Chapter Ten
Working Hard
"Another mother's breakin', heart is taking over. When the violence causes silence, we must be mistaken..." ~ The Cranberries
"Counting bodies like sheep to the rhythm of the war drums..." ~ A Perfect Circle
"See the devil on the doorstep now. Telling everybody oh just how to live their lives. Sliding down the information highway. Buying in just like a bunch of fools. Time is ticking and we can't go back..." ~ Ana Johnsson
The house was abuzz with people. Some doing research, some working on a battle plan, and others making sure that people were eating, drinking and sleeping. We were at such a stage in our plan of attack that we had people coming and going. Elena had gotten her brother Jeremy, who can see spirits after Bonnie had brought him back from the dead, involved and he was helping Bonnie researching.
Elena's friend Caroline Forbes, a newly turned vampire, also volunteered herself and was part of the team coming up with a battle plan. A week or so later Tyler Lockwood, a recently turned werewolf also agreed to join. Jack also had Keepers, faeries, vampires and werewolves making the trip to Mystic Falls offering their help and providing us with information. Elena and I were the ones making sure that people didn't forget to look after themselves. I also sat in on some of the battle talk, offering my advice. "Thank you for coming," I said walking Norman out. "Hattie and I are just happy to be of service," he said politely, taking my hand.
"You being here is comforting," I said as he walked out onto the porch.
Norman kissed my cheek and walked to his car. I watched as he got in, started the engine and drove down the driveway. I waited till I couldn't see him anymore, before I went back inside, closed the door and went in to the living room sitting down.
The front door opened and I heard Damon's voice.
"Ava!" he called as the front door closed.
"In here," I called back. Damon entered followed by a stranger. The stranger was about the same height as Damon with dirty blonde hair, neatly combed, wearing jeans and a button up shirt. "Hey," I greeted getting to my feet.
"Hey," Damon said wrapping an arm around my waist, leaning down kissing me.
I saw the look of shock in the stranger's eyes, stepping away from Damon. It was obvious that Damon and the stranger knew each other well.
"Ava, Alaric. Alaric, Ava," Damon introduced us, moving to the side.
"Hi," I said extending my arm. Alaric took my hand and shook it.
"Hello," he greeted. "Alaric has offered to help us," Damon said crossing his arms.
"Great we need all the able bodies we can get," I answered smiling.
"He's a history teacher and a vampire hunter," Damon went on.
That got my attention. Not the history teacher part, but the vampire hunter bit.
"A what?" I blurted looking at Alaric. Damon and Alaric exchanged confused glances, before they turned to look at me. "A vampire hunter," Alaric said.
"A word," I said leaving the room. Damon followed and I could feel him trying to get a glimpse into my mind. I put the wall up and kept my thoughts to myself.
"We've been gathering information for weeks now, and not once did any one mention the existence of modern day vampire hunters," I scolded, hands on my hips.
"I thought you knew," Damon answered still a bit lost.
"This is worse than I first thought."
"Why?"
"Why?" I asked. "I'll tell you why. If there are vampire hunters then that means that the Keepers failed the supernatural world. We exist to keep you guys safe from humans and anyone that tries to hurt supernatural beings."
"You didn't fail the supernatural world, Ava. Vincent and Tobias did."
"But I left. I gave up fighting."
"Because you had no choice. They were going to kill you."
"I'm sorry, did I say something wrong," Alaric asked poking his head out of the living room. "No," I said forcing a smile. It wasn't that I didn't like him, it was just that I was disappointed that he had to go down the path of killing. Even if it was vampires.
"I was just surprised that there were vampire hunters again."
"Oh," was all Alaric said exchanging a confused look with Damon.
"So, muscle and smarts. We could definitely use you," I said a little more kindly.
The next few weeks were hectic. Damon, Stefan, Caroline, Tyler and Alaric were working on the battle plan seeing that they're the ones with the muscle. Bonnie, Jeremy, Dave and Sasha were among the ones doing research, with Alaric offering his help. Elena and I moved between groups finding out what they found and what they needed. "I think I found something," Sasha said, coming downstairs. "What did you find?" I asked coming out of the kitchen. I was busy making lunch for a house full of people. It was no easy feat. I wasn't the most skilled at cooking. I could do the basics but not much more. So, I settled for making some sandwiches. At least I couldn't screw that up. I hoped. "Look at this," she said turning the book around so I could see. "Do you think she looks fat in that dress?" Sasha asked pointing to a picture of a famous Hollywood actress. I wiped my hands and shook my head.
"Really Sash?"
"You're right, she's perfect," Sasha said turning the book back to look at the picture.
"Honestly," I chuckled turning back and heading towards the kitchen.
"Those other books are boring," she whined following me into the kitchen.
"It's not supposed to be fun," I replied getting started with the last batch of sandwiches. "I know, but nobody said it was going to be this boring," she said sitting down. "Take a break, Sash. Go back to work."
"No. I took time off because this is more important."
"And we appreciate that, but being a Doctor is in your blood."
Sasha nodded pulling some ingredients towards her, helping with the sandwich making task. We worked in silence for a while, both lost in our own thoughts.
I was thinking of the unbelievably difficult task ahead of us, and who knows what Sasha was thinking off. "Why Sasha," Sasha asked breaking the silence.
"What?" I asked pulled from my thoughts.
"Why was I named Sasha?" she repeated looking up.
"I don't know. I only requested that they make your middle name Victoria," I said putting down my knife. "Why?" she wanted to know, millions of questions going through her mind. "My birth name was Avalon Victoria Harvey. I was named after my grandmother and my mother. I wanted you to have something from me."
I looked at Sasha proud of the woman she'd become and even prouder of her for being the better person and forgiving us. Sasha was the only family I had left. If I had lost her I don't know what I would have done. And that was why I hated having her involved with this. I would never forgive myself or Jack if something happens to Sasha. "I'm going to be fine," Sasha said interrupting my thoughts.
"I know, but I'm allowed to be worried," I said with a smile. She knew me so well.
"I know that you and Damon won't let anything happen to me," Sasha said confidently. "Neither would Stefan."
"You sound so sure," I noted.
"I trust you, Ava. It's as simple as that."
"I hope you're right," I said arranging the sandwiches on a big plate.
"You need to have a little more faith," Sasha replied stacking the sandwiches in neat little rows. "With you at my side I might just get through this," I noted with a smile.
"Aw. I love you too," she gushed returning my smile. We heard voices and turned to look at the door. Jeremy and Dave walked into the kitchen chatting away.
They saw the sandwiches and stopped. "Thank god," Dave said. "I am starving."
"Dude," Jeremy said with a laugh. "You just ate."
"That was an hour ago," Dave said excitedly.
"You had to marry him," I said with a laugh.
"What can I say," Sasha said smiling as Dave kissed the top of her head.
