front of the Grill. I sigh heavily. I knew I was going to ruin this moment.
Elena's P.O.V.
After Stefan left my house, I decided to go to the address Jenna gave me. I take my car and drive there half an hour later, I park in front of the house and get out of my engine. I hold up the Post-It note with Trudie's address and then look up at the house which matches the address. At least I'm at the right place. I walk up to the front door and was about to knock, but I hesitate. Should I knock? What will she say? It must be weird to see the daughter of your old best friend even though you never met her. I take a deep breath and knock on the door. I shake my head, thinking it was crazy to come here and turn away when a woman answers the door.
- Trudie? Tru-trudie Peterson? I ask nervously.
- Yes? She answers frowning.
- Uh, my name is Elena Gilbert. I wanted to talk to you about Isobel Flemming.
- Well, I haven't heard that name in years. How do you know her? She asks and keeps frowning.
- I think that, um, well...do you know if she had a baby that she gave up for adoption? I ask feeling more stressed than when I arrived.
- My god. You're her daughter. She laughs kinda awkwardly. I was just gonna make some tea. Would you like some?
- Sure, I answer her smiling and enter her house.
- Uh, the kitchen's this way, she indicates me. Trudie shuts the door behind me and the both of us walk to the dinning room. I remove my jacket and rest it on a back of a chair.
- I wasn't gonna come. I didn't think I was, but I was driving, and I hit this stoplight, and it made me think about when I was learning how to drive and then my mom would always warn me about this blind turn on the left-hand side, and then I was thinking about my mom, and, maybe I should stop talking. Trudie smiles awkwardly. I had your address. I'm sorry for barging in.
- It's no problem. Um, just a surprise, though, Trudie and I sit down around the dinning table. I haven't thought about Isobel in years.
- When was the last time you saw her? I ask her curious.
- About 17 years ago, when she left to go have you. We kept in touch for a while, but, well, you know, people drift apart, I nod to her information.
- And you don't know where she ended up?
- She was in Florida for a while. She was on her own. I know it wasn't easy.
- Do you have any idea who my father is?
- I could never get her to fess up. Anyway, she finally pulled it together, got into college on a scholarship, I nod again and smile.
- Where did she go? I keep asking to the blond woman.
- Somewhere in North Carolina. Duke, I think. Smart girl, smart school. The kettle starts whistling from the kitchen. Let me just grab that. Trudie gets up and goes into the kitchen, looking quickly back at me. I need to know more informations but she seems to becareful to what she is telling me.
Gillian's P.O.V.
After dad talked to Uncle Damon about a certain Isobel, he asks me to follow him. We take his car and he drives to the Grill as he received a message from Mr. Saltzman. We have to meet him in the town square. Dad explains me the whole thing with Isobel, Mr. Saltzman and Elena. It's crazy ! So now my teacher is not only my teacher but the supposedly father of my "step-mother". Great. Dad parks the car and we both exit the engine. I follow my father walking passed the Grill and meet Alaric not far from it.
- Thanks for meeting me. Something's come up, tells us Alaric.
- Jenna told you, states my father. Mr Saltzman nods. So it's true. Your wife Isobel was Elena's birth mother, I stare at my history teacher waiting for his answer.
- What does Elena know? He asks my father. He sounds so sad and betrayed. Dad sighs and crosses his arms over his chest.
- About your wife?
- About everything. About you, your brother... Your daughter, I widen my eyes and look at my father scared. Dad passes an arm around my shoulders protectively and frown.
- She knows what we are, and she knows that you know about the vampires. How did you know Gillian is my daughter? He whispers the question.
- I just put the pieces together and she has your eyes, I faintly smile and look down. Does she know about Damon and Isobel?
- No. I couldn't tell her, not until I was sure.
- You said you'd help me.
- I asked Damon without saying too much. He doesn't remember, explains my father.
- Ask him again, says Alaric.
- my uncle isn't stable right now Mr. Saltzman, I tell him and see my father nodding in the corner of my eyes.
- You know, he murdered my wife, or at the very least made a meal out of her. When has he been stable? I sigh.
- I'm telling you not to push this, I suggest him.
- Give me a reason not to.
- Your survival. How's that for a reason? I ask him but dad cuts me.
- I'll handle it, but for now, I need you to let it go, says my father.
- Is that what you'll tell Elena? Let it go? Dad moves closer to Alaric until they are merely inches apart.
- Leave Elena out of this, threats my father. I need to know what happened. I think you would, too. Dad breathes out and backs away a bit, standing back beside me. I need something more than just your wife's name. A picture, something I could show Damon. Alaric retrieves a photo of Isobel from his wallet and hands it to my father. Dad takes it and I look at it. She does look kinda like Elena. I see my father nodding to Mr. Saltzman before he passes his arm around my back and we walk away.
Alaric's P.O.V.
How could Isobel hide something like that to me? We were so close, so in love with each other. She's dead but it is like she isn't. It's like wherever I'm going, she is following me. I remember her face, she was so beautiful.
Flashback
I awaken to the sound of typing on a keyboard. I sit up groggily. Isobel is typing away on her computer.
- Just a few more minutes, she tells me as she sees my reflection in the window.
- Can't you, uh, can't you finish this in the morning? Isobel turns back and looks at me.
- But I like working at night, she whines like a kid which makes her cuter than she actually is.
- Yeah, see, I like sleeping at night. With you. Isobel turns back to her computer and continues typing. I sit up in the bed. Okay, I'll bite. What is it, thesis stuff? Isobel stops typing and bites her lower lip, not responding. Look, baby, I'm in a three-way here with you and your computer, the least you can do is let me know what you're up to. My wife gets up from her desk and walks over to our bed.
- I was doing research, and I dug up all this stuff about this small town in Virginia near where I grew up. It's isolated, out of the way, and quiet, I nod as she explains excitedly. And every now and then, people die mysteriously, and they say that it's animal attacks. Except, these bodies are drained of blood. She pauses briefly. I look at her, confused. It's vampires. It has to be.
- Okay, I roll my eyes and smile to her silliness. I'll get my garlic and holy water, and then maybe, just maybe... Isobel rolls her eyes before hitting me with her pillow. We can get some sleep. Come here. I say as I lay back down on the mattress.
- No, she tells me. I pull Isobel onto the bed and caress her face gently.
- Look, this is why I love you, because you believe in all of this stuff. So much so that you're making a degree out of it. You're like Mulder, except hotter and a girl. my wife rolls her eyes again and pushes me down on the bed, moving on top of me.
- This is not a joke, Ric. You think that this is cute, but I'm gonna prove it. She kisses me then scoots off the bed, heading back to her computer. And Mulder was right in the end.
End of the flashback
Elena's P.O.V.
Trudie is showing me an old yearbook so I can see my mother from her young age. The blond woman points out a picture of her and Isobel.
- Ah. They came to the games for us. The football team hadn't won in years. We were the stars. Well, Izzie was. But I was a damn good backup, I smile as I look and listen to her.
- Heh. This is great. Thank you, I respond to her still smiling.
- You're welcome. You haven't touched your tea.
-Oh. Yeah. I was so into the yearbooks that I forgot my tea. I pick the cup up and take a sip. What is this taste? I furrow my brows at the taste of it and smell the tea . What is this?
- Oh, it's just some herbal mixture.
- Vervain? The woman doesn't answer me. You know.
- Know what? She asks confused. I can tell she isn't though.
- You didn't invite me in, and you're serving vervain tea. You know. Trudie stands up.
- I think that you should probably leave. I put my cup back on the table.
- Wait. What are you not telling me?
- Please leave. Now! I get up and leave the house rapidly. I was about to grab my keys from my purse when I remark a man standing in the middle of the road facing me. As fast as I can, I unlock my car door, start the engine and drive off. The man slowly walks down the street towards where I was parked. That was crazy!
Damon's P.O.V.
After taking a good shower and compelling the three women, I decided to go grab a Bourbon at the Grill. Stefan and Gillian aren't here so why not going somewhere. I vamp-speed to the Grill and enter it. Gillian's teacher is sitting at the bar. I smirk and walk to him before sitting on a stool too. This is going to be fun.
- Bourbon, I tell the bar tender and he pours one in a glass before pushing it to me. Behold the teacher, I joke. Don't you have some papers to grade?
- It's, uh, more fun with a buzz, he answers me. I am annoying him and I like that.
- Well, most things in life are. Sober's depressing.
- You don't strike me as somebody who gets depressed, he says aggrevated.
- You say that like you know me, I chuckle and drink a sip of my Bourbon.
- Nope. Just a hunch, Alaric and I exchange long looks. Gillian's teacher finishes his drink and places the glass down on the bar.
- You have a good afternoon, I say sarcastically.
- Not likely, he answers and leaves the Grill. Just the time I take a sip, Liz walks up to the bar, standing next to me.
- Daytime drinking, huh? She tells me playfully.
- It's all the rage, I answer her.
- Listen, I need a favor, I don't let her finish her sentence that I ask her a question.
- You ever been in love? I ask staring at her eyes.
- Excuse me? She asks frowning.
-Have you ever been so bent on someone, just to have your heart ripped out by them? I ask again.
- You forget I was married, answers Liz half smiling.
- Right. Gay husband. I gesture to the barman, she'll have what I'm having. The bar tender pours another Bourbon while I pat the sit next to me. Sit down. Liz sits next to me and watches me drinking while talking.
- There's a fundraiser here tonight that the Founder's Council is throwing. The town's most eligible bachelors get raffled off for dates, and, well, we're short a bachelor.
- Is this what you do when there's no, um... I lower my voice, vampires? Organize bachelor raffles? Liz laughs.
- Oh, trust me. At this point, I miss the vampires. Look, you're a hero to this town, Damon. I know most people don't know it, but you are, and you're single and a catch, I take a sip of my drink again not sure of what to answer. Oh, come on, help me out. Carol Lockwood won't let me live it down if I come up empty-handed.
- You know, a room full of women clamoring to win a date with me. Sounds tasty, I chuckle.
- Thank you, she tells me relieved.
- One thing. Can you get information on someone for me? She frowns waiting for a name. Alaric Saltzman, the history teacher. There's just something a little off about him, and I just -- I just wanna make sure that the high school did their homework on this guy. Liz gets up and nods. I thank her before she walks away as I finish my glass of Bourbon.
Harper's P.O.V.
Everything looks so different since last time I came here. I mean, it was years and years ago. Houses and stores have been build up since then. And there are those black path everywhere. Those cars that are moving forward without any horses. I walk into the middle of the square and look around. I'm actually overwhelmed by the changes over the past century and a half. Who could I thought that the progress who have been that amazing?! I look over at a bench where a woman is sitting. The woman and I exchange long looks. Pearl. She nods at me slightly before I walk away.
Damon's P.O.V.
I came to the boarding house after finishing the two Bourbons and went straight up to the shower again. I better look well if I'm a bachelor at the fundraiser. I get out of the shower when I hear Elena's voice calling for my baby brother. I smirk and walk out of the bathroom, with only a towel around my waist.
- You look, um... She says looking away embarrassed and red.
- Dashing? Gorgeous? Irresistible? I reply smirking at each words. I walk across Stefan's room, closing the space between Elena and I. Elena pushes me back when I get to close for her.
- Wrecked. You look wrecked, she tells me looking and sounding annoyed.
- No reason why. Do you know that I am one of Mystic Falls' most eligible bachelors? Elena arcs a bit her brows, surprised. Yep. I walk to the bed and grab a button up shirt.
- How are you doing?
- Never better, I answer starting to buttoning it up. What can I do for you? I'm a barrel of favors today. It's my newfound purpose-how can I help people? I ask looking at her from the mirror.
- I'm just meeting Stefan. We're going to the fundraiser, I nod. I smirk before pretending that I am to drunk to button up my shirt. She might come closer and do it for me. She might even become as red as a tomato. I turn around, looking at Elena hoping she'll come over to me.
- Help a guy out, will you? Can't get this, the brunette sighs and walks over to me, annoyed again. She grabs the front of my shirt and begins buttoning it up.
- So I found out who my birth mother is.
- Eccch. Who cares? She quickly looks up at me, hurt shown in her eyes. She left you. She sucks. Elena and I exchange glances for a moment, then she looks over my shoulder and backs away. I turn around to see Gillian frowning, leaning on the door frame with her arms crossed over her chest.
- cheating on my father? not very clever of you doing it in my father's bedroom, She asks with a slight anger in her voice.
- wha-- no, I.. I was just buttoning Damon's shirt up, defends herself, Elena.
- why, my uncle is a grown man, I think he can button up his shirt perfectly alone, responds my little niece stepping a bit in the room.
- he said he.. he needed help, so I just helped him, she looks down and back at her. I smile at how Gillian can make her feel nervous.
- let me guess, he played the drunk card? Elena looks at me and I smirk, proud of myself. She groans before smiling and walking away. I turn around and see my brother frowning as well.
- Stefan. There you are, says Elena relieved as she walks towards him. Stefan smiles down at her. I grab a jacket and start to put it on.
- Uhh. I need a bigger jacket. Wow. You know, an occasional sorority girl might, um, you know, help fill you out a little bit. I throw the jacket onto Stefan's bed and leave the room amused.
Gillian's P.O.V.
- He's fine, says Elena looking at my father.
- He's Damon, I answer her still frowning a bit.
- Maybe this heartache will be good for him. It'll remind him that he has one, even if it doesn't beat, she states not looking at me. I made her feel uncomfortable. What is she playing?
- Won't hold my breath, replies my father which makes Elena smiles and laughs. I close my eyes and shake my head playfully.
- I'm going to go take my shower dad, I won't be long. He nods and smiles at me before I disappear to my room, grab clothes and go to my bathroom.
Stefan's P.O.V.
- So I went to see Trudie Peterson, tells me my girlfriend right after Gillian walked away. I look at her seriously. I know. I'm sorry. I didn't plan it.
- How was it? I ask her hoping it is good news.
- She has vervain. She knows about vampire stuff, and it can't be a coincidence, I nod and search the picture that Alaric gave me, in my pocket.
- It isn't, I retrieve it and show it to her. This is Alaric's wife. Elena takes it and looks at it closely.
- This is her. This is Isobel. He gave this to you? She asks so quickly and with big eyes.
- Everything he knows about vampires, he learned from her. He believes that she was killed by one, I explain her as I grab her shoulders.
- Oh, my god, she says hurt.
- Listen, Elena, there's a lot about Isobel that Alaric can tell you, but I need you to hold off a little while before you talk to him, she looks questioningly at me for a second but nods anyway. I know that it's a lot to ask of you, but will you do that for me? She nods again and I hug her. It must be so much to take everything in one time.
The brunette gets on her tip toes and kisses me which I reply passionately. I pull away and tell her to go to the Grill and we will meet her there. She nods and leaves the boarding house. I walk downstairs where Damon is putting on a bigger jacket on.
- Where'd our girlfriend go? Questions my big brother not turning around.
- She's on her way to the Grill. I, uh, wanted to talk to you, I pull out the picture of Isobel and hand it to Damon, who looks at it with his usual smugness.
- This is the woman, Isobel, from North Carolina. Remember her now? I examine Damon's face but doesn't show anything.
- Who wants to know? Asks Damon annoyed.
- I do, I answer.
- Who else wants to know? He questions still annoyed.
- Did you kill her?
- Sorry. Don't know her, he tells me then we hear heels clapping in the corridor. We both look at the entrance of the room and see Gillian dressed up beautifully. I smile at my daughter. Wow, Boo, you look stunning!
- thanks Uncle Damon, she says staying near the entrance. Damon stares at me and then walks past me.
- Hey, are you coming? The Real Housewives of Mystic Falls await, he says leaving the room. I sigh and walk over to Gillian and embrace her warmly.
- you look beautiful Lilou, she smiles up to me and responds to my hug before we both walk out to the Grill.
Gillian's P.O.V.
Dad and I enter the Grill a bit late. Damon took his car so he arrived before us. A woman on stage is introducing each of the bachelors. There are my uncle, Mr. Saltzman and few others. I never saw that much people here before.
- And what do you do, Bachelor Number 3? Says the woman in the microphone.
- Yeah, I'm a plumber, responds the man smiling.
- Well, isn't that wonderful? We could always use more plumbers. Moving on. Number 4, "Alaric Saltzman." Wow, she says moving to stand beside my history teacher. That's quite a mouthful. What do you do, Alaric?
- I'm a teacher at Mystic Falls High, answers Alaric smiling as well.
- Oh, beauty and brains, ladies. This one's a keeper. What do you teach?
- History.
- History. Oh, well, give us a fun fact about Mystic Falls, something crazy, Mr. Saltzman looks over at my uncle. I frown lightly. Uncle Damon puts his hand up to his ear, sarcastically anticipating a response. My teacher doesn't reply and the woman retracts the microphone. He's probably saving the best stories for his date. She moves down the line, standing beside Uncle Damon. And last, but not least, Damon Salvatore. We don't have much on you, I turn around and remark that my father isn't beside me anymore. He is standing a bit away between people in the crowd. I walk quickly to him and look at where he is looking. He is smiling to Elena who waves and smiles as well.
- Well, I'm tough to fit on a card, answers Damon.
- Do you have any hobbies, like to travel?
- Oh, yeah. L.A., New York. Couple of years ago, I was in North Carolina. Near the Duke campus, actually. I think-I think Alaric went to school there. Didn't you, Ric? I look up worried at dad who glances back at me. I see Damon glancing at my teacher who does the same. Yeah, 'cause I-- I know your wife did. My father becomes alert and looks over at Elena. Elena's face starts to falter. Dad makes his way over to her while I stay here. I had a drink with her once. She was-she was a great girl. I ever tell you that? Cause she was -- Delicious. Mmm! Mmm mmm mmm. I look over at Elena who has her mouth hanging open and her eyes filled with tears as she stares at Uncle Damon. Jenna looks over at her concerned. She gets up and walks past my father, out of the Grill. Dad follows her.
Stefan's P.O.V.
I follow Elena running outside of the Grill after Damon's speech. He always push it too far. I push the door and exit the Grill. The brunette is pacing around. I approach her and she turns around to face me.
- He killed her? Damon was the vampire that killed her? She asks hurt.
- I don't know what happened. Alaric said that they never found the body, I answer her.
- Oh, my god. Stefan, she says as a tear rolls down her cheek.
- I know. I'm sorry. I wanted to tell you. But I just-I wanted to know more.
- I was feeling sorry for him, hoping that this whole Katherine thing would change him. I'm so stupid.
- He doesn't know about the connection to you. I thought about confronting him, but he's already so on edge.
- Why are you protecting him? She asks with disgust.
- Because you're not the only one hoping that he might actually change. He is my brother but also Gillian's uncle. I can't put this fact aside, she shakes her head slightly as we look at each other in the eyes. The brunette looks over my shoulder and backs up.
- That man, I turn around and look at the man standing in the middle of the road.
- I saw that man outside of Trudie's, she tells me scared.
- Get back inside. Come on, I gently push Elena back inside the Grill and follow her soon thereafter.
Gillian's P.O.V.
After dad rushed outside after Elena I stayed a bit watching the show before walking over to Caroline. She looks bored sitting alone a the cash register. The woman who is presenting the fundraiser is now announcing who won one of the bachelors. I walk over to Caroline, smiling to her kindly.
- hey, so you have the fun job today? I ask her smiling friendly.
- yeah, I had to.. you know, because of my mother, she tells me looking at the show.
- are you happy with Matt? I believe that you are together, she looks at me and smiles.
- I am, she tells me sincerely. Thank you for asking. I nod when Matt's mother approach us, claiming her prize. Congratulations, Mrs. Donovan. Smiles Caroline to the woman.
- Okay, just stop. Stop trying so hard. This thing you're doing, this nice thing, it's fake. Like you. Like your mom. And for some reason, Matt fell for it, but that doesn't mean that I will. I don't like you, okay? So tell plumber boy I'll be at the bar, I frown angrily at the woman. How dare she talk to her like that?
- Okay, responds Caroline sadly, ashamed and embarrassed.
- okay? I say looking quickly at Caroline and then to Matt's mother. No it's not okay, you can't talk to her like that... I tell her but Caroline cuts me.
- Gillian it's okay, tells me Caroline but I shook my head.
- not it's not, I reply to the blond girl.
- excuse me, who are you? Questions Matt's mother.
- there's no need nor reason for me to answer you, she scoffs and walks away to the bar. Are you alright?
- yes, it's not the first time someone throws hate at me. I nod while puting my hand on her back. I never really had a proper conversation with Caroline but she seems nice.
I see Elena walking back into the Grill, still upset and shocked and followed by my father. As she continues walking and not paying attention to where she's going, she runs right into Uncle Damon. I excuse myself to Caroline and walk to them. This is going to end badly.
- Am I missing something here? I hear my uncle asking them. I stand beside my father.
- Did I forget to mention earlier when we were talking about my birth mother? The one that gave me up? Damon looks down at her with his cocky smile. Her name was Isobel. Damon's face falters. Go ahead. Reminisce about how you killed her. Elena rams into Damon's shoulder as she walks past him. Dad and Damon exchange looks before he leaves to follow Elena again.
- well done Uncle Damon, I whisper as I stand beside him. He looks down at me with a strange emotion in his eyes. You, one more time, hurt and sadden someone around you. Feel good?
- why do you care that I hurt her? He asks slithly defending himself. I thought you hated her.
- It's not her that I care about but my father, I keep whispering before following the couple.
I exit the Grill, leaving my uncle there when I see dad and Elena standing and looking at someone through the night in the street. Dad is standing in front of Elena protectively.
- I have a message for you, says a male voice. Who is that?
- What? Asks the brunette.
- Who are you? Questions my father. I don't move from the entrance and stare at the scene.
- Stop looking, he warns.
- Stop looking for what? Keep asking Elena.
- She doesn't want to know you. She doesn't want to talk to you, explains the man.
- Isobel?
- You need to stop looking. Do you understand?
- She's alive? Does that mean she's a-- I watch Elena starting to inch forward, but my father puts his arm in front of her to keep her behind him.
- Elena, he's under compulsion, I hear my father saying. This is so strange.
- Do you understand? The man repeats his question sternly.
- Yes. I do, nods Elena.
- Good, I watch the man looking down the street. What is he doing? Why is he looking at the truck? I'm done now. The man steps backwards into the road. What the hell is he doing? The truck is coming! A large truck blares its horn but runs over the man, killing him. I turn around as I hear the noise of the body getting wrecked.
I turn around again and remark that my father and Elena are in the middle of the road. People around them are yelling. Dad kneels down and looks at the man. I walk slowly to them. Elena picks up a cellphone. It must have fallen from the man's pocket when he got wrecked.
- Come on. Let's get out of here. Come on, says my father. Elena places the phone in her pocket as they turn around and see me. I look at my dad lost and sad from what just happened. I don't know what is happening right now. Dad grabs my hand and he drags us to Elena's car.
Alaric's P.O.V.
Flashback
I am sitting on the edge of the bed as Isobel talks to me and paces across the floor.
- I think it's time to let this vampire crap go. I mean, the research, the trips, it's become an obsession, I tell my wife seriously.
- Well, this is important to me, Ric, she replies.
- Why? Why is it so important? Explain it to me. I mean, make me understand. Isobel doesn't respond. I sigh as I shake my head. I mean, what's the point of this? You don't want kids. You're barely ever home. I just want us to be normal people, I tell her angrily. I don't get why she is like that.
- Maybe I don't want to. Maybe I want more.
Damon's P.O.V.
I went back to the boarding house after I learned and realized why Stefan was questioning me about this Isobel. It actually hurts me what Elena told me and seeing her like that. Why though? I walk across the parlor room and prepare to pour myself a drink. Quietly, I hear Alaric entering the room.
- Are you really this stupid? I ask him as I finish pouring my drink and turn around to look at Alaric who is standing behind me with a stake in his hand. Guess so. I take a drink, place my glass down, and vamp-run at Alaric, throwing him across the room. He lands on the floor, heavily, but quickly gets back up, ready to attack me again. You gonna put down the stake? Alaric remains in an attacking stance. Wow. That's courage, I tell him pointing my finger at him and smirking. I walk slowly towards Gillian's teacher.
- Where's Isobel? What have you done to my wife? He asks me with anger and sadness in his voice.
- You want me to tell you I killed her? Would that make you happy? Because I think you know what happened, I respond with sarcasm.
- I saw you feeding on her, he tells me hurt.
- Yeah, I did, and I wasn't lying. She was delicious, Alaric rushes at me. I hit Alaric in the stomach and the teacher keels over falling back onto the floor. Oh, come on. What do you think happened? Not an inkling? Never considered the possibility? Alaric looks up at me sadly. I turned her.
- Why?
- She came to me. All pathetic, looking for vampires. There was something about her, something I liked. There was something special.
- You turned her because you liked her? Asks me a confused Alaric.
- No, I slept with her because I liked her. I turned her because she begged me to, the teacher frowns hurt. Yeah. But you knew that, too, didn't you? Hmm. I guess she wasn't happy at home, wasn't happy with life in general, wasn't happy with you, Alaric rushes once again at me, but I grab the stake from his hands and stab him in the chest, puncturing his lung. He yells in pain. Ah, this is a shame. We're kindred spirits, abandoned by the women we love. Unrequited love sucks. I remove the stake from his chest and watch him falling on the floor as he wheezes. Sounds like I got a lung. Which means I get to sit here and watch you die. Alaric gasps for air and places his hands over his wound. I throw the stake, grab my drink, and sit on the sofa beside me. I watch the teacher taking his one last breath before dying, staring at me.
Gillian's P.O.V.
After the incident in front of the Grill, dad accompanied Elena to her car while I went to our. I waited in the passenger side while I keep hearing the noise of the body getting wrecked. I close my eyes and let my head rest on the back on the seat. The door on the driver's side gets open and dad enters. I look at him with teary eyes but I won't let them fall. Not tonight. I hear my father sighing before he grabs the keys in my hands and starts the engine. He drives back to the boarding house while I stare at the road blankly, thinking. I suddenly feel something grabbing my left hand. I look at it and see my father's hand rubbing my skin. I interlock our fingers and squeeze his hand before resting my head on the window.
He parks in front of the boarding house and we get out of his car. Why is Mr. Saltzman's car here? I frown while I run quickly inside. Dad is still outside near the car. I enter the parlor room and discover Damon drinking while my history is laying dead on the floor. I rush to the body and kneels beside it to check his pulse. Dad enters the room and looks as surprised and shocked as I was.
- What happened? What did you do? Questions my father as he walks to me. I kept my hand in my teacher's hand.
- Do what? He attacked me, dad looks at my uncle with disbelief. All I did was tell him the truth. His wife didn't want him anymore. It's not my fault he couldn't handle it.
- there are ways to tell thing Uncle Damon and this one isn't one of them, I tell him angrily, seeing blurry again.
- Like you've been handling Katherine? Questions dad, scoffing.
- I'm handling it fine. You know what? Isobel came to me. She found me. And if she's related to Elena, that means she's related to Katherine. Maybe Katherine sent her to me, I frown to my uncle's comment. The hell is he talking about? Could it be possible? No, I'm the only child Katherine had. She couldn't even take care of me or handle me so I can't even think if she had another one.
- Stop it. You don't have to keep looking, screams dad. I feel the tears finally rolling down my cheeks.
- Can't be a coincidence Isobel sought me out. Uh-uh. Can't. Uncle Damon points to Alaric, I'm assuming you'll take care of this.
Damon gets up and leaves the room. Dad, exhausted by his big brother's actions, sits down next to Alaric's body and I. I sniffed as silent as I can but I guess I failed. Dad passes his hand on my back and then my shoulder before squeezing it. I still have my hand in my teacher's one. Why is Damon like that? He was good weeks ago. Suddenly, I feel Alaric's fingers moving. I gasp and look at my father who furrowed his brows and leans over Mr.Saltzman's body. Suddenly, Alaric gasps back to life, panting heavily. He sits up, confused while I smile relieved.
- What happened? What's going on? He looks down at his stomach, touching it and then look at his hand with mine in it.
- oh sorry, I tell him retrieving it and backing a bit away. You were just...Did Damon turn you?
- No. I - I went for him and then he, uh-- he stabbed me, explains my teacher as confused as we are.
- No, no, no. You must have vampire blood in your system. Somebody slipped it to you, says my father.
- No. It's, uh, it's something else, responds Mr. Saltzman's flexing his fingers with a ring on one of them. He looks down at it. Isobel.
Alaric's P.O.V.
Flashback
We were in our bed, in our apartment and she was holding a small box with a surprise inside it.
- Surprise gifts aren't fair. I always feel bad for not getting you something, I tell her feeling uncomfortable since I don't have anything for her.
- Just open it, she tells me excited. I open the box and laugh.
- Oh, that's a giant piece of jewelry, I take the ring out and examine it.
- I know. It's ridiculous. Just tell people it's a family heirloom. Nobody questions that, she tells me still smiling.
- Where'd you get this? I ask her curious.
- If I told you, you'd laugh at me. But promise me that you'll always wear it. It'll protect you from all the things that go bump in the night.
- A ring to ward off the demons, eh? I say smirking to my wife's silliness.
- Consider it a-- a token of my love, my affection, and if nothing else, an apology for being so crazy.
- Well, you were definitely crazy. I place the ring on my finger and look at it few seconds.
- I'm selfish, and I'm obsessed, and I'm a horrible wife. But you love me anyway, she says chuckling and leaning in.
- Yes, I do, I answer Isobel kissing her soft lips.
End of the flashbak
- This ring protected me, says Mr.Saltzman.
-That's impossible, I tell him shaking my head then look at my father, shaking his head as well. This is crazy!
Harper's P.O.V.
I've been walking around, seeing the progress and trying to recognize things around. I am walking down a path through the woods, approaching a house. It looks familiar. I knock on the door and wait for someone to open it. The woman that I saw in the Town Square earlier answers the door.
- I'm glad you found us. Ms. Gibbons, she tells to a woman behind her. I see Anna beside her mother. This gentleman is a friend of mine. Miss Gibbons comes up from behind Pearl. May he come in?
- Any friend of Pearl's is a friend of mine. Please do. Come in, says the woman. I step inside and Annabelle closes the door after looking outside quickly.
Heyy guys!! How are you? 😁 New chapter here! I hope you enjoyed this new one! I apologize for the mistakes 😏 Thank you for reading, it really means a lot to me! 😍 please, feel free to vote and/or comment if you liked it 😁😘