Chapter 4: Escape

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* * *

Meredith frowned at the television.

Another four murders had taken place since the first two high school kids.

Meredith was growing increasingly worried.

The bodies had been mutilated beyond recognition. Authorities said it was the work of an animal, but there were no animals around Fell's Church that were capable of such infractions.

She had been fearing the worst and now she feared the worst had come to pass.

She picked up the phone and dialed the operator's number.

"Operator. How may I direct your call."

"Yes, I need you to connect me to Florence, Italy."

"One moment."

* * *

Elena gazed at the Florence sunset from her and Stefan's bedroom balcony.

There were problems back home.

Meredith had called in a panic with a story about mutilated murders.

Stefan wrapped his arms around her.

"The bags are packed. Are you ready to go?"

She turned and faced his green eyes directly. With a deep sigh she replied, "Yeah."

"What's the matter?" he asked, tilting her chin up.

"Nothing. Whatever gave you that idea?" She walked back into the room.

"Elena, we've been married for twelve years. If I couldn't tell when you were upset I think there would be cause for concern."

She sat down on the edge of the bed, "It's just we haven't seen them in so long. And what happens if someone recognizes me. I haven't changed in these last twelve years."

"Most vampires don't." Stefan smiled.

"Yes, which means that everyone in town remembers me as I am. Can you imagine the looks on their faces if they see me?" She twisted a strand of blonde hair anxiously.

"Would you rather have aged? We both know what would have eventually happened if you had stayed human." Stefan touched her cheek.

"I know. I'm glad I made the change...because now we can be together forever, but it's just strange going back."

"No one will see you. We will be careful. Let's just get this dealt with and then we'll come back to Florence." Stefan kissed her.

"Alright," Elena replied, "I just hope we aren't stepping in a big pile of horse manure."

* * *

Micah pulled into Jael's driveway. The rain was pouring down and he was soaked by the time he reached the front door. He knocked until Robert opened it.

"Micah," he smiled, "it's pouring. Come in."

Micah took him up on the offer.

Inside the house Judith was reading a book and a fire was crackling in the fire place.

"What has brought you here at such a late hour?" Robert asked.

Micah had known these people his whole life. He felt no need to lie to them.

"My dad and I aren't seeing eye to eye right now. He kicked me out...well I sort of left too." he smiled.

"Oh well that's too bad." Judith looked up.

"Yeah...is Jael here?"

"She's in her room as usual." Robert rolled his eyes.

Micah laughed and walked upstairs. The Gilbert house had been around forever, since before the civil war. The structure never ceased to amaze him. Elegantly crafted and delicately decayed. Micah came to a door plastered with posters. He didn't bother to knock.

Jael was sitting on her bed, eyes closed, headphones on.

Micah could here the hard rock riffs of Fuel coming from the walkman.

He tapped her on her shoulder and her green eyes opened instantly. She pulled the headphones off her head and scowled, "What would you have done if I were lying in here naked?"

Micah laughed, "Ahhh, come on, Jael. We used to go swimming in the river wihtout our clothes on all the time when we were kids."

"A lots changed since then." Jael arched an eyebrow.

"I'll be the judge of that." Micah replied cockily.

Jael's mouth dropped, "I cannot believe you just said that."

Micah ran a hand through his hair and slipped his car keys into his pocket.

"What're you doing here so late?" Jael asked.

Micah smiled, "Let's just say that if I hadn't left...there would have been a WWF Smackdown in my house. I can't take it anymore, Jael. They're driving me crazy." He sat down on the edge of her bed, "I feel trapped."

"What'd you mean?" Jael asked.

"I have never had this strong of a desire to get away before. I think about it twenty-four hours a day. I want to get out of here. Far away from my dad, Tyler..."

/The towns legacy./ He added silently.

Jael placed a hand on his shoulder, "I think you need to get away...what do you say you and I go for a walk in the woods...like we used to."

Micah looked into her eyes. He wanted to tell her everything. Throw the truth before her and let her be the judge. She was his best friend, he never lied to her about anything, but this one lie was killing him. It had been killing him since he had first been told when he was five. He took Jael's tiny hand in his, "Yeah...lets go talk. There's something I've got to tell you."