Chapter 6

It's been a day since I've been living with Bonnie at her house but she left yesterday to her grandmother's to get some answers about her being a witch and its been a day since my foster parents left . It's Monday and Bonnie didn't even show up to school neither did Stefan which was good. I called Bonnie to ask where she had been lately she said she was fine just at her grandmother's and this so far were weird but okay, whatever that means. Right now I'm at my house since I was bored at Bonnie's dads by myself. I've been trying to figure out why deep inside myself I have this strong unbearable urge to stay as far away from the Salvatore brother's as humanly possible. I've been in the upstairs attic for about 3 hours going through all my parents history and stuff trying to find anything but nothing useful has come up but old depressing memories. I sighed letting out a loud groan in annoyance, "Ugh!"

I slammed down another useless family book in the 5th box I've opened and looked to the last three, I rolled my eyes at them and closed up the boxes I as I was home alone in my house I was just wearing some grey cotton short shorts and a white spaghetti strap top barefoot. I went into my kitchen and went into Gerard's liquor cabinet easily picking the lock, one of my specialties. It's always come easily to me to break into pretty much anything, figure out anything, and smooth talk my way into and out of anything. Elena thinks I just have the power of persuasion and Caroline thinks it's just because and I quote 'Because you have a really hot bod and a sexy face!' I always laugh at that. She's so one-track minded. I shook my head at that thought and grabbed a bottle of Bourbon off the shelf then pouring myself a glass. Sighed taking a long sip, 'I wonder where Elena is… Everyone is acting so weird… First Caroline with her obviously bad, too-old-for-her boyfriend, then Bonnie's hey-guys-I'm-a-witch-now phase, which is actually pretty cool, now Elena and Stefan with their we're-together-but-not-really thing.' I took another sip at that shaking my head and jumping up on the counter leaning my head against the cabinets behind me. "Man, my life is getting weird…." I muttered to myself.

I wonder what to do….Hmmm… I jumped up gulping the rest of my drink and running upstairs to get my phone. I dialed a number I knew by heart and waited for an answer.

"Hello?" A deep voice answered.

"Jer! Whats up? Whatcha doin?" I asked playfully.

"Um, nothing? What's up Melanie?" Jeremy asked obviously not expecting me to call but am I supposed to do when I'm this bored and my friends are all crazy and obviously losing their minds.

"Nothin, um, do you wanna maybe hang out today lil bro?"

He pause for a moment and said something to someone then I heard a nasty slurred voice, "No Jer stay with us! That bitch can ask one of her snotty little friends to hang with her!" She said arrogantly. Jeremy snapped back, "Hy don't call her that Vick! She's like my second sister!"

He answered back while I quietly fumed, "Sorry not today Mel, I'll talk to you later." He said before hanging up.

I growled under my breath, "Ugh! That bitch! I fucking hate her! Corrupting poor Jeremy's mind like that…" I snarled. Then I stopped, 'Did I just growl? What the fuck….' I thought weirdly. I went back down stairs bringing my phone and poured myself another glass of bourbon. "Oh well, when all is lost, drink and listen to music!" I said putting on some Bruno Mars 'Gorilla' on the tv on blast and dancing.

The next day I went to school and I see Bonnie and before I could go up to her Elena runs up to me, "I need to talk to you." She says seriously, "Just I sec I need to talk to Bonni-" "No. Now!" She says cutting me off then pulling to the girls bathroom.

I almost trip when she yanks me in then locks the door after making sure no one is in there. "First, I need you to swear to secrecy." She said with a serious face. I looked at her confused before deciding this was a 'answer now questions later' ordeal. I nodded, "I swear. Now Elena tell me what's wrong." I said worriedly. "Something's wrong with Caroline. I forgot to tell you at the party but I saw these scars and mark all over her body! I think Damon did it to her!" She said worriedly but angrily. I gasped then my expression changed to a look of outrage, "…He WHAT!?" I screeched. Before Elena could calm me down I was already walking to the door but she stopped me, "WAIT! Mel your swore to secrecy!" She yelled. I pause then looked at her like she was crazy, "Caroline's boyfriend is abusing her and we're going to keep quiet!? Are you insane?" I said looking at her with wide eyes.

"No. That's no it. I mean that I tried to question her about it and she snapped at me! Look, Mel, I know you're worried. But Stefan said-" I stopped her there , "Wait, Stefan? What does he have to do with this? And since when does Stefan know these things before me? Your best friend?! Elena…" I ranted feeling betrayed and not believing she was saying this right now.

"Mel… I'm sorry I didn't tell you but Damon is Stefan's brother and when I saw the scars my first thought was to tell him because I knew he could do something to stop him. He said he'd handle it." She said calmly trying to get through to me. I shook my head, "And you trust him?" I said wearily looking at her. She looked at me for a moment and said sincerely, "I trust him."

I nodded slowly, "Just please don't say anything to Caroline about it or that I told you. I just had to tell you. I trust Stefan to handle this." She continued. I looked at her for a moment, sighed, and nodded again, "I won't say anything Elena. I know you love Stefan and all, don't give me that look it's obvious, but Caroline is OUR friend. Not his. WE should be handling this, not him and if it doesn't get handled I will handle it myself." I said looking at her disappointed before leaving without another word angry at her.

I stormed out of the bathroom ready to punch something, anything, but before I could leave I saw Bonnie, "You know about Caroline?" I asked not waiting to say hello. She looked at me and then nodded, "Yeah, after you left we found her laying on the floor and she she couldn't remember anything. I stayed with her before going to my grandmother's. I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I didn't mean not to I was just-" She started to ramble and I hugged her. "It's fine BonBon. We have a lot to talk about anyways." Elena walked up to us but before she said anything we all heard and watched Caroline strut down the hall happy, snotty, and as popular as can be with two of her friends next to her talking about a sexy carwash fundraiser. "Unbelievable." Elena said staring at Caroline at she talked away giving orders like always. Bonnie and I nodded, "It's like Saturday never happened." Bonnie said shaking her head. Me and Elena nodded in agreement but I still wasn't talking to her just yet. Stefan walked up and I sighed, "Um, we have to be somewhere Talk to you later Elena!" Bonnie said pulling me away my eyes met Stefan's and I glared at him I only just heard him say to Elena, "She doesn't like me does she?" before I turned the corner with Bonnie.

It's the next day finally and I was getting ready for the sexy carwash at my house and I was going to meet Bonnie there seeing as I didn't pack a swimsuit. I put on a black bikini under my dark ripped jean short shorts and a white loose crop top that said let's party on it. I got curled my hair and did simple make up just light waterproof eyeliner and mascara before jumping into my car and leaving. I got there and there were already plenty of people. I smiled running up to Matt and jumping on his back holding his eyes so he couldn't see me. "Guess who?" I said playfully with a smirk. He almost fell then laughed not expecting that then laughed grabbing my legs so I didn't fall, "Hey Mel, Caroline's gonna kill you for not showing to set up! Hahaha."He said laughing. I jumped off and shrugged when he turned around, "Oh who cares?" I said with a smirk. He shook his head, "Yeah yeah, help me with this car will ya?" He said picking up the hose he dropped and spraying me, "Hey!" I yelled laughing. I pulled off my shirt throwing it to the floor then saw Caroline walk up to Elena and Stefan across the lot most likely telling them to get sexy since they were still clothed and because once she walked away they both laughed and started taking off their shirts. I just looked at them wishing Elena would stay away from him. "Guessing their back together." Matt said trying to hide the sadness in his voice I looked at him from my side of the car, "Don't do that." I said bluntly looking at him. He looked at me confused, ""Do what?" That's when Bonnie popped up behind me, "That tortured pining stuff." She said smirking. I looked at her and nodded, "I was just observing." He said laughing before we all went back to washing the car. A raggedy car pulled up behind us and some girl looked at it with disgust, "Why do I always get the P.O.S?" She said brattily. "You don't have to be so rude." Bonnie defended the guy. She ignored her, "Hey dude we can wash it but, it's still a P.O.S." She said the guy glare at her before throwing his keys in the car and walking away. I looked at her annoyed, "That was rude as hell." I said. Bonnie just glared at her as she laughed bending down to wet her sponge in the bucket. Then all of a sudden the watter exploded in her face and the hose went haywire and she screamed getting all wet. Matt ran over to help her and I looked at Bonnie to see her still glaring, "Hey! Bonnie!" I called to her and she snapped out of it, "Huh? What?" She asked and as soon as she looked away it stopped. I grabbed her shoulders and looked at her, "Did you do that?" I asked incredulously. She looked at me surprised then back at the girl, " I-I'm not sure." She replied. I nodded, "It's okay Bonnie." She nodded then smirked, "I know." She said before going back to washing. I looked at her with furrowed brows then shrugged, 'Damn, witch Bonnie's got a lot of power.' I thought before chuckling and washing the car too.

Normal P.O.V

Meanwhile, Elena and Stefan were washing a car when she looked to his hand, "You know, you're getting soap in that." She commented. Stefan smiled looking at his ring, "It's fine."

"I notice Damon has one too. Is there a story behind it?" She asked still washing the red Nissan. Stefan nodded, "Yeah, it's a family crest, it called Lapiz Lazuli." Elena nodded at this before waking up and holding his he=and to get a closer look, "I see. Y'know you should really take it off, I could put it in my bag if you want?"

"No, it's fine." He said pulling his hand away smiling reassuringly. Elena nodded looking skeptical but letting it go, "Okay. I'm gonna go get some more towels." She said walking away. Stefan looked at his ring and sighed.

Elena walked up to Caroline seeing her at the makeshift register and sat down next to her, "Hey Care, we need some more towels." She said. Caroline nodded, "Okay, I'll go get some more." She said putting the money she was counting down then going to get some more towels. Caroline was walking through the dark hallways of the school when she heard that voice again calling her name. The voice that she had heard the night before while she was asleep. She was positive it was Damon. "Damon?" She called out looking around. 'Caroline…' It called again. 'Caroline…Help me…' He said again. Caroline gasped turning around and running away.

Meanwhile, Melanie was leaning against a tree taking a break watching everyone when she saw Elena talking to some strange old guys who turned out to be that rude girl's grandpa. She walked away from him and went up to Stefan. Melanie looked at Elena suspiciously. She saw the old guy leaving and caught up to him, "Hey." She said putting on her sweet act. "Why hello there little lady. I was just leaving what can I do to help you?" He asked nicely. "Well, my friend just walked up to you a second ago. What did she say?" I asked trying to persuade him to tell me. "Oh, well I was just telling her about the incident in 1953 with the Salvatore." He said nodding. Melanie looked confused, "What incident sir? I'm not familiar with the story?" She asked politely. He smiled, "Your friend said the same thing. You see I saw her boyfriend there and thought he looked like someone I knew from back then but he couldn't be. It was so long ago. There was also a Stefan and Damon Salvatore back then who had an uncle, Joseph, was his name. He died in an animal attack. But after that I never saw the two again." He replied. Melanie looked shocked before nodding with a smile, "Oh… Okay thanks! Have a nice day sir." She said sweetly, he nodded, "You too little lady." He said before walking away. Melanie sighed running a hand through her hair then shook her head, "What the hell did I just get into…" She muttered before walking away. She looked around for Elena to see her talking to that reported Logan Fells and Jenna before hopping into the reporter truck and they drove off. Melanie looked at the truck as it went away and considered following before she saw Caroline weirdly walking into the woods. "What in the actual fuck is going on?" She whispered choosing to follow Caroline inconspicuously instead.

She looked around and saw no one was looking before running after Caroline not caring to grab her shirt. She looked at Caroline as she walked like a zombie though the forest. "How the hell does she know where she's going?" She whispered to herself. She quietly kept following and after about 15 minutes off walking she was fed up but before she could blow her cover she saw where they were. "The Salvatore Boarding House? Caroline what are you doing?" Melanie said shaking her head looking at her. Elena said Stefan said that Damon was gone for good but apparently Caroline couldn't accept that. She sighed as Caroline walked in without knocking. Melanie ran to the house and peaked through the windows seeing Caroline walked around before going downstairs to what looked like a basement. "What the hell?" She said squinting her eyes. She waited a long time for her to come backup and if she didn't soon she would bust in there and go get her. She saw a man rush down after her soon then yelled stop. Melanie gasped and jumped up when she saw Caroline bust out of the basement full speed and run to the door and somehow Damon Salvatore was right on her tail. "Caroline!" Melanie said worriedly as she ran out of the house and into the forest.

She sighed in relief at this and looked back into the window to see Damon was burned a little but then it healed like it was never there she looked at him incredulously and gasped. He whipped around to face the window but she had ducked and ran full speed out of there back to the car wash. She arrived quick as ever out of breath, scared, and confused. She looked around for Bonnie and saw her about to get in her car to leave she ran over to her, "Bonnie!" She called. Bonnie turned around looking shaken up, "Huh? Bonnie what wrong?" She asked grabbing her shoulders. Bonnie shook her head. "I-I don't know. I'm not sure…" She said shakily. "I have to go see my grams again." She whispered before looking at me, I'm sorry Mel." Before getting into her car and driving off.

Mel stood there looking at her friend drive away and her shoulders slumped. "Great…" She muttered. "Need a ride?" She heard behind her and saw none other than Stefan Salvatore when she turned around. She glared, "No."

He sighed as she walked away from him but then gently grabbed her wrist, "Why do hate me? What have I done?" He asked slightly pleading. Melanie yanked her arm away, "I don't hate you. I just don't like you. You and your brother and nothing but trouble, I can feel it. And because of that I don't trust you." She said angrily before storming away to her car and driving off. Stefan watched her car drive off and sighed running a hand through his hair, before walking away.

Melanie was on her was on her way to Bonnie's driving angrily with all kinds of thought racing through her head. She pulled up to the driveway and parked her car. She gripped her steering wheel not moving to get out. It was about 8:00pm now and it was almost completely dark outside. She took in a deep breath and slowly let it out. 'Just relax Mel…' she thought to herself calming down. She then slumped in her seat leaning her head back against the head of her seat and closed her eyes. She cleared her head and picked through her thoughts trying to figure out which problem was most pressing, she came to a conclusion after sitting in her car for about 5 minutes then she started her car again, pulled out of the driveway, the drove off in the opposite direction with a hard look on her face.

Stefan walked into the boarding house and saw a familiar crow lying on the floor split opened savagely and dead. His breath quickened as he realized what this meant. "Damnit! Zack! Zack!?" He yelled out frantically feeling worried about his 'Uncle'/nephew. He whisked down stairs to the basement and saw Damon's cell opened and Zack lying in front of it with his neck snapped. "No, no, no…. Zack?!" He said sadly holding Zack's body in his hands and hugging his nephew blaming himself for this. A tear fell down his cheek and he fisted his hands.

Jeremy had just come home after a fight with Vicky, in which he tried to tell her she was better than the punks she hung out with but it just flipped and backfired on himself, he walked in with his shoulders slumped and Elena's pills that Vicky stole in his pocket so he could put them back before she noticed. He walked upstairs putting it away and called the person he knew would always be there when he needed to talk. He dialed and waited for her to pick up, "Hello?" Melanie answered tiredly.

Jermey smiled, "Hey Mel, can we talk?"

"Um, yeah Jer, what's wrong?" She asked turning another corner.

"I just had a fight with Vicky… But before you start trashing her or anything you should know that I really like her. I may even love her Mel. Please, I need some advice…" He pleaded softly.

Melanie sighed on the other line then smiled softly, "Little, Jer's growing up… Well Jeremy, if you really like Vicky then I'm not gonna lie its not gonna be easy. I mean, your such a nice kid, and Vicky… Well, she's-" Melanie quickly remembered not to trash and bit her tongue, "She's different. She's been through a lot Jer. She's lost just as much as Matt is and if I know anything about being lost, it's that you don't know what you want. You just have to be careful about what you say to someone so sensitive but wild like that…" She said thoughtfully. She pulled to a stop at a light.

Jeremy nodded thoughtfully then smiled then chuckled, "Since when are you the 'Love Guru'?" He said laughing be still thankful for the advice.

Melanie smiled to herself and flipped her hair, "well, you know me. I'm everything! Haha!" she said cockily then giggled.

Jeremy paused for a minute, "Hey what's that noise? Are you driving?" He asked hearing an engine. Melanie nodded, "Yup."

"Where are you going this late?" He asked curiously laying on his bed. Melanie finally stopped her car in front of a familiar house and smiled to herself softly parking the car in the driveway next to another, "To help a friend in need. Talk to you later Jer." She said getting out the car dressed in her pj's and grabbing her over night bag she stopped by her house to get.

Jeremy nodded, "Alright, thanks for the advice Mel. I needed it."

Melanie smiled, "Anytime." Then hung up and went to ring the doorbell.

Elena walked in the house, not soon after Jeremy, flustered and breathing heavily not able to think right. She dropped her things on the floor once she got to her room and started pacing around back and forth. She shook her head stopping in front of the mirror and looking at herself trying to prove that the thing going through her head weren't true.

Dear Diary, I am not a believer. People are born, the grow old, then they die. That's the world we live in. There's no magic, no mysticism, no immortality. People are supposed to be who they say they are and not lie, or hide their true selves… It's not possible. I am not a believer. It can't be.

Earlier when she went to the news station to look up the Salvatore incident in 1953 and she saw Stefan. Her Stefan standing there. In 1953.

But how can I deny what's right in front of me? Someone who never grows old…

She remembers seeing Stefan's face so clearly in the video…

Someone who never get's hurt…

He was so clearly cut the night when he interjected between Tyler and Jeremy's fight and Jeremy swung the glass bottle.

Someone who changes in ways that can not be explained?

He was cooking for Elena in her house when he cut his finger and his eyes changed and veins sprouted from them. He looked like a demon…

Girls bitten…Bodies drained of blood…?

She remembers when Vicky got attacked the other day, Matt told her Vicky said it was a vampire but that she was clearly all drugged up.

Elena sat her diary down and looked up in realization, fear, shock, and disbelief…

Bonnie made it to her Grandmother's earlier and stumbled to the door feeling broken, lonely, out of control, and confused… Her Grandmother answered and had that look she always did when Bonnie came o ver. Like she was expecting her. Bonnie had old and new tears stained on her beautiful face. "I don't know what wrong with me…" She sobbed out. Bonnie's grandmother nodded pulling her into an embrace. "I know sweetheart… I know..."

Elsewhere, Caroline lay in her bed, her head facing the window, feeling traumatized and numb in the darkness of her room. Her mother walks in, "Caroline? Honey? Are you okay?" No answer. "Is it a boy? Do you want to talk about it?" She asked worriedly. Caroline shifter her head to her mom, "Mom, if I wanted to talk about boys I'd call Dad. At least he's successful in dating one." She said plainly not caring if she hurt her mother's feelings then turned back to the window. Her mother looked at her with shock and hurt written on her face before saying nothing and leaving the room quietly.

Sheriff Forbes walked downstairs holding back her tears and right before she sat on her couch she heard a knock on the door. She looked and saw it was 10:00pm. "Who on Earth…" She said harshly going to the door. She opened the door and smiled at the familiar face. "Melanie." She smiled nicely at Caroline's friend.

"Hi, Ms. Forbes. May I see Caroline?" She asked nicely holding up her overnight bag with a sheepish smile. Liz nodded, "Of course you may. But she seems very…" She trailed off not finding the right word. Melanie nodded understanding, "I know. I just want to help." She said nicely.

Liz nodded letting her in, "Do you know what's wrong with her Melanie? She's acting different." She asked worriedly with pleading eyes. Melanie looked at her sadly the shook her head no, lying, "No, I'm sorry Ms. Forbes I don't know she didn't tell me. All I know is that she's my friend and she's upset. I'm here to help." She said with finality and a nod. Liz nodded gesturing to the stairs. "Well then go ahead. " She said letting a smile creep onto her tired face.

Melanie started up the stairs, "Oh and Melanie?" Liz stopped her again. Melanie looked back with a questioning look. "Thank you." Liz said sincerely. Melanie smiled and nodded making her way upstairs again.

Melanie walked into Caroline's room and dropped her bag on the floor next to the door and closed it behind her leaving the lights off. Caroline muttered a droned, "Go away." But Melanie ignored it. She walked over and sat on Caroline's bed next to her. "Care bear…" She muttered softly with sympathy. Caroline sat up and looked at Melanie in shock.

"Melanie? What-?" She started but Mel cut her off.

"I saw what happened earlier with Damon… I just had to make sure you were okay…" She said looking at her with worry.

Caroline still looked confused, "But… How?" She stuttered out.

Mel smiled sheepishly again, "I-uh… Well, I sorta followed you? I'm sorry! I just I was curious to where you were going and I wanted to make sure you were okay and I-" She started rambling but Caroline cut her off with a hug.

Melanie stopped and looked at her friend shocked she wasn't mad. "I'm not mad at you Mel…" She whispered in her shirt. Melanie smiled and hugged her back. Caroline sniffed, "Thank you…" She whispered brokenly. Melanie only nodded rubbing her back slowly.

There ya go! Chapter 6 is up and done! . ! Please comment, like, review or whatever! Thanks for reading! Chapter 7 is coming up soon! I'm working on it now! XP Can't wait! XD!