I know last chapter was really short. This chapter should be longer though! I'm glad you're enjoying this. So, this won't center entirely on Elena/Damon/Stefan. It'll center around the other characters as well. I pictured Katherine teasing the whole town for a few episodes before finally revealing herself. Some will probably be shocked, but others I think wouldn't be like Damon, who will figure it out, I guarantee it. Or Stefan will and tell Damon. Either way, this is what I hope to happen. There will be some twists and turns, so I hope you enjoy.
Stefan knew something was wrong the minute his phone rang. He felt a sense of dread as he excused himself from Matt, who was pale and not doing so well, as he walked to the other side of the room, answering the phone. It took a full minute to get Elena to calm down, but once he heard the word, "dead", he snapped his phone shut and rushed over to his girlfriend's house. It wasn't too far from the hospital, but by the time he arrived, there were police cars and ambulances situated in front of the Gilbert home. Stefan quietly moved to the door, past all the officers to find a sobbing Elena, a hysterical Jenna and two bodies being moved out of the home. The first body, all bloody, was John's and Stefan's heart went out to him because he was still Elena's father. He watched as a white sheet was placed on top of the body carefully.
The second body was the most shocking. Jeremy Gilbert was being wheeled out next, another white sheet being placed on top. Stefan could barely look at the scene anymore. John and Jeremy were dead? How? There was no possible way, he thought frantically as he quickly enveloped Elena in a strong hug as she sobbed against his chest. His heart went out to his girlfriend, because tonight had been a travesty among all travesties. When he arrived at the hospital earlier after talking to Elena, he found a grieving Tyler, who just got word on his own father's death, and Damon had called him to let him know about Anna's own death. It made sense if Jeremy killed himself over Anna. So much had happened that year for him, for the Gilbert family in general, but Stefan could barely believe it himself. If it weren't for him, if it weren't for vampires in general, none of this would have happened. Jeremy would still be alive, and Elena would be a lot happier. Tonight was a night of loss, death and grief and he had no clue how Elena would get over this.
He watched as the ambulances left and the police stopped questioning Jenna, who wasn't even bothering to hold it together anymore. The police didn't even bother with Elena, but wanted her to come in when she was calm enough. He sat down on the porch bench, still holding Elena as she kept crying into his chest. It took her over twenty minutes to calm down, so once she did, he knew the questions had to be asked.
"What happened Elena?" he asked softly. He didn't want to push her too much, but he was naturally curious to why there was so much blood on John. Elena sniffled, wiping some tears away as she clung to Stefan tightly.
"I-I came home and found them both dead. I don't know how! John, he was- he was stabbed in the chest after someone cut his fingers off, and Jeremy- I saw my bottle of pills empty," Elena said softly. She looked up at Stefan with more vulnerability than he had ever seen from her. It was full of pain, remorse and guilt. He didn't like seeing her hurting so much. In twenty four hours, she lost her dad, Jeremy, maybe Caroline, almost lost Bonnie as a friend, Damon, and even himself. It would tear any human apart, and Elena looked like she was trying to hold it all together, but it wasn't working very well. Suddenly, Jenna interrupted them, her face completely broken down as she looked at the two with hollow eyes.
"I'm going to head down to the police station to give an official report. I should be back later," Jenna said, her voice completely dead and lifeless. Elena nodded hesitantly, looking up at her aunt sadly. Stefan knew she wouldn't speak, so he spoke for her.
"Yeah, we'll stay here, or maybe I'll take her to my place if that's alright with you," Stefan suggested. Jenna nodded, her arms crossed.
"Yeah, that would be nice. Take care of yourselves," Jenna said before turning and walking toward the police car, where one officer was waiting for her. Stefan watched the young woman go before turning back to Elena, letting his attention focus on her. She was still crying a bit, but was staying very quiet and still. He sighed as he stood up, her still in his arms.
"Let's go back to my place. We'll discuss this in the morning, but for now, you need some sleep," Stefan coaxed gently. Elena suddenly looked up at Stefan, her eyes becoming a bit more lively.
"How can I get sleep when my brother and my dad just got killed in my own home? Who would do such a thing?" Elena cried almost angrily. Stefan nodded, holding her tighter as he led her to his car.
"I'm sorry Elena, I know tonight has been rough. I promise you, we'll find out who killed your father," he said. Elena nodded as he helped her in the car before going to his own side and starting to drive to his place. Elena leaned against the car door as Stefan looked at her worriedly. He really hoped they did find out who did this. They would definitely pay for all the harm they caused on Elena already.
Matt watched people moving around in the waiting room but he wasn't exactly comprehending what was going on. All he knew was that his girlfriend was in surgery for internal bleeding and nobody could tell him a damn thing. He also knew that Tyler's dad had been killed that night in some fire and that Stefan had rushed out after muttering something about Elena. He was barely focused on anything but Caroline. She had to be alright, she just had to be.
A hand suddenly clamped down on his shoulder and he looked up to see Sheriff Forbes, sighing as she sat beside him.
"No news yet. Are you alright Matt? I mean, you were in the car too and you're together with my daughter and all," the woman asked gently, trying to hold it together, but he could see she was ready to unravel at any point. Matt shrugged, unsure. Honestly, he didn't feel like he was just in a car crash. The paramedics checked him out and said he was fine besides a couple of scratches and bruises, but he wondered why he got out unhurt while Caroline and Tyler had to pay the price.
"I'm fine, I guess. I just want to know how she is," Matt admitted. Sheriff Forbes nodded in agreement, sighing. Suddenly, footsteps startled him to see Tyler walk into the hospital again, his mother right beside him as she held onto her son tightly, tears streaming down her face. Matt got up and walked over to the two.
"I thought we'd come and find out how Caroline's doing. Is she alright?" Mrs. Lockwood asked timidly, Tyler standing stone walled beside her. Matt gave the tiniest of smiles.
"I don't know; the doctors haven't come out yet. I'm so sorry for your loss. It's a hectic night. How are you guys dealing?" Matt told the two gravely. Mrs. Lockwood smiled in appreciation but Tyler didn't even glance in her direction.
"It's hard, but we're managing," she told him. Matt turned to his friend, wanting to reach out but afraid to. He saw how bad Tyler's temper got at times. It was almost like an animal coming out to bite you. So, he hung back, putting his hands in his pockets. Tyler made no move to acknowledge his presence. He didn't blame him much. His father just died, so Tyler had the right to be mad and cold to everyone. Suddenly, the arrival of a doctor caused Matt to turn and Sheriff Forbes to stand before her cell rang. She ended the call quickly as she turned to the doctor.
"How is Caroline?" she asked frantically. The doctor looked solemn and Matt felt his heart drop about fifty feet into the ground.
"She's in a coma, alive, but barely. Unfortunately, we do not feel that she will make it. She's on a ventilator since she cannot breathe on her own, and at this rate, we only give her a five percent chance on waking up. We are deeply sorry. It will be your choice if you want to keep her alive to see if she wakes up or if you want to end her suffering," the doctor explained gravely. At that, Sheriff Forbes gave out a little cry of pain as she collapsed back on the chair in shock. Matt blinked blindly, feeling dizzy as he swayed before letting himself succumb to the darkness awaiting.
Damon sat on the chair beside the fireplace, his mind swarming with confusing thoughts. He still felt Elena's lips on his, but something was off. It was too familiar. It could be that he still saw Elena as Katherine a bit, though he knew she was nothing like her but the looks were shocking. It still stunned him a bit. The way she kissed him back was so much like how Katherine kissed him...which was a bit odd actually. He knew kisses were all different, but it felt like the first time Katherine kissed him; it was soft, slow and then passionate. Maybe that's how Elena kissed, he wouldn't know. He was jumping to conclusions. Elena was not Katherine. He kissed Elena, not Katherine. Didn't he? Damon shook his mind of this, temporary setting it aside as he heard Stefan's car pull up to the house.
He decided to talk to Elena about the kiss when lover boy wasn't around as he walked to open the door. As soon as he did, however, he knew something was wrong. The smirk disappeared from his face as he watched Stefan drag in Elena, who had started crying again. He honestly had never seen this before, or had seen this coming. What the hell happened, he thought as he helped Stefan set Elena on the couch.
"What happened?" the older Salvatore asked, concerned. Stefan just looked at Damon for a few seconds before answering.
"John's dead. So is Jeremy," he explained shortly before turning back to Elena, who had quieted down some. Damon was absolutely shocked. Ok, so the older fellow deserved to be dead since he killed Anna and almost killed himself, but Jeremy? And how did John die? He had that stupid protector ring, didn't he?
Damon took a seat beside Elena, who looked absolutely devastated. Damon felt a pang of guilt, but he forced himself to push it away. He was the last one to speak to Jeremy. The boy had been devastated and acted a little odd, asking about vampires and such, but he didn't think much of it. But now? Something was wrong, but he had to focus on Elena right now.
"How did it happen?" Damon asked. Stefan sighed as he quickly explained what Elena told him, Damon growing a bit confused. His mind started reeling overtime. Who would know to chop his fingers off before killing him? Obviously a vampire, or one of them. Alaric's name popped into his mind immediately, but he almost dismissed it. As much as he hated to admit it, he had a soft spot for the vampire hunter/history teacher. He was done with Isobel, which meant he was done with John, unless he found out about his almost death, which would be weird as well, because then it would mean the teacher actually had a soft spot for him. Impossible, but a possibility at the same time, Damon thought curiously.
"Elena," he said, taking the girl in his arms and making her face him. "I need you to tell me exactly what happened after you entered your house," Damon instructed strongly. Elena swallowed as she gained control of her tears as she spoke.
"I-I got home after talking to Stefan on the phone about my dress being missing-" Elena started before Damon interrupted.
"You had your dress with you though. I saw you with it," Damon said, confused. Elena shook her head though.
"No, it was missing; I never picked it up," Elena said confused. Stefan frowned at Damon, who let go of the girl, his mind thinking.
"Keep going," he encouraged, facing his girlfriend. She nodded as she continued, Damon trying to piece everything together.
"I-I went into the kitchen after I heard a crash and found- and found John dead on the floor. Jenna called 911, and I went to check on Jeremy and found my pill bottle empty in the bathroom. He was- he was dead on his bed. He killed himself. Why would he do that?" Elena answered. She looked ready to cry, but Stefan wrapped his arms around her again. Stefan eyed his brother, who settled back into the couch, thinking hard.
Elena's dress was missing, yet he saw her with the dress when he exited her house. Her hair was curly, and now it was straight...her attitude toward him was very distant and unsure...she kissed him back immediately, not pushing him away at all... Jenna invited her into the house... those eyes....that kiss....Katherine.
"I know who killed John," Damon spoke suddenly, his eyes wide. Elena and Stefan turned toward him eagerly.
"Who?" Stefan asked. Damon paused, swallowing deeply as anger rose inside of him.
"It seems little brother that our least favourite lady friend is back in town. Katherine's back," Damon explained, causing the two to freeze, shocked.
Katherine stood outside Bonnie Bennett's house, pushing her hair back with a smile. She had been studying this town and its people for a long time. Most of the vampires reported to her, including John and Isobel, and she was sure to have gotten as much information as she could. She wasn't sure if she'd be any good at being Elena, but she was caught up in their little drama fest. She caught a glimpse of it that night, passing by as she saw Damon getting saved by the little witch. From what Damon told her, she may have a problem with Bonnie, and why not ruin her little friendship, since it was so delicate anyways?
Laughing a bit, she put on the best Elena face as she could before moving toward the door, knocking on it. Seconds later, the witch opened it up, a confused look on her face. Katherine feigned the best 'this is a disaster' look as she formed tears in her eyes.
"Bonnie, I need to talk to you. Can I come in?" Katherine said frantically. Bonnie nodded, looking around before back at her supposed best friend.
"Sure, come on in," Bonnie said concerned. Katherine nodded slowly as she entered the house, smirking as she walked past Bonnie as the witch shut the door.
What do you guys think so far? Good? Bad? What else do you want to see for the next chapter? Damon's figured it out, sooner than I wanted, but I guess it was meant to be. Thanks for reading!