Chapter Thirty-six : Care Less More

I let myself be rocked by the dynamiting music in my ears as I stabilized my breath at the same time as my heartbeat. My steps were regular and rhythmic and my breath was soothing. I needed a moment to get in shape and I thought that starting with physical exercise might help. Hence the reason why I was crossing the woods this morning of April.

I still had a lot to go to get back to where I was, but if I thought yesterday's shooting practice it was not so bad. I just needed to make sure my body was ready to escape in any possible situation. In addition, it allowed me to think and therefore to find more idea for my art project.

Unfortunately it seems that I was going to have to stop my training a little earlier as my phone, currently in an armband around my arm, rang. I stopped in the middle of my race trying to catch my breath before leaning slightly on my thighs. I ended up straightening up before picking up my phone just to frown on my phone screen.

I let my thumb hover over the icon to hang up before pressing the green instead. "Mila Gilbert, I'm listening. "

"H-hey, Mila." Stammered the brown at the other end, visibly uncertain. "It's Tyler. "

I rolled my eyes as I headed for a tree to lean on with my free hand to stretch."I know, Tyler. Contrary to what you might think I didn't erase your number."

"Yeah? You would be the only one." He mumbled, probably referring to a certain blonde vampire before he tentatively resumed. "So about yesterday…"

I raised my eyebrows in expectation as I sat against the trunk in a chair position before holding the position with a slight grimace. "Just spit it out, Ty. I'm a little busy right now."

"Really? Where are you?" The brown immediately asked me and I was removing the phone from my ear to look at it in confusion.

I shook my head as I remembered to stay focused. " Not important. So, what do you want? "

"I want to know. I want to know who my half-brother is, Mila." He declared in complete and complete honesty. "I'm totally lost right now and I think I need ... no I'm sure I need to get back on track. I need you to help me."

I chewed the inside of my cheek in uncertainty as I weighed the pros and cons in my head. Felix would probably not be happy that I had revealed their relationship. Especially since he hated the guy literally. But on the other hand, I knew what it was like to feel lost. I felt that way too many times. And this, even before the arrival of the supernatural in my life.

With that simple thought, I sat up, blowing slightly before rubbing the hollow of my neck with the sensation of sweat drops running down my skin."Fine. You can come to my house in ... let's say half an hour?"

"Yeah! Totally! Thank you, Mila, sincerely! Thank you!"

I shook my head with a small smirk as he hung up before returning my phone in my armband as I resumed my run through the woods.

Finally after taking a well-deserved shower and a tense call with Felix, I had changed into a plain jean with holes in my knees with a black turtleneck before heading to my closet. I tiptoed to reach the highest shelf before leaving a victorious breath as I descended on the soles of my feet with my beanie in my hand. It may have been nice in Mystic Falls but it was quite cool in the mountains.

Just as I headed for my sleeveless jacket, the doorbell rang. I hurried down the stairs before opening with a light, welcoming smile.

"Hey, you're going somewhere?" Tyler asked at the sight of my somewhat over-covered outfit for a day in April.

"Correction, we go somewhere." I replied as I let him in before giving him a look almost excited as he turned to me in puzzlement.

"I don't understand. "

This time, I just rolled my eyes before I told him to wait here as I went up the stairs. I was eager to catch my essentials such as my boots, my sleeveless down jacket and my beanie before going down again when I finished getting dressed. I stopped at the height of Tyler before beckoning him out once I had recovered Jenna's keys. She was basically doing this writer thing today with Alaric so she was not going to need her car. I did not even think Elena might have chosen that day to date with Stefan. All that interested me at the moment was the smooth running of this operation as well as the slight doubt hovering over my head at the thought of finding myself between two impulsive werewolves. So that's how Tyler and I were on the road heading to meet Felix.

The cabin was about three hours away and we had about half of it. Tyler had been strangely calm during the first part of the ride until he fell asleep. I found myself mostly alone with my thoughts and worries to distract me from the long road ahead. And my cup of coffee obviously. I took a sip of the latter by licking my upper lip with caffeine palpitating on my tongue before resuming my light drum with my fingers on the wheel.

At least it was until my grumpy teammate awoke with a slight growl towards me."Just stop this damn sound, Mil."

"Oops, sorry. I tend to forget about super-hearing sometimes." I huffed with a slight smile in his direction before turning my eyes to the road through the windshield.

Tyler just rolled his eyes in response and readjusted to the uncomfortable seat as he glanced at the dashboard clock. "How much longer until we arrive?"

"Mhm, a little less than an hour." I answered absently, clearly unaware of Brown's hidden intentions.

I could feel his thoughtful look on my profile as he let his tongue snap against his palate before having the audacity to steal my coffee."Hey, can we know what you're doing?"

"I'm exhausted and thirsty. "

I rolled my eyes at the brown's complaints before grabbing a bag of sugar from the cup holder and throwing it in his face.

"Hey!" Moaned again the brown obviously taken by surprise.

I left a smile in the satisfaction animating more boredom from him. " You deserved it. Idiot. "

"Yeah, yeah, whatever."

This time, a comfortable silence settled on our duet as I doubled a car in front of us.

"Still don't want to tell me who he is?"

"Given the number of things I had to give up organizing this meeting?" I replied with a sarcastic look at the brown before shaking my head in determination." Absolutely not."

Tyler immediately frowned in confusion at my statement. "What is it supposed to mean?"

"Let's say you're not his favorite person in Mystic Falls." I replied, tilting my head slightly to the euphemism before giving a wary look at the wolf. "Or your entire family for info. "

"Who is this guy? Some pompous asshole?" Grumbled Tyler making me give him a warning look.

I shook my head already preparing for the worst before frowning in doubt."First, he's your half-brother. He's just as likely to become a wolf so it would be nice if you could get along."

"Susceptible? He didn't trigger it?" Tyler asked, really interested this time.

I winced despite myself at my thought before whispering under my breath in concern." For the moment. "

The rest of the journey passed under a silence extended by my last declaration. Tyler had just finished my coffee before finally releasing a sigh of relief once I parked the car. At least it was until I informed him about the hike that was waiting for us. It was at this moment that he decided to speak again as I readjusted my backpack containing new necessities for Felix. Such as bubble baths, typically gay clothes and his favorite fashion magazines. It was also a condition for this meeting. I honestly could not believe how much it was going to cost me.

"So ... he's not a werewolf yet?" Tyler suddenly asked me to give him a silent nod. "But he knows absolutely everything? All that happens in the town?"

This time I rolled my eyes at the judgment and jealousy of the brown before shaking my head."I tried to preserve him as long as possible from this world. He has not known the truth for a long time."

"Why? I mean ... why did you try?" Tyler asked again with a slight frown.

I wrinkled my lips in search of an answer before just shrugging my shoulders."Because he counts for me. And I have seen enough of this world to know that it's not pretty."

"Like the other night? "

"Much worse." I said in a dark tone before blowing as I gave him a quick look. "Accelerate, you look like my grandmother."

"Ha, ha! Hilarious." Grumbled Tyler as he hastened to join me before adapting to my rhythm.

A new silence fell on us as I reflected on the possible outcomes of this meeting before giving Tyler a new, anxious look. I nibbled on my lower lip and held a hiss of pain when I felt a trickle of blood on my tongue.

I tightened my grip on the straps of my backpack before taking another look at Tyler."How you're feeling? I mean after all that? Your half-brother and Jules?"

"Well, that's not really what we like to learn every day." Tyler admitted, tilting his head before shrugging his shoulders in uncertainty. "And as you know, I'm a little lost right now so ... I don't know. I tell myself that sharing my gene with someone else who is not biased would be a good idea."

I nodded in agreement before giving him a look in the realization. "Jules and the others are gone? Isn't it?"

"Huh? Oh, uh ... yes, I guess."

I frowned at his strangely guilty look before deciding to put it on the fact that he had not supported his specie. At least I sincerely hope so.

"And uh ..." I raised an eyebrow at the hesitant brown as he spoke again before meeting my gaze as he swallowed. "This half-brother, he's also aware for the look-alike?"

"Mhm, mhm." I huffed absently into unconsciousness before straightening into suspicion."Caroline also told you the story of doppelganger?"

"What's what?" Tyler asked in confusion, making my eyes narrower.

"Look-alike."

A silence settled between us as Tyler strangely avoided my gaze in realization before attempting to act as calm as possible. "Oh yeah that. Yeah, she told me about the moonstone and the ritual of the sun and the moon."

I raised my eyebrows to his knowledge before cursing Caroline under my breath for her big mouth. She definitely could not keep a secret.

Once back, I was definitely going to have a discussion with her.

"Obviously, Caroline told you everything." I grumbled under my breath before shaking my head. "I'm sorry your uncle had to be killed for that. He was my friend. If it helps, I didn't participate in his death. They did this behind my back."

A look of surprise and pain crossed Tyler's face to my statement reminding me that I had not really been able to mourn the death of Mason with all that had happened.

"He liked you a lot."

"Until he gets lobotomized by this bitch Pierce." I gasped under my breath, gathering an eyebrow at Tyler's question. "Katherine, the superstar of Satan personified. She manipulated your uncle with ... Ew, sexual favors to get the stone."

Tyler's eyes widened at the agreement of this element of truth before leaving a slight smile in spite of himself. "You're not very liberated, are you?"

"Don't be an asshole, please!"

"What?" Exclaimed Tyler with a broad smile now as he threw his muscular arm over my shoulders before squeezing me into his side with mischief. "Sex. Sex. Sex."

I shivered in terror before pushing him away with a growl as he continued his childish little game.

I could easily hear his sneer as I hastened to speed up in annoyance and embarrassment. "Oh, come on, Mila! Let go a little!"

"No thanks!" I screamed over my shoulder before suddenly stopping as our lake cabin was in front of us.

Tyler hurried to join me at a run before stopping by my side with a definitely more serious expression as he realized where we were.

He swallowed in anticipation before giving me an almost frightened look. "Does he really hate me? "

"Not as much as your father." I tried, tilting my head to the side before taking a step forward.

I climbed the steps leading to the porch before giving one last look at Tyler to see if he was ready. The latter seemed to bounce on the tip of his feet in the nervousness leaving me wrinkle my lips before turning the handle. I made my entrance trying to ignore the feelings assailing me before staying literally crashing into the entrance under the weight of memories.

"Mila? Hey, Mila, you're, all right? "

Tyler's voice seemed strangely far away as I drowned under the weight of my parents' laughter and voices. It was like reliving the process of mourning from the beginning. All my limbs were literally petrified. Just like my brain.

"You? What did you do to her?"

"I ... I don't know. She froze suddenly. "

"Shit! It's her parents' house!"

I was trapped in a loop of memories again.

However, the feeling of hands suddenly on my shoulders forced me out of my abyss by waving my head to clear the thick fog obscuring my thoughts.

"Hey, hey, Mila, get back together! Now, now, Mila!"

I blinked at the agreement of the familiar voice before looking with slight surprise at the brown in front of me. "Felix? "

"Hey, little bitch." Felix sighed with a weak smile before suddenly throwing his arms around my neck to hug me. "Never do that to me again. I'm the time bomb. Not you. You remember?"

I left in spite of myself a hoarse laugh as I struggled against the tears threatening to fall before tightening the brown by readjusting my head against his shoulder.

However, the embrace was soon cut short as the boy duo met the other's eyes. I could feel Felix stiffen against me as he took a strained step back before ogling Tyler scornfully. A feeling visibly sharing if I believed Tyler's slanderous expression.

"Lockwood. "

"Fell. "

A heavy silence fell between us as they continued to support the other's gaze in distrust, letting me look between the duo with apprehension.

Nevertheless, I decided to speak again in an attempt to break the tension."So ... what if we sat down to talk?"

Unfortunately, they remained in their position as if one of them would admit submission if he looked away. Completely weak in my opinion but I suspected that it had more to do with their side wolf.

"Or you can stay here." I gasped in defeat before deciding to turn my heels towards the kitchen.

They could come when they have finished their stupid little contest of territory.

I was trying to get used to the environment with most of my best memories with my parents before heading to the closets. I watched the space noticing that the cupboards had recently been replenished before leaving a smile in spite of myself at the sight of the box of hot chocolate. I took the package out of the cupboard and trotted around the kitchen to get three cups. Chocolate, it was the moment to show your softening virtues. I let the milk boil, glancing discreetly towards the entrance before shaking my head at the sight of the duo exchanging a few words or rather threats if I believed their positions.

I finished preparing the cups with a few pieces of marshmallow before putting the cups on the counter. "Bethoween? Marley? Are you done with your stupid piss contest?"

It seemed enough to unfreeze them from their confrontation as I could hear them grunting in protest.

"A dog's joke?" Felix offended as he stepped into the kitchen, letting me give him his cup before passing Tyler's, surprising the duo.

Tyler took the cup with a raised eyebrow before giving me a flat look." A hot chocolate? How old are we? "

"You don't want it? Fine by me."

Tyler immediately pulled the cup close to his chest as I pretended to resume before giving me a possessive look. "I never said I didn't want it. "

Incomprehensible.

I shook my head leaning on the counter before giving a look at the duo expectantly.

At the sight of my insistent gaze Felix narrows his brown almond-shaped eyes on me. "What?"

"Well? You spoke? "

"To tell him what?" Tyler snapped, leaning back against the wall while giving a dark look at Felix. "This fa-guy can't be my brother."

Felix immediately put his mug on the counter unceremoniously before taking a step forward towards Tyler. "Do you want to say that again to see?"

Tyler straightened instantly in a sign of struggle making me turn around in anticipation."Enough!"

The duo jumped at my shine before gauging me with wide looks.

I shook my head in frustration before crossing my arms over my chest as I held their eyes in disappointment. "Brand dead moron fucking idiot! You are currently the closest to a family for both of you. You're going through the same thing. You, Felix, Tyler knows exactly what you're feeling right now. As for you, Lockwood, I thought you wanted someone impartial, right. There is no more just than Felix in this situation."

I could see the impact of my words on the duet as I clenched my jaw in irritation before resting my cup in indignation.

"In fact, you know what?" I exclaimed clearly weary of this whole story. "Fix your problems between you. I don't care if you fight. It's been months since I came back here. I have something else to worry about."

I shook my head one last time on the duet before passing between them as I headed for the living room. I crossed the room with a quick step before sliding the bay window to go outside. A deep feeling of nostalgia overwhelmed me as I took in the almost magical landscape of the lake. I went instinctively to the Panton before finally stopping at the edge. I felt my legs suddenly give way under me forcing me to cushion my fall with my hands flat against the wood.

I felt tears again, which could overwhelm me as I remembered the number of memories haunting the place. Six-year-old Jeremy breaking his arm while diving from the dock because of one of my challenges. My father taught Elena to fish while I practiced my target practices. Everything reminded me of my parents and even more of my future to come.

May I even come back here one day?

No matter if I had the opportunity, I was deeply and sincerely relieved to have been able to come back here at least once.

Unfortunately my little moment was soon interrupted by a voice too familiar to my taste."Mila? An explanation?"

I immediately looked over my shoulder at the author of the question simply to frown at the sight of my sister and Stefan beside two nervous wolves.

"What are you doing here?" I exclaimed, leaping on my feet, definitely annoyed now.

Elena looked unnecessarily outraged before crossing her arms over her chest."What are we rather asking you for? And did you really allow Felix to stay here without telling us?"

"Since you tried to sacrifice myself with you it's the least you can do." Bitterly recalled Felix receiving a shameful look from Elena as Tyler and Stefan gauged him in surprise.

"I-I-I ... Félix-"

"Spare us your false excuses!" I interrupted her dryly as I hurried to join the future wolf visibly in prey with his control. "The house is big enough for all of us. Just don't cross each other. "

With that, I pulled Felix with me into the house without a glance back before going upstairs.

That was how Felix, Tyler and I were in my old room. The tension was visibly palpable between the two wolves. Hence the reason why I tried at best to contain myself. I had to admit that the presence of Elena and Stefan had the gift of exasperating me.

"Okay, she really tried to sacrifice you?" Tyler finally intervened, clearly weary of the silence between us.

Felix lifted his eyes from his magazine to gauge him with irritation before grinning bitterly."Yep."

"Just like that?"

"Just like that. "

"You need a wolf and a vampire in addition to the lookalike to break the curse." I interjected immediately at Tyler's gaze.

The latter lowered his eyes on his crossed hands before creasing his lips. "In addition to the moonstone. "

"That your father has been hiding for generations." Completed Felix with disdain, receiving at once a defiant look from Tyler.

"He's your father too."

Felix rolled his eyes, turning a new page nonchalantly. " Sadly."

Tyler rolled his eyes back to the brown showing once again how similar they were despite their reluctance. I could not help but look for the similarities between them since I had learned the truth. It was just so obvious now that they were in the same room. The same line of square jaw, the same skin tone slightly tanned and a character easily recognizable in one another. For starters, they were two major flirts. Certainly, in two different categorical but they were as charming as the other. Then there was their temperament.

"Hey, did you bring back what I asked you?" Felix finally asked in a way to change the subject.

I hummed in agreement before signing the bag at the foot of the bed. Felix immediately gave a smile to his fleshy lips before picking up the bag eagerly. I shook my head with a smirk on the brown before turning my attention back to Tyler just to amplify my smile at the sight of his look at Felix. He seemed to be watching him deeply. As if he were looking for something in common. Which in my opinion was a pretty good start. Knowing Tyler it probably was.

Thinking it might be a good idea to give them a moment to bond, I jumped on my feet alerting the duo.

"I'm going to take a walk around the house." I said as I headed for the door before stopping to give them a wary look. "Can I leave without fear of you two jumping at each other's throats?"

Felix immediately rolled his eyes before dismissing me with a wave of his hand. "In the worst case, I'll end up killing him to unleash my curse."

"Very funny." Tyler coldly commented, letting me smile in the fun on their unlikely duo.

I finally passed the door closing behind me before letting my eyes take in my environment with habit. I felt my heart squeeze in my chest as I took a step towards a specific place. I walked down the stairs absently, letting my hand slip on the rail of the doorframe before holding a roll of my eyes as I passed Elena and Stefan flirting in the kitchen.

Stefan POV

He was currently cutting the vegetables for dinner with Elena and the group of three living upstairs. He could feel Elena's loving eyes on his side letting him give her a new smile. She was definitely his greatest love. He knew it now. He would do everything for her.

"Mila? "

He immediately raised his head at Elena's whispering agreement before gauging her with confusion just to see her frown at a point at the other end of the room. He followed her gaze simply to lay the knife with a feeling of sadness at the sight of the fleeing back of the little brunette. He would lie if he said he did not miss her. She had been there with him from the beginning, and she had been the one who brought him the most support and confidence since he had arrived in Mystic Falls.

Where he loved Elena deeply, Mila was a different story. It was a totally different love. Not exactly that of a brother for a sister but rather a love still unexplored. He was sure that the darkest part of his being wanted her. And yet, she was probably the only person who could remind him of his humanity all at the same time.

Hence the reason he could not help but worry about her. And more at this moment. He had been so enclosed by Elena today that he had not thought once that she might also have a hard time remembering her parents' memories.

"Stefan? What's the matter?"

Stefan immediately looked at Elena before raising his finger to signal her to hold as he walked around the counter." I will come back."

Mila POV

I was not long in finding the room I was looking for with a deep sense of sadness. I entered slowly and uncertainly before holding my breath once I took in my surroundings. It was exactly as in my memory. Absolutely nothing had changed. A look on my right and I could see all my mother's perfume bottles. A look to the left and our grandfather's jacket was still hanging against the door. The bed still had that horrible blanket that Mom loved and the dim lights still lit up the room in an almost mystical way.

It was the place where I was born.

I literally rubbed my cheek as I felt a tear drop out of my control before I headed for the open closet. I had a foot inside with the intention of immersing myself again in the smell of my parents. I missed them so much and with the arrival of Jenna was almost as if they were no longer there. She had taken their bedroom and most of their belongings were in cardboard boxes. There was no way to remember their smell.

I brushed the clothes with the fingertips in hesitation before taking a knitted red scarf. It was my mother's. Unconsciously, I brought it to my nose before closing my eyelids as I breathed the perfume emanating from the tissues. It was almost like she was in the room. Except that she was not really there.

My throat clenched at that thought before I let out a breath and jumped at the new voice in the room. "Mil-sorry. I didn't want-"

"No it's okay." I interrupted quickly as I lowered the scarf of my face before giving him a curious look. "What are you doing here, Stefan?"

"I wanted to make sure you were fine." He replied with a slight, comforting smile that almost made me want to do the same until he spoke again."Elena had all her memories today and-"

"I'm fine, Stefan. You can go back to see my sister." I replied dryly as I put on the scarf before taking a breather at the sight of the paneled wall.

I frowned as I approached the irregular space before pressing my hands to test the wood.

An action that touched Stefan as he hastened to join me in perplexity." What are you doing?"

"It's a fake wall." I admitted, testing the wood looking for a lock. "I'm pretty sure there is something else behind it."

Stefan hastened to join my side before asking me the place." Let me do. "

I took a step aside watching him remove the beige wood slat before amplifying my frown as a back door was behind."What is it?"

Stefan tested the handle in the reflection. "It must be a hiding place. "

"Can you open it?" I asked impatiently as Stefan gave me a look over his shoulder before pulling the handle. "Useful. "

The vampire smiled weakly before pushing the door just to let my eyes widen at the sight of the arsenal inside.

An expression soon to be shared by my dear sister as Elena hurriedly waltzed into the room before stopping behind us visibly in the dark."Hey, what are you doin-oh, it's not true!"

"Welcome to the secret side of the family." I sarcastically commented after resuming my shock before shaking my head as I took a step into the secret room with slight fascination.

Elena hastened to follow me slowly before taking one of the diaries on the shelf."Surely another diary by Jonathan Gilbert. Jeremy already has one but there were several according to John."

"Look at that! An antique crossbow with a pulley!" I exclaimed in excitement before seizing it under the incredulous eyes of the duo as I pivoted on my heels. "It's crazy!"

"I'll go get some wood. Take all the time it will take." Stefan announced pushing himself out of the crack before giving me a sharp look. "Be careful. "

I rolled my eyes as I rested the crossbow to set my sights on a wooden bullets box instead. This hiding place was literally my new corner of paradise.

"We have to bring everything home." I decided in the excitement, immediately receiving a flat look from Elena.

The latter put the box of the bullets that I had just passed before giving me an incredulous look. "How can you be so excited? Our parents have been lying to us all our lives. "

"Did you just realize it?" I replied with disdain before I took back the box of her hands in annoyance. "You may see a proof of their lie but I see a memory. A heritage. If you don't want anything to do with it, you can leave, I will not hold you back."

I immediately turned on my heels clearly not in the mood to hear more.

Unfortunately the sensation of her small eyes of guilty doe hovering on my back had the gift to soften me.I tried to ignore the brunette at my side as I took a wooden stake to observe before tightening my jaw to the agreement of her voice.

"I am sorry. It's just ... I feel like our lives are filled with secrets. I'm tired of that."

I tried to contain myself only I was not slow to let go a long sigh aggravated as I gave way to my emotions. I suddenly rested the stake in its place before pivoting on my feet to face her with my arms crossed on my chest.

"Flash info Elena, we're all tired." I exploded visibly tired of her egocentrism. "We all had our share of supernatural shit just in case you didn't notice it. Everyone around you, from us, has had a lot of nightmares. Caroline has become a vampire, Tyler and Felix have discovered that they're lycanthropes, Bonnie is a witch and… Damn, even Jeremy, who is human, has had lived a nightmare since the arrival of the Salvatore brothers."

Elena widened her eyes throughout my tirade before quickly frowning at my understatement."You don't mean that-"

"Yes, Elena! I want to!" I interrupted insistently, hoping to show her the truth. "All this started because of the brothers but if it went so far, it's because of us. It's you who continue to go out with Stefan despite the fact that the cemetery in our city is getting bigger and bigger. And it's me who supported him against all odds. We're selfish, Elena!"

I stopped to catch my breath before pushing my frozen sister from the passage to exit the confined space.

Unfortunately it was not counting on the hovering presence of Felix as the brown stiffened at my sight visibly took hold of the fact. He gave a glance between myself and the opening of the room in sympathy before giving me an uncertain look.

"What's going on, Felix?" I asked in spite of my stormy mood showing my desire to totally ignore this incident.

"I don't really know. Tyler said he was going to get you and he still has not come back."Announced the brown with a slight frown, letting me arch one of mine."I know he could have just avoided me, but he was suspicious enough after you left."

"Suspect? Tyler? How?"Elena intervened, joining my side with a slight nervous look in my direction.

I wrinkled my lips in thought before shaking my head in annoyance."Let's find out! He can't be far away." I quickly returned to the living room with the other two in my suite while giving a suspicious look at Felix. " What did he tell you?"

"Things about wolves and moonstone." Answered the brown in uncertainty. "He wanted to know if I wanted to be normal again."

"Becoming normal again?" Elena questioned us.

I stopped suddenly with a hand in the air at the open front door before taking a quick look at the duo behind me. "Felix, go upstairs and lock yourself up."

"What? "

"Trust me." I whispered eagerly before turning to an anxious Elena. "Go to the closet. Bring me back my toy."

Elena immediately frowned in confusion. "Your toy?"

I kept my eyes rolling as I pretend to fire at the crossbow.

Elena hastened to shake her head in the negation making me wrinkle my lips in frustration."Just do it, Elena!"

"Mila, no. "

I cast a new look at the open door before pushing Elena against her will. The brunette tried to resist before finally giving in as she turned on her heels. I recoiled instinctively as she handed me a stake, she had cleverly brought with her before taking it. I gave her a nod as a thank you before turning my back the moment, she left the room. I tightened my grip on the stake as I cautiously advanced to the exit. I could feel my heart speeding up as I walked through the doorway watching the outside. It was dark now and Stefan's Porsche was parked in the gravel road.

However, my attention soon swerved away as I felt a presence behind me before reacting instinctively. I planted the stake in the chest of my assailant before hastening to return to the house.

I slammed the door with all my might as I turned the locks before turning to the living room."Elena, now or never! "

"Mila, here!" The brunette exclaimed as she came out of the corridor with the crossbow before making me sign to follow her upstairs.

I climbed the stairs four at a time ignoring the sound of our door slamming before widening my eyes in fear as Felix suddenly came out of the corner. " What are you doing? Run!"

I pulled the brown by his shirt before pushing him to one of the rooms with Elena at my side.

"I had to smell, my dear. "

I widened my eyes at the agreement of the hoarse voice coming from the floor below before lowering my eyes on my T-shirt. I grumbled under my breath before removing it under the panic-stricken eyes of Elena and Felix. I rushed into the next room before putting it on the bed as bait. I then turned back to the other room where the duo was before bringing my finger to my lips to signal them to shut up.

I took the crossbow from Elena's hand, getting ready by loading it just to give an exaggerated look at my stupid sister at the sight of the obvious lack of ammunition.

"Where are the arrows?" I murmured in indignation, receiving a panicked look from my sister.

I immediately turned on my heels, restraining myself from swearing loudly before settling on the stairs. I leaned over the half-open door to watch him, before quickly signaling to the duo when the wolf entered the room. I went out first paying attention to my steps before slowly going down the stairs with the duo behind me. I accelerated through the living room once downstairs before taking a break as Elena interrupted me.

She took the doorknob and slammed it for distraction. Then she waved us back to our path, taking the lead.

I watched Felix over my shoulder before going back into the secret room. Felix took a moment's pause at the sight of the arsenal. "Whoa! What is that?"

"Shut up and go in!" I hissed impatiently before heading straight for the arrows.

Elena hastened to put a stake in Felix's hands, letting the brown stare at her as if she had just grown another head. "What do you want me to do with that?"

"A stake. A Villain. I let you guess." I replied coldly as I cocked the crossbow before stepping out of my concentrated state to give a reminder of the brown. "Avoid deadly places."

Felix let out a small incredulous grunt before quickly following Elena as she pulled him out the door. I hurried to join them before holding my breath as I heard the intruder enter the closet. He slammed the place before abruptly opening the door, letting me lift the crossbow aiming at his leg. I waited for him to enter the room a little more before letting go of my arrow, soon followed by Elena and Felix as they dug their stakes in his pulpit. We took his fall as a sign to get the hell out of the closet before heading off into a race outside.

However, the sound of a hand against the flesh and the growl of a dying man appealed to us. We peg on our feet against the gravel just to widen our eyes at the sight of our attacker now lying on the ground with a gaping hole in his chest. Conversely, Stefan was standing above him with the missing part dripping between his fingers.

" Oh fuck!" Hailed Felix moving back to my side in terror.

Stefan immediately let go of the heart in realization before advancing towards us." It's okay? Are you all well?"

Elena obviously rushed to join her boyfriend as she threw herself on him to hug him while I narrowed my eyes on his hand bloody with disgust. Nevertheless, I lowered the crossbow to my side just as a long weary sigh passed my lips. I nodded to Stefan as a sign of thanks before sharply setting my sights on a newcomer.

"Tyler!" I groaned in the realization, stopping the brown immediately in his approach.

The latter wore an expression of pure shame as he raised his arms as a sign of surrender."I had absolutely no idea what they would do. I swear to you. And then ... what I became. I'm so fed up, I can't support more. I-"

I was about to go forward with the intention of sticking my fist in his face, but a firm hand stopped me. I put my bored eyes on my obstacle before raising my head with a surprised look as I realized it belonged to Felix. Only the latter did not give me the time to question him as he walked towards Tyler with a determined step. He stopped at the height of Tyler to gauge him from his height since he was taller than him before surprising everyone as he grabbed him by the shoulder to hug him.

I remained literally speechless as a warm feeling swelled inside my chest at sight. Tyler literally gave in to his brother's arms, letting me smile in spite of myself as he asked us to forgive him.

"You knew ? "

I jumped at Stefan's blast before looking at the vampire with a frown. " Know what?"

"Elena was going to let herself be sacrificed." Stefan answered dryly, letting me wrinkle my lips in the realization.

"You know." I agreed, uncrossing my legs to sit on the side of the bed under the incredulous vampire's eyes.

"That's all you said?" He exclaimed in indignation as he walked towards me. "Why did you let her do it? Are you completely unconscious? I thought you were more thoughtful than that."

I jumped on my feet, clearly weary of his reproaches." Exactly! I'm thinking. Elena is too. You are the only ones who don't see the truth in the face. "

"Which truth?"

"It's our fault!" I exploded in guilt before shaking my head at the vampire, "Don't you see? Too many lives have already been ruined because we thought we could handle the supernatural. We're like a poison spreading slowly in the lives of our loved ones."

Stefan was literally speechless under the weight of my revelations before licking his lips in anger. "I will not let her die. No way."

"It's her choice!" I said, gauging him with a knowing look knowing full well that I was going to cross the line. "You also want to make her choice?"

Stefan froze under my charge, staring at me with a haunted look before lowering his shoulders in disappointment. "You want so much to see her die?"

"What did you just say?"

Stefan held my gaze with a hint of retribution in his forest-green eyes. "You totally lose control. Obviously, you don't know what is separating right from wrong if you let Elena voluntarily die."

I supported the vampire's dark gaze with my jaw clenched as I tried to control my emotions before finally giving in to my impulses as I filled the gap between us to stand up to him.

"Don't test me Stefan." I warned him in a low voice as I narrowed my eyes on the vampire."You don't know anything I can do. "

I watched the vampire turn around with a deep sense of finality before giving up a curse as I ran my hands through my hair in anger. I raised my head in a rage full of anger before rushing on the objects occupying the nearest shelf. I let out a cry of anger as I hit the objects of the dresser before falling to the ground in a ball of angry sobs.