A/N: Ok, here's chapter 2. I'm trying to give this story an epic feel. I hope I'm doing it justice. So, here you are. TaDa !
Chapter 11- part 2
Tyler entered Lockwood Mansion thru the kitchen, hoping to avoid the endless barrage of insults from his mother. Bonnie had already filled him in on the alleged "Disappearance of the former Mayors son." Certain that only Mrs. Forbes was taking any initiative to locate him, he entered thru the french doors. What he saw halted him, mid-step.
The house was in chaos. Papers and dishes placed haphazardly on the floor and tables. Police officers were all over the place: questioning the serving staff, checking the cabinetry and drawers, and out on the deck taking pictures- of what exactly, remained to be seen.
Cautiously staying out of sight, and keeping his head low, Tyler took one of the side passageways, (which thankfully, was deserted) that led to the main staircase and the upper floors. It was blissfully quiet. So this mosoleum of a home was worth something after all. They must've searched this part already, he thought, catching sight of various scuff marks marring the parquet wood. As he passed by the artifacts room a delicious smell wafted towards him. Like a beacon, it drew him in. Abandoning his original course, he changed direction and followed the scent.
Just the thought of what released that pungent aroma, had his mouth watering. He was getting closer. All sound was stifled, adrenaline charging him like a battery, he zeroed in- predictor against prey. In their sockets he felt that searing pain, teeth sharpened, making his gums tingle, prepared to sink into the source of his disquiet. There it was, just thru those doors.
Approaching it, he turned the knob and found himself looking in on the main foyer. He was about to enter when he caught sight of his reflection in one of the mirrors on the wall. His visage was no longer his own. Nothing in the world could've prepared him for what he saw.
He looked like the devil incarnate. Distorted, his features were almost completely feral. Any words- caught in his throat. Touching his face, lost in self loathing, he didn't notice the sound of someone approaching. "Mr. Lockwood ? Is that you ?" one of the younger maids, Lindsay, walked over. She was a short philippino lady in her early twenties. She'd started working for his mom, shortly before the funeral, in the hopes that it would help her to pay for college. "Shit." Panicking, Tyler shut his eyes and tried to calm himself, he didn't want to frighten the girl, (Hell, he was scared too.) especially not with a house full of cops. Come on, calm down. Breathe in and out. In and out. Please work ! Come on, come on, come on ! A hand touched his shoulder, turning him around. "Oh my God, it is you." Ok this must be a good sign. She hasn't screamed or fainted, yet. Opening his eyes, he watched her reaction, and saw only relief. Quickly he glanced back at the mirror. Normal. At least on the surface. "Thank goodness. Your mother's been worried sick about you." he raised a brow in vague skepticism "You sure ? I thought she'd soon as throw me in the middle of oncoming traffic." he grumbled. "What was that ?" "Nothing. Look, Lin, I'm kind of exhausted. Can you just let my mom know I'm home ?" Tyler asked, heading towards the door. "Why are you being so weird ? Stop kidding around." Lindsay said staunchly, and pushed him out into the main hall. Stepping amidst the upheaval, he walked with her, side by side. Ignoring the gawking spectators. "And besides, I'm certain Sheriff Forbes wants to speak with you. You had us all thinking the worst ." He glanced at her, she seemed stressed. "I'm sorry." he told her sincerely. That odor he'd been tracking was still ever present, tyring to working its way into his system. So as a distraction, he decided to ask her about it. "By the way, what's that smell ? I didn't spy any food cooking when I came thru the kitchen. Come to think of it, it kinda reminds me of... Never mind." She peered over at him warily. "Well, that's because there isn't any. No ones had time to prep anything. Are you alright Tyler ?" "I'm not entirely sure yet."
They'd arrived at their destination. She slid open the doors to the livingroom and motioned him in. Surveying the area, he saw Sheriff Forbes shaking her head at his mom. Carol Lockwood was once more dabbing at her eyes with a tissue. She was wearing her teal suit with the gold buttons (the one she wore when it was 'dress to impress' time), this was all just a show to her. He clenched his jaw until pain shot into his cheek. She was worried huh. Yeah right. He'd known she wasn't. Then why does it sting so bad.
There was a man standing next to her- too close, frankly. He had to be in his mid to late thirties. He had short cut dark hair, and wore an expensive dark grey suit and shoes. Standing in profile, as he was, Tyler couldn't get a clear look at the guy's face. His hand which was sporting a vintage carnellion ring with an odd symbol engraved in the center, was splayed across his mother's lower back, thumb tracing small circles. Frowning, Tyler realized that he seriously wanted nothing better than to beat the crap out of this guy. She must've followed his train of thought, for Lin said "Be nice. Go." Sighing, resigned "Let the gauntlet begin." he replied. And stalked in.
Mrs. Forbes spotted him first. "Tyler ! Thank God your ok." she sped over and hugged him. He gave her a small, friendly pat on the back. "Yeah." "We found your car last night. We thought... Well, assumed that... What happened ?" "I- I.." he began going over excuses in his head. As if on cue, his mom padded over and embraced him.
It was cold and there was no comfort in it. And when she pulled back to look at him, there was no joy in her steely gaze, only anger and pure loathing. I'm in deep shit. Great. "Tyler. You had me going out of my mind. After what happened to your father."
"Now ladies, let the kid have some space." The mystery guy walked over and hugged him next. Tyler flinched. That odor he'd caught a few minutes ago, it was all over the man ! Up close, the odor was so potent, it made his nostrils burn. Abstracting himself from the older man, Tyler glared at him, scrutinizing. "Oh, forgive me, I haven't properly introduced myself. My name's Mason. Mason Lockwood; your uncle."
Uncle ? Since when ? Anger was tearing thru him, fighting and clawing its way to the surface. "I think I'm missing something. Right ? Because I don't remember anyone mentioning an 'Uncle' before."
"Now Sweetheart, there's no need to be rude." his mother said, forcing a smile onto her pinched face. "Carol it's fine.' Mason said, staring at his nephew. "Your father and I lost contact with each other shortly after you were born. I decided to take- an extended vacation, if you will. I've been living in Europe for the past seventeen years. I came home as soon as I got wind of what had happened to Richard." Still not buying into the man's story, Tyler nodded in response. The room was so quiet, one could literally hear dust collecting. "Okay, now that that's settled. Tyler's going to shed some light as to his whereabouts yesterday.' said Sheriff Forbes. "Caroline told me you'd gone home sick ? You look well enough." "Yeah, I had ah- ate some bad food and left the party early. I was on my way home, when I stopped the car to uh- you know.' he said, making a puking sound "Didn't realize I'd left the keys in the car. I guess someone was watching me, cause by the time I'd gotten back to the car, they'd already drove off." Digesting this newest piece of information, pen and pad in hand, she jotted down his statement. "Did you get a look at the perp ?" "No." "After your car was stolen, how do you account for your disappearance ?" "I stayed over at a friends house." her pen halted, and she glanced up. "Really ? Caroline said she and Matt stayed at The Grill, until almost 2 am, cleaning, because Elena and Stefan left in a hurry with Damon. And Matt brought her home." Crap. He must remember to thank Caroline later, for having such a gift for running her mouth. The adults were all staring at him, waiting for an answer. Raking his hands across his face, he cleared his throat, "I stayed with -a girl. Friend. Of mine."
He knew his skin was beet red. And once more, that uncomfortable silence. His mother was seething, and Mason's expression was arcane. Laughing nervously, Mrs. Forbes closed the pad and led me to the far corner, so that she could get the name and number of the young lady, to verify his story.
"Well, if your done here. Why don't I see you out, Elizabeth." His uncle led her to the front, while they went over damage control.
Tyler was already heading up the stairs, when he heard his mom say "I'm going to make sure he's settled." Her footfalls keeping pace with his. Upon reaching his bedroom, he stormed inside, followed by Carol, who closed the door behind her. When he spun to confront her, however, he was met with a resounding slap, across the face. The audible 'crack' echoed in the space. She probably fractured her fingers, as forceful as she'd struck him because it freaking hurt !
Fury superseded sock as he cradled his cheek. She'd hit him ! "WHAT THE HELL IS THE MATTER WITH YOU !" He yelled. " Me ? Are you insane ! Do you realize the catastrophe you've caused here. Your stupidity has been broadcast all over the news ! I warned you, time and again about the embarassment that you bring to this family. You pick up more and more of your father's disgraceful habits. I told you- I warned you, to come home last night. And now another scandal is in the works !"
He was totally flabbergasted, Carol Lockwood was the most tactless woman he'd ever met. Focusing his attention back to her and her tirade, he massaged the back of his neck. "How ! How we to explain the bodies in the woods. If you would've listened to me in the first place, I could've locked you in the basement-." Wait... What ! ... "You think I killed those people ?" she kept her silence, aware that she'd said too much. "WELL ! ... I asked if you thought I'd killed those people ! Why would you think.", then it hit him. He figured she might have suspected something. A lump formed in his throat as her expression went blank. "You knew... About this, about- me ? Did you !" Silence spoke volumes, and her's was so loud, it was deafening. She maneuvered towards the door as if needing to escape. Coming up behind her, Tyler braced his hands on the wood, giving her no choice, but to face him. And she did, in true Lockwood fashion, head held high and shoulders squared. Defiant. "Did. You. Know. About this." When again, she said nothing, he pounded the door with his fists until the wood rattled in the frame; leaving indentations.
"TELL ME !" he screamed. "NO ! I DIDN'T KNOW !" Now, he knew his mother well enough to decipher when she lied to him. So the fact that she did it then, even after seeing the hurt and betrayal in his expression, had to be the cruelest thing she'd ever done. Incredulous, he backed away from her, as if she'd struck him a second time. "Don't do that. I'm not one of your benefactors, or some stranger on the streets. I'm your kid. I want you to- for once- be honest ! Why is that so hard for you ? ... Mom ?."
She appeared to be at war with herself. It was probably terrifying for someone who only cared about themselves, to show regret or shame for their actions. Tyler actually pitied her. "I told you I didn't know." she whispered. Shaking his head, he turned his back on her. "Whatever. Just..." "Until recently."
Careful to stay quiet, he let her continue, worried that if he interupted, she might not finish. "I was collecting some of Richard's things at the office. I went to the bookshelf to retrieve that antique brass box, you remember, the one he always kept locked. Well, it slipped out of my hands onto the floor, and upon impact the lid popped open." Her gaze trained on the window, as if she would rather be a billion miles away. But she propelled herself to continue. "In it, were some very old letters, addressed to a woman named Emily. They were written by your great, great - however many times great grandfather Roman Lockwood.' she rolled her silver eyes at that. "Apparently he was in love with the girl, but, she didn't feel the same. The letters speculated something about her affection for one of Giuseppe Salvatores' sons. There were dozens of them, I couldn't read them all. I was placing them back in the box, when I found another letter at the bottom, this one was made out to Roman, from Emily herself." Unable to stop himself Tyler asked "What did it say ?"
"From what I ascertained, your grandfather found out something incriminating about the young lady and tried to use it against her, in exchange for her virtue. He couldn't wait for Emily to agree with his terms, so, he proceeded [I would assume, from the tone of her letter] to take liberties with her. She cursed him. She wanted to make him as beast-like on the outside as he was on the inside. And all his sons henceforth." "Whatever happened to this, Emily ?" "My guess is that she was killed by the council. As a vampire. Since the notes were dated during the time of the cleanse."
Tyler mulled over this revelation. "You said you gained this information recently. How much a span of time are we speaking of: a day, a week ? How long ?" "When you began getting sick, I was suspicious. You've never really been sick. Ever. That's why, as a safeguard, I kept you in your room last week. But what convinced me, was when your eyes flashed at The Grill yesterday." Then, a thought occurred "So basically, for almost two weeks you held this a secret ? And throughout all this, did it ever cross your mind that I might wanna know ?' he ground out. "I thought I was dying ! And all you could think about was shutting me in here, so that people wouldn't find out that your son is an abomination ! Wow. Thanks for the parental support." Tyler replied flatly. The door creeped open and Mason waltzed in, trailed by that odorous smell. Rubbing his temples "Look man, I'm in no mood for creating a freakin' Disney family movie, ok. Both of you please get out." Taking a seat at his art desk which was located under his window, Tyler began sifting thru his drawings. Waiting, he listened for retreating feet. Her heard his mom, but Mason stayed. "Dude, I know you wanna do the whole "Male Bonding" thing, but not today. Oh, wait. What about- not EVER."
"I'm sure Carol has told you about our family history." Here we go, thought Tyler in exasperation. Ceasing in organizing his artwork, swiveled in the chair and leaned back to regard the older man. "Yeah."
"Has she also informed you that I am now the sole trustee of this estate ?" Tyler couldn't think straight for the ringing in his ears. Couple that, with wherever it was wafting off the guy he would say his reaction was bordering on murderous. He sensed that he would snap- at some point. "What."
The sinister look that appeared on his uncle's polished exterior, had a hint of challenge in it. Like he wanted to upset him; wanted him to attack. A battle for territory. And if anyone knew Tyler, he loved a challenge.
"I don't know who the hell you think you are, but your not getting control of this house, I'll kill you first. Now I've already warned you, to get the Hell Out of my room." he snarled, pushing himself up from his seat he walked up to Mason, who had his eyes closed, laughing maniacally.
When his lids opened his blue eyes had turned crimson. Within seconds, he'd grabbed his nephew by the neck, lifted him off the floor and slammed him into the wall. Shards of drywall embedded themselves in his flesh as he fought against the man's hold. It wouldn't break ! In fact, the more energy he exerted to fight against him, the wreaker he felt. Giving a grin that showcased his razor sharp canines, he studied the younger Lockwood, who's tinge was a pallid maroon from suffocation. "Awww. Come, come now Tyler. Didn't Richard teach you anything. What ? Was he too busy, taking care of strangers. Because apparently he didn't give two shits enough about you, to make sure you were properly trained." the guys breath held a metallic stench . That's it, the scent. It was blood. It stained his teeth and there was a small speck of it on his collar. "Get your. Fucking. Hands. Off me." Ty choked out.
"Aren't you going to fight me back. I've heard rumors of your public displays of violence. Don't you know how to fight without an audience ?... Pity." All of a sudden the man dropped him to the floor. "Well, now that I'm here, we're going to fix that. Teach you the ways of our kind. Since it seems that Richard was too much of a bitch to do so." Slumped on the floor, with agony the younger Lockwood glared at his father's successor who had regained his mask of superiority, and was currently straightening out his jacket. Tyler noticed that the carnellion ring on the guys finger, was now glowing faintly.
"We're having a founders charity benefit in two days, it was to be tomorrow night, but in light of your juvenille behavior, we had to push it back to run interference with the media in the morning. From now on you are to be on your most pristine behavior. We don't need any more unwelcomed attention." and with that last, he made his exit.
Picking himself up, Tyler limped over to the full length mirror. There were bruises on this throat, that were beginning to fade before his eyes. Turning around, he lifted his torn and red stained shirt to examine his back. Large chunks of plaster were dislodging themselves and falling to the floor. His wounds sealed, and the flesh began weaving itself together. In less than five minutes, he was completely healed.
He had to discover how to manage his werewolf half. And as soon as he did, he was going to rip Mason Lockwood heart out and place it in the artifacts museum downstairs.
Settling on his bed Tyler glanced over at the pillows. Reaching under one he took out a worn copy of 'The Merchant of Venice', and flipped thru the dogeared pages until he located it. A folded piece of paper. As he opened it green eyes stared back and instantly he felt calmer. He'd drawn the portrait of Bonnie, a week ago. Her image constantly plaguing his consciousness. Even though every aspect of his life showed all roads leading straight to hell, he knew with certainty, that this girl would save his soul. Looking upon it now, he read the inscription he'd scrawled on the bottom, 'Fato Crede' - "Trust in Fate."
Grabbing the phone on his bedside table, out of its stand, he dialed her number.
She answered on the third ring. "Hello ?" God he loved hearing her voice. "Hey Bonn." "Hey ! How did everything go ?" she asked. "As well as can be expected. Sheriff Forbes might be calling you later. Said my car got stolen, and that you found me while I was on my way home. I told her I stayed with you last night... Thanks for helping me with the story." "No prob." "Listen, my family is planning a Charity Fundraiser, day after tomorrow, and I would love it, if you would accompany me." Momentary silence. "Like. A date ?" he laughed at that. "Yes. Like a date." He held on patiently for her response. Please say yes. Please say yes. "Ok. Yeah, I'd like that." she said. Tyler couldn't stop the cheesy grin that spread across his face. "Great. I'll see you Tuesday at eight. Cool ?"
"Cool. See you then."
Hope this was to your liking. Thanks for reading. To be continued in Chapter 12. :o)