Chapter 2
My eyes were welled up with tears. I could not see, I could not speak. I could not cry as Ms. Olivia walked me to the car parked outside my apartment. I rushed in the ER cell and asked for William Hyde and Seema Hyde. My whole body ached but I still kept running until I found the I.C.U., I wiped my tears and peeked through the glass window. Both my parents bloodied, motionless, incapacitated. Suddenly I become emotionless, staring dead at them as I entered. Each step felt like my legs were tied to boulders, but I managed to walk up to my mother's bed first. My beautiful mother, her flawless tanned skin was now covered in dark coagulated blood, bruised. Her head seemed to be bandaged after a surgery. I want to hug her tightly, but I couldn't, I stepped back after a few moments. I turn to my father's bed now. "daddy", I whisper inaudibly. He just lay there, as motionless as my mom. Breathing feebly - a broken nose, a shoulder injury. My strength, my pillar, the strongest and the kindest man I have ever known just lying there, relying on electronics for his life. I touch his fingers. Again I feel my eyes welling up and the nurse instructs me to wait outside. Ms. Olivia Parker, the coldest, most cunning woman I have ever seen in my life - even she had a worried expression on her face. Seventy-two hours pass by and the nurse comes to tell me my mother has gained consciousness. I rush inside. My mother feebly smiles and I go upto her with tears in my eyes. " Tina, come here beta(child)." I hold her hand gently. " I don't have much time" she says. I start sobbing " No , mom, don't say that! Please." She says, " Hush now. My brave girl. You have to be strong. Take care of yourself. I'm sorry honey. So is your dad. Don't be afraid." She finished her words and closed her eyes. She seemed to sink into a deep sleep. Her cardiac monitor beeps still and the think line went straight. I lost my mother, my beautiful and courageous mother. I am about to start screaming, but I feel a pair of hands on my shoulder, dragging me out of the room from behind. My father was comatose for the next two months only to die in his slumber. I lost both my parents in two months, I became an orphan. Two caskets, two graves, I am standing in front of them and suddenly I see smoke surrounding me. Almost blinding my sight. I see a dark shadow. A man standing behind their graves. I am screaming.
I woke up in a pool of my own perspiration. There was light all around the room. " it was a dream." I say to myself. Why now? Its almost been five years. I thought my nightmares had stopped.
I decided to go out for a run. Seemed like a pleasant day for running I quickly change into my work out clothes and go for a spin. I return an hour later only to find 3 missed calls from Jones, ughh!
I call Jones " Sorry, I was tired yesterday. Must have fell asleep." I said groggily. " I know. But don't take too much time. We need at least some information. And please be careful Ms. Hyde." He said concernedly. " Don't be annoying, Jones." I say and hang up. I unpacked my stuff and carefully unloaded the most important stuff. My gadget packs. Filled with nifty vervain grenades, darts, syringes, stakes, guns with wooden bullets laced with vervain. Yes I came prepared. Who knows what these vampires are upto.
I decide to make a strategy for my mission. Stefan might be in the good tracks now. But Damon is the one I need to worry about. He will kill me in an instant if he thinks I am a threat. No! I have to prove them I am on their side. Win their trust somehow. I will have to look around more. Sitting in this shabby hotel will get me nowhere. Luckily I saw bar and restaurant a few blocks away this morning - Mystic Grill. Great place to gather information.
As soon as I am about to walk in the Grill I see a familiar face standing outside - Katherine Peirce. One of the most dangerous and shrewd vampires known to us. I quickly find a place to hide behind a building. She is speaking to a guy, tall, blonde, well built. She called him Mason. They kiss and he drives away. Two minutes later I see him, Damon Salvatore walking out from the same place. They start walking towards my direction so I further into the darkness between the two building. They pass me and I hear Katherine say playfully " Bad day?" "Bad century." He replied sarcastically. I wait long enough for them until they are quite far away. I can't follow two of the most dangerous vampires in our records this closely. I even forgot to bring my parabolic microphone. " Shit!" I had no choice but to let them walk away. They both drove away in different directions. I went into the grill and ordered wine. I quickly texted Jones the details. Seriously! Katherine, Damon and Stefan Salvatore, how many of them are here? Who was the the blonde guy with her? Her new boy-toy? God that bitch is crafty. I hate her. Hate her to my guts. Last time we met , she killed three of my men. She let me go because she found me pretty and funny. Deranged slut. She ruined so many lives. Including the Salvatore brothers. I have to know what in the world is going on in this cursed town. Suddenly I turn to my side and see her, Katherine! I almost choked on my wine. But she didn't seem to recognize me. Staring back with confusion. I quickly change the shocked look on my face. But she was wearing different clothes. Her hair was suddenly pinned straight now, like mine! Wtf? Then I hear a blonde woman call her " Elena!" I could not stop gaping. Elena? This is Elena? This is Elena Gilbert? How could she look like Katherine? Why? It was eerie. My head was spinning. I turn back and finish my drink. I asked for a refill and stayed as long as they did.
As I see her leave I decide to follow her. Katherine or Elena. I didn't care. I had to know. I find a cab outside and follow her car maintaining a safe distance. I start seeing familiar streets and houses. Yes ! I know this part of the town. She parks her car near uncle Gray's house. The Gilbert residence. Oh shit! This is Elena.
I start thinking. Why does she look exactly like Katherine? I walk towards my hotel and call Jones " I saw Elena Gilbert. She looks exactly like Katherine Peirce. Like a doppelganger, Jones. Why? Find something Jones! This girl might be in trouble. Give me everything we know about Katherine." I hang up. I lie in my hotel bed and finally fall asleep to my new discovery.