Cough, gasp. I'M ALIVE!

I bet a lot of people who read this before didn't expect me to update this story, but well... What can I say? I'd been reading it through and new ideas popped into my head. So if any of you have returned to find out what happened next, here you are! The next chapter! I know – I'm just as surprised as you are.

IMPORTANT! READ PLEASE:

Before you read this chapter you should know I've read the previous chapters and fixed them of most mistakes (hopefully all) and made some slight changes. So before you read this chapter I would advise you to go back to the beginning and read the rest of the story again.

Anyway, hope you enjoy it!

DISCLAIMER: I own only Tari, Liam, Allen and Mr Herman – THAT'S IT. NOTHING ELSE! I do NOT own Vampire Diaries OR One Tree Hill. Happy?

To see Tari's costume, go to this site:

.

For Sawyer's costume:

.com/costumes/Cupid-/0~1038221~20

For Allen's:

.com/costumes/Deluxe-Blue-Wizard/0~1053046~267

For Liam's:

.com/Joker-Costume-Heath-Ledger-Joker-Costume-Adult-Deluxe-Style-3

If you want to see Elena and Stefan's costumes, just pictured Monica and Chandler in the series eight Halloween episode. They're who I based their costumes on.

xXx

Chapter Nine

Halloween

"Absolutely, categorically not!"

"Am I not allowed to have any fun?"

"You are as long as you're in my eyesight."

"So no."

"That's it," Elena said finally, slamming her book shut. She stood up, going towards the door. "I've had enough of this."

Stefan was beside in her in a flash. "Please don't," he said, almost begging. "I don't want another voice in this argument. This is Damon and Tari – you're not going to stop them."

"I don't care," Elena answered back. "I can't take the yelling any longer."

She threw the door open and went down the stairs to the kitchen. Tari and Damon had the counter between them, almost like a barrier to stop them from doing something they'd regret. Elena had to pause for a moment: they were mirror images of each other with their arms crossed and scowls on their faces.

"Okay," Elena said. She almost crossed her own arms when she realised she would look too much like Damon and Tari. "What the hell is going on?"

"I want to go to the Halloween party in the town square-"

"And I said you could!"

"But only if you're there!" Tari shot back.

Damon collapsed on the stool. "That's the deal, take it or leave it."

Tari shot a pleading glance at Elena. "Damon," Elena said, "she's fourteen. She doesn't want her dad watching her all the time."

"I don't care," snapped Damon. He made eye contact with Elena. "I don't want her going to a party where I can't make sure she's safe." Elena understood the implied meaning. She had to admit, if her child was in danger she would rarely let them out sight either.

"I'm fourteen and from New York," Tari interjected. "I think I can handle myself."

"Like you did with that vampire that attacked you?"

"You make it sound as if there are hundreds of vampires crawling round Mystic Falls."

Elena snorted, sitting on the stool beside Damon. "Believe me Tari, there's been plenty of evidence to the contrary."

"Then why are we living here?" Tari questioned. "If it's so dangerous, why don't we move to somewhere safer-"

"I would not move in New York if it was the only safe place on earth," Damon said harshly. "Besides, hide in plain sight. And I like to know what's going on – we're going off topic though. The point is that you're not going to that party by yourself."

"How about we go?"

The other three swivelled their heads; Stefan stood in the archway, smiling slightly at the solution. "Elena and I can go, have a good time, and while we're there we can keep an eye on Tari."

"Keep an eye on me," Tari muttered under her breath. "I'm not a fucking baby."

"Careful," snapped Damon, "or I'll ground you so you don't have a chance to go." Tari pressed her lips together, not wanting to risk her chances. She wasn't usually a party person, but she really wanted to go to this one. After all, Sawyer, Liam and Allen were going to be there, and that alone would make it fun.

Damon sighed, raising his eyes to the ceiling, and that was when Tari knew she had won. "Alright, I'll agree to that." He turned back to Tari, who was trying really hard not to grin in triumph. "However, I have some conditions."

"I'm listening."

"You have to be back by eleven."

"Midnight."

"Eleven thirty and that's my final offer." Tari nodded, knowing that she shouldn't push Damon. She would have to make sure she was on her best behaviour too; Damon would take any opportunity he could to ground her. She understood that he wanted to protect her – but it got increasingly annoying. What was the point of living if she didn't get to have any fun?

"You take your mobile phone and answer if I call-"

"As long as you only call if it's important," Tari interjected.

"And if Elena and Stefan feel that you need to come home, you go with them, no questions asked, okay?"

"Done," said Tari. "And I'll do all of that as long as you promise me that you won't check up on me. You're not going to show up by 'accident' are you?"

Damn it. "Fine," Damon said, attempting desperately not to grit his teeth. "I promise I won't check up on you."

After a moment or two of silence, Elena looked between them. "So are you two satisfied now?"

Damon glanced towards his daughter. She was looking toward him, almost pleading. God, those eyes... Now he knew how much power his own eyes could have. "Yes," he said finally. "I'm satisfied."

Yes! "Thank you thank you!" Tari said. Before any of the vampires could realise what the girl was doing, she ran round and hugged him. Damon was taken by surprise; it wasn't often that Tari initiated the hugs these days. Strangely enough it was him that was coercing hugs out of her. Lately Damon didn't recognise himself; he felt like he needed constant reassurance of her presence, to make sure she was there. Maybe it was because of Rebecca's death.

Damon allowed himself to enjoy the hug for a moment. "But I do have to approve your outfit."

Tari froze. She moved back. "But that's not – you didn't mention that!"

"I'm not letting you go out without at least seeing what you're wearing!"

Elena had previously been, she confessed, a little teary eyed at the scene. But now she groaned and shoved herself off the stool. Stefan grinned at Elena's expression. "Okay," she groaned. "I'll admit it. You were right."

Stefan slipped an arm round her back, leading her back upstairs. "I told you," he said with a smirk. "You can't stop those two from arguing. They're too much alike."

Elena glanced back at the kitchen. She could still hear Damon and Tari quarrelling about if he was going to be "generous" about what she was wearing. "Those Salvatore genes," she murmured. "They're dangerous."

xXx

"You have supervision at this party?" Sawyer shut her locker with a bang, staring at Tari unbelievably. "You're kidding, right?"

"I wish," Tari answered. "I swear that's the best I could do. I almost had my father coming to this thing, and believe me, that would have been a lot worse."

Sawyer bit her lip. "Jeez. And I thought my dad was bad. Your dad makes mine seem like the Easter Bunny."

You don't know the half of it, Tari thought. Damon barely let her take one step out of the house without his say-so. She was looking forward to this party for more than the usual reason; it would be good to have fun away from his eagle eyes.

"So what you going as?" Tari asked as they made their way to English class.

"Sexy cupid," Sawyer said without shame. "Halloween is the only time when a girl can dress like a slut and no one can call them out on it."

"Girls will still think it though," Tari pointed out.

Sawyer shrugged. "Who cares what other people think?"

That was what Tari loved about Sawyer – she really didn't give a damn about what other people thought of her. She didn't care if people stared at her or if they stopped talking when she walked into a room, clearly talking about her; she would just walk straight past them, head held high, her caramel hair flowing behind her. Despite the weather she always had a small top underneath her sweatshirt, and always wore high heels that Tari was amazed she didn't fall over in. She had many friends – cheerleaders, football players, stoners, even teachers – but most of the time she hung out with Tari, Liam and Allen. Tari couldn't help but feel a little honoured about the fact she chose to hang out with them – with her – when she could hang out with anyone else.

They took their seats in class. "Well, I suppose it isn't as if your aunt and uncle are the only chaperones," Sawyer said thoughtfully. "Because it's technically a school party – even though half the town is coming – teachers are gonna be there." She raised her head to the front of the classroom. "You're going to be there, aren't you Mr Herman?"

The man smiled down at his notes. "Of course Sawyer. I live for underage drinking and screaming teens."

"Glad to hear it," she answered back with her usual smirk, flipping Gone With The Wind open. Tari could tell she was glancing to Mr Herman under her eyelashes.

Tari hid a smirk. She was amazed that Sawyer did not get detention for one of these comments. But the teachers – Mr Herman in particular – did not seem to mind. Tari was certain if she were saying some of the things she'd wind up having her father called – and she could only imagine what Damon would say.

"So I assume that we've all finished Gone With The Wind – and if you haven't, then you'd better hurry up because the test is next week." Groans filled with classroom. "C'mon now," Mr Herman said. "I think Gone With The Wind is one of the easiest books on the reading list, considering when it was written. Now," he said, going to the board. "Is Scarlett an admirable character?"

"I don't think so," one of the other girls in the front row said. "She's incredibly selfish. She only ever thinks about herself. Even when she's helping Melanie give birth to the baby she is only doing it because Ashley wanted her to.

"But doesn't that prove she's not selfish?" Tari asked. "She didn't want to do it, but she didn't anyway because Ashley asked her to."

"But she did it for selfish reasons," the girl pointed out. "She was hoping he would choose her over Melanie."

"That's the thing," Sawyer jumped in. "Scarlett is completely and utterly blind. Rhett is clearly the best choice."

Mr Herman turned on her, his eyes amused. "And why is that Sawyer?"

"Duh," she said with a smirk. "Bad boys are hotter."

Tari suddenly felt that feeling in her gut – like she was meant to be seeing something different. She looked between Sawyer and Mr Herman. His eyes landed on Sawyer, twinkling. Tari felt her stomach churn. Does he like her? She felt a shot of panic go through her. She didn't know this man, not really – she knew better teachers that had crossed that line.

She glanced at Sawyer. Do I tell her? Tari didn't think it would go down well. If anything, it would probably encourage Sawyer even more. She loved the girl, no question – for once she felt as if she had a best friend she could talk to without sounding insane; after all, Sawyer accepted people regardless of their faults – but she was absolutely fearless. While that had its advantages, it also meant Sawyer would leap into situations without thinking twice.

Stop it! Tari tried not to shake her head, remembering she was in a classroom with teenagers that would use any little fault in a person to gossip over. It's nothing. You're overreacting. This is Sawyer – even she wouldn't go that far. It's just your imagination.

xXx

"Okay," Tari called from the bathroom. "Remember this is the only black skirt that goes with this, so you have to let me wear it!"

"I don't have to let you do anything," Damon said. He was lying on her bed flipping through her Psychologies magazine. It was a magazine for older women, but Tari still bought it anyway. He wasn't sure whether he should be pleased that she wasn't reading celebrity gossip magazines like other girls – or worried that she wasn't.

Tari came out of the bathroom – and Damon wished he had grounded her. She was wearing a red and black bustier top with a black tutu and red at the bottom. She had red horns on the top of her curled dark hair. And she was wearing glovelets.

Oh fuck it, Damon thought, staring at his daughter. It would have been so much easier if I'd had a son.

"Well?" Tari asked. She turned in a slow circle. Damon winced – her ass looked too good. "I look hot, right?"

"Why don't you have a jacket?" Damon suggested.

Tari bent down, applying her lipstick – Red Rose. "I won't need one," she answered. "They'll be so many people there, it'll be boiling."

Time for the direct approach. "Why don't you wear one so the entire world won't see your breasts?"

Tari glanced at herself in the mirror. Okay, her breasts were showing just a little, but what did it matter? She could guarantee Sawyer would be wearing something way worse, as well as other girls. "Look, many girls wear tops like this," she said, remembering that he said he'd get to approve her outfit. "It's not as if I'm going out with only a bra on."

Damon himself was rooting through her closest, wishing he could find a jacket that she would wear. Then again, he would have bet he could have pulled a designer jacket from the wardrobe and she still wouldn't wear it. She's a teenage girl, Damon told himself. What did I expect?

"You're my daughter," Damon said aloud. "And I say what goes."

Tari crossed her arms. "And I don't get to say anything?"

"Yes," Damon answered with a sigh. "But since I'm the adult I get to decide what's best for you."

Tari rolled her eyes. "Yeah, 'cause you're such a great role model."

Damon smirked. "Fine," he said. He had been fighting a losing batter with the jacket anyway. "But no kissing guys."

Tari smiled. "Well, it'll be difficult with all the guys lining up for me...but for you, I guess I could try."

"That's all I ask," he said, holding his hands up. "Now you should go; Stefan's having doubts about his costume and Elena wants to get him out of here before he can change his mind."

"Okay," Tari said. "See you later." Feeling slightly awkward about it, she went over and hugged him. Sometimes she felt strange about hugging Damon, but she was getting used to it. He was her father, after all, and since he'd become very huggable lately it was good that she got used to it.

"Oh, and I'll probably be in the Grill this evening," Damon called as Tari was going to the stairs.

It was amazing, the speed she turned round. "What?" she said. Her voice was high pitched, and Damon has to hide a smile. "You promised you wouldn't check up on me!"

"I'm not!" Damon said defensively. "I go to the Grill every night for drinks." When Tari gave him a look of disbelief, he said, "Look, I just wanted you to know that I'm going to be there if you need me, okay?"

Tari rolled her eyes. "Whatever," she muttered, whirling back around and going down the stairs.

"Nice to hear how pleased you are about that," Damon muttered. He was focussing on Tari that he didn't hear Elena coming behind him.

"She's a teenager Damon. She doesn't want to think about her dad being there."

"But she's fine with her aunt and uncle being there?" Damon asked. He couldn't help but let his eyes linger over Elena: she was Cat Woman, which meant that you could see every curve in her body. Years ago Damon wouldn't have been able to take his eyes off her; and yes, while she was attractive, it wasn't fifteen years ago. They had both changed.

"She knows that we'll back off," Elena said. She lifted her hand, fiddling with the cat ears headband. "You wouldn't be able to keep away from her. Admit it Damon."

Damon doesn't want to admit it. He wishes he could go back to how he used to be: not worrying about Tari every single second. He had to admit, he'd been worried about her before, but at least when she was living in New York he was able to forget he was a father. He trusted Rebecca would be able to protect Tari. And look where that got you, he thought bitterly.

But Damon's not one to lie, and especially to Elena, who's his best friend.

"I just want to make sure she's safe," he said.

Elena smiled softly. "Stefan and I will take care of it. We'll make sure she's safe."

"You know what to look for," Damon said to her, his voice low.

"Of course," Elena murmured back. "We'll make sure. I can't forget either of their faces if I tried." Sometimes when Elena closed her eyes she could see their faces, haunting her dreams. But the faces of her enemies weren't the worst of it; it was the faces of the people they'd lost that haunted her: Jenna, Vicki, her mom and dad, Isabel...

"Good," Damon said. The tone was getting too serious, so Damon plastered a smile on his face. "You'd better get going before Stefan changes his mind about wearing what you put him in."

"What?" Elena said, and he can tell it's worked; the shadows in her eyes disappeared. She grinned. "I think it's cute."

xXx

"This is so embarrassing," muttered Stefan.

"I have to agree with him," Tari said, though even she had trouble looking at Stefan and not grinning.

"Okay," Elena said, whirling round at the both of them. "We didn't even know we were coming to this party until tomorrow; it didn't give me much time to sort out costumes."

"But this?" Stefan gestured to his outfit. "You couldn't have found anything better than this?"

Elena and Tari both looked attractive in their costumes; but Stefan was wearing a big pink bunny outfit. It had everything that could possibly humiliate a man, such as big floppy ears and a white fluffy tail.

"I think it's sweet," Elena said, smiling. Usually this smile worked on Stefan, but his face still had a scowl on it.

He glanced at Tari. "What do you think?"

She bit her lip. "I can't lie to you Uncle Stefan. But I can run away from you." With that Tari marched through the crowd, losing herself in the mass of people. She loved her aunt and uncle, she did, but it didn't mean that she wasn't embarrassed by them.

Stefan turned his face to Elena. "Did you hear that?"

"I know," Elena whispered. "She just called you uncle."

"Not that," Stefan replied. "She couldn't even put words into how bad I look. This means I must look awful!"

Elena closed her eyes. This is going to be a long night.

She didn't know how right she was.

xXx

The bar was pretty quiet that night. Damon sat on the stool and ordered his usual. The barmaid gave him a quick smile but didn't give him much thought; he came in here almost every night. It was lame, he knew that, but he was too old to change a habit of the lifetime. Besides, right now he wanted to be in range of his daughter in case anything happened.

He never had any dates. He couldn't – not after Rebecca. He thought Elena had damaged him, but Rebecca... She had done a number on him, made him see the world in a whole new light.

And then shattered it into a million places.

He gripped the glass, moving back when he realised he'd cracked it.

Why did she have to die? If she hadn't died, then he wouldn't be stuck with Tari, and wouldn't have all these feelings rushing back. He was human, he knew he was, but he didn't want to be this human. He didn't want to feel the loss of Rebecca every damn day.

It had all started so promising.

I'm walking down the street, enjoying the summer sunshine – and the time away from the boarding house. Elena and Stefan are picking out flowers, and it's not even for the wedding – it's for their engagement party, which of course I have to be there for. There's been too much wedding talk for my taste – and too much heart ache – so I decided to take a walk and focus on other matters.

One thing that has been on my mind: that girl, Rebecca. The night after we met I sat there for the entire night, hoping she would come by. But she didn't, and not the next night or the night after that. I gave up looking for her after a while. She's obviously left town. At least I had a good night though.

My mobile rings and I fish it out from my pocket. Groaning I debate if I can ignore this call, but Elena will just keep ringing, so I pick it up. "Hey."

"Damon, hey – where are you?"

"In town. Why?" I want to move this conversation fast, so I keep my answers as brief as I can.

"I was wondering if I could ask you something. The cake shop has some samples for us, but I'm so busy I can't even leave this house. So could you pick them up?"

"Cake?" I think for a moment. I can grab the cakes and get one for myself. Win-win. "Okay. It can be my good deed for the...year."

He hears her give a throaty laugh. "Thanks. God, this wedding is so hectic. I swear I haven't gotten a good night's sleep in weeks..."

I don't hear her, not really. My eyes are focussed down the street. A girl with blue jeans and long dark brown hair is walking away from me. It can't be – can it? Is it really her?

"...I just keep wondering if we're rushing into this..."

I walk into the road trying to get a better look at her, almost causing a car to collide with me. The horn yells at me, but I ignore it. I can't see her face, but – it looks like her!

"Damon, are you okay?"

I can't let her get away. "Yeah, listen Elena, I have to go." I hang up before she can say anything else and then charge down the street.

I don't want to seem desperate, but I can't help it. "Rebecca!" I call out, and she turns.

It's her. I allow myself to have a breath of relief. She looks just the same as she did before. She's even more beautiful than I remember: her dark hair is shiny, her skin clear. And those brown eyes of hers – they could set me on fire. I think they already have.

She stares at me for a moment, and then a slow smile lands on her face, like warm maple syrup being drizzled over pancakes. "Damon," she says. The way she says my name...it makes my heart leap out of my chest.

"Hi," I say. Now that I'm here I can't think of any words to say. C'mon – think brain, think! "Where've you been?"

She smiles and it looks easy for her. "I've been busy – looking after my sister's house. My parents are there too, which makes it a bit more comfortable. It's my sister's birthday, so we're all throwing a party for her when she gets back." She tilts her head, surveying me. "How are you?"

I shrug. I was so hammered I can't really remember what I said to her, but I have a feeling that I poured my heart out – something I don't like to do. But for some reason I've done it for her – and for some reason my compulsion doesn't seem to work on her. That's another that's been bothering me: why didn't it work on her. I don't think she's a witch. Usually I would ask her, but I don't want to scare her away. I can't take that risk.

"I've been better," I say carefully.

She gazes over me. "Are you okay?" she asks softly.

For some reason I want to tell her everything. I can't. I am Damon Salvatore – I do not bear my heart and soul to anyone. I learnt a long time ago that it's the best way to keep yourself safe; keep your heart's secrets and desires safe, and you will be too. I made a cock of that with Elena – I can't do it again.

"I will be," I answer. "Listen, do you want to grab some food?"

Her brown eyes show surprise. "I..." She takes a breath, not looking at me, and that's when I know it's bad news. "I don't want to get involved with someone who's hung over another person. I like you Damon-"

"Then give me a chance," I burst out. I don't want her to leave. I want to tell myself to calm down, to not overreact. But my mind doesn't tell my heart – or my voice apparently – what to do anymore. "I don't know why, but I like you – I like you a lot. For the first time in ages I actually want someone else. So, please, could you just give me a shot?"

Rebecca gazes at me for a moment. She's surveying me, and I wish I could read her mind.

Finally she speaks. "Okay," she says finally.

I grin, and part of me wants to punch the air with my fist. She can see the way I look and she laughs. "Let's just take it slow, okay? I don't want anything serious. Besides, if it's not serious then no one can get hurt, right?"

I smirk, nodding. "Sounds like a sound argument. So listen, I need to get some cake for my sister-in-law." I nod my head down the street. "Want to come? Free cake?"

"Why not?" she says. I walk forward and she falls in step with me.

"I knew you wouldn't be able to resist me."

"You? Don't be so delusional. I heard the words 'free cake'. That's the only reason I'm coming.

I wonder if she'll regret her choice. I am Damon Salvatore after all, King of Bad Relationships. Even if it is bad, at least she's with me now. At least I can enjoy this moment with her.

He downed another glass. He shouldn't keep thinking about her. It just brought up bad memories – or rather, the pain of good ones. It was amazing, how in the blink of an eye your past could be your enemy.

Damon couldn't think about it. Not the past. He could only think about the present – and the future. He had to take care of Tari. That was the important thing.

If only she wasn't making it so difficult!

xXx

"There you are!" Sawyer wore an expression of relief when Tari shoved her way towards them. "Thought you'd gotten swallowed up by the mob – or sexy guys," she said with her trademark grin. She ran her eyes down Tari's devil costume. "Nice outfit."

"You too." Sawyer's caramel blonde hair made her shiny pink dress even brighter. It was short though: the bottom of the dress barely went past her ass; her breasts were practically coming out of it. She looked absolutely stunning; all the guys round them were taking sideway glances at her. Sawyer though, was oblivious to the attention. Or maybe she just didn't care.

"What about me?" Tari focussed on Allen. He was wearing a violet pointy hat, with a long purple gown that looked as if it could have been a dressing gown – if it didn't have stars over it. Tari almost hadn't recognised him because of the long white beard hiding his face.

"I already told you Al, you look stunning even though you appear to be an old man," Sawyer answered effortlessly.

Tari smiled at him. "Very authentic," she commented.

His eyes moved over to hers. "As is yours."

"Oi Bennett, are you saying I'm a devil?"

"You took my French fries at lunch – very cruel behaviour."

"Only because you and Liam pounced on my onion rings."

"God, you guys sound as if you should be obese," Sawyer said, ending the argument. "You both look good – end of."

"Where's Liam?" Tari asked.

Allen pointed over; Tari eyes widened. "Jesus," she hissed. Liam was dressed as the Joker from The Dark Knight. But he actually looked scary. She took a moment to recognise him, but it was definitely Liam; he was chatting up a bunch of sexy nurses.

Sawyer closed her eyes. "I know. He's doing this to get at me." At Allen and Tari's look, she explained. "I'm afraid of the Joker. I saw a Batman film when I was little and the Joker was so creepy, he gave me nightmares."

"Are you fighting?" Tari asked.

Allen answered for her. "It's Lee and Sawyer. There always getting at each other."

Sawyer rolled her eyes again. "Whatever. I'm making the rounds for any cute guys. I'll be back." She pushed her way through the crowd.

Tari shook her head. "She's so impatient."

"If she was an animal, she'd be a monkey: screeching, swinging from trees and being big eared."

"Thanks for saying that to me," Tari said with a smirk that mirrored her father's. "Blackmail's always handy."

Allen laughed. "So how've you been?"

She shrugged. "Okay." She looks to his face, seeing his eyes searching her face. "What?"

"It's just...you just seem a little stressed sometimes. A little out of it."

If it was anyone else Tari would be defensive, or maybe even insulted. But this was Allen. He was different from most boys; most were like Liam, in your face all the time, not serious. Tari loved Liam, but it was kinda refreshing to have someone like Allen too: quiet, considerate, noticing things about you that even you didn't see. He somehow seemed...almost like a kindred spirit of sorts.

"Life's complicated," she admitted.

"Because of your mom?" he murmured.

"Kinda," she said. Tari moved slowly away from the party, further away from people who may happen to overhear. "It's like... Like after my mom died, the glass shattered over the world I had in my mind, and reality set in. And reality's dark, unpleasant."

Allen watched her carefully. "Is it that bad?"

"No!" she said quickly. "It's not that bad, it's just..." Finding herself near tears she lifted her head to the sky. The sky was a clear dark blue, glittering with stars. "Some days it's extremely hard."

She felt warmth in her hand; looking down, she noticed Allen had quietly slipped his hand into hers. She glanced up to his face. His eyes were soft like melted chocolate. "I'm sorry."

She smiled gently. "Thank you Allen. Not just this – for everything."

"Right back at you."

xXx

Tari was getting punch (which she was pretty sure had alcohol in it, but she didn't care; in a way this was her rebelling, even if she only sipped it) when Liam appeared. Tari only saw him out the corner of her eye, and jumped.

Liam laughed. "Jumpy much?"

"Look in the mirror Lee; your own mother would be scared of you."

"Of course she would; she hates clowns."

"Sawyer hates the Joker; your mom hates clowns; jeez Liam, what's up with your family?"

He grinned. "A question that many therapists have tried to discover. Maybe I'll explain it a bit more one day."

Tari raised an eyebrow. "Sounds mysterious."

Liam shook his head. "When my dad was our age, him and his father had problems, as did his other son – Sawyer's father – and their uncle. It resulted in my grandfather shooting my great-uncle."

Tari's eyes widened. "Seriously? Lee..."

"No sympathy," said Liam, holding up his hands. "Seriously. It all happened long before I was born. I actually wanted to ask if you'd seen Sawyer."

Tari thought back. "Actually no. She said she was coming back here, but I haven't seen her in an hour." She watched as Liam glanced round; even with his face painted, she could tell he was anxious. "Okay, spill it."

"Spill it?"

"Whatever's going on that has you so anxious."

"For a New Yorker, you really need better language." He sighed. "She seems a little...off lately."

"She seems fine to me."

"No offence T, but you don't know her like I do. We shared a crib together. Our family's pretty big, and I have so many cousins it's amazing – I mean, our family is extended to other people that aren't even related to us. Don't get me wrong," he said quickly, "I'm lucky to have a big family, I know. But it's a bit crowded at times.

"Anyway, what I mean is that, out of all our cousins only Sawyer and I are the same age. My older brother Jamie is in college now, and my kid sister Lydia – well, she was too young to join in with all our games, as were Davis and Jude, my Aunt Brooke's sons. We spent are childhood growing up together. I know when something's bothered up with her. She's being too secretive."

"Aren't you overreacting a tad?"

"Not if you know Sawyer. You haven't seen one of her dramas yet." He shook his head. "Look, I just wanted to ask you if she mentioned anything to you."

Tari shook her head automatically. Liam looked at her properly. "If you know something, tell me."

"Liam, I swear, I don't know anything. I didn't even know there was a problem." She shook her head. "You can't protect Sawyer forever."

He bit his lip. "I know. But she's family."

"Okay," she said, a little cautiously. "But speaking from experience, the tighter you hold on to her the more she's going to try to break free." Seeing the look on his face, she suddenly felt sorry for him. He was only trying to protect his cousin. She squeezed his elbow. "I'll see if I can find her, okay?"

Tari wandered through the crowd. She couldn't believe how many people were there – it was even more crowded than it had been when she arrived. She glanced round for Sawyer, but there were too many people. Spotting a group of cheerleaders, she asked them if they knew where she was. Most of them pulled faces, but a nicer girl pointed over to one of the older buildings. "It's pretty much empty, but some kids go in there to drink and smoke where chaperones can't see them. She might be in there."

It was a good bet. After all, Sawyer had many friends who were stoners. Tari made her way to the building. "Hey," a voice called behind her. Tari turned and recognised Elena.

She had to do a double-take though. For some reason her brain didn't believe that it could be Elena. But of course it was Elena. I mean, who else could it be?

"Everything okay?" she asked her aunt. She had a sudden grip of fear that they would decide it was time to go. After all, Damon had insisted that Stefan and Elena had to be at the party with her – and that she had to leave, no questions asked.

"Relax," Elena said with a smile. "I just wanted to make sure you're okay."

Tari relaxed – or tried to. For some reason she couldn't quite get there. Something was off, a feeling that she was getting more often lately. "Yeah, I'm fine."

"Where you heading?"

"Oh," she said, turning her head to point at the building. "One of my friends is in there. I'm just going to check on her."

Elena nodded. "Okay. We'll be leaving round midnight, okay?"

As Elena walked away, Tari turned to the building. She paused for a moment though, digesting Elena's words. Midnight? Damon had said eleven thirty. Had he changed his mind? Well, Tari wasn't one to complain.

The building that the cheerleader had pointed out to her was empty. Tari felt the hairs on her arms rise. It was dark and dim, out of use for years. She had expected to find a few kids in there, but the place was deserted.

She was just about to turn away when she froze. She heard a noise from the back of the building.

She turned round and closed her eyes, listening again. She barely breathed. Tari heard it again – a shuffling sort of noise. She opened her blue eyes, searching for the source. It seemed to be coming from the corner of the building – behind the door.

Looking back, Tari shook her head at how foolish she had been. Why had she even cared? It could have been rats. But something told her to move forwards, to go see what was behind the door. It was stupid and insane, but Tari couldn't help herself.

She took a deep breath and flung the door open. Of all the things she had imagined, she had not expected what really led behind the door.

There was Sawyer. Her dress had been pulled down, her breasts showing (Tari really wished she had been wearing a bra). Her lips, before they had been pulled away, had been on another guy. When the door opened, the couple broke apart, Sawyer hastily yanking her dress up. Only then was Tari able to get a look at the man.

"Mr Herman?" she breathed.

At least the teacher had the grace to look embarrassed. "Listen-"

"I'm sorry," she said quickly.

Sawyer came forward, into the light. Her usual calm, confident face was creased with worry. Tari almost didn't recognise her. "Tari-"

"I've got to go," Tari said quickly, closing the door on them. Without looking back she turned to run. Knowing they would expect her to go through the front entrance leading back to the town square, she rushed through the back door.

Closing the door carefully, she leant back again it. Taking a deep breath she found herself coughing. She had let herself into an alley – where all the rubbish was. It smelt so bad that Tari opted to breathe through her mouth and move away a little.

She was right. She was right. She couldn't believe it. She'd thought about it in English – but she'd thought she was insane as usual, her overactive imagination formulating plots that weren't actually there. But Sawyer – she was with Mr Herman. Tari's mind flashed through previous conversations in English, noting how Sawyer always seemed to be flirting and Mr Herman never seemed to mind. She wondered how it had begun – when it had begun.

Oh my God. She remembered. On the first day Sawyer had mentioned how she'd had a boyfriend – and how she didn't want Liam or Allen finding out.

It was Mr Herman. It was him all along. Closing her eyes she leant back against the door. I'm such an idiot. How did I not see this?

Tari was so wrapped up in her thoughts that she didn't notice the crackling sound beside her. It was only when she smelt smoke she opened her eyes.

In the bin beside her a flame had sprung up. Tari recoiled on instinct, leaning against the wall. If she'd had more time she would have been able to move away further, but in the blink of an eye the flames surrounded her. She tried to move over to the door, but found she was cut off by the flames.

She was trapped.