I was sitting in the van with Ric and Hope waiting for the full moon to reach its apex. I was twirling my blonde hair, Ric was tapping his fingers off the steering wheel. Hope sat in the back bouncing her foot up and down. She sat in there waiting for the time when she could go outside. She loved coming with us and getting away from the school she just hated waiting. Something her and her father had in common.
" I don't understand why I have to be here ?" I said letting go of my hair and turning to face Ric.
" Eliza how many times do I have to go over this with you? You're here in case someone sees something they shouldn't." Ric sighed repeating it for the hundredth time.
" fine." I sighed knowing we couldn't go further into the argument because Hope was in the backseat, " I don't understand why ,though, I can't even go in till he's chained down."
" Eliza, if it makes any difference I'm glad you're here," Hope said lightly smiling.
Before I could answer we heard yelling. Ric and Hope jumped out of the van and ran to the church. Hope kept looking back at me from the concrete stairs. I noticed Hope stop and talk to a kid sitting on the steps of the church. Great! I thought, I'm using the term kid. God that makes me sound old. Any way I was sitting out in the van when I heard the chains clip together. I got out of the van and walked to the church my heels hit against the stones while walking. When I got inside I saw the kid standing behind Ric and Hope and in front of me. He was in complete shock and confusion.
" Are you telling me I missed out on all the fun?" I joked looking at the black wolf, " Hi wolfie." I said waving at the dog.
The kid turned around to face me, " who the hell is this?!"
" Also a long story," Ric said.
We were in the van driving back to the school in silence until Ric broke it.
" So how do you two know each other?"
" He used to serve me milkshakes at the Mystic Grill," Hope replied.
" Peanut butter blast. Whipped cream on the bottom," the kid said back, " we danced once."
" We tried," Hope said smiling, " and then you moved away."
His somewhat happy expression turned serious, " then you made a door blow off it's hings with your brain," he looked out the window and then back at us, " do you mind explaining that?"
Ric cut into their conversation, " Oh, we'll explain everything. We're almost there."
" Where are we going?" Landon asked worriedly
" You asked a lot of questions. Don't worry we're not kidnapping you," I stated smirking getting an eye roll from Ric.
" Ignore her I always do. And we're going someplace safe.'' Ric said. I scoffed at the comment he made.
When we pulled into the school we were greeted by Lizzie and Josie Saltzman. I smiled at them and they waved.
" Welcome to the Salvatore School. We're your tour guides." The blonde said.
" I'm Josie," the brunette said.
" I'm Lizzie," the blonde said seconds later.
" sisters,"
" twins," Josie said back.
" Fraternal. Obvs." Lizzie said smiling and Raphael.
'' Raphael why don't you go ahead with the girls. While I," I gave him a look, " while 'we' talk to Landon," Ric corrected looking back at the kid. Again I need to stop using that word it shows my age.
" morning Hope," the twins say in unison.
" morning girls," she replies back as. The twins each hooked a arm through Raphael's.
" more like despair," Lizzie jokes as they walked away.
" I heard that," the red head said back.
Lizzie yelled back to the group, " no you didn't."
" didn't have to."
Ric sighed " everyone behave," his voice boomed making me a little startled. Ric show me jump and laughed
" Love you dad," the girls said looking back. I leaned up towards Ric and whispered in his ear.
" that never worked with me," I joked. He smiled lightly.
" so..," he sighed, " Let's get started."
We walked together into the building through the main room. We heard the kids laughing and talking as we walked.
" I'm curious Landon," Ric said as kids ran passed us.
" Slow down " .I yelled at the kids.
" Were you aware of us when you lived in Mystic Falls?" He asked as I sped up so I could walk beside him.
" Uh, I knew Hope went to some fancy boarding school." His head turned back and forth looking on both sides of the hall way, " people in town said it was a school for troubled rich kids. I see the rich parts true. Nobody in town said anybody hers could do that," he jogged to catch up, "And you still never told me who she is." He said pointing at me.
" like we said long story," Hope said to him.
We walked into Ric's office. Ric walked in first he held the door open for me and the kids, again with the word kids. When we all were in the room he spoke.
" No one in Mystic Falls knows much about us. We blend in just enough," he said taking his jacket off. He was wearing a long sleeved, button up shirt. It was just tight enough to show some of his muscles. He hung his jacket up, " Participate, contribute just enough. Keeps people from asking too many questions.''
" And we'd like to keep it that way," I added glaring at Landon.
Landon went to sit down at one of the chairs in front of Ric's desk, " what is there exactly to know?"
" Well, I used to have a speech prepared carefully unpeeling layers the mystical history," Ric behind his desk.
'' but it turns out most people have read Harry Potter," I joked smiling.
Ric added to my joke, " their actually cool with me skipping the tee-up."
Landon's eyes widened, " your a school for magic?" Disbelief clear in his voice.
" No, we are a school for the supernatural. There's a difference."
" which covers a lot of territory. Everyone here a has something g about them that makes them special. In ways the outside wouldn't and can't understand."
" so, what are you?" He asked looking at Hope. I leaned back in on the window seal to watch how this played out.
" I should get to class," Hope said turning to face the door she went to grab the knob.
" No. No. Sorry," he quickly changed the subject, " none of ever told me who she is."
" This is Eliza Salvatore. And before ask she's a vampire."
" This is true. I have been one for nearly 200 years," I listened closely for a moment hearing his heart rate spike, " Landon you can clam down we're not going to hurt you."
" Look I don't mean to be a dick, but I don't know you two. And even though image of you whamming a priest is still fresh. I need you here," he sighed before continuing, "Just tell me what all that was in the church last night."
Hope looked at Ric and and I before asking, " what do you think it was?"
" Well the best I can reason. Either I lost my mind or werewolves are real." He said.
" My guess is both."
Ric looked back at me with the look that said shut up. I put my head down and walked behind Ric's chair. Hope looked at us again causing Landon to shake his head.
" Th.. This is beyond insane." He looked back at Ric and asked, "How is that even possible?"
" It's a long story,'' Ric said again.
" One involving an ancient, vengeful witch." I added.
Ric finished, " and a bloodline curse. We cover all of it on Origins of the species, grade six."
Landon's eyes widened, " In sixth grade at my school we learned state capitols."
Hope and I laughed, " we teach that too," I said.
Ric jumped in to stop any further comments of mine, " I have some questions about Raphael."
The kid looked between the three of us, '' like what?"
" Well, to start.."
I cut in, " with who did he kill,"
" what? Why would you ask me that?" Landon asked wide eyed.
" the werewolf gene lies dormant until the carrier takes a human life," Ric explained.
"Meaning that if Raphael broke his curse. It's very likely that he killed someone," I added trying to explain.
" And we don't accept cold blooded killers into our program.''
" He's not a killer," Landon defended.
" We're not trying," Hope was cut off by him.
" He's not.. a killer."
Landon stood up and started pacing the room. He rubbed his hands down his face trying to comprehend what was being said.
" Well, I know a little bit about his back round. Neglectful birth parents, orphaned at adolescence, six foster homes in seven years."
" plus prone for fits of anger. Hope what does that sound like to you?"
" Well to me, Eliza, it sounds like a werewolf curse,'' she said looking at me with a smile.
I could tell that Landon was getting defensive from how he walked closer to Ric's desk, " yeah. Well, you could have just as easily be reading file. That's what it's like out there for people like him and me"
" Landon, I know it's a lot to take in right now, but we're trying to help. I have been going here since I was seven. this is a safe place for people like Raphael."
" She right. This place is a home," I added. I still call it home giving that I've been living here since 2009.
" But," Dr. Saltzman started, " if we take him in we need to make sure he's not a threat."
Landon walled to backed the room. I put my hands on Ric's shoulders trying to pull him back to the seat. When I realized he wasn't moving I wrapped my arms around him.
" His girlfriend," Landon finally said. He sighed before continuing, " Cassie. Last month... He was driving, there was a storm. He took a turn too fast. And then he started acting out. At first I thought it was grief. And th..then maybe... Maybe drugs or something. And then he threw a 200- pound lawnmower 50 ft across the yard."
" I'm gonna guess that's when your foster parents called for the exorcism."
" All of that is consistent with a newly triggered werewolf. It's normal."
" thank you for that information Landon," I said smiling as I rested my head on Ric's shoulder.
" Hope,"
Hope got off Ric's desk and walked over to Landon, " Everything's going to be okay. I promise, We're ready," she said backing away from him. The door opened with a creek. Ric stood up causing arms to fall at my sides. A kid who was about Hopes age walked into the office.
" Landon Kirby meet Milton Greasley."
The kid winced at Ric using his full name, " Come on Dr. Saltzman."
" Right. MG. I'm sorry. Take it from a guy named Alaric. I get. Landon, MG is my student aide."
Hope nodded her head slightly, " he's also a vampire."
" Of course he is," he said looking at me, " you know for a school with a secret to keep, you're kind of liberal with your information."
" Yes, well you won't remember any of this anyway," I said looking at him with a smirk plastered on my lips.
MG walked over and grabbed Landon by the shoulder, " Forget everything you've seen or learned since last night. All you need to know is that your friend has found a home where he can live a better life. You'll miss him. But you know it's for the best." MG compelled
Landon pushed MG's hand off his shoulder and looked at the three of us, " are you three out of your minds? How could I forget any of this?"
Hope walked next to MG, " MG, did you do it wrong?" She asked angrily.
MG defended himself, " No I didn't do it wrong. It's the easiest vampire trick in the book."
" Well, it didn't work."
" Obviously, it didn't work." When Landon tried to leave I had to get involved. I grabbed him by the neck and choked him till he passed out.
" Eliza! Eliza!" He yelled again still trying to get my attention, "Careful. Get him to the cellar," Ric yelled as Landon hit the floor. I snapped out finally and looked down at the ground, " Oh, this is not good. This is bad."
I covered my mouth not able to find words to justify what I did.
