I apologize to you guys in advance for this being kind of a dialogue heavy chapter.

I looked to Elijah hoping for some explanation.

"Derek seems to think Jeremy's responsible," he said when he saw me looking at him. He looked nervous for some reason.

"I didn't do anything!" Jeremy said.

"You were the only person here," Derek growled.

"But he didn't do anything," I defended Jeremy.

"That you know of," Derek mumbled.

"Alright that's enough," Tess interrupted. "I don't care if anyone did or didn't do anything. The conversation is done. Chloe needs time to relax she doesn't need all this bickering. Jeremy go with EJ to get the supplies that he and Derek were going to get." Tess didn't give them a chance to argue. "Now." She said.

They nodded and left to get stuff for the road.

"Are you sure it's a good idea to leave still?" Emma asked. "Chloe might have a concussion or internal bleeding."

"I'm no doctor but if she was bleeding, she probably wouldn't be awake right now," Tess looked me over. "And you seem awake to me. But you're speaking up if you feel off about anything."

"I will if Emma does," I said, sort of forcing Emma's hand.

"Why what's wrong with Emma?" Derek asked looking at her.

"Chloe," Emma whined. "That was mean."

"What is it?" Tess asked.

"She can smell the blood in the bathroom," I said, answering for her.

Tess immediately looked concerned, "Sweetie are you ok? How long has it been?"

Emma wouldn't make eye contact as she shrugged, she just stared down at the blanket. Tess came over to her and wrapped her in a hug.

"I'll be back, I have an idea," she said.

"You're not supposed to go out on your own though," Derek said.

Tess waved it off, "Elijah's got bigger worries right now, he'll never even know."

"Go with Tess," I said to Derek.

"But-"

"Please, I'll be right here when you get back. I promise nothing will happen."

Derek had that conflicted look in his eyes where he wanted to stay with me but he knew he also needed to trust me. "Fine."

The two of them left and now it was just me and Emma.

"What do you think Tess' idea is?" I asked.

Emma ignored my question, "That was mean Chloe. You didn't have to tell them."

"I'm sorry, I know. I just wanted to help, you should know by now you don't have to hide it from us."

"We all have trust issues," Emma chuckled.

We didn't have to wait long for them to get back. Tess was carrying a small black cooler as they walked in.

"She wouldn't let me carry it," Derek said as they came over.

Tess rolled her eyes smiling. She set it down next to Emma and sat down at the foot of the bed.

"What is it?" I asked.

Whatever it was, Emma could smell it. Emma fidgeted for a minute before taking it and disappearing into the bathroom. She didn't want to be watched I assumed.

"I went to Ashe's office and told her that we needed blood bags if she had any because of someone getting seriously hurt. She didn't ask for more info after hearing that, she just got them for me and told me to hurry back. I think she actually cares about you kids whether she'll admit it or not."

It was a genius idea, I had to admit that. Because if Ashe doubted her at all, she had little sick me as a proof.

"What did you mean Elijah has bigger worries?" I asked.

"Oh EJ's nerves are fried from this trip. That poor mans on the verge either changing or a heart attack or both. Didn't you see him shaking? I'll be surprised if he comes back from their errand human."

"So that's why you told him to go," Derek said. "To give him the space for it if he needs it."

Tess nodded as she walked over to the table to grab a plate of berries. She set it down on the bed in between us as she sat back down.

"Why'd you send Jeremy with him then?" Derek asked.

Tess smirked, "Because of you silly. I don't need you wolfing out at the same time."

She nudged the plate my way, trying to tell me to eat so I grabbed one and ate it even though I didn't feel hungry. Tess then looked at Derek and gestured towards the bathroom. He nodded and got up to go check on Emma.

"You don't seem worried about Elijah at all," I commented.

"I'm not worried really," she said. "This is the safest place for that to happen to him plus he's an adult, its not his first time, I know he'll be just fine."

I nodded, hoping that Derek and I could one day be so relaxed about it too.

"Get some sleep," she said to me.

I hadn't realized that I'd been yawning, I didn't think that I was that tired but the moment my head touched the pillow I was out.

For once we got through the night without anything happening. Or at least I slept through it, Elijah looked really rough. He didn't move or talk unless he had to, he just wanted to be left alone. I wondered what time he'd come back and what he'd been through but I wasn't going to ask.

We gathered our things and headed out, following Ashe and her guard to the car. We said our goodbyes and piled into the car. Jeremy sat in between Tess and Elijah up front, the rest of us got in the back. I watched Elijah out of the corner of my eye, as soon as he was buckled he pulled his hat down over his eyes like he was going to go back to sleep.

"Why don't one of you give the others a call," Tess said as she pulled the car out of the parking space and onto the dirt road. "See where they're at. They might've already beat us."

Derek pulled out his phone and dialed Simon's number.

"Hey," Simon said when he answered.

"Hey, we're on our way back to Tess' now. Where are you guys at?"

There was a pause then, "Same hotel still. We uh kinda really pissed off Matt and he bailed. We've been trying to stick around as long as his credit card will let us to see if he was coming back."

"He just left?" Derek asked, glancing at me with a concerned look. Did he think I couldn't hear the conversation or was he concerned for Matt?

"Yeah," Simon said.

"Have you tried calling him or tracking his phone?"

You could practically hear the eyeroll in Simon's voice, "Of course we tried that. His GPS is disabled and he's not answering."

Derek looked at me again and said, "Try calling him Chloe."

I glanced up at Tess as I pulled out my phone. She watched me through the rear view mirror worriedly. I hit dial and it rang several times before he finally answered.

"Hey Clo," he said.

I tuned out Derek talking to Simon as best as I could.

"Hey," I replied.

There was a pause before he said, "They told you didn't they? You're calling to check up on me and get some answers."

I looked around at the others who were listening, trying to figure out what to say back.

"I'll take the silence as a yes," he chuckled. "All you need to know is I'm fine."

"They're still waiting for you at the hotel," I said. Not knowing what to say.

"I left the car, tell Simon to drive them back to Tess'. He'll pass as old enough to have a license." He paused then added. "And tell him to get his damn license already. You're all old enough."

The phone beeped, Matt had hung up. Derek told Simon what he said. I looked at Tess as she sighed.

"That car was his most prized possession. He's had it most of his life," she said softly. "He's never abandoned it."

"But why?" Emma asked. "Why leave all of the sudden?"

I dialed Matt's number again and it went straight to voicemail.