Like Fire

by AlexisKeller

Chapter 14

"You're still here?" I asked in surprise when I saw mom sitting on the island in the kitchen. "It's almost nine. I thought you would've left by now."

"I was just about to," she smiled at me over her shoulder. "Get over here and give me a hug."

I walked over to wrap my arms tight around her, breathing in her scent. She'd worn that light, flowery perfume for as long as I could remember.

It smelled like my childhood. Familiarity and comfort.

"I had a long shift at work yesterday. It made me miss you so much. I wonder how long it's going to be like this," she said as I grabbed an apple off the fruit basket and plopped down next to her.

Having her back after so long, I missed her when she was gone too.

But I was still somewhat thankful she hadn't been home until I'd gotten back from dinner yesterday.

Even though his blood had healed her, chancing an introduction between Kol and my mom would've been far more than uncomfortable right then. Especially after the turn our dinner conversation took.

Either way mom was always busy with her job, but she was working harder than usual because the doctors of Mystic Falls Hospital had relocated to a separate building nearby. She often complain that it was smaller and the equipment subpar, but at least it was something.

"What's the word on the hospital?"

"They've made progress," she answered. "We heard they'll have a section of it ready to use within a month."

"That's great news!" I grinned at her, taking a bite out of the apple.

"Of course, the whole hospital's going to take some time. But I'd still be grateful—the section they're clearing off would be much better than where we are now." With that, she got up and grabbed her bag from the counter. "I'll get going now. What about you? Any plans for today?"

"I'm going to go spend some time with Bonnie and get her out for some air."

"Everything okay with her?"

"Oh yeah." I hope so. "Have a good day."

"You too, honey." She ruffled my hair before leaving me munching on my apple in the kitchen.

"Well, at least you agreed to step outside," I grumbled as Bonnie and I strolled in the driveway.

"I just want to be close to my things in case I think of something," she replied.

The same logic.

Again.

And now I had to address it.

"It's not all on you, you know." I stopped walking as I turned to her. "You're not responsible for any of this. Why do you keep pushing yourself?"

There was silence for a moment before she managed an answer.

"I just... it's a witch, you know? I should be able to find her. I should. Yet she keeps dodging me. It's just frustrating."

"We'll get Esther another way," I told her softly. "It doesn't have to be through her witch. Don't wear yourself out before we even get to the point of facing her."

"You know what? Maybe you're all right about this." Bonnie groaned, before rubbing her face with her hands. "But then the alternative is even worse. What if I spent so long just wasting my time?"

I sighed, and cast my gaze to the ground in silence because she wasn't completely right but she wasn't completely wrong either.

"Okay, this just feels depressing. Tell me about last night. How'd the dinner go?" She asked and I paused for a moment, expecting this but still not ready.

"Well, it was alright," I responded after a moment. "Strange, but alright."

Her eyebrows knit in confusion at my answer. "Strange how?"

I was cut off from having to reply with the sound of a car approaching.

The both of us turned around to see the familiar vintage Porsche rolling in, the sun sending rays glinting off of the red. I shot a look of delight at Bonnie before walking around to where the car pulled over, and waited. She joined me there and out stepped Stefan with a small smile on his face.

"Finally," I muttered and he chuckled.

"Feels like I've been away for years."

"Yeah, it does," Bonnie murmured softly. "Glad to have you back, Stefan."

"Glad to be back," he replied, leaning on his car and folding his arms across his chest as his expression turned somber. "It didn't feel great being so far away when Esther... well, you know."

It passed over my mood like a dark cloud, the reminder of what she did to the town when we least expected it. "Yeah, it's been... touchy, to say the least."

"God knows what she's up to now," muttered Bonnie with a sour expression. "She could very well blow up the boarding house right now."

"Whoa there," Stefan's eyes widened. "I hope not."

"She wouldn't do that just yet," Damon's voice had us all turning around as he walked down the driveway to us. "Messing with the town was her way of messing with us. Why do that if she planned on taking us out right away? It's a warning. She's basically telling us she's loyal to no one and can do whatever she wants."

"Damon," Stefan greeted. "Everything good?"

"Good as can be, baby brother. Nice to finally see you home."

"Like I said, it's nice to be back. You guys clearly had your hands full here. Wish I could've helped." Stefan looked at his shoes with his face set and I frowned to myself.

Bonnie wasn't the only one who took too much on her plate.

"Oh, get a handle on your savior complex, would you?" Damon brushed off his statement, before looking around at us. "With Stefan and his hero hair doing most of the work casing the towns, I'd say we covered pretty much all of Virginia. All but maybe two or three places."

"Wait," Bonnie's eyes widened. "How?"

"You know." Stefan clearly wasn't sure why she was shocked since we all knew this, but he went ahead and answered. "I texted you guys. I looked around in more than just one location. That's what took me so long."

"Where'd you go?" She demanded, eyes wild, and suddenly I was wary.

Stefan seemed to feel the same but was smart enough not to question her as he pulled out his phone. "I've got a list."

"Any idea what's going on?" I asked Damon quietly, who stood beside me now, looking at both of them.

"None. What the fuck is happening right now?"

I turned back to watch the concentration on Bonnie's face as her eyes skimmed the list on Stefan's phone and saw as it gave way to something big when her eyes widened with realization and she looked up at Stefan and then us.

"Guys, this is it! There's only two left!"

I could feel the nervous energy surround us as and settle in as Stefan asked almost hesitantly, "As in, two places we didn't go to?"

"Yes!" She nodded animatedly. "If you looked through all those locations, we've only got Chantilly and Chesapeake left."

"Only two," I mumbled as the the statement washed over everyone.

"Look, I know it's been crazy. But... this is it. This is the only thing left. We're idiots if we don't look through it. We're going to find something for sure this time." Bonnie said quietly, her words strong with utter conviction.

Oh boy.

Well, that meant we had some more searching to do.

"Right. Well, we'll get on the road then," concluded the younger Salvatore brother.

"You get some rest and fill in the Originals, baby bro. We'll get on the road," Damon ordered before turning to me. "You up for another trip?"

I nodded once in affirmative. "I'll take Chantilly."

"Then Chesapeake for me. Damn, is there anything to do there?"

"You're not sightseeing," Stefan cut in grimly. "Do a sweep and get back right away. We can't afford to leave Mystic Falls when Esther could pull more stunts."

"I got it, I got it," the older brother held up his hands. "I'm leaving. Just remember to update our little Original friends on this as soon as you can."

Stefan jerked his chin up at him before he started tapping away on his phone. Damon turned away, bumping his shoulder into mine as he walked by. "See ya."

I nodded at him as he headed to the garage and looked up when Stefan's voice came at me. "Be careful, Eve."

"Of course," I smiled at him. "I'll grab the car keys from inside, text mom that I'll be heading to Whitmore for something and then I'm off."

"Good luck!" Bonnie called out anxiously. "God, I hope this is it."

So did I.

Much more Kol in the next chapter! Hope you're all doing well and enjoying the story (: