Hello again!

So I got a lot of favorites and follows and alerts with just the prologue which made my day! As soon as I saw that people actually liked the idea I sat down and got busy. I had written this chapter a while ago so I had to do some re-reading, editing and tweaking.

So here you go! (As you can see this one is a little lengthy)

Enjoy!

Chapter 1

That had been two months ago. Father had been avoiding me as much as he possibly could without raising any suspicion. But I noticed from the first day.

He would usually come home from a long day at work and take off his boots and jacket. Then he would greet me and ask what we would be having for supper. We would talk about our day and discuss things that were going on- our usual father daughter routine. Then he would go into his study, the door always open, and read from his extensive collection of novels. When the sky was black and it was well into the night, he would bid me a goodnight and go to bed, but not before planting a kiss on my forehead and wishing me sweet dreams.

But now, he seemed cold, indifferent, distant. He would arrive home and head straight to his study. If by chance he found me there reading or writing, he would excuse himself for interrupting with the excuse of wanted to know when dinner would be ready.

Sharing a meal with him would prove to be another obstacle. He would take his dinner in his study, or practically inhale it if we were in the same room.

But what hurt the most was that he would bid me goodnight when the sun was just beginning to disappear behind the horizon and proceed to lock himself in his chambers. He would not check on me or wish me sweet dreams.

I blamed myself for the first few weeks, cursing my loose tongue for asking such wild and inappropriate questions. I sat on the floor of my room with a book splayed across my lap, unable to concentrate on the words that were neatly printed on the page in front of me.

Two months. It had been two months.

I stood up and threw the book on my bed, then walked out into the kitchen, grabbing some bread and cheese and tucking it into a basket, walking out into the thick morning air.

It was only mid-August, but the wind would sweep through our village in the morning, creating the effect of the approach of fall. But the leaves were still very green, and the trees were still glowing, the flowers flourishing through the countryside.

I walked to the bridge that was a few ways away from our cottage and stepped around to it's side, where a small slope led down to the little stream. I set myself down as close to the water's edge as possible and started pulling out the cheese and bread, nibbling on each item. I looked down at my reflection, taking in the girl in the stream. She had long, wavy blonde hair that was pulled back into a loose braid. Her big grayish-green eyes shone in the reflection. Her porcelain skin glowed in the morning light.

But she would never be as beautiful as many of the girls in the village. She might glow and shine with confidence (something that her father used to say)- but there were no suitors knocking at her were all at Rebekah's home, the village's most treasured (and wealthy) young woman. She had hair as beautiful as sunshine, and eyes as blue as the sky on the clearest days. She was fair skinned and was always perfectly dressed in the most beautiful gowns. She had a line of men at her door of every age and origin.

Even though she and Caroline shared many physical features, there was something about her that would always have women at her feet begging for friendship, and men at her door.

But she would shoo them away at times, or bask in their attention.

I, on the other hand, spent my days working and cooking and cleaning. The only proper gown I had was my mother's summer dress, which was the most lovely shade of emerald. But I could never bring myself to wear it.

All of my clothing I had made myself, from whatever material I could find at the market.

Suddenly, I heard the distinct sound of a twig snapping. My head shot up towards the sound, only to find a beautiful white rabbit a few feet away. I stood up slowly, so as not to scare it, and walked over cautiously. But I didn't make it far before it bolted away. I followed it.

"Chasing a rabbit" I thought to myself and smiled at the childish nature of my actions.

But soon, I was far less worried about the small furry creature, and more perturbed with the fact that I was literally at the edge of the woods. I looked around, trying to see if anyone was around, but I was alone.

I reached my hand out and stroked the rough bark of one of the trees. I pulled my hand away and tried to pull my thick shawl around myself as much as possible. I took a step.

Then another. And another. And one more.

I was a few feet into the woods already, looking around slowly, feeling as if my heart was going to jump out of my throat. I took a deep breath and tried to calm my nerves, taking some time to look around at my surroundings in detail.

There were trees in all directions, all tall and with greyish-brown trunks. The canopy of leaves was thick and green. There were small flowers emerging from random spots on the ground- and they were beautiful. I laughed at the thought that there would be tiny white flowers in the big bad woods.

I bent down and started pulling at some of the flowers, then settling them into my braid, something my mother used to do all the time.

Once I had finished, I sat down on a fallen log and kept looking around.

Everything was so surreal. Everyone talks about how the woods is dangerous, but they failed to mention that it was so beautiful and majestic. The sun was just above the horizon at this point, and it's rays burst into the forest, giving it light. The dew drops on the leaves created a beautiful effect.

I suddenly got the strange sensation that there were eyes on me. I looked around, trying to find where the sensation was coming from. There was no one outside the woods because I would have noticed- I was only a few feet from the edge.

But this felt strange. A fear creeped through my body and my hairs stood on end. I slowly got up again and made my way to the edge, trying very hard to not look back and get out of there as fast as humanly possible.

I made it out safely, but kept walking, trying to put some distance between myself and the woods. The feeling was still very much prominent, and I tried not to look anywhere but forward as I tried to walk as casually as possible to the bridge, picking up my basket and walking home.

I quickly stepped into the comfort of my home and locked the door, proceeding to drawing all the curtains.

I sunk down onto one of the chairs in the sitting area, trying my best to slow my heart rate.

I could have sworn that someone had been watching my every move, but there was not one soul around for at least a mile. And who would come this far, this early in the day? I closed my eyes and tried to relax, willing my stiff muscles to loosen.

When I opened my eyes, I noticed that I had fallen asleep and it was already late afternoon. I hopped up and started my chores, than starting on dinner.

I never left the house again, and kept the curtains drawn and the door sealed shut. Whenever I would hear a sound, I would jump.

"Calm down, you're being ridiculous" I muttered in an attempt to calm down

As the sun began to set, I started preparing dinner- putting out plates and serving food.

Soon enough the front door creaked open and I heard the sound of boots being settled by the door.

"Good evening, father" I called over my shoulder, turning and setting his plate in front of his seat at the table.

"Good evening" He said without even a glance at my direction, making his way over to his chair and sitting, beginning his task of scarfing down his supper in record time.

I sighed, sitting at my place and starting on my dinner. After an awkward span of silence, I decided I should start making some form of conversation. It was true, he had yet to try to make any form of small talk since that day. But I had also hardly attempted.

"You came home rather late today" I started, staying quiet so as to prompt an answer.

"Yes" Was his his only answer. He grabbed a piece of bread and stuffed it into his mouth.

"Is there any reason as to why?" I pushed.

"Oh, just work" He brushed it off as if it was an insignificant change in his schedule. unfortunately, it did not deter my curiosity. He had come home at exactly the same time everyday for the past six years, never changing. He never took extra shifts, he never took a trip to the not (well, not before coming home for supper first). So coming home rather late was not an insignificant change in his schedule.

"Father," I said, and he finally looked up at me, his eyes masked something. "You have never been one to be late" I finished.

He sat and looked at me for some time, as if pondering what to say next. I could see the internal battle he was facing, a push and pull of whether to elaborate or not. He finally sighed and relented, whipping his mouth with his napkin and putting his fork and knife down.

He sighed and rubbed a hand over his face.

"We have run out of lumber" He stated, shaking his head slightly.

"Oh" I said, not expecting something so... uneventful.

"Yes, the wood supply is still in good shape for a few more days. Maybe five days at most. It should be enough to keep the houses warm at night and businesses running" He continued.

"I do not see what the problem is" I scrunch my eyebrows and tilted my head, trying to make sense of why this was such a perturbing subject.

"We do not have any more trees from which could obtain any lumber. The closest source we have is about six days worth of travel up north. And that is only the trip there. Returning could take as much as eight days, and that would be making great time." I started putting the pieces together in my head.

"I see" I said.

"Yes"

"And that is the closest alternative? The source that would take a possible two week trip?" I ventured.

"No, there is another option" He stated, his voice dropping low, laced with what seemed like fear.

"What is it?" I inquired.

"The woods" He said quickly, not missing a beat, knowing that if he waited any longer I would still be able to get the truth out of him.

I sat back, taken by surprise by his statement.

"The woods? Why would you need to go into the woods"

"There are certain requirements that a tree needs to meet in order to be sent to the lumber yard. It must be healthy, it must not be too strong, it must not be too weak, and it must not be rare. The trees on the outskirts of the woods are too weak, which is typical. The stronger and healthier trees and a ways into the woods." He finished, suddenly losing his appetite and going up to put his plate away.

I sat and thought for a while. He would have to go into the woods. Not only would he have to go in, he would have to go deep into the woods.

I cleared the table and made my way to his study where he was reading a well worn book, one both he and I were very fond of.

"When do you go?" I asked, leaning against the door frame. He looked up from his book, the candle that had been lit next to him casting shadows on his features, making him look ages older.

"Tomorrow" He said.

"Be safe" I said, feeling my voice hitch slightly.

"Always am" He said, offering me a tight lipped smile and looking down at his book once more, effectively ending the conversation.

"Hey, Caroline!" A voice called out from behind her. It was faint and almost inaudible. I whipped my head around searching for the source of the sound.

"Caroline!" It was louder now, and she turned to see her friend Elena weaving through the crowd, making her way towards her. She smiled.

"Elena!" She called moving towards her friend. They embraced quickly before turning in the direction she had been walking.

"On your way to see Bonnie?" She asked.

"Yes, I am all out of spices for supper. Winter is coming soon as well and I need some herbs just in case father or I get sick" I said, turning a corner.

"That is true" She agreed "Maybe I should pick something up for Katherine, she hasn't been feeling well lately"

"And you aren't? So the terrible Gilbert twins aren't totally connected? That's a relief I thought you two were practically the same person" I laughed.

"We are not that similar! Yes we look alike but that is probably as far as it goes" She said, sounding like she didn't completely believe herself. Elena and Katherine Gilbert were the only twins in the village. They lived on the opposite side of the village as me with their younger brother Jeremy and her parents Grayson and Miranda. Miranda owned the village's bakery while Grayson worked as a blacksmith along with some other men.

They had grown up together. Caroline's mother had been great friends with Miranda and they spent a lot of time together as well. Caroline met Elena first and they had become instant friends, picking flowers and running around in the meadow that was Caroline's backyard. She then met Katherine a few days later. Katherine was different from Elena- wilder, more outgoing and loud.

They looked identical on the outside, but they were two completely different people. Despite their differing personalities, they always seemed to know what the other was thinking and sometimes didn't even need to talk to understand what the other had to say. It was an amazing feat to watch, albeit annoying at times.

"Sure" I said, rolling my eyes. We had reached the entrance to the Bennett shop. I pushed open the door and walked into the dim room. Old candles lined the shop windows, jars and bunches of herbs were settled on the shelves. Deep, printed rugs adorned the ground while luscious drapes hung along the walls.

"Hey, guys!" Bonnie said from where she had been sitting, tying bunches of herbs together with string.

"Hey, Bon" They said in unison.

"What can I get you?" She said, stepping up to the roll of shopkeeper. Her grams had died a few months before and left the shop to her. Bonnie used to spend a lot of time with Elena and Caroline, but in the past few months she had been absent, needing to take care of her grandmother's shop. That didn't damage their friendship though- they would visit her almost everyday and spend time together, talking about any gossip that had been circling the village.

"I'm just here for some regular cooking spices and some herbal remedies for the winter months" I said, she quickly turned and started opening jars and grabbing bunches of herbs.

"There you go" She said, handing me a small package.

"Thanks Bon" I said with a warm smile. She returned the small and then went to help Elena with whatever she needed. I started walking around the shop, looking at all the different things around the room. It was always fascinating to come in here when her grams ran the store. She would show them different plants and tell them what they did. Her grams was also a fanatic for fantastic stories and always had a new one to tell.

There was a jar that contained a violet flower that caught my eye. I had never seen something like this before, and I had wandered around the shop multiple times.

"Hey Bonnie, what's this?" i said, grabbing the jar and trying to read the label on it.

"That's Aconitum" she said, as I tried to make sense of the scribbles on the label- it definitely did not say that. "Wolf's bane" She said as if reading my mind.

"It's pretty" I said.

"Yes. Hunters use it to kill wolves" She started "But if grams were here, she would tell us the story of how it can also be used to ward away the dangerous lycanthrope"

"The what?" Elena said incredulously from next to her.

"The werewolf. Half man, half wolf. During the full moon they change and lose control of their human morals, ripping apart anything that stands in their way." She said, her voice taking on the same tone as her grandmother's. She shrugged casually, sitting back down and getting to work on some remedies "The wolf's bane is their weakness. Supposedly silver as well."

I opened the lid on the jar and took out a few of the flowers. They didn't smell as good as daisies or tulips, but they looked beautiful. I decided to take some, so Bonnie wrapped them up in a small cloth and handed them to me. I placed it in my basket, along with the herbs and spices Bonnie had given me earlier and book I had purchased for my father.

"Bon, you really are starting to sound like your grams" Elena commented "You reminded me of that time she told us about vampires. What was it that kept them away again?" She racked her brain for the answer, trying to remember the story.

"Vervain and wood" I said off the top of my head "And sunlight, but if they have a lapis lazuli amulet they are immune to the effects of the sun" She elaborated further.

"Wow Care" Bonnie said as Elena stared with wide eyes.

"What?" She laughed "I liked that story"

"Speaking of stories" Elena ventured "What's going on with you and Tyler?" She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.

"Nothing" Caroline said, turning her head so that her friends couldn't see her blush. Nothing had really been going on. Tyler was one of Caroline's childhood friends. They had spent time together almost everyday since the day they met. He used to be mean, but eventually he warmed up to her and they became best friends. Recently, their dynamic had started to change. There was all this tension all the time- but not in a bad way. She always wanted to look good around him and it felt like she had butterflies in her stomach every time they would meet each other's eyes.

"It doesn't look like nothing" Elena pushed.

"Really nothing has happened, everything is the same as it was a few days ago" She said. They all sighed.

"Well, I have to go. I have a few more errands to run before I have to go home and do my chores and get started on supper" I said, realising it was almost noon.

I started walking towards the door, making my way out before I remembered something.

"Hey," I started, turning to face my long time friends "Have you ever thought of...you know...what it would be like to um...go into the woods?" I asked, my voice fading with every word. I had mentioned this to them. I had mentioned it to Tyler. I had also mentioned it to Matt- a long time friend and at one point crush. I had never said it straightforward like that, but I had hinted.

Each time, everyone's eyes would open wide. Bonnie and Elena had once entertained the idea, playing along with me. But not soon after they were chastising me, telling me it was too dangerous. Katherine, the Wild Child, Gilbert had blatantly refused to talk about it. Tyler had called me a ridiculous little girl, saying that I was out of my mind. Matt had given me a knowing look, understanding my curiosity but still silently conveying the message- it's dangerous, unheard of.

"Caroline, you know it's dangerous" Bonnie said.

"I know people say it's dangerous, but do we really have any proof?" I shot back.

"If everyone is in such consensus that it's dangerous, I don't think we need actual proof. We should trust our elders, Care" Elena said, almost chastising.

"Yes, I know" I said. I was well aware of what everyone was told, what everyone said. But I couldn't be the only one who thought so? There had to be someone else who thought there maybe there was no danger. And if there was...what was it?

I shook my head. You're such a ridiculous girl Caroline I thought to myself.

You are out of your mind.

There it is! Love? Hate?

This chapter was a little longer and it was mostly just building up the characters and setting up a base for the plot, but there is still A LOT to come.

So what do you guys think about her venture into the woods?

Were there any other oddities that you picked up?

I'll update soon!

~M

P.S.: Thank you Aaaammber for the lovely review!