Was that supposed to be an attempt to compel me to forget?

It didn't work, at least I don't think it did; maybe Stefan is too weak for compulsion.

Whatever the reason, I'm glad it didn't work, but I could play along for now.

'You and Damon aren't vampires; vampires aren't real.'

'Forgot everything you know about vampires.'

'Ok.'

He stared at me for a long time; then he sniffed me.

Like he had taken a big whiff of my hair, and his face changed, his got veiny, and he had fangs.

I turned away from him as his grip tightened, and he sniffed again.

'Look at me.' I turned to him. 'Don't invite Damon or me inside of your house. And don't let your grandmother invites us in either.'

Don't invite him in.

So he doesn't want to drink my blood?

'Okay.'

'Don't invite Vicky Donavan in either.'

Vicky?! Vicky is a vampire too?! That must mean...

'Bella, listen to me. Do not let Vicky in your home.'

'Ok.'

'Forget about the night you were attacked.'

'Ok...'

'Go inside, and lock your door.'

I did as I was compelled and stayed in my room.

If I was to go by what Stefan said, then Vicky was dead.

Vicky was dead and turned into a vampire.

I don't want to hurt you or Mattie.

Damon -or maybe Stefan himself- turned Vicky into a vampire.

This would have never happened if I had gone to the sheriff in the beginning.

My acrimony soon turned into tears, and I couldn't even scream;

Stefan might still be outside listening to me.

I must have eventually cried myself to sleep because I remember waking up to knocking.

'Bella?' Gran called from outside my bedroom. 'Caroline Forbes is here.'

Caroline burst into the room, decked out in pink and white. 'Bella! Wake up!'

'Caroline,' I grumbled, 'what time is it?'

'It's time for school, your first day back.'

'I'm not going to school. I'm going to the police station.'

'To help with the search for Vicky? She's probably on a bender.'

There was no one I could talk to about Vicky.

'Today's not really a school day.'

'But you are going to the Halloween party at school, right?'

'No.'

'Oh, Bella, come! You can't brood under your blanket scared forever!'

'I can and will! Besides, I don't even costume.'

'We can go shopping!'

'Uhh...''

I already have a costume for Bella.' Gran spoke up. 'I thought she might have wanted to ask that nice Gilbert boy.'

Caroline's smile returned and widened, and I groaned.

'Thank god!' Elena cried as she approached Vicky and me.

Elena's costume was a nurse, and Vicky was dressed as a vampire.

'I lost track of Jeremy. I was worried.'

'What's going on?' asked Matt as he approached us briskly.

'Hey, uh, everything is fine.'

'I told you to quit bothering me.' Vicky asserted.

'No, Vicky, don't do this!' cried Elena.

'Matt, he won't leave me alone.'

Matt instantly turned on me. 'You need to back off, man.'

Elena stepped in front of me. 'Matt, it's... It's okay.'

'No, it's not okay.' he turned his gaze back on as Vicky fled. 'What the hell is your problem?!'

'Stefan. She's gone.'

'I'm trying to help her.'

The witch is a witch; how subtle.

I needed to find Emily's talisman, and Caroline had last. She was alone, with no Stefan or Elena around to protect her.

No, Caroline, either.

'So where...where'd Caroline run off to?'

My voice made her jump, and she turned to me and rolled her eyes.

'Do yourself a favor, Damon, and don't ask me about Caroline.'

'Oh, Bonnie. So loyal.'

'Just stay away from her.'

I chuckle at the threat; then I notice the crystal.

Around her neck.

'Where'd you get that?'

'From a friend.'

'Caroline. You know that's mine, don't you?'

'Not anymore.'

'Funny. I'd like it back, please.'

'I'm not giving it to you. I'll give it to Caroline, and she can give it to you if she feels like it.'

'Or I could just take it right now.'

I grabbed the crystal, and it burned my hand; Bonnie ran. I was set to chase her when the scent hit me.

Her scent, Bella Swan.

I turned to see her step into the gym, wearing a white halter dress, kind of like white Marilyn Monroe, only a puffier skirt, kind of like a wedding dress, and little white polka dots all over it, and white flower on the bodice, drawing attention her... bruised neck and the bite marks left, and a leather jacket.

Her long dark mane was in a bun, and she wore a leather jacket and white sneakers.

She rubbed her wound, and my mouth watered.

My ringing cell stopped me from flying over to her and draining her dry.

She didn't see me.

What do you want, Stefan?

'What?'

'I need your help.'

I could hear Elena sobbing in the background.

I didn't see Jeremy.

I didn't see Caroline.

I didn't see Stefan or Elena.

I didn't see Matt or Tyler, or anyone!

I did get hit on by a lot of guys and some girls, and after an hour of that, I went home.

While driving by Elena's house, I saw her, Stefan, and Damon standing out of the house.

I slammed on my brakes; lucky I was alone on the road and wearing a belt, the sound of my tires screeching made them turn to me.

I stumbled out of the trunk and sauntered over to them.

'I don't have the energy to deal with you, Bella.' Elena said in a tired voice; it sounded like a sob. She turned away from me, then abruptly turned back to me, eyeing my bruise and bite mark.

Her eyes widened then she veered around to face Damon, giving him a stabbing glare.

So she knew the truth as well.

'Did you go to the dance?' Stefan asked.

'Yeah, I thought it would be good to get out of the house; well, Caroline did.'

'Where is Caroline?' Damon asked.

He came across as the type that couldn't stomach not being the center of attention.

'I like your costume.' Elena said, ignoring Damon.

She was dressed as a nurse, with blood on her; was she a vampire too now?

Who turned her, Damon or Stefan?

Or was it Vicky?

Where was Vicky?

'Yeah.'

'Who are you supposed to be? Marilyn Monroe?'

'Buffy, The Vampire Slayer.'

They paled at my retort; the Salvatore brothers exchanged glances while Elena cleared her throat. 'I don't remember Sarah Michelle Geller ever wearing that.'

'No, but Kristy Swanson did in the movie.'

'Right.'

'Are you guys on your way to the dance?'

'On our way back, actually.'

'How's your neck?' Damon sneered.

'I'm still here. It'll take more than that to stop me.'

'Duly noted.'

'It's late,' Stefan stood between Damon and me, 'I'm sure your grandmother is eager to hear from you.'

'Is Jeremy home?'

'Asleep.'

Or dead.

'Ok.'

'I'll walk you back to your truck.'

Stefan put his hand on my shoulders and led me to the truck.

'Bella.' Gran called from the yard, causing Stefan to back away.

'Gran.'

I drove home as somber music played, and Stefan, Damon, and Elena watched.