Cassie took a deep breath and watched Bonnie ride toward her. She had learned a good bit more now and was now realizing just how "on the edge" the game Damon was playing with her was. The fact that he actually wanted her because he was attracted and drawn to her seemed crazy. Since she didn't trust him, she wasn't sure if that was the whole truth but it was hard to deny that it wasn't at least a bit true because of his actions, words, and expressions towards her. Now she just had to find a way to stay neutral against him. It was a obstacle that would be hard for she had to admit that she felt drawn to him whether it was in the sense of a moth to a flame or of two people meant to be together she didn't know.
Bonnie slowed her horse to a stop. "Ready to go? We need to head back."
Cassie nodded, untied her horse from the tree and swung up into the saddle. The two of them pointed the horses across the field to the road that would lead them back to the barn. Bonnie kept glancing at her at bit curiously. "Are you ok? Something seems…wrong."
Cassie shrugged. "I'm alright though I still have the same problems as before. I've got a lot on my mind."
"Want to talk about it?" Bonnie scrunched her face. "It's Damon isn't it? It's bothering you huh?"
"Yeah I've got to stay wary and watchful but I'd rather not discuss it right now. There is too much of it swirling in my mind right now to make it even come out right in a sentence." Cassie replied.
"Ok just know that if you want to talk or need me to help you I will." Bonnie met Cassie's gaze so Cassie could see that she really meant it.
Cassie nodded. "Thanks and I will. But…did you find that guy?"
"I told them where to go look so they will find him but I'm not sure if he will be ok." Stress became evident in Bonnie as she scowled. "Cassie, I think a vampire got to him."
Cassie froze and stopped the horse. "Out here?"
Bonnie nodded gravely. "They like to do their hunting in woods and remote locations. It could be a vampire passing through or one from town. There is no way to be sure."
Concern and unease filled Cassie as her mind whirled with wondering thoughts as to if it could have been Damon. After all he had been in this area just minutes ago and had followed her here. Had he hurt that guy? It bothered Cassie. "What about your aunt and uncle? Will they be ok here?"
Bonnie looked worried too. "I think so. I hope so."
"I hope so too." Cassie said softly before they started their horses onwards again.
They rode in silence the rest of the way back to the barn. Each of them had a lot on their minds as they unsaddled and put up the horses back in their stalls. Cassie stroked the paint's nose once more before she and Bonnie walked out of the barn. Before she climbed into the passenger's seat, she took a appreciative glance around at the ranch.
Bonnie started the car, reversed then went down the driveway. As Bonnie pulled out of the driveway and onto the highway, Cassie reached forward and turned on the radio.
"I think we need to try to get our minds off our worries for a bit. It may help." Cassie supplied as she scanned the radio stations for a good song.
Bonnie nodded. "You are right. Worrying won't help anything."
A recent popular song made of plenty of energy, bass, guitar and a upbeat mood filled the car. Soon Bonnie and Cassie found themselves nodding then singing and moving to the music as much as they could in the confines of the car. They laughed together and let the catchy song draw them away from unease to feeling a little bit carefree for the moment. The song ended but another one took it's place that had the same effect as the first.
In no time the fifteen minute drive back to town seemed to fly by. Bonnie pulled the car alongside the curb right outside Cassie's house. There were lights on in both Cassie's house and Elena's that showed that everyone was still up. Movement on the porch of Elena's house caught both her and Bonnie's attention. Despite the darkness of early night, they could see the figures of Elena and Stefan sitting side by side in the porch swing. It brought back to mind all the troubles brewing in their minds.
"I'll see you tomorrow morning, Cass." Bonnie looked away from Elena and Stefan to see Cassie.
Cassie nodded. "Try to get some sleep tonight Bonnie. I know I am sure going to try."
Cassie opened the car door and hopped out. She shut it and waved goodbye as Bonnie pulled away from the curb and headed on down the road to her own house. Turning around Cassie went down the sidewalk and up the porch steps to her front door. Unlocking the house with her set of house keys, she looked up and issued a small wave to Elena and Stefan who were watching her. They each held up their hand in acknowledgement before Cassie went inside the house.
Cassie slid the deadbolt in place before turning around. Her father sat in his chair watching a late night movie but he looked up at her. "Was it nice to be around horses again?"
Cassie crossed the entry hall to stand behind the sofa. "Yeah it was real nice. We rode for about a hour and a half through pastures, woods and then in a grassy field enclosed by woods. It was great!"
"Cass, as soon as we get settled here real good and everything else worked out, I promise I'll work on getting the three acres of woods behind the house cleared and fenced in so we can get a horse or two. It's just right now everything is a bit chaotic." Her dad's tone said that he felt bad he couldn't get her a horse right now for he knew how much she enjoyed them.
"It's alright dad really. I know that it might be a while before we are ready to get some more and I can wait. I mean I really miss being around horses but our family comes first so don't worry about it." Cassie gave him a soft smile for she understood.
Cassie began to turn away but then stopped. "Hey dad." When he looked back at her, Cassie continued. "I know that you already know this but I just wanted to emphasize on it myself. Please don't invite anyone in this house unless you really know them, are a friend or family. See, Elena told me this story about how there was a circumstance where a girl invited a pizza delivery guy into her house to pay him, then the guy came back and got into the house anytime he wanted after that. It took a while for them to get the situation taken care of. I just thought you should know that."
Cassie could see the puzzlement on her father's face. He had always told them never to invite strangers into the house but Cassie knew that sometimes things happened and she wanted her parents to be even more aware and careful of who they invited into the house. Living in a town where vampires were present, she wanted to make sure that their house was as limited to vampires entering into it as much as possible.
"Sure honey. I'm glad you see it that way. Things like that can happen and we want to prevent that. Even though this is a small town, you can never know or be too sure." Her father replied.
Cassie nodded as she thought in her mind just how true his words were. Bidding him goodnight, she softly ascended the stairs, crept past her sister's room where her mom was putting her to bed then closed her bedroom door behind her once she went in. The first thing Cassie did was to glance around to see if her game opponent was visiting. Releasing a sigh that her room was vacant, Cassie grabbed her sleeping clothes from her bed and went into her bathroom. Several minutes later, after a quick shower, brushing her teeth and hair, and washing her face, Cassie stepped back into her room wearing shorts and a tank top.
Her bare feet made little sound as she walked over the hardwood floor to her bed. She fluffed her pillows and pulled the sheets back before sliding in between the covers. Sinking her head into the fluffy pillow, she turned onto her side to face the window thinking that if anyone tried to come through it she would notice. However mere minutes after her eyes had closed, sleep completely withdrew her from alertness. Contrary to what she had thought, she was not aware at all that only a hour later, a sexy male figure sat on her window seat leaning forward with his elbows on his knees and his eyes taking in the fascinating and pretty sight of her peacefully sleeping.