Connor's P.O.V.
Past and at night at Professor Shane's office
- Do you have any idea what I've been through? I ask to Professor Shane with an upset tone as I am standing in his office. I've spent the last two days chained up by an Original vampire, I inform him, frowning madly.
- So, you met Klaus? states, the man with surprise. I only know him by reputation. Apparently he's a real monster, he says, sounding not scared but almost amazed. Reckless fool...
- He's a vampire-werewolf hybrid. Do you know how hard it is to kill them? I explain and ask him madly while slowly stepping toward the man.
- From what I gather, you have to remove their head or their heart. That is according to lore. I'm just speculating, explains me, the Professor.
- I had to figure out how to do it on my own. I could have used some of this occult Professor knowledge of yours. Then again, you've always been slow when it comes to providing answers, I tell him, frowning madly as the man sighs.
- We had a deal. I'll give you answers about your hunter's mark when its grown to completion, reminds me seriously, the Professor.
- In other words, kill as many vampires as possible, I state before sighing.
- Come on, Connor, why do you think I sent you to Mystic Falls? There's no shortage of vampires. That town is practically infested, asks and tells me, Professor Shane with a smirk. I stare at him, frowning madly as I look at him sitting in his desk chair. What is he playing at? Listen, there's a witch mixed up in all of this. She's important to what I have planned. I want to be kept out of harm's way, informs me, Professor Shane with seriousness. He is kidding me, right?
- Anybody gets in my way. Anybody. They're dead, I reply to him with seriousness and darkness in my voice. Anything supernatural has to die!
- Okay, replies, the man as he looks like he knows I won't change my mind. Sure, I'll occupy her myself. Just do what you do. The less I know about it, the better, answers, Shane seriously while staring at me.
Back to present day
Stefan's P.O.V.
- What's this? asks me, Damon as I am finishing to do the pancakes I made for Gillian. My little girl is so sad, so hurt, so mad... She didn't even slept last night. So I decided to make some pancakes for her this morning.
- I made pancakes for Lilou. She hasn't slept at all last night, she silently cried most of the night. So, I thought I could make some pancakes for her since I know she loves them, I respond to my brother as I put the last pancake in the stack of pancakes. I put the pan in the sink and turn around to face my brother again.
- How thoughtful of you, replies, Damon with a smile. I see him about to take one. However, I step quickly up to him and slap his hand out.
- There are not for you, I say with seriousness which caused my brother to roll his eyes.
- What did you both fight and argue about last night? She seemed very pissed at you despite her uncontrollable rage towards Bozo. I never saw her like that before. I mean, I did saw her mad... even angry but not that furious, asks and tells me, Damon, lightly frowning at me. I look away, kind of avoiding his eyes as I can't tell him the real reason. I promised it to Klaus and even if I didn't, I can't have my brother, my daughter and my friends having their memories erased.
- We fought about Elena I simply answer before turning around to go wash up the pan and the bowl I used to make the pancakes dough.
- Again? questions, Damon, which doesn't seem to surprised him much. I nod and quietly sigh. I hate lying to my brother but it's better this way. Should we call momma Kath for her again? proposes, Damon as I finish cleaning the ustensiles. I turn around and lean on the sink as I wipe my hands with a cloth.
- No. No, I can take care of my daughter, Damon, I tell him seriously while shaking my head negatively.
- It's not a question about you knowing how to take care of her but more about Gillian needing to talk to a woman, to have advices from her mother, replies seriously, Damon as he walks up to me to be right before me.
- You know everytime you talk about Katherine, it sounds like she is an amazing mother and always know what to do with Gillian. Katherine was never there for her. I'm pretty sure half of her time she is just saying sweet words to Gillian, I tell him with an upset tone as I cross my arms over my chest. Damon and I stare at each other's eyes, frowning.
- Well, you never complain, replies, Damon as he looks upset at me.
- Because my daughter feels better every time and it's all I need, Damon. Her to be fine. No matter the way she is being fine, no matter what or who makes her being fine. I just need her to be fine, I respond to him with seriousness as I get off the counter and walk away from him.
- So calling her would not be a bad idea, says, my brother. I turn around, shooting him an annoyed glare and see him smirking at me. Oh, I hear a sleepy little cute vampire coming our way, whispers, Damon as I hear someone entering the kitchen. I turn around and see my daughter, having her earphones on, looking down, walking like a zombie before she slowly sits on the stool. She is so tired beside her dark emotions well shown on her face... Black bags are well visible under her eyes.
Gillian's P.O.V.
I stare at the sun coming inside my father's bedroom while gripping onto the blanket. I didn't sleep at all last night. I just couldn't... All I saw when I closed my eyes was Kyle and Kol fighting, the argument I had with dad and him telling Rebekah that he wouldn't say no to a human life with Elena... I can hear again and again each of his words like it is on repeat in my head. I sigh and slowly sit up before passing my hand over my face. I rub my eyes at the same time after wiping some tears away. I get up and walk to my bedroom to go take my shower. I take my pyjama off, pull my hair in a messy bun and enter my shower. I put the water on and begin to wash my body. Why is Kyle acting like this? What did he do? Could he be working for someone? I stop the water and get out of the shower before enveloping myself in a towel. I re-enter my bedroom and go to my wardrobe. I grab a grey joggers and a white baggy shirt before puting them on. I do a small knot at the bottom of my shirt before grabbing my phone that I left on my bed and walk slowly and tiredly downstairs. I sigh as I remark that nobody sent me a text message. Well, at least, there will be no drama... I walk up to the kitchen as I can hear the brothers talking. However, I don't pay attention to them nor what they are saying. I'm still mad at my father, but it would be stupid to ignore him everytime I go from a room to another one. I enter the kitchen and tiredly sit on the first stool before sighing and puting my head in my hands.
- Hey, babygirl! I hear my father greeting me. Look what I made for you, he tells me as I hear him placing a plate in front of me. I take my hands off and look at the pancakes resting in a plate. I faintly crack a smile but not for long. I love and appreciate the gesture he does, but I don't want them. Not because I am mad at him, but because I am not hungry. The emotions are eating me from inside... There is Honey, chocolate or icing sugar, what would you like? demands me, my father as he places all three ingredients in front of me. I look at them one by one before looking away, frowning sadly. Uncle Damon passes in front of me to go stand to my other side. I see him exchanging a concern look with my father.
- Come on, Boo, if you won't eat them, I will, he tells me with a playfully tone as he tries to cheer me up. I look at him with my tired and sad eyes before pushing the plates of pancakes to Damon. I fold my arms on the table and lay my head on them. Uncle Damon takes one pancake and bites it. You really should take one, Boo. They are really good and you might feel better after. Good food always cheers up, says, Damon with his mouth full. I slowly and lightly shake my head negatively as a single tear rolls down on both my cheeks. Dad sighs and puts his hand on my hair to stroke them.
- Do you want your uncle and I to do something for you? Do you want us all to go somewhere together? demands me gently, my father, but I shake my head negatively again. I snif sadly and turn my head to look at my uncle as I move lightly away from dad, still mad at him. I feel him taking his hand off of my hair as he sighs again, clearly hurt. You're still mad at me, whispers, my father, strongly affected.
- You hurt me... I whisper back before breathing shakily.
- And I'm sorry. I truly and deeply am sorry, Lilou. But it is for the best, even for you, responds gently, dad. I get up quickly, not wanting to hear more about this. I had enough last night... I leave and go to the library to go sit in front of the piano. I just need to express myself differently than usually... I need to do it... Expressing my emotions through my words and not physically.
I enter the library, already feeling a ball forming in my throat as my eyes are sting due to the tears coming up. I sit on the little seat in front of the piano and place my phone on it to read the lyrics of the song. I want to sing and play... It's been a while and we say that music helps anyway. I put my earphones on to have the rythme of the song and so neither Uncle Damon of dad will hear it. They might hear my voice, but that's it... It's already too much actually... I begin playing, pressing my fingers on the keys of the piano as I close my eyes. I know this piano by heart. I could tell which key is which just by hearing and touching it. Crazy and unreal right? Well, after a century and several years, you kind of memories everything on the instrument.
Wrapped up, so consumed by all this hurt
If you ask me, don't know where to start
Anger, love, confusion
Roads that go nowhere
I know there's somewhere better
'Cause you always take me there
Came to you with a broken faith
Gave me more than a hand to hold
Caught before I hit the ground
Tell me I'm safe, you've got me now
I re-open my eyes as I think of all the people who have hurt me physically and mentally, betrayed me, tortured me, lied to me, played with me, but also to all the people who were there for me, who kept me going forward in life and help me stay at the surface of that huge sea that is my life. Right now, this sea is tormented by sadness and rage which creates a huge hurricane in my mind and heart.
Would you take the wheel
If I lose control?
If I'm lying here
Will you take me home?
Could you take care of a broken soul?
Will you hold me now?
Oh, will you take me home?
Oh, will you take me home?
Oh, will you take me home?
Oh, will you take me home?
Oh, will you take me home?
I press on the keys of the piano, feeling the ball in my throat tightening more and more each time I pronounce a word. It's so hard to talk and even harder to sing... But it does free me from those dark emotions. I frown sadly, as I glance at the lyrics on my phone. I continue playing on the piano when I feel someone sitting on my left and someone else on my right. I don't need to look at them to know that Damon is on my left and my father on my right.
Hold the gun to my head, count 1, 2, 3
If it helps me walk away then it's what I need
Every minute gets easier
The more you talk to me
You rationalize my darkest thoughts
Yeah, you set them free
Came to you with a broken faith
Gave me more than a hand to hold
Caught before I hit the ground
Tell me I'm safe, you've got me now
I turn my head to the right to look at my father with my eyes full of tears. Dad looks at me as well, frowning sadly. He looks at me like he is taking notes of all the words I am singing. The following vers is sort of a message for him. I just hope he will understand it...
Would you take the wheel
If I lose control?
If I'm lying here
Will you take me home?
I remark my father faintly nodding and very weakly smiling before I turn my head to the left to look at Damon with the same watering eyes. My uncle's eyes go from my phone where the lyrics are to my eyes.
Could you take care of a broken soul?
Oh, will you hold me now?
Oh, will you take me home?
Oh, will you take me home?
Oh, will you take me home?
Oh, will you take me home?
Damon nods positively as well. I look back in front of me as my tears are finally rolling down my cheeks. I can feel my heart getting slaps over and over again but I have to ignore it to get better. I look at my phone again, reading the lyrics of the song while still playing the piano.
You say space will make it better
And time will make it heal
I won't be lost forever
And soon I wouldn't feel
Like I'm haunted, oh, falling
You say space will make it better
And time will make it heal
I won't be lost forever
And soon I wouldn't feel
Like I'm haunted, oh, falling
You say space will make it better
And time will make it heal
I won't be lost forever
And soon I wouldn't feel
Like I'm haunted, oh, falling
I snif sadly and stop playing and singing for a small moment as I lightly sob. I feel Damon puting his hand on my back while rubbing it as dad puts it on my knee and squeezes it gently while caressing it. I take few deep breaths in and out, my eyes shut before I begin to play again. I look at Damon first this time.
Would you take the wheel
If I lose control?
If I'm lying here
Will you take me home?
I turn my head to look at my father as my voice is strongly shaking and breaking due to my crying.
Could you take care of a broken soul?
Oh, will you hold me now?
Oh, will you take me home?
Oh, will you take me home?
Oh, will you take me home?
Oh, will you take me home?
Oh, will you take me home, home?
Oh, will you take me home?
Oh, will you take me home?
I take my hands off of the piano to wipe my cheeks while chocking my sobs. I take my earphones off and put them on top of the piano next to my phone when dad brings me against him. I'm shaking, crying against him as I don't feel the strength to pull away from him. Uncle Damon's hand is now on my leg.
- It was beautiful, baby, whispers, dad as he places his head on top of mine and caresses my cheek. I pull away from him, crying a bit more as he doesn't seem to have understand why I sang that song.
- It was supposed to be meaningful, to send you a message to the both of you, I complain as I get up. However, both Damon and I grab my wrist and push me back down. I take my wrists off of their hands before crossing my arms over my lap. I grimace sadly as I stare at the keys of the piano.
- And we did receive the message, baby, whispers, my father to me as he places some of my hair behind my ear.
- You know that we will always have your back, Boo. We will take you home and back on your feet everytime you fall down because that is our job as a family, just like you do with us, I turn my head to look at my uncle. Damon faintly smiles at me as he gently wipes the tears off of my left cheek. It just takes longer sometimes.
- Whatever the difficulty, I turn my head to the right to look at my father, whatever the reason of a fight or an argument or even a misunderstanding, the three of us are always there for each other, I look down, few more tears rolling down my cheeks. Hey, listen, I would like you to come with me on a hunt this morning. It has been a while since the two of us went hunting together. What do you say? proposes gently, dad as he puts his hand on my hair. I stare at him, not knowing what to answer. I'd love to go with him, spending time with him and hunting with him like before, but what is happening with him and Klaus, the cure, the tattoos being a map,... I just can't forget them. I hear my father sighing sadly and hurt before looking away.
- Boo, I look at my uncle, do you remember the discussion we had about the difference between hate and madness? I nod before frowning confused at him as my last tear rolls down my cheeks. Do you remember telling that madness is less than hate? That madness shouldn't stop anyone from spending time with them or talk to them, right? I nod again, understanding where he is going. I think you should follow your advice for once, little niece, I stare at him, staying speechless when I faintly smile at my uncle to thank him. I lean against Damon, circling him with my arms before kissing his cheek. My uncle smiles at me before I turn to look at my father. Dad is really affected by my madness against him... I was about to anser my father when, suddenly, my phone rings. I frown confused while looking at who is calling me before answering the call.
- Hey Jer, I say to my friend after clearing my throat.
- Hey, Gi, I was wondering if you wanted to come to the Grill, spend some time with your coolest friend? asks me, the boy with a happy and playful tone.
- Yeah, sure, I answer before glancing at my father who is still looking down, sadly, huh, I just have to do something with my father first, is that okay? Dad looks up at me with a smile after what I answered to Jeremy.
- Yeah, absolutely. We don't open before 11 anyway so, just meet me there a bit before, replies, Jer.
- Okay, bye, Jer, I tell him while faintly smiling.
- Bye, Gi, he answers before hanging up. I put my phone down before exchanging a glance with my father.
- An hour, that's all you have before I meet Jer at the Grill, my father nods before getting up.
- Works for me, baby, tells me, dad, smiling as he holds his hand out for me to take it. I look at it for few seconds before grabbing it and getting up as well. It's not because I accept this that I am all happy and forgot about what happened last night... Let's go? I nod at him before turning to look at Damon.
- Bye, Uncle Damon. I love you, I tell him while waving at him.
- I love you more, Boo, responds, Damon, smiling at me before dad and I vamp-speed to the woods. I just hope it won't go crazy there...
Stefan's P.O.V.
Gillian and I are now walking in the woods, looking for any animals to come around. None of us talk, none of us make a sound. However, I can hear Gillian sighing time to time and even sense her strong emotions. She doesn't want to be here. She is still strongly upset with me. And I hate it. I did argued and fought with my daughter few times before but never that strongly. My little girl is my life and mad at me or not, that won't change anything. I will still protect her like before, I will still be there to cheer her up if she is down, I will be there to threat and beat whoever hurts my baby. No matter how much she is mad at me... I just love her so much. I watch Gillian looking around the woods, her hands in her pockets. I frown lightly sadly and look down when I see a flower nearby me. I leave my daughter's side for a second and go pick up the yellow flower from the ground. I turn around and remark my little girl kneeling on the ground, staring at something further. I look up and see a deer not to far. I slowly and quietly walk up to her from behind and kneel next to my daughter.
- I'm not hungry, dad, I hear her whispering with a faint voice to not scared the animal nearby us. I don't say anything and quiet sigh before passing the flower in front of her. Gillian slowly takes it and touches delicately the petals of it, like it is the most fragile thing in the world. Thank you, she whispers so lowly that all I hear was the pain in her voice. I get slightly closer to her as I rub her back.
- I hate arguing with you, Gillian. I... I know it is already hard for you to be around Elena, even more since she is a vampire. And the possible existence of this cure didn't help anything. I am aware of that, baby, Gillian turns lightly her head to look at me as her eyes are weakly watering up. But you're my daughter, my half and my life. I'll fight for you every days. You know I will do anything to protect you and to save your life, I think I already proven that to you, I see her nodding as the tears roll down her cheeks. I wipe them away gently while frowning sadly. But the cure... I'm only doing this because it is what Elena needs, Honey. I am more thinking about giving her, her human life back than having mine, my baby girl looks down before looking away while sniffing sadly. Hey, I say while rubbing her back a bit more and taking her left shoulder. Let's grab a bite and not talk about this anymore.
- I'm not hungry, dad, she complains while shaking her head and grimacing with disgust.
- Are you sure? I ask her confused. She does look not very well... My daughter nods. Maybe if you eat just a bit you'll feel better? I see her shrugging. I'm not forcing you, Lilou. If you don't want to, you don't eat, okay? I don't want you to be sick, I gently tell her. Gillian stands back up and I follow her, as I don't leave my arm from her back.
- I'll try, she says as she wipes her cheeks for the last time.
I nod while still frowning concern. The two of us look back at the deer before I rush over to it. I bite down the neck of the animal before holding it down. Gillian comes kneeling next to me, staring at the deer with a sad frown as she looks already sick. I know my daughter... Only a look at her eyes and I can read her. I'm guessing all the emotions she is feeling right now is stopping her frown eating... She has too much on her mind and heart to think of eating. Gillian looks at me as I hold the deer down. I gently nod at her to encourage her while faintly smiling. My daughter looks back at the deer before biting it and beginning to drink from it. However, she quickly pulls away and rushes further from me and the deer. She stops near a tree not to far and empties her stomach on the ground. I release the animal and vamp-speed over to her, worried.
- Gillian? I call her while holding her hair back. My daughter pukes up a bit more while coughing before wiping her mouth. She faces me, looking down and a bit ashamed. Hey, are you feeling better, Lilou? I gently ask her while grabbing her face. My little girl nods positively as I caress her cheeks. Maybe all those emotions are too much for you and it's stopping your stomach from keeping anything down?
- Great, just what I needed, she answers with sarcasm while shaking her head.
- It will better soon, you'll see. Try to eat again in few hours. If you're sick again you call me, okay? Gillian doesn't reply anything and looks away. Baby... My daughter looks up at me, her eyes showing clearly that she is still upset. However, her frown betrayes her. My daughter gets closer to me and embraces me by surprise. I envelope her in my arms as well before placing a kiss on top of her head. She needs that hug... I know she does, I feel it. We stay like this until she pulls away as I didn't want to break what she needs. I think you should go to the Grill to join Jeremy, you're going to be late, Lilou, I tell her with a smile as I have my hand on her right cheek. Gillian cracks a smile as well which warms my heart. At least she cracked a smile which is a beginning...
- I'll call you if I'm sick again. I promise, I nod at her. I love you, daddy.
- And I love you more, my Little Monster, Gillian smiles a bit more to me before rushing away to the Grill, leaving me alone in the woods. Well, I have quiet few things to do today...
Gillian's P.O.V.
I vamp-speed to the Grill which is still closed. Well, it only opens in twenty minutes... I stop rushing in a calm alley, away from all eyes before entering the Town Square. I walk up to the Grill and enter it quietly and discretely so I can make Jeremy jump scared. When I open the door, I see the boy placing the chairs correctly. However, he quickly stops and turns around to see who it was. I rush away before he sees me, hiding behind the bar. Jeremy looks around, frowning confused.
- Hello? Asks, Jer, sounding confused. Matt is that you? My friend's back is facing me. I take the opportunity to vamp-speed over to him and to jump on his back which caused him to gasp and almost let a scream out.
- Got you, I say while chuckling.
- You scared me, you ass, tells me, Jer as I get down his back. My friend laughs as well as I can hear his heart beating fast. I really did scared him...
- That was my point. So... Why did you want me to come here so early? Is that like, huh, a VIP thing? I ask him with a chuckle as I help him getting the chairs down.
- Well, I thought it has been a while since we hung out together and since I'm working I can't really go out however I want so... I look at him, nodding understandingly as Jer faintly smiles at me. Yeah... So how are you?
- Despite that I argued with my father last night, that an old friend of mine and I aren't friends anymore... I think I'm good, I answer him while shrugging before getting another chair down.
- What? What happened with Stefan? Which friend? Questions, Jer, looking at me and talking confused.
- Well, just a family argument, you know. Dumb stuff that we could not argue about, I respond, not wanting to tell him the truth, not because I don't want to but because I can't. With Klaus who threatened to erase everyone's memories... And my supposed friend is a vampire which I met a century ago... And a bit more. I thought he was different from all those vampires I met in my life... I guess I was wrong, I tell him, finishing by a whisper before sighing.
- Well, first, don't think about that argument with Stefan, I mean... How long will it be until you two aren't fighting anymore? I'm pretty sure it's over already, I chuckle and nod. And about your friend... If he isn't your friend anymore, he never was then, replies, Jer. I stare at him for a small moment, thinking about what he said. But Kyle and I did so much together... I'm sure something is going on with him, but what? I look down when the Gilbert boy comes over to me and embraces me. I hug him back, happy to have him as my friend. Jeremy pulls away, smiling.
- Anyway, what about you? How are you since last night? Jer frowns confused at me like he doesn't know what I am talking about.
- We didn't see each other last night, Gi, chuckles Jer as he puts the last chair down. Oh... He got compelled... But to answer your question, I'm good. Just weird that I am the only one who can see that guy's tattoo.
- Yeah, I wonder what it looks like.
- Telling you like this would be to complicated, laughs, Jer. I smile at him and nod when he takes a set of dish in a bin. I'm coming back, just puting that in the back room, he tells me before walking to the back of the Grill. I nod positively and smile at him before continuing to get the chairs down.
Connor's P.O.V.
I walk inside my trailer after coming back from Professor's office. I have some serious work to do... I place the Hybrid's Nate's head on the table, which is wrapped in a bloody sheet. I will kill all those supernatural creatures... those abominations. I grab a needle and take the head out of the bloody bag. Let's get some venom... I stick the needle into Nate's gums and extract some of his werewolf venom. That should do it... I put the venom aside and kneel on the floor to open up a cupboard. I need weapons to achieve this mission... We are never too careful. I gather some stakes and wooden bullets in a duffel bag. I think I have enough to kill most of them today. I close the back, grab the venom and some ustensiles that could be useful before exiting my trailer. The Gilbert boy should be at the Grill soon to work. Better be quick... After ten minutes, I arrive to the Town Square. It is still empty at that time. Only few people are outside. I walk across the Town Square with the duffel bag over my shoulder before stopping outside the Mystic Grill. Right... Let's the work begin...
Jeremy's P.O.V.
I walk into the backroom with the bin of dishes, smiling one last time to Gillian who is staying in the main room. The vampire finishes to put the chair down as I place the dishes on various shelves. I'm glad that she came this morning. It's been a while since we did something together, even though I am working soon. I put the last dish on the shelf in front of me when a sudden noise is heard behind me. I turn around to look at what or who it is but I don't see anyone. I frown confused and put the empty bin down. I slowly step toward the dark spot but I don't see anything. Maybe it was nothing? I turn around and quietly gasp as I see Connor. The hunter immediately puts his knife to my throat as he covered my mouth with his other hand so I won't scream for help.
- Do I have your attention? questions, the hunter to me while staring seriously and dangerously into my eyes. I nod staying silent while hoping Gillian didn't hear him. I don't want Connor to kill her... Good. Then let's talk about vampires, he whispers again, speaking with a dark tone. This is not good...
Elena's P.O.V.
I wake up with the sun spreading in my room and on my bed. I lightly grimace while rubbing my eyes before sitting upright. This is just another day where I have to find a way to survive again... I hate being a vampire... I hate that I have to drink blood to stay alive... I hate that I have to hurt people to stay alive... I just hate my life now. I sigh and get out of my bed to go walk to my furniture. I need to write a bit in my diary. I haven't done it in a while and... I guess I am too scared to talk about it with someone. Writing down will probably be easier. I grab my diary on top of it and open it after taking a pen out from a drawer. I go sit down on my window seat, where the sun is also spreading. I take a new deep breath, like I am taking all my courage to write this stuff down. I flip to a new page on my diary and begin to write.
- Dear diary, I know its been a while. A long while. I haven't needed... I haven't wanted to write this stuff down, but I don't want to say it out loud either. The thing is : I'm a vampire and I hate it. I feel hopeless, depressed, angry, but most of all; I'm scared. Part of me just wants to end it, but then I think of Jeremy. I'm all that he has left, so I need to find a way through this. No matter what it takes, I finish writing and put my diary back in my furtniture before going to go get my shower to get ready for this day.
Stefan's P.O.V.
After coming back from the woods and that Gillian rushed to the Grill, I immediately went to my bedroom. I don't know what is happening to my daughter. It's the first time she doesn't eat and that blood won't stay down in her stomach. It scares me. I know what lack of blood does to a vampire and I don't want her to faint somewhere, to fall down weak somewhere and in front of people. If they see what is happening to her, if they see her face vamping-out because she can smell their blood and hear their heart pomping blood, if they see her skin turning grey... I just can't imagine what will happen. And also Elena who is strongly struggling with her new vampire life... Everything is just going crazy again. And I need to write them down because I don't see myself talking about them out loud. I enter my bedroom, grab my journal and a pen before sitting down at my desk. I open it to a new page and begin to write my toughts down.
- She's been spiraling since her transition and at times I barely recognize her. But now, for the first time in a while, there's hope, I look up from my diary and think of how to turn this. Somewhere in the world, there's a cure for vampires. If I can get it, Elena can be human again. I can give her back her life. So, that's what I need to do. No matter what Klaus asks, no matter what lies I have to tell or secrets I have to keep, I'll do it. No matter what it takes, I look up again, frowning lightly. No... Not no matter what it takes. If it involves Gillian, if it involves my little girl, I won't be able to find this cure. Not because she doesn't want to help me, but because I can't risk her life in this. I don't know the danger, I don't know the risk. Anything could happen. And my baby will stay out of this, I sigh as I swirl the pen between my fingers when my phone suddenly goes off. Gillian? Oh... I look at the screen to read Klaus's message.
- "We have a problem.", says, the text coming from the Original Hybrid.
Klaus's P.O.V.
- How the hell did Connor escape? asks me, Stefan after he rushed to my mansion. The vampire and I are on the phone as I am wandering around an excavation dig site in Italy. Many people are helping to dig up the sword that Rebekah talked about back at the Salvatore Bording House.
- I'd blame my numbing incompetence, but pointing fingers isn't going to help me, you're going to help me, I reply to Stefan while looking at all the men I compelled to work for me.
- Well, he could be anywhere now, responds, Stefan with an annoyed tone.
- Think, Stefan. He took the hybrid's head which means he wants werewolf toxin, I remind him as I begin to lose my patience. Why am I so far when interesting things happen?
- Which means he plans to stay in Mystic Falls to kill vampires, tells me, the vampire with realization and concern.
- Which is a pity, as I'm half the world away digging up a dead hunter, you'll have no access to my blood and therefore, the antidote. Nevertheless, his tattoo is our only map to the cure, so your task is quite simple; find him, catch him, and above all, keep him alive. He's no good to us dead, I explain and instruct him with a serious and deep voice while lightly frowning.
- Damon's been looking everywhere for him, if they cross paths...
- You'll need to keep Damon in check, I reply with a dark tone again mixed up with an upset one as I interrupt Stefan.
- Be a lot easier if I could just tell him the truth, replies, Stefan, speaking with an annoyed tone again.
- You trust Damon with the cure? I imagine he prefers Elena the way she is, I tell him with a smirk, trying to get to him and to change his mind.
- Nice try, Klaus. But I trust Damon a hell of a lot more than I trust you, responds, Stefan with a serious tone.
- And I trust no one... Except maybe few exceptions, I say as I think of Gillian and Caroline. Which is why my sister is lying daggered in a box, I say and remind him, still talking on the phone with the vampire. The more who find out about the cure, the more who will go after it. Nations have gone to war over less. You mark my words, tell one soul and I will throw the hunter's sword in the Mediterranean and we can end this quest right now. Am I understood? I threat Stefan with seriousness and darkness. I wait for the vampire's answer. However, he doesn't respond and hang up, instead, telling me that he got the message.
Matt's P.O.V.
- Really? Jeremy, you're half an hour late. Get here now, I say on the phone as I leave a voicemail on Jeremy's phone. I can't believe this... Can't he be serious about one thing in life? I hang up and put a tray full of salts and peppers when I remark that all the chairs are already down. What...?
- Matt! Hey! I hear Gillian calling me. I look on my left and see the vampire smiling to me while stepping up to me. What is she doing here?
- Gillian... Hey, you kow it's not open yet, right? I ask her, smiling back while faintly chuckling.
- Yeah, I... I wasn't planed to be here, she answers, lightly chuckling. I nod understandingly as a small silence takes place.
- Huh... I... I wanted to thank you, the vampire looks at me with a confused frown. For saving my life in the car, with Elena. I mean, Elena saved me but technically, you did too. So... Thank you, the girl nods and smiles again, looking as she seems to appreciate my thank you. The vampire was about to answer me when the front door of the Grill gets opened and someone comes in.
- Uh... Matt? Calls me, April as she walks in and faintly smiles. She looks at Gillian and gently nods at her to greet the vampire. Right, they don't know each other... Hi... smiles, April to Gillian.
- Hi! responds, Gillian while smiling and waving to her.
- Uh, hey, April. We don't open until eleven, I answer to the girl while frowning confused on why she is here.
- Oh, sorry, I wasn't like trying to scare you or stalk you or whatever. I just... I came to ask if you've seen Rebekah, says, April with a nervous and hesitating voice as always.
- Why would I have seen Rebekah? I ask her, frowning confused. I see Gillian frowning confused as well to the girl.
- Oh, I just assumed... I mean, aren't you guys kind of like a thing? questions, the girl with black hair and icy blue eyes, looking a bit confused at me. I scoff and shake my head while slowly turning around. I see Gillian puting her lips in a thin line before clearing her throat, obviously uneasy by the conversation on Rebekah.
- Rebekah and I are not a thing, I respond to the girl, slightly annoyed and upset. Not toward April but toward the Original vampire. Did Rebekah told her that we were a thing? I can't believe her...
- Well, I... I mean I'm worried about her. She said she'd help me find stuff out about the fire that killed my dad and then she just... disappeared, tells me, April as she gets closer to Gillian and I. I look at April with an exhaperated look when Gillian suddenly gasps.
- Gillian? I look at her confused and concerned as I watch her getting a dart out of her neck. The vampire looks at me with a painful frown before she falls on the floor, unconscious. What?
- Trust me, that's the least of your problems, tells, a man behind my back. I turn around and see the hunter pushing Jeremy into the room. I rush in front of April and Gillian's body on the floor to cover them. Connor has a knife to Jeremy's throat. The boy looks worriedly at us. This is not going to be fun...
Elena s P.O.V.
- Excuse me? What are you doing? I ask to Damon after the vampire just stepped in my bedroom. I was about to go out as I am all ready, but apparently not.
- Where's Stefan? questions, Damon to me, stopping in the middle of my bedroom before looking at me with a slight frown.
- Okay, uh, good morning to you too, I reply with sarcasm as I get closer to him.
- He's not answering his phone and he's not here, which you know, big deal, we've only got a killer vampire hunter on the loose, responds, Gillian's uncle, looking at me annoyed.
- I haven't talked to him yet today, I answer him while shaking my head.
- Hmm, humms, Damon, frowning suspicious. He walks towards me and sticks out his hand. Give me your phone. Maybe he's dodging me.
- Why would he be dodging you? I ask him, frowning confused as I begin to dig through my purse to find my phone.
- Oh, I don't know, maybe the hot, sweaty dance party business, replies, Damon with an upset tone as he remembers what happened at the college party. I look up at him, staying silent. I figured you spilled your guilty, little guts the minute I left last night, I don't say anything and look back down, still searching through my purse. Ohhh, you didn't tell him, did you? questions, Damon with a smirk which annoys me. I look back up at him with my phone in my hand.
- No, Damon. I didn't tell him that I got high on blood like some crackhead and then dirty danced with you. It was a mistake, okay? I wasn't myself and besides, he's already got enough to deal with trying to get me through this vampire stuff, I respond to him, upset and annoyed before puting my phone into Damon's hand. The vampire begins to dial Stefan's number before puting the phone to his ear.
- No, I see, it's just a classic shame spiral, replies, Damon, almost with sarcasm in his voice.
- I'm not in a shame spiral, I answer, looking up annoyed.
- Oh, you so are. Newbie vampire remorse? Oof, it's worse than a hangover, says, the raven hair vampire before smirking.
- I'm not in a shame spiral, Damon, I repeat, a bit more annoyed while staring at him to make my point.
- Hey, it's Stefan, leave a message, we both hear Stefan's voice saying in the voicemail. Damon frowns confused while hanging up.
- So, either he's dodging both of us, begins to say, the vampire as I look up at him troubled.
- Or something's wrong, I state as Damon hands me back my phone, looking preoccupied.
Jeremy's P.O.V.
- Sit down! Sit down! shouts, Connor to Matt and April as he pushes me towards them, still having the knife against my throat. April and Matt back up and sit down around a table, like Connor told them to. Suddenly, Connor pushes me down into a chair next to my friends after we stepped up over Gillian's body. Gilbert, give me your cell phone, he tells me with a stern tone. I look down at Gillian, frowning sadly. He can't hurt her...
- Please, don't hurt Gillian. She's my friend. She's good, Connor looks down at Gillian, frowning madly before scoffing.
- This, he says while pointing at her before kicking her in the face. This is an abomination. They should be dead! Now give me your phone, he tells me again, holding his hand up.
- At least let April go. She doesn't have anything to do with this, I say, attempting to get my human friend out of this.
- She has everything to do with this, responds, Connor, looking down at me with a serious stare. I hand to Connor my phone as he looks up at April. Her and her father. Plus, she and I have history, he tells, before getting a chair, puting it at some distance from us.
- What are you talking about? I've never seen you before in my life, questions and states, April, looking and sounding frightened and confused. Connor comes back towards us before grabbing Gillian and puting her on the chair.
- Well, you kids need to get some vervain. And don't just wear it as a bracelet where anybody can just take it off, responds, Connor while pointing at my wrist where the bracelet is. I look up at him, lightly frowning confused. Maybe then you'd remember our conversation at the hybrid's yesterday, I see him taking ropes from a bag before he goes to attached Gillian to the chair. At the moment he puts the ropes on Gillian, her skin begins to smoke. Vervain...
- No, please, don't hurt her, I say with a pleading tone while getting up from my chair.
- Sit down!! Shouts, Connor again while turning around and pointing at the chair as he frowns madly.
- Why is her skin smoking like that? questions, April with worry as she stares at the unconscious Gillian. However, nobody answers her.
- Please, Gillian would never hurt you or anyone. That's not her! tells, Matt, sounding scared for our friend as well.
- She has to die! screams, Connor, facing us after he attached both arms and feet of the vampire on the chair. Her skin is lightly smoking as the vervain is burning it. Poor Gillian... At least, she doesn't feel it yet... Connor takes my phone and begins to type something on it. Wait, he said conversation at the hybrid's last night?
- Our conversation? Are you saying someone compelled me?! I ask him with disbelief and some worry. Who could have compelled me?
- Would someone please tell me what he's talking about?! questions, April, sounding scared, lost and worried.
- Compulsion, secrets, vampires, responds, Connor to the girl with an annoyed tone.
- If you know so much, then you know our friends are going to come for us, replies, Matt with seriousness to the hunter while frowning upset at him.
- Oh, yeah, I'm counting on it. Every vampire that comes for you is another one I get to kill. Especially for that one, replies, Connor while kicking Gillian's right foot. Come on... I just want to hit him right now.
- You can't kill her, please, I plead him again as I get more and more worried for my vampire friend.
- Oh, I won't... Not me, at least, answers, Connor, smirking before going back to the phone. Now, who should I text first? Hm? I watch Connor looking through my phone and typing on it again. Damon Salvatore, his brother Stefan, Tyler Lockwood? None of us answer to the hunter, staring at him concern and scared. Nah, all of the above, responds, Connor before sending the text message he typed. Then, he places my phone down on a counter and stabs it with his hunting knife, destroying it in one stab.
Stefan's P.O.V.
- So, we each take a different entrance; hit them at the same time, I hear Damon saying after I rushed into the Lockwood's mansion.
- Stefan! calls me, Elena after seeing me. She gets up from the couch and walks up to me quickly.
- Where the hell have you been? asks me, Damon with an annoyed and slight upset tone. I reach my arm out toward Elena and she embraces me as I embrace her back.
- Coming up with a plan, I reply, looking at my brother with a faint frown. I hate that I can't tell him about the cure. I could use his help...
- Yeah, we have a plan. The plan is I'm gonna rip Connor's heart out and I'm going to feed it to him, responds, Damon to me, sounding mad towards the hunter.
- That's not a plan. We need to be careful. Connor has Jeremy and who knows how many other hostages, I remind him and the others in the room. Tyler is here as well, standing across the room. I don't know where is Caroline, but I guess she shouldn't be far from here.
- Hence, the open heart surgery, says, my brother, smirking at the end and looking like he enjoys this idea.
- Damon's right, I look down at Elena, lightly frowning. Connor's strong, but he's not going to be able to take all of us.
- I called in the hybrids to help too, tells me, Tyler, looking at me and approaching us lightly.
- My mom put squad cars blocking the streets. They're saying it's a faulty gas main. We're good to go, informs us, Caroline, walking in but staying near the entrance. Okay... So they already planned everything. Think Stefan, think!
- Good, great. No cops, no witnesses, no reason to wait around, replies, Damon with sarcasm and almost joyfull while smiling evily.
- All right, hold on, you're not all going, I made it clear to everyone, turning around to be able to look at each and every single person here.
- He shot me like nine times. If we're killing him, I want in, reminds me, Tyler, frowning upset while staring at me.
- He's got Jeremy. I'm going, tells me, Elena, frowning madly as well while staring at me. This is not good!
- Listen, nobody is going anywhere until I figure out what we're walking into, I answer to everyone in the room as I keep a sigh inside.
- Until you figure it out? questions, Damon, stepping forward to me. I look at him, lightly frowning. Is that where you've been all morning? Out buying bossy pants?
- This guy is known for setting traps, right? We'd be pretty dumb to walk into one, especially if he has werewolf venom, I reply to them seriously.
- Does he? asks me, Elena with a concern tone.
- He's had it before, I respond as I remark that I almost blew up the plan Klaus and I made. I look at Elena who appears to be rethinking the plan which is good for me as Damon is clearly angry. Of course he is...
- Fine. Fine, if you want to take some time to do recon, you get one hour. But we're gonna need some extra help. So, where the hell's the Wicked Witch of the West and my dear little niece? exclaims and questions, Damon, frowning madly as he turns around. Gillian... Oh, Gillian, no!
- She can't do magic, replies, Caroline as I begin to panic.
- Really? Well, call her, tell her Jeremy's life is in danger; maybe that will bring her out of retirement, answers, Damon, still frowning madly as he looks at the blonde vampire across the room.
- Oh no... I whisper nervously while looking around scared.
- What now? asks me, my brother, sounding annoyed and mad.
- Gillian went to the Grill to join Jeremy this morning, I explain him with a scared tone as I begin to pace around in panic. I pass my hand through my hair. No, no, no, no, no, this is wrong... He can't kill. She-she has to be and stay alive. She...
- Stefan, calm down! tells me, Damon as he gets in front of me and grabs me by my shoulders.
- What if he already killed her, Damon? What... I ask him, frowning worried as I try to pace around again. However, Damon grips tighter on my shoulders, stopping me.
- Hey! I stare into his eyes as I can't think of anything else than my daughter, probably between life and death if she is not dead already. Gillian is strong and smart. She'll be fine, brother, I sigh and look away, scared and nervous. Hey, Stefan, I look back at my brother, we will get her out of there... alive. I assure you of that. Connor won't get out of this easily, I nod and look down as I take a deep breath in and out to calm down. Don't worry, you'll get to be doting father for a long while, he tells me with sarcasm, almost with a joking tone, as I slowly calm down, even though I still have this enormous ball of nervousnes down my chest. Damon nods at me after remarking that I calmed down. He takes his hands off of my shoulders and walks out of the room, still looking upset again.
Bonnie's P.O.V.
- I can't believe you wrote a book, I state to Professor Shane as I flip the pages of the book titled "Book of the Occult". I am sitting in his office, at his desk while the man is making tea for us.
- I did. I wrote three books actually. Two of them are just too mortifying to display, responds, Professor Shane with hesitation and while smiling. He pours some hot water into two cups.
- Oh, I'm finding them online, I reply with a joking tone as I smile as well.
- No, no you're not. Hey, come on, you promised, remember? reminds me, Professor Shane, still faintly smiling. I crack a smile and take my phone out to go search those books that he doesn't want to show me. All right? No cell phones and no Internet during witch therapy, tells me gently, Professor Shane as he takes my phone from my hands and places down a cup of tea in front of me. Here, this is yours, the man walks around his desk to go sit on his desk chair across from me. Right now, I want you to focus and I want your undivided attention.
- You really think you can help me start practicing magic again? I question him with some doubt about it. I mean, I know he believes strongly in the supernatural and he knows a lot of things, but he isn't a witch or anything so... He can't really know what it feels nor what it is... Can he?
- Absolutely, I can. I invited you here because I can, replies, Professor Shane with a lot of confidence in his voice. But you know what, right now, just relax, drink your tea, says gently, the man again while faintly chuckling. We both remove the lids from our tea. I take it and smell it. Arghh... This is not the best smell I have ever scent. What is he making me drinking? I got this in Australia when I was backpacking with these Aborigenes spirit guides. Trust me, it's better when you smoke it, but I'm trying to be a role model, I bring my cup of tea to my mouth as I begin to laugh at his remark. I sip some of my tea, just like the professor before the two of us put our cups down. Bonnie, listen the thing is what I have in mind might come off as a little unorthodox, he admits to me with a gentle tone and smile.
- Now I'm officially curious, I reply, smiling back as I try to think of what it could be.
- Good, I watch the man getting up from his desk chair and grabbing a metronome. Okay... Now, all my curiousity just went away. He places it on the desk, in front of him. I stare at it a bit curiously but mostly surprised. What do you know about hypnosis? questions, Professor Shane to me as he pulls the pendulum, making it begin to tick back and forth.
- You really think that would work? I ask him, still having some doubts as I stare at the man.
- You practice witchcraft, but you don't believe in hypnotism? demands me, Professor Shane with a surprised tone. I stare at him, giving him a strange and insisting look. I watch the man putting his hand to his ear as he stares at me. Bonnie, listen, you're afraid to practice magic because those witch spirits convinced you it's wrong. They threatened your Grams and they made you feel guilty, I stare at him, listening closely to his words, like I am plunged into what he is saying. I place my hand on my ear as I continue to listen to him. You just have to confront that fear and that guilt and remove it, Professor Shane puts his hand down and so does I. Okay, that thing doesn't work at all...
- Maybe. I don't think hypnosis would work. Witches are naturally immune to any sort of manipulation, I reply to the teacher as I stare at him, still doubting and not believing the whole hypnosis thing.
- Really? replies, Professor Shane with surprised. I nod. Well, let me ask you something, I see him looking down at the desk. Would you like to put that earring back on? I look down at where he is looking and see my earring lying on the desk. What? How...? Professor Shane smiles and sips his tea as I faintly laugh, impressed. Maybe I didn't come here for nothing...
Stefan's P.O.V.
- You expect me to care about bloody hostages? Asks me, Klaus with an annoyed and upset tone. I am on the phone with the Original Hybrid, walking through the Town Square as I think of my daughter.
- Well, you should. Damon does. So does Caroline, Tyler, Elena. If any of them get to Connor, then you just wasted a trip to Italy. I can buy us some time, but Damon's getting antsy. So, if you want Connor alive, you better get your hybrids on board with my plan, I answer him, walking across the Town Square to approach the Grill to see how many hostages there are in there.
- What tells you I won't? Question Klaus as I can picture him smirking. I sigh and stop walking as I stare at the Grill not too far.
- Klaus, my daughter is one of the hostages. I'm struggling right now to not lose it. If I see him my first thought will be to rip him up because of what he possibly did to her but... I begin to explain to Klaus with a mad and dark tone as I picture myself killing Connor. Nobody touches my kid and think they can live peacefully after that...
- But you won't do it because of our arrangement, am I right and clear? Replies and interruts me, Klaus which caused me to groan madly and to close my eyes. I grip onto the phone as I attempt to keep calm.
- You're not a father, Klaus! You don't know the feeling of having your child in danger, possibly between life and death, maybe even dead already and being in the ignorance. I don't know how she is right now. I don't know if she is fine, if she is hurt of even dead! I don't know nothing! I barely scream on the phone with madness and scaredness, in the middle of Town Square, standing alone. I sigh before passing my hand over my forehead, trying to calm down. And that it the worst feeling ever.
- No, you right, I am not. But I am her friend and I know she is a smart and a clever girl. She'll be fine, Stefan. Now do what you're supposed to do and do not blow our plan up, responds, Klaus with a serious but almost mad tone against the hunter. It was surprisingly a calmed one though. I don't reply anything and hang up on him again. I'm coming Gillian, I promise you...
Elena's P.O.V.
- Who was he talking to? I ask to Damon as I watch Stefan walking and hanging up his phone from Alaric's apartment. Meanwhile, Damon is combing through a chest of drawers and takes out some vervain darts and a mini crossbow.
- Bonnie, hopefully. Maybe she decided to make herself useful again, responds, Damon as he takes out a large map and walks over the table. He spreads it on the table while I walk over to him to join his sides.
- What is that? I ask him, frowning confused as I look at the map. I've never seen it before...
- It's our way in. Courtesy of Alaric Saltzman's interest in the Mystic Falls Underground Railroad, answers, the vampire as he places some weights on each corners of the map with anything he finds on the table.
- The tunnels, like the ones in the Lockwood cellar, I reply as I hear Damon humming positively. The raven hair vampire takes his phone out and takes a picture of the map. Damon puts his phone back in his pocket when my phone suddenly rings. I answer it and put it on speakerphone so both Damon and I will hear Stefan. What did you find out? I ask to Stefan before sighing.
- I can only make out the voices, replies, Gillian's father as he sounds nervous, scared and of an extreme anger towards the hunter.
- How many hostages? questions, Damon to his little brother.
- Three. But Elena, it's Matt and April Young. But with Gillian that makes it four, answers, Stefan before hearing him sighing madly.
- What?! I ask surprised and nervously.
- Those two idiots, they're like danger magnets, replies, Damon with an annoyed and upset tone while looking across the room with a mad frown.
- We have to get them out of there, I say quickly and nervously. I can't lose my brother or Matt or even April... I'll lose it if they die...
- I just need a little more time, responds, Stefan, sounding like he is trying hard to put himself together to not rip Connor whenever he will see him.
- Well, the clock's ticking, brother, says, Damon to his baby brother with a serious tone.
- You know, I could do without the colored commentary, tells, Stefan with an annoyed and upset tone before he hangs up.
- I'm going in these tunnels, I tell seriously to Damon as I start to walk off. I can't let Connor hurt any of my friends and brother. Well, he will mostly hurt Gillian but... he can't hurt Matt, April of Jeremy. Damon grabs my arm, stopping me from walking any further.
- No, you're not. This guy doesn't know that you're a vampire, let's keep it that way, reminds me, the raven hair vampire with a serious tone as he stares into my eyes.
- Well, maybe that's it. I can offer to trade myself in exchange for the hostages, I say before trying to walk away. However, Damon stops me again, grabbing my arm.
- No. Best case scenario is now you're a hostage. Worst case scenario : he figures you out, kills you on the spot, explains me, Damon with an upset and annoyed tone. I turn to face him, looking down madly. Control Elena... Control your anger! I release my wrist from his grasp.
- Stop treating me like I can't handle myself. Alaric trained me and I've been practicing with Stefan, Damon stares at me like I am being an ignorant kid which is even more upsetting. I sigh and turn around, walking toward the front door.
- So what? Now you're gonna take on a professional killer? asks me, Damon with an upset and disbelief tone. I turn around and look at him not amused at all. Suddenly, Damon rushes over the bed and grabs the crossbow off of it. He points it at me, frowning upset. Bang. You're dead. Now what? That's it! I rush over to him, knocking the crossbow out of his hand. I push him on the bed and sit on his lap, pointing the crossbow to his heart.
- Head shots no good, it has to be the heart. So, now you're dead, I tell him which caused the vampire to smile.
- For someone who doesn't want to be like me, you sure are good at it, replies, Damon as he pushes my hands away, so that the crossbow isn't pointing at his heart anymore.
- My brother is the only thing that's holding me together right now, Damon. If anything happens to him... I admit to him, breathing heavily and frowning sadly when he interrupts me.
- We'll get him out. I promise, answers seriously, Damon as we both stare into each other's eyes.
Gillian's P.O.V.
I slowly wake up, feeling myself coming back to "reality". Where am I? What happen? And why is my wrist burning like that? I groan as I try to move. However, I can't go anywhere and I feel like my skin is burning and melting down. I open my eyes and discover that my wrists and ankles are tied up to a chair. What? What is happening? I groan again as I feel my wrist getting more and more on fire. I stop moving, attempting to ease the pain, but it doesn't go away much. I look around the Grill, breathing rapidly and scared as I remark Jeremy, Matt and April sitting around the table. Not too far from them, there is the hunter who is prepapring... something. I glance at the table and see Jeremy looking at me. The boy frowns sadly to me before shaking his head positively, telling me that everything is okay for now. I just hope it will stay like this... Suddenly, Connor turns around and sees that I am awake.
- You're finally awake, good. You put quiet a while to wake up. Why that? He tells and asks me with a dark voice while stepping toward a duffel bag. What is in it? I asked you a question, monster. Why did you put so much time to wake up?! He asks louder and with a threatening voice. I stare at him frightened before glancing at Jeremy, Matt and April. The girl looks confused at me as both boys look mad.
- I don't know, I whisper, lying to him. I guess I am just so weak that the vervain hit me well...
- I think you do, you just don't want to say it. And it's okay, I frown confused and scared at him as he approaches me with three stakes. I don't care. However, I would like to know how many vampires there are in this town, without counting the hybrids of course.
- I don't know, I repeat as I look down, feeling more than frightened. The hunter stops in front of me.
- Tell me, he says with a low and dark voice. I stay quiet, biting my lower lip as I look over the table with a sad and scared frown. Tell me!! yells, Connor at me which caused me to close my eyes, fearful and startled while lowering lightly my head. Suddenly, Connor punches me causing me to grunt in pain. TELL. ME!!! shouts, the hunter at me. I feel the tears coming up in my eyes as my scaredness is consuming me. All of a sudden, Connor punches me again before kicking me in the chest out of anger, sending my chair over. I fall backwards with it, bumping my head on the ground which makes everything dizzy for me.
- Hey, stop! screams, Jeremy to the hunter with a mad tone. She hasn't done nothing wrong! She saved my life once!
- You think? replies angrily, Connor, turning around to look at Jeremy who got up from his chair. Why do you think she saved your life? To feed on you, I see Jeremy frowning confused before he looks down at me. But you wouldn't remember if she compelled you, Connor turns back around to me and looks down at me with disgust. Come here, Gilbert, I look at Jeremy, as I feel few tears rolling down the sides of my face. I am so scared right now... Jeremy steps slowly up to the hunter, clearly against his will. Pick her up, everyone looks confused at Connor. What? Pick her up! repeats, the hunter with a stern tone. Jeremy goes to me and he puts the chair with me in it back on the four feet of it. Good now, observe what those things really are, he tells to the boy with seriousness as Jeremy walks around to join Connor's sides. I can see the boy frowning sadly and extremely bothered by this. Connor approaches me with the stakes as I try to go away. I struggle due to the vervain ropes. My wrist are bleeding now and I can feel the vervain going into my system. Great...
- Please, don't. I never did anything to you, I plead the man with a frightened voice as I stare at the objects in his hands.
- You never did anything to me? You were ready to rip me back at the church, repeats and reminds me, the hunter with a dark tone. He grabs one stake firmly in his right hand as his left one is holding the two others.
- That's because you attacked my family. I won't let anyone touching them. Less killing them. And I will certainly not let anyone like you exterminate my family, I tell him with a bit more confidence and madness as I let my fear on the side for a moment. I can't let it consume me. Connor stares at me angrily when he suddenly stabs me with a stake in my right leg. I scream loudly and gasp at the same time as my leg is bleeding. I heard April screaming of fear as well as both, Matt and Jer gasp in shock.
- Do not threaten me ever, I look at Connor still breathing shortly and heavily when I frown angrily at him. The hunter stabs my second leg, causing me to scream again, but less loudly as I groan. I vamp-out and growl at him which caused the man to back off. However, he doesn't look frightened but disgust instead. I look at Jeremy, seeing him lightly scared of me suddenly. I calm down and make my face going back to normal before looking down, feeling ashamed. See? That's what she truly is, replies, Connor, turning to Jer who is still fixing me. The boy looks down before Connor hands him the last stake. Do it.
- What? asks, Jeremy confused and nervously.
- Stab her. Kill her if you want, tells, the hunter to Elena's brother.
- I don't want to, responds, Jeremy as he shakes his head and frowns madly to the hunter.
- Fine. Don't kill her. I will in few minutes, Connor glances at me. Maybe in few hours if she is lucky, the hunter looks back at Jeremy. But you're going to stab her right now.
- No, I can't... says, Jeremy, shaking his head negatively when Connor interrupts him.
- Now! screams, Connor with a stern and mad tone as he pushes the stake onto Jeremy's chest. The boy takes it and looks at it before looking at me. However, my friend doesn't move. Okay, I think you need something to push you, Connor walks over to April and pulls a gun to her head.
- Wow, wait, what are you doing?! questions, Matt, with a sudden worry.
- Gilbert, you have five seconds to stab that vampire before I kill her. One, I look at Jeremy nervously as the boy seems lost in what he has to do. Two, Jeremy looks down at the stake, then at me, then at April, and back at me. Three.
- Jeremy! calls, Matt to his friend with a nervous tone, like he is pleading him to do or to say something.
- Four! screams, Connor as April begins to cry harder.
- Jeremy, just do it! I tell him which caused everyone to shut up and to look at me. Just do it. It's okay.
- I don't want to, he tells me as he kneels in front of me.
- Jeremy... Do it! I know it's not you. I know you wouldn't do it if it was not for him. But he can't hurt that girl, I tell him, feeling tears rolling down my cheeks due to my nervousness.
- Four and a half! screams, Connor as he loads the gun.
- I trust you, Jer, I whisper sadly which caused the boy to frown sadly as well. He weakly nods before stabbing me in my chest. I gasp, not able to make any sound, nor to breath. Connor releases April and puts his gun back in his pocket.
- I knew you had it in you, Gilbert, replies, the hunter before walking toward whatever he was doing at the counter of the bar. When Jeremy saw that Connor had his back turned to us, he pulls the stake out from my chest, letting me take a good deep breath in and out.
- I am so sorry, Gi, so sorry. I didn't want to...
- Jer, Jer, I made you too. I insist for you to do it because that's what was right. For April, for Matt and for you. I didn't care about me, I whisper to him with some sadnes as few more tears roll down my cheeks. You should go back to the table. I'm fine, I say in a very low voice. The boy slowly nods positively. I see him lightly glancing at Connor to check if his back is still turned around. The hunter is really concentrated in whatever he is doing. Jer faces me again and wipes discretely and gently my cheeks before walking back to the table, where Matt and April are. I grimace sadly, silently crying for a small moment before sniffing sadly. I look away as I try to regain my composure before looking back at Connor, watching him pourring some yellow liquid into jars. Is that werewolf toxin?
- He's clearly delusional. I mean, right? All this... all this talk about vampires, but I mean, he mentioned my dad, I hear April asking to the two boys around her, whispering as she is crying and staring at Connor, scared.
- Hey, this guy's a nut job, okay? Don't let him get in your head, replies, Matt to the girl with a reassuring tone as he lies to her. I try to move to get the stakes out of my legs, but the ropes are too tight and the vervain gets more and more into my system. I can feel my blood still dripping. I sigh as I see Jeremy staring at the hunter from his chair.
- What if he knows something? Jeremy, did he say anything to you about why he's doing this? asks, April to Jeremy which caused him to look at her.
- I don't know. Maybe. Maybe I just can't remember, answers, Jer as he gets up from his chair.
- Let it go. Jeremy! tells and calls, Matt to his friend while the Gilbert boy walks up to Connor. What is he doing?
- You said we had a conversation yesterday, I hear my friend asking to Connor. The hunter humms positively, but doens't look at him as he stays concentrated on whatever he is making. About what?
- We'll get into that. First, take a look at my handy work. Pick up some tips from the hunter's trade, responds, Connor, talking seriously.
- What is all that? questions, Jeremy, obviously confused by the stuff in front of him. What the hell did he make?
- The fluid is derived from werewolf toxin, great, just hat I thought... Wait, that's not good for me right now... I tense up as I realize that he has werewolf venom. Trip the wire, bomb goes off, nails deliver a lethal dose into the bloodstream, Bomb? He made bombs with werewolf venom?
- And what's the point? What do you get out of all this? questions, Jeremy to the man as he sounds upset and confused.
- You know, I used to think that there was no 'get'; that I was just supposed to do. Kill vampires. That was until I realized that the mark held the answer to why I'm the way I am. The more I kill, the more it grows and once it's complete, I'll know my story and... and all of this will have meant something, I frown confused as I stare at them. I thought the tattooes where a map, not the hunter's story... Suddenly, Connor turns to Matt and April. Hey! We're gonna have visitors soon, you two get in the back. Get up! Move! shouts, the hunter to the two humans as they get up. Matt walks up to April and grabs gently the crying girl by her shoulders. Before you think about any other exits, I got every door rigged. Got it? tells and asks, Connor to them before both Matt and April go to the back of the Grill. I sigh and let my head roll back before I close my eyes. I'm tired and I have a head ache. I'm hungry...
Elena's P.O.V.
- Stefan is on his way. This will be over soon, tells me, Damon as I am looking at the Grill from Alaric's apartment. I'm so scared for Jeremy... I turn around as Damon walks over to me.
- Will it? I mean, haven't we already been here before with Jeremy? Isn't this why we sent him to Denver? I say, remind and ask him with nervousness as I shake my head.
- Well, we'll get him out of this and we'll compel him down to the Bahamas. Maybe he'll find an island girl, jokes, the raven hair vampire before smirking. I give him a look, not amused at all by him when Stefan enters the loft.
- Did you find the tunnel map? questions, Stefan as he walks over to us.
- Got it. It was in his weapons drawer with seven stakes, some weird MacGyver crossbow, and the last remaining vervain in Mystic Falls, so how about we get this party started, responds, Damon as he joins his brother's sides, smirking happily to the idea of killing the hunter.
- Not yet. Klaus is sending one of his men. He'll take the front, you and I can take the tunnels, answers, Stefan, looking at both of us after seeing all the weapons on the table.
- Since when did we team up with Klaus and the Lollipop Guild? questions, Damon with a confused tone and frown.
- Well, I already told you, Connor has werewolf venom. We need someone to draw his fire, the hybrids are immune to it so they're our best bets, replies, Stefan which caused me to frown confused. Why is he so sure? And why is Klaus involve in this?
- Well, how are you sure that he even has werewolf venom? Why is Klaus involved, Stefan? demands, Damon with a confused, surprised and almost an upset tone. Stefan turns around and picks up a vervain dart from the table.
- Stop being paranoid, Damon, replies, the youngest Salvatore.
- Start telling the truth, Stefan. Why is Klaus involved? Did he compel you? questions, Damon, still sounding confused.
- I am telling you the truth. This is the best way to get everyone out, responds, Stefan, facing his brother again.
- Okay, what is with you two? We're wasting time, I ask and tell them, losing slightly patience.
- You know what, she's right. Screw your plan. I'll kill Connor myself, exclaims, Damon before starting to walk away. However, I see Stefan rushing at Damon and stabbing him in the back with the vervain dart that he picked up.
- Stefan! I call him, shocked of what he just did. Damon starts to fade away and to fall on the ground as his little brother holds him. He slowly lowers him to the ground before picking him up. I watch Stefan laying Damon on the couch before he takes his brother's phone from inside Damon's jacket pocket. Why are you doing this? I ask him with disbelief while frowning confused.
- Damon had the right idea with the tunnels. But, I'm not gonna go in there if I can't count on him to do it my way, responds, Stefan as he goes in the phone, probably to look at the map.
- If you can't count on him? I repeat with disbelief. You just vervained him, I remind him while pointing at Damon on the couch.
- Do you think he cares about April or Matt? He'll get Jeremy out for you, and also Gillian but then he'll go right after Connor, no matter who gets hurt, says, Stefan to me after he sent to his phone the picture. He throws Damon's phone back to his brother.
- Then I'm coming with you, I tell him sternly and determined when he walks up to stand right in front of me.
- You're not coming with me, Elena, replies seriously, Stefan.
- You need my help, Stefan, I tell him with the same tone.
- What if Connor attacks and you have to defend yourself? And what if you kill him? The guilt will wreck you, responds, the vampire to me with a slight point of madness in his voice as he still sounds nervous.
- You don't think that I... I... I'm afraid of that? Of course, I am. Stefan, I'm barely holding it together. If Jeremy gets hurt... I say, beginning to get overwhelmed when Stefan interrupts me and grabs my face between his hands.
- I'll get Jeremy out, okay? I promise you.
- No, I say while shaking my head and feeling my eyes watering up.
- Elena, listen to me, listen to me, I stare at him, calming down slowly. This is the most important thing that I have ever asked you to do. I just need you to trust me. Please, pleads me, Stefan. I nod after a moment. Stefan leans in and kisses my lips. I close my eyes to enjoy it. However, when I re-open them, Stefan has gone.
Caroline's P.O.V.
- Look, man, this guy is dangerous. He's highly trained. He's armed, I hear Tyler saying to one of the Hybrids with some concern in his voice.
- I can handle myself. Besides Klaus asked me personally, replies, the boy as I walk in and see Tyler and man talking together as they face each other.
- This is a bad idea, responds, Tyler before they walk across the room. I turn around when I remark a brunette leaning against the doorway.
- Uh, who are you? I ask to the girl, frowning confused.
- Who the hell are you? she asks me, repeating my question with as much confusion as I have.
- Caroline, I respond.
- Oh, you're Tyler's girl, she answers while smiling for a second. He told me about you. I'm Hayley.
- Well, Hayley, that's pretty crazy, because I haven't heard a thing about you, I answer to the girl, smiling back even though I don't want to smile at her right now.
- I've been staying here a few days, she admits to me, frowning confused as she tries to see if she can see Tyler and the hybrid from her spot. Wait... few days?
- Excuse me? I ask her with disbelief.
- I needed a place to crash, Ty's a buddy, he was kind enough to offer, she responds to me.
- I know all of Ty's buddies and I haven't heard about you. So, how about we cut the crap? I reply with an upset tone as I approach her aggressively and cross my arms over my chest.
- Yeah, I don't do teen drama. Take it up with Ty. Excuse me, tells me, the girl before walking passed me to enter the room. I watch her walking passed me and scoff with disblief. Who the hell does she think she is? Dean, you don't need to do this, I hear the girl saying to the Hybrid with whom Tyler is talking to.
- Stay out of this, Hayley. I'm going, responds, the boy with a serious tone.
- Just listen to her, man. It's suicide, replies, Tyler with an upset tone as I enter the room. Something is clearly going on here... Klaus told you to take Connor on by yourself and you can't even fight back? You have to use non-lethal force. What the hell is that? tells and asks, Tyler, sounding more and more upset. Of course, that have to do with Klaus...
- Klaus gave me a direct order, answers, and reminds, Dean to Tyler.
- It's too dangerous. That maniac already killed Nate, reminds, that Hayley girl to the hybrid with a serious tone.
- You're not a hybrid, you don't know what it's like. Klaus asks for something, you do it, okay that sounds creepy and crazy, but it's not surprising as well. Even far, far away, Klaus is still controlling things here. I see the girl and Tyler exchanging a look with each other before my boyfriend walks up over to Dean.
- Look, I'm a hybrid. I used to do everything Klaus said, but I don't anymore. You don't have to either, explains and encourages, Tyler to Dean with a serious tone.
- You think you can stand up to Klaus? questions, Dean before getting his phone out. What is the hybrid doing? Here. Prove it, he replies as he hands his hone to my boyfriend. Tyler looks at it before taking the phone and nodding.
- Tyler, don't, I say with some disbelief in my voice as I step few times forward. My boyfriend looks at me, giving a look before looking back at the phone. I can't believe this... He dials Klaus' number and puts the phone to his ear. This is wrong...
Klaus's P.O.V.
- Hello, I answer the phone call as I see that the men I compelled finally find the sword. A man holds it up and brushes it to take the dirt off. He hands it to another man.
- Hey, Klaus, responds, the person as I recognize Tyler's voice.
- Tyler! I hope you're not causing problems, I reply with sarcasm while smirking.
- I can do whatever I want. I'm not sired to you anymore, answers, Tyler to me, speaking with a serious tone as he reminds me his freedom.
- Fair enough. Although I do happen to know your little secret about your time in Appalachia, one of my man comes up to me with the sword and shows it to me so I can examine it. Amazing... What was your friends' name? Hayley, was it? You probably prefer I kept that to myself, my man walks away with the sword. I'm sorry, mate. Are you going to answer or should I just assume you're back to being... how did you phrase it? Ah, yes, my little bitch, I reply with a smirk when Tyler hangs up on me after letting a small silence.
Caroline P.O.V.
Even Klaus knew about her... What the hell is going on in this house? Why are they keeping this from me? How come Klaus did know about her and not me? Why would Tyler not tell me? When I hear Klaus saying Hayley's name, I was just shocked and hurt by this revelation. I mean... I had to learn it from the Original Hybrid... And not from my boyfriend himself. And Hayley... Klaus used Tyler's words... his little bitch? What the hell am I then?
- Do whatever the hell you want, tells, Tyler as he hands the phone back to Dean. My boyfriend turns around and begins to leave.
- That's it? You just back down? questions, Hayley as she follows Tyler out of the room. I stand in the middle of the room, almost in tears after what I heard. This can't be happening...
Connor's P.O.V.
I am finishing the bombs that I made of werewolf venom before staring at the vampire. I've got a surprise for you too... Ouhh, I did hit her hard... The vampire bled on her lower lip and nose. She deserved it! I frown angrily to her, causing her look at Jeremy with pleading eyes. Suddenly, the phone at the bar rings. I see the Gilbert boy walking slowly and discretely towards it. I don't think so, Gilbert... He was about to answer when I grab his wrist, making the boy startled. Jeremy pulls his hand away and I answer the phone.
- We're closed, I say with a serious voice as I don't know who is calling.
- I want you to free the hostages. All of them, tells, the vampire with a stern and mad tone. I recognize his voice perfectly.
- I'll free them as soon as you give me what I want. You and everyone like you dead, I reply as I turn around and glare at the vampire tied up to a chair. She looks frightened and nervous as she is still struggling to move.
- What? So your hunter's mark can grow? questions, the vampire which lets me stunned silence by his saying. How does he know that? Yeah, I know all about that. What it means, what you are. Listen, if you free the hostages, especially my daughter, then you and I can have a little chat. I'll even tell you about the Brotherhood of the Five, proposes, the father vampire as he seems to be very concern about his daughter over there on the chair.
- That's a weak move. You must be desperate, I reply after scoffing. I stare at the tied up vampire with disgust and hatred. I don't really wonder why.
- Think about it, Connor. Klaus saved your life. He needs you alive. Aren't you the least a bit curious why? tells and asks me, Stefan Salvatore. Oh, I hate it... Vampires of hell...
- Oh, I'm thinking, I reply as calmly as possible but with darkness. What I don't get is, why aren't you? Do I have to give you a small reminder? I grab the phone and walk over to Gillian Salvatore who looks at me frightened. I put the phone on the table while smirking evily. Yes, let's do that, I put the phone over to the vampire's hear as she looks weak and scared. Talk to daddy, trash of nature, I tell her with disgust and hatred. The vampire girl leans on the phone, shaking of fear as her eyes water up.
- Daddy, don't come here... she whispers into it as her voice cracks.
- I'll be there soon, baby. Don't be scared, Sweetie, it will be alright. And you'll be out... we will both be out and safe and alive, I hear the vampire responding to his daughter with a calm, sweet and reassuring voice. Even more disgusting... I put the phone back to my ear as I give a slap behind her head, making her groaning.
- Alright, bring me all your friends here or I kill her, torturing her until she can't take it anymore, I threat and warn him with a dark and angry voice while walking back to the counter of the bar.
- You do that, you're next. I can assure you that you're death will be as painful as what you made my daughter go through, threats me back, the vampire with his darkest and hateful tone. It's almost like I can hear him groaning angrily behind the phone. He is consumed by an extreme anger, I can tell just by the sound of his voice talking to me. But it makes me laugh insidely...
- Huh, huh, no, threats or I behead her right away, I warn him, grabbing a knife from my pocket and walking back to the vampire on the chair. I can hear Jeremy calling me with a warning tone but I ignore him. Listen, bring me all of your friends like you and that sh*t next to me or... I put my knife down and walk over my duffel bag to get a serynge of werewolf venom out. I press lightly on it, making some of the liquid dripping on the floor. I have a needle full of werewolf toxin right in my hand, ready to get emptied in her system.
- Please, don't hurt my daughter. Let me take her place, instead, demands me, the vampire over the phone, sounding very nervous suddenly.
- No trade. You got only a small time before I kill her, I warn him one last time before hanging up slamming the phone down on the receiver and breaking it. Those vampires know how to make me mad... I shove the phone off the bar and walk away. I have bombs to set around the Grill...
Matt's P.O.V.
- When I was a kid, my dad used to tell me these scary stories about vampires, tells me, April, sitting on the floor of the back room of the Grill. Meanwhile, I search through a box quietly and pull out some tools. That should do it... I move to another shelf. We can't stay here...
- They're just stories, I reply to her as I remark how shaken up she is. I can't explain her what is happening and for many reasons. I pull the shelf away from the wall, discretely and trying to not make a sound.
- Not to that man out there. There's something so familiar about him, she tells me as I kneel on the floor in front of a panel. I sigh and turn around to look at her.
- Look, this is a messed up situation, but the last thing you want to do is buy into that guy's craziness, I turn back to the panel and pull it off of the wall. You're gonna be fine. We're getting out of here.
- What is that? she asks me as she discovers the hole in the wall.
- There used to be an exit to the old wine cellar, I explain her as I look inside the hidden room. Oh, you've got to be kidding me... There are bricks over the old entrance. They bricked it over, I say with a disbelief tone.
- So, that's it then? We're screwed, she tells as she stares at the whole in the wall with her watering eyes.
- No, we're not screwed, I reply as I grab a nail and place it against the brick floor. I just hope that the hunter in the main room won't hear this... I put a towel over it to decrease the sound of it and start to hammer away at the nail.
Stefan's P.O.V.
I'm walking through the system of tunnels with a shovel in my hand as I follow the map on the phone. It can't be that far now... The conversation with Connor that I had few minutes ago with him... If he touches my daughter. If he kills her... I'll lose it. I'll kill him as cruelly as I can, I rip him pieces by pieces, make him realize his mistake over the torture. Nobody touches my little girl without me intervene in it. Suddenly, I hear the noise of someone hammering against bricks. That noise comes from here... I walk over to it, hoping it is the Grill over there and possibly not Connor.
Dean's P.O.V.
I approach the entrance to the Grill as I feel more and more nervous. I hate being forced to do that, but I cannot not do it. Klaus asks me to do it, I have to obey. That's my life now. And I hate it! The street is all clean and empty. People disappeared from town today... I stare at the Grill as I place my hand up to my ear.
- There's no sign of anyone, I say to Klaus through the atrium on my ear.
- Stefan is coming at him from the other side. He'll free the hostages, your job is to get Connor out alive. And use caution, mate. He favors booby traps and ambushes, replies and warns me, the Original Hybrid.
- Understood, I reply seriously as I continue to lead my way toward the entrance of the Grill.
Jeremy's P.O.V.
- You may be a potential hunter, but if you make one move, I'll break all twenty seven bones in your hand, warns and threats me, Connor, as he finishes up the last bomb. I was about to grab a stake that I saw on the counter. I hate what he is doing to Gillian and how he treats her. She is my friend but I can't do anything... Not yet.
- They're not all bad, you know. Some of them, they're my friends, I say to the man with a calm voice as I glance at Gillian. She doesn't look good at all. She bled, probably because of the hit from the hunter. She looks so weak, her wrists are bledding down. I see her grimacing in pain from here but she seems to hold it together. I don't know how she does it...
- Your friends, huh? Yeah, I had a friend like that once. She got turned by this vampire I was hunting. He thought it would be ironic, replies, the hunter to me.
- What happened to her? I ask with curiousity.
- I didn't want to hurt her. She promised that she would keep it under control, but... a vampire's like a loaded gun. Eventually it's gonna go off, explains me, Connor, still staying lightly vague on what happened to his friend. He is clearly affected by this, but he made his mind on them. I watch him lifting his sleeve before he shows me his tattoo. That's why I got this, I look down at the piece of his tattoo near the crook of his elbow. I discover a woman, getting killed.
- So, you killed your own friend?! I state with disbelief while frowning upset.
- Listen, if you're gonna be like me, you need to understand. Vampires kill humans, hunters kill vampires, reminds me, Connor with a serious and stern voice when we hear a door getting open. We've got company.
Gillian's P.O.V.
I watch Connor and Jeremy ducking down behind the counter after Connor turned off the lights and turned on the music very loudly. That's a joke right? Like my head isn't already pounding like crazy. The vervain going in my system from the ropes is weakening me more and more, my hunger is getting more and more important, the pain is beginning to be unbearable and the fear... I can't even describe it. I move, trying to get my wrists free but everytime I do it, it feels like the ropes are tightening more. The bomb at my feet is lightening in red every five seconds which makes me even more nervous. And the stakes in my legs aren't helping. Please, some get me out of here... Where is dad? And Damon? And why did Connor puts a bomb in front of me, full of Vervain with nails in it? Suddenly, someone opens the front door of the Grill. Please, tell me dad didn't come from the front door... Okay, that's good... But who the hell is that guy? I frown confused, staring at him as he carefully inspects the doorway. He looks down and sees the tripwire that Connor put. He looks to his right and sees a loaded bomb against the wall. Do not step over the mat... I watch the guy carefully stepping over the wire and onto the mat. No... I breath nervously as I struggle more and more in my chair while being careful to not make the bomb explode at my feet. I see a light going off on the bomb, meaning he just activated it. No, no, no... I need to get out of here and quick. I struggle more and more as I groan hopeless. Come on, give up now... I grimace sadly as I feel my eyes watering up due to my fear and nervousness. The guy looks around the room and sees me attached to a chair. He frowns lightly, looking concerned for me. He closes the door behind him when he lifts his foot from the mat as he walks toward me. However, not even a second later, the bomb of werewolf venom goes off at the entrance and the one in front of me full of Vervain and nails as well. The guy goes flying through the air due to the force of the explosion. I close my eyes when I feel multiple nails getting planted in my skin and as my chair falls backwards. I scream in pain as my head bumps the floor again. Everything is spinning again as I feel numb. The nails were in vervain and each spot of my skin is smoking. I groan in pain as I begin to cry, not able to take anything anymore.
Stefan's P.O.V.
I enter the back room of the Grill when bombs go off in the Grill. Gillian... Baby... I see both Matt and April looking startled by the loud noise. April starts to back up when she runs into me. She turns around, frightened and gasps. I put my hand over her mouth to cover it and place a finger to my lips, telling her to stay quiet. Matt turns around and sees me. He walks over to me, looking relieved.
Connor's P.O.V.
I grab my gun and get out from behind the counter of the bar of the Grill to discover the man slowly starting to get up from the floor. He is covered with nails, blood, and shards of glass. That's what I like to see... those things looking weak and in pain. I approach him with a gun when the guy raises his hands in surrender. Like I am going to believe that, dude... I shoot at him and blow a hole clean out of the guy's chest. He falls to the ground, gasping one last time, dead. One down... I look over at the vampire, still tied up on the chair as she is crying. I frowm angrily at her as I approach her with the gun. She looks at me frightened as she struggles to get free again. Her skin is all covered of nails as well as it looks burned down due to the vervain. She is all covered of her own blood from head to toes... She breaths heavily and rapidly as she seems to not be able to talk. She begins to choke her sobs as I pull her up by the chair.
- Don't worry. If you die, it's from that bomb so I'll be sure you won't ever come back, I tell her with a dark and hatred tone. She closes her eyes and lowers her head as she continues to cry.
Stefan's P.O.V.
- Follow this map, get out of here, take her to Caroline so she can... I say to Matt after handing him my phone so he can see the map. I talk to him with a very strong nervous tone as I can't stop thinking of my little girl in there with that hunter.
- Okay, Matt takes April and starts to walk away. However, he stops to speak to me again. Stefan, that guy is armed. If you go out there, he's gonna kill Jeremy. Worse, he will kill Gillian without hesitation. He was hard on her already, Stefan, I don't even know how she is holding it.
- She's strong, Matt, that's how she is holding it. But, hey, no one's killing anyone. Go, I respond and tell him seriously. The boy nods to me before April and him go out through the panel in the wall. I walk out of the back room discretely, looking around. I have to spot my baby girl before doing anything...
Connor's P.O.V.
I take my jacket off as Jeremy walks over to me. Alright, let's see what happens... I look down at my shoulder and see my tattoo growing more and more. Amazing... The Gilbert looks at it, surprised, shocked and amazed at the same time as he clearly seems not habituated by this.
Stefan's P.O.V.
I slowly and quietly come out from the back room and looks around the Grill. I see Connor and Jeremy standing in the middle of the room and Gillian not too far from them. My baby... What did he do to you? She is covered of blood, burned like she was thrown in Vervain, nails are planted in her skin, two stakes are in each of her legs, she is tied up to a chair and there is some flashing at her feet. A bomb... I frown sadly to the sight of my daughter in this state before looking at Connor with all the hate and the angriness I can express. I have never been that angry before. At least, I don't remember feeling such anger. My first thought is to torture and rip him down into pieces. But I can't because of Jeremy here. Suddenly, Connor turns his head and sees me. He grabs Jeremy and points his gun towards me. I vamp-speed across the Grill behind the bar to cover myself as Connor shoots at me multiple times and without hesitation. However, he misses. I duck down and hide behind the bar. Gillian!
- Connor, you don't have to do this! I say loudly so the hunter will hear me.
- Stefan! calls me, Jeremy with a nervous tone. What is that noise? Oh, no... The noise of the bomb ticking are getting louder and faster.
- Daddy... I hear my daughter calling me with fear as her voice break due to her crying. It was weak though... I look carefully at Jeremy to see him standing completely still as the bombs are right next to him. He's standing on the pressure-sensitive mat that triggers them... Damn it! I glance at my daughter, seeing her in strong pain and looking weak. I hate it!
Elena's P.O.V.
- Stefan, call me! There was an explosion at the Grill. I need to know what's happening! I say with panic in my voice, leaving a voicemail to the vampire. I hate being out of everything. I need to know if my brother is fine, now, not later, now! I hang up when I suddenly hear Damon groan from the couch. He is waking up... I rush towards Damon. Damon, hey. Can you get up? I gently ask him even though I am still panicking.
- Ohh, where's Stefan? I'm gonna kill him, responds, the raven hair vampire with an upset tone as he slowly gets back to himself. I watch Damon sitting up slowly, but the sun coming in the room immediately burns him causing him to lay back down while groaning in pain. Ow! Ow!
- He took your ring? Why would he do that?! I say with an upset voice while shaking my head and frowning madly. Damon rolls off the couch and onto the ground to stay in the shadow. I stand up.
- Because he's playing us. All this stalling, getting hybrids, taking my ring, add it up, Damon gets up and sits on the arm of the sofa away from the sunlight. He's either made a deal with Klaus or he's compelled.
- Then I need to get in there, I say with a serious tone as all I thought about is Jeremy. I turn around and begin to leave the apartment.
- No, Elena, this guy is dangerous! exclaims and reminds me, Damon.
- So am I, Damon! I reply with anger in my voice as I turn around to face him, frowning madly. Damon looks up at me and sees my anger all over my face.
- Then you need to be smart. He doesn't know you're a vampire. You get as close as you can and you kill him, I nod before turning around and leaving the apartment.
Stefan's P.O.V.
- Connor, we can end this right now! Just put down the gun and come with me! I say loudly to the hunter, trying to play smart and to calm things down. However, it is hard as I hear my daughter crying from her chair. At least, I know she is still alive...
- Sure. Come out, I'll hand the gun over, replies, Connor with a mad tone. Right...
- Think about this. No one has to die. I'll tell you everything you need to know! I say to him, still sitting on the floor and hiding behind the bar of the Grill.
- I don't make deals with vampires!!! shouts, Connor when I suddenly stop hearing my daughter crying. What? I look discretely and carefully around the bar and see her eyes closed as her head is falling forward. She's too weak to keep up...
- Listen to me, if you die right now, then your whole life, all that killing; it'll all be for nothing. I can give you the truth. Just put down the gun and let Jeremy go! I reply insisting and repeating myself, hoping the hunter will change his mind.
Elena's P.O.V.
I enter discretely the Grill and see the hunter and Jeremy standing in the middle of it. Gillian is tied up to a chair not to far, looking unconscious... or dead... doesn't really matter to me. I can't see Stefan though... where is he hiding? Connor has his gun pointed at the bar... Stefan must be there.
- Please! I plead the guy, my hands up as he suddenly turns around and points the gun at me. Don't hurt him, I plead the hunter, playing my human card as I know he doesn't know about me. Suddenly, Connor points the gun on Jeremy.
- You come any closer, he's dead, warns and threats me, Connor.
- Elena, get out of here! exclaims, Jeremy to me, looking and sounding serious.
- He's the only family that I have left. Just... just let him go, I continue pleading the hunter, ignoring my brother.
Stefan's P.O.V.
- Dad? I hear my daughter calling me with a very weak voice. I look around the bar again as I see her in pain and grimacing sadly.
- You hear that? Your girl is watching. I will shoot the boy right in front of her! On the count of three! One! Two! shouts, Connor. I can't let that happen... I stand up and raise my hands in surrender. I look at Connor who quickly points his gun at me instead of Jeremy.
- No, dad... I hear Gillian saying with a slight more energy, but still very weak.
Suddenly, I see Elena rushing at Connor and pushing him on the floor. In the process, Connor shoots his gun and hits Jeremy in the stomach with a bullet. Oh no... The blood! I see Elena throwing Connor to the ground and sits on top of him to hold him down. She grabs him by the throat and starts choking him, expressing all her anger on him. Blood... Blood... There is a lot of blood! I look at Jeremy and see that he is bleeding profusely and clutching his wound. Wait, the bomb! I rush over to the boy, grab him and throw him and myself over a table before it explodes.
Elena's P.O.V.
I am still on top of Connor, holding him down as I choke him when I hear a bomb exploding in the Grill. No... Jer! I look up, panicked to see where my baby brother is.
- Jeremy?! I call him in panic, losing my concentration as I can't see him anymore.
Stefan's P.O.V.
After throwing Jeremy on the ground and protected him from the bomb, I quickly get up and rush over my daughter. Oh, my God... I grab the stakes out of her legs, causing her to faintly groan. She is so weak that she doesn't even react. I kneel down in front of her and snatch the ropes from her, ignoring the burning sensation due to the vervain. I grab her and lift her up carefully to not set the bomb. I hold her against me as Gillian is laying on me. Her arms are along her body and her legs are flying in the void. I hate seeing and feeling her this weak. I can feel some nails touching my skin and burning me, but I don't care. I turn around and see Connor on top of Elena, ready to stake her as she grabbed his wrist to fight back. I pass Gillian over my shoulder to hold her better and rush at Connor, knocking him off of Elena by kicking the man in the stomach. The hunter is sent few meters away, laying on the floor. I rush up to him again and grab him by his collar before rushing off outside. I rush up until the Lockwood cellar. There, I throw Connor on the ground, put my little girl against a tree before grabbing a shovel that I left here and knocking Connor down. I didn't hit him hard so he shouldn't be out very long. I throw the shovel down and rush up to Gillian who is extremely pale. Even through the blood covering her face, I can see it.
- Hey, you're okay, Sweetie? I gently ask her even though it sounds like a dumb question. Oh, my God... I am so sorry, baby. I should have come earlier. I shouldn't have let you go there this morning. It should have been me instead. I should have made a trade with him... I say as I take the nails out of her face, chest and arms. Gillian cries in pain as it seems to slightly bring her back to herself for a small moment. She groans in pain as she tries to push my hands away. However, I bring them back, I can't let her like that. I know it hurts, I know, baby. I'm sorry. But I have to. The pain will go away quickly. I promise you, I say as I feel bad for what happened to her. She doesn't deserve any of this. I pull the last nail out as I remark that her cheeks are not only covered of blood, but of tears as well. Baby...
- I feel sick, dad, she whispers very weakly and lowly as a new tear rolls down her cheeks.
- Did he give you werewolf venom? I ask her gently but with panic.
- No... No, he didn't, my daughter attempts to open her eyes, but she is so weak that she can barely keep them open. Dad... blood, she whispers again. I stare at her when I remember that she hasn't eaten for few days now. Of course, that explain her state of weakness.
- You haven't eaten... I whisper with realization. Gillian weakly shakes head when she lightly coughs. She closes her eyes again when I see her head falling slowly on the side. No, no, no... Baby? I hear my daughter humming faintly. I'm not even sure if she did, but I think she did. Hey, hey, Lilou, stay with me. Do you hear me? I grab her face between my hands. Stay with me, baby. I know it's a lot to ask but keep holding on few more seconds, I bring my right wrist to my mouth and bite in it before bringing it toward her. Hey, drink this, Sweetie.
- No... she whispers even weaker than a minute ago as she faintly opens her eyes. She manages to grab my wrist and to push it away, using all the energy that she can have.
- Gillian, I am telling you to drink. You're weak, you're pale, you haven't eaten for days, you lost a lot of blood today, you got vervained and almost bombed up and I am certainly not waiting until you are desiccating and dead. So drink my blood, I insist, talking with a serious and almost stern tone while bringing my wrist toward her again.
- What if I don't stop and you're... the one needing blood? You see... You see how I look right now. I need... a lot of blood, she tells me with difficulty as she struggles to stay awake. I hate this so much...
- Just... Take as much as you need, baby. I don't care if you have to drink until my last drop of blood. As long as you're okay, I'll be fine, I say with a reassuring tone as I get my wrist even more closer to her. My daughter stares at me weakly as I nod at her, encouraging her to do it. Drink, please, I plead my little girl. I place slowly my wrist to her lips and when she tastes the blood, she immediately bites in it, drinking and feeding on it. I can see her skin quickly regaining her colors as I feel my daughter biting harder in my wrist. Baby, control it, like you helped me get control of myself, I tell her but she continues to drink and biting harder. Her face is all vamped-out. Honey? Lilou, Sweetie, slow down, I put my left hand on her hair as I caress them to sooth her. Lilou? after a second, Gillian stops and pulls away. She wipes her mouth as she is still holding my wrist. She looks up at me, frowning lightly.
- I hurt you, didn't I? she tells me with a guilty tone as she looks down.
- No, you didn't, Sweetie. But you did drink a lot of blood, I reply with a playful tone as I smile gently at her. Gillian looks up at me as I am still caressing her hair.
- Thank you... And sorry for drinking too much blood, she thanks and apologizes to me.
- Don't. I am proud of you, Sweetie. So proud. You're a very strong woman. You went through so much because of that hunter, I tell her sincerely and seriously as I point at the still unconscious hunter on the ground, and still you kept holding on, I grab her head between my hands again. I love you, baby. I love you with all my heart.
- And I love you more, daddy. I almost lost hope there. I think I did at a moment... But you came and got me out, replies, my daughter with a faint smile as she grabs my left wrist with her right hand.
- Yes, I did. You can't imagine how angry, nervous and scared I was. I was full of hatred, vicious toward that hunter and it got even stronger when I saw what he did to you, I explain her as I wipe some blood out of her face. Gillian closes her eyes, letting me cleaning her face the best I can. Just like when she was little... except it used to be dirt or water. I faintly smile before kissing her forehead for a long moment. I'm going to repeat myself but... I love you so deeply, baby. Just... I stare at her for a moment before sighing of relief and bringing her in my arms. Words wouldn't be strong enough to explain you how angry and scared I was and how much I love you, I whisper to her sincerely as I feel my daughter enveloping me back in her arms. We stay like this for a moment, tightly embracing each other when we both suddenly hear Connor groaning on the ground. I pull away from my daughter and get up. Oh, you're waking up right on time, I say as I walk up toward the man. I pick him up, puting him on his feet roughly. Let's go. Baby, you're coming, I say, gesturing to Gillian as I push Connor down into the Lockwood cellar.
Elena's P.O.V.
I breath heavily as I get up from the ground. I am going to kill that hunter! Where is he?! And Stefan? And Gillian? Come on! I spin on myself one last time to make sure they really aren't here when I smell blood. Jeremy! I rush and kneel next to my brother before seeing him weak on the floor. No... I grab him and put him upright against a table before biting in my wrist to feed him my blood to heel my little brother. I touch his face gently as Jeremy breaths slightly heavily when I look down at his wound. No... I can smell it perfectly... And it smells so good! But I can't do this to him. I can feel my eyes starting to become red with hunger as the veins pop up. I manage to go back to normal as I back away and turn around.
- I'm sorry... I... I breath heavily as I am upset with myself that I can barely control it.
- Hey, it's okay. You don't have to hide it. I know you're not going to hurt me, tells me, Jer with a reassuring voice. I shake my head, frowning madly as I breath heavily, still smelling the blood.
- How did this happen, Jer? Why did Connor come after you? I ask him with an upset tone.
- He said I was like him, because I could see his tattoo, replies, Jeremy. What? He had no tattoo... I frown confused and turn back around to face him.
- His what? I ask confused.
- His hunter's mark. It's invisible to everyone but me. Stefan and Damon didn't tell you about it? responds and asks me, my little brother, sounding lightly surprised.
- No, I answer as I shake my head negatively. Wait... wait, who else knows about this?
- Well, that's the thing, I don't even know. Apparently, I was with Connor all day yesterday, but I can't remember. Someone compelled me, I get up, breathing heavily as I feel my anger rising quickly inside me again. No, actually, I am furious...
- I think I know who.
Gillian's P.O.V.
I walk behind my father as he is leading Connor through the tunnel system. He has Connor's arm twisted in his back and pushes him forward. I walk with a rapid space to follow him as I sense his strong madness. He is furious with the hunter for what he did to me. I was so bad earlier. I don't even know how I managed to open my eyes or even talk. If dad didn't feed me some of his blood, I woud probably be unconscious by now and soon be desiccated. I wouldn't be "alive" now... Dad and I turn to the left, following the tunnel as I think of why he didn't kill Connor. I know he wants to... I can see it in his eyes. I guess that has to do with Klaus and the cure. I look down, lightly frowning when I hear a familiar voice.
- Good work, brother, tells, Damon. I look up and see my uncle, standing in the shadow as he frowns madly at his brother.
- Uncle Damon! I say with a happy tone as I smile to my uncle.
- It's over, Damon. I have him, replies, dad, almost at the same time as me. I lose quickly my smile as I frown confused. What is going on?
- Not after what I just went through. I had to punch through a boiler room basement into a septic tank to get into this stupid tunnel, answers, my uncle with angriness as I remark that his skin is still lightly going back to normal. Damon looks at Connor with a furious look. But it'll be worth it.
- I'm taking him with me, tells, dad to Damon.
- That's the thing, you're not. I don't know what you're up to or what Klaus has over you, but even if I have to go through you, I'm gonna kill him, warns and states, Uncle Damon, speaking with a dark tone as he begins to move closer to my father and Connor. Not again...
- You better back off, Damon, warns, dad as he pushes Connor slightly behind him.
- Why? Because Klaus wants him alive? questions, Damon with an upset tone as he stops walking.
- This has nothing to do with Klaus. You're just gonna have to trust me on that, replies seriously, dad to Damon.
- I don't want to. I don't have to. Not gonna. Now, give him to me, brother, answers, Damon as he begins to approach them dangerously again. I stand still, frowning nervously as I don't know what to do.
- Run as fast as you can! I hear my father saying to Connor before releasing him. Connor runs away when I see Dad rushing up to Damon. No! My father pins Damon to the wall out of anger. You're not gonna kill him, growls, dad to his brother as he holds him by his collar. Suddenly, Damon grabs dad and vamp-speeds around him. He throws his little brother against the wall and grabs him by the shoulders, pinning him. I gasp as I watch them fighting. I can feel my eyes watering up slowly. Dad!
- Why are you protecting him?! Tell me, I see Damon beginning to stab his fingers just under dad's ribcage and moves his hand towards his heart. His not going to do that... is he? I breath nervously as I start to panic. Dad is struggling to stop him as he holds his wrist to fight back. However, Damon overcomes his brother and sticks his hand into my father's chest. No! I hear dad groaning of pain. Tell me.
- Damon, no, stop! I scream at my uncle as I rush up to him and hold his arm to pull it off. However, Damon seems to be so furious that I can't manage to pull it off. Come on! Please, stop! You can't do that! I won't let you! I say loudly to my uncle as I feel the tears rolling down my cheeks. I glance quickly at my father to see him in pain. I hate it! Damon, please... I need him, I need my father! I love him so much, please. Damon! I almost scream at him as I cry sadly while still trying to pull my uncle's hand off of my father's chest.
- Gillian, shut up! screams, my uncle to me with a mad tone.
- Klaus will kill anyone who knows, replies, dad to his big brother, groaning at the same time. Suddenly, Damon starts to pull at dad's heart which caused him to scream in pain.
- Nooo, stop!! I say loudly as I continue crying and panicking.
- Then it has to be good. Spill it! tells, Damon, ignoring me. Damon continues to tear at my father's heart which makes dad screams a bit more. I start to sob, panicked and sadly, as I seem to not be able to pull Damon's hand off. Spill it! screams, Damon again.
- Damon!!! I scream as my uncle through my sobs before looking at my father. Dad stares at his brother, obviously in pain.
- Connor's tattoo is the key to a cure, admits, dad.
- A cure for what? questions, Damon, still mad.
- For her. For Elena, answers, Dad as he groans in pain.
- Klaus told you there's a cure for vampirism? questions, Damon as he repeats my father's words.
- Yeah, and if Connor dies then we'll lose it forever, I look up at my uncle, seeing him shocked by the revelation. I know I hate when I hear dad talking about the cure or Elena but I actually don't care much right now. All I want is my uncle to take his hand out of my father's chest, so I'll be sure dad will be fine. I know it's crazy, Damon. But it's hope, do you understand me? It's her only hope, replies, dad while grunting. Damon still has his hand in his chest, but he removes it after a couple of seconds. Dad breathes heavily as I remark that Damon still tries to take in the fact that there could be a cure. I turn to my dad and immediately embrace him as I cry in his chest. I'm okay, baby. I'm okay, whispers, dad through his heavy breathing as he hugs me back. After a small moment, I turn around to look at Damon, still lightly crying as I frown madly at him.
- How could you do that? Damon looks at me as he seems still shocked of the news about the cure. How could you almost rip your own brother's heart out? How could you do that in front of me as I was imploring and crying for you to stop?! I ask to my uncle, crying a bit more again as I push him.
- I needed to know what was going on with your father, Gillian, answers, Damon with a surprising calm voice. I feel my father grabbing my arm and pulling me against him, shushing in my hear to calm me down as I shake my head negatively.
- You didn't have to do it that way! I say sadly before sobbing and getting free of my father's grip to run off in the tunnels to exit the Lockwood cellar. I could feel the brothers's look burning me with concern and guilt as they hear me sobbing and as I leave them alone. I just need to find my way out first...
Elena's P.O.V.
I run through the tunnels, vamp-speeding to find Stefan, Gillian and Connor. I can't believe the brothers kept this from me. I can't believe I am probably the last one to know about Jeremy being able to see the hunter's marks. Why am I the last one? That's not right! Wait, someone is running my way... I continue rushing when I find Connor coming toward me, looking nervously behind him as he seems to escape the tunnels. Well, you won't get really far... I bump into the man on purpose, grab him at the same time before biting into his neck. I feed on him by anger as the hunter screams in pain in my ear. I pull away after a moment and stare at Connor dead in the eyes.
- Stay the hell away from my brother! I warn him with a furious voice before I let go of him. Connor falls down in front of me on his knees, looking and sounding breathless. However, he doesn't look scared. He actually looks angry and disgusted by me. I can feel the blood dripping from my mouth and my chin as I stare at him with anger.
- Look at you. So worried about your brother. You're the biggest monster he'll ever meet, whispers madly and fearlessly, Connor before suddenly staking me in the stomach. I gasp when I realize that he missed.
- You missed, I tell him before snapping his neck in one move. The hunter falls completely on the ground, dead. I stare at him, breathing heavily as I realize that I just killed my first person. Suddenly, someone arrives, rushing up to me. I look up and see Gillian as she is lightly sobbing. She stopped abruptly, staring at Connor's dead body with confusion and surprise before looking at me.
- What the hell did you do? she asks me as she understands that Connor is dead. I stare at her before looking down, still breathing heavily. I can't believe this... whispers, Stefan's daughter while shaking her head negatively and puting her hand on her forehead, like what I did is the most stupid thing.
Bonnie's P.O.V.
Professor Shane and I have been sitting across from each other with our eyes closed, concentrating on everything that is surrounding us. I'm losing time... This isn't working... If I want my powers back, it certainly won't be by sitting on a chair, doing yoga. I need to get in contact with the nature, I need to feel the powers coming from the ground. I open my eyes and quietly sigh as I look at Professor Shane.
- This isn't working, I say to Shane which makes him opening his eyes as well. It's not you, I just... I can't get into hypnosis, I attempt to apologize.
- Bonnie, what do you think we've been doing for seven hours? Wait, what? I look at the clock behind him and realize what time it is. That's crazy! I stare in shock at it as Professor Shane turns around to glance at the clock as well.
- Wow, that's crazy, I say with surprise and actually impressed by this.
- Look, I'm good at this, okay? Trust me, you're doing a lot better then you were when you came in this morning. Here, you know what. Proof, I watch him getting a candle from his drawer after opening it. He sets it in front of me. I bet that you can light this candle as easily as I can sign my name. All you have to do is want to.
- I'm sorry, I just can't, I reply, looking up at him while shaking my head.
- If you can't, it's only because you're afraid. You're afraid of those spirits and what they might do to your Grams. Well, let me tell you something, Bonnie Bennett, you're stronger than they are. You have a power of your own you haven't even approached yet and you don't have to be afraid. Of anyone, I stare at him, frowning lightly sadly as I swallow his words. I don't know if he is right or crazy but everything he has been doing to help me... I always doubt about it, but end up impressed by it. Say it. I don't have to be afraid, whispers seriously, Professor Shane as he stares at me.
- I don't have to be afraid, I repeat before smiling, actually satisfied.
- Now, close your eyes and mean it, tells me, Professor Shane. I take a deep breath in before closing my eyes and concentrating on the candle.
- I don't have to be afraid, I whisper after few seconds. I re-open my eyes and frown lightly as I remark that the candle in front of me has not lit up. But I felt something... I was sure that I felt something... Guess it wasn't good enough, I say to the professor, sounding disappointed of myself.
- Oh, I don't know, whispers, Professor Shane while smiling. I frown confused when I see him looking around the room. I look around as well to discover that all the candles in the room are all lit up. I did it! I can't believe I actually did it! I smile and laugh as I look around, amazed. I look back at Professor Shane with a big smile on my face, actually prouf of myself.
Gillian's P.O.V.
I watch Elena digging dirt up with a shovel near the steps descending into the Lockwood cellar. I can't believe she killed him... Why did she kill him? I mean, yes, she was angry, even furious, but so was dad and still he didn't kill him. She might be a new vampire, but she has no control. She definitely needs to learn. I stare at her, seeing her crying as she throws the dirt up. Her chin is still covered of Connor's blood.
- Elena, I hear my father calling her. I turn around and watch both brothers walking up before standing next to me. Elena looks up at them, lightly gasping as she was startled. Uncle Damon and dad look down at Connor's lifeless body, followed by Elena.
- I need to bury him. I killed him, I should... I should bury him, she says with nervousness and a strong sadness as she continues to dig. I see dad and Damon exchanging a look together before my father walks up towards Elena.
- Hey, hey, come on, he whispers as he grabs her gently. I look away and shake my head, annoyed.
- Don't! I heard you talking to him. Making some secret deal with Klaus? You said you were going to protect Jeremy! Keep me from this. You said that I could trust you, Stefan, replies, the brunette with madness and sadness as she looks down. Dad looks down as well, ashamed.
- Elena, it's complicated, responds calmly, Damon.
- No, it's not complicated, Damon! You want to know why? Because... because he's dead now. You told me to kill him, so I did, she tells to my uncle with a cracking voice as her eyes are watering up. I shake my head again, quietly scoffing. Why does it sound like Damon pushed her to kill him? Why does it sound like she isn't assuming her act? And you, she says when she looks at me. I frown upset and confused, You were there! You saw me, you saw how angry I was and you didn't do anything. You actually pushed me to kill him! she says before screaming at me as she cries. Both Dad and Uncle Damon look at me, looking surprised and upset.
- Excuse me? I ask to Elena with a disbelief and an upset tone. I didn't push you to do anything! When I arrived he was already dead on the ground! I respond to her with a mad voice as I stare at her.
- Stop lying! You encouraged me to do it! replies, the brunette, still lightly screaming through her tears.
- No, you stop lying! Why are you always making me live a hard life? What is your damn problem? I ask her madly, lightly approaching her as I frown with dark eyes.
- Gillian! I hear my father calling me with a warning tone as he grabs my wrist. However, I grab it back and get free from him as I ignore his warning, still moving closer to Elena.
- My problem is you! answers, the brunette with hate in her voice.
- Me? No, I don't think I'm your problem. Your real problem is that you can't admit that you're a vampire now because you are so missy perfect that you can't stand the idea of killing someone. All you do is crying, crying and crying. Human or vampire, you just cry. Aren't you tired to cry? Have you ever thought of that crying isn't the solution? That maybe you need to build some strength in yourself? I respond and ask her with a strong madness in my voice as I get closer and closer to her. I can feel myself getting angry each seconds, feeling the emotion building up quickly down my chest.
- Gillian! screams, dad, calling me with a warning tone again, but I ignore him a second time.
- Whenever you have a problem, you call my father and my uncle! Whenever you have a problem someone dies! Whenever you have a problem you take decisions even though your brain of a beginner doesn't know what it's doing. And guess what, half the people that are dead, it's because of you! Because you're the one who decided to do something, because we had to follow you like little sheeps and guess who was against your plans all the time, me! Guess who could have not killed half those people, me! But miss bossy pants decided to do her own way because she knows everything and because she loves controlling people!! I scream at her more and more, losing it. I am frowning furiously at the girl who is sobbing as I feel my eyes watering up due to the anger.
- Stop it! screams, Elena at me.
- No, you stop it! Stop acting like you're a victim! There are other people in life, other risks, other sadness and other woe! Elena looks down, sobbing harder and harder as my words seem to hit her like a tsunami. What? Truth hurts? Face your life and the consequences with it, Elena, for God's sake! I'm not saying that you don't know what pain or sadness is but that's what everyone has to live through. So do you! I stay keeping screaming as I suddenly feel my cheeks getting flooded up due to my tears.
- I said stop it! repeats, the brunette with an angry tone as she throws the shovel on the ground.
She rushes up to me as a slight distance separated us and slaps me hardly, making me falling on the ground. I scoff and hold my cheek as I look up at her with the most furious look I could ever have. I hear both Dad and Damon calling me with a warning tone when I get up in a rush and slap back Elena before pushing her in the whole she digged up. I was about to rush up to her when I see and feel Damon grabbing both my arms and holding me tightly. Dad went to Elena and helped her getting out of the whole.
- I have news for you, Elena, you cannot control everyone and you cannot control your life either. Not entirely. You're a vampire now, you're a killer, a murderer, accept it! I finish to scream as her as I struggle in my uncle's grip.
- Gillian, that's enough! screams madly, dad at me as he frowns with anger. I look at him, frowning with the same frown as I stop struggling in Damon's grip. Go home!
- Dad...
- GO HOME!! shouts, my father at me with all his anger, interrupting me. I stare at him with disbelief and shock. He is clearly taking Elena's side...
- Stefan! calls, Damon to his brother with a warning tone. I scoff again and shake my head when I feel my lips shaking. I get free from my uncle's grip and rush away to the Boarding House, sobbing at the same time. It's happening again...
Damon's P.O.V.
I watch Gillian vamp-speeding away as I shake my head negatively. How could Stefan talk to her like that? He could have just scream, but shouting... I know Elena lied about Gillian. I can't picture my niece pushing someone to do something. Especially pushing someone to murder a person. That is not Boo... I turn back to Stefan, frowning madly at him before looking down at Elena who is crying harder.
- I... I killed someone. I... I killed someone, repeats, the brunette in shock and in tears as if the conversation that just happened was nothing... Or didn't exist. Both Stefan and I stay silence as the two of us look helplessly to the girl.
Tyler's P.O.V.
- I am so sorry, I apologize to Hayley as her and I are hugging each other. I just received the news about Dean being dead. I knew something would happen to him, but I did warn him that he didn't have to do whatever Klaus asked him to do.
- I can't believe Dean's gone. We could have saved him, replies, Hayley, pulling away from me and staring into my eyes. She still has her hands around my neck as I have mines around her waist when Caroline enters the room, her arms fold over her chest. Hayley and I pull away quickly. She is going to think of something else...
- I apologize. Am I intruding? tells and asks, Caroline to the both of us as she frowns madly.
- Caroline, it's not like that, I say sincerely to the blonde vampire, shaking my head.
- I keep waiting for you to make up some dumb story so at least I can call you a liar. Is that now? replies and asks me, my girlfriend, still looking mad.
- I'll let you two talk, says, Hayley, looking down and sighing annoyed.
- Thank you. How big of you, answers, Care with a mad and louder tone. Hayley glances at her one last time, extremely annoyed, before walking out of the room.
- You have to understand... I begin to say to Care when she interrupts me.
- No, you don't tell me what I have to do. I went through hell when I thought you died. I cried like an idiot and this whole time you've been keeping a secret from me about falling for some werewolf in the Appalachians! responds, the blonde vampire with an angry tone as she clearly seems to control her voice to not scream.
- I never fell for her, I say with sincerity.
- Oh, please, replies, Care after scoffing. She doesn't believe me...
- Caroline, she saved my life. I almost died trying to break the sire bond. Hayley was there for me, she helped me get through it, but nothing else happened, I explain to her as I step up to get closer to her. She needs to know now...
- Then, why would Klaus think that? she asks me, looking confused and still sounding upset.
- Because I'd rather him think that then know the truth, I look at Care as she stares at me even more confused. There are other hybrids that need to be set free. Hayley and I can help them. But if Klaus found out about what we're trying to do, he'd kill us all, I explain her what Hayley and I are doing. Caroline stares at me, her eyes softening and she calms down and realizes her mistake. The vampire weakly nods before looking down, ashamed.
Jeremy's P.O.V.
I am sitting on a bench in the middle of the Town Square, frowning preoccupied. My brain is actually burning with thoughts. The conversation with Connor, a vampire compelling me,... Is the bracelet not working anymore? Or did someone took it off from me while compelling me? I remove my bracelet from my wrist, staring at it as I think of Gillian. She suffered so much today. I can't believe I stabbed her. I truly didn't want to but Connor forcing me, pointing a gun to April's head and Gillian telling me to do it anyway... It almost sounded like she wasn't scared even though her face showed true fear. I should send her a text message later...
- Hey Jeremy, I look up and see April and Matt walking up towards me. Sorry we're so late, we had to take this crazy detour, apologizes, the girl as she places some of her hair behind her ear.
- There was a gas leak, replies, Matt, giving a look discretely. She got compelled to forget as well...
- Yeah, I heard about that, I answer, nodding to both of them as I stay sit on the bench.
- Yeah, and we had to stop by Tyler Lockwood's house because we had to see Caroline. We talked to her for a little bit, but now I was thinking maybe we could all go get some coffee, explains me, April while smiling before she turns around to look at the Grill which is still closed. Of course, after what happened in there today... But the Grill is closed. That's weird, she answers while frowning confused.
- You know what, it's okay, I, uh, I get up from the bench, standing in front of my friends, I need to get home anyways. I'm feeling a little over it today.
- I should probably get home too, responds gently, Matt to April, looking down at her with a sorry look as he passes his hand behind his neck.
- Oh. All right, then, replies, the girl with disappointment despite her smile on her face. April turns around and starts to walk away when I drop my bracelet on the ground. She needs to be protected...
- Hey, April! I call my friend as I pick the bracelet up. April turns around and looks at me. Did you drop this?
- Oh, that's not mine, she answers while shaking her head.
- You sure? Hey, let me see your wrist, I tell her. April approaches me and extends her arm to me. I put the bracelet on her before she looks at it.
- Uh, thanks, but... thanks me, April when Matt suddenly interrupts her.
- I like it. It looks good on you. You should wear it, says, the footballer next to me, smiling gently to the girl. April looks at both Matt and I alternately before smiling shily to thank us. She turns around and walks away. Are you okay? asks me, my friend with some concern.
- Yeah, I answer before beginning to start to walk away, followed by Matt next to me. I just feel awful and like I am the worst friend for stabbing Gi, but I'm good, Matt nods understandingly as he knows what I am referring to.
- She knew what she was doing, Jer. She knows that Connor was serious. She told you to do it to protect us all. Don't be so hard on yourself. I'm pretty sure she is not mad at you, responds, the boy with a reassuring tone. I nod while sighing.
- I'm just sick of all the secrets, you know, I tell him with an annoyed tone.
- Yeah, tell me about it, replies, Matt. I look down, bothered when I remark something on my hand. What is that? I stop and stare at it, surprised and shocked. No... Not now... Matt stops walking as well and turns around to look at me confused. A hunter tattoo has appeared on my hand. What is that joke?
- What? I ask to myself in a confused whisper.
- What's wrong? questions, Matt to me, sounding as confused as I am.
- Nothing, I answer, attempting to act like everything is normal. Matt looks at me strangely, doubting about my answer. However, he walks off after few seconds. I look down at my hand again and see that the tattoo is still there. Did it appear because I stabbed Gillian? What did I do?
Stefan's P.O.V.
I walk toward my room, rubbing my hair with a towel. How could I be so stupid back in the woods? Why did I talk to Gillian like that? I don't know what came over to her either earlier. She was so mad at Elena... Well, the brunette did accused her in a way. Gillian told her a big piece of her mind and she was so furious... I feel like that is all she has been feeling lately. Anger, betrayal, confusion, sadness,... What the hell am I doing? I should be there for my little girl. I should show her that all those emotions, those feelings are nothing. I sigh as I walk inside my bedroom when I find Damon sitting at my desk, drinking a glass of Bourbon and reading one of my journals.
- How is she? questions, my brother with a slight upset tone, mentioning Elena. Damon doesn't bother to look up at me, showing me his upsetness.
- Angry, full of guilt, hasn't said a word to me other than that she wants to be left alone, I answer him before frowning confused as I approach him. Is that my journal? I ask him before taking it off of the desk to stop him from reading it.
- I had to go through six locks to get it, answers, Damon as I walk off toward my shelf. I place it on it as my brother takes a sip of his drink. How's my niece? I stand still in front of all of my journals for a small moment before turning around to look at him with a guilty and ashamed look. Shouldn't you be with her right now? Trying to make her talk to you? Trying to explain yourself? asks me, Damon, obviously trying to make me feel even more culpable... which is working.
- I messed up, I know, Damon. Thanks for the reminder, Damon stares at me as he takes a sip from his drink. I sigh and shake my head negatively. She's bad, I guess... I haven't talked to her either. I don't think she'll let me anyway, I answer as I look down, my hands on my hips.
- Can't blame her. You blew her off when she was telling Elena her brutal thoughts on her, answers, Damon with an upset tone as he frowns lightly.
- She had no right to talk to Elena like that, I tell him calmly as I look back at my brother.
- Right. But Elena had no right to slap or accused Gillian for something she didn't do. How can you believe her and not your daughter, Stefan? asks me, Damon with a mad tone as he puts his drink down on my desk, frowning more madly.
- Elena was devastated... I begin to say when Damon interrupts me.
- I'm not talking about Elena but Gillian, Stefan! Your blood! Your heir! Your daughter! almost screams at me, Damon with a serious and stern tone. I look down, ashamed again, like a kid being lectured by their parents. She went through so much today... Again! And we didn't do nothing. You barely got there on time! You could have lost her because of the hunter-dick or because of the lack of blood. You know what, we actually made it worse for her, I look back up at him, frowning hurt. I almost ripped your heart out in front of her eyes as she was crying and pleading me to stop and you yelled at her to go home after not believing her because you were protecting Elena! You basically showed her that you took the brunette's side! he almost screams at me again with a stong madness as his eyes are burning me.
- I was mad, okay? I didn't mean to. I... I stop talking, staring at him as I search for my words. I groan upset and frustrated as I pace around. I never talked to her like that before.
- Then, why did you today? questions, Damon, speaking a calmer tone.
- I don't know... Maybe because I was upset that you got the truth out of me? Because I am scared of what Klaus can do to all of you now that you know about the cure? Because when I entered the Grill I found my daughter tied up to a chair with a bomb at her feet, a stake in both her legs, nails planted all over her skin which was burned by Vervain and her whole body covered of her own blood?! I stop pacing around and face Damon, looking at him with anger, fear, nervousness, guilt and sadness. My brother stares at me, obviously seeing all those emotions in my eyes and face. I might have not believed Gillian in that moment, only God knows why, I might have screamed at her because of all the accumulation of my emotions, but I still love her the same. Maybe even more. She is my daughter, my baby, and she will stay forever my kid. Mad or not at her or her being mad at me, I don't care. She will forever stay my daughter, I reply to my big brother with sincerity and pain in my voice while staring at him with slightly glassy eyes. She's all I have that I am proud of. She is my biggest achievement, Damon. She is the only thing that I didn't fail in my life... And yet, I keep failing toward her, I answer to Damon with a serious but calm tone. My brother and I exchange a long look together, staying silent. When I see my daughter crying, when I see, sense and feel her rage, her sadness, her pain, when I listen to my little girl singing her heart out on that piano like this morning, I just want to take it all away from her just so that she is fine. I wish she could never feel any of those emotions, but she does. Everybody does. I can't prevent her from it. And I hate it!
- But you can help her to get away slowly from it by being there for her like right now, answers calmly, Damon, staring at me with no more anger in his eyes. I look up at him but shake my head negatively. It's not that I don't want to. I know my daughter, she needs to have some space right now. If I go there, she will explode again. I'd rather know her in her room and full of thought than see her crying because of me... as selfish as it sounds. Damon clears his throat after taking a sip of his drink. Right. Anyway, I needed something to back up your insanity. You figure out how to tell Klaus you lost a hunter and a hybrid? demands me, Damon, changing the subject.
- He's on a plane, which means I get to live for another six hours, I reply while sighing.
- Well, I got your back, you know, when he comes to murder you, answers, my big brother with sarcasm. And I'm sure Boo does as well, even though she is mad and might not show it to you right now.
- Thanks, I reply, not amused by him. And thanks for not saying anything to Elena, I thank him again as I pour myself a glass of Bourbon.
- About what? About the cure we don't have, can't find, and probably doesn't exist? You're welcome, questions and answers, Damon with a slight upset tone as he is still speaking with sarcasm.
- She doesn't need to know that she killed her chance of being human again, I reply with a hurt tone before looking at him as I hold my glass.
- Alleged chance, says, Damon before taking a sip of his drink.
- I believe him, Damon. So does Gillian. You didn't hear Klaus' story. We believed every word he said, I respond to my brother as I approach him and my desk.
- Wait, Gillian knew about it as well? He asks me, surprised.
- She was with me when Klaus recounted us the story, Damon, I answer as I sit on my bed. I play with the liquid in my glass, looking down at it while sighing again. But, unlike you, she doesn't want to help me find it, I say with a slight pain in my voice.
- Why? he asks, sounding confused.
- For a lot of reasons... I answer, almost in a whisper, before taking a sip of my drink.
- Does it involve a brunette and you? I look up at him for a few seconds before nodding positively. Mmh, well, I kind of do understand her, I stay silent to his remark, frowning hurt. You look affected by that, tells, Damon with a surprised tone.
- Well, yes, a little bit. I mean, it was always Gillian and I before... But my daughter has her temper and her mind all built on it, I answer to Damon as I shake my head and take a sip of my drink again.
- Yeah, let's not forget who you made her with, reminds me, my brother with a smirk. I roll my eyes before nodding. Damon gets up from my desk chair and goes pouring himself another drink. Anyway, I'll remain a skeptic for now. So what's your next move? asks me, Damon, chainging the subject again.
- He said there was a Brotherhood of the Five, which means there are other hunters out there and I'm just gonna keep looking until I find one, I turn around to look at my brother as Damon faces me again after pouring himself his drink.
- Sure, Stefan, since you asked; I'd be happy to go on a suicide mission with you for a potentially non-existent cure. No problem, answers, Damon with sarcasm again as he smiles fakely at the end. I lightly laugh to his comment before taking a sip of my drink, just like my brother.
- Yet a couple of hours ago, you were ready to rip my heart out, I remind him.
- Because you were being a pain in the ass, I stay silent, staring at him. Tell me one thing. Why do you want to cure her?
- What kind of question is that? I ask him, not getting what he means.
- A legitimate one. You want to cure her because she's a vampire and she's not cut out to be? Or you can't love her if she is one? questions, my big brother to me with a serious tone as he lightly frowns. I frown back at him before looking down.
- I'll always love her. But she's not supposed to be this person. I don't want her to be, I admit to him with a low voice. I know Gillian might be able to hear our conversation and that since the beginning. But I don't want her to feel any worse than she is now.
- Well, if I'm gonna ride this fairy tale to its conclusion, I want to be clear about one thing, replies seriously, Damon.
- What's that? I ask intrigued.
- I'm fine with her either way, brother. So, if I do this, I'm doing it for you, he answers seriously again before taking a sip of his drink and puting it on the table. Damon begins to walk toward the exit of my bedroom as I stand still. I look down when I hear him stopping. Stefan, I turn to look at my brother, even though she's mad at you, go check up on Gillian tonight, time to time, I slowly nod befor looking down again.
Elena's P.O.V.
After taking a long shower, trembling of fear, of sadness, of disbelief for what I did to the hunter, I went to my bedroom and sat at my desk. During the shower, all I could see and think of was the blood on my hands. I don't know how long I let the water wash up my hands of the blood, but even after there were none, it was still like there were still blood on them. I take my diary, open it and take a pen. I need to write... I need to say what I can't express or explain to someone.
- Dear diary, today I did the thing I was most afraid of. I lost control. I killed someone. I used to think the worst feeling in the world was losing someone you loved, but I was wrong. The worst feeling is the moment that you realize that you've lost yourself, I was about to start a new sentence when I remark dropplets of blood dripping down on my hand. What?
I put down my pen and bring my fingers toward my nose. I touch it to see if it's bleeding, but I don't see any blood on them. I look down at the floor, frowning confused as I remark all the blood on it. What is this? Where does it come from? I stand up and follow the small pools of blood leading to the bathroom. There is a hand print on my door to the bathroom. I slowly open the door to the bathroom and flip on the lights. The floor, the walls,... everything is splaterred in blood. What the hell is happening here? I look around, still frowning confused when I look at the mirror. Oh, my God... I gasp and back up at the same time when I discover the word "KILLER" written with blood on it. I continue to back up when I slip on a pool of blood and fall on the floor. I quickly sit up, beginning to panic when I remark that the bathroom is completely clean. There is no more blood... What? How is that possible? I stand up and look in the mirror. The word "KILLER" is gone as well... What is happening to me? I look down at my arms and around the room, looking and breathing rapidly and terrified by what is happening to me.
Gillian's P.O.V.
I walk away from dad's bedroom after hearing the brothers's conversation. I still can't believe dad believes... Or believed, I don't know, Elena and not me. Why? Why is he so much onto Elena lately? More than before? I know he wants the cure for her but still. It's like he is chasing after something almost impossible... I sigh and walk back to my bedroom when I hear footsteps following me behind me. Uncle Damon... I accelerate my pace and walk inside my bedroom, breathing heavily and rapidly, before closing the door... well, trying to. Damon blocks it and re-opens it with his foot. I back off as I look at him entering my bedroom and closing the door behind him. I stare at him madly and sadly.
- Go ahead, say it. Come on, express everything you're feeling, tells me, Damon like he is actually reading me like an open book. I stay silent for a small moment, breathing rapidly and heavily as my emotions are taking possession of me.
- I can't pretend anymore, Damon, I tell him with madness. I hate her! I hate that dad believes her! I hate that you believe her! Why do you two even believe her? I exclaim and ask him, almost screaming with sadness and a mad tone.
- I don't! Okay? says quiet loudly, Damon while frowning upset which caused me to lightly back off, surprised. He stops frowning and takes a deep breath in. I don't believe her, Boo. I believe you, he says while slowly approaching me. I look up at him, frowning sadly as my eyes seem to lose their madness.
- Why did she say that? I ask him while looking down and crossing my arms over my chest.
- I know you don't have the best relationship with Elena. You never have. But she was scared, she is still adjusting to her vampire life and maybe she felt blaming you was the easiest option... he replies calmly, attempting to find an argument to reassure me and to calm me down. However, I look back up at him, my eyes beginning to tear up. Which is completely wrong, Boo, I lightly scoff while shaking my head negatively and looking away. I stay quiet for a small moment, biting my lower lip.
- I just want to go away, really far and not hear anymore of her problems ever. Since dad and I are back here, she just kept puting our lives in danger, she even killed people because she loves controlling everything! She doesn't know things, but she acts like she does and screw people around! How do you explain that? I tell, remind and ask him with an upset and sad tone as my eyes are blinded by a blurry cloud made of my tears.
- We can't control nor predict who will enter our lives, but what I do know is that the three of us must be protecting each other at all times and no mater the cost, responds, my uncle to me, grabbing me by my shoulders as he stares into my eyes. I feel the tears rolling down my cheeks one by one which seems to sadden him.
- Right, because that looked like dad protected me back there when Elena pointed at me and blamed me, I remind Damon with sarcasm before sniffing sadly and looking away.
- Well, your dad screwed up with that decision, answers, Uncle Damon with an upset tone against his brother. I feel him squeezing my shoulders. But hey, he is very sorry for what happened. He is mad at himself for not only what happened to you at the Grill but also for talking to you that way and for not believing you. Maybe you should go see him, talk to him and do a father/daughter hug that I will forever be jealous of?
- Yeah, right, no... Not gonna happen tonight. Maybe I should leave a little bit until things calm down here, I whisper sadly as more tears roll down my cheeks. I choke up my crying, not wanting to sob uncontrollably.
- Absolutely not! immediately responds, Uncle Damon with a stern tone which caused me to look back up at him. Hey! You're not going anywhere because if you do that, it would mean that you are giving up and that isn't you, is it? he says and asks me while wiping my cheeks delicately and gently with his thumbs. I don't say anything and just look at him before looking down again. He's right... It isn't me... but sometimes giving up just seems to be the right thing to do. I look back up at Damon as I accidentally sob quietly. I close my eyes when my uncle brings me into a tight embrace. It's like he saw and sensed that I need it. It's okay, kiddo, whispers, Damon while running his hand in my back.
- Why is everything happening all at once? I ask him as I envelop him in my arms as well. Uncle Ric, Klaus, then Kyle, then Elena and dad... Should I really keep holding on? Would it be worth it to not give up? How am I supposed to hold on when even my father doesn't believe me? I tell and ask him sadly as I look up at my uncle with my watering eyes.
- He will come around, Kiddo, and he will be sorry that he ever doubt in you, replies, Damon with a sincere tone, like he knows what is going to happen days later. I nod and sigh as I back away and wipe my cheek.
- I'm going to call someone. I need to... I tell him as I regain slowly my composure.
- Okay, I'll be in my room if you need me, Boo, replies, Damon, kissing my forehead before walking out of my bedroom. I sigh and grab my phone from my back pocket before rushing to the roof. I sit on it and take a deep breath in before pressing on the call button. Two beeps rang before she answered the call.
- Little Fang! How are you? Why are you calling me so late? answers, mom with a cheerful voice before sounding lightly confused, despite her happy tone.
- I needed to talk to you a little bit... I reply with a small voice as I play with my sleeve. A small silence takes place on the phone call before mom breaks it.
- You read the letter... she says with realization in her voice.
- I did. I... I close my eyes and sigh before lowering my head. Thank you, for everything you said in it, for recounting me your feelings and how you truly see me. It felt so good to know that, to not doubt for a moment, I thank her sincerely as I rethink of the letter and all the beautiful things she told me.
- I only said the truth, baby, she replies sincerely as well. Just by the tone of her voice, I can tell that she was smiling. I weakly smile as well, but not for long as a new silence takes place again. Is something bothering you? I can hear that something isn't right in your voice, questions and states, mom with a concerned and worried tone.
- Yeah, things are a little... rough here lately. But I'll be alright, I respond to her, still with a small voice, before looking up at the sky.
- What is happening, Gillian? Is it your father? Your uncle maybe? she asks me confused as she seems and sounds more and more worried.
- No, it's not them, mom. It's... everything! I answer while sighing tiredly, sadly and madly. I put my head in my hand as I feel my eyes watering up again. Great... It just won't ever stop, will it? I just feel like I was thrown into a grave and someone is slowly covering me up of dirt, I tell her, expressing to her my choking and powerless feeling.
- Is it because of Elena? What did she do to you? Questions, my mother with the same worried tone, but mixed up with an upset one this time.
- Mom, I'm tired of always telling you things over the phone, of always having to be far away from you! If you want to know things from my life just come back for once and spend time with me like you said in your letter! If you want to be a part of my life, you have to be around I to start that! I tell her with an upset and snappy tone as I couldn't control it. I didn't mean to talk to her like that, but... It's like my emotions are taking possession of me sometimes. And I hate it!
- I know... I know... she answers, like she doesn't know what else to tell me. I'm sorry to disappoint you, Little Fang. I will come back, soon. Very soon, baby and you'll see things will get better because momma Petrova will kick anyone's ass who hurt you, she replies with a serious but playful tone as well which caused me to crack a smile.
- Of course you will, I respond, slightly amused by her.
- Hey, I have to go, baby, but call me again whenever you need to talk or just when you want to pass time. I might be far from you but I'll always be here, Little Fang. I am serious, tells me, my mother with a serious tone. I look up at the dark sky of the night which is lighten up by the stars and the moon.
- I will... I whisper while nodding even though she doesn't see me. I can feel the tears rolling down my cheeks.
- I love you so much, Gillian, replies, mom with a loving tone.
- I love you too, mom. Bye, I reply before hanging up.
I stare at my phone for a small moment, grimacing sadly as my lips are shaking. I get up and go back to my bedroom. So glad to have already taken my shower and be in my baggy shirt. I go lay in my bed after turning off the lights. However, I can't find sleep, I can't stop moving and I can't stop crying. I can't go to dad's bedroom because of what is happening... Kyle, let's not even think about him... Kol, I can't go to him all the time whenever I am down... Klaus, I am still upset with him. Which lets Caroline, Jeremy and Uncle Damon. I sigh and get up as I am faintly sobbing quietly. I open the door of my bedroom when I feel my phone buzzing. I look at it and find a text message from Jeremy.
- "Hey, Gi! I'm very sorry for what happened at the Grill. I really never meant to stab you, even when Connor forced me. I feel like I hurt and betrayed you in a way and I hate it. I'll totally understand if you're mad at me, but... Just know that I love you and I am sorry", I sniff sadly and lightly sob as I press on the button to reply to his text message.
- "Hey, Jer, it's okay really. I'm not mad at you. I told you to do it because I didn't want Connor to hurt any of you. Matt and you are my friends and April seems to be a very nice and shy girl. She didn't deserve to live what she lived. Just don't worry about today. I love you too, Gilbert", Goodnight, I reply to my friend before wiping my cheeks. However, I did it for nothing because more tears come covering them. I walk out of my bedroom to go to my uncle's. I don't want to exit the boarding house... not tonight. I just want to be with Uncle Damon...
Damon's P.O.V.
I am laying in my bed, under my blanket, shirtless and reading a book. However, I can't stop thinking about Gillian, about how she feels and what is happening with Elena. I don't know why she said that nor why Stefan believes her. But she shouldn't have and Stefan should have believed his daughter. I flip a page and begin to read the first sentence when I hear footsteps outside my bedroom accompanied of sad sniffing. Boo... I lower down my book and look at the entrance of my bedroom to see my little niece standing in the doorframe, her arms around her waist as she is crying. None of us say a word. But I can tell that she needs someone and mostly a hug.
- Come here, come here, Boo, I tell her after puting the book on my night table next to me. I hold my left arm up as Gillian comes towards me. She climbs on my bed, lightly sobbing while getting under the blanket and against me. I pass my arm around her as my other one grabs her arms to hold her like a true hug. Gillian has her arm around my stomach, holding onto me tightly. I can feel her shaking, her tears wetting my stomach and hearing her sobbing. You called your mother, didn't you? I gently whisper as I look down at her. Gillian doesn't reply but hides her head in my chest before crying a bit harder. I tighten my grip around her while weakly sighing as I hate seeing her like this. It's okay, Boo. I promise you. It's just a hard moment to face, I whisper again while caressing and stroking her hair.
Suddenly, Stefan arrives discretely and stays at the doorframe. He stares at his daughter silently while frowning sadly. I discretely gesture him that I got her and that he should leave as I frown upset at him. I know Gillian doesn't know her father is here. Otherwise, she would have turned around already. Stefan looks down, hurt and sadly. Gillian usually goes to him when she is down and he cheers her up. But this time is different. Stefan leaves reluctantly and upset that he messed up. I look back down at Gillian who is still crying. I quietly sigh again and place a kiss on top of her head which seems to calm her down lightly. After a moment, I take my book back, still having an arm around my niece while gently caressing her back to sooth her. Gillian has stopped crying and is reading silently the book with me. I let her flipping the pages whenever she is done reading, even though I finished reading them long before her. I just want her to forget what is happening for a moment. I know flipping pages won't do much, but it seems to work. I finish reading another page and wait for her to flip it. However, not even a minute later, I hear Gillian faintly snoring on my chest. I look down at her and faintly smile as I see her cute sleepy face. I understand why Stefan is always smiling when he sees her sleeping... It's in those moments that I wish Gillian would be mine or that I have a kid of my own... At least, I have a niece and I am forever grateful to even be an uncle. I close my book and put it back down on my night table before turning off the table lamp. I carefully and lightly move to lay down comfortably, still holding Gillian against me. I stare at the ceiling for a moment, thinking when I feel my niece moving and getting closer to me. She has her arm on my chest and her head resting next to it. I look at her again and delicately caress her face before closing my eyes and falling asleep.
Heyy guys!! How are you? 😁 So sorry for not publishing before but like I told you guys, I had all my exams last week and until yesterday so I couldn't write much but I still did! 😁 Now, I just need to wait for my results and I'll be fully on Summer break! 🎉🎉 Thank you for the 73k!!! 💖💖 That's more than amazing guys!! 🎉🎉 The song I used at the beginning is "Take me home" by Jess Glynne. What did you think of this new chapter?
- What did you think of Elena accusing Gillian at the end?
- What did you think of Damon and Gillian's moment?
- What do you think of Gillian being mad at her father? Should it stay that way a slight longer?
- Did you like that Jeremy was against a dilemma due to Connor (since he had to stab or kill Gillian)?
- Do you like Jeremy and Gillian's friendship?
- What did you think of Connor's actions and saying toward Gillian?
- Next chapter : We will find Kyle again and he will come "talk" to our favorite vampire, what do you think he will do to Gillian? Will he tell her why he is doing that? And who he is working for?
- Next chapter : Kol will be seen as well, why do you think Gillian goes see him? (Beside what Kyle will probably say and do to her)
Thank you for reading this new chapter! 😁 I apologize for the mistakes! 😏 Please, feel free to vote and/or comment! 😘😘😘