Aveline walked through an unfamiliar forest, dense with strong trees and hills climbing to meet the majestic mountain. She somehow knew where to go despite never having been there. An array of birds chirped on the wind as they fluttered up into the darkening sky and the air whistled through the leaves. Aveline suddenly began to feel an ache in her heart and her blood went cold. Body intensifying and mind instantly alert, she stood completely still and waited.
'What am I waiting for?' She thought. 'Why am I…ready? How am I ready?'
A shaded creature swooped past her and around to the other side. It was heading for the mountain…whatever it was. Aveline dashed forward swiftly and silently. It was astounding how light on her feet she was as she climbed the hill and bounded over the stones and brush with a powerful endurance. When she reached the top there was nothing but the nature scene she had been journeying through. However, there were no more birds or rustlings or even wind. Aveline looked about her, but no answers were shown.
"Who will you be when faced with the end?" A deep, booming voice echoed all around her. "The end of civilization? The end of good men?"
Aveline jumped at the voice and her heart pounded at his words. Then, like a brush stroke on a canvas, she was suddenly in a dark place staring at a pile of dead, bloodstained bodies that were ripped to pieces. She screamed, but she couldn't move.
"Will you run?"
Aveline turned to see 19th century people hurling others into a church and lighting it ablaze. So many screamed and ran for their lives while men marched about with guns searching for more. She didn't know what to do in the chaos and when she ran through the crowd, the young woman tripped over a man devouring his captor.
"Will you hide?"
The change happened so quickly. It went from dark to light and full to hollow. The people were gone and only looming branches and withering grass remained. Aveline got so shaken up and turned around that she didn't see the cavern below her feet. She plummeted into the stone earth before she could scream. Trying to lift herself up, Aveline saw a door-shaped boulder with a large, ominous pentacle carved into it. Her insides twisted and her heart dropped; and that same feeling of cold consumed her whole body. Something that was not meant for this world was locked behind that barricade and Aveline did not want to know what.
"Or will you hunt evil down with a venomous pride?"
Aveline was instantly transported to a battlefield. She was in the middle of a beach and the soldiers from the water ran out of the waves and across the sand without ever eyeing her. She recognized this…it was D-Day! Bullets flew through the air, blood and body parts spewed everywhere, but Aveline saw something unlike any of the death around her. A single man pushed through the masses and took specific aim on a handful of opposing individuals. He shot them each in the heart and as they died their skin turned to ashy gray and black veins protruded all over their bodies.
Right as the girl ducked her head in the sand to avoid more bullets, she was whisked away again. She lifted her eyes to see a grand and giant tree immersed with flames. Only a few stood by and watched without remorse, but a blonde girl left and ripped open an innocent man's throat.
"Rise from the white oak ashes!" The man continued. "Rise to the lightening sky!"
Aveline was bombarded with flashes of fights, victories, losses and pain and she moved through them so fast it hurt to forcibly take it all in.
"Rise to the calling! You are the battle cry! Let it scream through the mountains…"
Finally, everything stopped and she could breathe. Aveline glanced around and saw she was back on the hill…and her mother was standing next to her, as was her grandfather.
"From the forest…over the flood." The narrator rumbled. "Because death is a hungry mouth and it craves your blood."
Horrifically, Aveline's family was attacked and taken away in the blink of an eye and the unseen creature propelled her off her feet so she crashed down the steep hill. The young woman landed in a pile of rocks at the base of the mountain, but despite the agony and panic, she rose to her feet and ran back into the forest.
"So who will you be when faced with the end?"
Screams echoed behind the voice this time and it struck Aveline's soul. Rapidly, the demons surrounded her. There were at least five, but the numbers kept growing and growing.
"When the monsters are circling? When the shadows descend?"
Aveline's breath hitched and her heart jumped as the snarls and hisses ventured closer.
"Will you cower? Or will you fight?"
This was it. They were coming. It's survival or death.
"Is your heart made of glass or of a pure ignite?"
The vampires sprung from the shadows and snapped their bloodthirsty fangs down on her, but before their feet touched the ground Aveline instinctively lifted a strong, unyielding hand outward and all of their hearts exploded.
Aveline gasped a sharp scream and bolted up in bed. Sweat droplets dripped down her trembling form and chilled her to the bone. She gripped onto her comforter so tightly that she could feel the pinching of her nails through the blanket and into her palms. Aveline took long, deep breaths and laid back down, but her body couldn't relax. It wasn't until the images became blurry and the nightmare was finally fading from her memory that Aveline could ultimately go back to sleep.
THE VAMPIRE DIARIES
Tomorrow Will Be Kinder
Aveline drifted in and out of consciousness, but she couldn't fully wake up or go back to sleep. Thick tendrils of her naturally wavy hair flowed out all over her pillows and Aveline pulled the cream and black royal armask comforter up to her face. This did not change the morning light seeping through the matching curtains covering two windowed doors leading to the balcony beside her bed, to the left. However, it did make her faithful Dalmatian grumble and shift his body over her legs. Only one more thing could make her fully awaken and force her to face the inevitable day.
The grandfather clock's pendulum swung back and forth, back and forth, a floor below until the bell echoed through the still air. Not too loud or high pitched, but seven consistent chimes to force Aveline's heart to alert the rest of her body. She rolled over and gazed at the small, 18th century ebonized bracket clock. 7 o'clock exactly.
And in a blink, 7:01 and the bell ceased. Rubbing her eyes and lifting herself up on the exquisite, ivory and soft gold, Victorian bed, she cupped her dog's face in her hands. He scrunched his mouth in a smile and groaned his happiness as she rubbed his favorite places: between his eyes and behind his ears.
"And so the bell tolls," she moaned as the handsomely spotted dog looked up at her. "How much would you rather lie in bed all day?"
He grumbled deep in his throat and closed his eyes. Chuckling, Aveline leaned down and kissed the top of his head saying, "That's my Ripley."
She begrudgingly slipped out of bed and dressed herself down for the day: her sorbet colored poncho tee over a black camisole, jeans, and black converse booties. Aveline also untangled every strand so her dark chestnut hair fell in sleek, shiny waves to the middle of her back.
Aveline stared at herself in the mirror. There was warmth in her fair skin, but shadows overtook any brightness in her eyes. "Maybe tomorrow," she sighed before grabbing her leather journal illustrated with music notes, and then headed down the superlative spiral staircase.
Ignoring the surroundings that were now her new home, the young lady went straight to the stables. All six horses immediately lifted their heads as she unlatched the gate to the pasture.
"Good morning, lovelies," she greeted.
Aveline walked past all the grazing horses and had a loving pat for each one, but the one she needed was loping over the grounds to meet her. The gelding was young, newly five, and the richest chestnut red that Aveline adored. The only part of him that wasn't chestnut was the unique white star she always kissed in hello and goodbye.
He came to a hard stop in front of her and snorted. Aveline gazed up at her tall steed made of strong muscle and a liveliness that put the others to shame. No matter how strong, adventurous, and cocky he could be, there was a special sweet spot for her alone.
"Titan?" Aveline whispered against his velvety nose. "Wanna keep me company?"
Titan nickered and lightly nibbled her face as she brought her hands to rub his neck. Aveline giggled and walked over to their secluded tree. Titan followed behind, tapping her buttocks on the way.
She giggled at his playfulness and began humming to herself as she sat down. Aveline pulled out her journal from the back of her pants while Titan bowed his head to nudge her bent legs. Rolling her eyes, Aveline began to sing his song, which – as always – made him happily roll in the grass.
I'm lookin' over a four-leaf clover, I overlooked before. One leaf is sunshine, the second is rain, third is the roses that grow in the lane. No need explaining, the one remaining, is somebody I adore. I'm lookin' over a four-leaf clover, I overlooked before.
She sang it over and over with pleasure, however, she soon returned to humming as she wrote on the empty sheet-music pages of her carefully bound journal.
Dear Diary,
I fell asleep with a single thought, maybe tomorrow. Yet nothing's changed. It's still incredibly surreal. I wake up to the rhythm of a singular bell that echoes in my bones telling me the change has reached my soul. As though I didn't feel it already. It weighs on me, like it's counting the days until I crumble. Except I'm the one who's counting. 21. Today my mom has been gone for 21 days. I somehow made it through exactly three weeks since her death and I can honestly say I barely remember any of it. And I never want to. I could hear myself screaming for her to open her eyes. I could feel my lungs burning for air as I cried for days on end. But I wasn't there. I'm only now just coming back. Back to a place where the paper work is taken care of, where the memorial service and private funeral were "lovely" and "what she would've wanted." Where I moved into my Mémé's house in Mystic Falls, Virginia. How it all happened so fast, I have no idea, but here I am, ready enough for my first day of school in Mystic Falls.
I haven't lived here since I was 3. I don't remember anything about this place. What I have learned is that Mom was very loved and that Mémé is a pretty big deal. She's the wealthiest member of the town and she puts the Warfield family money to good, charitable use. Apparently, we also own a lot of property in the town and contribute to historical places. We own the Warfield Library, The Mystic Falls Daily Newspaper, Steven's Quarry, Warfield's Hunting Lodge and the Mystic Grill. And we created the Founder's Hall for the Founder's Council and have an entire wing of the hospital named after our family. There's at least 1,000 acres of land we own too. Needless to say, we're pretty much the most influential founding family in Mystic Falls…and I've been absent from it for 15 years.
I wish I knew what it means to be a founding family member because it seems like I have a lot to live up to. Mom told me that it was something special to be a part of Mystic Falls and that she loved growing up here, but I can't see it. I miss New York City. I miss the energy, its rapid tempo. It made my heart pound just walking down the street. I've only been in Mystic Falls for eight days and it feels like I can't wake up. It's too quiet. And Mémé keeps telling me that I'll be the talk of the town. That's the last thing I want. I would much prefer to stay here with Titan all day, but alas I can't. I must put on a smile and prepare to say the greatest lie of my life: I'm feeling better.
Aveline heard her grandmother calling her inside. Closing her journal, Ave grudgingly got up, kissed Titan, and headed across the grounds back to her new, centuries old home. The Warfield Mansion was stunning; every time Aveline gazed at the grand structure, she couldn't believe how the timely white stones, Greek-like pillars, iron balconies and enchanting windows stayed so perfect – especially since it was originally built in the late 1700's.
Aveline entered through the large, double oak doors and made her way into the extravagant, yet welcoming marble and wooden kitchen where her Mémé was finishing up breakfast.
"I finished your omelet," Irene smiled as she presented the plate down on the island. "You're going to love it."
"Mémé, I really appreciate the hardy breakfast, but I'm not hungry." Aveline forced an apologetic smile, but it didn't get her off the hook.
"Sweetheart, you need to maintain an appetite," her voice was compassionate, but there was a twinge of authority. "Do it for the sake of my cooking it for you if for nothing else."
Aveline glanced at the exquisite omelet and looked up at Mémé, who smiled. At least she made it and not a personal chef. Aveline really hated all the people who worked in the house. There was never any time to herself. Or even just her and Mémé. Aveline had met three maids, five stable hands, two gardeners, and the driver. At least in New York the people who surrounded you weren't in your house.
She took a reluctant bite and dammit, it was delicious. The flavors all melted together in thick, zesty harmony and Aveline's stomach couldn't help but growl. Mémé was right, she needed to eat. When was the last time she had an actual meal anyway?
"Well?" Irene asked with a hopeful smile.
"Can't talk. Eating." Aveline answered as she scarfed the rest of it down.
"Oh, good! I'm thrilled you like it."
"Yeah, I actually do…" Aveline looked at her omelet and took another bite.
"Aveline?" Mémé replied in confused earnest. "What's wrong?"
Aveline rolled her eyes and took a deep breath and answered, "Nothing, it's just…I just don't…Okay, I hate having so many people around all the time. It's horrible. I feel like I'm living in a hotel…only I have less privacy and personal space here."
"Why didn't you say something?"
"Because it's your house."
Irene waved the comment away like it was too meaningless for a verbal response. She came over and held Aveline's hands in hers. "Aveline, this is your house too. I need you to tell me these kinds of things. Now, I can't get rid of them because I can't take care of the house by myself, but I'll change their schedules."
"Really?"
"Of course! How about the maids come once every two weeks instead of once every week and only when you're at school. And the gardeners once a month in the morning while you're just getting up. Now, the stable hands have to be here in the afternoon when you're home, but I'll cut back their hours so they leave before dinner. Sound good?"
Aveline dropped her fork and flung her arms around her Mémé's neck saying thank you over and over. This lit up Irene's face and when they parted she caressed her granddaughter's cheek in sweet melancholy.
"I haven't seen that smile in a long time."
Instantly, Aveline's face fell and she slipped off the bar chair and took her plate over to the silver sink. As she rinsed her dish, Aveline swallowed the lump of tears forming in her throat before they could reach her eyes.
"Aveline, sweetheart, how are you doing?"
She loved her Mémé. So much. But her kind voice hurt like acid trickling down her skin.
"I've been better, but I'm surviving." Aveline pulled it together enough to turn around and gently smiled. "How are you? I didn't just lose a mom, you lost a daughter. I know that must be just as devastating."
Irene sharply inhaled and let out a deep sigh. Gazing at her, Aveline saw that underneath her crisp, white blazer with the one gold button, over brown leather pants that made her look ten years younger than she was; was just as much of a lie as her own. Irene's blue eyes didn't sparkle anymore and there was no special pin in her short blonde hair. She was putting on a show too.
"I miss your mom," she choked as she stepped over to Aveline and placed a tender hand on her arm. "After losing your grandfather all those years ago, I didn't know what to do with myself anymore. And now my baby's gone…but my grandbaby's here. And I love you."
"I love you too, Mémé." Aveline hugged her tightly and for a moment it felt like maybe things would be all right.
"Oh, mon Dieu!" Aveline couldn't help but stifle a laugh. It was the only thing Mémé said in French that wasn't a curse word. "We need to go or you'll be late for school!"
Crap. Aveline ran into the foyer and swung herself on to the winding staircase. It felt like it took twenty minutes to race down the hall, find her room, get her dark blue with white lace canvas backpack, and run back down the stairs. She had not adapted going from an apartment to a mansion yet.
Irene waited for her at the towering front doors so they both could walk to the car together. Aveline hopped down the stone steps and thanked Stanley, the ever so friendly and funny driver, when he opened the door for her. After her Mémé was in, Stanley took off down the neighborhood road. One thing Aveline looked forward to getting used to was the luxurious, black Mercedes Benz E Class of 2008. The car was beautiful and Aveline loved it. She viewed it as a free and magnificent private taxi.
"Now, everyone will probably be staring at you, but think nothing of it. It's a small town and that makes you big news."
"You told me, Mémé." Aveline tried to brush it off, but it wasn't working.
"A lot of the kids are going to invade your personal space, physically and emotionally, so be ready for that."
"Okay."
"Also, the founding families are good company to keep. So find your old childhood friends: Elena Gilbert, her brother Jeremy, Caroline Forbes, Tyler Lockwood, and Bonnie Bennett. Her grandmother and I are close friends and Bonnie is a darling."
"Got it. Gilbert, Forbes, Lockwood, Bennett. People I don't actually remember."
"Don't take this lightly. Mystic Falls is nothing like any other small town. We're a family. And sometimes that means being intrusive."
"I'm trying not to psych myself out, Mémé." Aveline admitted. "I just want to get through my first day without losing my mind with the unfamiliar."
Irene squeezed Aveline's hand as the car came to a stop. "Mystic Falls High School, ma'am's." Stanley announced.
"Wow, that was fast." Aveline muttered as Irene hugged her around the neck.
"You'll be fine and if you need anything, call me."
"Thanks," said Aveline nervously before she got out of the car.
The red brick school was appealing to the eye. Not too big, not too small and the students seemed transfixed in their own worlds. Aveline walked away from the car as it drove on ahead and the moment her feet touched the sidewalk leading up to the entry doors, all eyes were on her. Last thing she wanted.
Aveline held her head high and strode past all of them. She didn't turn to look back and decided to not even acknowledge them staring. It made her beyond uncomfortable, but she pushed it down and made it through the entrance. Groups of friends walked together and lined the lockers down the halls. Aveline looked around and suddenly felt lost. Shouldn't the front office be in the front of the school?
"Hi!" A perky voice startled Aveline from behind.
She turned around to see a pretty blonde girl about an inch taller than her wearing a blue top with eyes to match. Aveline tried to grin at the strangely happy girl standing in front of her, but it came out closer to a frown.
"You must be Aveline Warfield. I'm Caroline Forbes, student body president. Do you remember me?"
Aveline's teeth gritted. This girl is on the friends list? "No, but it's Av–uh–leen. Not Aé–veh–line."
"O-oh," Caroline stumbled and shook her head. "Sorry, I, uh, I will not get that wrong again. I-!t's just been such a long time. But no worries, I'll spread it around so no one else will say it wrong." Caroline replied very overdramatically.
"Thanks…" Great, I'm spreading. "Um, where's the front office?"
"This way. You're in good hands." Caroline smiled as she hooked arms with Aveline and led her down the hallway. It didn't take long to get to the front office, thankfully. "Here you go. Now, if you need anything else I'd be happy to help."
"Thank you, Caroline. I appreciate that."
Caroline's smile slightly changed as the sympathetic nod appeared. Aveline did her best to maintain the fake smile on her face, but then Caroline hugged her.
"I'm so sorry about your mom, but you do have a friend here."
"Thanks." Aveline groaned.
"Of course! After all, we were toddler besties!"
"Right, well, it's great seeing you again." I have no idea who you are…and you got my name wrong.
Caroline nodded and rubbed her arm as Aveline walked into the office. As nice as it was that they apparently go way back, Aveline just wanted to be left alone. She walked up to the front desk and an African American woman smiled knowingly up at her. Seriously? Her too?
"Aveline Warfield," she handed Mrs. Clarke her file and the woman went straight to putting it into the system.
"Here you are," Mrs. Clarke handed Aveline her class schedule. "Welcome to Mystic Falls. We're very happy to have you."
"Thank you." She felt sick. Not because she was disturbed, because she wasn't, it's just that everyone knew her and she didn't know a soul.
Abruptly, Aveline slammed into someone entering the office. Her heart sparked in pain as an ice-cold shiver cut into every cell before she made contact. She never felt anything like it before. There was a warning in the pain and dread in the cold. Like she was being threatened and her body was telling her to be ready. Aveline's heart beat back to normal, but a sense in her tingled…freezing in place. She looked up into hazel green eyes and saw a sharply handsome young man holding her in mid-fall so she wouldn't hit the floor.
"Are you okay?" He asked as he helped her regain balance.
Aveline stared at him in worrisome wonder. What was that? Him?
"I think so. I'm sorry, I'm just really out of sorts." Aveline brought herself to reality as the feeling began to fade into her system. "I just moved back here…" She stopped because he must know, but then he said, "Me too. I haven't lived here since I was little. It's my first day."
"Really?" Aveline smiled a sigh of relief. "It's been fifteen years for me. I moved in with my Mémé after...um…I'm from New York."
"Wow, big change." His eyes grew soft, sensing something dark and painful in her words. "You must be very strong."
Aveline gave him a genuine and grateful smile. "I'm trying to be."
"I'm Stefan." He held out his hand with a small grin that eased her heart.
"Aveline."
"It's wonderful to meet you, Aveline."
"You too, Stefan."
Stefan's grin widened as he lightly laughed. "I'll hopefully be seeing you in class."
"Hopefully."
Finally, someone who didn't know anything about her. With that under her belt, the rest of the day wasn't too bad. Yes, most of the teachers solemnly welcomed her before class started and yes, many students between classes talked to her, but Aveline was able to block them out. What helped a lot was that she had History, English, and French with Stefan. Sitting next to him gave her comfort; despite the fact that the shivers came back every time she saw him…and that she stared out the window to ignore everything in each class.
The moment school ended, Aveline dashed out and let her converse shoes carry her away from all the people. Instead of going back to the mansion, Aveline decided to go to the one other place she knew how to get to in Mystic Falls: the cemetery. When she saw the sign, an unexpected calm washed over her. Aveline entered the graveyard, but a similar cold struck her to her core. A crow's call echoed behind her and Aveline looked up to see the black bird perched on the sign, just staring at her.
"Sure, everyone else knows who I am. Why not a crow?"
Elena sat against a statue in the graveyard and gazed at her parents' tombstone. Sitting there and writing in her green journal helped her stay connected to them. It brought her some peace, but the sorrow still filled her heart. She wanted to introduce herself to the new girl, Aveline Warfield, to tell her that she's not alone in that sorrow, but it looked like the last thing Aveline needed was more people crowding her. Elena knew she'd have other chances, but she remembered stories of Aveline from her childhood and wanted to show her that there were normal and genuinely caring people in Mystic Falls.
As an answered wish, Aveline walked down the dirt path and soon began to cross over the lots, but stopped when she saw Elena sitting near a tombstone. She looked to be the same age and had long, straight, shimmering ash brown hair with smooth olive skin.
"Hey," Aveline attentively greeted.
"Hey," Elena answered. "I was hoping to see you today."
"You were?"
"Yeah, sorry, I'm Elena Gilbert." She smiled as she put her green journal down and got up to shake hands. "We painted the grass all the time when we were little."
"Really?" Aveline laughed. "I-I'm sorry. I don't remember that. I wish I did though. It sounds like we had fun."
"My mom said we did. Unfortunately, I don't remember either, but she did tell me that we were inseparable and that I refused to play for days after you moved." Elena recalled fondly.
"I wish I had stories like that." Aveline somberly responded. "My mom only said that I kept complaining to go home for the first few weeks. And now my Mémé is desperately trying to makes things as easy as possible, which makes me feel even more out of the loop. If that makes any sense?"
"No, I get it. I completely get it. Everyone tries to take care of everything and all it does is make you feel helpless." Elena's face grew sad and her eyes drifted to the tombstone.
Aveline turned and saw that it was for Grayson and Miranda Gilbert, "loving parents."
"Oh, my God. I'm so sorry. I've been so wrapped up in my loss that I forgot you're going through your own."
"No, it's fine. I only know about your mom because everyone's talking about it." Elena frowned and laughed at herself. "Not that that's good."
"Eh, you're a victim of a small town," Aveline reassured her with a tight-lipped grin. "No worries."
"How long ago was it?" Elena quietly asked. "The town didn't get all the details, which is probably a good thing, but –"
"Three weeks."
Elena's eyes widened and gasped, "Oh my god! I had no idea…"
"Yeah, but I didn't lose both parents."
"That doesn't matter. I can't believe you only just lost her. I just – wait, I'm sorry, where's your dad again?"
"He doesn't know about me, so I guess I don't really have one."
"Aren't we a unique pair of orphans?" Elena smirked in understanding, to which Aveline happily returned it.
"Yeah, we kinda are."
"So, on a different less gloomy note, how are you liking it here?"
"Way too soon to tell. I did enjoy meeting the new guy though. Or as I like to call him "the only person who has no idea who I am"." Aveline laughed as she leaned against the angel sculpture. She finally felt at ease with someone, like she was with a real friend and Elena was thrilled that they were getting along like all those years didn't matter.
"Did you get to talk to him?"
"Yeah, a little bit before first period. He's very thoughtful," Aveline smirked. "And so hot." Elena smiled at the ground and let out an embarrassed giggle. "Do you like him?"
"I'd have to know him to like him." Elena innocently answered.
"Not true," giggled Aveline.
As she was about to offer her help on meeting him that new feeling sparked off again. However, this time it was different. The cold wasn't sharp, but numb to the point of burning and her heart jumped with adrenaline. Instead of hurting like the first time, it was aching and far more arresting.
"What the hell is that?" Aveline muttered.
"What?" Elena was cut off by the fog that swept in out of nowhere.
The crow cawed again and landed on Elena's parent's gravestone. Aveline stared at it and the sensation grew stronger. "Elena, you should go."
"What? I don't – What's going on?"
"I have no idea, but I have a weird feeling."
Suddenly, the crow furiously flapped its wings and swooped down near their heads before disappearing.
"Right, maybe we should go." Elena agreed as the fog thickened.
Aveline was about to lead the way when she turned and faced the same crow cawing out in a threatening way. Elena gasped at the startling sound and backed up next to Aveline.
"Go, I'm right behind you." Aveline pushed, keeping her eye on the black bird.
Elena hesitated at first, but her fear made her listen. She scrambled away as fast as she could into the woods, leaving Aveline standing in the midst of the unexplained fog.
Aveline ventured forward and came to a dead stop when she saw a man's figure half covered by another angel statue a few yards in front of her. She couldn't see any details because of how blurry the fog made him appear, but Aveline knew he was there. She could pinpoint him as the reason for her strange sensation. However, when she started marching closer, he evaporated along with the thick, white mist and the horror flick crow.
"I will never get used to this place."
Elena ran as fast as she could away from the fog-covered plots, but her feet betrayed her and she stumbled down the hill, slamming into a tree trunk. The adrenaline helped her jump back up, but when she turned Elena was face-to-face with the new guy.
"You okay?" He asked.
Panting, Elena nodded and asked, "Were you following me?"
"No, I just – I saw you fall."
"Uh-huh. And you just happened to be hanging out in a cemetery," scoffed a very freaked out Elena.
"I'm visiting. I have, uh, family here." Stefan answered calmly.
"Oh." You're so stupid and inconsiderate! "Wow, tactless. I'm sorry. It's the fog. It's making me foggy. And then back there – um – we were attacked by this bird. And it was all very Hitchcock for a second. That is the bird movie, right? The Hitchcock…?" Elena stopped and caught the eye of a very enthused Stefan and began to laugh with him. "I'm Elena."
"I'm Stefan."
"I know. We have history together."
"And English and French." Stefan added.
Filled with wonder by his noticing her, Elena gazed at him and whispered, "Right." To make the moment even sweeter, Stefan leaned in and tenderly pulled a leaf out of her hair, causing Elena to grant him a flirty look. "Thanks," but then she remembered something. "Have you seen Aveline? She said she met you today, but I-I lost her in the fog."
"No, I haven't. Is she okay?" Stefan replied, concern evident in his voice.
"Yeah, probably."
Metallic, warm, dripping, and delicious… Stefan sniffed the air and glared down at the ground asking, "Did you hurt yourself?"
"Hmm?"
"Did you hurt yourself?"
"Oh, uh, I don't know." Elena looked herself over and then found a gash on her lower calf. "Oh, would you look at that? That is not pretty."
Stefan turned away at the smell and said, "You should go. Take care of that."
"Really, it's nothing."
Stefan flashed across the cemetery trying to get the scent of Elena's blood out of his mind. He was able to feed on a squirrel, but that only curbed the craving. The vampire took in calming breaths, but then his nostrils picked up a scent. Her scent.
Aveline sat cross-legged in front of a gravestone surrounded by dozens of flowers and messages. Stefan slowly walked over, but before he reached the Warfield plot, Aveline whipped her body around and startled him.
"Stefan," Aveline sighed as she relaxed her muscles. "What are you doing in the fog?"
"I'm visiting," he answered as he walked the rest of the way. "But I saw you and thought I'd say hello."
Aveline tried to smile, but her grieving tears wouldn't allow a real one to appear so she replied, "You didn't have to."
Stefan stood beside her and before he could answer, his eyes caught sight of the gravestone. It read:
AUDREY LARK WARFIELD
APRIL 9, 1974 – AUGUST 18, 2009
PRECIOUS DAUGHTER AND BELOVED MOTHER
SHE WILL BE GREATLY MISSED
"No, I wanted to," Stefan said with great but underlying sympathy. "May I sit?"
Aveline glanced up at him and saw no pity in his eyes. After some thinking, she decided his company wouldn't be a burden and patted the ground next to her. Stefan lowered himself down and turned his head to look at her. Why did she smell this good? He couldn't remember ever smelling anything like it and the strength in her sadness only made it more potent.
"I'd say losing your mom qualifies as more than 'out of sorts.'" Stefan tried to lighten her sullen face.
"Yeah, it probably does," whispered Aveline. "So who are you visiting?"
"My parents are here."
Aveline gazed into his eyes and frowned bleakly at his answer. "There are too many parents buried here."
"I agree."
"How long ago did they die?"
Stefan avoided her eyes and studied her mother's grave before replying, "A lot longer than three weeks."
Aveline tucked a strand of her thick waves behind her ear and brought herself to her knees. As she gathered her things, she and Stefan stared at each other. There was something each of them couldn't distinguish about the other, but there was also a connection that they felt. Aveline's eyelashes fluttered as the shivers enveloped her inside and Stefan burrowed his brow as the warm smell of her filled his lungs. Who was this somehow familiar person standing in front of them?
Stefan rose to his feet with her and gestured his hand out for her to lead the way, offering, "I would be honored to walk you home."
"Honored?" Aveline scoffed with a natural smile.
"We're the new kids. We can't turn our backs on each other." Stefan earnestly grinned.
"Neither can friends." Aveline timidly admitted, briefly looking up at him in fear of a brush off.
However, the spark of joy in his eyes that lit up his delighted grin put her at ease. Stefan had put off gaining friends for so long that it was an astounding feeling to finally have someone he may potentially be able to share his true self with. Although he came for Elena, finding Aveline had become another reason to stay.
"Friends are too precious to do such a thing." Stefan replied and walked her home speaking of things that were not dark or vague but very human.
"You have messages." Irene announced as Aveline entered the mansion and knelt down to pet a very excited Ripley.
"What?" Aveline asked as she got up and threw her backpack on the stairs. Mémé walked over to the answering machine on the table in the foyer and pressed play.
"Hi Aveline! This is Caroline! I just wanted you to know that me and a group of friends are going to the Mystic Grill tonight and that you are invited to join us. We're going to be there most of the night so come at any time. Bye!"
Aveline slammed her head onto the railing. She was so perky that it drained energy from her just to hear Caroline speak. They were toddler besties? A lot has changed.
"Hey Aveline, it's Elena…from the cemetery and painted grass? I was just wondering if you were okay? I didn't see you after that crow, fog thing so I thought I'd call. I hope you're okay and if you are I hope you'll want to come and hang out tonight. A bunch of us are going to the Mystic Grill. I promise I won't let anyone harass you. Okay, bye."
"How nice of them." Irene beamed, but then asked warily, "Crow, fog thing?"
"No idea. It was weird and unexplainable," she replied, less depressed than usual. "So, how do they know our number?"
"We're in the book." Mémé answered as she took Aveline's hand and led her into the parlor.
It was in the front of the house, to the left of the doors. Aveline knew it as the room of "no escaping serious talks." Irene set her granddaughter down on the deep maroon couch and sat next to her after closing the door. Aveline didn't enjoy the reasons for coming in the parlor the couple times she had, but she did enjoy the look. The parlor wasn't too large and it was painted in maroons, gold, and cream. Most of the furniture and elaborate decorations – chandelier and fireplace included – were preserved from the 1800's. The only non-original, but still authentic piece was the harp near the window.
"Aveline, I think it would be a good thing for you to meet up with your new friends," she suggested in a caring, but serious tone of voice. "You've been here over a week and you only leave the house to ride or run with Ripley. You need to start forming a new life here, slowly and steadily, but you can't hide and cling to what's gone. There's too much you will have to face. Believe me, I know."
Aveline saw her Mémé's eyes fill with tears, but she wiped them away before they had a chance to trickle down her cheek. Aveline looked at the floral carpet and took a deep breath. She wasn't past the hiding and clinging stage. It hadn't even been a month yet. But Aveline thought she understood why Mémé felt so strongly about this. It was Aveline's senior year, despite the school district needing her to make up 'missed' juniors classes. She would be 18 in a few days and before she knew it life would be sweeping her away and if she wasn't ready she would fall.
"I'm not ready. Not quite yet," Aveline whispered. "But I'll try, if you really think I should."
Irene placed a gentle and loving hand on her cheek and replied, "Yes, I do."
Aveline was personally greeted by the manager the second she walked in. Only it wasn't to express some sort of condolences, it was because her family owned the Grill. She completely forgot, but for the first time all day she didn't mind the attention. It came with free stuff. Within 30 seconds, she was given her drink and seated at the best booth in the place.
"Hey, Aveline," Stefan came over and gave her a grin. "It's a pleasure to see you again."
"You too." Aveline smiled back. "You here with someone?"
"Elena invited me." Stefan said as he looked over at Elena who was talking to a blonde guy she assumed was Matt Donovan.
"You like her, huh?" Aveline asked as she playfully shoved his shoulder, receiving a self-conscious look from Stefan. "You and Elena wanna join me? I bet if I call everyone over they'll run."
Laughing, Stefan sat across from her and said, "Let's see if you're right."
"Hey guys! Elena, Caroline!" Aveline called. "There's a lot of extra room!"
Caroline, absolutely giddy at the prospect of the large booth, hot new guy, and returned friend, grabbed the hand of another old friend of Aveline's, Bonnie, and sat them down next to Aveline. Elena followed, without Matt, and sat next to Stefan.
"I'm glad you came." Elena happily said to Aveline.
"Me too. It actually feels good to be out."
"So you both were born in Mystic Falls?" Caroline questioned Stefan and Ave, wanting to skip the small chitchat and get to the dirt.
"Mm-hm." Stefan answered as Aveline nodded. "I moved when I was still young."
"Parents?" Bonnie asked him.
"My parents passed away."
"I'm sorry." Elena nearly whispered in the same sorrow she shared with Aveline. "Any siblings?"
"None that I talk to. I live with my uncle."
"So, Stefan, if you're new, then you don't know about the party tomorrow." Caroline tried to direct his attention back on her.
"It's a back-to-school thing at the falls," Bonnie explained to Stefan and then looked at Aveline. "It's a lot of fun and it'd be great to get the gang back together."
"Are you going?" Stefan adoringly looked at Elena, who had to stop herself from blushing.
"Of course she is." Bonnie slyly smiled at her best friend.
"And you have to come to!" Caroline pressured Aveline.
Aveline's eyes widened with disbelief. "I don't know, I'm not sure if I can come," she reluctantly said.
"What? You have to come! I'm not taking no for an answer," said Caroline.
"Yeah, we'd all like to re-get to know each other." Bonnie added, more gently.
"Absolutely." Elena agreed.
Eyeing Stefan and seeing how much he was connecting with Elena, Aveline said, "I'll go if Stefan goes. I refuse to be the only new person there."
"I would love to." Stefan replied, gratefully grinning at his new friend.
Aveline then looked at Elena and slightly raised an eyebrow in "you're welcome," making an understanding Elena bite her lip in embarrassment before catching Stefan's gaze again. It was surprising how much fun Aveline ended up having, but when she returned home the illusion faded.
Ripley crashed down the stairs and skidded across the floor when Aveline came inside for the night. His tail wagged as fast as a whip and he jumped up on his girl to lick her face in welcome. She giggled and rubbed his ears as she brought him back down on all fours.
"I promise we'll go running soon," said Aveline with a kiss for her boy. Trudging up the stairs like she had a ball and chain on each ankle, she called out, "Mémé? Are you up? Mémé?"
"I'm in the study!"
Aveline moved left down the hallway and leaned against the doorframe. Study was a quaint word to describe the room. It was a personal library with aspects of a private museum and office. It used to be her granddad's and when he died Irene refused to change a thing.
The young woman took a deep breath of old books and sandalwood, which alerted Mémé to her presence. The older woman spun in her chair to meet her granddaughter with a curious and pensive grin. "Did you have a nice time?"
"Yeah, actually. I'm just done with today." Aveline truthfully replied.
"I was hoping it would be so."
"You didn't have to wait up for me, ya know."
Scoffing, Irene lifted herself out of the chair and took an antique wooden box off the desk. "Nonsense. I haven't reached 60 quite yet. I think I can wait up for you."
Aveline's lip curled as she eyed the box and asked, "What's in there?"
"Throughout our family's generations there has been one thing to join us together," explained Mémé with a heavy and nostalgic breath. "It has been a pendent, a token, and even a badge of sorts."
Irene gently opened the lid to reveal a stunning, flawless, blood red stone encircled by an antique silver filigree setting. It was a little over an inch in size and the matching silver chain spiraled out beneath the pendant. Aveline gasped at the sight.
"Mom's necklace." She whispered and stared at her grandmother in astonishment. "You've had it this whole time?"
"I needed to keep it safe for you," Irene replied and took the pendant from its container. "This necklace has been in the Warfield family for centuries and it is pivotal for it to be passed down."
Aveline was taken by surprise by her Mémé's words as the necklace was placed over her head. It gently yet securely hung around her neck and landed right above her bosom. Despite being a necklace, it was an absolute perfect fit.
"In time, I'll be able to tell you the true meaning behind it, but for now wear it as an heirloom."
"Isn't it? An heirloom?" asked Aveline as she ran a finger over the smooth gem.
Irene's face broke into a wise and perceptive smile that made her granddaughter's heart thump in caution instead of comfort.
"My darling, that's exactly what it is."
Aveline sat by the window and looked outside trying to ignore her new history teacher, Mr. Tanner. She did not like him and was missing her vocal classes terribly. Unconsciously, Aveline had been lightly tapping her pencil to a beat and had gained some attention from the students.
"The Battle of Willow Creek took place right at the end of the war in our very own Mystic Falls," lectured Tanner. "How many casualties resulted in this battle? Miss Bennett?"
Bonnie's head shot up and she responded as nicely as possible, "Um…a lot? I'm not sure. But, like, a whole lot."
"Cute becomes dumb in an instant, Miss Bennett. Mr. Donovan. Would you like to take this opportunity to overcome your imbedded jock stereotype?"
"It's okay, Mr. Tanner. I'm cool with it." Matt smoothly answered, making the whole class stifle laughter.
"Elena?" Tanner was getting frustrated. "Surely you can enlighten us about one of the town's most significantly historical events?"
"I'm sorry, I don't know."
"I was willing to be lenient last year for obvious reasons, Elena. But the personal excuses ended with summer break."
Aveline jolted her head to the front of the classroom and glared at her new ass of a teacher. How dare a human being cut someone so deeply? And so publically! Rage boiled up inside her, but thankfully Stefan spoke up before she had a chance to say something that would get her suspended.
"There were 346 casualties, unless you're counting the local civilians."
"That's correct, Mr…?"
"Salvatore."
"Salvatore. Any relation to the original settlers here at Mystic Falls?"
Stefan thought for a moment on how to answer and said, "Distant."
"Well, very good. Except, of course, there were no civilian casualties in this battle."
"Actually, there were 27, sir," corrected Stefan. "Confederate soldiers, they fired on the church, believing it to be housing weapons. And they were wrong. It was a night of great loss." For once, Tanner shut up. "The founder's archives are in Civil Hall if you'd like to brush up on your facts…Mr. Tanner."
The class was able to keep their excitement under control, but Aveline had to put her hand over her mouth to keep from outwardly laughing. Stefan glanced over and they shared a nod. Tanner went back to his lecture but continued to seethe the rest of the period. Aveline tapped the rest of her way through and immediately went outside as the bell rang. She set up at one of the tables and listened to songs on her iPhone. Stefan walked down the sidewalk and caught sight of her creating a drumbeat with her mint green eco vessel recycled glass water bottle.
"Hey," he said as he sat down across from her. "What're you doing?"
"Something I haven't done for a while."
"You sing?"
"Yeah, I was going to graduate in Vocal Music at LaGuardia."
Stefan smirked and said, "Would you sing this song for me? I'd love to hear you."
Aveline cocked her head and smirked at him. Straightening her back, she clapped her hands on and with the bottle, adding a new rhythm with the instrumental music on her phone. And then she sang:
I got my ticket for the long way round, two bottle o' whiskey for the way...and I sure would like some sweet company, and I'm leavin' tomorrow, what'd ya say? When I'm gone, when I'm gone...You're gonna miss me when I'm gone...You're gonna miss me by my hair, you're gonna miss me everywhere, oh...You're gonna miss me when I'm gone. When I'm gone, when I'm gone...You're gonna miss me when I'm gone...You're gonna miss me by my hair, you're gonna miss me everywhere, oh...You're gonna miss me when I'm gone.
Elena saw Aveline and Stefan on the bench and was taken by the full, sweet sound of Aveline's singing voice. She headed over and glanced at Bonnie, waving her over for her to join. They stood by the table and smiled so she'd continue.
I got my ticket for the long way round, the one with the prettiest of views...It's got mountains, it's got rivers, it's got sights to give you shivers, but it sure would be prettier with you...When I'm gone, when I'm gone...You're gonna miss me when I'm gone...You're gonna miss me by my walk, you're gonna miss me by my talk, oh...You're gonna miss me when I'm gone. When I'm gone, when I'm gone...You're gonna miss me when I'm gone...You're gonna miss me by my walk, you're gonna miss me by my talk, oh...You're gonna miss me when I'm gone.
The music slowed and softened so it was mainly Aveline's voice and drumming cup that filled her friends' ears. She couldn't help but part her lips happily as she watched them stare in awe.
When I'm gone, when I'm gone...You're gonna miss me when I'm gone...You're gonna miss me by my walk, you're gonna miss me by my talk, oh, I know you're gonna miss me when I'm gone.
They cheered and beamed in amazement. "You have to sing something at the party!" Bonnie exclaimed. "Or a karaoke night," suggested Elena. While the girls gushed over what Aveline thought was ordinary, Stefan leaned closer and said, "You have a beautiful voice," She shied away from the attention but it felt wonderful to sing again. Especially in front of friends. Maybe living here wouldn't be bad after all.
The rest of the day went by as smoothly as the fading sun. Aveline readied herself for the bonfire after spending time with Ripley and arrived after the blaze was lit. Thankfully, it didn't take long to find Elena and Bonnie.
"Just admit it, Elena." Bonnie urged her best friend.
"Okay, so he's a little pretty." She admitted.
"He has that romance-novel stare," giggled Bonnie. "Stefan looked deep into her eyes, piercing her very soul."
"Have you guys seen him yet?" Aveline asked, looking around the cliques of people.
"No…but he's coming, right?" Elena replied.
"Maybe we should ask the psychic." Aveline teased, remembering a brief mention of it after school.
"Right. I forgot." Bonnie played along. "Okay, so give me a sec. Grams says I have to concentrate."
"Hold it! You're not a real psychic without a crystal ball." Aveline bent down to pick up an empty beer bottle and presented it to her newest friend. "Voilà!"
The three laughed and smiled at one another. They were getting along so greatly that Aveline felt like she was becoming a part of this small town world. Elena was overjoyed to have her back and Bonnie was thrilled at how natural Aveline was with them. The newly designated witch reached out her hand to take the bottle, but the moment their skin touched Bonnie's eyes popped open and she stared at Aveline in horror. And she wasn't the only one. Aveline had an eye-popping experience of her own.
Fire blazed up and ferociously spread with no natural cause. There was screaming. Lights were exploding. Darkness swept over. And there stood Bonnie, in the middle of it all, with the most intense, vengeful glare. "Eictall obscurchadas umbrath ecorhag caedis netem redelir an'th interitas!"
Aveline recoiled her hand from the bottle at the exact same time as Bonnie. The glass hit the ground and shattered as if it were on slow motion and Elena looked upon her friends in shock. "What's wrong?" She asked.
"That was weird," said Bonnie.
"Really weird." Aveline agreed.
"What was weird?"
Paying no attention to Elena, Bonnie told Aveline, "When I touched you, I saw a crow."
"A crow?" Aveline persisted.
"Yeah…there was a man circling you and I heard a voice…" Bonnie trailed off for a second and then recited, "You are the battle cry."
Aveline was dumbfounded. She knew those words; that was the dream that kept seeping back into her mind every night…
"I'm drunk. It's the drinking. There's nothing psychic about it." Bonnie tried to back peddle.
"No, Bonnie, I think –"
"Yeah, okay. I'm gonna get a refill."
"Bonnie!" Aveline called again, but she was off into the crowd of drunken peers.
"What was that?" asked Elena, grasping Aveline's jacket sleeve so she may get some semblance of an answer.
"I have no idea, but I need to find out." Aveline darted after Bonnie, but she didn't leave Elena alone. "Hi." Stefan greeted a once again startled but happy Elena.
Aveline ran through the brush yelling, "Wait! Bonnie!" She stopped in her tracks and walked to the tree line away from all the people. Aveline followed and once they were out of sight, she said, "What else did you see?"
"I didn't see anything. I couldn't have."
"But you did. And so did I."
"What?" Bonnie gasped.
"There was fire and people screaming and a darkness started to loom over and-and you were in the middle of it all saying this strange, I don't know, incantation," described Aveline as softly as she could. "It felt threatening."
"Wait, I was threatening?" The cocoa skinned girl whimpered.
"I have no idea, that's just what the scene felt like."
"Oh, my God."
"And Bonnie, what you saw was a dream I keep having every night since my mom died."
"I don't understand how this is possible. I don't really believe I'm a psychic and it's not like my Grams is sober when she tells me these things."
"But it happened to both of us. We saw each other. That has to mean something." Aveline pondered aloud as she paced back and forth.
"What the hell is it supposed to mean?"
Aveline froze as flashes of her dream fizzled to the front of her memory. So who will you be when faced with the end? When the monsters are circling? And the shadows descend?
"Aveline?"
Right as she was going to answer, the cold swallowed her entire form and twisted her body up ahead from where they stood just in time to see Elena and Jeremy carry Vicki Donovan out of the woods.
"Somebody help!" Elena frightfully yelled.
"Vicki? Vicki, what the hell?" Matt dashed over to his big sister. "What happened? Somebody call an ambulance!"
"Everybody back up. Give her some space." Tyler ordered.
"It's her neck!" Elena cried out. "Something bit her. She's losing a lot of blood. It's bad."
Bonnie ran up to be close to her friends at this tragic accident, but Aveline stalked closer since every fiber in her body was tense and on alert. She absorbed the whole scene and something struck her to her core; she could even feel it in her bones. Aveline tilted her head and saw a horrified Stefan. What town did she land in?
Stefan ran back to the Salvatore Boarding House and slammed the door open and shut, causing his human Uncle Zach to worry.
"What's going on?"
"Someone else was attacked tonight, Zach, and it wasn't me."
Fleeing up the stairs and into his room, Stefan tried to gain control of himself and the situation, but a crow flying in through his balcony window only made matters worse. So much worse. He closed his eyes and turned around to see a man dressed in black standing in the threshold.
"Damon."
"Hello, brother."
"The crow's a bit much, don't you think?"
Damon made the crow caw again and smirked. "Wait till you see what I can do with the fog."
"I have. In the cemetery. When did you get here?" inquired Stefan.
"Right, well, I couldn't miss your first day of school." Damon replied as he continued to rummage through his little brother's things. "You're hair's different. I like it."
"It's been 15 years, Damon."
"Thank God. I couldn't take another day of the '90s. That horrible grunge look…did not suit you." He mocked with an arrogant smile. "Remember Stefan, it's important to stay away from fads."
Sternly now, Stefan interrogated, "Why are you here?"
"I missed my little brother."
"You hate small towns. It's boring. There's nothing for you to do."
Damon rolled his eyes and brushed off the statement. "I've managed to keep myself busy."
"You know, you left that girl alive tonight. That's very clumsy of you."
"That could be a problem. For you."
"Why are you here now?"
"I could ask you the same question." Damon spat back. "However, I'm fairly certain your answer can be summed up all into one little word: Elena."
Back at the bonfire, Aveline and Elena watched Matt get into the ambulance with Vicki. Thankfully, the cold feeling was gone but Aveline was scared now more than ever about what it truly was and why it only happens to her.
"Hey, we're gonna go mainline coffee and wait for news," informed Bonnie.
Nodding, Elena said, "I gotta take Jeremy home."
"Guys, there's no way I'm psychic. I know that," declared Bonnie, holding a specific gaze on Aveline. "But whatever I saw, or think I saw…I have this feeling–"
"What kind of feeling?" Aveline pressed, nearly hoping it was the same as hers.
"That it's just the beginning."
"She took my breath away. Elena. She's a dead ringer for Katherine," taunted Damon. "Is it working, Stefan? Being around her? Being in her world? Does it make you feel alive?"
"She's not Katherine."
"Well, let's hope not. We both know how that ended." Stefan frowned at his brother and waited for the next jab so an opening to get rid of him would come. Unfortunately, Damon was having a much too amusing time. "Tell me, when's the last time you had something stronger than a squirrel?"
"I know what you're doing, Damon, and it's not gonna work."
"Yeah?" He hit Stefan in the arm. "Don't you crave a little?"
"Stop it."
"Let's do it together. I saw a couple girls out there. Or just – Let's just cut to the chase." Damon continued to push and hit but Stefan kept moving back. "Let's just go straight for Elena."
Enraged, Stefan shoved Damon back and shouted, "Stop it!"
"Imagine what her blood tastes like." Damon snarled. "Although, probably not nearly as good as your other girl, Aveline. Mmmm, now she smells divine! I can't wait to have my way with her."
"I said stop!" Stefan roared as his fangs surfaced.
He launched himself into Damon and they both crashed through the window and landed hard on the pavement. Stefan groaned as he forced himself to rise, but the pain struck him everywhere. He looked in search of his brother, but Damon had already recovered.
"I was impressed. I give it a six. You missed on style, but I was pleasantly surprised." Damon teased as Stefan got to his feet. "Very good with the whole face – arrrrarrrr – thing. It was good."
"Yeah, it's all fun and games, Damon, huh?" Stefan passionately argued. "But wherever you go, people die."
"That's a given."
"Not here. I won't allow it."
Damon sneered and scorned, "I take that as an invitation."
"Damon, please," begged Stefan. "After all these years, can't we just give it a rest?"
"I promised you an eternity of misery, so I'm just keeping my word."
Realizing that there was no chance of this working, Stefan altered his plea and said, "Just stay away from Elena and Aveline."
"Both of them? That's a little unfair, don't you think?"
"They're important to me. But you know that."
Damon chuckled, but then scowled down at his brother's hand. "Where's your ring?" Stefan automatically checked his right middle finger and it was gone. "Oh, yeah, the sun's coming up in a couple hours and, poof, ashes to ashes. How will you ever protect your girls then?" At the look of helplessness in Stefan's eyes, Damon felt like it was a good ending point for their reunion. "Relax," he chuckled. "It's right here."
Damon held out the ring in the palm of his hand, but when Stefan took it and placed it back on his finger, Damon grabbed him by the throat and hurled him into the nearby fence. As soon as Stefan dropped to the ground, his big brother was standing over him.
"You should know better than to think you're stronger than me. You lost that fight when you stopped feeding on people. I wouldn't try it again. And don't think for a second that I won't leave either of your girls be."
Dear Diary,
I didn't think that my new life in Mystic Falls could get any more surreal, but after tonight I'd say it's gotten unnatural. I'm seeing things, feeling things, and remembering things that don't make sense. I don't understand any of it. All I want is to make it out intact…or at least alive. I have no idea what I'm doing, but I don't feel as alone now and I'm hoping that's enough for me to go on and maintain some semblance of my old life. A life that holds memories and dreams I never want to let go.
Aveline stared at the blank page and could think of nothing else to say. Flat words weren't cutting it. Finally, for the first time in 22 days, the ghost of her smile swept over her face. She turned the page and traced her fingers over the empty sheet music. It was time to truly write again.
Black clouds are behind me, I now can see ahead ... Often I wonder why I try, hoping for an end ... Sorrow weighs my shoulders down, and trouble haunts my mind ... But I know the present will not last, and tomorrow will be kinder ... Tomorrow will be kinder ... It's true, I've seen it before ... A brighter day is coming my way ... Yes, tomorrow will be kinder.
Today I've cried a many tear, and pain is in my heart ... Around me lies a somber scene; I don't know where to start ... But I feel warmth on my skin; the stars have all aligned ... The wind has blown but now I know that tomorrow will be kinder ... Tomorrow will be kinder ... I know, I've seen it before ... A brighter day is coming my way ... Yes, tomorrow will be kinder ... A brighter day is coming my way ... Yes, tomorrow will be kinder.
Aveline finished singing her newly written song and thought, "Maybe tomorrow."
"Four Leaf Clover" – rendition by Emmy Rossum (A Sentimental Journey album)
"Cups" – Radio Version by Anna Kendrick (from Pitch Perfect)
"Tomorrow Will Be Kinder" – The Secret Sisters (The Hunger Games album)
I do not own the songs or The Vampire Diaries. I own my "other character" and original plot ideas, which will become more complicated, intense, dark, romantic, emotional, and kinda crazy as it progresses.
Please note: my updates will be scattered and far between because of the busy life I lead, but I need my readers to know that their support, loyalty, and passion are immensely appreciated and it makes all the difference when I write. THANK YOU AMAZING READERSHIP! However, I will flag harsh criticism and flames as polite and constructive comments are all that's needed for inspiration and tweaks.
Also, I have a Polyvore account that shows what Aveline will wear in each episode (which may be subject to change), so if interested go here:
reflections _ in _ gray _ waters / collection ?
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THIS CHAPTER HAS BEEN RE-WRITTEN. If there are any questions, message me and I will be happy to answer, otherwise, enjoy!