Sitting in the middle of the attic floor, my body spread out along the wooden floorboards as I stared up at the ceiling. Hands covered in paint and tubes of acrylic paints cluttered around my legs and arms, I took in deep breaths as a cool breeze blew in through the propped window.
Having only slept a few hours this morning, I woke up at the crack of dawn to the sound of Gaia and Hestia heading down towards the garden to weed the plants. With the fresh smell of wet grass coming through the window, it was only of the few things distracting me from the memory of Enzo's body lying a few feet below me.
Sitting up, I stared down at my legs as they turned out facing the opposite walls squishing the acrylic tubes underneath. Sliding and kicking over the empty ones, I crawled my way to the canvas and the stool I sat in front of it, raising myself from the ground when I heard something come up the stairs to the attic.
"Lauren?" Gaia whispered, turning the doorknob.
Peaking her head inside, she gazed around the room for a bit before finding me in the middle.
"Do you need some candles?" I asked her.
"No...can I eat my cookies with you?"
Chuckling under my breath, I flick my fingers over at another empty stool sitting in the corner, levitating it to sit beside the window.
"Take a seat."
Squeezing and spreading the black acrylic on the palette, I smeared it in different spots on the blue canvas, dragging certain parts downward when I see Gaia offering me a cookie.
"Thank you."
Taking it with my teeth, I had her clean some of the dirty and dry brushes inside one of the moving boxes while I tried to get a good sketch on the canvas.
"Is this for a client?" She asked.
"No...well, I don't know. Haven't had much of those lately...everyone keeps dying."
Hearing the dirty water splatter at the sides of the mason jar, I spread another tube on my palette, mixing it with white before sliding it across the canvas again. Using my fingers, I smeared some of the harsh edges of the picture, creating creases due to my nails I smear more of the mixed color on the canvas.
"Why do you wear that ring?" Gaia asked, pointing at my daylight ring.
Quickly glancing at my right hand, I wiped the top of my hand on my overalls to show her the bluestone wrapped around the silver wiring.
"It keeps me from burning in the sun...not all of us are lucky."
"But it's so ugly?"
"It's a family heirloom..."
"I know...but it's still ugly."
"Gaia!" Selene yelled from the foyer.
"You're mom's calling." I chuckled.
"Ugh...she's gonna make me go to the garden again."
"I thought you already went to the garden?" I asked, taking another cookie.
"I did, but all of the plants are still blooming so there's nothing to do."
Taking the jar from her, I helped her down from the stool.
"Go, she'll get angry."
"Can you come with me?" She whimpered.
"I have to finish this Gaia-,"
"I'll give you another cookie."
Digging her fingers into her plastic ziplock bag, she pulls one with the abundant amount of chocolate chips to my face.
"I...I will not brided." I mumbled.
"...two cookies?"
Side-eyeing her, I casually place my paintbrush to the side, wiping my hands on an old washcloth before turning to her.
"Make it three and I'll grow the garden out for you."
"Deal!"
Handing me the cookies, she quickly took my hands and dragged me out of the attic just as Selene peaked her head out from the under the foyer.
"What are you doing up there?"
"I asked Scarlett if she wanted a cookie..."
With a strong pull, Gaia continued to drag me down the stairs and around the kitchen island to the side door before handing me another cookie and leading me against down the porch and over to the garden a few yards away.
"Here you go."
Setting me in front of the garden door, she cautiously took a few steps back, folding the cookie bag behind her back.
"Why are you standing back for?" I asked.
"...just a precaution. Go...grow."
Taking a deep breath, I stretched out my hands out and in front of the garden door, slowly feeling the wind start to push against me.
"Patientia Cum venit tempus, tempus venit cum patientia..."
Letting out the breath of air in my lungs, I opened my eyes gradually, peaking through my lashes as the garden which was once brittle and plain, overflowed with leafy greens, bright fruits, and tall voluptuous trees.
"Is that enough for you?" I whispered, looking over my shoulder at Gaia, who stood there with a full bag of cookies.
"Yes! Thank you! Enjoy!"
Running for the door, she tossed the cookies up in the air eager to start on the garden. Watching her as she started at the farthest corner, I munched on one of the cookies licking the tips of my fingers when suddenly I hear my name being whispered behind my ear.
'Lauren...'
Snapping my head behind me, I gazed around the empty property even at the porch to see no one.
'Lauren...'
Anxiously, I held onto the ziplock bag taking a few steps forward to the porch stairs when the door slides open violently.
"Woah..."
Taking one last glimpse at Gaia, she was in her own little world as I trailed back into the house. With the kitchen still dark and the stovetop cold to the touch, I took one step up to the foyer only to hear something creaking in the distance. The echoing sound of a lightbulb flickering in the distance caused me to peek my head back into the kitchen.
"What the hell? Hello?"
Staring down in the hallway, the door leading to the basement creaked over revealing the flickering light downstairs.
"...Selene?" I called out just as I made it to the edge of the kitchen counter.
"Hestia?"
Pulling myself passed the kitchen doorway, I slid my hand down the wooden railing when I suddenly feel a gush of wind push me inside, slamming the basement door shut.
"What th-, Hestia! Selene! Open up!" I yelled, banging on the door.
Shaking the doorknob back and forth, I pulled and pushed so much that the screw around the metal placed dislodge from the wood.
"Hes-,"
"Stop yelling, Lauren." I hear a deep voice come up behind me.
Pushing myself off the door, I stepped down the stairs one-by-one, peaking my head under the plywood blocking my view to the inside of the basement.
"What the-,"
"Didn't expect me to be here now did you?" Enzo whispered, standing behind his covered body.
Still holding onto the end of the railing, I stared at Enzo, who stood there with a large grin on his face, arms crossed, and a patched, unbloody chest.
"What are doing here?" I asked.
"Well, I came because you're the anchor..."
"...Hmm,"
"This is a nice little place you have here, cozy and warm...preserves the body just right." He sighed, placing his hand over his dead body.
Staring at him carefully, he stood over his body, tracing his fingers over the gaping hole in his chest before turning his head.
"Are you going to do it?" He asked.
"Do what?"
"The spell...to bring me back?"
"How-,"
"I've been here for the last few hours...you just haven't noticed." He chuckled.
"Ah...I see that you've locked up my heart."
Walking over to a couple of shelves hanging on the wall, Enzo shook the jar sideways, watching his heart bounce off the walls.
"Um-,"
"Don't worry, it's made of steel..."
"What are you doing here Enzo?" I sighed.
"I just tol-"
"What are you actually doing here..."
"Well...you killed me, it's only fair that I haunt you."
"You fought me remember? You pushed yourself away from me-,"
"On the contrary, who stuck their hand in my chest in the first place? Ah, you." He snarled, setting the jar back down.
"What makes matters even worse is that you and Stefan are going to keep this little secret from Damon...all the while he believes that I am in Cape Horn."
"By the time he starts asking questions, you'll be back to norma-"
"With my memories of course...all of them." He mumbled, making his way to me.
"If you're trying to scare me, it won't work. And if you're trying to pass through me, go ahead...I've felt worst remember?"
Standing just yards from one another, I watched as Enzo's eyes peered just under his lashes, carefully scanning my body before resting himself up against the bottom of the table.
"I'm not going to hurt you, Lauren. Nor am I going to torture you...I'm here because...I'm keeping my promise."
"What?"
"I was obviously too involved with Maggie-"
"You just told me you were going to haunt me?" I blurted out.
"Love, that was a joke...just trying to lighten up the mood, that's all...and knowing what I know now...I shouldn't have acted that way towards you, so I'm sorry."
"That would've worked 12 hours ago when you still had your heart inside of your chest."
"I know... and in no way are you responsible for what you did."
"Yeah, right..." I whispered, rolling my eyes to the side.
"So...about that deal...I either haunt you and help you or I annoy you every moment until you bring me back?"
"I don't see the part in which I win in this?" I asked.
"You win because I am your friend-"
"Dead friend...very dead, as in you're laying on my table dead."
"I get it... So...I will keep my promise as long as you bring me back. Do we agree?" He questioned, stretching out his hand.
"...that's another thing..." I whispered.
"What is it?"
"The spell is going to need a sacrifice...a life for a life."
Pulling his hand back to his side, Enzo furrowed his brows questionably, leaving deep lines across his forehead.
"I thought those rules only applied to normal witches, not an original?"
"They don't have too, but... there are consequences if I don't, so...we follow the rules."
"Alright...who's life are we taking, because since I've been dead I've met some unusual people around town that could use some extra time on the other side if you know what I mean." Enzo laughed.
"As long as it's no one that I care about, you have full range. And if you can do the job for me, I'll give you a gold star."
"I'm a ghost...I'm as useless as an animal with no opposable thumbs." He blurted out, sticking his thumbs out from under his arms.
"...you got that right."
"Excuse me?"
"Nothing. I'll take care of it then...now...would you mind opening the door?" I asked, flinging my arm up at the stairs.
"I didn-"
"Well do you mind floating out and unlocking it?" I asked, just when the doorknob turns.
"Lauren, I didn't lock the door..."
"Then-"
"...have you made up already?" I heard Hestia blurt out from the top of the basement.
Staring up at the stairs, Hestia smiled nervously and quickly, swinging the door open before vanishing into thin air, leaving me behind with Enzo.
"So, shall we get started on your problem then?" Enzo asked as I stopped my way up the stairs.
~
Flipping my hair over ot the side, I pulled the towel off of my head, tossing it into the laundry basket in the corner of my room. Combing through my hair, I sprayed a few pumps of the detangler when I hear Gaia running around in the foyer. Closing the door to my room as I headed for the closet, I leaned up against the doorframe staring at myself through the mirror leaning up against the wall in the far end.
With my dirty overalls covering the dirty pile in the corner, I opened the closet door further to air out the paint thinner filling up the room. Pushing myself off the frame, I run my hands up and down the racks of pants and dresses on the rack before standing in front of a section I hadn't taken out of their shopping bag.
Loosening the towel around me, I slip on some undergarments first before tossing on a white t-shirt and the black jean dress over with some worn down converse I had hidden behind the shopping bags. Digging the extra shoelace into my shoes, I froze suddenly at the sound of my bed creaking behind me.
Quickly pulling myself up, I stepped over the wet towel to see Enzo laying across my bed with his hands over his head, smiling as I walked out of the closet.
"What are you doing here?"
"Can't a man just lounge around?" He chuckled.
"Yes...in the living room where there are lounge chairs to do just that. Get out."
"Don't freak out...I didn't see anything."
Rolling my eyes, I flung the wet towel into the laundry basket, quickly brushing my teeth over the sink.
"So, I was thinking as your first task to being a comfortable loner-"
"We are dealing with your own problem, right now...so keep your advice until after we've finished the day," I added.
"...fine...gives me time to be creative."
Parting my hair to the side, I shut off the water when my phone starts ringing somewhere in my room. Searching around with the help of Enzo, pointing at random places in the room, I caught Stefan's call on the last ring.
"Hello?"
'Hey, where are you?'
"At home...why? Is something wrong?"
'Um...sort of, how fast can you get here?' Stefan sighed.
"In a few minutes...is everything alright?"
Noticing the sudden pauses in Stefan's voice, I turned around to face Enzo, who could overhear the same tone in his voice.
'We have a problem...a Marco problem.'
"Alright, I'll be there in a few-"
'Wait, Lauren.' Stefan blurted out just as I pulled my phone away.
"Yeah?"
'...Tyler's here...so...heads up.'
Focusing at the metal bedframe, Enzo's feet which had swung themselves to the edge of the bed caused me to snap out of the trance I was in.
"Yeah, fine...I'll see you in a little bit."
'See you, be careful...we don't know where he is and what he might be up to...'
"Got it. Bye."
Hanging up the call, I slipped my phone inside my dress pocket, hurrying faster than usual as Enzo rose from the bed.
"...he sounded worried."
"That's his usual tone," I added.
"Hmm..."
Grabbing my keys and purse, I closed all the doors inside my room, waiting as Enzo escorted himself out into the hallway with Gaia, who had come running down the stairs.
"Where are you going?" She asked.
"To my brothers...how was the garden?"
"Amazing! Mother's making carrot cake, do you want some?"
"How about me save me a piece?" I whispered, bending down to fix her dress.
"Could you save two?" Enzo added, standing behind me.
"You're that cow-skin man, right?"
Chuckling under my breath, I turned my head around to see the sour look on Enzo's face.
"...It's leather...and I'm Lorenzo."
"Ah, the dead body in the basement...gotcha!"
"Gaia, I need you to wash the dishes!" Selene yelled from the kitchen.
"Coming!... Run, before she makes you fix the sink." Gaia whispered to Enzo, running down the stairs after.
"She's lively...I like her."
"She refers you to cow-skin...but to each their own," I whispered, guiding him down the stairs.
Saying goodbye to Selene from the foyer, I pushed Enzo out the door and over to the garage beside the house when I get a text from Damon.
'9-11. Traveler Problem.'
"Who's that?" Enzo asked, strapping on his seatbelt.
"Damon..."
Speeding down the driveway and out of the property, I zoomed through the old backroads of Mystic Falls, just in time for the small amount of traffic leading into town due to lunch. With the radio playing in the back of our silence, Enzo tapped his feet to the rhythm of the song until the end, leaving him staring out the window.
"...what?" I asked, noticing the silence.
"Nothing? Can't a man think in peace?"
"You are not a man...you're a ghost, who can't seem to take a hint that he's very passive-aggressive, so?"
"...who's Tyler?" He asked, noticing the slow gaze of his from the corner of my eye.
"An old friend...we had a...falling out."
"So you don't speak anymore?"
"No...haven't seen him in a few weeks, why?" I asked, turning into the road leading the house.
"It's just...Stefan made it seem like he was dangerous?"
"He's not...he has anger issues but that's about it."
Pulling up to the driveway, I turned off the radio as I came up behind Stefan's red convertible.
"Great, time to-"
"Ground rules." I blurted out, closing the car door before Enzo could get out.
"What-"
"No nonsense...I can't be distracted in there, Stefan and Damon will notice something is wrong...and so will Tyler. Don't make stuff fly across the room either, they'll start to think that my powers are getting out of control and start to ask questions. Got it?" I asked.
"...since when are you worried about what I do?"
"Since you told me that you would haunt me and tell Damon what happened...You're helping me remember? Don't make me take back my side of the promise."
Gazing his eyes on me again, I unlock the door again, stepping out of the car just as Stefan waltzes outside of the front door.
"You're here..."
"Yeah, it's packed in town so it took a while." I smiled.
"Come on in...I'll fix you a drink."
"Why?" I whispered, stepping into the foyer with Enzo, following me inside.
"You'll need it after what Tyler's going to say."
Looking back at Enzo, his hand rested on my shoulder, slowly pulling my purse off of my shoulder and onto the bench near the wall.
"Is that him?" He whispered, nodding his head into the living room.
Turning my head, I caught Tyler's eye immediately, causing him to stand up quickly from the couch as Damon, lounged on the edge of the armchair. But out of blue, the sound of soft chanting caught my attention.
"Who else is in here?" I asked Stefan.
"Luke...he's helping Damon."
"For what?"
"A locator spell...which would take you only a few minutes and him hours to do." Damon hissed, tossing an ice cube at Luke's chest from across the living room.
"That's not helping."
"Well, you've been failing now for an hour, wonder twin. How about you let a legacy try it out-"
"Oh, I'm good thanks...he seems to be very concentrated," I added, making brief eye contact with Stefan who scooped a few cubes of ice into the ballglass.
"Damon, I know you're out of a friend, but uh, I'm not sure this guy's the best replacement."
"I don't think this guy's the best anything. If his locator spell skills are any indication, I can only imagine what his sister is like...by the way, where is your sister?" Damon asked.
"She's tired of being almost murdered. Look. I can find any person anywhere on the planet, ok? There's just something weird with your friend Enzo."
"Yes, I imagine is my rotting body hiding under your basement," Enzo whispered into my ear.
"Enzo? Didn't he go to Cape Horn?" I asked, crossing my arms.
"He flipped his humanity switch. There should've been a body count all the way to the airport."
"Hmm...well, why are you looking for him?"
"Gee, I don't know Lauren. A vampire with no humanity who wants me dead for killing his girl...doesn't that remind you of anyone in particular? Like a girl with dark brown hair, green eyes and a mean right hook...not to mention out of this world powers." Damon exaggerated.
"Well, maybe he hired a witch to block whatever Luke's doing?" Stefan added, making another brief glance at me.
"Hmm...not quite the answer that I was looking for." Enzo added.
"A cloaking spell? I guess."
"I guess that would mean that he doesn't want to be found, so why don't you just drop it?" Stefan sighed, handing me the glass of bourbon as we all sat around the living room.
"Alright...Tyler, why don't you bring Lauren up to speed." Damon groaned
"Okay..." Taking a spot in front of the fireplace, I took a long deep gulp before paying attention to him.
"Well, Marcos turned Sloan into a vampire...using my blood, he then had her drink doppelganger blood and after some chanting ritual thing, she turned human again."
"Wait? What?" I blurted out.
"My same reaction."
"He cured her?"
"To death. The blood took away her vampirism but left her in the state that she was in just before she turned."
"That state being dead," Stefan added.
"The point is they feel if they can get rid of all magic they'll break some lame-ass witch curse that...well, Lauren's family had put on them years ago."
"My family...that's impossible."
"Markos did say they can't settle anywhere without evoking earthquakes or hellfire, but if they break that curse, they just move right on into Mystic Falls," Damon added.
"And now they won't just come after Elena and me, but Lauren too...they'll want to stop your flow of magic so that they can break the curse."
"Oh, well...Markos had a good week or two in the land of the living. Now, where is he so I can kill him?" Damon smiled sinisterly.
"No idea. They were moving camp when I got out."
"Well, good news. Our friend Luke here is an alleged genius at locator spells...if not we also have the original spawn."
"Travelers are always moving. They're impossible to track. They'll find the three of you before we can find them." Luke added.
"Well, what about one of those locator spell blocker deals? Is that simple enough for you?"
"If both doppelgangers and original witch are in the same place, yeah."
"Perfect. You avoid the entire Czech language and figure out how to find Markos-"
"How am I suppose to do that?" Tyler questioned.
"Well, you have a traveler inside of you. I mean, I have probably misplaced faith that you'll figure it out. Meanwhile, the three musketeers and our ex-girlfriend are gonna go on a little secret trip." Damon ordered, gulping his entire drink.
"Sounds great..."
Gazing over at Stefan, he had leaned over on the back of the couch as Luke continued to start on the locator spell for us.
"I'm gonna go pack the car, Lauren, wanna come?" Stefan asked, tossing his keys in the air.
"Yeah-"
"Lauren." Tyler sighed, stepping around the couch.
"Could we talk?"
Glancing back and forth at Stefan and at Tyler, Stefan had nodded his head casually as Tyler and I headed over to the kitchen.
Keeping myself at a distance, I roamed around the kitchen island while he stood near the stove, resting his hands on the counter.
"Look, I know how this might be-"
"Awkward. Yeah..."
"I just...Markos seemed determined to break this curse, and so did the rest of the travelers. I don't want you to get hurt again, ever since Silas-"
"I get it, Tyler." I sighed.
"I know...I...I wanted you to know that I'm trying to keep you safe, out of anyone you deserve to have someone looking out for you-"
"And I do...Stefan and Damon."
With my arms crossed over my chest and Tyler staring at me from the other side of the counter, I noticed a dark shadow peeking out from around the corner vanishing after I gazed my eyes over.
"If you say so...but I'm also looking out for you-"
"Like the last time, right? When Klaus told me about your little night out of the mountain with Hayley..."
"I'm...I'm just watching out for you, and even though you hate me and despise me for what I did, I know you. And I know that Stefan and Damon aren't going to watch over you...not when Elena is between them, so..."
Darting my eyes down at the floor, short deep breaths as the sound of Damon's boot echoed down the stairs.
"Lauren, let's go! We have a long drive ahead of us."
"...I should go. I'll call Stefan fi anything happens." Tyler added, taking the side door instead of the front door.
"Lauren didn't you-"
Stopping between the doorframe, Damon barely caught a glimpse of the back of Tyler's head from the glass door.
"Wow...no charred marks, no missing teeth...you've matured, little sister."
"Shut up." I hissed, striding past Damon.
Grabbing my purse from the foyer, I noticed my keys missing and the sound of the wheels of my car being rolled into the garage beside the house. With the trunk wide open, I tossed in some of the bags Stefan had packed and set down near the wheels, into the car just when he comes up behind me.
"I was thinking about making a stop at the grocery store for some food, do you wanna stop by your house for clothes?"
"Um, no...I can survive in this for a while. Are we only taking one car?" I asked.
"No, Damon's riding solo while I go and pick up Elena, why?"
"No reason...I'll take the back seat."
A FEW HOURS LATER
Laying back in the backseat with my feet between the car console, Stefan had driven an hour outside of Mystic Falls while Elena kept him occupied with a small game. Dozing in and out of their conversation, I hung my head the seatbelt for support.
The drive, which should have been only a few minutes lasted longer than I thought, with no headphones or sketchbook to keep me occupied I had to rely on Enzo annoying humming throughout the entire drive to the supermarket.
"Are we there yet?" I mumbled, pulling myself up.
"We're gonna stop for some food remember? It'll only take a minute."
Pulling into the parking lot, Stefan left the air conditioner running while they grabbed a random cart beside the car.
"Hmm...hm-mmm...hmm...hmm-mmm."
"Can you stop?" I blurted out, nudging Enzo out of his trance.
"...it's a classic."
"Not when you sing it."
Kicking my feet down, I leaned my head on the window, staring outside as I watched some of the townspeople hurry their way into the market.
"I wonder if they'll bring snacks," Enzo whispered.
"I doubt it...Stefan's a cooker."
Breathing heavily onto the window, I ran my finger across the vapor, creating small doodles across the black tint. Finishing a small paisley design in the right corner, I start to notice how loud the air conditioner had gotten over the last few minutes. Silent, I turned my head to face Enzo, who simply stared out the window.
"Why are you so quiet?" I asked.
"If you must know-"
"I do."
"...I don't seem to be up for many conversations." He sighed.
"Why?"
"I just...don't."
Clipping off the seatbelt, I bent my knee up onto the cushion causing Enzo to watch me from the reflection in the window.
"Is it the travelers?" I asked.
"Nope."
"...Damon?"
"Not really..."
"The trip? Cause Stefan's driving can get a little...platonic." I mumbled.
"I'm fine, Lauren. Really."
"You don't seem fine...your silence says more than your words. So...go ahead, ask away."
"I really don't-"
"Tyler is my ex-boyfriend..." I blurted out, seeing his eyes dart upwards to my reflection.
"...it didn't last long, our friendship lasted longer."
"What...what happened?"
"He cheated...met some wolf girl in the mountain after he told me that he needed to get away from-,"
Holding myself back, I glanced up at Enzo as he turned his head, darting my eyes down to the cushion.
"Get away from who?" He asked.
"Just...someone he believed was a bad person."
"And you don't...believe that this someone is a bad person?"
"...not entirely...but, they have also made mistakes-,"
"With you?" He blurted out.
"Yeah...with me. It's complicated...but I walked away, and Tyler has just come back into my life so...now you're caught up."
"Is that why Stefan called you before you arrived?"
"...yeah. Tyler and I...people tend to stay away when we're together."
"And you've tolerated that?" He asked, rotating himself.
"...I have to, Tyler's friends with Matt and...Matt and I dated when I first arrived in Mystic Falls."
Rising his brows, Enzo's eyes widened in shock as I leaned back up against the car door.
"Yeah, I know...but at least they're not brothers, right?"
"Hmm...perhaps," Enzo whispered.
"You will not believe the number of people waiting in line for a simple deli sandwich." Elena blurted out, as the backdoor of the car flung open.
"We managed to get you some chips for the ride," Stefan added, tossing me a white market bag.
"Thanks..."
"Oh, and do you think you can make Mother's pie for dinner?"
"...Um, yeah...did you get everything?" I asked.
"Flour, baking soda, vanilla, filling, and eggs...that's all right?"
"...salt?"
Rummaging through the bags, I started to open up the bag of chips when Elena picks out a white bottle from the back.
"Salt. check."
"Then we're good." I sighed, turning back around to face the front of the car.
Fastening my seatbelt once more, I take another glance at Enzo, who leaned his head against the window as Stefan and Elena got into the car again.
~
Humming to the sound of the radio playing, I leaned closer to the console as Stefan pulled into a long empty road just a few hours away from our last stop at the supermarket. Lined up with trees and a few bushes in between, I turned my head in all directions to see any neighboring homes nearby. But by the lack of animal noises echoing in the trees, we were practically all alone.
"Is that her house?" Stefan gasped, stepping on the brakes.
Staring up at the windshield, my brows rose at the sight of a large cabin home wrapping around a large driveway with a fountain in the middle. With dark wooden panels lining up the house, I nudge Stefan's shoulder before pointing over at the wrap-around porch.
"Didn't mom say she always wanted one of those?" I whispered.
Parking in front of Damon's car, Elena had gotten out the car first, taking in a few of the groceries as Caroline had pulled up behind us.
"I didn't know Caroline was gonna be here?" I asked.
"Me either..."
Watching Elena and Caroline hug from the rearview mirror, the trunk of the car opened suddenly.
"Come on..."
Jumping out of the car, I took another look around the car for Enzo, only to find him standing behind Stefan as he mounted a few bags into his hand. Arms crossed, his eyes were keen on the front door of the cabin, casually waiting for anything to pass by.
"Are you okay?" Stefan asked, catching my attention.
"Oh, yeah...I was just...nevermind."
"You've been pretty quiet the entire ride."
"I'm just tired...haven't slept since-,"
"I get it...it's bad enough you're hiding Enzo but now you're stuck in a cabin with Damon," Stefan added.
Grabbing a few of the bag towards the back, Stefan had walked over to the front porch, setting the heavier ones for Damon and Elena to get before coming back.
"What do you think will happen if we tell him?" I asked.
"You remember the first time he found out he was a vampire...times that by 10 and then add all of the people he's lost after."
"So...bad enough to kill me is what you mean."
"I think he'll make sure you never see happiness again...but what do I know, he's been doing that to me since birth." He sighed.
"You spent two more years with Damon than me-,"
"Yeah, but you were his favorite...he enjoyed spending time with you."
"He gives me acrylic paint once and you think I'm his favorite?"
"Hmm, okay. When dad grounded you, he brought you dinner. When dad yelled at you for wearing your best dress and then burned it, Damon bought you a new one. And...when mom left...Damon taught you how to waltz. Or did you forget that?" Stefan chuckled.
"...he taught you how to fish...and fight...and-"
"What I'm saying is that...we both know a different side to Damon, the good and the bad. If we tell him about Enzo, he'll probably kill us but we know that he wouldn't be able to hold it together."
'Wow, you know Damon better than me.' Enzo snickered, causing me to glance with way.
"What is it?"
"Nothing, just...a noise."
'Noise is what you call that radio station you were playing in the car, I'm simply giving my opinion.'
"Now, you want to talk?" I blurted out.
"Lauren? Who are you talking too?"
With my eyes staring at Enzo, Stefan's head leaned to the side making my entire body go numb and quiet.
"Lauren?"
"...what if...what if I told you that-,"
'Don't tell him!'
"I have too!"
'Hmm, I'm pretty sure you don't. And this was not a part of our agreement-,'
"First of all we didn't agree to anything, I simply said that I would bring you back so that you wouldn't haunt me, now look-"
"Wait, haunt you? Who's haunting you?" Stefan blurted out, stepping in front of Enzo.
'Excuse you, we're in the middle of a conversation.' Enzo added, stepping away from Stefan and over to me.
"Have you been-"
"I'm fine, Stefan. It's just..." Now looking up at Stefan, I took a deep breath as he put down the bags in his hands on the ground.
"...it's Enzo."
"Enzo? What...is he here?"
Nodding my head, Caroline had waved over to us before grabbing a few of the heavier bags on the porch.
"Lauren, what is going on?"
"Enzo is here. That's it." I whispered.
"He didn't pass over?"
'Obviously...'
"...no." I glared, rolling my eyes at Enzo.
"This is...bad. He can't be here-"
"I don't have a choice...he comes and goes as he pleases. But I'd rather have him here than following Damon all day."
"And what do you think you'll be doing all day?" He blurted out.
"...I can lock myself in a room."
"He's a ghost, Lauren. He's not anchored to you...and how do you know that he won't just give a message to Damon about what you did."
'Actually, about what the both of you did...you threw me in the back of your back and she tore my heart out.' Enzo added.
"Enzo, you're not helping."
"What is he saying?"
"Nothing of importance."
'Importance? I think my life is very valuable as of right now since Damon is only a few yards away.'
"Look, I have it under control. As long as I keep my promise about bringing him back, Enzo won't do anything. Right?" I blurted out, turning to look over at Enzo.
'...you have my body rotting in your basement, I'm practically wrapped around your finger."
"Okay...we're all on the same page then."
"Good News! We don't have to be invited in...which is actually super sad if you think about it." Caroline yelled running out of the house.
"Hmm."
Picking up the bags between Stefan and me, I just smiled at Caroline as Stefan blocked my view of her.
"Am I interrupting something?" She sighed.
"No, we're just...fight about the number of snacks Stefan forgot to buy."
"Yeah...um, here. You can help with the rest of these."
Handing her the bags in my hand, Caroline glanced at Stefan and me for a few minutes before she strode her way back up the porch steps.
"What's your plan then? If Damon gets even just a small whiff of Enzo in the house-"
"He's dead, not a dog."
'Thank you...'
"Either way, Damon is going to notice something is off about you."
"I'll be fine...as long as Enzo follows my rules, Damon won't notice a thing," I mumbled, grabbing the box of wine in the back.
Stumbling back inside the house, I followed the laughing sound of Caroline and Elena in the kitchen. Stacking and piling the cabinets and fridge with food, I stepped into another room, with steels racks and a few liquor bottles.
"Please, tell me you bought a bottle of bourbon." Enzo sighed, peeking his head into the box.
"Stefan has them."
Carefully sliding the bottles on the racks, I looked around for a bit, turning and sliding out the old wine bottles Caroline's family had left behind.
"Woah...this one is almost 20 years old."
"Perfect time to celebrate, give it here." Enzo smiled, reaching out his fingers.
"I thought you were as useless as an animal with opposable thumbs?"
"That's doesn't mean I can't have a good drink-"
"With what liver?" I added, putting the bottle back and stepping into the kitchen.
"Hey Lauren, have you picked out your room?" Caroline asked.
"Um, no...why?"
"Oh, well there's an easel in one of the rooms from when my mom started to paint...then she quit after the paint thinner got to her head. I just thought you may want to paint while we're here."
"Oh...yeah, thanks." I smiled, heading through the foyer and up the steps.
A FEW HOURS LATER.
Sitting on the floor with the last drawer of the dresser opened, I finished stacking some of my clothes for the weekend while everyone else started to settle in for dinner. With Stefan and Elena heading to the barn next door for firewood, Caroline flew up and down the stairs switching the old lightbulbs, all the while I stayed locked up in my room with Enzo dangling off the bed.
"How much longer until something interesting happens."
"Rollover far enough you'll end up with a few splinters and a concussion...how does that sound?" I said sarcastically.
"I have fast reflexes...I can manage. Where's Damon, long time no see."
"He's probably sulking about not being around Elena...so check the windows."
"I'll pass instead, last time Damon was in a sulking mood he was barely getting over an old brunette." Enzo sighed.
Catching Enzo's last words, I stared up at the drawer handle as my hands intertwined between a shirt I started to finish when I here Damon's boots at the door.
"Hey...you're done unpacking?"
"Yeah, I don't really have much to do around here seeing as a few travelers might want me dead."
"Well... Luke just put up the cloaking spell so...you and the danger twins are safe."
"For now," I mumbled, pushing myself off the ground.
"Look on the bright side...you're surrounded by trees, a small creek in the backyard, and an amazing view of...more trees."
"Yeah...a witch's dream." I chuckled.
Leaning on the bed frame, Enzo had stood up from laying on the covers, slowly moving over to Damon when he stepped into the room.
"So, I figured...you may want something to keep yourself occupied."
Furrowing my brows, I watched as Damon stretched out his arm, placing a large bag os white canvases and a few acrylic tubes.
"It's not your art studio, but...I'm sure you can make your magic, right." He sighed, sliding his hands into his back pocket.
"When did you get this?"
"I made a pit stop before getting here...and Luke has a small bladder, so..."
Smiling at the art supplies laying across my bed, I glanced up at Damon with a full view of Enzo staring at me before catching my breath.
"Thanks...I'll make sure to draw a very inspiring portrait of the trees..."
"Got it. I'm gonna head down and make something...Stefan said that you're making mom's pie?" Damon asked, holding onto the doorknob as he made his way out.
"Yeah...do you mind taking the butter out of the fridge."
"Sure thing."
Standing at the side of my bed, I watched as Damon closed the door completely before letting out the breath of air I was holding onto.
"...that was awkward," Enzo whispered.
"And to think you thought he would to kill you after what you did...Stefan was right, you are his favorite-,"
"For now." I blurted out.
Reaching over the bed, I grouped all of the acrylic paints into the bag, holding the canvases in the other as I carried them to the room next door where Caroline said her mother kept her art supplies.
"What are you doing?" Enzo asked.
"Putting these away...I feel guilty enough lying to him, I'm not going to paint him a picture full of lies?"
"I don't think that's how it works-"
"You're not helping." I blurted out.
"Then how should I help then. Because last time I checked you needed a dead body in order to complete the resurrection spell, and right now we are surrounded by 4 vampires...I doubt the mailman comes out this far."
"You're overreacting...and it's too late for the mail to be delivered, smartass."
"I was proving a point...you won't get what you need out here in the middle of the woods."
"No, but what I will get is a group of travelers wanting to kill us, so...until then we will sit and sulk."
'CHARADES!' I heard Caroline yell form the living room.
"Oh, hell."
~
Curled up in one of the many lounge chairs in the living room, I watched as the four of them teamed up as Stefan and Elena, and Caroline and Damon as pranced and grunted around the room. Comforted by a half glass of bourbon, Enzo and I watched and judged from a distance as Damon refilled with glass.
"Okay, let's play a game called 'Never Have I Ever,' hmm?"
"Oh, I don't think I'm drunk enough," Elena grunted, flopping back down into her chair.
"Oh, come on! It'll be fun! I'll start...Never have I ever died?"
Glaring over at Caroline, everyone in the room drank to her question, including Enzo who cheered his imaginary glass.
"Um, never have I ever been possessed by my evil doppelganger." Stefan chuckled.
"Cheers..."
"Never have I ever been fooled by my evil doppelganger while she was pretending to be me."
"Low blow." Caroline laughed.
"Tough but fair."
"Never have I ever watched my brother's evil doppelganger murder my entire family in front of me," I added, lifting up my drink.
"Cheers to you, little sister."
Chugging down my entire drink, I rose from my chair heading to the kitchen and over to the wine rack when I hear Damon's voice echo through the foyer.
"My turn...never have I ever lied about where Enzo is?"
With the bourbon bottle in hand, I suddenly felt my glass slip right through my fingers, crushing on to the ground before my feet.
"Lauren, are you okay?" Elena called out.
"Yeah...I think I forgot to clean up the leftover butter."
"What is going on?"
"Nothing, because no one is drinking-,"
"Well, clearly you know the rules of the game, right? If you lied, you drink." Damon hissed.
"Oh, no. I understand the rules."
"This just got weird."
Cleaning up the broken glass on the floor, I could see Enzo shadow waltz into the room.
"I think we have a problem."
"You think?" I hissed.
Wrapping up the broken glass around a dirty towel, I threw it in the trash as I carefully peeked my head to get a view of the living room.
"What's your escape plan? I was thinking you could poof your way out of here or you can take the human way and leave through the woods. Either way, I can unlock the doors if you need it-"
"No one is running...he hasn't accused anyone of anything so just...stay put."
"Like the witch outside these doors?" Enzo questioned, glancing over his shoulder.
"What?"
Turning around, I followed Enzo as he stood beside the backdoor pointing at Luke, who is sitting on the back porch surrounded by candles.
"It's almost 50 degrees outside, he's probably freezing."
Running over to the hallway a few yards away, I grabbed a blanket from underneath the storage bench.
"What are you doing?"
"Making sure he doesn't freeze to death." I groaned.
Sliding the door over, I quietly strode around him and the circle, trying not to blow out any of the candles as I lifted the blanket over and around him.
"Is he...awake?" Enzo asked.
Kneeling in front of Luke, I head back through the way I came from and behind Enzo when I noticed Luke staring off into the distance.
"I don't know...witches recite spells differently, I guess."
"Well...what are we going to do with him?" Enzo asked.
"Nothing...and I don't want to go inside so, you can do what you want."
Stepping down the porch steps, I sat down, wrapping my arms underneath my legs as I looked out for Luke as he was stuck in a trance. With everyone's voices echoing inside the house, I took several deep breaths before the noises had suddenly muted.
"...I think they'll cause a ruckus, I'll stay out here with you."
Taking a seat in the empty space next to me, we stared out into the black distance as the clouds above us moved west, revealing the moon.
"You know, as creepy as this might feel...with a witch watching our backs, this is relaxing." Enzo smiled.
"You and I have a different taste in relaxing."
"How so?"
"I would much rather be in my attic, painting to my heart's desire...or sit at a lake with wine...and an occasional sketchbook.
"Do you do anything else rather than paint?" He blurted out.
"What's wrong with painting?"
"Nothing...you seem to be very good at it, I just...so you play any instruments? Guitar, Piano...maybe the drums."
"Drums?"
"Yeah, spice it up a little. Men would never think of you as a drummer."
"Since when am I trying to find a man?" I asked.
"You're not...I'm just...I'm just trying to help you be comfortable being alone."
"Well...I could be if you had chosen to go inside."
"...and leave you with him?" Enzo questioned, making both of us turn back to face Luke who was still stuck in a trance, staring at the back of our heads.
"He doesn't speak...you on the other hand-"
"I am just being a friend..."
"Is that what we are now?"
"Yes...since you thrust your hand into my chest and I took the liberty not to haunt you, that makes us friends."
"...alrighty then," I whispered.
"So, shall we play a game?"
"...I am not playing ice breakers with you."
"Oh, come on...I'll make it fun. What's your favorite drink?" He asked, leaning to the side to rest up against the railing.
"...bourbon. Too easy. What's your dream car?"
"Porshe 911...What's your favorite genre of book or movie?"
"Psychological...or comedy. Romance just makes me queasy. What hobby would you get into if time and money weren't an issue?" I asked.
"...collecting cars. And if you should know, it takes years to build the perfect collection...people become stingy after they know the worth of their car. What is something you will never do again?"
"Play this game...who's your most interesting friend?"
"You."
"Me? What makes you think I'm interesting?" I mumbled, turning myself to the side a bit.
"You always answer questions in a vague matter, so no one really gets to know you. And you don't share much about your life, other than the people you've known for years. And you've never given me an honest reason as to why you don't want to make friends."
"...if you knew my life even just the slightest, you would run for the hills," I added.
Taking a few seconds to himself, I watched as Enzo turned in all directions. Right, left, up, down, horizontal and diagonal until he turned back to face me.
"...I'm not running."
"You-"
'Enzo's dead?' I heard Caroline blurted out from inside the house.
Snapping our heads back up to the porch door, Enzo and I hurried up to our feet and over by the window as Stefan and Caroline stood in the middle of the hallway.
"I think you should've locked yourself in your room," Enzo added.
"Stefan wouldn't say anything-"
'Yeah, I killed him.'
"What?"
"Was that part of the plan?" Enzo asked.
"No."
'So my powers of deduction really suck. Why didn't you say anything?'
'Because it's complicated.'
'Enter complication.' Damon hissed, striding into the conversation.
"Oh, crap."
'Enzo's dead. You killed him.'
'So you didn't know either?' Caroline asked.
'Nope.'
'So...their secret really was about Enzo.'
"Secret? Who's secret?" I asked.
"Shh, keep watching."
'You guys think we, could, um, talk about this some other time?'
'By all means brother, at your convenience.'
'Listen. We have bigger things to worry about other than Enzo...the travelers want Elena and Me, but more than anything they need Lauren, so until then can we just set aside Enzo for a bit.'
"Set em aside? I will not be-"
"You are laying on an old dining table...you're set aside." I blurted out, pulling Enzo put of view.
'Speaking of Lauren...where is she?' Caroline asked.
'Lauren!'
'Lauren, come down here. We need to talk.'
"I think they're calling for you, love."
"I can see that...but I can't leave Luke-, Where the hell did he go?" I blurted out, looking over my shoulder to see the candles having been blown out and Luke nowhere to be seen.
"Luke!"
"Luke! This isn't funny!" I yelled, leaning over the railing.
"Lauren? What are you doing here?"
Bursting out of the house, Stefan and Damon stood at the door as I stood in the middle of the blown-out circle.
"Where's Luke?" I asked.
Stepping aside, Damon and Stefan ran around the wrap-around porch in a matter of seconds before coming back.
"Call Elena and Caroline."
"What are you gonna do?"
"We're gonna go find Luke?" Stefan asked.
"I'll go-"
"No, stay here. Maybe he'll come back..."
Heading back inside together, Stefan and Damon headed out the front door in thick tension, while Elena and Caroline ran down the stairs and out the back porch.
Warm by fire, Enzo and I simply fell down into the couch in an odd sense of relaxation. With the house empty and few bottles of open liquor and a couple of vampires surrounding the house, it was the first time in a while that I smiled at Enzo.
"What's that about?"
"...for the first time in a long time...they don't need me." I sighed.
"I'm not sure how to take that."
"I mean, I don't have to hurt anyone, nor do I have to attack anything. They're doing all the work...finally."
Leaning over, I grabbed the bottle of bourbon and pouring myself a long toast directly from the bottle.
"Cheers to that."
Resting our feet up on the coffee table, I stared at the fire casually flicking my fingers in circles as I crated small subjects in between the flames. Tuning in and out the noises coming from the trees, everything fell in complete silence.
"What keeps you up at night?" Enzo whispered.
"...and we're still going at this-"
"You never answered my question."
"It was interrupted, you can try again later." I sighed.
"...beep. It's later. So?"
"So, you're annoying."
"What keeps you up at night?"
"Noises...heartbeats...the living. What do you hope your last words will be?" I added.
"Ouch...you are speaking to the dead."
"Partially...I'm keeping my promise, now answer."
"...One last glass, please?" He chuckled, raising his bottle.
"Hmm...I'll take it."
"What do you want your epitaph to be?"
"I'm already dead, remember."
"Partially...now answer." He blurted back.
Sinking myself deeper into the couch, I managed to lay myself out, staring up at the wooden pillars pointing in all directions of the house. Taking my time, I gaze at each pillar. The stains splattered across the beams, dust collecting in the tall corners, and the light fixtures hanging above my head. For someone, the answer would be simple, but somehow, it felt like the hardest decision of my life.
"I don't know..."
"Nothing comes to mind?" He asked.
"I don't think anyone would want to read my epitaph, except for Stefan and Damon, maybe."
"I doubt that...you're a good friend."
"You have weird definitions..."
"How about I give you one?"
"Be my guest..." I sighed, taking another sip.
"Here lies, Lauren...a vague, quiet, and quick-witted girl. May the blood bags she's consumed be returned. You like it?"
Grabbing one of the throw pillows above my head, I threw it directly at Enzo's head, only to have him catch it and rest himself upon it.
"So...why don't you think you're interesting?" He asked.
"Here we go...because, you said it yourself, I'm vague and quiet...who would want to have a conversation with me."
"Umm."
Twisting his wrist, he slowly points at himself before setting the liquor bottle on the floor.
"I find you're life fascinating. You grew up not knowing who you're a witch, to growing into your powers and now...well, you're here. Alive."
"That sounds pretty boring to me."
"Well then...tell me. Who is Lauren Salvatore?" He questioned.
"...Why do you-"
"Hey! Did you get my text?" Stefan blurted out, running into the house with Luke over his shoulder.
"What happened?"
Jumping off the couch, I closed up the bottle and tossed it on the pillow as Stefan sat Luke on the bottom step.
"I found him tied up in Caroline's barn...which is burning down as we speak."
"What!"
"It's a long story...Luke, go pack your things. You too, we're gonna need another hideout place."
"Where's Damon?" I asked.
"He's outside starting his car. Elena and Caroline are trying to put out the barn..."
Making a quick glance at Enzo, he simply stood by the stairs as Stefan had started to gather all of his things on the dinner table.
"Stefan...about Damon-."
"You're good, he's not going to suspect-"
"You didn't have to do that." I blurted out, resting my hand on his shoulder.
"...I do. You're my little sister...and he seems fine about it."
"Damon. Fine? I think the smoke got to your head."
"He's good, Lauren. Now, can you go warm up the car...I'll grab your bags." He mumbled.
Grabbing the keys, which hung near the door, I hurried down the front steps and over to the car when I suddenly get a strong sniff of smoke in the air. Clouds of smoke had covered the entire sky, joined the other large clouds as they began covering the room. Swing the car door open, I leaned over, twisting the key as the car roar back to life.
"Hey, Stefan! Don't forget the wine!" I yelled out, pulling on the trunk door.
With the keys in my hand, I tucked them into my back pocket as I pushed away all of the tools and emergency cones towards the back when suddenly a soft rumble comes echoing behind me.
Snapping my head back, I squinted my eyes, closely looking around for either Damon or Luke who had supposedly already packed, only to find Damon's headlights barely turned on and the trunk open.
"You're batteries gonna run out, Damon." I blurted out, leaning over a bit to see if he was hiding.
"Damon?"
No answer. Just my reflection staring back at me on his windshield.
"Alright then, I won't make Stefan stop to give you a hand."
Reaching above my head, I pulled down as hard as I could of the trunk door, clicking the alarm button as I headed back over ot the porch. But just as I started to make way, the noise behind the trees roared throughout the property. Strong gushes on winds blew back the piles of leaves stacks around us, covering the road and cars.
"Who's there!" I yelled out, using my arm as a shield for the leaves.
Taking a few steps towards the side of the house where the noises starting coming from, a quick and sudden snack behind immediately caught me attention. But just as I was able to turn my head and even catch my breath, I was faced with a needle to my neck and a dark curly-haired man staring back at me before everything went dark and the noise had disappeared.