Ch. 5 – Lost Girls and Haunted 1x06-07

A/N: Enjoy the next chapter of this story.

Edit: 11/21/2021

It had been many months since Alliana had moved to the village. She spends most, if not all, of her time with the Mikaelson family. Rebekah was her best friend. She was also very close with Elijah and Niklaus. They were all the best of friends. There was one happy day that the whole Mikaelson family can remember. They remember it because it was the last happy day the family truly enjoyed.

Alliana started the day by doing her chores with Rebekah. They fooled around while doing them; They talked about the boys in the village and wove flowers into their hair. Rebekah spoke of a boy who had caught her eye. While Rebekah spoke, Alliana kept her thought of her own love to herself. Rebekah noticed this but refrained from calling it out at this time. They spent their time laughing.

Next, Alliana spent some time with Finn. They did not often spend time together, but when they did, Finn enjoys it. They spend their time together that day contemplating their lives and conversing. Finn believed that Alliana was wise beyond her years but still had an element of a child in her heart. They talked about a variety of topics and didn't seem to run out of things for him to talk about. It was very calming and peaceful for Finn.

Alliana spent after the mid-day meal playing tricks with Kol. They had the grandest time playing with the people of the village. They made one man slip in a puddle of water and accidently hit another man. They made certain women lose certain possessions. The tricks were Kol's usual style of annoying without the usual amount of cruelty that would be associated with him later on. They had a great time together, Alliana especially, laughing and joking.

After, she spent the afternoon with Henrik. They played games both in the forest with Kol and Rebekah and alone together. With the board games more contained, they spent time closer to the village without any retribution due to the earlier tricks. When there was a moment of quiet in their games, Henrik gave Alliana a carving from wood. She promised to always keep it with her, while she planned to leave it in her underused bedroom. She thanked him and told him to never change, because he was such a wonderful boy.

Then, time was spent with Niklaus, with him teaching her about how to draw. He told her about all that inspires him. They laughed about all the things they had done with Kol. They drew pictures of each other and showed them to the other person. Niklaus' was better, but he didn't let Alliana discourage her own.

Elijah came next with more games played and time spent together in their spot, the one where they met. They simply enjoyed being in each other's presence. No words were necessary between them. They just relaxed and watched the sun slowly sink down the horizon.

Finally, came Esther, the woman who became a second mother. They, along with Rebekah made the final meal of the day. Esther hummed while she worked and Alliana joined along. They talked about being a witch and a healer. The women joined the men of the family and they all joined together to eat the delicious meal. The entire family laughed and talked. For once, they were all simply happy, the last time it happened for over a thousand years.

"What are you?" Elena asks. Stefan just stands there holding the door. "What are you?" Elena asks again. She's asking forcefully, but that's just a front for how scared she is. She doesn't really want this answered.

Stefan just swallows and clenches his jaw. "You know."

"No, we don't," Elena replies. Looks like she is still having a hard time accepting this. Confirmation from him is the only thing that will change her mind. Gilbert stubbornness at its finest.

"Yes, you do, or you wouldn't be here," Stefan says.

"It's not possible. It can't be," Elena states, shaking her head.

Stefan puts down a wooden stake that he was holding in his hand. Elena steps back. "Everything you know…and every belief you had is about to change. Are you ready for that?"

"What are you?" Elena asks for the final time.

Stefan looks between the two of us and takes a deep breath. You can almost see tears in his eyes as he forces himself to say, "I'm a vampire." Wow, shocking. Well, I'm sure this is a bigger deal for someone who didn't know. I mean, it shouldn't be as bad as it is for Elena. You can actually see her confidence deflate with his words. Which is weird cause we figured it out already. But then again, I'm not into a person who turned out to be a vampire, therefore revealing the existence of the supernatural world. I should probably be more sensitive to her shock.

"We shouldn't have come," Elena states. I roll my eyes at that. This was her idea. Stefan steps forward, "No. Please," Elena pleads weakly. Every time he steps forward towards my sister, she steps back. Elena runs away towards the car and Stefan flashes in front of her. Kinda not cool. I watch their exchange, but I grab the wooden stake before I walk to my sister. She's rushing to the car, so I quickly run into the passenger side and we speed away. Elena runs into the house as soon as we arrive. I think the shock is really hitting her now. I walk in and set the stake in the drawer in the side table next to the door. It can't hurt to have another, especially if I might need it soon.

I walk up the stairs and Elena rushes out of her bedroom terrified. She sees and then grabs me, before pulling me into her room and onto the bed. Elena explains what happened just now between her and Stefan, in the bathroom. He was in the house! I don't have time to freak out before she starts rambling. Apparently, Damon is the one who has been killing all those people. Not shocking. Also, Stefan does not drink human blood to survive. That's a bit more interesting. She says something about keeping everything a secret before she breaks down and starts crying. The shock and the ramifications of this situation has hit and has made her absolutely terrified. I hate to see her like this. My heart breaks for her; she shouldn't have had to find out about this. I didn't want her in this world and now she is here, despite everything. Welcome to the supernatural, Elena, I'm gonna try to make it better for you.

Elena eventually cries herself to sleep and I go downstairs to the kitchen. The house is quiet, so I make myself a cup of tea and sit out on the porch swing. I see someone in the shadows, leaning against the house. I pause and watch for a moment before I realize, "You know it'd be marginally less creepy if you came out of the shadows. Marginally."

The person moves and steps into the light. The shadow isn't obvious, but Stefan seems the type to stand outside my sister's bedroom to make sure she is okay. It's not surprising to me that he is here. It could be scary if it wasn't seemingly coming from a place of sincere caring. Seemingly as he is respecting my sister's boundaries, but it's still a vampire standing outside our house in the middle of the night, so creepy.

Stefan remains silent, so I add, "I am sorry for how my sister reacted. It is a lot for her to take in."

"I should've expected her to react like that, but I hoped she would take it better," Stefan replies.

I move the tea bag in my cup. "My sister had her whole world turned upside down tonight. Give her some time. She'll adjust to the idea of your existence."

"You are taking this surprisingly well," Stefan says as he comes to sit next to me.

I take a sip of my tea to hide how I tense when he gets closer, "I already knew. It wasn't such a big world-altering surprise to me as it was to my sister."

The shock only shows for a moment on Stefan's face. He goes to ask something before he stops and asks, "Do you think that she will forgive me?" Hmmm. He didn't immediately ask how I know about vampires. The first thing he wants to make sure of is my sister's safety and forgiveness. I can almost see what has my sister so besotted, the devotion to her is pretty clear on his face.

I think about his question for a moment before I shrug, "Maybe. This is huge for her. She's never even contemplated the supernatural world as anything other than fictional. But she could get used to it." She will have to. I sigh, "She cares about you a lot. More than I want her to, and, as much as I'd hate to admit it, that may give her a reason to stay. But I'm not promising anything." Especially as I'm coming up with 4 different plans for us running away.

"Why are you not scared?" Stefan finally asks.

Because I've dealt with far worse than him. "Well, Elena has explained what you said to her. You care for her and you would never hurt her, intentionally. Well, so far at least. We have also been sitting here for a decent amount of time. You could've hurt me, and you haven't so I am guessing you won't." I took another sip of my tea. I'd like to see him try. "Also, I'm drinking tea with vervain and there's a stake within reaching distance for me." Not that I'll tell him where it is.

"Wait, you knew I was a vampire?"

It took him that long? Maybe check smart off the pros list I'm making for Elena and his relationship. "I really like history, so when I found a journal from one of my ancestors, of course, I read it. In it, he talked about vampires. At first, I thought he was crazy. But after a while, it didn't seem as far-fetched as I expected. But still, it is Johnathan Gilbert's journal, so who knows." As I said the name of my ancestor, Stefan's face turned guilty. "Based on your face, I'm guessing you knew him."

He nods. "Yeah, I did." Stefan replies. The broody look is not something I want to delve into, so I let it go.

"Well, I was interested enough to invest some time into researching. Made a few calls, found some witches, learned some tricks of the trade and whatnot. I figured you out during the bonfire."

"The bottle thing."

"Yeah," I take a sip of my tea, "Plus finding your brother draining the life out my history teacher really helped to clear things up."

Stefan sighs, "You saw that, huh?"

"Yup." I shrug again, "I wouldn't worry about it though. Tanner was an asshole."

Stefan chuckles lightly, "Yeah, he was."

"But your brother isn't just attacking assholes."

Stefan tenses and turns slowly. I stare him in the eye for the first time during this whole conversation. There's no need for fear now. I'm too angry.

"Caroline," Stefan realizes.

"She is my best friend. She is almost as important to me as Elena is. And who knows what fuckery he played with her."

"I'm- I'm sorry."

I stare at him. "I don't care. You let him do what he did."

"I couldn't," he argues. His voice breaks, "I couldn't stop him."

I impassively collect a drop of tea from the outside of my mug onto my pinky, "Just so you know. I'm an avid researcher." I look at the drop of vervain tea on my finger, "I know a lot about vampires. I know of a lot of ways to hurt you." I suck up the drop on my finger and finish the last of my tea. "Case and point." I lift the empty mug of tea, which I very clearly did not pour on him like the cup of vampire acid it is. "If something happens to Elena. To Caroline. To Bonnie or Jeremy or Matt. I know where to go to get revenge. And I'm not going to differentiate by brothers." I sigh lightly and stand up. "Well, I have to go. I will see you tomorrow."

I stop in the doorway for a moment and turn to face the sitting vampire, "Don't worry about Elena. She will come around…eventually. And if not, I'll protect her till my dying breath."

I go inside, rinse my cup, and go quickly to sleep.

The next day, I follow my sister to the Grille, where we sit at an outdoor table with Stefan. Elena needs an explanation, and I am backup and her support.

"You said that you would explain everything. That's why I asked you to meet me here. When you google 'vampires' you get a world a fiction. What's the reality?" Elena demands.

"I can tell you whatever you want to know," Stefan replies.

"I know you eat garlic," Elena says. I'm guessing their dinner. They made garlic bread, so I hear.

"Yes," Stefan answers.

"And somehow, sunlight's not an issue."

"Hi, here are your drinks," the waitress interrupts handing our coffees to us.

Stefan replies when the waitress is out of earshot. "We have rings that protect us." I knock myself internally. I should've figured, the lapis lazuli ring.

"Crucifixes?" Elena asks.

"Decorative," Stefan replies.

"Holy water?"

"Drinkable."

"Mirrors?"

"Myth."

I cut in with an actual useful point, "You said you don't kill to survive."

Stefan gives me a look before turning back to Elena as he answers, "Animal blood keeps me alive, but not as strong as Damon. It can be very powerful."

I scoff, "And yet, you let him get involved with Caroline?"

Stefan shifts guiltily, "Forcing Damon not to do something is much more dangerous. Believe me."

"He was hurting her," Elena adds angrily, leaning in towards Stefan.

"He was feeding on her." Stefan replies, leaning forward on the table to try to conceal what he was saying better. "He was able to take away memories, her memories of being bitten, using a form of mind compulsion. She never knew what was happening to her. If he wanted to kill her, he would have."

"Is that supposed to make it okay?" Elena asks.

I jump in, "I'll tell you now that it doesn't. You didn't see her after the Founders' Party. I did. She was having breakdowns, multiple times per day where she wasn't sure what was happening. Compulsion isn't the end all you seem to be making it out to be."

"No, no none of this is okay, girls. I know that." Stefan replies. Elena takes a breath and tries to process this. Stefan leans back in his seat.

"Are there any others, aside from you and Damon?" I ask.

Stefan shakes his head, "Not in Mystic Falls. Not anymore."

"Not anymore, but there was a time when vampires were in Mystic Falls," I point out. Yeah, that's how I first learned that vampires existed. And then, confirmed with the journal.

"There was a time when this town was…very much aware of vampires, and I didn't end very well," Stefan says. "That's why it's important that you don't tell anyone."

"I can't promise that," my twin says.

"I don't promise things," I add. Not to people I don't fully trust anyways. And despite all the feelings he and Elena share, I don't fully trust Stefan.

Stefan looks at me and nods, before turning back to my sister and leaning in. "Elena…give me today. I will answer any questions that you have, and when it's over, you can decide for yourself what you want to do with what you know. It'll be your choice."

Elena looks over to me. I give her a nod. Hey, she needs this. All those lingering questions and feelings are just gonna torture her. I fix that by researching, but Elena is more direct. She turns back to Stefan, nods to him and he silently sighs in relief.

Stefan turns to me. I roll my eyes, "There is no way I'm leaving you alone with her. I'm coming with."

Stefan gestures his acceptance and we stand.

We get into Elena's car with Stefan in the passenger seat, directing us to the location, so I'm in the back seat. Elena's SUV doesn't have the same feel as being in the backseat of our parents' car, but I can't keep from fidgeting. Especially as Stefan is directing us to some place in the middle of the woods. He gets out of the car first, walks around for a few seconds, looking around. I get out of the car; I look around, and finally recognize the place. We were at the spot of the old Salvatore plantation, which I have read about.

My sister doesn't know what this place is though. "What are we doing here?" Elena asks when she gets out of the car. She still stands behind the open car door.

"I want to show you something," Stefan replies. He starts to walk away. I follow him, keeping myself between him and her, just in case.

"In the middle of nowhere?" Elena questions. Stefan stops.

I answer my sister, while still looking around. I could see all the spots where things used to stand. Everything used to be grand from the descriptions I had heard. "This didn't used to be nowhere."

I look to Stefan. He turns to my sister, "This used to be my home." My sister finally walks out from behind the car door and closes it. She walks to us and we follow Stefan. We stop in front of a brick pillar with some stone thing on top covered in vines and broken. It is beautiful, but you can tell a lot of time has passed since it was cared for.

"It looks so…" Elena starts.

"Old," Stefan finishes for her, "It's because they are."

"Wait. How long…?" Elena asks.

I'm so tempted to turn this into a Twilight reference but I hold back long enough for Stefan to answer, "I have been 17 years old since 1864."

"Oh my god." Elena and I say at the same time, but we aren't thinking the same things. I bet my life on it.

"You said you wanted to know. I'm not going to hold anything back." Stefan says looking at my sister. When he looks away, he starts to walk slowly around the property. We follow him with me again being closer than my sister. "Half a century before the boarding house was even built, this was my family's home. Damon and I…we were both born here. The Salvatore brothers, bests of friends…" Stefan continues to explain how they used to play together, and something about Katherine joining them. The infamous Katherine, I guess we were thinking of the same one.

"You knew Katherine in 1864?" Elena asks. "Damon made it seem like-"

"Damon was trying to make you think that…I was still heartbroken." Stefan finishes her sentence. He walks in front of us, but he was looking at Elena. "He saw that I was happy with you, and he wanted to ruin it."

I scoff, "All because you loved the same woman 145 years ago?" Yikes, talk about family drama.

"She wasn't just any girl," Stefan says. Woah, there. Aren't we trying to dissuade from the idea that you were still in love with Katherine? He then explains about how he and Damon fought over who Katherine would go to the Founders' Ball with. Including mentioning the fact that Damon was a Confederate soldier. A deserter but still he fought for the South. Ugh. I focus back on the conversation to escape my disgust. "She chose me," Stefan states. "I escorted her to the ball at the original Lockwood mansion."

We walk to a stone bench where I sit down while the other two remain standing, still far enough apart for my comfort.

Elena continues his train of thought "The first Founders' Party…where you signed the registry."

Stefan nods and continues on with his story. "I didn't care that I had gotten something that my brother wanted. I didn't even care if I hurt him. I only knew that I wanted her." Yeah, that's how Katherine works.

My sister sits down next to me. "So, he was upset."

"That's the thing about Damon. He doesn't get mad. He just gets even. What Damon wants, Damon usually gets. I didn't know it at the time, but…" Stefan walks a few steps, "Katherine was with him that night, too." Hahaha.

"So, he stole her away from you, not the other way around?" Elena asks. Wow, what a little bitch. Especially as he had Caroline spread the info that he was the one that was scorned by his brother.

"Turns out…she wasn't ours to steal," Stefan replies. Oh, of fucking course. He goes on to explain how he found out Katherine was a vampire and how she compelled him to have his feelings stay the same for her, despite her being a vampire. Wow, total bitch move. Her specialty. Elena stands up from the bench during his explanation and is now leaning against a tree. "She could control my mind. And Damon's. She compelled each of us to keep the secret from the other. She wanted us all to be together forever." Oh, polyamory. A toxic relationship, for sure, but progressive for the time. "Didn't work out that way, but…" Stefan reaches down to pick something up. "Damon and I, looks like we are stuck with each other…" Stefan unwraps something that he picked up. It turns out to be another ring with the Salvatore crest on a lapis lazuli stone. "Like it or not."

I point out, "That's Damon's ring."

"I took it from him, but I have to give it back," Stefan replies.

Elena walks up to him saying, "No. Don't, Stefan. Keep it hidden." I stand up to follow. Elena's right. Keep him out of the sun.

"He will retaliate in the only way he knows he can hurt me," Stefan says.

Elena rolls her eyes, and asks, "And how is that?"

Stefan pauses for a moment and looks at Elena deeply. "By hurting you," he says.

"Yeah. Tell him good luck with that," I mumble. I stop and think for a second, "Wait, I thought Damon was locked up! Are you telling me that there is a blood-thirsty, vengeful 150-year-old vampire on the loose and you didn't think to mention?"

Stefan pauses, "I'm going to fix it. And I have his ring, so he can't be out in daylight anyways. Everyone should be safe for the next couple of hours."

I glare at him and his weak excuse, "You better fix it. Because of you, Caroline is in danger again and you didn't think to let us know. Just be glad, I'm not out there or your brother would be ashes." I stomp past him to Elena.

We all head back to Elena's car. Stefan opens the car door for Elena. She is about to get in when she asks, "The mind control…you said Katherine used. Did you ever do that to me?"

"No," Stefan says while shaking his head. He points to Elena's necklace. "That necklace…" Elena looks down at it, then back at Stefan. "It contains an herb called vervain. It protects you from being compelled. I wanted to protect you from Damon's influence. But I also wanted to…protect you from me. Elena, you should never take that necklace off…" Stefan steps closer to Elena. "Because no matter what happens after today, no matter what you feel about me…you'll know that you were free to make your own choice." Stefan steps back and Elena gets in the driver's seat.

"Nice job, lover boy," I comment. "I gotta give it to you with the fancy speech. You almost had me weak in the knees."

Stefan turns to me and smirks, "Don't worry, I thought about you too." Oh, good move. He reaches into his back pocket and pulls out some folded cloth. He hands it to me. "Here you go." I take it from him and unwrap it. It turns out to be a beautiful, antique bracelet. "Now, I know you've got vervain covered, but I found this among some old boxes and I thought you would like it."

I look up at him and give him my own smirk. "Thank you. It's beautiful." I place it on my wrist. "And even though I have vervain more than covered, I appreciate the thought and effort. You can't get Elena if you don't have me on your side. I get it."

"That's not-," Stefan starts.

"It's cool, Stefan. I'm not mad. I'm messing with you, sorta." Stefan nods and steps back. "Still, thanks. I'm never going to say no to vervain."

Stefan nods, "We have a supply growing in the boarding house if you want some fresh."

I tilt my head, "Now that's the way to get me on your side."

We get back in the car, me in the passenger seat this time with Stefan in the back.

We drive back to our house, where find Jeremy on the ground with Jeremy and Matt looking at a freaked-out Vicki.

"What's going on?" Elena asks.

"She's really messed up," Matty tells us.

Stefan looks around before pulling Elena slightly away from Vicki. "Elena, back up." He looks at Vicki closely, "Vicki, look at me. Focus. You're going to be okay. Everything's going to be okay." After looking at her for a few seconds, he starts ordering Matt and Jeremy what to do with her, "Guys, take her up to bed. Shut the blinds. She's going to be okay." He hands Vicki off to Matt and Jeremy who do as he says. He watches them go upstairs.

"You know what's wrong with her?" I ask.

"Yeah," he says walking back to us.

"What is it?" Elena asks.

He lowers his voice, "She's transitioning." Oh no.

"Transitioning into what?" Elena asks.

I answer for him, "A vampire."

"What?" Elena gasps.

"Damon must have gotten to her. She's new. She hasn't completed her transformation yet," he replies.

"How does she do that?" Elena asks.

I let Stefan answer this one, "She has to feed on human blood." I think I've been answering a few too many questions. I never exactly told Elena that I know about vampires.

"And what if she doesn't?" Elena asks.

Stefan pauses before he answers, "She'll die."

Elena starts pacing, worrying over Vicki and Jeremy. "She's upstairs with him now."

"It's okay. She doesn't know what is happening to her yet," Stefan says trying to calm her down.

That's not helpful. "So, how much time do you think we have until she figures it out?" I ask. Elena stops pacing for a second to hear his answer.

"Right now, she doesn't remember anything. A part of her is still human, but slowly, the deeper she gets into the transition, the memories will start to come back, and then she'll know she has to make the choice." Elena leans against the chair, running her fingers through her hair. Well, I can honestly say neither of us expected this. She turns around when Stefan utters the part of his last sentence.

"The same choice you made?" Elena asks. Stefan pauses and his eyes go unfocused for a minute, thinking of past memories.

Not long after, Vicki comes rushing down the stairs and out the door. Matt goes to search for her, Stefan goes to track her, and Elena, Jeremy, and I stay to wait for any news.

Elena and I are cleaning up from dinner, while Jeremy is worrying over Vicki.

"Maybe we should check in with Matt," Jeremy says. I hand him a plate.

"He'll call when he finds her," Elena says.

"Well, what are we supposed to do?" Jeremy asks. Not freak out for one.

"We wait. We're supposed to wait," Elena says moving back and forth from the table to Jeremy. She picks up plates from the table and hands them to Jeremy, while he puts them in the sink, where I rinse them and put them in the dishwasher.

"I don't know what's wrong with her," Jeremy says.

I try to placate him, "She'll be fine. It'll all be fine." I don't think it did much because Jeremy makes a frustrated face. To be fair, we got that a lot after our parents' deaths. It's a bit demeaning, but sometimes, like now, it's all there is to be said.

The doorbell rings and we all walk to get it. I get there first. As soon as I see who it is, I shut the door, but Damon blocks me with his hand from closing it all the way. He then uses his super strength to push the door back open. "Jeremy, Elena, head upstairs please," I command in a deathly calm voice. Elena sends me a worried look that I mostly ignore, but she complies.

Damon gives me a look, "You're afraid of me. I'm gonna go out on a limb here and guess. Stefan finally fessed up." He was wrong. I am not afraid of him, I'm angry.

"Stay the hell away from me and my family," I growl.

"Hey, hey, hey. There's no need to be rude. I'm just looking for Stefan. Can I come in?" Damon asks pointing inside. "Oh, wait. Of course I can. I've been invited." He walks in the door and I back away slightly from him. He closes the door behind him. He walks further into the house and I walk until I am close to the side table. My eyes never leave him though. "We can cut to the chase if you want. I'm not going to kill you or your sister right now. That wouldn't serve the greater agenda," he says smugly.

I keep my face blank. "And you always have an agenda, don't you?" I ask.

Damon ignores my question, "So…where's Stefan?"

"He's out looking for Vicki," I answer angrily. Another girl you used as a plaything.

"Don't look at me with those judgey little eyes." He starts walking towards me. "Girl's going to thank me for what I did to her." I slowly back up until I am against the side table. Damon is almost in my face.

"Did you thank Katherine?" I ask fake innocently.

He smirks at me and back up. He turns around and walks slightly towards the living room. I reach behind me and start slowly opening the drawer of the side table. "Got the whole life story, huh?"

"I got enough," I say while reaching behind me into the drawer.

"Oh, I doubt that." He turns around and walks to the door. I keep what I found in the drawer behind me. "Tell my brother I am looking for him." He opens the door and is about to leave when he leans back in through the doorway. "Tip for later. Be careful who you invite in the house."

"Wait, one more thing, Damon," I say as I walk up to him. I stab him in the stomach with the wooden stake angled up, missing his heart. He grunts in pain. I keep the stake in his chest and get close to his ear. I whisper in his ear, "Next time you try to threaten me, my sister, my family, or any of my friends, I will be sure to dip this stake in a vat of vervain and not miss your heart. Got it?" I stare in his eyes and twist the stake, grazing but not puncturing his heart "You are not a threat to me. I've already kicked your ass once spur of the moment. Well twice now, I guess" I say, twisting again to remind him of the situation he's in. "How badly do you think you'll hurt if I have time to prepare?" I ask menacingly. "Thanks for the tip," I say as I pull out the stake. Damon again grunts in pain. Before he can fully recover, the door is closed on his face.

After cleaning up and a bit of searching through some old things, I replace the stake in the side table, along with some old favors that might help in the future. I see Stefan leave right before Elena comes in, leans against the door, and falls to the ground, crying. I rush to comfort her and help her into her room. In broken sentences she tells me about Vicki completing her transition and how she broke up with Stefan. I comfort her until she cries herself to sleep.

Bonnie and I are hanging out at her locker the next day. Elena is skipping school to check up on Vicki at the Salvatore's. Which she told me through text. Oh, she's gonna be in so much trouble for skipping. This is on top of Jeremy also skipping to look for Vicki, so I'm ready to get both of my siblings.

Caroline walked over to us and hands Bonnie a bag. "I have got your costume! It is all here," Caroline says. Bonnie pulls out a witch costume. I start giggling at the irony.

"Seriously?" Bonnie asks.

"Come on." Caroline says as she leans against the lockers. "Can someone please be excited that it's Halloween?"

I nudge her, "Hey, I am. I have my costume all picked out, so you do not have to get me one." It's my first free Halloween in what feels like forever. I want to enjoy it.

"Thank you." Caroline says. Bonnie pulls out a witch hat that matched her costume. She gives me a look. "I just wanna have fun, you know, just some silly, fluffy, Damon-free fun," Caroline continues. You go, girl.

Bonnie pulls out a crystal. The same one I found next to Caroline when she was passed out at the Founder's party. "Hey, isn't this the one you got from Damon?" Bonnie asks.

"Yep. Wear it. Toss it. I don't care. I just want it gone," Caroline says. She stands up off the lockers. "Hey. Have you seen Elena? Do we know what she's wearing?"

She looks to Bonnie. I don't know why she wouldn't turn me first, but okay. "I was with Grams all weekend. I haven't talked to her," Bonnie replies as she packs her costume into the bag. Wait, seriously? Does that mean that Bonnie is finally learning how to be a witch?

Caroline turns to me. "I saw her briefly this morning and she didn't say much. She told me through text that she is skipping with Stefan, so I don't know what she is wearing," I point out.

Caroline leans against the lockers again. "Riding to his castle on his white horse," Caroline grumbles. Ouch, she's still on Stefan?

"Don't be bitter. It provokes wrinkles," Bonnie says to her and Caroline scoffs. We walk to our class, but I can see out the corner of my eye Caroline touching her forehead as if wrinkles are starting to form. I just smirk at her. Classic Caroline.

Elena stays at the Salvatore's house all day. The next time I see her, she is talking with Jeremy. She is suggesting they go to the Halloween thing at school, which would be good for both of them, so I am all for it. Especially as I planned my costume with ways to protect them both, in case Damon gets any funny ideas.

"Cool. Sure. Sounds, uh- sounds fun. Can't wait," Jeremy says, sounding very bored. He is pouring a glass of water for himself.

He goes to walk away when Elena calls him back, "I know you are upset about Vicki. I heard she called Matt. But you can't be with her. She needs to get better," Elena says. If I didn't know that Vicki was a new, uncontrolled vampire that could kill Jeremy, I would almost think that what Elena said was harsh. But since she is one, I agree with her. Vicki is a mess even without the supernatural element, but Jeremy was happy. But since she is supernatural, there's no decision to be made. "The best thing you can do for her is let her go."

"What does that even mean 'Let her go'? Oh, okay, sure. Since we're such experts on letting people go, right?" Jeremy says. Oh, low blow.

Elena sighs. "I know you may not see it, but trust me, Jer. It's for the best," she says.

Jeremy walks up to Elena. Based on how his back straightens, the Gilbert stubbornness is rearing its head. Wow, we are really bad about that trait. Jeremy is not going to back away from Vicki. "Look, for months after Mom and Dad died, I felt like crap, like 'nothing really even mattered' crap. Now all of a sudden, I get these moments, and things started to feel just a little bit better, and Vicki was in every single one of them. So, you may not see it, but trust me. Keeping me away from her is not for the best." With that Jeremy walks away. Surprisingly intuitive from Jeremy.

I face Elena, "That was brutal."

She sighs and says, "Yeah. It was."

"So, are you coming to the Halloween thing? I was just about to get ready," I say.

"Oh no! I forgot to get a costume," She replies.

"Just wear last year's. You'll face slightly less of Caroline's wrath than showing up without a costume at all," I say as I walk to my room.

break

The party is already in full swing by the time I get there, earlier than my family members as Elena stayed to wait for Jeremy. People are in different costumes and there is spooky lighting and people shrieking all around the place. It should be so much fun, but I am not a fan of this environment. I find Caroline and Bonnie at some candy station, where little kids are reaching for candy inside of the witch cauldron. My friends are both in witches' costumes, with Caroline's costume is a strapless, black and purple corset for the top. And Bonnie's is amber and black and has long draping sleeves. She also is wearing a blond wig.

I see Tyler walking over to them in a cape and shirtless. "Cider for the ladies? It's a Lockwood special," Tyler says.

"No way," Bonnie starts.

I greet them as I walk over, "The last time I had one of those, I think I was hung over until Thanksgiving." It was freshman year, so it might not be as strong as I remember.

They turn around to see me. "Ems, you are a good-looking lightweight," Caroline says. My costume is of a huntress. It is basically a sexy, female Robin Hood. The dress has thick tank top straps and goes almost to my knees. The top is green with a black leather corset-like design with a green skirt flowing out, allowing me to move. The dress is covered with a dark green cape that matches it, which ties around my neck and covers my head. I paired it with black leather boots that go up to my knees. I also have a bow and quiver full of … arrows.

"Hey, the last one I had was back in ninth grade; I can handle my drinks better now," I say to a response of chuckles and nods from my companions, "But still I'm going to pass on that shit," I reply. Drinking dulls the senses.

"I am going to drink until someone is hot enough to make out with," Caroline replies as she takes one. Didn't she tell us that at the Back-to-School Bonfire? And then she found Damon. So, maybe I should stop her from fulfilling that plan.

"Sounds like a plan," Tyler agrees. They clink their drinks together. Bonnie and I just sigh exasperatedly at each other. This is going to be interesting. Please, Care, don't hook up with Tyler.

I spend most of the party with Bonnie and Caroline. Elena walks in wearing last year's nurse costume. She is matching Matt who is also wearing last year's costume, a doctor. Yikes, Matt. At least Elena has a decent excuse, Matt is just clinging onto the past. And being a little bit lazy. I only see Jeremy for a second, but he is not in a costume, just a black hoodie.

Elena finds me; She is searching for Jeremy. Vicki is here and she is not in control.

Damn. I should've known that the Salvatore's wouldn't have this handled.

I immediately start helping her. It takes a good amount of tie due to the dark mood lighting they have set for this place. The occasional strobe lighting is more of a hindrance than helpful, especially as it makes me jump every time.

Stop it, Emilia. It's not like there's a vampire behind every corner. And you can do this. You can handle yourself.

I catch up with Elena at one to find out that Stefan found Vicki only to have her run off. Wow. I am really underwhelmed by the Salvatore's skills.

I stick with Elena from then on.

I am to the one to suggest checking outside and we find them eventually behind the school, by the buses. Jeremy is screaming for Vicki to stop.

I run over to Vicki to pull her off, while Elena grabs a spare plank of wood. Vicki rushes over to Elena. Elena swings the plank of wood at Vicki's head. Vicki swats it away and pushes Elena, launching her into a pile of wood planks. Vicki turns to me and tries to do the same to me, but I evade her. She goes to try again, but again I move away. She's not a fast learner, nor a good fighter, so the next move she makes, I go to take her down. I give her a few quick punches, disarming her, and a hard kick to the chest, knocking her back. She recovers quickly, but her pause gives me time to grab from my quiver. I came prepared.

She flashes to me to attempt to catch me off guard, but before I can make my move, Stefan gets in and pushes her against a school bus. Vicki pushes him away and flashes away. Jeremy calls for her right before she leaves, but it doesn't stop her.

Stefan helps Elena up, who is clutching her side, "Go. Get inside," he tells us. "Go!"

Elena grabs Jeremy before rushing to the door. I stay behind to help Stefan look for Vicki. He looks under the buses, while I scan for her. When Elena grabs the door to open it, Vicki returns. I immediately start running, but before I can get there, Vicki pushes Jeremy back, knocking him down into a garbage can filled with more wooden planks. She grabs Elena and pulls her away from the door. Vicki pulls her in close and starts feeding on Elena, who starts screaming. I make it to them and give a hard kick to the back of Vicki's knees and a quick stab to the side of her back, getting her to release my sister. I pull out the stake and get ready to stab her again as she moves towards Elena. But as I about to stab Vicki again, Stefan comes up behind her to stake her with a wood plank in the heart.

Vicki moves away slowly with a shocked look on her face, one I am sure is mirrored on the Gilbert siblings, marking this as a moment none of us will ever be able to forget. Stefan pulls the plank of wood out from Vicki. She turns around to face him, her body graying. Her last look is to Jeremy. A tear slips down her face before she collapses, dead.

Jeremy starts calling out for her, "Vicki!" Stefan grabs Jeremy before he can reach her. Jeremy keeps calling out for her even as he is dragged away. The pure brokenness of Jeremy's screams for Vicki will haunt me. Everyone just stares at Vicki's body in shock.

I finally shake out of my trance and look to Jeremy and Stefan. "Let's get him out of here," I say to Stefan. "Call your brother. This is his mess to clean up." I grab Jeremy while Stefan grabs his phone. I can hear their quick conversation. I turn to Elena as we leave. "'Lena, stay here. Someone needs to deal with Damon and Vicki's body. If I stay here, I just might kill him and I don't think your boyfriend would like that too much."

"He's no longer my boyfriend," my sister replies.

"That is not the point. You stay here, so Damon doesn't end up dead," I tell her. I grab Jeremy and walk to my car. Stefan follows a step behind.

We drive home and Jeremy rushes upstairs to his room. I make him some tea and go up to his room where Jeremy is sitting on his bed crying. I put down his tea on his side table, sit down next to him and just hold him as he silently sobs on my shoulder.

Elena joins us later. She sits in front of him and places her hands on his shoulders, "Do you understand what happened tonight?" she asks.

"No," Jeremy says, tears glittering in his eyes. "I don't understand. I mean, I know what I saw, but… I don't understand." Jeremy looked so vulnerable with his arms wrapped around his knees.

"She was going to kill me," Elena states.

Tears continued to fall down Jeremy's face. "Now she's dead. Vicki's dead," he says.

I wrap my arms around him tighter. "I am so sorry Jer. I know what she meant to you." I don't fully understand but I know enough to know it hurts a lot.

Elena goes to place her hand on his face as a means of comfort, but Jeremy pulls away. "Make it stop. It hurts," he cries.

I try to shush him, "It's okay," I say, holding him, rocking him back and forth like I did when he was younger. Like Mom used to. One hand in the hair, the other on the back. It's hard to do sideways, but I manage. My discomfort is nothing compared to what Jeremy is going through.

"Why does everybody have to die on me?" Jeremy asks. Ow, my heart. I thought we were supposed to have a good year; this is not what makes a good year. Jeremy was supposed to be safe. I couldn't save Caroline from Damon. I couldn't save Elena from finding out about the supernatural world. And now Jeremy. He was supposed to be safe. I didn't keep him safe. It's all my fault.

My twin gasps out, "Come here," and pulls Jeremy close and me out of my mental spiral. Jeremy is now in the middle of a twin-sister-sandwich. He moves back to crying into my shoulder and we hold him. After almost an hour, Elena leaves, I follow her a minute later, making sure Jeremy's tears have at least slowed.

She is out on the porch talking to Stefan asking, "Can you make him forget?" No, she can't do that to him. He needs to know what happened. He needs to know that it wasn't because of him. He needs a lot of things.

"Elena…" Stefan says.

Elena cries, "Stefan, please. I don't know how he'll ever get past this. I just want him to forget everything that happened."

"He will get past this with time, not compulsion," I say as I walk up to them. Elena turns to me for a second, and then turns back to Stefan. I can tell she is making pleading eyes at him. Well, that's not gonna work, not if I pull out my pleading eyes too.

"Even if I did it, there's no guarantee that it would work- because of how I am, because how I live. I don't have the ability to do it right," Stefan conveys.

"I can do it," I hear Damon say from behind me. I turn to face him. "If this is what you want…" He walks closer to us. "I'll do it."

I shut it down, "No. We are not going to do this to him." Absolutely not. And not with Damon.

"Ems, you saw what he was like after Mom and Dad died. You heard what he said about her helping him. How is he going to get past this?" Elena says.

"It will be hard for him, I know that. But pain and suffering define us just as much as happiness or love. He needs to come to terms with Vicki's and our parents' deaths before he can finally move on with his life," I tell her.

"How do you know that he will come to terms with this?!"

"He is a lot stronger than you give him credit for. He is not a little boy. He will get past this with time." We are both stronger than you can imagine. If I can get through this, so can he.

Elena shakes her head, "I can't wait for that. I can't watch him suffer every day, knowing that there is something that I can do to help him." She looks at Stefan, then at Damon. "This is what I want."

"You don't get to decide this yourself, Elena! This is about what Jeremy wants, not what you do!" I interject. "You can't compel all his memories of Vicki away. We've been together our whole lives. So, are you just going compel away her death? What happens when he has questions about where she went? For once, think of someone other than yourself!" Oops, that might be a low blow.

"I am thinking about what Jeremy wants. He asked for the memories to disappear."

"He didn't know that was a real option. Or the true cost of it."

"Emilia, I am doing this."

I stare in disbelief as she sets her shoulders in defiance. I scoff, "I cannot believe that you are going to let some monster play with out brother's head. Did you forget what he did to Caroline?! She has breakdowns because of him!"

But the hit doesn't seem to affect Elena, "That is exactly why we're doing this. I can't sit here and watch our brother go through breakdowns." Ugh, of course. It's all about how she can't watch. But I bite my tongue before I let that comment slip. But Elena didn't think to do the same as she blurts out, "Not after watching you in the spring."

I stiffen to the point of being incapable of movement. I close my eyes and take some deep breaths. I-, She-. Deep breath. I cannot believe she would bring it up. And in front of these…vampires.

I breathe away the hurt tears before I open my mouth again, "Fine. If you are so set on compelling him, which I still say is a bad idea, you are going to be the one tell him. When he finds out (and I know he will), you tell him why you thought he was too weak to handle Vicki's death or the supernatural in general. And that you didn't trust in him enough. And you tell him that I had nothing to do with this."

This is just another time I can't protect my brother. I failed him. I failed Elena by not getting her to realize what she is doing. It's all my fault

I walk into the kitchen and make myself a cup of tea. I see Damon walk upstairs a little later. She went through with it. As much as I want to help Jeremy, this is not right. This isn't what should happen. Jeremy needs time to get past this naturally, not a supernatural shortcut. I go upstairs with one thought repeating in my head. I open my laptop instead of going to bed. I need to get the thought out of my head.

I failed. I failed. I failed.

A/N: I made some changes to the confrontation with Stefan. I also have a sneaky little Doctor Who reference. See if you can spot them!

Feel free to review!