(episode-Brave New World)

Just the thought of Mystic Falls would make me break down, I couldn't help but think of the nice place in the woods near Wickery Bridge. The thought of that place causes me to be happy beyond belief, then there was that thing that ruined it.

There was something, something that made my happy thoughts wither and die. Replaced with a sensation that seemed to come and go as it pleases. The sensation was completely mental, it only caused discomfort not physical pain. It felt like a flame was licking the backs of my eyes, and ice was bathing my inner ears.

Then I also felt my skin itching, my mildly freckled flesh would feel like it was moving and heat up. When I looked down to see if it was moving or flushing nothing was wrong. It was the same. It felt as if I was near a intense campfire; safe from the flames, but not the heat.

I would be at my father's house in minutes, thanks to the car my father had bought me beforehand, he bought this for me on my 13th birthday. He saved it for me until my fifteenth birthday, it's been in the small garage for a while before I had taken it. Never really being in the tight space for more than a few months.

I was nervous when my car reached the mouth of the woods, it was dark in the forest even though the sky was a brilliant yellow. The place was beautiful but standing there and watching it, made the reality much more sinister. Staring at the beautiful American Beech trees; I could see the normal softly twisted branches twist together and form a face.

My nerves are still scared.

Shaking off my childish fears, I plowed my yellow jeep into the beautiful forest in search of a green trailer. I have moved in the Wickery forest around 12 years old, we moved after my mother died and when we started loosing money impossibly fast. My mother was the one that made the money and was the one that had fed us, my father and I. And after my mother's death my father was to mourn-stricken to do anything, so the job was in my hands to help my father with our survival.

Being the only child, I was lucky only to have to feed and clean up after two- but if one had major drinking issues and the other one having to hide blood on shirts- wasn't easy. Then just shy of my 13th birthday my dad was back on his feet and he got a job as a janitor at the high school. Being a janitor made others think that your house was going to be spotless, but they were wrong. No matter how hard I tried to clean, and clean, nothing would happen. You still couldn't see the hard wood floor without paint, mud, or dirt on it.

I was a stones throw away from home, now. When I saw that dad's car was parked I climbed out of the jeep and stumbled slightly, I haven't had any sleep since Monday, and it was Wednesday. I was in a hurry to leave my home, for some reason. I climbed up the rocky steps, passing the plastic fake houses, and lawn chairs.

There was a manly moan heard on the other side of the door, before I knocked on the flimsy plastic door with grated windows. I heard a swear word before a stomping coming towards the door.

When the door opened my dad had a furious expression, no doubt interrupting him with something important. But when he noticed who it was he was ecstatic, his angry Native American face contorted to a happiness that didn't seem natural on his face anymore.

He opened his strong arms and engulfed me, his hold was so missed and familiar it made me feel safer than I had in days. Still in his arms we started our talking.

"Hey dad, I missed you!" I squealed in his ears. My blonde hair found it's way into his mouth as he chuckled, he spit pulled it out before answering.

"Not as much as I missed you." He said happily. But he became serious when he continued, "where have you been, I looked everywhere for you. It's been years..."

"We talked, and texted everyday."

"Where were you?" He asked again.

"The weather is so nice out.." I attempted to stray from his questions.

I was saved from really and honestly answering, I would have said everywhere, but that wasn't true. I hated the lies and manipulation.

Fortunately I was saved when a half-naked girl sauntered out from his bedroom, "Hey babe, who-" She caught of when she saw me, she hastily covered herself in my, very dead mothers pink, silk robe.

I looked at my father in betrayal, then my eyes hardened. My mother only died 3 years ago, it wasn't to long ago when he was just planing suicide months before. But how could he move on to this girl, that I knew?

"Kayla wait-" My father sobbed before I ran.

He is such a baby.

I ran to my car in desperation, another person in my life managed to disappoint me. My father was in a relationship? Or could I even call it that? His toy, to do what he pleases.

When I was safe in my car I drove to the only place I knew where to go, where I was safe and where I was welcomed.

Jeremy's.

I knew that Elena might be there but it was worth it, I wanted my dad to...finish what he was doing, then they'd talk. I just wasn't thinking my dad would start dating so soon. Three years doesn't seem soon, but if my dad was still heavily depressed like weeks before, when he texted me, it was a short amount of time in my eyes.

I saw Jer's house not to far from where I drove now, and once again the thought of my old life caused my palms to grow moist. I still wasn't used to my old friends, I was with others, but I couldn't remember them... Jeremy's sister, Elena, still hates me, I know. But It wasn't just her house. It was Jenna's and Jeremy's, and they both seemed to love me.

I jumped from the jeep and again, stumbled. I was starting to worry how I had only just started to feel shaky, I hadn't slept in days and now it was finally taking a toll on me? I need some sleep... I walked hesitantly to the door and knocked loudly, the sun was shining and the birds were singing, I couldn't help but feel a bit under the beautiful weather.

The answer I was expecting at the door didn't come, I didn't hear anybody inside the two-story house. "Where to? Where to?" I muttered to myself, the grinned. I knew exactly where to go.

Skipping, the drowsy feeling not gone but ignored, I ran to the car and drove to Tyler's.

It took five minutes to get to the mansion, but when I did arrive I felt completely normal, I didn't have sweaty palms or heavy feet. Maybe it was because Tyler was more than a friend, he was an ex-Boyfriend then a part of my family.

The first thing I saw when I opened the door was Tyler and Mason, his uncle, breathing heavily, and having a heated discussion. Since they were both paying attention to each other they didn't notice me saunter inside.

"So you, like, black out?" Mason asked, I think he was trying to seem playful but firm, but I could see the seriousness in his eyes.

Black out?

"I guess.. It's like I go blind with rage." Tyler said dismissively as if it didn't matter, he walked up to his uncle and gave him his water bottle. I stood there, wondering why their conversation was bothering me so. They continued to talk; their heads into the conversation.

"Did you notice a pattern? Only at nights? Once a month?" Mason asked, not even trying to look as if it doesn't matter.

Shaking off confusion and fatigue I raised my arms, expecting a hug. "What's a girl gotta do to get a hug?" I demanded playfully, and slightly annoyed. I giggled as both the burly Native Americans charged at me, squealing as they both got a hug; at the same time. "Wow. I sure hope all the boy's have that same reaction, but with less slimy clothes!" I motioned at their white shirts, sticking to their abs like a second skin.

I pushed them away before I got coodies.

Before I could comprehend what was happening, Tyler had a firm hold on my wrist and was pulling me up the stairs. Before we got all the way up Tyler twisted around briefly and spoke to Mason, "Bye Mason!"

I smiled at him in apology, he just laughed in response and left the house. "How rude of you, Ty-Bear!" I yelled in a childish voice.

We entered his dirty room, he had piles of clothes on the floor, pictures of me and him all over the walls, and something I immediately laughed at. I strode over to the corner where it lay, and held it up to Tyler; his face paled.

"She forgot it," I remarked jokingly, my eyes pulled away from the pink, lace bra and watched Tyler. He was still awkward when it came to me and his personal life, back in seventh grade we tried to date but he cheated on me...With Vicki, my best friend.

"Hmm... I remember her, I think.. Casey? No. Katie? No.. Carla?..." He said in a joking matter. Was it just me or do the names all sound like mine?

"Haha. Your so funny." I moved to the bed, and lay on it. I closed my eyes and curled into a ball. Hoping to close any and all prying questions he'd have. My drowsiness that had disappeared earlier came back at me like a freight train.

"Where have you been, Kay-bar?" He asked softly and sadly. I felt the bed incline, warning me that he lay down next to me. "Your dad and I... we didn't want to give up, we kept looking." If heartbreak had a voice this would be it..

"I was in Chicago, that place never sleeps." I said in an attempt to sound like I was joking, but it came out choked and scared. Tyler was tracing a tender spot on my arm through my sleeve, I winced when he hit a certain spot. Tyler noticed the reaction right away.

He lifted up my shirt sleeve, there, just below my shoulder, was a section of skin that wasn't my natural olive skin tone, but a pale, smooth and pink section. A fire scar, a burn wound that recovered.

I gasped, Tyler looked concerned.

Where did I get it? And how?

Tyler must have seen my fearful face, though I didn't know why I was suddenly afraid. "What happened wherever you were? What happened that has you so scared?"

"I don't know," I whispered helplessly. I didn't know if it was because I was tired or that I trusted him, but I told him what's been bothering me for a few day's. "I don't remember anything, I only feel heat, searing my skin. I feel fire and ice in my head, but I can't remember anything! I-I feel so scared. I randomly become terrified. I feel like I'm missing something, something I miss. And I know something is going to happen, and no ones going to be able to escape.."

To my horror I began to sob, Tyler looked as frightened as me but he hugged me, and we comforted each other together. He told me his dad died, Vicki died, all the animal attacks. He told me about Elena's newest boy toy; Tyler told me all the drama and juicy stuff. And I gave him my own information.

My dad is sleeping with Caroline's mom.

Before I fell into sleeps grasp my mind was going in a loop.

I guess,it's like I go blind with rage... Do you black out?...I don't remember anything. Fire and ice in my head... Fire searing my skin...No ones going to escape.. Randomly scared...

It felt like an answer was on the tip of my tongue and I could taste, an answer that would solve everything. But before my overriding brain could name it and finish it off I was taken to oblivion, finally sleeping.

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

I was awoken by myself jumping slightly, as if I had fallen in my surreal dream. The dream and/or nightmare I was having swam through my ear and out the other, but I felt lingering fear. The mark that made an appearance earlier itched painfully, when did I get that? I ask myself again.

Beep, beep. There was a flashing to my right, a red light.

I sighed and jumped from Tyler's bed and walked over to the window. My eyes narrowed in anger, Tyler was gone. He hadn't woken me, sure I was tired but I haven't seen anybody in years. The moon was bloated and full in the sky, and the stars were twinkling bright and high. How long have I been asleep? When I had fallen asleep there was still strips of purple, signaling that it was past dawn.

Walking over to the phone I realized someone was calling, and the flash on the answering machine had a voice mail.

"Hello," I snapped into the phone.

A whimsical laugh sounded on the other line, "Well. That wasn't nice, a proper hello if you will?" The man was mocking me on the phone, when I just woke up? I sighed and looked around the room, feeling annoyance seep through my bones.

"Do you need Carol? Tyler?" I asked sweetly. My old self coming back every minute I'm awake.

Silence.

"Hello?" I asked.

"There it is!" He boomed, causing me to jump.

I just hung up. Walking over to the answering machine on the opposite side of the room, I saw that it only had one message. There was a purple post-it with my name on it.

Kay-bar,

Answer the machine, it's for you, Jelly Beans are in the cupboard.. Kinda old. Yeah, Bye.

I smiled at the embarrassing nickname he gave me, but I couldn't help but think it was sweet. Everyone goes through a adventurous phase, and I had mine later than everyone around me .Around 12 as Tyler was 13, so when Tyler told me of a party and I asked to go, to his surprise. I took a drink, then another after another. I woke up, completely in control of my body for the first time for hours, with a boy wrapped around me on a bar. Kay-Bar.

I reached over and stabbed the answering machine.

"Hey! Kay-bar! Umm.. come to the carnival, I'll be by the arm wrestling both, just look for the stud killing everyone." I giggled and he laughed. "Caroline should be out tomorrow, I think we should surprise her. But come! Bye-Bye!"

I looked in the mirror, and saw that I was wearing proper party attire, I had comfy but pretty, and disheveled clothes. I had corral inlay laser tooled cowgirl shoes, with faded short shorts and a white baggy shirt that reached my belly button; it had a huge mustache on it.

Winking at myself in the mirror and I twirled around an ran to my car, feeling excitement bubble in my stomach.

I was currently walking around the school, I haven't seen or heard anything of Jeremy or Tyler. I'm not even sure Jeremy knew of my arrival or not, Elena could have not sent the message that I needed to talk to him. She would do that, her little nose is always somewhere it shouldn't be, and from what I heard of Jeremy it's only getting worse with age.

Finally getting annoyed of the looks from my recent classmates, I traveled to the bathrooms inside the school. I knew perfectly well why everyone was staring; I was chubby and had acne all over my face, with big glasses as I was younger. I was in the process of growing up when I left, if I didn't have a mother who could I talk to?

But that was a mistake, really, a mistake for thinking like that. Because that night I met a really handsome older guy, with perfect brown eyes and a big heart. When he found my bags after dating for awhile and when he found out I was leaving him, just as his sister had- he flipped out. And for the next week I tried my best to hide the scratches and marks.

Tyler and I were sunbathing when he saw a bruise, I left that day.

When I reached the bathroom I heard heavy breathing. Not the breathing you hear when you run a mile or when your thirsty, but the breathing of someone that's disbelieving, or in shock.

Scared breathing.

I tiptoed down the hall, and saw a shocked face of a handsome man. He had a fine chiseled, pale face, with dark but unnaturally bright eyes.

"Are you alright?" I asked hesitantly, fearing he was a lunatic. He swiveled his head toward me and gave a smirk.

"I just...saw someone I knew." He explained, his fine brows furrowing and his lips parted.

"So you lay down?" I laughed loudly and started walking towards him, offering my hand. He declined the hand and stood up himself, his pride obviously wounded.

"No," He snapped with venom that surprised me. "I was pushed."

"Well," I cleared my throat awkwardly, and started drifting towards the doors. "..Bye."

Weirdo. I sighed in desperation. Why, I thought to myself, do all the hotties have to be bastards and weirdos?