Chapter 2

Stefan

"Any special plans for today?" said Anna. She settled into the wooden seat at the head of the table and cupped her hands around a steaming cup of tea. "Planning on going back to Lafayette?" She raised the cup to her lips, sipped at it, before dropping a sugar cube into it. She picked up a silver spoon which lay on her saucer before stirring the tea twice and setting the spoon down.

"How did you know I went there?" said Stefan as he brought his toast to his lips.

"I'm omniscient," said Anna widening her eyes. "And I know there's only one place that could leave your shoes in such a state."

"I didn't expect you to clean them."

"I know," said Anna shrugging to her shoulders. "I have to say I'm surprised you went back there. I thought you hated your father."

"I do, I did. But I've come to the conclusion no good comes from spending your life hating the dead," said Stefan. "I made my peace with my father yesterday."

"I've always wondered how to make peace with the dead." The corners of Anna's lips turned upwards into a small smile. "Any tips?"

"Be honest." Stefan shrugged his shoulders

"Being honest never got me anywhere." She dropped another sugar cube into her tea.

"I'm not going back to see him. There are other people buried there."

"No one worth visiting." Anna sunk into her chair, closed her eyes, and released a heavy breath.

"You don't visit Tyler?"

"Tyler left this earth long ago. I don't see the point of worshipping a rotting box of bones and a crumbling headstone. It brings me no comfort. Did talking to your father give you comfort?"

"No, because it wasn't comfort that I was seeking," said Stefan. He glanced at his wrist before taking a napkin from the centre of the table and wiped his hands.

"What is it you seek today?" said Anna raising her eyebrow.

"Forgiveness."

"From whom?" her words were laced with intrigue.

"Katherine Pierce."

The black wrought iron gates to Layfette cemetery creaked as Stefan pushed them apart. Gravel crunched beneath his feet as he ventured up the winding path, past the crumbling white chapel, past a white mausoleum tainted with streaks of orange, and past an overgrown oak tree with sprouting roots. He paused by it, tracing the crude carvings of two names etched into the bark with the tips of his fingers; memories of when he and Damon spent their summers climbing flash through his mind.

Stefan sighed heavily and before he dropped his hand and continued up the path for a few feet before he made sharp left and wove his way through a series of white headstones. He stopped when he came upon an arched tombstone which read:

Here rests

Katherine Pierce

Beloved wife, daughter & sister

June 5th 1993 – June 4th 2013

He reached into the pocket of his grey trench coat and pulled out a packet of Marlboro and a sliver lighter. He slipped the cigarette between his lips before cupping the end with his hands and lighting it. He inhaled deeply before pushing a stream of white smoke through his lips.

"Filthy habit," said a voice.

Stefan turned to see Elena standing a few feet behind him.

"You better be careful you might end up like them," said Elena. She was wrapped up in and a navy puffer jacket, a red scarf, and a navy beanie. She had a brown bag slung over her shoulder and a grey notebook in her hands.

"You want one?" Stefan held out the slightly crumpled packet of cigarettes towards her.

"Please," she said hurrying towards him with her hand outstretched. "Better to die with someone then alone right?" she slipped a cigarette between her lips and muttered a thank you as Stefan cupped his hands around it and lit it.

"You here for someone or is walking around cemeteries with a notebook your thing?"

"My parents." Elena gripped the cigarette between two fingers and blew out a puff of smoke. "You here for your father?"

"I made my peace with him yesterday. I'm here for someone else today."

"Who? Her?" Elena gestured towards Katherine's headstone. "Who was she?"

"Just somebody I used to know," said Stefan. He dropped his almost finished cigarette to the floor and stubbed it out.

"I see," said Elena.

"You loved her?"

"It was complicated."

"Why?"

"Because she wasn't mine to love." Stefan's shoulder dropped and he bowed my head. "I crossed a line I shouldn't have."

"What do you mean?" Her tone was soft as she stepped closer to him and joined him at Katherine's headstone. She held her hand out towards him before deciding against it and dropping it to her side.

"Full of questions aren't you?" Stefan smiled lightly but it came off his lips just as quickly as it appeared.

"You're full of ominous answers, a girl can't help but be intrigued," said Elena.

"I think it's my turn to ask a few questions," said Stefan.

"Ask away."

"Firstly," said Stefan as he pointed to Elena's notebook. "What goes in there?"

"My thoughts."

"On what?"

"That would be telling," said Elena. She gripped the book tighter in her hands before deciding to slip it into her bag.

"Who's giving out ominous answers now," teased Stefan. The corners of his lips twitched until they curled upwards forming a smile.

"Elena," said a voice. It came from a man who looked to be in about his early twenties. He had chestnut hair which he swept to the side and a devilish smirk hanging off his lips. He was wearing a crisp white shirt and a worn black leather jacket.

Elena's body went rigid and her eyes widened. She released a shaky breath before she turned around. "Did you follow me here Kai?" she said. It was hard to miss the anger laced in her accusation.

"I have better things to do with my time then spend it tracking your movements," said Kai. "No, I didn't follow you here. I just know your routine. Visit your parents, enter your thoughts into your diary just there, go to school, go to work at The Grill, have Jeremy pick you up, and then you go home."

"You were supposed to leave town last week."

"And I did," said Kai. "I decided to come back though, I miss the place too much. Can't for the life of me think how I could leave it. I'm talking about the town, not the cemetery of course that would just be creepy." He tapped his finger against his chin and grinned.

"I can't do this now," said Elena.

"Why not? You're not busy are you?"

"Yes I am, very busy. Could you take me home please Stefan?" said Elena.

Kai turned his head and stared at Stefan as if he'd just noticed his presence. "Malachai Parker," he said extending his hand. "Pleasure to make your acquaintance Mr…"

"Salvatore," said Stefan ignoring his hand.

"I see the feeling isn't mutual."

"Are you ready to go Elena?" asked Stefan.

"She isn't, we're still having a conversation," said Kai.

"Not anymore. Let's go." Stefan motioned for Elena to follow him as began walk away.

Elena moved to follow Stefan as he walked passed Kai, but was stopped when Kai gripped her wrist. "I said we're having a conversation."

Stefan hurried towards Kai and wrapped his hand around Kai's wrist. "And I said not anymore." Stefan gritted his teeth together and squeezed Kai's wrist until Kai's grip on Elena's wrist faltered.

Kai tiled his head and smiled darkly. "My father told me it's never wise to make an enemy out of man you barely know."

"I suggest you heed his advice," said Stefan.

"Likewise," said Kai he took a step backwards. "I'll be seeing you around Mr Salvatore."

"I'm quaking in my boots," said Stefan.