Mystic Falls, VA September 23, 1864
"Miss Warren?" Hattie asked, uncertain.
"Please, Hattie, can we return to Miss Jessa?" Jessa asked, feeling much lighter now that she had a course planned.
"You know that's not proper, Miss Warren." Hattie said, voicing her disapproval.
"And who's your boss again?" Jessa asked with a chuckle. Hattie shook her head. "Fine, Hattie, what did you want to ask?"
"Are you quite certain we should leave?" Hattie looked so uncomfortable asking, but Jessa could sense she was just worried about her charge.
"Hattie, we have to. This town is dangerous, you've heard that people are being attacked by animals? I won't stay where I don't feel safe." Jessa was firm, they had to go, and tomorrow was the date.
"It's dangerous away from here too, Miss Warren." Hattie said, twisting the rag she picked up to wrap one of Jessa's delicate keepsakes in. "And you're an unmarried 14 year old woman."
"I know," Jessa said, taking Hattie's hands in hers. "Hattie, would you believe me if I told you that I don't feel safe here, in this house or this town?"
Hattie looked at Jessa and didn't have the heart or guts to let her know that she'd seen the bloody bedclothes and shift being burnt. She felt the same heavy dread in the air and she knew where it came from.
"I do, Miss Warren." Hattie said, taking Jessa hand in hers. "But Mr. Salvatore is looking into those fears."
"Hattie, I think we both understand that regular men aren't going to be able to fix this. Plus, I can tell when I'm no longer welcome." Jessa said, releasing Hattie. The last part hurt more than she would like, but it was true nonetheless.
"Infatuation goes away, Miss Warren." Hattie attempted to assure her, but Jessa shook her head. "You're marriage is practically assured."
"Oh, Hattie, I don't want a forced marriage. Only love." Jessa said, returning to quietly packing. The only good thing to come from her being ignored by Stefan and Damon was that they did not see nor hear the planning she was doing. Luckily, while her parents put her in Mr. Salvatore's care, the money was released to her at the age of 13. Packing was the last step, they already had passage on a coach and then a ship. "Besides, Hattie, England has to be interesting."
When she'd seen clearly through her window that Damon, upon his return, did not seek her out to say hello or assure her of his safety, she knew she had to leave. Fear of Katherine was nothing compared to the complete indifference her best friend showed her. And so, after completing the duties she took on for the Founders' Party, which she would attend simply to silently say goodbye to the town she was born in, she and Hattie would leave. And she highly doubted anyone would notice.
Mystic Falls, VA August 15, 1863
"Jessa, please stop crying." Damon urged. "I've joined and now I must go. Please don't make the last sight I have of you be misery."
"If you leave, who do I have here?" She cried, desperate for her one anchor to stay in place. "No one, Damon, no one. And you'll be in danger and I cannot bear it."
"Jessa, please do not be negative about it. I will start to be afraid and we both know that would make me less safe." He said, pulling her into his arms, just as he did when she was a four year old with sparkling green eyes and a tumble of light brown hair. "I will come home. I swear."
"If you put yourself in unnecessary danger," she threatened, pulling back and clearing her eyes.
"Then coming home will be more frightening than any soldier I could ever come across." He said with a sad smile. "I will miss you most of all, Jessa."
"I already miss you, Damon." She whispered into his chest.
Mystic Falls, VA September 24, 1864 (Morning)
Jessa woke, the dream of her goodbye to Damon as he went to war evident on her face. The tears were still wet and she felt like her heart couldn't break more. He hadn't even glanced at her since he'd returned, not one acknowledgement to show he even knew who she was.
Katherine's pull reminded her of the ancient Greek stories of the sirens, calling sailors to their deaths willingly. And she, safe on the ship could do nothing to save them. Wiping her eyes, she wearily got out of bed and started to get ready for the day. Her party dress was hung on one of the curtain rods, ready for her preparations later, and under it sat her luggage. Leaving should be difficult, as this had been her home since she was born, but she could not feel sad. She planned to leave, and begin a search for what she was and where her parents were, there were answers she needed.
Mrs. Lockwood was expecting her. She'd promised one more day to the event planning and she would stick it out. Then tonight, she would sign the roll of founders, and walk away. There was a strength in that, at least she hoped.
She could hear the house wake up, and Hattie arrived to help her with her toilet. They did not speak, knowing that they would be together alone soon. Her hair, it's natural curls usually barely able to be tamed, seemed to understand their need to make today simple. The corset mocked her on the foot of her chair and she glared at it for a moment before deciding she should just put it on in the morning so she would be used to it by evening. Sighing, Hattie chuckled at her surrender.
"Every proper lady wears one, Miss Warren." Hattie clucked, as Jessa cringed. "And, whether you want to believe it or not, you are a proper lady."
So, after being tightened into the device, and allowing Hattie to help her with her day lawn dress, Jessa was ready for her day. Skipping the morning meal with the Salvatore men and Katherine, she and Hattie left and walked to Mrs. Lockwood's home. Everyone knew she was planning the event so it would not seem completely rude to rush out without a goodbye. And at this point, Jessa told herself, she could no longer care.
Mystic Falls, VA September 24, 1864 Evening of the Founders' Party
Jessa arrived thirty minutes before the rest of the guests. She was dressed and alone, except for Hattie, that is. Her midnight blue dress, with black beading, looked lovely according to Mr. and Mrs. Lockwood. She flitted about, and made sure the finishing touches where in place. Then with five minutes to spare, she signed her name on the founders' roll, and slipped out.
She had never said that she would stay for the party. She only committed to planning and making sure it was ready. Signing her name was important, so this town would never forget her family. Her presence, however, she decided was completely unnecessary. She and Hattie carefully made their way back to the Salvatore house, taking a less travelled and more careful route. They avoided everyone and made it back to an empty house.
Upstairs, Jessa had Hattie help her out of the party dress and into more comfortable travelling clothes. She considered burning the corset, but allowed Hattie to pack it instead. Looking at the dress she wore to sign the roll, she decided was to be left behind. It brought her no joy. And so, after one last look at the room where she'd lived for four years, she walked away. Her promise to herself was that she'd return only when absolutely necessary. And hopefully with better answers to her questions.
There was not a tear in sight as she and Hattie walked to the hired coach and boarded. Hattie watched her carefully, ready to comfort, but she had no need. Jessa's mind was made and she was intent. Let Katherine Pierce burn Mystic Falls to the ground if she chooses. Jessa was finished. This was her home no longer and she felt at peace. She never once thought of Damon or Stefan, or even Lily Salvatore. For once, she made herself the priority.