Author's Note: Hello, my lovelies! I hope that everyone is doing okay! We are officially in April which means I need to get my butt in gear and start cranking out chapters for my stories that I haven't been maintaining well. But I do appreciate everyone for taking the time to reach out and support the stories, it really means a lot! I do hope that ya'll continue to enjoy! Let me know what you think!
This look crosses over Tiki's pale face as she says something before her lips press into a straight line. Caroline doesn't have time to analyze it, her head is spinning from blood loss and the new spur of terror flooding her system. She feels the man rip his hand from her mouth and lets out a string of curses before back-handing her hard against the side of the building in front of her forcing her to black out.
Caroline forces her eyes open after what feels like hours but must have only been a few moments as Tiki is tipping over, collapsing from her own blood loss or even shock, maybe. Her normally dark skin is shades paler and as she sucks in shallow, almost pained breaths, her eyelashes flutter a bit as they slip closed. Caroline looks through blurry, fuzzy vision to see the man staggering around, staring down at his hand in disbelief, no doubt never having someone just bite him back in a vain attempt to survive. Not Caroline's brightest move, one that she probably won't live long enough to regret it more than she already is.
Caroline's eyes flutter open and closed as the image shifts a bit with each flutter. The man turns an enraged, snarling face toward her, taking a few steps closer before a scream pierces the air and Caroline closes her eyes for a moment, feeling the scream ring in her ears like a blaring alarm before opening them again to see the man is gone and the tall, imposing figure of Stefan Salvatore stands there, watching the retreating vampire vanish in a flurry of motion too fast for Caroline's eyes to follow. She slow blinks again and suddenly Elena's face is closing in on her, perfectly sculpted brown eyebrows pulled together tightly.
"Care? Oh god, Caroline?" Elena mumbles her voice distorting like she was leaning in close and away rapidly despite not really shifting all that much, horror written across her tragically beautiful face. Her voice sounds like it's at the back of a deep dark cave. She's so close, yet she feels so far away. She's felt this way for a long time now. Elena turns to look over her shoulder to Stefan. "Stefan! It's Caroline! She's hurt!" Then her eyes find Tiki and she gasps in horror, trembling hands flying to her face. "Oh, Tiki! Stefan, Tiki needs - "
Caroline blacks out, blue eyes fluttering closed once more. As her consciousness fades from her, voices find her in the darkness. Some Elena, some Stefan, others are haunted voices as the back of her mind that she's probably heard but couldn't place right of the bat. They chase after her, growing fainter and fainter as her mind swirls about in the raging darkness, being swallowed up by it.
"...tomb vampire..."
"Tiki... survive..."
"...female, teen, suffers from blood loss. Puncture wound to the neck... head injury..."
"...and I... is that Sheriff Forbes' daughter?"
"Deputy, call in the Sheriff... gonna be pissed..."
"Who..?
"Who..?"
"It's gotta be..."
"Who do you think..?"
"What do you think..?"
"Vampire."
And there is nothing left but the darkness and whispered words.
Little Caroline, only seven years old, digs around the shelves of the library looking for the bright red cover that caught her eye earlier when she had walked past it. Her big blue eyes flicker back and forth across the shelves trying to locate the binding before she was called away again. She just wanted to see it. Just for a moment. Then she'll leave it alone. Just one moment.
Her fingers trace the binding, rising with the ridges across the spine as the words pimple outward. Caroline's eyes flicker down to it, an excited grin spreading across her face as she pulls the red book from it's shelf and twisting it around to be able to read the cover. She pulls the book to her chest and heads across the library to one of the small benches placed all around the large room for the perusing information or entertainment seekers to use at their leisure. Caroline jumps up onto the bench, taking a moment to peak over at her mom and dad, both talking in hushed tones, leaning over a computer.
A computer wasn't something found in the Forbes household. They had to come to the library for that. Elena didn't have to. Elena had a computer in her house. It was in her dad's office, but they still had one. So lucky.
After a few moments of neither of her parents noticing that she was no longer standing at their side even though they told her to remain, Caroline quickly turned her attention back to the book. She wasn't allowed to read stuff like this. She could tell just from the cover that her dad would be very unhappy about it, but she found this stuff so interesting. He used to tell her that fantasy wasn't meant for them. That the harsh reality of the world was too much for men. That witches, wizards, talking piggies, curses, dragons, and big bad wolves weren't fascinating. They were terrifying.
They were the things of nightmares.
Caroline didn't think so. She thought about how great it would be to have magical hair that could heal wounds. She thought about how thrilling it would be to go on epic adventures with woodland folk. Making wishes upon stars and they come true. How there was someone out there that would love you, and just you, completely, wholly, and unconditionally. How they were always meant to find one another and be together. No one could ever pull them apart. No amount of witches, curses, dragons or evil step-mothers.
They would always find a way.
Caroline loved those things, even though her father hated them. Told her that reality was so much crueler. Whatever that meant.
The book was about a prince from a far-off land, who slighted a witch and got a mean curse put on him that turned him into a hideous beast. It was also about the power of a magic rose that over the years lost its peddles as the curse persisted. Only true love could break the curse and turn the monster back into a man. Turn the beast back into a prince.
It was so wonderful. A beautiful girl who loved a mean, hideous beast who was afraid to open his heart to another for fear of getting hurt could only be something found in a book. She saw what no one else could. She looked past his tough, rough facade. She saw him for the man that he was on the inside. The man that was safely tucked inside this iron forged box where it was cold and lonely but safe. No one could get to him. No one could hurt him. And to keep himself safe, he would hurt everyone else before they could get to him first.
But she saw through that. She saw him as the good man he was inside. She fell in love with him, as he was falling in love with her. Together, their true love was going to heal what was hurt. Undo the damage done. Fix the broken. Love. Love was so... so wonderful. Together, they would be able to overcome all things. Together, their lives would be more complete. More worthy. To be able to share your life with someone who loves you as much as you love them? Like two puzzle pieces fitting together perfectly.
And true love's ki-
"Kill."
The image distorts. The edges of the library grow fuzzy as this looming, terrible feeling settles over Caroline's shoulders. A cold finger slides down her spine, making her shiver in fear. Eyes flickering back and forth, trying to locate the source of the feeling, Caroline finds a shadow shifting in the darkness in the corner of her vision. But instead of looking at it, her spine stiffens. She feels all the wind leave her lungs as little hands grip at the book pressed to her chest. Her blue eyes flicker over to her parents, desperate for them to notice her. To see that she was in danger and come to save her.
But her parents were gone. The computer, as well as the corners of her vision, twist and distort more and more and more until everything is a hazy blur, shifting and undulating beyond her ability to comprehend, taking a new shape.
Except the shadow. It stands there, watching, unmoving.
No. It is moving. Inhumanly gliding closer. But Caroline can't bring herself to turn her eyes straight toward it. Every time her eyes get a touch too close, another wash of cold water slides down her back.
Terror grips at her chest and Caroline sucks in a slow, terrified breath through gritted teeth when the image completely morphs and she's back in her bedroom, staring out the darkness of the window in front of her, feeling a cold hand sliding up and down her bare back.
Caroline feels numb, the terror shimmering beneath her skin like electricity.
All the terror and child-like wonder vanish beneath the waves. The compulsion wrapping around her like a familiar viper, choking the life, the choice, the voice, out of her. She feels herself clawing at the surface of the compulsion waves, fighting desperately for some fresh air. Just a moment, just enough time to think. So close, too close. Not close enough, though. Never close enough.
"Hm?" Caroline hums, her skin prickling at the feeling of his fingers slipping up and down her bare back. Despite the screaming of disgust and fear on the inside, she could barely feel anything through the waves pulling her further under.
"I think I'm going to kill you."
Caroline's lashes flutter as terror finally manages to pierce through the compulsion. It's like an arrow slamming into her stomach. Caroline's hands curl around her blanket and grow cold, tears stab at the back of her eyes as she finally manages to push her head above the waves of compulsion to feel an emotion that wasn't controlled or otherwise approved of by another. A terrified whimper escapes her without her permission regardless.
"Shh..." He hushes softly. If she didn't know any better, she could almost pretend that the words were soothing and the gentle scratch of his nails against her prickling skin was comforting. Like it was something shared intimately between two people who cared about one another. Even loved one another.
But she knew better. And he wasn't. He didn't love her like the princes in those stories she wasn't allowed to read as a kid. He didn't even like her. She was just a means to an end. To hurt Elena, maybe? She didn't know anymore. Did he love her? Elena, Caroline means. Hate her? Or was he just obsessed with her? Because she was so similar to the one that got away? To the girl that has always existed in Damon's heart? If he actually has one, she means. If Elena was a replacement for Kath-
Forget about it all.
She didn't know, but she lived in perpetual fear for Elena's life. Damon Salvatore was a monster. And he destroyed everything he touched. For as much as Caroline blames Stefan for his complacency in all of this, he will, hopefully, be better than Damon. And while he wouldn't help Caroline, he must be willing to help Elena, right?
Right?
"Forget." A voice commands in a harsh whisper in the shell of her ear as the panic of Damon's words set her into a full-blown panic attack.
"Shhh..."
"Forget it all."
"Let's show him that you can hurt a fly..."
"I'm sorry, Caroline. Really."
"I think I'm going to kill you."
"You have to stay away from him. Away from Damon..."
"A beauty that's once in a centry. Or five. A dead ringer for Kather..."
"Listen. Caroline, was it?"
"Caroline, right?"
"We are never going to be friends."
"I think I'm going to kill you."
Caroline falls into darkness accompanied by their haunting voices, the sound of thudding waves smashing over the top of one another and a distinct crack of impacted glass. So close to chattering. So close, but not quite yet.
"I told you that you could go home, Elena," a voice says, pulling Caroline sluggishly to the surface of her mind.
"I know, Sheriff Forbes," Elena's soft voice pierces through the fogginess of Caroline's mind, clearing it up a bit more. "But I'm worried about her. Is it okay if I stick around? Just for a little while longer? I don't think I'll be able to rest easy tonight without keeping an eye on her a bit." A slight pause, then, "Please?"
A soft sigh. "If you're sure. I hate to leave her, but..."
"You have to find the person who did this," Elena says, easily. "I understand. Go. I'll stay and watch out for her for a little while."
Another pause, then, "Thank you, Elena. You're a good friend."
"Not as good as Caroline," Elena says, stiffly. "But thank you."
"I'll be back soon," the other voice says.
"We'll be here," Elena says easily. "Be careful."
"Thanks." Then the soft sound of a door closing and a click.
Caroline feels a painful throb across her entire body, starting from the roots of her hair on the top of her head all the way to the pads of her toes. It's especially painful on her head, neck, shoulders, back and left arm. Despite the adrenaline working its way through her system once more, Caroline is acutely aware of the fact that she's alive. She survived it. Somehow. Somehow, she managed to make it through that with her life. Despite the doubt and the terror, she's here. She made it. Somehow.
And Tiki? What about Tiki? Is she okay?
The last image of Tiki that Caroline can summon is of them sitting in the cafe talking. Tiki, beautiful and lively, grinning from ear to ear with perfectly white teeth and a smile that radiates brighter than the sun. She laughs, throwing her head back as her dark eyes glitter in amusement. Perfect and radiant, like the sun. Caroline's best friend.
But then the image distorts, and that beautiful smile is gone. Instead, her lips are pulled tight into a thin line, brown eyes blown wide in terror, and bloodshot. And her skin unnaturally pale for her normally very dark complexion. She looked so horrible. So... death-like. The mirth and flush of life in her eyes and complexion are bleached with dread and horror. That isn't right. That isn't the way Caroline wants to remember Tiki. It's not her.
Tiki is strong, radiant, beautiful.
That terrified young woman... that... that couldn't have been her. It couldn't have been.
Caroline finds a bit of strength to open her eyes, but her vision is blurry. Despite the room light being dim, it burns her eyes when she finally managed to open them, even if only a crack. She squeezes her eyes shut once more, turning away from the relatively dim light like it was the sun shining in her eyes. Pain and fear and exhaustion all bear down on her from all angles and Caroline doesn't know what else to do. Tears start streaming down her cheeks and into her hair and a sob from the bottom of her heart to the tips of her toes escapes her.
Caroline, through a blurred vision, can see the figure of Elena move to her side. Her brown eyes wide in concern but there is an unmistakable, very familiar strength in them that could only belong to one person. Everything about her face looked so much like Elena's. The pull of the eyebrows, the downward turn of the corners of her lips. Even the way that the tips of her fingers ran together was something Caroline observed her long-time best friend do whenever she was worried.
She looked so much like Elena that it was impossible for them not to be twins. Not to somehow be related. But there was something about her that always surpassed Elena. She was always unfazed. Always held strong. Nothing seemed too large, too imposing, too unfathomable for her. Those eyes held greater strength than Caroline has ever seen in another person. The eyes of a woman who has lost literally everything but somehow made it through. Somehow, she survived.
Beautiful, passionate, powerful Kath-
And then it all clicked. Like a puzzle piece landing right in place, fitting neatly into the spot meant only for it. And the truth made time feel like it slows down around them.
The dark-haired girl stared back at her, full lips parted slightly, ageless eyes glimmering in the near darkness of the room. The untold strength. The shocking similarities between them. The all-knowing attitude. The subtle hints about Damon. The hints from Damon. The things that she forgot. That she forgot that she knew now push their way past her wall erected around the scary things. The things that want to hurt her.
And this is like a knife slicing through her. Then stabbing into her heart as she stares at the girl in front of her. And once more it was like nothing in the world made sense to her. Why was this happening? To her? Certainly, this must all be a sick joke or some divine power's grand plan. There is no way that this could be her reality, right? She's been fighting this feeling of her life falling to pieces around her for the last few months. This can't be real. This can't be the final nail in the coffin. This can't be the reality that she's been too blind to see. It can't be. It can't.
And just like that Caroline is sucked back in time to her captivity with Damon. Her body moving about, operating without her consent, while she screamed in terror on the inside. Except it wasn't her body operating blindly, it was her. Somehow, she has to have always known. No one was hiding it. At least, not really. But no one was saying anything either. And for the life of Caroline, she couldn't figure out why that was. Katherine, Kol, Elijah. It all made sense now. Why they always warranted caution but never seemed afraid themselves despite their very subtle hints at recognizing the danger that Damon both was and presented. They didn't really have to worry about him. They weren't scared of Damon because they were just like him.
They were vampires.
And once more, Caroline is the fool.
Caroline thought that they were her friends. Thought that they really were looking out for her when in reality they were... they were...
Well, Caroline has no idea what they were doing. They weren't doing anything intentionally malicious. At least, not as far as Caroline can tell. Since she's met them, they've all been nothing but cordial, kind, and even more present and compassionate than some of the people in Caroline's life in these last few months. Kol has done nothing but express how strong he thinks that she is and how he can't seem to wait for her to realize it. Katherine has been a listening ear and even offered her advice and friendship freely. Elijah... well, Elijah's only real interactions with her have always been kind but also very... knightly. Calling Kol to Mystic Falls to help Caroline and even to stand against Damon.
Caroline has no idea what any of them could be getting from what they are doing with her. It doesn't seem right at all. It almost feels like everything that's been happening has all been for her benefit. Which, of course, couldn't be right. They were vampires, like Damon. But they aren't acting like that. They aren't acting plainly enough for her to be able to tell that, at least. And until just now, Caroline had considered Kol and Katherine to be her friends, and Elijah was an enigmatic, friendly acquaintance that could sidestep into the friend spot easily if Caroline's not paying any attention.
And then Caroline sees it in Katherine's eyes. Warmth. Comfort, albeit worry flickering in the depths, but this unshakable strength that never ceases to amaze Caroline whenever she sees it still holds strong. And she sees herself. Well, not really. But she finally realizes, in that moment, what it was that made Caroline able to immediately tell the difference between Katherine and Elena. How somehow, she could just tell when the dark-haired young woman looked at her, how she just knew which was which.
Katherine saw her. When those dark eyes turned to her, Katherine saw her. Saw Caroline. Where Caroline has gotten so used to Elena's eyes always staring through her. Even before Elena's parents died, it's been like that. Caroline knows it's because she's not the easiest person to get along with and she puts a lot of pressure on her relationships with others, but it's not like that with Katherine. Elena's eyes stare through a lot of people, and despite her kind nature and compassionate heart, she can't help herself.
Maybe it's how she's always been, or maybe the death of her parents has given Caroline a reason to finally make the connection, but it's there. And it's been there for a long time. She's always been looking beyond where she is. Toward the future, maybe, but there are times - a lot more than Caroline cares to admit - where it feels like Elena is so far beyond her. Beyond all of them. Elena was always living in the future while everyone else seemed to be stuck in the present.
Caroline's not sure how to explain it, that's just how she's always felt. Even for a time when she didn't realize it.
But Katherine was there, in the present. And Caroline shined in her eyes. That's how Caroline could tell. It feels stupid, trying to put it into words. But that's how she can tell, as soon as Katherine's eyes meet her own, she knows for sure.
Katherine, a stranger Caroline met a few short months ago, sees her more now than her own long time best friend in Elena has. And even Bonnie. Honestly, Katherine has been a better friend to her in the last few months than either of them had been. Caroline doesn't really blame Elena or Bonnie, but she is having a hard time associating Katherine, Kol, and Elijah as the same type of bad people that Damon was. Or, is.
But then again, Caroline isn't exactly the best when it comes to dealing with people.
And like that, the panic begins to settle as she lets her brain take a moment to process instead of just panicking. Katherine and Kol... they aren't Damon. Damon is a monster. A horrible, terrible monster and Caroline will never forgive him for what he did. Maybe Katherine and Kol aren't who she thinks they are. Or hopes that they are. But maybe they are. They have been doing nothing but trying to help empower her since she met them. It hasn't been a very quick process, but Caroline isn't nearly as low down now as she was when she first somehow escaped from Damon's clutches. For a time there, Caroline wasn't sure how she was going to survive.
Thankfully, Caroline had Liz and Tiki there to help pull her from the fire. Same with Katherine and Kol. They helped her at her lowest point. The least that she can offer in return is not to look at them through the lens set by the likes of Damon Salvatore. Kol and Katherine are so much more than that. They are worth so much more than that. It wouldn't be fair.
But honestly, Caroline is still scared. Scared that they will flip on a dime once they realize that she knows the truth. They have been invaluable in her healing process, being surprisingly good friends despite her obviously knowing nothing about them. Caroline has to be careful in how she deals with them. She doesn't want to think the worst in them, after all that they've done for her. But if she's not careful, their betrayal will destroy her. She can't handle anything more. Not... not yet.
Maybe the attack tonight has freshened the feeling of helplessness, but she can't go through the silence, the screaming, the terror, ohgodtheterror -
"Oh Caroline," Katherine coos softly, sliding in close and wrapping her arms around the blonde, pulling her tight against her.
Caroline rigidly leans against the older girl for a moment, trying to work her way through her new revelation about the other girl. Trying to decide if she would rather try to work her way through those feelings now or if she would rather just find comfort in the person closest enough to offer it to her.
Caroline's sagging of her body was her own answer, and she didn't have the strength to fight it even if she wanted to. So, she just cried in the arms of the woman that she hopes is her friend and tries to find some form of comfort that she can, while she has it.
"It'll be okay, it'll be okay," Caroline hears herself repeat over and over again. She's not sure if she's trying to comfort herself or convince Katherine that she's going to be okay, but the words just comes tumbling out of her mouth.
Katherine runs her fingers through Caroline's hair, forcing her to relax into her embrace, softly hushing her until she stopped parroting herself. Caroline just softly cried into the shoulder of the other girl as all of her energy slowly starts to drain from her as she sinks further and further into the other girl, who accepts her weight without complaint. She feels her eyes start to droop closed as the energy fully drains from her.
Softly, so softly Caroline almost missed it as she slipped further into slumber, Katherine whispers, "No, Caroline, it's not okay. But it can be. Believe that."
The next time Caroline woke up, Liz was there with her, and Katherine was long gone but her warmth and kindness remained. Despite the strong face the other woman tried to put up, Caroline could tell Liz hadn't slept in at least a day. They made idle chat as Liz tried to get her to not talk about what happened - which was a little odd, but Caroline figured it was because the scare for Liz was just as bad, or even worse for her. Caroline doesn't mind all that much, though, she would rather not think about it. So, Liz's unwillingness is a blessing in it's own way.
After a few hours of dozing, Caroline finally convinced her mom to go home, shower, eat something, and get a few hours rest. Liz was weary and it took quite some time to really convince her, but eventually Liz relented. She kissed Caroline on the top of the head, told her to call if she needed her, and informed her that a deputy would be waiting outside if anything happened before dragging herself out of the room. It's probably been almost a day since her mom has had any sleep and the last thing that Caroline wants is for her mom to pass out while trying to find the man - vampire - that attacked her and Tiki.
When Caroline had asked about her friend, Liz had confirmed that Tiki was alright. She wasn't recovering as quickly as Caroline is, but the doctors expect that she'll make a full recovery in no time at all. Thankfully it seemed that Caroline wasn't hurt too bad, as all she feels now is a bit of soreness and chills from blood loss but aside from that, her doctors are impressed with how quickly she is recovering. Caroline figures it's probably because Tiki is hurt worse.
Caroline worries about her friend, though. All Tiki has is her grandfather, and he has something going on with his memory. Alzheimer's or dementia, maybe, but it's definitely early onset. And diagnosed. So, no one can say for sure, but Tiki's mom is often in and out of the house for her job, so Tiki mostly cares for herself and her grandfather. Luckily Liz already spoke with the neighbors to make sure that someone was checking in on him, even going so far as to do so herself.
Caroline prays Tiki's mom comes back soon, hopefully having heard about the attack on Tiki and will return as soon as possible. Caroline absolutely hates the idea of her best friend in the next room all alone.
It's getting late again and the nurse just checked in on her again for hopefully the last time, for a while, before Caroline started dozing again, still cold and tired from the ordeal when she felt more then heard someone enter the room.
Caroline's eyes snap open and find the lone figure standing at the closing door, heart leaping up into her chest before it begins to settle at the sight of Tiki. The girl is dressed in a hospital gown and scrub pants, same as Caroline, but her complexion is looking better than the last time she saw her, which is a tremendous relief.
Tiki, as if she felt she had to explain her presence, says, "The Deputy let me in. I guess it's easier for us to be in the same room."
Caroline sits up in her bed, not caring in the slightest about the deputy. "Tiki! Oh god, are you okay?" Despite looking better, Tiki still sways a bit and there is a palpable exhaustion hanging over her. Maybe her skin does look a little paler than usual. It's hard to tell in this horrible lighting.
Tiki's smile is wane and forced. "I feel like shit, girl, what do you mean?"
Caroline flushes a bit, looking down at the thin excuse for a blanket on her lap. "Sorry. I mean, I don't know. I thought..." Caroline sighs, trying to organize her thoughts. It feels like that night - last night? - was a lifetime ago. And like they were still living in the middle of it. "How are you holding up?"
Tiki rolls her eyes, making her way further into the room to sit down onto Caroline's bed. The blonde pulls up her feet so that the other girl has enough room to stretch out across the bed and cross her legs comfortably, turning to face her. "As good as I can be, I guess..." Tiki mumbles, picking at a lose thread on the blanket.
Caroline hesitates for a moment, wondering how much the other girl even remembered. Caroline's not even sure she remembered everything. Or even if she wants to. In her heart, Caroline knows it all. But Tiki doesn't have to. Tiki could forget all of this, live a good life ignorant to all of the horrible, terrible things that really do go bump in the night. It's not too late for her like it is for Caroline. Maybe there was a way to -
"You saved my life."
Caroline blinks, not sure she heard that right, while looking into the eyes of her best friend. "Huh?"
Tiki stares through her, lips pressed into a thin line and despite how even her voice is, her face belies her fears. And confirms Caroline's. Tiki knows. Tiki saw everything.
"That man was going to kill us," Tiki says, then shivers, like the weight of what she said finally hits her. She runs her hands up and down her arms as the skin prickles. Caroline aches to hold her friend close. Comfort her in the way Katherine had just a few hours earlier. Now that she's closer, Caroline can see that Tiki still looks terrible. Worse than she initially thought.
"I know..." Caroline whispers, voice shaking but she feels like she has to acknowledge it. That's the only way to make this real. Running away sounds like a great idea but doesn't feel right. She's been running for months and all that's succeeded in doing is helping to isolate her from those she loves and making her absolutely miserable. It's about time that she stops running. Or, at least, tries to.
"He was going to kill us, Caroline," Tiki whispers harshly, the words frightening both of them. Once more breathing life into the very real reality that could have befallen both of them. "But you stopped him. You saved our lives."
"I didn't," Caroline admits, remembering being knocked away. Remembering hitting the ground and losing the will to fight. Remembering Stefan standing where the other vampire once stood. No doubt he was the one that scared the man away. Proving to Caroline that maybe her faith in Katherine, Kol, and Elijah, just might not be misplaced. She is very tentatively optimistic. "He... he ran off. I think something spooked him." But he's still out there, she didn't say. She's not sure she's ready to face that reality herself just yet, let alone share it with Tiki. Someone is going to talk to them about him, to learn more. Probably in the morning. Caroline... can't wait...
"Yeah, you," Tiki says, still rubbing her arms.
"Me, what?"
Tiki gives her a look, scooting closer until their knees nearly touched. "You. You scared him off, Caroline. I know it." Tiki must not have seen Stefan.
"I didn't," Caroline admits again, wondering two seconds too late if it its was smart to throw Stefan out there. Especially if Tiki never saw him. The last thing she wants is anyone sniffing around the Salvatore house. And Damon.
"You did," Tiki insists. "I saw it. I saw your eyes, Care."
Perplexed, Caroline echoes, "My eyes?"
"Yeah. I saw your werewolf eyes."