ItsukoAkatsuki: Hello everybody! I want to give special thanks to Grapejuice 101 for helping me with polyvore and now you can check out some awesome character sets and Tami's dresses and attires.
In the last chapter Tami decided to help Stefan catch one of the vampires that Lexi was following and Damon's not too happy about it. Stefan interrogated the vampire and Tami found out that she is a Necromancer. Damon takes the dead vampire and shows up at the council meeting and informs the council that the vampire's target is Tami but the other vampire now knows Tameryn's face. What will happen? Let's find out…
Tami's attire for this chapter: tamis_ch_11_attire/set?id=69333256
Zeboriah: zeboriah/set?id=69335507
Radcliff: radcliff/set?id=69338093
Lucas Von Astein: lucas_von_astein/set?id=69475111
#
Chapter 11: And So it Begins…
Whispers in the Dark by Skillet
"Hören Sie thy Stimme…Hören Sie thy Tote…Hören Sie thy Schreie und thy Schreie von der ruchlosen Angst"
"Lucas!"
Lucas Von Astein turned, having been calling upon the arts, and saw a fetcher daemon looking up at him. "What is it? I don't time for luxuries."
"I bear a message from the future Duke of Hell; he wishes to speak with you right away."
"Oh yes, the blonde boy…what was his name?"
"That's the future Duke of Hell Lucas; you can be condemned for saying such things." The fetcher daemon didn't hesitate to show his disappointment.
"I'm not completely brainless, I am perfectly aware of that, now what was his name lowly daemon?" Lucas wasn't in the mood for his noble behavior.
"Radcliff. The youngest boy"
Lucas turned around in his spot. "Oh, I remember him now. He was the daemon who was hanging around that dreaded woman Zeboriah. Why is he looking for me?"
"He says it's an emergency sir, it has something to do with a young girl…"
Lucas stood up immediately; dusting off his trench coat but it was still covered in cobwebs and dust. He readjusted his hat and picked up his cane. "Well then fetcher daemon. I'm hoping for some good news." Lucas walked down the cliff he was sitting on and walked up to the fetcher daemon. The fetcher daemon held out his hand, palm up, and cleared his throat.
Lucas suppressed an ignored groan and reached into his pocket and pulled out a flattened coin. "I swear your prices are going up every human day."
"Don't judge a daemon just because he has to make a living, sir" the fetcher daemon bit down on the coin and then flew off. Lucas tightened his white scarf around his neck and went on his way.
#
I was in a rush this morning; today was the first day of Artists Week, the newest school event at Mystic Falls high. I was in my room, folding my easel, when Mom called from downstairs; "Tameryn, sweetie, if you don't hurry you'll be late to the meeting!" I cursed under my breath and realized that no matter how much I folded down the easel it wasn't going to fit in my shoulder bag so I was just going to have to carry it with the 12x24 inch canvas that was waiting downstairs. The Art Club was supposed to have everything we needed for this week but in the last meeting the Art teacher told us that we would have to bring our own supplies and now I was rushing to get to this morning's meeting; it was starting at eight thirty, a whole half hour before school started so we could get ready for the competition later today. Great, how I'm going to carry this easel and the canvas to school? At least school is across the street…
I did one last check before I went downstairs and nearly tripped over Charlie who was lying right at the bottom of the steps, he just turned his head to the side. I went into the kitchen and Mom was wearing a professional dress. "Do you have a business meeting today or something?" I asked her while biting down on a blackberry muffin. "Of course not silly; I'm going to your art competition later today. Your art teacher called and said that there will be art critics from Richmond and the winner is going to get a rather special award." I looked at her confused; "I never remember her saying that"
"She just called sweetie, she's going to mention it at the meeting"
Great, now I have to bring my A game. "I hope you're going to have more breakfast than that"
"Mom, your muffins are huge, no pun intended, and it's not like I skip lunch…" I finished the muffin and turned around to pick up the canvas but then I set it back down. "Do you need me to drive you?"
"Across the street? No thank you; I can carry it"
There was a knock on the door. "I don't mind Tami" Mom went to the door and opened the door. I was looking at the blank canvas; wondering how I was going to carry this.
"…Oh…Tameryn sweetie; there's a rather…good-looking boy at the door for you" Mom whispered to me and I straightened up immediately. What? I hope she's not talking about Tyler…Tyler was going to be in the competition as well; Jeremy is too and I was hoping I would get paired with him in the partner's scratch board challenge. I walked into the front room and standing next to the open door was…Stefan. Stefan? What is he doing here?
"Good morning Tameryn."
"Uh…morning Stefan. What are you doing here?"
"Despite it being across the street; I was thinking of walking you to school."
"Umm-I guess that's okay…actually do you think you could help me?" Stefan stepped in and closed the door. "What do you need?"
"Well, you know that it's the start of Artists Week and I need some help carrying this canvas…" I walked into the kitchen and tried to pick up the canvas but he came to my side and picked it up with no problems at all. "ugh…I envy that vampire strength of yours"
"I'm glad it can come in handy" Mom came back in and put a secretive smile on her face. "So Tami, are you going to introduce your friend?"
"Huh? Oh yeah, Mom this is Stefan Salvatore, Stefan is this my Mom Debra." I did a quick introduction.
"Salvatore? You aren't related to that Damon fellow are you?"
Mom, you don't have to say it like that.
"She doesn't like him and neither do I"
I didn't ask for your opinion.
"Damon is my older brother actually"
"Really? That's a bit of a surprise; you seem more mature than him…and you have nice manners."
"Mom; I have to go" I interrupted; my face felt hot but for another reason. "Alright then sweetie, it was really nice to meet you Stefan. You should come and visit more often-"
"-Mom! Please, not now" I pushed Mom into the hallway. "What are you doing?"
"He's seems so much nicer than that Damon fellow. He goes to your school doesn't he? Why couldn't you date a good looking boy like that?"
"He's dating Elena you know?" I told her. "Aww…that's too bad" Are you serious right now? Gosh this is so embarrassing…
"Whatever; I'll see you later" I turned around and walked out.
"Good look sweetie, I'll be watching!" She yelled as I left.
#
"Sorry about that Stefan. This is the first time I've ever had boys come into my house so she gets overexcited sometimes." I apologized as we walked to school.
"It's no big deal. Elena's aunt Jenna is…sort of the same." When he said that I remembered what Damon had told me when he talked about his mother; Stefan doesn't remember her. That's got to be hard…
"I'm sorry Stefan. It must be painful…you never really knew your mother" I couldn't imagine what he was probably feeling. My Mom was indeed irritating sometimes but it was hard to imagine what life would be like without her.
Stefan gave me a reassuring smile, "you don't have to apologize. I've had over a hundred years to get over it." He didn't seemed bothered by it at all.
"Well, I can't imagine growing up without a Mom so…I didn't want to make you uncomfortable or anything"
"Thank you for thinking about me but it's really no big deal."
"If you say so. By the way; did you and Damon find that other vampire yet? Or at least get an ID on him?"
"Nope not yet. The trail has been cold for a whole week now. He's either laying low or he found out about his friend and left but I don't think that's the case. He could be anywhere at any time." Stefan started looking around at the students who were starting to arrive. "Is that why you're walking me to school?" I wasn't accusing him of anything; I was just curious.
"I guess you can say that; I wanted to make sure that you were at home still. But that doesn't mean I don't like hanging out with you" he tugged on my gray beanie and I batted his hand away playfully. "Are you sure that's not heavy?" I pushed my glasses closer to my face and readjusted my beanie. "No offense Tameryn but I am a vampire; a fifteen pound canvas isn't going to weigh me down." I couldn't help but smile at his confident voice. Stefan really is nice…not that Damon isn't; don't get me wrong. I just feel like it's easier to talk to Stefan; when I was with Damon I was always nervous but when I'm around Stefan I feel more of myself coming out. I feel like I can act more normally around him but that doesn't change the fact that I love Damon and not Stefan…shut up Zeboriah.
"You know me well girlie"
Exactly so shut up.
I heard Zeboriah laugh but she clamped up after that.
We walked up the steps and into the main hallway of the school only to be face to face with Caroline. "There you are Tami! I was looking for you"
Caroline was standing inside a booth that held a sign that said 'Ms. Mystic Falls Pageant sign-up'. "Hey Caroline…what are you doing?"
"Come on Tami; don't play stupid. I'm getting names for the Ms. Mystic Falls pageant. Usually the council picks what girls can be the in pageant but this year they're letting girls sign up and one of them will be picked from the list. But you don't have to worry because Mrs. Lockewood already entered you into the pageant." She held out a small card out to me.
WHAT!? You have to be kidding me…
"…Mrs. Lockewood entered me without asking?"
Caroline rolled her eyes at me. "Oh please Tami; as if you weren't already wishing you could be in the pageant" she giggled.
"I don't want to be in the pageant…I-I'm not a…pageant girl" I took the card she held out to me with a sullen tone. I honestly hated pageants…I would rather be at home drawing; or listening to Skillet. The card Caroline handed to me read that all the other, already accepted, pageant girls will be announced later today. Great…they can't keep things to themselves can't they?
I couldn't hide my disappointment but if Mrs. Lockewood entered me then I couldn't really refuse; she was the mayor's wife after all.
"Oh come on, it won't be that bad. I mean think about it: you get to wear a really nice dress, you'll be the center of attention, and course you'll get to dance with a hot guy…" she twirled a curl with her finger as she went on. "-Do I at least get to pick who I go with?" At least I could go with Damon…
"…about that…"
"What?"
"Mrs. Lockewood already picked a date out for you."
…Oh no, don't tell me…
"She wants you to go with Tyler"
#
Zeboriah was chuckling and shaking her head.
"Poor Tami; she doesn't seem very happy about what that dumb blonde girl said" Radcliff bit down on his sleeve. "Tami can't seem to catch a break huh?"
"Shut up for a moment Radcliff…someone's coming" Zeboriah stood and brushed the dirt off her clothes.
"There's no need Zeboriah…as if anyone would be stricken with your insignificant beauty"
"You know they say only the unnatural would insult a woman with her beauty"
Lucas walked closer and removed his hat in respect. "It's so nice that you speak of yourself with such immodesty but let's not waste time with insults. You there, boy, why have you summoned me? I don't have much time for petty princes'"
Radcliff had a blank expression on his face but it turned surprisingly serious. "Tami is ready for her first transition."
#
"Cheers!" Everyone held their glass up and then took a drink. Today was drawing to a close and four scholarships were given from major art universities. We were all treated to a lovely dinner at the five star hotel and restaurant in uptown Mystic Falls and now we were toasting our glasses; filled with some nonalcoholic Champagne. I was standing off to the side; an envelope in my fingers that informed me that I won a full year tuition to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. My Mom had been so proud which actually felt kind of nice since she was never really around to tell me that; this was the first art show of mine that she went to. After school had ended one of the art teachers, Mr. Gunderson, took all of us for a celebration; I was the only freshman here. Both Tyler and Jeremy were knocked out in the first competition so they weren't invited to this celebration.
"Can I have everyone's attention please? I just wanted to say congratulations to all our scholarship winners and for everyone else don't worry because this is only the first day and I know just how hard you all have been working. We will be having some profile challenges tomorrow and the photography gallery will be open. I wish everyone a safe return home and I'll see all of you bright and early tomorrow morning. Good night everyone" Mr. Gunderson stepped down and everyone clapped for him; then proceed to leave.
I pulled my phone out but the screen was completely black and when I turned it on the low battery message popped on and the phone turned back off. Well great; now I have to walk home…
I stepped outside and pulled my flannel shirt tighter to me; the wind was getting stronger and I didn't bring a jacket. Winter was just around the corner and soon enough I would have to wear clothes that were in the back of my closest. I rooted around in my pocket for some spare change, to use a payphone, but my pockets were empty. It was only six o'clock but the streets were completely empty and it was almost eerie. Seeing how I had no other choice I started to walk back home; luckily there was only one road so there was no way I could get lost. That's funny because the last time I thought that I went all the way down to the cemetery and saw that girl…it seems so long ago but it wasn't…
As I was walking I took out the scholarship envelop and reread the letter that came with the prewritten check. The only problem is I won't be graduating for another three years and this school is in Chicago. There was a weird vibration in my bag; I looked at my leather bag which was hanging on my shoulder. My phone was dead but something was vibrating. Did I leave my iPod on or something?
I rooted around my bag until I pulled out a squarish flip phone. This was the phone I found the first day I moved here; after I took Sheila home. I still had this? Anyway the phone was vibrating but the number read as unavailable but the fact that I had a working phone was the most important thing to me so I flipped it open and said "hello?"
"…Funkelnfunkelnkleiner stern, wie ich mich wundere, wem Sie, herauf über die Welt so hoch, wie das kleine Mädchen sind, ungefähr zu sterben, funkeln Funkelnkleiner stern, wie ich mich wundere, wie Sie sterben…" I could form no words and when the female voice was done there was a hysterical laughter and then the call ended by the sound of someone pulling the cord out of whatever the phone was connected to. My whole body was shaking and I let the phone slip out of my hands until it thumped when it hit the ground.
I could even move when a hand quickly went over my mouth and I heard a unfamiliar voice in my ear say "I've got you now"
Then everything went black.
#
Stefan had just exited the old room in the cemetery building but there was no trace of the other vampire. He had looked in every spot around the cemetery; the graves, the crypt, and even the woods around it but there wasn't any signs of another vampire. Stefan walked up to the gates when his phone rang to life in his pocket. "So, did you find him yet?" Stefan asked.
"No. I was actually hoping you would have something." Damon was driving around.
"I just got done checking the cemetery. There's no one here. We have to find him sooner or later Damon. This is a small town after all…"
"Yeah, but it's been a whole week and we've checked every place and no one in the council has any idea; not even Saltzman…but we've got a bigger problem…"
"What is it Damon?"
"I can't get a hold of Tami. She texted me earlier that she was going uptown for a celebration but when I got there they said she had already left; I haven't seen her yet and now I can't get a hold of her. Go by her house and see if she's there."
"Will do" Stefan hung up and go into his car; heading for downtown.
#
The first thing I felt when I awoke was a cold surface. I was lying on something cold and I felt pain almost everywhere on my body. What happened? Where am I? I was a little afraid of opening my eyelids and it didn't help that I wasn't hearing anything from Zeboriah and Randy. But I had to know so I started peeking from under my eyelids and I found myself in a small storage room. There wasn't anyone else in the room and my hands were tied around my back. Oh shit; what have I gotten myself in to? Where am I? The last thing I remember was that creepy phone call and then…I remember someone covering my mouth and…oh no; this is really bad…
I looked around the entire room but there was nothing. From the looks of the wall and the door this room appeared to be more of a freezer than a storage room. I tried moving my hands around but they were forcedly tied together with ripe and every time I moved them the rope would dig into my wrists and cause pain to shoot up my arm. I have to get free somehow. The next thing I tried was to move my feet but I couldn't move one foot without moving the other. Damn it, my feet are tied. I am so SOL right now…no, no, I can do this. I'm not giving up…
I tried to sit up using my knees and chin; ignoring the sharp little pains that came as I did. I managed to sit up and then I was trying to move my arms under my bottom and through my legs to I could get them from behind my back but since my hands were tied so closely together it was rather difficult; there was a cloth that was tied around my mouth as well. If I was captured by that vampire then shouldn't I be dead by now? What's going on? Wait a minute…that vampire boy said that the woman who hired him needed a Necromancer which means they had to capture me alive…oh great. I could be out of Mystic Falls right now…I don't know how long I was out or if I was out of the state or not.
I still wasn't hearing a word from Zeboriah so I knew that I was on my own for this. I was already sitting up so I kept trying to get my hands out from behind me. If I could do that the maybe I could untie my feet and open the door, if it was open, that is. I bit down on the cloth as I forced my hands under my bottom but I wasn't getting far; my arms were just too short. I'm not giving up yet…
"…Yes, don't worry…once Jared and Meryl get here…I'll make sure of it…I'll see you when you get here" the voice was getting louder so I pushed myself back on the floor and closed my eyes, pretending to not be awake. The fridge door opened and I heard the vampire walk towards me. He nudged me a little with his foot. I did my best to stay unmoving and it was surprisingly hard especially when his phone went off again. "Hello? Jared…when are you getting here? I can't leave until you and Meryl show up….Bobby got killed by those two Salvatore brothers. That's why I need the two of you here so I can move this girl. Once we get out of this shithole we'll be smooth sailing all the way to Georgia and once we drop her off we can get our money and spilt…yes I'm aware…" the boy left the room and closed the door behind him. There's more coming…and if I can't get out of here then I'll be taken to someone in Georgia…I have to get out now.
I picked myself up into a sitting position again and forced my hands as down as they could and it took a lot of energy but I finally got them under my bottom; now was the hard part. Getting them through my legs. I fell on my back and raised my feet in the air and begged that I could get free but despite how flexible I was my legs were too long and my arms were too short; this was taking too much energy out of me. I have to think of something else…I looked around for anything sharp but the room had been cleared. I was moving my head around when my glasses fell off my face and onto the floor. I wonder…if I could break the lenses…if it would be strong enough to tear through the…no, there's no way that could work because there's no way I could use enough friction to cut the ropes. I'm stuck here…when I realized that I couldn't help but start crying. I had just been kidnapped by a vampire no less and if I couldn't get away before those other two vampires showed up then I would be making my way to Georgia but I couldn't go quietly. I need to relax, there has to be a way…actually wait I wonder…
I tried moving my hands again to see if the rope was loose enough to where I could pull one of my hands out. That way I could untie my legs and get out before he comes back with those other vampires. I endured the cutting pain as I started to pull one of my hands out. I stopped for a second when I felt something warm start to drip from my wrist; the rope was starting to cut me. Wait blood? Oh no…that vampire will come back when he smells the blood…I need to get out now!
I clinched my teeth and pulled as hard as I could until I felt my wrist slip and I pulled my right hand out. Ohmygod, I did it! Ok, ok…time to get out of here.
I sat up and pulled the remaining rope off my other hand and then worked on my feet but I didn't have enough time because the door opened and I was face-to-face with the vampire. "Hey!" he yelled and grabbed me but I struggled with him as much as I could. When he picked up me I aimed right for his eyes and when he dropped me I hit him right in the groin. Even if he was a vampire that still would affect him somewhat. I backed away and tried to kick his leg out from underneath him and I was surprised when it worked. I'm actually doing this…when he went down I scrambled to get the rest of my feet untied and I ripped the cloth out of my mouth. As soon as they were loose I bolted but the vampire had recollected himself and grabbed a fistful of my hair and pulled me back. I couldn't retch his fingers from me and he threw me down and tried to grab my hands. As soon as he grabbed my left hand I tried punching him with my right but he pulled violently on my left arm and I heard the loudest pop and my entire left arm erupted in pain. I yelled and he released me. "You should stop fighting me" I grabbed my shoulder but I couldn't feel my arm at all. He broke my arm…he let me lie there and I turned to my side.
After a moment of letting me lie there he grabbed my broken arm and dragged me back into the freezer and closed the door with a loud thud. In spite of my arm being broken I felt adrenalin rush through my veins and I got up and tried to open the door but it was locked shut. I pushed against it on my good side but it wouldn't budge; I even kicked it. "LET ME OUT!" I yelled but I didn't hear anyone respond. I didn't know how long I tried before I slid down to the floor and cried.
#
Stefan opened the door to the Boarding House and Damon and Lexi were already waiting inside. "She's not at the house but I was driving up the road past the school and I found this…" Stefan held up Tami's leather shoulder bag. Damon immediately took it from him and searched it but the only thing he found was Tami's phone and it was dead. "Figures"
"We have to find her but she could be anywhere" Stefan reached for his phone.
"So then what do you suggest?" Lexi asked and Damon turned to Stefan. "Call Bonnie; she can track Tami down"
Stefan dialed Bonnie's number straightaway. "Hey Bonnie…I know it's late but we've got an emergency. Tameryn was taken by the vampire we were hunting down and now we can't find her….please hurry" Stefan hanged up his phone. Damon was hardly containing his anger but Lexi seemed perfectly at ease, in fact she was rather surprised at them both for the way they acted so nervous.
'Just who is this girl I wonder?'
#
I didn't know how long it was before the vampire man came back and opened the door. "…Are you going to behave this time?" I was across the room, nursing my other arm against my chest, but I glared at him and told him "fuck off". He shook his head and came up to me and grabbed my hair again and pulled me up on my feet and then pushed me out the door. If I wasn't careful he could kill me easily so until I saw an opening I wasn't going to fight back; besides it was hard with my arm hurting as bad as it did.
There was a tall gray haired man and a long haired girl standing around in the bigger room. "…This is the girl? She's tiny…" the gray haired man said and came up to me. I fought every instinct to head-butt him; he smelled my hair and gripped my broken arm, I couldn't contain my yelp. "Boss said not to hurt her."
"She's was being a handful; besides broken bones heal. If it's that big of a deal I'll give her my blood."
"I won't drink it!" I snapped and when he jerked forward I flinched back. "She's still a little girl though…"
"Stop joking around and let's get going already. I want my money and I don't want to deal with those stupid Salvatore's."
"Alright, alright, Meryl. I was just having some fun…" the gray haired vampire smirked. "It's too bad this one's a Necromancer. She's would be a nice fetch…" I snapped at the vampire's hand. "feisty aren't you?"
"Cut the shit Jared; this girl is the reason why Bobby's dead. Let's get moving…"
No…
Jared grabbed my broken arm and pushed me forward and then Meryl hit me in the back of the head. "keep moving" I complied, only until Meryl was close enough, then I elbowed her in the face. Jared grabbed my around the neck. "You little bitch!" Meryl hissed at me. "Bad idea" Jared's fingers got tighter and I was struggling for breath. "Don't kill her Jared"
"Let me have her" Meryl pulled Jared from me and I coughed. She pulled her arm back and punched me right in the face. It was hard enough to get me to fall to the floor. Oww…Meryl reared up and kicked me hard in the ribs. All my air went out of my lungs and I couldn't breathe for several seconds. She reared up to kick me again but then she stopped and her face fell, she touched her forehead before she screamed and fell to the ground. "Meryl?" Jared went to her but there was a sudden flash and Stefan had pinned Jared to the wall and stabbed him with a carved stake. Jared went down and didn't get back up again. Stefan, thank god!
The vampire that had caught me grabbed Stefan in a full nelson and swung him around into the wall but there was another flash and the vampire yelled. Damon stabbed him and let him drop to the ground. Damon!
Damon and Stefan were here and the vampires were down. I was safe but I couldn't relax; in fact it was hard to catch my breath. Damon suddenly turned to me and rushed to my side. He touched my broken arm and I yelped. "Her arm is broken Damon, it needs to be set back into place" Stefan came up to me. Oh god this is going to hurt. Damon's face grew serious and he gripped my arm at the shoulder with two hands. I braced, "do it"
With Stefan holding me in place Damon broke my arm again and then moved it back to the right place. I held in a yell but after he broke it I let it out. "it's almost in" Damon said and then he jerked his arm and I felt it back in the right place, it was still hurting terribly though. I let my head fall to the floor and tried to catch my breath but everything was rushing into me and I felt sobs come from my body. Damon pulled me up against him and wrapped his arms around me, paying mind to my broken arm; he bit into his wrist and offered me his blood which I didn't reject. "It's okay now Tami" Damon soothed.
"You got her?" Lexi entered the room and then there was the sound of stirring next to us. Meryl was getting back up but Lexi had her pinned quickly. "Lexi!" Stefan tossed her the stake and she stabbed Meryl and let her drop.
"Hurry up and let's get out of here before more come" Lexi urged and then something none of us expected happened…
Someone had appeared behind Lexi and in the blink of an eye that person grabbed her around the neck and took the stake from her hand before ramming it into her chest. "Lexi!" The person let Lexi drop to the ground and she didn't move.
"You know what they say…if you want something done you have to do it yourself"
I blinked my eyes and looked at the woman who had just killed Lexi but something wasn't right at all.
…Elena?
TBC…