It's been quite obvious to me that I may not be the most perceptive person. I never realized, for example, that Matthew had romantic feelings for me. But I believed my abilities at noticing other people's behaviour has improved, because I was pretty sure that Godric had been trying to avoid me these past few days.

I began thinking of every possible reason why he could be upset with me; had I done something to offend him? I frowned as I drummed by fingers against the table; what could I have possibly done? I let out a frustrated sigh as I shut my book, I couldn't concentrate enough to read. I didn't know if I was angrier or more hurt by his behaviour. Or maybe I was just over thinking things, maybe he wasn't.

No. He definitely was.

"You done reading already?"

I snapped out of my thoughts when Hugo walked into the kitchen, tossing an apple up and down before finally biting into it. I decided to push all negative thoughts in the back of my mind and forced a smile.

"No, I just decided to finish it later," I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.

Clearly, I wasn't able to hide my bad mood. Hugo immediately detected it.

"What's wrong?" He asked as he took the seat across from me.

I pressed my lips together. I didn't know if I should tell him about my suspicions that Godric was avoiding me. It would just make me seem silly and paranoid. I mean, why would Godric, Sheriff of this area, go out of his way to avoid me—a silly, teenage girl.

"I just, I'm not feeling too well," I lied, "I think I'm catching a cold."

He frowned. "Oh, maybe you should go rest then," He suggested kindly, but I shook my head.

"No, no, I'll be fine," I told him, "So, what's new with you?"

I hadn't seen him too much recently. I had been spending my days with my friends, and by night time, he was either with Isabel, or I was hanging out with Ryan.

"Oh, not much," He shrugged his shoulders.

"How are things with Isabel?"

"…Fine."

I could tell by the brief pause before his answer that things weren't 'fine' at all. Still, it wasn't any of my business so I decided not to push the subject. Instead, Isabel herself entered the kitchen a few seconds later.

"Hollie," She smiled at me, "Godric and I were wondering if you had plans to go out tonight."

I couldn't help but narrow my eyes. Godric and her were wondering? Pff—I knew what was really going on. Godric wanted to know if I was going out, because Isabel wasn't nearly as protective as he was, but for some reason was avoiding me and therefore couldn't ask me himself.

"You know what," I stood up, "If Godric has something he wants to ask me, he can do it himself."

I heard the sound of a car honking coming from outside, and knew Ryan was here to pick me up. I knew he wasn't actually going to come up to the door; I would have to go join him outside. I told Isabel that I would probably be out late before grabbing my jacket and exiting the house.

I wasn't able to hide my emotions from Ryan either, who raised an eyebrow at my bad mood the moment I entered the car.

"And how are you?" He asked, smirking at the angry way I was buckling my seat belt.

I grumbled a 'fine' as I crossed my arms. Ryan shrugged his shoulders as he drove forward, the first few minutes of the drive being quiet. My lips were pressed together into a thin line as I glared out the window. It didn't take long, however, until my anger began to fade to instead be replaced with guilt. I was angry at Godric, but I shouldn't have snapped at Isabel like that. "God, I'm a mess," I muttered as I leaned my head back.

"I agree," Ryan said, and I smacked him playfully.

"Can I ask you a question? Why are men so unable to just explain how they're feeling?" I asked, "Why do they have to be childish, and ignore the person?"

"I'm going to answer your first question with a 'no'," He began, "So, I won't be answering the question."

I rolled my eyes. "Fine," I grumbled, "Where are we going?"

"Just driving around," He shrugged.

I turned to look at him, raising an eyebrow. Ryan wasn't the type to participate in an aimless activity as just 'driving around'. He glanced at me when he felt my gaze on him, and raised an eyebrow of his own. "What?" He asked, "You worried I'm going to kidnap you or something?" When I simply continued staring at him, he sighed. "Fine. There's something I want to talk to you about."

"Shoot."

"I'm going away tonight," He informed me, "I'm not sure for how long."

My face fell. "Oh."

I looked away, shifting uncomfortably in my seat as I felt a wave of disappointment hit me. Ryan had only just entered my life after so long; I wasn't expecting him to leave so soon. "Where are you going?" I asked, trying to hide my sadness. I'm not sure I did a very good job. "Are you going to come back?"

"I'm just going out on…business," He said simply, "And yeah, I'll be back."

Well, that was a relief. Then again, he did say he didn't know when he was returning, which meant I could not see him for another few years. Maybe he would forget that I was human, and return when I was long dead. I frowned at the thought, but didn't voice my concerns out loud. "Okay," I had no idea what else to say.

I knew that Ryan wasn't one for emotional goodbyes, but I still couldn't help but give him a hug after he drove me back home. Surprisingly, he hugged me back. "Take care, kiddo," He ruffled my hair. I didn't even bother snapping at him for ruining my hair. I'd let it go this time.

I let out a sigh as I watched his car drive away, waiting until it was out of sight before I entered the house. There were a number of things on my mind. One, I already missed Ryan, and the fact that I didn't know when he was coming back brought tears to my eyes. He was the only family I had left. The other thing on my mind was that, by seeing Ryan leave, it made me think of my own departure. I couldn't stay with Isabel and Godric forever. Nothing had happened recently; it was safe to assume that, with my father gone, Joseph no longer had any reason to come after me; so there was no reason for me to stay here anymore. Maybe that was why Godric was ignoring me lately.

It was his way of making me realize it was time for me to go.

"Hellooo?"

I blinked out of my thoughts when Bridget snapped her fingers in front of my face. My cheeks turned red with embarrassment as I realised that she, Marc, Ed and Adam were all staring at me with a raised eyebrow. I cleared my throat as I wiped the counter, forcing a smile. "Sorry, um, more coffee?"

"I'll have some," Ed accepted cheerfully.

"Are you feeling okay?" Adam asked as I poured Ed his coffee, "You're awfully quiet."

"I'm just feeling a little tired," I told him, "I didn't sleep much last night."

It was true; I actually spent most of the night searching through the internet for apartments. I had given myself a deadline; within the next two weeks I would have to find a decent apartment to live in. I couldn't stand to stay in a place where I no longer felt wanted. Well, Isabel and Hugo still treated me well, but I still hadn't seen Godric. Isabel told me he was busy with his Sheriff duties; but I felt as though it was more than that.

Also, I was still upset about Ryan leaving.

"You know what, why don't you go home?" Adam offered, "I'll take over from here."

I shook my head. "No, that's alright."

"I'm serious," He insisted, "This is my mom's café; I know how everything works."

Marc stood up. "I'll give you a ride home. I was going to leave anyways."

I bit my lower lip uncertainly. Adam, sensing my hesitation, began gently pushing me towards the door. "Go, rest!" He ordered. I smiled gratefully, giving him a kiss on the cheek as I thanked him before following Marc outside. Marc told me that I could wait in the car as he made a quick phone call.

I buckled my seatbelt and leaned my head back against the headrest; I didn't really feel like going home, even if I knew that Godric and the others would be asleep since it was still daylight. "Hey Marc," I said as he entered the car, "Do you mind driving me to Gwen's instead?"

"Sure," He said as he started the car, "So how was your date with Matthew?"

My first reaction was to correct him; it was not a date! But I decided to just keep my answer simple. Matthew had been glamoured into forgetting most of the night; so I didn't want to give any information that would contradict what Matthew could later tell Marc. "It was fun; Matthew's a true gentleman," I said.

"So, are you two…?"

"No, we're just friends," I cut in immediately, "Hey, do you have any tissues?"

"Glove compartment."

I opened the glove compartment, and took out the box of tissues. I also found a small, pink cell phone. I smirked; about to open my mouth to tease Marc about it, when I realized something. Wasn't that Gwen's cell phone? I pulled it out, confused. Hadn't Gwen said she lost it on the night where they went to that vampire bar? I went through her text messages; the last one was the one sent to me, where she told me her car had broken town and asked for me to pick her up. Except, it hadn't really been Gwen who had texted me, it had been a trap.

But why did Marc have the phone?

I looked up. Marc hadn't noticed my discovery, his eyes were on the road, and when I looked outside I realized that we weren't heading towards Gwen's apartment. "Um, Marc, where are we going?"

"I just need to make a stop before I drop you off," He said casually.

I slipped Gwen's cell phone into my pocket, and closed the glove compartment. My heart was beating loudly against my chest as a thousand thoughts came at me at once. I glanced outside, the sun was still up, there was still some time before it would set. "You know what, I'm actually in a hurry to get home so why don't you just drop me off here and I'll call someone to pick me up."

"You want me to leave you out here alone?" He glanced at me, "I can't do that."

"Sure you can," I told him, "Just pull over here."

"I can't do that," He repeated more firmly.

I didn't know what to think. Maybe I was wrong in what I was thinking. But what if I was right? I couldn't take the risk. If Marc wouldn't let me out, I'd have to get out myself. I sucked in a breath and went to unbuckle my seatbelt, planning to just throw myself out of the car as soon as he came to a stop, but he suddenly grabbed my wrist.

"What are you doing?" He snapped.

"Marc, you're hurting me!" I tried to pull away, "I just wanted to reach for my bag in the back."

"You didn't bring a bag!"

His reaction had said it all. His tight grip on my wrist, and his panic at the simple fact that I was going to unbuckle my seatbelt. Plus, he had Gwen's phone! All the evidence was right there—Marc was the traitor. And yet, part of me still refused to believe it. Any doubts I had quickly faded away though, with the next words he said. "I'm sorry, Hollie. They're making me do this."

"No…" The words were a simple whisper. My eyes suddenly widened in fear as I pulled my wrist out of Marc's grip, going to unbuckle myself and throw myself out of the car; which was a stupid idea considering how fast the car was going. But I wasn't thinking clearly. I knew what Marc was doing; he was taking me to my death.

I hadn't even noticed Marc pulling the gun from underneath his seat, until I felt it pressed against the side of my head, and I froze in the middle of my actions. "If you try to run, I'll shoot," He warned.

I couldn't stop the tears that immediately began forming in my eyes. "Why are you doing this?" I asked, unable to hide the hurt in my voice. Marc was my friend. I thought he was my friend.

He let out a frustrated sigh. "I'm sorry, Hollie!" He apologized angrily, "They said if I didn't do as they told me, they'd kill me! And my family! I have no choice!"

"So you're taking me to them?" I shouted.

"I've been given instructions to take you to a specific place, where someone will come get you once the sun has set," His one hand on the steering wheel tightened to the point where his knuckles turned white. "Don't make this harder than it already is."

"You don't have to do this! Listen, there's a vampire here who'd be willing to help you! Take me back to him, and he'll keep you and your family safe," I begged, "Because if Joseph and his vampires don't kill you, that vampire will."

I didn't know if it was true. Maybe Godric wouldn't kill Marc, maybe he'd just glamour him into forgetting everything, but maybe I could scare Marc into taking me back. He wasn't doing this because he wanted to; he was doing it because he feared for his life. If I promised him safety, maybe he'd bring me back.

He scoffed. "I don't believe you."

"I swear!" I exclaimed, "Marc, the sun is going to set soon, and he's going to come for me!"

"And how would he know where to find you?"

"…He just will!"

There was a look of hesitation on his face, before he shook his head and tightened his grip on the gun, pressing it harder against me. "Not another word, or I'll shoot!"

His mind was set. They had scared him into obedience. He was more afraid of Joseph and his team, because they had threatened him, than he was of Godric. Maybe if I told him who Godric was, and what he could do, it would change his mind. But part of me was worried that he really might pull the trigger if I said another word.

And so, I did another stupid thing instead. I pushed his arm away from me, aiming the gun upwards. Marc, in his panic, pulled the trigger. I fought to take the gun from him, while he fought to keep control of the vehicle while also trying to pull away from me. Eventually, he did and hit me on the side of the head with the gun to get me away from him. He had hit me hard, but not enough to knock me out. My vision was blurry, and I could feel the blood trailing down the side of my head.

I raised my hand to touch my head, but Marc took this as another attack, and then there was the sound of a gunshot. I heard a scream, and it took me some time to realize that it was coming from me; I had been shot in the leg. I kept screaming loudly, watching the blood pouring out of my wound.

"Fuck!" Marc snapped, "Damn it Hollie! I didn't want to hurt you!"

I wasn't paying any attention. Ignoring the pain in my leg, I threw myself at him, and knocked into him. He swore as the gun fell from his hand, but his biggest problem was losing control of the car. Actually, it was my problem as well, as the car headed off the road, flipping continuously over the hill.