My set-upon intention of having a restless nights sleep was greatly over expected on my part.

I must have tossed and turned about eight times in the past forty minutes, and that's me being generous. I took one final toss before I called it quits. I groaned in annoyance as I picked up my phone to check the time, it read 6:15.

"Screw it." I sighed and climbed out of bed. I clearly had some energy I needed to burn off. I usually ran around in the woods to release the tension. I hadn't run in a while, not since I turned, so to say I was looking forward to it was an understatement.

I stripped out of my pyjamas as I walked to the closet to retrieve my workout clothes. I pulled out a pair of black shorts and a sports bra while I checked the weather app on my phone. It was going to be nice again, so I could get away with the shorts and sports bra without people thinking I'm crazy.

Then again, who isn't crazy these days.

The cool breeze and steady rhythm of my heartbeat was just what I needed on this fine morning. Even though it was early in the morning, there were quite a few cars and people out. Which I found unusual. I found myself lost in the music as I ran, picking up the pace after each mile, only just breaking a sweat as I reached mile 8. If I ran any faster, I'd be breaking into my supernatural speed. A little while later, I came to a staggering halt as I stood outside of Tyler's house. I thought as I was passing by I could pop in and ask his mom how he was doing. Just as I was about to walk up the drive way, his mothers black SUV turned in. I smiled and waved as I seen him in the passenger seat and followed up behind the car.

"Tyler," I smiled and hugged him as he climbed out of the car.

As he hugged me back, he crinkled his nose and pushed me away, "Jess, you stink."

"Charming!" I laughed and punched him on the shoulder. He winced slightly at the contact and I gasped, covering my mouth to stifle my laugh, "Shit, sorry!"

"Be gentle with him, Jessica." His mom warned me with a smile.

I hadn't seen Carol since the revelation came to light about Tyler and I being related. I held no ill will towards anyone. Especially not to Carol, after all, she had no part in my moms affair. It was out of my system, but it was still awkward to know. Yesterday's chaotic events had slipped my mind whilst running, so much so that I didn't even think before punching him playfully.

I slumped my shoulders and mouthed, 'sorry'.

Carol laughed lightly as she retrieved her bag from the back of the car while Tyler swung his arm over my shoulders as we walked towards the main door. Carol reached the door seconds before us as Tyler and I were too busy laughing about something that had happened years ago. I was too lost in the moment to realise that there were two unknown men standing in the foyer as we entered the house.

"Who the hell are you two?" Tyler said as he glared at them.

I looked away from Ty to take notice of the two men who stood to attention as we entered.

"Tyler, it's okay," Carol said in a calm tone, "They're here for your protection."

Seems about right. She always was the type of mother to go crazy at the slightest incident.

"More deputies?" Tyler shook his head in annoyance.

"Not exactly," I instantly stilled at the sound of his voice. My eyes widened as Klaus rounded the corner into the room with a third hybrid following closely behind.

"Klaus..." I sighed under my breath.

Under any other circumstance, I would have been happy to see him so soon. Somehow, he had managed to find out about the hunter, and chances were, he knew that I knew and didn't tell him last night. I was not looking forward to our pending conversation.

Shit.

Klaus took note of Ty's arm wrapped around my shoulders and the choice of outfit I donned this fine morning. His head slightly tilted as he stared at me, causing me to hold my breath.

He did not look happy.

"They're hybrids?" Tyler asked, breaking the awkward tension.

"I was half way to Chicago when I heard you were attacked." Klaus looked towards me as he spoke before shifting his gaze to Tyler and his mother. "I had hoped to leave Mystic Falls for good, but duty calls."

"Nice to know you care." Tyler muttered.

Klaus walked the short distance across the room, stopping behind a small table that we were standing on the other side of. "I don't. I should have killed you for the little stunt you and your friends pulled. Stopping my heart, leaving me in a coffin to rot." Klaus' eyes flicked towards me as I gazed up at him. "However, I know that your death would hurt the lovely Jessica here. That is the only reason your heart's still beating."

I swallowed, hard.

"Yeah, well you used my body as an escape hatch, then kissed my sister in my body. So, maybe we're even." Tyler fired back.

Klaus shook his head, "Not even close. But, you hybrids are a dying breed. I can't make more of you, and I won't have anyone taking liberties with the ones I have left." He smirked, "Consider them your new bodyguards."

With nothing left to say to Tyler, Klaus fixed his attention onto me and I bit my bottom lip, nervously.

"Jessica, love. Why don't you and I have a little chat?" Klaus said almost cheerfully, but I knew something else was brewing behind his blue/green eyes.

I slowly nodded my head as he reached his hand out for me to take. As he guided me further into the house, Klaus splayed his arm over my shoulders, much like Tyler had earlier. Asserting his dominance. As we entered the office area, he ushered me inside first before entering himself and closed the door behind.

"I believe you lied to me, Jessica." Klaus said in a low, rugged tone as he leaned against the closed door.

"I did not," I replied dumbfound, trying to think of what to say. "I just simply didn't tell you."

His eyes narrowed before he whooshed over to me, pinning the back of my thighs against the large wooden table. I pressed my palms against the tabletop, bracing myself.

"I asked why you didn't return to the mansion, and I asked if you were alright, did I not?" Klaus said as he towered over my frame.

"I-I told you I stayed at mine and I did." I replied between staggered breaths. "And I said I was alright because I was, Klaus."

"You should have told me about the hunter." He said lowly.

"I know...I just thought that if I told you, you'd rush back and I didn't want you to have to come back so soon after just leaving."

"I'm more than capable of dealing with a hunter, love." He said as his hands moved from my shoulders to my waist, holding me firmly in place.

I tried to fight the smile from creeping on my face and failed, gaining a smirk from the hybrid. "Believe me, I'm well aware." I said before I moved my hands from the table and placed them on his chest. I fiddled with the zipper of his jacket as I filled him in a bit more on the hunter. "He's smart, Klaus. He had hand carved, wooden bullets laced with vervain. He also wore a glove covered with it too. I'm guessing that's how he figures out who's a vampire or not."

"Does he know about you?" He asked as his fingers trailed up my arm.

I shuddered under his touch, "I-I don't know," His fingers traced my jaw before pinching my chin, tilting my head back. "No, I-I don't think so."

"Good." Klaus replied before leaning in and pressing his lips against mine. I pleasantly welcomed his advance as my hands snaked up his torso towards his face, pulling him in closer. We stood together for a few, long moments before he pulled away, breaking the kiss. My eyes fluttered open as he continued to caress my cheek, a coy grin on his face. "As much as I'd love to stay and continue, there are matters I need to attend to." He eyed my clothes, or lack there of, before he smirked. "And you have some clothes to find."

"I was running!" I replied slightly breathlessly as he led me out of the room, hand in hand until we reached the front door. As one of his hybrids opened the door for him, Klaus stood in the doorway, blocking me from going any further.

"Another thing," Klaus began to speak, but I cut him off.

I rolled my eyes and folded my arms over my chest in anticipation, "Let me guess, more rules?"

He grinned, "I want you to stay here, with Tyler. Under the protection of my hybrids, until the hunter has been dealt with."

I frowned, "What? For how long?"

"As long as it takes."

"What if I refuse?"

"Well, I could always compel you to stay here." Klaus warned in a low, commanding tone.

My eyes widened slightly, "You wouldn't."

"Oh, I would." Klaus' smile faded, "If it meant that you were safe, that's what I'm prepared to do."

I thought it over for a few moments. "Fine," I sighed, "I'll stay here."

"Don't be mad, love." He teased as I pouted and my posture relaxed.

"I'm not," He eyed me smiling, knowing full well that I was lying through my teeth, "Okay, I am."

Before he could say another word, I twisted on the spot and walked back into the house. As he shouted goodbye from the front door, I gave him a backwards wave before disappearing round the corner.

As I walked through the house towards the ground floor office, I finally found Tyler sprawled out on the sofa tossing a football between his hands.

"You don't by any chance happen to have some of my sister's clothes here, do you?" I asked as I walked into the room.

Tyler peered over the back of the sofa as I came into frame. He looked at me a little bewildered, "What are you still doing here?"

I rolled my eyes and took a seat on the sofa beside him, "You've got a house buddy for the time being."

He sniggered, "He's making you stay here, too?"

"Yep." I replied, popping the 'p' with as much enthusiasm as a deflating balloon.

He laughed and continued to toss the ball back and forth. I grew tired of waiting for his reply to my earlier question, so I grabbed the ball. "Hey!" He called in annoyance.

"Clothes, Tyler!" I moaned and motioned towards my sweaty sports wear.

"Uhh, the top drawer in the dresser, I think." He said and I turned on my heels, headed towards the door when he shouted, "My ball!"

I didn't turn around as I tossed the ball over my shoulder in his direction. I laughed at the fact that he only just caught it as I heard him scamper to his feet. "And you call yourself a captain!" I yelled before jogging up the stairs into his room.

Once I was inside his room, I made a b-line for the shower to wash the sweat from my body. The burning water caressed my body as I scrubbed at my arms before washing my hair with some of Caroline's left over shampoo. Fresh out of the steamy shower, I walked towards the dresser to see what clothes my sister left behind. I was happily surprised as to what I found. Taking out a pair of dark jeans and a pine coloured tank-top, I made quick work of drying my body before slipping on the jeans. I held the top in my hand as I rummaged through his drawers, looking for a bra or something similar to wear underneath. Once I found one of Care's jammed into another drawer, I pulled it on before drying my hair until it was slightly damp.

I skipped down the stairs and headed in the direction of the office once more, passing by one of the hybrids on the way. Tyler sat in the same spot, the ball by his side as I slumped into the seat beside him and held the ball as he eyed me.

"So, Mr. Captain," I teased, "What do you want to do?"

Just as Ty was about to reply, a brunette that I'd never seen before entered the room from behind.

"So, this is where you've been hiding, huh?"

Tyler turned around in his seat, "Hayley?!" He stared at her in disbelief as she entered further into the room.

I watched as Tyler quickly got to his feet and walked over to hug this stranger.

Tightly I may add.

Clearly he knew her from somewhere. For a split-second, I thought she was about to kiss him by the way she cupped his face and gazed upon him, but then she shoved him in the chest, and I relaxed a little. That was until she called him 'Lockwolf' and I instantly gagged.

"Ass!" She yelled, "I thought Klaus had killed you."

As I went unnoticed, I sat and observed their little interaction.

"I should have called." Tyler sighed.

"From your trailer park in Florida? You liar!" Hayley laughed while taking a look around the room before she sat on the desk. "You're totally loaded!" She said as she swung her legs back and forth. "I chained you up all over the Appalachians. I talked you through every turn. I helped you break the sire-bond. You could have told me your real story."

"Really, Tyler?" I broke my silence from the sofa, gaining the attention of the brunette. I arched my eyebrow before continuing, "You never mentioned that you had help breaking the sire-bond. Were you ever going to tell us?"

Tyler looked a little red in the face as he stood between Hayley and I. "Eventually, yes."

I nodded sceptically, "Sure."

He turned his attention back to Hayley, "I didn't want anyone to follow me back. Werewolves weren't safe around Klaus, and you shouldn't be here, either. His hybrids are all over this house, and so is he." Tyler lowered his voice.

Hayley shrugged, "I know," She said nonchalant as she stood from the desk. "One of his hybrids is with a pack I ran with. He called me and told me that he was coming to protect a guy named Tyler, and I thought, 'what are the chances?'"

Tyler and Hayley fell silent, sharing a fleeting glance before she continued with a smile. "Well, the least you could do is pour me some fancy, rich-people scotch."

"Sure! Absolutely." Tyler was quick off the mark to fulfil her request as she took a seat on the sofa beside me.

"You must be Caroline." Hayley said as she eyed me.

I smirked, "Her sister, actually."

"Oh, sorry." Hayley smiled apologetically. "So, you're the secret sister?"

"Don't be." I waved off her confusion, "Happens all the time. My name is Jessica, and yes. I am 'Ty's' secret sister."

Tyler crossed the room and handed her a glass of the 'rich-people' scotch before taking a seat on the chair opposite us. I couldn't quite shake the feeling that there was something else going on here. Something between the both of them as they shared awkward glances, but maybe it was just me.

A while later, a knock at the front door made Tyler leave the room the three of us were seated in. Aroused by the curiosity of who this mystery knocker was, I quickly followed a few steps behind. I shouldn't have been surprised to see Caroline standing at the door, but I was. She came bursting into the foyer, smiling from ear to ear as she swung her arms around Ty's neck.

"I ditched Rebekah's ditching party." She said before kissing him. When she pulled away, she gasped in surprise when she seen two other figures in the room with them. Not including me, as I was stood round the corner a little.

"What's with all the testosterone?" She asked, confused. I peered out from behind the wall as we locked eyes. "Jess? What are you doing here?"

As I walked further into the clearing, Tyler groaned before answering her earlier question. "Hybrids. We're on house arrest." He motioned between us with his index finger.

Care rolled her eyes, "Says who? Your mom?" She lowered her tone and stepped forward, "Come on, let's sneak out."

"Where's this party Rebekah's throwing?" I asked quietly.

I didn't ask about the party because I wanted to go, I asked because I hadn't seen Rebekah in days. Nor had I heard from her. It would be nice to know if she was alright.

Care shrugged, "The address is on the flyer." She said as she handed me the piece of paper, and I quickly shoved it into my back pocket.

Tyler nudged me and shook his head, "Not my mom, Caroline." He told my sister.

Caroline stared at him, still confused. Tyler and I stared back at her, waiting for the penny to finally drop. A moment later, realisation smacked her in the face.

"You're kidding me," She said, exasperatedly. I simply pressed my lips into a fine line and nodded my head. "Klaus?"

"Why don't you go to the party? Have some fun for us." I smiled at my sister as she pouted.

"But, I'd rather hang with you," She replied, "Both of you."

"Trust me, I am no fun right now." Ty shook his head.

Care nodded slowly in agreement. However, the disappointment in her eyes didn't go unnoticed by me.

"I'll phone you later." I said before hugging her goodbye.

Once I was satisfied that Caroline was out of earshot, I turned around ready to yell at Tyler, but he was gone. I threw my hands in the air before I walked down the hallway to the office where we were sitting. As I neared the door, two voices echoed from within.

"Klaus?" I whispered as I lingered outside the room.

"She's quite fetching, that Hayley." Klaus' voice hummed in amusement.

"Where is she?" Tyler shot back more urgently.

"Oh, she had to run, but don't worry, I had her take the back door so Caroline wouldn't see."

"Whatever you think you know..." Tyler began to defend himself when Klaus cut over the top of him.

"I don't know anything, but I've put together a pretty convincing picture." I could hear the smugness in the hybrid's voice as he continued on. "Why don't you tell me where my imagination deviates from reality?" The sound of footstep crossing the floor from inside the room made me step closer to the door. "You went off to the Appalachians to break my sire-bond. There, you met a pack of werewolves, begged them for help. Among them was a girl. She was gorgeous, with the same animal instinct as you. Emotions ran high, inhibitions ran low-"

"-Stop it!-" Tyler yelled, but Klaus continued.

"Then, in a moment of weakness, the thick sexual tension became something much more real."

"I said stop!" Ty yelled once more.

I'd heard enough.

I burst through the door, bringing the argument to a halt as I stood between the two.

"Jessica, love," Klaus said as he leaned back against the wooden desk. A devilish smirk on his lips. "Sorry you had to find out about Tyler's little indiscretion like that."

"I already had my suspicions." I sighed as I faced Tyler.

As I inhaled, fully intending to berate my sister's lover, Tyler's phone on the desk began ringing. Klaus leaned over, smiling as he read the name on the screen.

"Hello, Damon." He said as he held the phone to his ear and walked around the desk to take a seat, swinging his feet up onto the polished wood in the process.

"Brilliant." I scoffed and folded my arms across my chest.

Could this day get any worse?

"Tyler's otherwise occupied, making big decisions about honesty and whatnot." Klaus smiled as he continued, "Is there anything I can do?" He fell silent before looking towards Tyler, "He wouldn't. I, however would be delighted to accompany you."

Klaus hung up the call a few seconds later once he had the information he needed from Damon. As he stood from the seat, he stood in between Tyler and I and smirked. "I suppose you two have a lot to discuss. I, however, have a hunter to deal with." I rolled my eyes as he left the room without another word.

Waiting until he was out of earshot, I faced Tyler and scowled. "How could you do that to Caroline? To my sister?!"

"Whoa!" Tyler raised his hands in submission, "I haven't done anything. I'd never cheat on Care, I love her."

"You never stopped Klaus when he was rambling on, either. Did you?" I spat back.

Boy, was he making me angry.

"He didn't give me much of a Choice." He fell silent for a few moments, thinking over his next words carefully. "There are things that happened up in those mountains. Things that he can't know, Jess."

I frowned, "What 'things'?" Getting more and more frustrated by the moment, I grunted. "You know what, no, I don't want to know!"

As I turned around and headed towards the door, he called after me. "Where are you going?"

"To a party!" I yelled back quiet enough for Ty to hear, but hopefully not loud enough for prying ears.

"You can't leave, Jess." Tyler decided to remind me and I laughed.

I turned around as I stood in between the door frame, "Well, whilst I keep this little secret of yours from my sister. You can cover for me whilst I leave out the back." I flashed him a sarcastic smile before I took his hoodie from the back of the couch and headed for the kitchen.

I arrived at the address written on the flyer Caroline had given me. Just as I began to walk up the path, I noticed Elena and Stefan heading in my direction.

"Hey guys," I said as we reached each other.

Elena looked enraged, and I could only think of one person who could possibly be behind it.

"Hey, Jess," Elena greeted. Stefan remained silent, only giving me a tight-lipped smile. "We were just leaving. If I were you, I'd do the same."

"Oh, I'm not going to be here long." I reassured her.

"See you later?" Elena smiled weakly before walking off with Stefan in tow.

There were a lot of people covering the grounds as I walked towards the house. I stood by one of the kegs outside and surveyed the area, looking for Rebekah. She was nowhere to be seen outside, so I made my way inside. I found her a few moments later. She was standing in front of a mirror. Her hand trembled by her side.

"What are you doing here?" She asked, looking at my reflection in the mirror before turning to face me directly.

"I just wanted to see how you were." I replied as I followed her into the kitchen. "I haven't seen you in a few days."

"You mean since you let my brother snap my neck?" She glared, and rested her back against the counter.

"It wasn't like that." I replied. "I didn't know he was going to do that. I thought that both of you were just arguing."

"Look," Rebekah began to speak but suddenly fell silent as her hand trembled, just as it had done before.

"Are you okay?" I looked at her, worriedly.

"I'm fine. You can leave now." She said.

I eyed her sceptically as she finished the liquid in the red cup. "You don't look fine, Rebekah."

As I took a step forward, she backed away. "What do you care? You just pretend to be my friend when it suits you."

My mouth fell open as I looked at her, flabbergasted by her accusation.

"That's bullshit, and you know it!" I replied and narrowed my eyes.

"J-Just get out." Rebekah replied without looking in my direction. "Go!"

I sniggered and shook my head, "Fine. Suit yourself." As I headed for the exit, I stopped briefly and faced her one last time. "I just wanted to make sure you were alright."

With nothing more to say, I left the house and wandered for a few hours until it became dark out. I walked through the square and sat on a bench for a while until there was no one left on the streets. I took a mental note that the hybrids probably figured out I was gone by now, so I decided to return back to Tyler's.

Reluctantly, I may add.

Walking up the back steps, everything seemed quiet. I couldn't hear anyone inside the kitchen or the surrounding area as I opened the door and entered inside as quietly as I could, turning the lock behind me to secure the door. I gasped as a whoosh of air surrounded me and pinned me against the fridge.

"Ugh," I gasped as I tried to catch my breath.

"I warned you."

I looked up to meet Klaus' heated gaze as he held me tightly.

"Your hybrids should be sharper." I said as I shook free of his grasp and pushed him to the side.

He ran his hand over his stubbly chin, as I walked towards the sink and poured a glass of water. Ignoring the longing gaze that was now upon me.

"I told you to stay here." Klaus said, leaning his back against the island as I stood opposite him, my glass in hand.

"Well," I began to speak but stopped briefly, taking a sip of water, "I didn't really feel like staying in the same house as Tyler at that moment."

He smirked, "Ahh. Sibling rivalry already?"

I narrowed my eyes, "It's not funny, Klaus." I scalded him as he continued to smirk at the expense of my sister. "He's going to tell her...One way of the other."

"I don't doubt it." He replied sharply. The smirk that Klaus wore on his face slowly faded away as he took notice of the clothes I was wearing. More specifically, the hoodie.

"What's wrong?" I asked and began to look over my appearance.

"His scent," Klaus grumbled in a low voice, "It's all over you."

"I know," I replied and sniffed the sleeve of Ty's hoodie.

"Why are you wearing his clothes."

I shook my head and laughed lightly, "I'm not. I'm wearing his hoodie, that's all." Klaus' eyes narrowed and turned darker. A slight flicker of gold flashed through his iris' as he eyed the garment. "Wait a minute," I grinned, "Are you jealous?"

Klaus sighed in exasperation, "Don't be ridiculous!"

He didn't even have to reply as his face gave him a way before words could.

"Ohh, I'm not," I laughed and walked closer to him. "You're the one being ridiculous here." I made it a point to close the gap between us, letting him inhale Tyler's scent from my body even more. As I noticed the change in his demeanour, I backed off. "If you didn't notice this morning, I didn't have a jacket. So I took the first thing I saw. Which happened to be his hoodie."

Klaus' jaw tensed. I rolled my eyes and placed my glass on the counter beside him before taking a step backwards. "If it bothers you that much, then -" I paused as I pulled the hoodie over my head. The hem of my top crept up my torso as I pulled the hoodie off and dropped it to the floor. "Happy?" I watched as Klaus' eyes glinted once more as he eyed my body. I grabbed the bottom of my tank-top and pulled it down quickly, causing him to snap his eyes back to mine. "Sorted then!" As I made a move towards the door, he caught my wrist, holding me in place.

"Where are you going?" He asked in a low tone.

"The conversation's over." I replied, "I'm going upstairs."

My breath was knocked from my lungs as Klaus used his hybrid speed to pin my back against the island. He cupped my face and smiled wickedly before slamming his lips onto mine. He kissed me with a hunger I'd never experienced before, and it truly took my breath away. I smiled against his lips, causing a low, dominating growl to vibrate from his throat. Placing my hands on his shoulders, I pushed down, using his body as leverage to hop up onto the counter.

Klaus walked forwards between my thighs as he began to move his lips along my jaw line. My head lulled back in sheer pleasure as he softly nipped at my neck with his teeth, causing a soft moan to escape my parted lips. His hands moved up my thighs in unison until he reached the bottom of my top. Slowly, he began to raise the thin fabric until I jumped at the sound of the floorboards creaking.

"Klaus..." I gasped as he continued. "Klaus, we can't." I arched my back as his hands held onto my bare waist under my top. "Carol or T-Tyler could walk in."

Klaus removed his lips from the side of my neck and looked at me with a smirk. "Don't worry, love." He said as he trailed his fingers along the waistband of my jeans, "I'll simply compel them to forget whatever they may, or may not see."

"Klaus..." I laughed lightly as he continued to kiss along my collar bone. "I will never forget." I said as I pushed him back, stopping him in his tracks.

He stared back at me with a devilish glint in his eyes and a wicked grin on his lips. "I could compel you as well, love."

I gently punched his shoulder, "I'd never speak to you again if you did. I'm still holding a slight grudge against you for making me kill your mother...Even though she deserved it."

Klaus smirked, "You'd be none the wiser, sweetheart."

I narrowed my eyes, "Are you willing to take a gamble on that?" His eyebrow raised as he smiled, bearing his pearly-whites. "Thought so." I smiled back before hopping off the counter top. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a cell to get to."

I physically felt his eye roll from across the room as he straightened his shirt. I turned on my heels and headed towards the staircase, and as I stepped onto the bottom stair, Klaus walked up behind me and grabbed my waist, turning me to face him.

"Stay here this time." He said as I now looked into his eyes from eye level.

I tutted my tongue, "I can't promise you that."

"Jessica." He warned.

"Fine," I smiled, "I'll think about it."

"No. You'll do it."

"I'm not a dog that you can command, Klaus." I replied as I rested my hands on his shoulders. He smiled as I grinned at him, knowing full well that I wasn't going to follow his rules.

"If you leave..." He paused as he thought through his next words, "You take one of my hybrids with you."

I screwed my face up at his suggestion, "Is that my only option?"

"Indeed." He whispered, "Just until the hunter is dealt with."

"Fine."

"I'll know if you sneak out again." He said as he placed a small, delicate kiss on my lips.

"Yeah, yeah." I said before smiling.

"Goodnight, love." Klaus said as he removed my hands from his shoulders, placing a kiss on my knuckles before placing them back to my side. "I'll see you sometime tomorrow."

"Goodnight," I replied and leaned in, kissing his cheek before I walked up the staircase and headed into my temporary room.