I was sitting on the couch flipping through the copied pages of the Gilbert journal when a name popped out on the page. Violet Gilbert. I scanned the pages looking for more information but only found one mention of her.
"These hard times only make the tragic loss of my beloved daughter, Violet even harder to bear. I see her face everywhere. Some days I swear I hear her laughter and the tune she used to hum echo through the house.
I see James Lockwood from time to time. He looks just as devastated as I feel. I know he and Tabitha are up to something, alas I'm not sure what it is. Though an ominous feeling comes over me whenever I think of it."
I look down at the pages shocked. James Lockwood and Violet Gilbert. Those are the names from my dreams. The name the vampire who attacked me had called me. So many thoughts are running through my mind. I can barely slow them down long enough to identify them. I jump up off the couch and run onto the porch in search of fresh air.
The cool nip in the night air bit at my nose and my breath came out in puffs of white fog but I didn't care. I felt consumed and overwhelmed by everything that has happened. I'm grateful that I am not alone, and I can share this with Tyler. Elena and I are on slightly better terms but I'm not ready to mend fences quite yet.
I turned to go back inside before I caught pneumonia when I heard a noise. It sounded like a muffled grunt followed by a loud lapping sound. I stopped and looked around for the source of the noise. I realized it was coming from the bushes. I went back in the house and grabbed my gun before investigating. I slipped through the bushes and froze.
A woman laid on the ground, a man crouched over her. Dark blood dripping down her pale neck. The man was guzzling down her blood like it was lemonade. She was squirming and tears were rolling down her cheeks, but she didn't scream.
Was this the vampire who attacked me? I wondered selfishly. This woman was being killed and all I could think about was myself. I cocked my gun and took aim. The vampire froze and slowly turned around. I was shocked when I recognized the face staring back at me.
Logan Fell. Logan? Jenna's ass of an ex-boyfriend is a vampire?
Logan stared at me while blood dripped down his face. I cringed at the sight. He prowled up to me like an animal does when it hunts its prey. I blinked and he was running at me.
My blood was pumping so hard I could feel it coursing through my veins. I fired two bullets, hitting him square in the chest. He stumbled back and fell to the ground screaming in agony. I aim and fire another bullet for good measure. Another scream of pain. His head snapped up, his eyes wide and jaw hanging open. Why was he so shocked? He saw that I had a gun. What did he think I was planning to do with it? He jumped up and ran so fast I barely even saw him.
I ran over to the girl and bent down at her side. I pressed two fingers against her pulse point but got no sign of life. She's dead. Her face was frozen in an agonized expression, and her eyes were sealed shut.
I debate what to do. I don't want to call the cops. They'll know that I know. Than there will be a lot of questions. Questions I don't want to have to answer just yet. I ran inside and grabbed my phone off of the coffee table before walking back towards the body. I'd talk to Tyler first. Elena and Stefan don't share any information with me, so I'll hold off before divulging any of my own.
I scrolled through my phone and tapped Tyler's name.
"Hello?"He answered after a couple rings.
"Logan Fell is a vampire."I blurted out, skipping any greeting.
"Ava? What? How do you know?"He asked shocked.
"I just interrupted his dinner. There's a dead body right behind me"I replied slight panic in my voice.
"What? Are you okay? Where are you?"He yelled concerned.
"At my house."I replied and I could hear him shuffling around.
"There's a dead body in your house?"He asked in disbelief.
"No, but close by. I think we should tra-"I started to tell him my plan when he interrupted.
"Why do we have to do anything? We should just call the police and let them handle it."He said. I couldn't believe what I was hearing.
"What the hell are you talking about?"I asked with disappointment. Does he not understand how serious this is? A woman is dead.
"The police know about vampires, so just let them handle it. I don't see why it's our problem."Tyler said and my fist clenched.
"It's our problem because people are dying. What do you want to do? Just pretend like everything is alright. Just go and hang out at the Gill? Play some Foosball?"I yelled in irritation.
Is he kidding? Of course it's our problem. The police have no clue what they're doing. That much is obvious. Along with Stefan we could handle this ourselves. I never took Tyler for a coward.
"Why does it fall on us? What do we have to do with it?"Tyler asked annoyed. Why is he so annoyed?
"We have everything to do with it. This is our town. We have to protect it."I replied not understanding his side of things. As far a I'm concerned there are two sides. Fighting for what you care about, or being a coward. Right now it seems like we're on different sides.
"All I'm saying is that we don't have to be the ones dealing with this. My parents and the council know about this stuff. Just let them deal with it." Tyler tried to explain.
He doesn't understand what it's like to be attacked by something. Something that you have no chance of fighting. It makes you feel powerless and weak. I know that feeling. The only difference between me and that woman is that I was lucky. I survived.
"I can't do that."I replied stubbornly.
"What-why not?"Tyler asked. His voice was rising as his patience began to run out.
"I can't just sit back and watch people die hoping the council does something."I said pacing the small clearing.
"Ava, this is crazy. You're a cheerleader...not a vampire hunter."He yelled frustrated.
I felt anger and hurt stab in my core at his words. Is that what he thinks I am? Just a cheerleader? That I'm not capable of anything but yelling, Go Team!
"So, I'm just some useless cheerleader? I should just shake my pompoms and act like a mindless idiot because I'm too weak to deal with this?"I asked furiously.
I'm not some little damsel in distress. Who needs him to keep saving me. I came to him thinking we would work together, not for him to tell me that I was weak.
"That's not what I said."He said sounding irritated. I could hear his breathing had become erratic. He was angry.
"Whatever Tyler. If you'll excuse me I have to go and practice my cheer smile in the mirror. Since apparently that's all I'm good for." I said sarcastically before hanging up on him.
I let out a frustrated grunt before leaving an anonymous tip with the police. With one last regretful look at the poor woman who had lost her life, I stomped inside and locked the door. I wish I could have saved her. The police will find the body and the family will be notified at least. They'll never know what actually happened, but maybe that is for the best.
That night was restless. Every time I closed my eyes I saw Logan killing that woman. Tyler's words echoed through my head. "You're a cheerleader...not a vampire hunter" He might be right but that doesn't matter. This is so much bigger than me. I decided to tell Elena everything in the morning. If someone were to die and I could have stopped it I wouldn't be able to live with myself, but Elena was already gone when I got up. I'm not sure where she went. I tired calling her but it went straight to voice mail. I'll have to catch her at the fair tonight.
Tonight is the annual Career Fair at Mystic Falls High. Students are expected to come and show an interest by the school and their parents, but I don't need to go. Ever since I was a kid I knew I would be a doctor just like my dad.
The school was buzzing with activity. Students and parents were crowding the halls and cafeteria. I ditched Jenna and Jeremy in search of Elena.
I weaved through the crowd looking for my sister. It was hard to see anyone familiar through the thick sea of people. I came up empty handed in the hallway, so I went to try the cafeteria. As I turned the corner I crashed into someone. I nearly fell to the ground but I quickly caught my balance. When I looked up I saw Mr. Saltzman standing over a mess of papers on the floor. I winced regretfully as he bent down to pick them up.
"Sorry Mr. Saltzman."I said helping him pick up his papers.
"Ava, call me Ric."He scolded with a kind smile.
I busied myself with the books as he tried to organize the papers. When I picked up one of the books something fell out. A stem of a familiar purple flower. I felt my eyebrows knit together in confusion before I even realized I was doing it.
"Vervein?"I asked looking at the purple flower laying on the ground. Alaric's head snapped up and looked at me curiously.
Could he know? If he has vervein he must. He just laughed and picked up the flower. I'm sure he was about to supply me with some excuse, but I didn't give him the chance.
"You know."I said looking at him suspiciously.
"Uh.."He said looking dumbfounded.
"I'm not one of them, don't worry. Though I would keep the fact that you know a secret. Mystic Falls is a dangerous place."I warned sliding the stack of books towards him, before getting up and resuming the search for Elena.
When I walked towards the cafeteria I saw Logan. He seemed to be having a very intense conversation with Stefan. I can tell they already know he is a vampire. I walked over quickly, not exactly sure what I was thinking getting between two angry vampires.
"What are you two talking about?"I asked as I walked up. Stefan looked at me worriedly, and grabbed my arm and pulled me behind him.
"Oh you know. The weather, how Stefan here is able to be a day walker."Logan said seriously.
"A day-walker? Seriously?"I snorted at the stupid name. It sounded like something out of a cheesy vampire movie.
"Ava."Stefan warned and I rolled my eyes. I'm not a baby, so I don't need a babysitter.
"What's he going to do? Drown me in his massive collection of hair gel?"I asked as I glared at him through narrow eyes.
"He's a vampire."Stefan whispered.
"She knows. She shot me earlier."Logan said and Stefan looked at me shocked. I shrugged and Stefan sighed before turning back to Logan.
I know I should be scared of Logan, but after last night I just can't muster up enough fear. Maybe it's the gun placed in my bag, knowing that I have a way of defending myself, or maybe it's the need to prove Tyler wrong. Either way, I'm not showing any fear.
"You know I'm a celebrity in this town. It would be very easy for me to expose you. Now tell me, how can I become a day-walker?"Logan asked menacingly.
"You can't. Don't ever threaten me again."Stefan said so sternly it made me shiver.
Stefan slid his hand onto the small of my back and guided me away from Logan. He led me out of the side door and down the wheel chair ramp.
"What happened between you and Logan?"Stefan asked turning to face me. His face was frozen in a look of earnest.
"I was on the porch and I heard a noise. I investigated and saw him killing a women. I shot him a couple times than he ran off."I explained and he nodded.
"You need to be careful. He may not seem dangerous right now, but he is." Stefan warned and pulled out his phone. He turned and walked a few steps away and I heard him filling Damon in. I heard the door open and when I turned Elena ran over towards us.
"Who is he talking to?"She asked while wrapping her arms around her body.
"Damon. Telling him about Logan, I think."I said and she looked at me shocked.
"You know about Logan?"She asked, her eyes widening.
"I knew about him before you guys did."I told her and she looked at me confused." I found him killing that girl last night."
"What?" Elena practically yelled. Her eyes started to scan over my body to make sure I was okay.
"Relax, I had my gun."I assured her calmly.
"Oh my God!" She ran a trembling had through her hair. "Why didn't you tell me?" She asked hurt.
"You were sleeping when I got home, and left before I got up. I tried your phone but you didn't pick up." I defended quickly.
"I forgot to charge it last night." She explained. "So, you didn't tell anyone?"Elena asked worried. Is she afraid I told someone about Stefan and Damon?
"I told Tyler."I replied, not remembering that she didn't know about Tyler.
"Tyler knows?"Elena asked accusingly, glancing over at Stefan. I turned, and saw him looking at me like I just ran over his puppy.
"He saw Damon kill Lexi."I defended annoyed. Do they think I'm an idiot?
Stefan quickly returned to his conversation with Damon. I turned back and saw an apologetic look on her face.
"Well, what did Tyler say?"Elena asked anxiously.
"That I'm just a dumb cheerleader and should stay out of it."I replied, bitterness laced in my voice.
"He said that?" Elena asked angrily.
"Not is so many words."I said dismissively.
Stefan and Elena went back inside when he finished talking to Damon. I could tell they were up to something but I had enough Logan for one day. Besides, Stefan is old fashioned and he'll probably just tell Elena to stay here anyways.
I walked over into the shadows. There was a view of the moon from there. I needed some time alone. I needed to think. That dream was squashed when I heard the door burst open. I turned and saw Richard Lockwood, Tyler, and Jeremy walking outside. Richard walked up behind Tyler and shoved him forward roughly.
"Okay, lets get this out of your system. Fight."Richard said as they all came to a stop. What the hell is he doing?
"You want us to what?"Jeremy asked in disbelief.
"I'm not fighting him, Dad."Tyler told his father.
"I said fight!"Richard yelled shoving Tyler right into Jeremy. Jeremy stepped away from Tyler.
"I don't think so, Sir." He said and started to walk away.
Richard stepped in front of Jeremy and shoved him back and Jeremy tripped and fell. I watched horrified. Richard bent down and grabbed Jeremy's arm, yanking him up and pushing him towards Tyler.
I had no idea Tyler's Dad was like this. No wonder he's so angry. He's being raised by a bully. I felt anger surge in me. Who does he think he is? He has no right touching my brother. I couldn't take it anymore.
"Get your hands off of him!"I yelled as I stomped over.
All the men turned and looked at me surprised. I saw relief in Jeremy's eyes, and embarrassment in Tyler's. Richard just looked at me like a deer in the headlights.
"Ava."He greeted about to make some up stupid excuse.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" I asked furiously, as I stepped in front of Jeremy blocking him from this pathetic excuse for an adult.
"Just teaching them a lesson."Richard said simply and my glare intensified.
"I can't do anything about how you raise your son, but if you ever touch my brother again...I swear to God."I gritted through clenched teeth.
"What are you going to do?"Richard asked taking a step forward, looming over me. I know he was trying to intimidate me but it wasn't working.
"Dad, back off."Tyler warned taking a step closer towards me. Richard glared at him over my shoulder and Tyler reluctantly backed off.
"Well?"Richard asked and I glared at him knowingly.
I know the exact threat to use. Every Founding Family has a purpose in this town. The Lockwood's and the Fell's seem to think their purpose is more important. I am about to teach him a lesson.
"I know what attacked me."I whispered low enough so Jeremy couldn't hear."A vampire."I continued and he looked down at me shocked.
"What?"He hissed, unsure of what I was doing.
"And if you ever touch my brother again, you will never see another Gilbert Invention. I think everyone knows just how far you'll get without them."I threatened venomously.
Richard stared down at me for a moment. He was thinking everything through. Finally he smiled condescendingly.
"We know where they are."He replied smugly.
"I moved them to a place you'll never find them. Touch him again, and you'll see just how vengeful I am." I said.
Technically it was a lie. My Dad had a storage unit, he used to take me with him and show me all of the inventions. I know where they are, I just haven't moved them...yet.
"Do not threaten me little girl." Richard responded angrily. I glared back at him, refusing to be the one who backed off.
"Whoa...what's going on here?"A voice asked breaking my concentration. I glanced over and saw Mr. Saltzman walking over. Richard straightened his jacket and turned to face the teacher.
I felt a hand on my arm and was pulled back. I looked up and saw Tyler looking down at me wide eyed.
"Are you crazy?"He scolded but sounded impressed at the same time.
"Nothing's going on. Go back inside."Richard said to Ric dismissively.
"I don't want to go back inside. What I want is an answer to my question. What's going on out here?"Alaric asked, his voice stern and demanding.
"Who do you think you're talking to? Do I look like a student?"Richard asked annoyed.
"No, you look like a fully grown alpha male douche bag." Alaric responded, and I tried not to laugh.
"Wow."I mouthed to Tyler who looked shocked. Jeremy however, like me, was trying not to laugh.
"You don't talk to me like that. I can have your job like."He started, pausing mid-sentence to snap his fingers. "that." He finished. Alaric didn't seem the least bit affected.
"You do that, than it will be me and you out here. Working things out. Are you cool with that?"Alaric asked staring down the mayor. Tension passed between the men before Richard finally answered.
"You just marked yourself."He said and Alaric chuckled.
"Okay."Alaric replied and looked at Richard expectantly.
Richard turned and looked at Tyler impatiently. Tyler glanced at me embarrassed before he walked away, his father following him back inside.
"You guys alright?"Alaric asked as he walked over to us.
"Yeah."Jeremy laughed.
"I'm fine." I said glancing at Jeremy. He didn't look overly curious about what I had whispered to Richard.
I was worried about Tyler. His father is horrible. I don't know what I would do if my father was like that. Jeremy, Elena and I were lucky, our father was amazing. He would have lost it on Richard if he saw what he did.
I walked all over looking for Tyler until I found him and Jeremy talking near the parking lot. I started over towards them but stopped when I saw Tyler raise his fist and punch Jeremy.
"Tyler!"I yelled angrily as I ran over. I pulled Jeremy to his feet while glaring at Tyler furiously.
"What's your problem?"Jeremy asked his lip bloody.
"I don't know."Tyler answered before walking off.
I glared at his retreating back. If he likes me he has a strange way of showing it. First with the conversation on the phone and now beating up my little brother. His Dad may be horrible but that doesn't give him the right to use my brother as a punching bag.