DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING FROM "THE VAMPIRE DIARIES" BOOKS OR TV SERIES. I'm just a mediocre writer having some fun with the universe and its' characters!
.CHAPTER TWO.
The woods were filled with police offers and members of the local Animal Control Unit in less than 20 minutes. Vicki had heard Katherine's screams and ran to her, letting out her own shriek of horror at the site. They had barely managed to pull themselves together to call the authorities. But, they did. And then the authorities called their parents. Katherine was leaning against one of the ambulences with a blanket draped over her shoulders by the edge of the graveyard. It wasn't cold, but she appreciated the comfort. She couldn't get the images out of her head: red hair, emerald eyes... blook soaked clothes and dirt. Katherine had never seen a dead body before. It was worse than what you imagine when you read books or watch movies. Her normally sunkissed skin looked pale and her eyes were haunted as the images played over and over in her head. She didn't even see her mother approaching her. She ran up and embraced her daughter, causing Katherine to jump.
"Oh my god, Katherine! Are you ok?" Miranda Gilbert breathed out, pulling away to hold her daughter at arm's length. "Honey, what were you even doing out here?"
Her deep brown eyes linked up with her mother's, "Tyler pissed me off." It was all she could manage, her voice shaking.
Miranda sighed, frowning, but couldn't bring herself to lecture her daughter at a time like this. "I'm just glad you are alright, sweetheart. I finished talking with Sheriff Forbes a moment ago. They think it was an animal of some kind - a mountain lion or something." She brushed some of Katherine's hair behind her ear as she spoke.
"A mountain lion?" Katherine repeated dully. Her eybrows crinkled together. The images played again through her head. It didn't seem right.
"Yeah. Let's just get you home. Your father is picking up Elena from school."
"What? What time is it?" Katherine suddenly seemed more awake at the announcement.
"He's picking her up early. The call scared him to death too, he wants us to spend tonight as a family." Miranda replied. She put her arm around her daughter's shoulder and led her to the waiting SUV parked at the end of the street. Kat looked over her shoulder, sparing one final glance at the horror she had witnessed.
As fate would have it she looked just in time to see them loading up the gourney into the ambulence - the white covered sheet stained with blood.
Elena was chewing on her bottom lip as she waited outside the school for her father to pick her up. The assistant principle had pulled her and Matt out of class to inform them that their sisters had been involved in an emergency. They let Elena know her father was on his way to get her. Elena didn't know what that meant, but her heart sank coldly into her stomach at the news. She hurriedly gathered up everything in her backpack and threw worried glances at Bonnie as the two of them exited English class.
Matt had taken off in his blue truck towards the graveyard, giving her a quick kiss laced with uneasiness before he left.
The front of the school was eerily quiet with 2 hours still left in the day. Elena's abdomen was filled with anxiety waiting for her father. What could Kat have gotten into? Elena found herself thinking. The girl was a partier, but she wasn't big on drugs. It's not like she could have overdosed. The assistant principle could give no information about the situation what so ever. Only that "There was some sort of accident in the woods near the town graveyard. Your sisters have been involved." Gee, thanks, Miss Webber.
Movement to her right caught the corner of her eye. She gasped and brought a hand to her heart when the mystery hot guy, Stefan Salvatore, approached. "Sorry! I didn't mean to scare you." He smiled warmly. She could feel her cheeks getting warm. His voice was phenomenal.
"No, no, it's ok. I'm just not myself right now. There's apparently some kind of emergency that I know nothing about, that my sister is part of, and now I'm waiting for my dad..." She rambled, mentally kicking herself. Why was she so nervous? He was just a guy. Deep breaths, Elena.
"I'm sorry to hear that. I hope she's ok." Stefan replied, concern enveloping his features. Elena mustered up a smile.
"Thanks... I'm Elena, by the way. You're new here, right? What are you doing out here during 4th period?" She shot out, tilting her head to the side. A part of her was grateful for the distraction while she waited.
"I'm, uh, Stefan. Stefan Salvatore." He held up a folded piece of paper, "I was on my way to the office from wood shop. I wanted to see about switching classes."
His voice was like velvet and cake. Smooth and delicious. He was no longer wearing the sunglasses he had on earlier, revealing crystal blue eyes that seemed to almost glow. His dark hair wasn't quite black -but a deep brown with hints of sandy coloring. Elena felt like he belonged on a movie poster, not in high school. And the way he was looking at her. She didn't even know how she was able to speak.
"Ah, I s-see." She stuttered, looking shyly down at her feet for a second before bringing her dark brown orbs back up to look into his blue ones. His smile was mesmerizing. What is wrong with you? She screamed in her mind.
The silence was suddenly thick with tension and Stefan chuckled nervously. Even that was sexy. "Well, I hope everything with your family is ok. Will I get to see you around?" He asked hopefully. Elena nodded.
"Yeah, um," The dark green color of her father's car pulling up to the curb caught her attention and she waved before moving in that direction, "Maybe I'll see you tomorrow." She offered over her shoulder as she jogged down the path to the street and jumped in the car.
"Who was that?" Grayson asked as his daughter hopped in. The tone was curious, but filled with worry. Elena knew it was for Katherine.
"New guy. Don't know much about him." Elena responded, watching him retreat into the building as the car drove off. But, I sure would like to. She gave herself a mental slap. "Is Katherine ok?"
"Your mother just called and said she is doing fine. The horrifying gist of it is she found the dead body of a girl in the woods. Her and Vicki Donovan together." He responded.
"Oh my god." Elena exclaimed, eyes wide. "Who was it?"
"I don't know who, but your mother said it was some sort of animal attack."
"Is this really necessary?" Katherine cried out. The twins were sitting on the couch next to each other. Katherine's arms were crossed over her chest, pouting, and Elena had her elbow on the armrest - leaning her head on her hand.
"Kat it's the first day of the year and you have already gotten yourself into trouble despite everything we talked about this summer." Her father reprimanded, "What if that had been you? Sheriff Forbes called me to confirm it was an animal attack and it had to have happened less than 15 minutes before you came across the poor girl! She said you and Vicki were lucky!"
He had both hands on his hips. He was wearing his usual business-like attire, but had taken off the suit jacket and his tie had come slightly loose. His expression was exhausted. "Her name was Samantha Rhymes. Did either of you know her?"
Elena frowned and nodded, "She graduated last year. She was the head of the yearbook committee. She loved photography." Her voice revealed her sadness - thinking about the hopes and dreams of a girl who, so young, met such a tragic end.
Miranda was behind them in the kitchen cooking dinner. The house smelled of delicious garlic and roasting chicken. Grayson rubbed a hand over his face and gave his wife a loving, but sad, smile before turning his attention back to the girls, "The skipping class has to stop. Everything in me wants to ground you, Kat. But, after what you went through today I can't bring myself to do it." He admitted.
Katherine's expression relaxed slightly with relief. "I'll try to do better." She mumbled.
Grayson seemed to look heartbroken for a moment as he pulled his daughter up from the couch into a hug, "If anything had happened to you I don't know what I would have done." He whispered. And, in that moment, Katherine felt more love from her father than she thought she had ever felt in her 17 years.
The family ate dinner happily that night.
Unfortunately, Katherine had nightmares of red hair, screams, and wine glasses filled of blood.
The library was quiet. It was Thursday and since Elena's grades had been nothing short of emaculate the last two years her 6th period was a free study period. Her family had become closer than ever and Katherine had been on good behavior the last 2 days. Although still as snarky as ever. She and Tyler were still fighting and it was not doing well for her mood. Elena honestly didn't get why it was affecting her sister so much - they were barely a couple to begin with. But, Katherine was hot tempered and stubborn.
Elena had been spending the last 2 days with Bonnie since Matt wasn't around. Vicki had been more haunted by what the girls had found at the graveyard than Katherine and wasn't coming to school. Matt had been staying home with her. Their mom wasn't really in the picture that often, so it was usually Matt taking care of his younger sister. Elena had dropped off his homework for him, but that was all she had seen of him.
She was sitting in a chair working on her history paper when someone sat across from her at the long wooden table. Elena looked up to see Stefan Salvatore. Her cheeks instantly flushed, but she smiled. "Oh, hey!"
He smiled back and she felt her heart melt a little, "Hey yourself. I was hoping I'd see you again."
"Sooo, you're stalking me?" She teased, biting her lower lip. Seriously, Elena? Seriously?
Stefan laughed. It was an exquisite sound. Her breath caught in her throat. "Nah. I'll be honest... I'm skipping gym class."
Elena grinned, "Why's that? You definitely seem built like the type to play sports. You should consider trying out for the football team. They could use the help." Her cheeks colored again. You are the most embarrassing person and worst girlfriend ever.
Stefan sat back in his chair, "Uh, yeah, maybe. I used to play. I guess I can be the active type, I'm just not in the mood today." He responded. "I think I saw your sister around... Either that or I'm seeing double."
Elena giggled, "Yeah, we're twins. Her name is Katherine."
"And she's been ok since finding the... girl?" Stefan's face darkened, but it left as quickly as it came. Elena wasn't even sure she caught it.
"She was pretty spooked, but Kat is resilient. She's been ok." She replied and Stefan nodded with a small smile.
"Good... So I hear there's a bonfire party by the falls tomorrow."
"Yeah! They have one the first Friday of every school year. Booze, music, fun." Elena was starting to pack her things in her back pack, realizing the bell would be ringing for the end of the day soon.
"Is it the, uh, kind of thing people take dates to?" Stefan threw out. It was the first time she had heard him sound nervous. It was just as attractive as everything else about him.
"I suppose they do. Got your eye on someone already?" She asked, busying herself still with her backpack. Silence followed her question and she finally looked up at him to see him staring at her.
Ohhhh. He means you, you idiot!
"O-Oh! I'm flattered. But, I'm going with someone already. My boyfriend - Matt Donovan. He's the football captain." Her tone was apologetic. She felt stupid for her flirty manuerisms. And a part of her was very disappointed. She wouldn't let that part of her surface. She loved Matt. If you love him so much then why did it take you this long to bring him up!
Stefan's expression didn't change. He politely smiled, "Ah, well that makes sense. Beautiful girl, football captain. I'm sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable just now."
Elena shook her head, "No, not at all!"
The bell rang. Thank god. You are such a loser.
"But, hey, maybe I'll still see you there! You should meet some of my friends!"
Stefan nodded, "Yeah, that'd be great. New guy always needs friends." He joked. They exchanged awkward smiles and she brushed passed him to leave for the day.
"Jesus, Katherine, as if you weren't dark enough already." Caroline joked with her best friend as she drove her home from school. "I still can't believe you had to go through that."
Katherine rolled her eyes, "Yeah, well. I just want to move on from it."
"You are seriously crazy. I would seriously be in therapy right now." Caroline replied, sideways glancing at her friend.
"It's not like it wasn't traumatizing, ok? I just don't want to be like Vicki held up in my bedroom thinking about it all day. I want to spend time with my friends and find someone to make Tyler jealous tomorrow night. I don't want to think about cougars mauling innocent girls and the drama of it all." Katherine snapped, leaning her head against the car window in the passenger's seat.
"I thought it was a mountain lion."
"So not the point, Care." Katherine turned her head to glare at the blonde. She shrugged, frowning.
"So, you still are on about making Tyler jealous? He's a dick. Why don't you just find someone to actually be with so you can forget about him once and for all?" Caroline offered.
"Relationships are a lie, Caroline. Look at Elena and Matt. She's going to marry his boring ass and 30 years later realize what a mistake she made with nothing to show for it except for 3 kids and a golden retriever." Katherine practically gagged. Caroline chuckled.
"Geez, does your sister know these cruel thoughts of yours?"
"Oh, she knows. But, she insists it's love." Katherine used her fingers to make quotation marks around the word. "And apparently I don't understand because I've never experienced it. Who needs love? A girl only needs herself. I'm strong, confident, and hot as hell. I don't need chocolates, flowers and the promise of eternity to keep me going."
Caroline was quiet for a minute, "You know, you are actually really depressing."
"And you're annoyingly cheery. That's why we make great best friends. Balance. Now let's stop by the Mystic Grill. I want a cheeseburger and to check out guys."
Caroline laughed, shaking her head. "God, you are so weird."
Elena knocked on the front door of Matt's house readily holding a folder with his and Vicki's assignments for the day. The door opened slowly and Matt offered a weak smile, "Hey, thanks, babe." He kissed her cheek gently and Elena caught his lips for a quick kiss as he pulled back. He chuckled. He was in a regular grey T-shirt and black basketball shorts. He looked tired.
"How's Vicki?" She asked. Matt sighed and rubbed a hand over his face.
"I've never seen her like this before. All she does is cry. I've gotten her to eat and write like one paragraph of an English paper, but she's in a dark spot. Is Kat going through this?" Matt asked, uneasy.
Elena shook her head, "No, not so much. I mean, I think it's harder on her than she will admit. I heard her cry out in her sleep last night. But, on the surface she's hiding it. You know Katherine, she's tough as nails." She offered. Matt nodded.
Elena felt a jolt of nerves in her stomach suddenly, remembering her conversation earlier with Stefan. "Do you think you'll be back tomorrow? Or that you'll be going to the bonfire?"
Matt shrugged, "I don't know, Elena. I know Vicki isn't going tomorrow and with my mom still out of town I really don't feel comfortable leaving her here alone."
Elena tried her best not to sound disappointed, "No, yeah - I understand. I was just asking. I'll catch a ride with Bonnie and maybe we will stop by afterwards to check in on you guys." Matt smiled regretfully and kissed her on the forehead.
"Sounds good. I love you."
"I love you too."
The bonfire was always the biggest event at the beginning of the year. The teenagers got more excited for it than the homecoming dance. Mostly because it was easier to sneak alcohol and pot. Katherine had shown up with all the girls: Elena, Bonnie and Caroline. But, herself and Caroline quickly branched off to one of the kegs to get started drinking as soon as possible.
"Welp, I'm a failure. No arm candy. But, at least I look good." Katherine teased, posing. She was wearing a deep red spaghetti strapped top that clung like a second skin to her curves, exposing quite a bit of cleavage. Her pants were midnight black skinny jeans that tucked into black high-heeled boots. She had 3 silver loose-hoops bracelettes for accesory. Her long hair fell passed her shoulders in loose curls. Caroline looked her up and down and nodded in agreement.
"Yep. I feel ugly next you for sure." It was a mostly a joke. Caroline looked pretty good herself. She had picked a bright blue dress that was flowy, but short, showing off her long legs. She had her hair tossed up into a messy, but sexy, bun. Blonde tendrils framed her face. She pushed one out of the way as she gulped down some of the warm alcohol from her traditional red plastic cup.
Katherine slammed down her whole cup and went to refill it. Caroline watched, concerned, but said nothing. She slammed the next one down and then took a deep breath. She was seeing it again: red hair, green eyes... blood. Get a grip, Katherine. It's over.
"I'm gonna go towards the falls, I think. All the bodies are stressing me out." Katherine said, gesturing around her at all the loud teens surrounding them, bathed in firelight and dancing to the loud rock music that was blasting. Caroline shrugged and turned to head back to Elena and Bonnie when she ran straight into Tyler Lockerwood.
"Ugh! Watch where you are going, you brute!" She snapped, looking down at her dress to make sure she hadn't spilled any beer.
"Yeah, yeah, drama queen. So, is Kat over this bullshit or what?" He asked. He crossed his arms and stared at her impatiently.
Caroline scoffed, "No, Ty, she isn't. Is it that freakin' hard to just apologize? You two are bothering the shit out of me."
"Why should I apologize for nothing? She is the one acting like a possesive bitch."
Caroline shoved him with the hand that wasn't holding a beer, "Ugh! You are such a moron! Did you not hear what she went through?"
Tyler looked down at the ground for a moment before bringing his eyes back to hers. "Yeah, I heard. It pisses me off that she didn't even come talk to me about it."
Caroline scoffed again, "Because everything is about you, right? Not her comfort? If you really cared about her you would swallow your stupid man-pride and just-"
Tyler rolled his eyes and interrupted her, "Look, whatever, Caroline. When she's ready to talk, tell her I'll be waiting."
Caroline gave him a sarcastic smile that said 'Go fuck yourself'. "Yeah, that's what I'm gonna do."
Katherine leaned against the railing that over looked the falls. She was alone on the little viewing bridge. None of the couples had made their way to make out yet since it was still early into the party. The gathering was far enough behind her that the music was barely audible over the splashing of the falls.
She heard a loud snap down the path to her left - leading into the woods.
Katherine turned her head slowly and stared down the path leading into trees and darkness. Oddly, she wasn't scared. There was over 100 kids out in the woods tonight, it was probably just some light weight who was already drunk and throwing up.
Another snap.
Intrigued she let go of the railing and walked down the rickety bridge and down the path a ways. "Hellooo?"
No reply.
She sighed, stopping after so many paces. It was dark and the party was getting uncomfortably far behind her. Flashes of the redhead in her mind, she suddenly was covered in goosebumps. It was colder than it had been a few moments ago. You're a fool, Katherine Gilbert. Turn your cute ass around now. Suddenly feeling less confident and more freaked out, she turned around quickly to make haste back the way she came-
And smacked right into a rock hard body. She slowly lifted her eyes up to raven black hair and the most striking blue orbs she had ever seen.
"Boo."
A/N: Chapter 2! Had fun writing this one! Review and let me know what you think!