Hi everyone :) Some questions have arisen, I'll try to answer them in the best way I can. First, Innieminnie noticed that it is mentioned quite a lot that Evangeline and her mum work a lot because they ''need the money'' – I intentionally left this without an explanation. So, don't worry, the answer to that will come! Next, why doesn't E wear gloves? Hm... Well, I see it like this: she developed an evasive behaviour really early in life and kind of stuck to that. Also, it's not only the touching that affects her/she can affect, . Also, by not wearing gloves whenever she's around people, she doesn't have to deal with unwanted questions about them. So, it's kind of a safe, yet not-so-safe, route to take, but still.
Then, finally – I really want to thank HouseOfWolves12 for the extremely uplifting review. As some of you know from these author's notes, I have, and have been having for some time, some health issues (more than usual lately); and when I read your comment it just made my whole day/week so much better. Thank you :) I'm glad so many seem to enjoy this story, thanks a bunch for sticking with it guys :D
Disclaimer: I don't own The Vampire Diaries
About a week had passed since the fire at The Grill and it almost seemed as things were back to normal. The place had been fixed up fairly quickly, and was back in business as usual. I took a few shifts, not as many as before because my mother refused to let me overwork myself after what had happened. My head didn't hurt anymore, but I had a few scabs to show for it.
The only thing that really had changed was that Elena had come over a few times to practice with me. I had to say, for going at it for such a short period of time, I'd actually made some progress. Well... the progress was basically me not feeling as tired after practicing as the first couple of times. So, it wasn't like it was a huge step forward.
It felt like things really just were getting worse and worse. Which was weird, considering how normal everything else in my life seemed. I hadn't been there for any of it, but after everything had happened Elena filled me in on it.
Klaus. I shuddered. Somehow, his name seemed to have that effect on people as soon as they learned about him. I just couldn't help it. The worst thing was how he was a complete phantom – no one seemed to know a thing about him or how he looked. Thank god this was a small town. Any newcomers would surely stand out.
I went out of my room and into the bathroom to splash myself with some cold water, and inspect my face. It wasn't too bad, but still visible, because my skin was so light. I decided that, since I had nothing else to do today, I'd make some fruit salad or something and watch a movie. Maybe that could get the restlessness out of me a bit.
When I got back into my room, I heard my phone vibrate on the desk. Rushing to pick up, I didn't even check who the caller was, but I knew the voice on the other line from somewhere, I just couldn't place her.
''Miss Moreau?''
I pressed the phone a bit closer to my ear, because the sound was muffled for some reason.
''Yes?''
''Hi, this is Karen from Mystic Falls High?''
I thought I recognised the voice on the other side of the line. ''Oh, Karen, hi!'' I greeted the school administrator.
''I was wondering if you could jump in as a chaperone at tonights decade dance,'' she asked hopefully. ''I know we normally don't do that, but you know we trust you and we really are a little short on people.''
''Oh,'' I said, processing for a second. ''Yeah, sure.''
''And the usual compensation, of course,'' Karen added.
''Sure, I'll go.''
We said goodbye and after I'd hung up I skipped down the stairs to get a snack. I opened the door to the fridge and stopped dead in my tracks staring into nothing.
What had I been thinking?
Why did I say yes?
I realised that I'd just thrown myself off a cliff into an ocean of emotion. Was I going to be able to handle it? You've done things like this before, a voice piped up in my head. True, I had. But that didn't end well.
I felt myself starting to cold sweat. I'd already said yes, I couldn't just call back and cancel. And I would get paid.
Shutting the door, I clasped my hands nervously and paced back and forth in the kitchen. I tried to focus on the memory of mine and Elena's practice sessions, because surely; if I'd made progress I should be able to go to a school dance?
I quit my pacing and grabbed an apple from the fruit bowl on the counter. Then I sat down, and took probably the most decisive bite out of an apple I'd ever taken. No more fretting, I told myself. Just deal with it. I took another bite. I can do this. I should just see it as a form of CBT. This dance was the perfect opportunity to get some practice in, aside from the help I got from Elena.
My mind was completely focused by the time I threw the core in the bin, just do it-LaBeouf style. Then, a thought crossed my mind, letting worry seep into my head again. It was a decade dance. Did I have to dress up, too?
I got there about half an hour before the whole thing started. A few of the regular staff were already there, and I was ushered towards the snacks table by the Maths teacher, Mr. Marston, and immediately began emptying crisps in bowls. Looking around, I only saw two teachers – and that was including Mr. Marston. Some of the students in the organising committee was there as well, but I couldn't see Caroline anywhere, and I was pretty sure she was part of it. It would surprise me if she wasn't.
I hadn't gone full out dressed up, but somewhere close to it with a dress that was the closest to the sixties I could get out of my wardrobe. It felt a little weird to chaperone, but most of the students still knew me as basically a teacher, so I tried my best to keep on acting like it. An not being completely dressed up, like all of them were, kind of helped.
The music started just before everyone started welling in, and before I knew it I was standing in the midst of a full-fledged party.
So far, I'd managed fine enough. It was hard with so many people around me, but the excitement they felt from coming there had calmed down.
I strolled along the sides of the room, slowly making my way to where the drinks were. There wasn't too much too keep my eyes on, everyone seemed to have fun and behave. Up until now, at least.
When I got a bit closer, I saw Mr. Saltzman leaning casually against one of the tables, gazing out over the crowd.
''Mr. Saltzman!'' I called. When he didn't react, I repeated his name when standing next to him pouring a drink for myself.
His face twitched, in a strange way, into a smile when he realised I was talking to him.
''Hi,'' he drawled, and I thought, that he seemed kind of off. But I could be imagining it. I wasn't really in my best form in situations like this, invaded by so many other people. It was hard to read people. And besides, I hadn't really talked to him in what seemed like forever.
''So, how about this sixties theme?'' was my weak attempt at conversation. I had most of them figured, but not him. Not yet, not his supernatural world persona.
Mr. Saltzman crinkled his nose, looking half disgusted and half horrified. ''Not my decade, not at all.''
''It's kind of in between,'' I agreed. ''But not completely.''
''It was awful,'' he cringed and sipped loudly from the cup in his hand.
I chuckled. ''You make it sound like you were there.''
The smile that crept upon his face was strangely twisted, it almost didn't look like him.
''It's been great chatting, gotta run!'' he exclaimed out of the blue, and gulped down his drink, put the empty cup on the table and disappeared between the dancing mass of students.
His departure took me by surprise, and I found myself, at first, wondering if I'd said anything wrong. Then, I frowned at his back as he walked away, but after a few seconds I shrugged it off and got back to trying to chaperone. There really wasn't that much to do.
I was in the middle of taking a sip from my cup when someone yanked on my arm so hard that I choked and had to spend the next few breaths coughing like a maniac.
''W-what?'' I wheezed when I finally could focus on whoever wanted me for something.
''You need to get out of here,'' Elena's dark eyes were frantic with worry. Fear surrounded her like a mist. ''Like, now.''
''What? Why?'' I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand, feeling extremely attractive.
''He's here. Klaus. You need to go,'' she warned. ''Now.''
I looked around, trying to find any unfamiliar face. I hadn't seen anything out of the ordinary at all.
''But...''
''Please,'' she begged.
''I can't just leave you,'' I objected meekly. I didn't know what to do, or how to help, but I felt like I couldn't just bolt. What kind of chaperone would that make me?
''Please,'' she said again and grabbed me by the shoulders, giving a tight squeeze before she turned around and ran off.
My legs started walking on their own. I gently slid through the mass of students. I tried to keep my eyes on Elena, but she disappeared out through the entrance before I'd even gotten across half the room.
The hallway outside was empty. I listened carefully, which was kind of difficult with all the commotion behind the doors behind me. I had no idea where Elena had gone.
Somewhere in the distance I could make out a scream.
It sounded like a girl, high-pitched; but there was no way of telling who it was, or why she screamed. I started running down the hall, but barely got anywhere before choking when someone suddenly slammed me into the lockers.
''Elena told you to leave, didn't she?''
I frowned up at Damon, who was leering down at me with dark eyes. ''Someone was screaming-''
''Yes, and I'll take care of it. Now, go.''
He kept his eyes tightly locked on mine, and I realised just about when he did, that he couldn't compel me.
''Shit,'' he mumbled and released his tight grip on my shoulders. ''Just go. We'll deal with it.''
''But-''
''Listen, you can care all you want, okay?'' Damon snapped. ''But we both know your only contribution is super unpredictable, so just listen to me for once when I tell you to go. It's for the best, believe me.''
I looked at him, and knew he was right. In a blink, he whooshed away and was gone, and I was left leaning against the locker wall. I didn't leave. I waited, listening intensely. No one was screaming now, but the air was thick with grief.
Damon was right. I didn't really have control over my powers – and they were my only defence if I threw myself into anything. I didn't know what I had been thinking. What chance could I possibly stand against an original vampire?
I pressed my fists against my face in anger – at myself, not Damon, or anyone else. I wanted to help them, but what could I do except get in the way? I cursed myself for the blasted empathy that seemed to make up my whole being. If I couldn't keep myself in order, then all I was... was a hindrance.
Now, more than ever, I realised the importance of getting the grasp of my powers. I couldn't keep on cowering. If it meant I could help people – then I'd rather take that than the alternative. Because, right now, I felt so discouraged. Lowering my hands from my face, I stared at the floor in front of me. If I didn't get control over this now, I could put people in serious danger.
I'd been dragged into this mess, but it went against all that I was, and wanted to be, to not be able to help people and only be a burden for them.
Slipping my phone out of my bag, I saw that I'd gotten a text.
Elena's gone home with Stefan.
Really, Damon was as short in his messages as in real life.
What happened?
I pressed send and waited.
Don't worry.
My brow furrowed when I saw his reply. Yes, because that's the answer I wanted. Then, my phone vibrated again.
Klaus left. Everyone and everything's fine. Go back to chaperoning.
I should be grateful I even got that much, I supposed. How I was meant to clear my mind of this, whatever had happened, I hadn't a clue. It was like something was boiling under my skin – I wasn't sure if it was anger, fear or adrenaline. Clenching my fists and relaxing them for a few times, I tried to get rid of the feeling.
My legs took me in the direction Damon had went before. I walked down the hall and turned left to one of the small lounge areas with a vending machine, and a few tables and chairs. I stopped immediately when I saw the mess in front of me.
There was paper spread all over the floor, and when I breathed in, my nose was filled with the smell of burnt electronics. I looked up to the lights in the ceiling. The glass on them was broken. I took a few tentative steps around. Paper crunched under my feet, and when I took a closer look I realised that they were posters and notices from the wall. Apart from all that, there really wasn't any other signs of a fight or something. No blood, thank god. And Damon had said they were all fine, but...
I rubbed my arms up and down to try and warm myself up. It wasn't that it was cold, but whatever happened here made the hairs on my arms stand up.
Sighing, I turned around and walked back through the doors. If I wasn't going to get any answers here, and if they couldn't tell me yet, I suppose I'd just have to take Damon's word – despite how anxious it made me.
My steps echoed in the empty hallway when I headed back to the dance. I didn't know how I'd be able to focus, but it was soon over. And then I could go home.
When I woke up the next morning, I was completely worn out. I'd guess it was mainly because I was woken by my phone ringing, but last night most likely had something to do with it as well.
''H-'' I cleared my throat, ''hello?''
''Ev?'' Elena's voice sounded muffled through the phone. Instantly, I felt more awake. I'd tried getting through to Elena last night, but with no luck. So, I didn't know a thing about what had happened with Klaus.
''Yes?'' I sat up a little in bed. ''How are you?''
''I-'' She went quiet.
''Elena?'' I asked. ''You there?''
A scratchy sound filled my ear. Elena whispered something inaudible.
''I can't hear you-''
She spoke quietly. ''Can you come to Stefan's house?''
''Now? Why are you whispering? I can barely hear you.''
''I don't want them to hear,'' she whispered. ''I need your help.''
When I got to the Salvatore house it was still morning, but the sun had peeked out. Elena met me at the door, opened it slowly, and closed it after me without almost any sound.
She put her finger to her lips, gesturing me to be quiet, and led the way down the hall into through a door that led down to the basement.
Only after the door had been closed and we were standing on the stone floor down in the dark did she open her mouth to say something, and even then it was only a whisper.
''Thanks for coming.''
''Are you okay?'' I whispered back. ''What happened yesterday?''
''I'll tell you about it later?'' Her eyes begged me. ''Please?''
Her answer nagged me a little, but I obliged. Whatever it was she wanted my help with was obviously important.
''Come on,'' she mouthed and walked to a door opening a bit further away.
I followed carefully behind her, to see what it was she wanted help with.
When I saw what lay before me in the small space inside of the open door, I gasped and covered my mouth with one hand, involuntarily stepping back against the doorframe.
''Is that...'' I couldn't even bring myself to finish.
His skin was grey and thin as paper, crackled; like it would fall apart at the smallest touch. Covered completely in dust, his suit torn... it seemed impossible that he could come back to life. Would he look like that, still?
''Elena...'' I bit my quivering lip. ''He looks...''
It was like she'd read my mind. ''Remove the stake, then they're back to normal. And some blood, I guess,'' she mumbled, frowning at his body, like she didn't know if she should do whatever she was planning.
''If we're both here he is more likely to hear us out,'' Elena bit her lip, ''I think. I didn't want to take any chances.''
My breath caught in my throat. She wanted to wake him up?
''But...'' I gulped when Elena kneeled next to Elijah's motionless body. ''Why?''
''He said he wanted Klaus dead'' Elena claimed. ''And if we pull the dagger out of him...'' she drew a sharp breath, ''we can use it to kill Klaus.''
I stayed where I was, but Elena was still fixated on Elijah. For a few seconds, her hand hovered over the white oak stake imbedded in Elijah's chest. Then, in one quick motion, she pulled it out.
He didn't wake up at once. Elena moved back a little and leaned against the rough wall. I stayed put – close to the door. I had no idea what was going to happen, how he'd wake up, how mad he'd be. Elena seemed to handle it like it was nothing.
Suddenly, Elijah drew a sharp breath and his body convulsed.
Elena rushed to his side. ''Elijah?''
His gaze was fixated at her, and he mumbled: ''Katerina...''
I just stared at him. He didn't fall apart, despite looking so fragile. Elena quickly hushed him. ''It's me, it's Elena.''
''My god,'' his voice quavered, and then his head fell back against the floor.
It was really, really strange to see him like this. To see someone, so powerful, so weak. It made me uneasy.
''Is he...?'' I started but, didn't get to finish.
Even if I knew we had to be quiet, I couldn't help but let out a strained croak instead of a scream, when I saw and heard the first crack.
I wished I didn't have to see it, but even if I closed my eyes I wouldn't escape the sounds. Elijah's body twisted in freakish ways, cracked and snapped back and forth like nothing I'd ever seen before.
''I can't breathe,'' Elijah forced out. Somehow, he got on his feet, and whooshed back and forth in the room so fast I got a little dizzy.
''What's happening?'' I said in horror. ''Elena?''
''I-'' She seemed at a loss for words.
''I can't'' Elijah stared at me, grunting. ''I can't be in this house.''
Elena's eyes widened when something dawned on her. ''You're not invited in! He's not invited in, Ev!'' He wheezed something inaudible before running out the open door and away from us. Elena and I stared wide-eyed at each other before we took of after him.
We found him on his knees outside the front door. I glanced worriedly at Elena. He looked so angry. He tried to get in, but an invisible barrier was in the way.
''What happened?'' he asked, face grim.
''Shh,'' Elena hushed him. She tapped her finger against her ear and looked towards the upper floor, where Stefan and Damon was. ''I'll tell you. Not here. Can I trust you?''
''Can I trust you?'' Elijah retaliated. His eyes wandered from Elena to me. My heart jumped. His eyes drifted down towards my ribcage, like he'd heard it.
I heard Elena let out a sigh, but couldn't tear my eyes away from Elijah. The image of his convulsing body was forever etched on my mind. When Elena suddenly handed over the stake I felt like grabbing her hand and taking it back – if it was so powerful, we should keep it, right?
But I quickly came to my senses. Elijah probably wouldn't accept either of our words, no matter how interesting we seemed to be to him.
''We need to leave,'' Elena nodded towards me. I hesitated to step over the threshold. My eyes met Elijah's again, and the corner of his lip turned up into a small smile. Not a friendly smile, really, more of a jeering one.
He moved when I stepped past him, but I still held my breath. I felt his eyes on me, but I kept mine on the ground.
''You're hurt,'' he commented. ''What happened?''
''I'm sure Elena will tell you about it,'' I mumbled and waited for Elena to shut the door, suddenly very conscious about my face and the scabs on it.
I'd taken the bike there, since Elena seemed so keen on keeping quiet. How any of that ruckus had avoided the ears of both Stefan and Damon was beyond me, but the house remained silent. Elena walked straight for her car, but I slowed down and stopped before I got there.
I understood that she was taking the car somewhere for her and Elijah to talk, but obviously, she knew more than me and I didn't quite know what to do or where to go. I didn't want to leave her with him, but at the same time I didn't know what my place riding along with them would be.
''Elena,'' I called out softly, trying to get her attention.
Her dark eyes peeked over the opened car door, before she walked away from the car and came up to me.
''You don't have to come,'' she told me, seeing my tentativeness. ''I don't want to drag you into something...'' she trailed off. Her hand went in her pocket and a few seconds later she held up her phone to me.
I don't want you to have to use yourself as leverage, somehow. I think the dagger is enough to get him talking.
It made sense now – why she'd called me. Elijah's interest in my powers could have been used as a backup. I didn't think it offended me, but I also didn't want to divulge if it wasn't necessary. Elena understood that.
''Will you be okay on your own?'' I asked in a low voice, even though I knew Elijah could hear everything we said.
She nodded, and I believed her. ''I'll stop by your house when we're done, and tell you everything.''
I felt a little relieved. ''Okay.'' She hadn't decided to keep me out of the loop.
My eyes involuntarily went to Elijah. He was so difficult, so extremely difficult, to read. But Elena was easier, and I trusted her on that she'd be fine.
''I'll see you later then?''
Elena nodded. ''Yeah. I'll text you when I'm on my way.''
And so, I turned my back to them and got on my bike, pedalling away on the dirt road through the forest, completely unaware of a dishevelled Elijah studying me intently from afar.
