Chapter 5
You're Undead to Me
October 2, 2009
Evelyn huffed, and wiped stray hair out of her face, before gazing through her binoculars once more. The Salvatore house was silent and naturally the windows were dark. She couldn't see inside unless she were close enough, but she didn't want to risk one of them seeing her. She briefly wondered if Zach Salvatore was a vampire too or maybe he just was in on the big secret. Hiding Stefan and Damon inside the family home. She didn't recall ever seeing Zach out of his home often, but he wasn't odd and he seemed normal enough, but maybe that was the illusion.
Movement caught her attention and she froze, eyes trained on the far window. It was Stefan.
She watched him gazing outside and felt her insides chill at the thought of being discovered. She was attempting to stake out the house, see ways in and out, hidden passages or something that would come in handy when she eventually went inside. If she could get the courage to do so. She had the means and lots of google knowledge of how to kill a vampire, but honestly…She might end up dead. Another victim. She sighed as Stefan went back behind the curtain.
"Why does your bag smell like cigarettes and body sweat?" Caroline asked Evie, wrinkling her nose as the girl came into the bedroom, fresh from a shower.
"Good morning to you too, Care."
"Seriously, it's gross."
Evie rolled her eyes. "It's my jacket. I was at the shooting range this morning. That's why I asked if I could shower at your house."
Bonnie raised an eyebrow. "Again? You've gone every day for the past week. What's up with that?" Evie shrugged. "Is it your dad?"
"Sort of." She grabbed her bag and pulled her scrunchie out. "Thanks for letting me use the shower, Care."
"Mmhm."
Evie sat down next to Bonnie on Caroline's bed. "So…what are we talking about?"
"Care was telling me about Damon."
"What about him?" Evie asked, frowning. "Has he said anything to you?"
The taller blonde shook her head. "Nope. I was just saying that I don't really remember what happened that night at the Founder's party. I remember the party. Damon came up behind me, kissing my neck…or biting my neck. I passed out. It's like there are holes in my memory lately. It's just weird." She paused. "Maybe I let him bite me."
"Why would you do that?" Bonnie asked, frowning, she was examining a candle in her hands. Lighting the Lockwoods' candles the other night had made her curious enough to try it again.
"Because he's a manipulative psychopath. He probably told her it was okay." Evie scowled, clenching her fists. "Did he threaten you, Care? I'll punch his nose again."
"Can we just not talk about it? Okay?" Caroline stated, brushing her hair. "I don't want to talk about Damon. I don't want to talk about any of it. Just want to go back to normal." She noticed Bonnie staring at a candle and rolled her eyes. "What are you doing with that candle?" Evie glanced over, having not even noticed that was what she was holding.
Bonnie caught her eye. "Nothing." She set it down quickly as Evie raised an eyebrow. Her fingers brushed a chain on the bedside table. "What's this?" She held up a necklace with an amber colored stone in the middle.
"Damon gave it to me…Or he was going to give it to me." She came over to them. "All I know is that it's mine now."
"It's ugly," Evie wrinkled her nose and Caroline snatched it from her.
"Then get your grubby hands off it."
The girl snorted. "Well, keep it then. I sure as hell don't want it."
The tall blond hung the necklace on the coat rack in her room and turned to her friends. "So, tomorrow is the fundraiser…."
Evie got the feeling this was aimed at her. "And?"
"It's the Sexy-Suds Carwash." Caroline beamed. "And I was wondering…"
"Oh, no, no, no." She shook her head, automatically. "No way, Jose."
"Aw, come on. It's for a good cause." The blond bounced on the bed and gave her a pleading look.
"It's degrading and besides, I'm a school photographer. I'm not obligated."
Bonnie elbowed her. "Do it."
She scowled and elbowed Bonnie back.
"No."
"I need more sexy people." Caroline whined.
"And you asked me because…"
The other two both sent her a look.
Evelyn rolled her eyes. "Stop staring at me."
"I know you have a bathing suit. I was there when you bought it." Bonnie rolled her eyes.
She kicked her foot. "Shut up, Bon."
The mocha skinned girl gave her a pouty look. "Please come? It'll be fun. Please?"
Evie sighed. "Ugh, fine, but only for a little bit."
"Yay!" Caroline beamed and bounced on the bed, making them all giggle. Evelyn sighed quietly when Caroline and Bonnie launched into a talk about bathing suit appropriateness. She couldn't shake the sudden feeling that the carwash was a bad idea.
"Evelyn."
She froze from pulling her backpack from the truck cab. It couldn't be him. Could it? This was a nightmare, right? She quickly pinched herself and winced. Nope.
She turned her head and frowned. Sure enough her ex was standing behind her, gold hair and smiling like a fool. Just like the first time she had ever seen him.
"Troy." She muttered and the golden-haired teen beamed at her. "It's nice to see you."
"Sure it is. You say that because you can see out of both eyes now."
His smile faltered a bit and shuffled. "I'm not proud of what I did."
"Why are you here?"
"Just moved here. So, you interested?"
"No thanks, Springer." She said curtly and he took her arm when she made to leave. "Let me go or I'll punch you."
His grip on her faltered. "Look, I really am sorry. Just let me make it up to you. Please." His fingers stroked her cheek. "You're just as pretty as I remember."
"Get off me." She scowled and clenched her fist.
"I wouldn't hurt you again."
"That's right you won't." She jerked her arm away and slammed the door of her truck closed, locking the door stalked off without another look.
"What's going on with you? Really?" Bonnie asked her and Evie shrugged as she dug through her locker at a furious pace. "Don't give me that. Did Damon hurt you too? I noticed how close he kept getting to you the other night at the party."
Evelyn scowled. "No! You think he'd still be alive if he did?" She snorted and the other girl smirked.
"Yeah, that was a stupid question." She tilted her head. "So what is wrong then? You seem agitated."
"I just…I just saw Troy." She admitted. Bonnie was the only person she trusted with that knowledge. She's the only one who knew of her ex.
"What? Are you serious? He's here?"
"He moved here. Today's his first day."
Bonnie narrowed her eyes. "He better keep his hands to himself."
"Yeah, he better." The other girl muttered. She told Bonnie most things, but not everything. And it was better not to worry her, she'd handle Troy on her own.
The brunette nodded. "So…you sure that's all?"
"And I'm some kind of witch apparently. According to my Gran."
"Really? That's…wow." She was at a loss for words.
"Yeah, but my dad hates it." Evelyn frowned worriedly.
Bonnie started to say something when:
"Unbelievable."
The girls looked over to see Elena standing next to them and she nodded at Caroline who was coming up the hall with flyers for the fundraiser. "It's like nothing happened."
"She's in denial." Bonnie murmured.
"You can't expect her to hide. It's Care." Evie snorted. "She'll never let it show that it bothers her."
Elena nodded and tucked her hair behind her ear. "Yeah I guess."
"Hey." A voice said softly and the girls looked over.
Evie saw Stefan and scowled down at her feet. "I'm going to be late. I'm going to go."
"We have ten minutes before the bell rings." Bonnie protested and raised an eyebrow before seeing Stefan. "Oh, I, uh, gotta go too…" She and Evie went down the hall, leaving Elena and Stefan alone. The vampire had seen the odd look on Evie's face and it confused him.
"Hey, can we talk?"
Evie looked up from the book she was reading. Stefan stood in front of her, a half-wary expression on his face. He also seemed lost and unsure.
"Yeah, I guess." She said at length, setting her book on her lap, still open, and leaned against the tree she had been sitting in front of.
He nodded and sat across from her on the grass.
"You know."
She didn't have to ask what he meant. "What you and your brother are? Yeah, I know." She frowned. "I won't pretend to like it or understand it, but I've never seen evidence that you've hurt anyone."
"I don't and I wouldn't. I optioned to feed off animals. No dogs or cats."
A small smile came to her face at that last teasing sentence before her face hardened again.
"I believe you. And…Damon?"
"I think you know the answer to that." Stefan said seriously. Evelyn nodded. She shut her book and sat up straighter. "So, you can't tell anyone. At least I'm asking you not too. It's a lot to ask, considering, but-"
"I won't expose you, because I trust you." She told him truthfully and glanced away for a moment. Stefan watched her, realizing how hard it really was for her to say she trusted him. Something had made her untrusting, not she didn't have a right to be but her reaction to any vulnerable emotion was a strong indicator that something had happened to her in the past. "You've shown me that I can trust you, but I can't say the same for Damon." She met his eyes again, the vulnerability gone.
"I wouldn't expect you too, but in this case, it might be better if he is not exposed either. For my sake, more than his." He told her, glad she wasn't running for her life, but he knew that would be better in retrospect.
She nodded. "So where is he?"
"He's where he can't hurt anyone. Ever again. You don't have to worry about him."
She leaned closer, narrowing her eyes. "Look, I'm not worried about myself. I'm worried about Caroline. All the compulsion is making holes in her memory."
Stefan nodded. "I'm sorry for that."
"Don't apologize for Damon," She scowled. "Although I am curious as to why it's taken so long to put him down."
He sighed, his brow furrowing as he thought how best to answer her. "He feeds on humans. So, he's stronger, faster, and he's been lurking in the shadows so long it's become a second nature to be cunning and deceiving." He couldn't help but notice how tense she was talking about Damon and how interested. It wasn't good for her to obsess over the fact. Damon was just Damon and that was that. "He hasn't hurt you has he?" He grew concerned, suddenly recalling Damon saying she was already his puppet. Had he hurt her and she was remembering?
"No." She shook her head. "Just been a creep."
Stefan nodded once, but he wasn't really convinced. Damon wouldn't say that just to provoke him. He had meant it. The seriousness of his face that night had said it all. Somehow, someway, he had done something to Evelyn that she either was compelled to forget or she was pretending not to know.
"It's unfair to ask, but-"
She stood up and shook her head.
"I won't tell Elena, but I think you should eventually." With that, she tucked her book under her arm and headed off towards the school. She was halfway there when she came back abruptly, a strange expression on her face. An expression he recognized as panicked. He had never seen her look like that before. "Pretend to talk to me about something." She said suddenly and Stefan noticed a tall, blonde guy a few feet away, staring at her. "Please."
Stefan's brow furrowed, but he did as she bid.
"Who is he?" He asked her lowly and she shrugged carelessly, eyes wandering back to the blonde guy who seemed to be waiting for her.
"Just an ex."
"Never seen him before."
"He just moved here." She answered brusquely, dismissively. "Is he still there?"
Stefan nodded once. "He's staring at you."
"Is he coming over?"
He looked again. "Yes."
"Damn it." Evelyn cursed.
"Evelyn."
"For the love of all that is holy, leave me be!" The girl rounded on the guy instantly, tense as a spring. She hissed her words at the tall guy warningly, like a frightened cat. "I don't want to talk to you."
"Please, give me a chance to explain." He told her and tried to take her hands. "I miss you."
"Screw you." She snarled and slapped his hands away from her before, she shoved past him, stomping towards the school. Stefan watched her go with a confused and concerned look.
Troy turned to Stefan. "Girls." He laughed halfheartedly.
"Who are you?"
"Troy Springer. What's your name? Are you her boyfriend?"
Stefan shook his head. "Stefan Salvatore and no, I'm just a friend."
"Good. Because she's kind of my girl."
"She doesn't seem to like you very much." He pointed out, getting a very odd and disturbing vibe coming from the young man. Troy looked like every guy a high school girl would love to be with. He was tall and jock-built with blonde locks of hair that fell into his eyes.
"She's fickle. She'll come around." Troy said confidently and walked off. "See you, Steven."
Stefan frowned after him.
"He's been telling everyone at school that you're together." Matt frowned. "Who is this guy?"
Evie scoffed. "Just this pain in the ass I dated once. A while back."
"Well, he's…odd."
"You're telling me." she muttered before looking at Matt. "Is that all he's telling?"
"Yeah and that he's the reason you guys broke up and how you're so nice and now you're giving him another chance."
She scowled and slapped her math book closed. "I told him no! Why can't he take a hint? I don't want to be around him."
"Did he hurt you?" Matt asked automatically, narrowing his eyes. "If he did, Ty and I will kick his ass. Ty was close to bashing him in the skull today."
"Thanks, but I'll handle it." She told him.
"That didn't answer my question." He pointed out, more concerned than ever. Evie was good at hiding her feelings, always had been. But the more Matt looked at her, the more concerned and alert he became. There was something in her eyes, a flicker of fear, something he had never seen except the time the Ferris wheel broke down and they were at the top. It hadn't been the height, just the thought of never coming down and she had held his hand the entire time. He had never told anyone to that day. It wasn't the same kind of fear in her eyes, but it was fear all the same. The guy had obviously done something, maybe not hurt her, but creeped her out. He could see that; the guy was a bit nutty.
"No, he never hurt me. At least not the way you're thinking." She told him and had he not seen the look in her eyes, he would have believed her.
"Good." He said instead, and she smiled before opening another textbook. He heard a familiar laugh and looked up from the pool table, frowning. Evelyn heard it too and cursed under her breath.
Troy wandered up to where they were and came over to Evie who looked ready to murder him if he sat down.
"Hey, babe. I've been looking for you."
"Buzz off." She snapped, and he just smiled. Matt found it creepy. "Why do you keep telling everyone, we're together? We are not dating. I hate you."
"Come on, Evelyn. I've said I was sorry." He sat across her from despite her protests. "Can't we let bygones be bygones? I want you back."
Evelyn glared at him. "No."
Troy looked at Matt. "That you're boyfriend?"
"N-"
"Yes." Matt answered before Evie could. The girl blinked at him before recovering fast.
"Yes, Matt is my boyfriend. Now leave me alone, Troy. I don't want to go back with you."
Troy looked from her to Matt before a dark expression crossed his face. He glared daggers at Matt, who was gripping the pool stick tightly. "I'll go, but this isn't over. I'll want you back, Evelyn. And I will get you back." He stood up and stalked off, but to Evie's annoyance he only went to the other side of the Grill with some other guys.
"Thanks, Matt, but you shouldn't have bothered. He'll figure it out and come back."
"He's creepy, Evie. Be careful."
She nodded. "You be careful, Matt. He's a…Well to put it bluntly, a moron."
"Hey, Matt have you seen Stefan?"
They looked over to see Elena coming toward them.
"Nope." The blond guy shook his head.
She turned to Evie. "Have you?"
"Not since school."
Elena looked around the room a frown on her face.
"But if you want to kill some time, you can rack." Matt offered to her and turned to Evie, looking guilty. "Evie, I was going to ask you-" She just shook her head.
"It's okay. I need to finish my essay anyway if we have to be at that carwash tomorrow. You go ahead, Elena." She told the girl and went back to her book.
"Come on, we haven't played in forever." He smirked and then said in a sing-song voice: "I'll let you break."
Elena smirked and took the pool stick from him.
"And there's Vicki all nonchalant in the bathroom like they're not hooking up." Elena scoffed, taking her turn at the cue balls.
"Yeah, I'm not gonna lie, your brother and my sister, that's weird."
"Yeah."
"I think it's kind of sweet in a weird way." Evie spoke up and they looked at her. "I mean Jeremy has shown more compassion and love for Vicki than Tyler has. Don't get me wrong, Ty's my friend, but…Jeremy seemed more attentive to her."
Matt nodded. "Yeah, I have to agree with you there. Still weird though."
Elena agreed and looked at Evie. "So…you and Troy?"
"Don't ask." The boy scowled. "He's an arrogant ass. If he asks, I'm dating Evie." He told Elena. "Make sure he understands that. I don't think he really believed us."
"I told you, he'll figure it out eventually." Evie muttered. Elena frowned.
"Is he dangerous? Has he hurt you?"
"No, he just thinks he can get me to go back out with him."
Elena's phone buzzed, and she glanced down at it before looking back up. Matt tilted his head.
"How late is he?"
"Hitting the hour mark. Nothing's wrong though." She got ready to take her turn again. "Which means I'm not talking boy problems with you."
"Good. I mean it's not we were ever best friends or anything."
"Okay. Here it goes. What do you think of Stefan? Is he a good guy?"
"Why? What's he done?" Evie smiled at her book. Defensive Matt to the rescue again.
"Not any one thing. He's just so secretive all the time, I think there's something that he doesn't want me to know about, which makes me want to know all the more."
Evie bit her tongue to stop the retort from bubbling up. It was Stefan's secret to tell.
Matt laughed. "Like what? Like that he's a serial killer and he keeps a clown suit in his trunk?"
"Close enough." Evie muttered under her breath. "For Damon."
"No, of course not." Elena laughed back. "But what do we know about him, really?"
"He's great at football. Little bit of a loner. And as much as I hate saying it, he might be a nice guy."
"So, you think I'm just being paranoid?"
"I think you should talk to him."
"Talk to who?"
They turned to see Stefan. He shifted apologetically.
"I'm so sorry that I'm late."
Elena frowned. "What happened?"
"I got held up."
"Is everything okay?"
"There's this thing with my uncle."
She arched an eyebrow. "And you couldn't call and tell me you'd be an hour late?"
"Okay." Matt said loudly. "You two have fun." Evie slid out of the booth.
"Wait for me!"
"Tell me the truth." Matt said quietly. "Has he hurt you, Evie? Really hurt you?"
She rolled her eyes, finishing off her milkshake. "Matt, let it go. He's just a creep."
"You're scared of him." He said suddenly, eyes trained on her for reaction.
She opened and closed her mouth before scowling. "I am not."
"I can see it. I know you, Evelyn."
"Obviously not. If he had hurt me, you think I wouldn't hurt him back?" She questioned.
Matt nodded. "You might have." He countered. "But it scared you. Still scares you to think that would happen again."
"You don't know what you're talking about." Evelyn snapped. "Just leave it alone, Matt." She grabbed her books. "I'll see you tomorrow." She stormed out of the Grill, leaving Matt to frown after her. She didn't see Stefan frowning after her as well, having heard the conversation.
October 3, 2009
"You came!" Bonnie smiled and Matt looked up from setting down the water bucket.
"Hey, Evie."
"Hey, guys." She waved at them and Caroline tapped her on the shoulder. "Hey, Care."
The tall blonde gave her a look. "Um, what are you wearing?"
"…Clothing."
"You know what I mean, Evie." She narrowed her eyes. "Where is the bikini?"
"Under my-Hey!" She fought the hands that were tugging at her jacket. "Back off, Care!"
"Jacket off. We are going for sexy not grandma."
"Okay, okay, bossy pants." Evie rolled her eyes and unzipped her jacket. "Happy?" She slid it off, feeling awkward. She was wearing strapless blue and pink tie-dyed bikini top and a pair of black shorts.
"Better." Caroline approved and handed her a bucket. "Now go be sexy." Evie scowled at the girl's retreating back.
"Seriously?"
"It's really pretty." Bonnie smiled.
"It's the only one I had as you know." She muttered, cheeks pink.
Matt wolf-whistled and she threw a wet sponge at him before laughing.
"Nuh-uh. None of that tortured pining stuff." Bonnie said suddenly.
"I'm just observing."
"Uh-huh."
Evie saw the next car pull up.
"Tiki, this one's yours." The girl told her and Tiki made a face.
"Why do I always get the homely ones?"
"They match your personality." Evie retorted, and the girl scowled at her.
"Shut up, Harper." She glanced at the guy getting out of his car. "By the way, your car's a POS. I mean we can wash it, but it's still a POS."
"You don't have to be rude." Bonnie snapped.
"No rude is uglying up the road with that junker. It's like Evelyn's truck. A POS."
Evie narrowed her eyes at the water bucket Tiki was going for. Suddenly, the water exploded up from the bucket drenching her with water and soap.
"Ah! What the-? Oh, my god. What the-?"
Matt jogged over to help her. "Whoa, wet and wild Tik."
Bonnie looked at Evie. "Did you just…Evelyn!"
"Well, Karma's a bitch." The girl retorted, and the other girl started giggling quietly.
"Can I borrow you…And your truck?" Caroline asked her and Evie looked up from her phone. She was taking a break in the school for the moment.
"What? Why?"
"I know you want to bail." The taller blonde rolled her eyes. "Can you give me a ride?"
Evelyn shrugged. "Yeah, sure. Where too?"
"Damon's house."
"Why?" Evie frowned. "He's not home, Care. Stefan said-"
"I know!" She snapped and then sighed. "I just…I left something. I want to get it." She chewed her lip. "Please, Evie? I'll be quick."
"All right, fine. Does Stefan know we're going to his house?"
"Uh, yeah. I asked him."
Evelyn nodded. "All right. Let me get my keys."
"I'll wait for you." Evie told her and Caroline went up to the house. She watched her try the door and then go to the side doors tugging on each until one wasn't locked.
Caroline had been very strange the entire ride. Silent which wasn't normal in the least and she looked distant and spaced out. Getting a bad feeling, Evie got out of her truck.
She stepped into the Salvatore house warily. All was quiet. Slowly, she walked further into the house. There was no sign of anyone there and she got a worried feeling in her gut. Walking silently through the house, she checked every corner of the first floor and then she spotted the basement door. It was open just a tad, so with one hand she shoved it open, wincing at the creaky noise.
"Caroline?" She called down, but couldn't see anyone.
Her hand tightened on the railing she went down into the basement. It was cold and a bit drafty and she swallowed back apprehension. She heard a voice and paused, listening hard.
"Oh, my god!" Caroline exclaimed. "What is this?" Evelyn peeked around the corner. The perky cheerleader was looking into what looked like an old-time cell door, a sliding bolt locking it shut. "How did I know you were here?"
"Because I wanted you to." A familiar voice answered her and Evie's eyes widened. "Very, very badly." There was some shuffling and Damon's face appeared behind the bars on the little window. Evelyn frowned and hid back out of sight again. He sounded weak, looked weak even, but that could be a ruse. Why had Stefan kept him in the basement of all places? Why not in some place more secure?
"Let me out of here. Please."
"You bit me." Caroline stated and Evie smirked. That's right, Care! Don't let him fool you!
"You liked it. Remember?"
"Why do I keep remembering the same things, but in different ways?"
"You remember what I want you to remember." Damon answered, his patience running thin. "And now that the vervain has passed out of your system, you won't remember what you're about to do."
"What am I about to do?"
"You're gonna open the door." He said and Evie closed her fist around the stake hidden in her jacket. "You're gonna open the door."
"Oh, hell no!" She shouted and went down the steps as fast she could.
Damon blinked at her appearance.
"Don't open that door!" Evelyn grabbed her best friend, but the girl fought her. "Caroline!"
"I have to open the door!"
"He's a vampire! He's in there so he can't hurt you!"
Caroline shoved her off and Evelyn was knocked against the door, unfortunately within reach of Damon. His arm locked around her neck in a chokehold, holding her trapped against the door and forced to stand on her tiptoes to avoid the worst pressure.
"Hello, my Eves." He murmured and she tried to bite his arm. "Ah. Don't you do it, Eves. Open the door, Caroline, or I'll snap her neck."
"No!" Evelyn choked out, but Caroline was already working on the bolt with a frightened expression. It barely slid out when:
"No, no!" Another voice shouted and Zach Salvatore appeared. He grabbed at the door, trying to keep it shut and attempting to pull Evelyn away from the vampire. Damon's arm slipped, releasing the girl and she hit the ground, her arms keeping her from slamming face first into the rough concrete floor. She scowled before looking over her shoulder in apprehension. She knew that Zach couldn't hold the door for long. Arms aching and scratched up, she pushed herself to her hands and knees, looking at the terrified blonde on the stairs.
"Go Caroline! Get outside!" Evie urged her and the confused and spooked girl bolted up the steps without hesitation. Zach was fighting with Damon over the door, so she was blocked from leaving.
The starving vampire still had enough strength to escape and he used it to shove both the door and Zach out of the way. The door hit the man and moved him back far enough for him to escape. Damon kicked him for good measure and as Zach went to his knees, the vampire snapped his neck. Being in the predator mode, he momentarily forgot that Evelyn was still sitting in the floor watching him with wide eyes of fright, and he ran up the steps to pursue his running and moving prey, Caroline.
Evelyn swallowed nervously, heart beating wildly in her chest. She moved over to Zach.
Warm blood trickled down her arms and she felt ill from the thought of it, glad that she couldn't see it or she would have thrown up. Her jacket covered the scratches.
"Mr. Salvatore?" She called in a loud whisper, but tried to keep her voice low at the same time. "Uh, Zach? Can you hear me?" His head was at an awkward angle. She had heard the snap of course, but she had to be sure. She pressed her trembling fingers to his neck, checking for a sign of life. There was nothing. He was gone. Damon had really killed him. She pulled away hastily.
"Oh, shit."
She flinched when she heard something break upstairs and slowly crept back up the steps. Evie swallowed nervously. He was probably lurking around, watching her. Waiting to kill her. Where was he? Had he already gotten Care?
Damon was about to break another chair in frustration when he heard the stairs of the basement creak. Then he remembered his other house guest. Evelyn. He moved silently, like the killer he was, and came to the hallway. Hunger pains racked his body and he winced inwardly. He needed to feed and now. The scent of blood was coming from the basement and he wondered if she had hurt herself. He moved out of her sight, but where he could still see her and he watched her come up from the basement, looking wary. He followed her leisurely throughout the house, watching her peer into different rooms, her heart thudding wildly in her chest.
Then she stiffened. Like she felt his presence. She pivoted around instantly, her eyes landing on him. He blurred towards her before she could make a sound and he had her.
"Hello, my Eves, looking for someone?"
"Let me go!" She yelled as he held her flush against him, her back against his front. "What did you do with Caroline?!"
"Do you mean, did I eat her?" He smirked before running his nose along the back of her ear, inhaling her scent. She tried her best to elbow him, fingers digging into his biceps to try and pry him off her. Her nails were bitten down quite a bit, he observed, a nervous habit he had never seen her do.
"Get off me you, perv." She growled like an angry cat and tried to stomp his foot.
"I don't know about you, but I'm starving." He struck then, sinking his fangs into her neck and she fought harder, not screaming as he thought and hoped she would. Her blood filled his mouth and he started to drain her like a starving man, which he was, but then…
Damon gagged suddenly, his stomach clenching like he had eaten something rotten. He choked, blooding running down his chin, and he pushed her away from him, shoving her roughly out of the way, as he promptly spat out what he had ingested, moving to lean against the wall with one hand. Evelyn hit the floor and rolled onto her back, sitting up with a hand clasped to her bleeding neck, watching the vampire spit her blood out like it was poison or something disgusting. She looked at her bloody hand and swallowed.
"Crap." She muttered and screwed her eyes shut.
The vampire wiped at his mouth, confused and angry that he couldn't feed from her. Why couldn't he feed from her? What the hell was that? Damon felt his stomach return to normal the urge to feed coming back full force, but now he had another problem. Evie's mutter pulled him from his thoughts and he looked up from his bloody hands to stare at her with a mixture of perplexity and aggravation. It wasn't vervain. He'd know that instantly, he would have been able to keep it down, but this…
Then he really got a good look at her.
"Eves?"
"Stop, stop, stop." She uttered to herself, refusing to look at her hand. She felt helpless and it caused panic to swell in her chest. It was numbing, and she felt sick.
Damon watched her, frowning when she started exhibiting symptoms of a panic attack. Her heart was racing madly, and she looked ready to faint.
He stepped closer, more confused than before. "Hey, Eves. Relax." He said soothingly. "It's just a little blood." The fight or flight response was reflecting clear as day in her apple green eyes when she looked at him and he frowned. "Hey, you're okay." Her breath hitched, and she buried her face in her knees.
That wasn't what he had expected. All the fight had gone out of her in all of five seconds.
"This happened before?" She nodded her head and he knelt in front of her. "Look at me." She did reluctantly, looking unsure. "Are you sure that's happened before?"
"Yeah…" Her voice was small and so unlike herself that Damon wasn't sure what to do. "I don't like my own blood."
"Hm." He nodded, feeling out of place. He never anticipated this kind of reaction from her and he wasn't all that good at comforting anyone. She began chewing on her thumb nail, her eyes focused on her shoes. "Damn it." He said under his breath, so low she couldn't hear him. "Come on."
Sighing, he bent down and got his arms under her. The reaction was immediate.
She tried to push away from him, but he lifted her off the floor.
"No! Put-put me down." She yelped, she was shaking and looked ready to throw up.
"Not until you don't look ready to puke." He countered and carted her up the stairs. This was not what he wanted to be doing right now. But as long as the sun was still high in the sky, he was stuck in the house. And this new development kept him occupied for the moment.
She stayed silent as he carried her into his bedroom and then into the adjoining bathroom. He set her on the sink and she turned her head so she couldn't see the bloody mess.
He cleared his throat and she glanced at him. "Can't see what I'm doing. You need to take your jacket off."
Her head snapped quickly up and she glared at him, eyes narrowed. "No." That was more like his Eves and yet not. It was like the night of the football game. She was being very defensive, uncharacteristically so. He frowned back.
"I can't clean your neck or your arms with it on. Take it off, Eves."
She tried to get away from him, but he made her sit still on the sink.
"Screw you!"
"What the hell is your problem?" He snapped back, annoyed at her behavior and annoyed that he had been so close to having blood and now not getting it. "Take the damn jacket off unless you suddenly like seeing your own blood."
Confused at the embarrassed flush of her cheeks and the sudden redness of her nose, he watched her jerk the zipper down and then take off the jacket angrily. She refused to meet his eyes, glaring at the wall instead.
"There! That better you perv!?"
She was wearing a strapless bikini top and a pair of skimpy shorts. He arched an eyebrow at her attire before rolling his eyes.
He chose not to acknowledge her lack of clothing, which made her relax slightly. He wet a wash cloth and a gathered his supplies on the sink, trying to remind himself why he needed to clean her up. The smell of her blood, though tempting, was not for him and he had to remind himself that he couldn't feed from her. Yes, cleaning up the blood and fixing her neck would be the only way for him to not to think about killing her. For the moment.
"What are you?" He asked aloud, not really speaking to her. "Why can't I feed from you?"
Evelyn frowned. "I don't know. Maybe you got a guilty conscience."
He snorted in amusement. The familiarity of their banter, making it easier for him to calm down and really think. "No, I don't think so. I don't get a guilty conscience."
"Right. I'd believe that." She muttered under her breath. He snorted and fell silent.
Finally, she couldn't stand it. "Well, say something, this is awkward enough."
He smirked. "Fine. We might as well have ourselves a little conversation then. How do you know what I am?"
She didn't answer and he rolled his eyes.
"Come on, Eves." He prompted and she scowled. "You said you wanted to talk. You know I won't stop until you answer."
"I saw you bite Caroline at the Lockwood's." She said reluctantly at him when he smirked in triumph. She saw the look and scowled. "Shut up." He smirked wider and she continued. "I saw your brother carry you off like you weighed nothing. Didn't take me long to put it together. The original registry was you two."
He nodded. "Knew you were smart. Obviously not smart enough to stay out of the basement." Evelyn glared at him and he almost smiled. He finished with one arm and went to the next. He wasn't entirely avoiding the view in front of him, he stole glances at her from time to time. She never caught on and if she had it would probably embarrass her. Her embarrassment from earlier had intrigued him. He knew she would get flustered often from compliments, but she always brushed them off as nothing more than polite conversation. He had to admit she was a beautiful girl.
"Ass." She snapped and eyed him warily. "Stop ogling me. It's creepy." Ah, so she had seen.
He smirked. "Oops."
She rolled her eyes.
He could see curiosity in her eyes, something she was trying to suppress, but he knew she couldn't. It wouldn't be fair if he didn't answer her questions, now that she knew. However long she would know the answer and he had a few questions of his own.
"Go ahead and ask me. I know you have to have some questions."
Evelyn played with her jacket. "You said that you wanted Caroline to come here. What did you mean by that?"
Damon tapped his fingers against the sink as he thought of how to explain it.
"Well, feeding from her made a sort of connection between us. As a vampire, I can manipulate her thoughts and I got her to come to me by using that connection."
She looked at him curiously. "Like a psychic type thing?"
"Sort of." He nodded at her. He was freaking starving, but she was off limits. His gums throbbed and his veins were dry and felt like sandpaper. He needed blood and fast, but he couldn't get it from her. The little amount he had gotten from her, helped a bit, made him not as parched, but it wouldn't last him long.
"You killed Tanner, didn't you?"
He raised his hands mockingly. "Guilty. But don't tell me that the man didn't have it coming. He was an ass and he belittled you."
"Don't make excuses for killing him." She frowned. "The man was an ass, but he didn't deserve to die. None of them did."
"I didn't hurt your dad, did I?" He pointed out and she looked at her knees. "Never hurt you either." She gave him a look. "Well until today." He amended.
"You hurt Caroline."
He shrugged. "Collateral damage."
"Jerk…" She scowled and then shifted. "Are you going to kill me?" Damon could hear a tiny amount of fear in her voice.
"Thought about it." He said nonchalantly. A great deal of times. Not that she needed to know that.
She rolled her eyes. "Glad to see you gave it a thought."
"Normally, I'd said "screw it" and rip into you, but apparently I can't."
"Why?" She demanded. There was no hesitation.
Distrustful girl. But she had a good question.
"I don't know why." He muttered. "You tell me."
Evelyn shrugged, frowning. "Well I don't know either. Why hadn't you tried that before?"
He said the first thing that came to mind.
"Because you amuse me."
Evelyn huffed at his statement. "Oh, yeah this is real hysterical."
"For me it is." He admitted and she rolled her eyes.
They fell silent for a while and Evelyn got restless.
"You don't look so good." She blurted.
Damon chuckled humorlessly, arching an eyebrow. "Days without blood does that to a vampire."
"How long can you go without?"
"A few more days and I would have been in a comatose state." His gaze wandered to her neck and Evelyn frowned. Damon snorted. "Don't worry. I don't think I'll be trying that again."
"Yeah, right." She snorted. "I don't believe you."
"So what's with the outfit?" He asked, looking her up and down. "Not that I mind."
The girl crossed her arms again, scowling. "I was helping at the carwash."
"Ooh, sexy." He teased.
"Yeah, right." She rolled her eyes. "I was glad when Care suggested we leave. I just didn't think Stefan would be stupid enough to keep you here of all places."
Damon arched an eyebrow. "Did you expect a coffin?"
"…Sort of." She said, shifting.
He smirked. "Sorry to disappoint."
"Ow." She hissed, trying to shove his hand away from her neck.
He rolled his eyes and swatted her hand. "Keep still."
"It itches, you jerk."
"Just sit still, Eves." He pressed the rag to it again. "Here." He suddenly thrust his wrist under her nose and she wrinkled her nose at the sight of his bitten wrist.
"What are you doing?"
"This will heal you faster. It's less painful."
"That's disgusting." Damon gave her a look.
"It'll be healed in a few seconds. Just do it."
She frowned. "Isn't that like dangerous? What if you have some kind of disease."
Damon scoffed. "You want to be in pain?" He bit his wrist again and Evelyn reluctantly sucked at the mark.
He stepped back from her when he was done.
"All better."
She was relieved to see no blood.
She grabbed her jacket and followed Damon out of the bathroom and out of his bedroom.
"Hey, um, you seen Evelyn?" Matt asked Stefan. "It's not like her to bail and not say tell someone."
The vampire frowned. "No, not since she said she was going to help Caroline. Have you seen Elena?"
"Not since earlier."
"Think they went home?"
Matt shrugged. "I don't know. But Evie wouldn't leave without saying something. It's not like her."
Stefan's brow furrowed. "Hm."
"Hey."
"Yeah?"
"I'm not saying this for you. I'm saying it for her. but she's big on trust. So, whatever your holding back from her…the more you try to hide it, the more she won't stop until she figures it out."
Stefan nodded and then frowned. "What about Evelyn? Did something happen to her?"
Matt turned around. "What do you mean?"
"It's nothing, but I just sensed something. She really doesn't like that guy."
He nodded. "You noticed how she acts around him? I'm telling you, something's not right. But Evie will never admit it."
Evie frowned when her phone battery went down another bar. It would soon be dead and possibly her as well. Damon still didn't know that she had a stake in her jacket pocket and it would be the only thing that may or may not save her life. Part of her wanted the sun to hurry up and set. She wanted the opportunity to get revenge on Damon, justice for Caroline and all other girls that the vampire had seduced, used, and abused. The other half…was scared out of her mind. Thinking about it was one thing, doing it was another.
Planning how to kill someone wasn't easy and it would never be like she imagined it. Damon was weak, but not that weak. He was still faster and stronger than she'd ever be and he would be able to stop her. the next question was, if he couldn't drain her of blood what did he want with her? Was he waiting to snap her neck like Zach?
He sensed she was up to something and that didn't really surprise him. He would have been disappointed if she hadn't tried anything.
"What are you thinking about so hard, hm?"
She looked up to see him watching her with those intense blue eyes once more.
"Killing you." She retorted.
Damon smirked. "You can try, my Eves. You can try."
She narrowed her eyes at his mockery and he tilted his head.
Was she planning on trying to kill him? Did she even have a clue how to?
"Oh, look, sunset." He stated and she jolted.
Evie stiffened abruptly, readying herself for a fight. Damon took his time stretching a bit, giving her time to do whatever she wanted to try.
"Now what to-"
"Get back." She warned him when he turned around. She had her hand wrapped around something in her pocket.
He smirked at her, taking another step. "Well, then mighty huntress what are you going to do?" She scowled.
"All right, you asked for it." Evie's hand wrapped around the wooden stake and quick as she could she jabbed him in the chest. He swore vividly as it pierced his skin.
"That wasn't nice." He scowled, pulling the stake free with a jerk and knocking Evie backward. She hit the floor winded before running for the door.
"Damn. Didn't see that coming." He threw the stake behind him, before following after her calmly. He was blocking her exit. She had no choice, but to either run upstairs and get stuck in a room or go down into the basement and be trapped with Zach.
"Shouldn't you be like flying around or something?" She asked, backing up when he finally found her, trapped in the hallway with two ways to go. "Hanging upside down?"
He snorted. "Myth."
"Mirrors?"
"How do you think I shave or brush my teeth?" He flashed her a smile and she snorted.
"What does bother you? Obviously, wood. Silver? Mosquitos? Or are those your cousins?"
"Funny." He remarked dryly.
"Shouldn't you be like lurking in shadows chasing poor virgins around?"
"I prefer stalking. Although that does sound fun." He smirked, eyes flashing wickedly. "But this is fun too."
"Uh huh, loads of fun, I bet." She yelped as Damon pinned her to the wall.
"That wasn't very nice. And after I helped you."
She frowned. "Well…I am sorry about that, but at least I didn't do it in your back."
He started to retort and then shrugged. "That's very true." He agreed and then smirked. "Were you really going to kill me, my Eves?"
"Get off!" She yelled and he flew back against the wall, stunned. Evelyn ran for it immediately. She didn't get far before she felt hands on her jerking her backwards. She collided with a hard chest and she found herself whirled around, staring up at Damon, arms pinned to her sides.
"How'd you do that, huh? How?" He was intrigued. There was definitely more to her than he thought.
She tried to kick him and he held her at arm's length. She looked confused and worried. She was scared of it, he realized.
Evelyn frowned. Her dad had warned her about losing control. And this she knew wasn't control. What she did at the carwash had been because she had willed it to happen. Why had this happened without her wanting it too?
The blue-eyed vamp, tilted his head. "Breathe, Eves. Did you know that would happen?" Her racing heart, told him no. She hadn't a clue how that occurred.
Evelyn was afraid. Not of Damon, but of herself. She wanted to leave and go talk to her grandmother. It shouldn't have happened without her wanting it to, right?
"Let me go! Let me go!" She continued to fight against his hold.
"Shh." He tried to sooth her. He didn't want her blowing something up because of how scared she was. "You're scared, aren't you?"
"I am not!" She huffed, stopping her struggles for a moment to glare at him. He almost smiled. If getting her angry, made her stop trying to kick him, he'd take it. "I meant to do it!"
"Oh yeah?" He challenged, smirking widely. "Then do it again."
She hesitated and he raised an eyebrow.
"Well? Go ahead."
"Well, I…I don't have to do what you say! I don't have to-" She yelled at him, getting her wits about her again. Damon wanted to laugh. She was definitely feisty. However, now came another problem. She knew what he was. His initial option was to compel her to forget, however she had that vervain bracelet on. And he wasn't risking to try and take it off her and burn himself, he was still partially healed from her stake attack. He was going to have to keep her there for a while, at least until Stefan gave him his ring back. Decision made, he focused on the small girl yet again.
"-if you're going to kill me then just do it!"
He arched an eyebrow before coming towards her. She backed away from him, fists still raised to fight him.
"Wait. Okay. If I'm going to die, then I get like a last request, right?"
Damon shrugged, pretending to think and letting her put the desk between them again. "I guess that seems fair. You did earn it." She tried not show how that daunted her, but he had seen.
"All right then." She unhooked her bracelet from the wrist. He tilted his head.
She didn't know about the vervain. Stefan hadn't told her. And apparently neither had the person who had given her the bracelet. He could compel her now, but he still wanted to know about his first compulsion on her.
"Will you make sure my dad gets this?" She continued. "Just lay it on his bed or his bedside table, something?" She held it out for Damon to see before setting it on a nearby table. "It was my mother's. He'd want to have it." He nodded once and she nodded back before raising her fists again. "All right, let's go."
He arched an eyebrow and she rolled her eyes.
"I'm not going down without a fight, so you might as well-"
Evelyn squealed indignantly as he tossed her over one shoulder.
"Let me go! Put me down, you-you son of a-" He slapped her thigh, just under her ass, and she sucked in a sharp breath. Her cheeks reddened with mortification and anger.
"Don't say anything you'll regret, Eves. And you would regret it." He warned her, very amused.
He carted her to the library and released her. She stumbled a bit before spinning around with her fists raised. Her cheeks were flaming red and he tilted his head.
"Didn't like that much, did you?" He smirked wickedly, eyes flashing with amusement. "Or maybe you did."
"Shut up!"
"Stay right here." He told her, speaking to her like she was a child was in need of reassurance. "I'll be right back."
"What?! You can't keep me in here!" She started towards him, but he shut the doors, locking them, and she bounced off the wood. "Hey!" She tugged on the door. It was locked. "Damon!" She kicked the door, seething.
The door opened suddenly, and she fell onto her backside. Damon rolled his eyes.
"Don't kick my door."
"Let me go!"
"Not until I'm sure you can make it home without dying." He told her, and she scowled. "I gave you my blood, Eves. If you die on me in the next twenty-four hours, you'll be a vampire. And unfortunately, it would be my responsibility to make sure you didn't hurt yourself."
Evelyn's mouth opened and closed several times. "You-You…" She looked uncharacteristically nervous and he sighed.
"Sit down and wait for me to come back, Eves." He thrust a plastic bowl of candy that had obviously been Zach's into her arms when she stood up. "Eat something and don't die."
He shut the door, locking it again before she could speak and then she stomped her foot.
"Let me out, you bastard!" She heard the front door slam shut and scowled, sliding down onto the carpet. "Stupid vampire." She ripped open one of the candy bars and shoved it into her mouth. The taste of chocolate and mint calming her somewhat.
"This is not my day."
Stefan leaned against the wall, horrified and angry. Damon had killed Zach and escaped. Rummaging through items on a shelf he found a stake and jogged back up the stairs.
He heard a sound coming from the library and frowned. Surely Damon wasn't still there. Readying the stake in his hand he made his way toward the double doors. He arched an eyebrow at clearly locked door, before growing nervous. Who was inside? One of Damon's victims that had managed to cling to a bit of life? Steeling himself for the inevitable, he opened the door. only to catch someone's wrist to keep from being jabbed with a table leg.
"Evelyn?"
"Stefan?"
The girl lowered her makeshift weapon. He looked her over looking for damage, then he saw the blood stains on her jacket.
"Did he-? Are you-?"
"Bite me? Yeah, but then he healed me…Apparently he can't handle my blood."
Stefan frowned. Damon healed her? Why? Was he planning on turning her? Wait he, what?
"What?"
Evelyn frowned. "Yeah, he tried to attack me, but he started choking on my blood like it was bad or something." Stefan's eyes widened. The vervain should have been long gone from her. So why couldn't Damon drink from her? "Then he locked me in there. Jerk." She patted her pockets. "And he snaked my keys!" She scowled. "I really wish I hadn't missed with that stake earlier."
Stefan paled slightly. "You tried to stake him? Why were you here, Evelyn?"
"I came with Caroline. She said she thought she had left something here. So I drove her over. Why didn't you say he was locked in your basement and not in some high security vault or something?"
"Damon compelled her."
Evie's brow furrowed. "Yeah. I got the gist of that."
They walked to the front door and Stefan opened it for her, only to find Elena on the front steps.
"What are you?" She demanded, not noticing Evelyn yet. "What are you?" She asked again.
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