Jeremy and I spent the rest of the day and all the subsequent texting; it mainly was him checking on me and getting my homework.

When will you be back to school?

I'm trying to talk Gran into letting me come back ASAP.

How is it going?

Not well, but I'm hopeful.

Good luck to you.

What did Elena want?

I don't know. Didn't you know?

No.

Do you have any idea of what they might want with you?

Nope. Do you?

There was a 15-minute hesitation; he texted, Do you remember the night you were attacked?

Kinda. Why do you ask?

I think a vampire attacked you.

A vampire?

And I think that same vampire killed Vicky.

Vicky oded.

Who dies then buries themself?

Wait, Vicky was buried?

Exactly. If she had oded, she probably would have been found sooner.

Did you talk to the sheriff about this?

No. I don't think she'll believe me. I'm not sure I believe me.

Did you talk to your sister about this?

After another pause, 5 minutes, he replied, I don't entirely trust my sister.

Okay, let's start this conversation over. Why do you think a vampire attack me?

You had bite marks on your neck.

Aren't you supposed to become a vampire when a vampire bites you?

That's only if you die with vampire blood in your system.

I did technically die.

Well, you haven't drunk any blood, have you?

No. Jeremy, start back from the beginning.

The beginning?

Tell me when you got this into your head.

When I met Anna.

The homeschooled girl?

Yes.

And she told you about vampires?

Yes and no.

Explain.

She's a vampire.

When did you find this out?

When I kissed her, her face changed, and I became suspicious.

What proved it for you?

When she drank my blood.

Drank your blood?

I cut myself.

Jeremy, you can't let some random chick drink your blood?!

I had to prove she was a vampire.

You're lucky she didn't hurt you.

Do you believe me?

I don't know. Do you think Anna is the one who attacked me?

I think Damon Salvatore attacked you.

He did bite Caroline.

He also turned Vicky. According to Elena's diary, she attacked Elena and me at the Halloween dance. Stefan killed her to protect us.

How come you don't remember?

Damon compelled me to forget.

How I don't?

Stefan compelled you, but he drinks animal blood, so Elena thinks you're faking.

What does his diet have to do with it?

Damon is stronger because he drinks human blood.

What exactly does Elena's diary say about me?

For starters, she doesn't like you.

Tell me something I don't know.

That necklace Stefan gave you is full of vervain.

Vervain?!

Elena told Damon you might remember, and Stefan worries that his brother will kill you.

Let's talk about this in person. Where are you?

School.

We can talk when school is over.

Where are you, Jeremy? I texted Jeremy.

I strode over to Gilbert's house just as John Gilbert was walking outside.

'Isabella.' he breathed.

'Hello, Mr. Gilbert.'

'No, please, call me John.'

'John. Is Jeremy home?'

'No, he's still at school.'

'Are you going to get him? Can I go with you?'

'What did she tell you?'

I'm sorry. What are you-'

'What did your grandmother say to you about me?'

I paused, then whispered, 'That you and Isobel corrupted Beau.'

'I only shared my family's legacy. Your grandparents are narrow-minded.'

Not sure what he was referring to, but I was utterly sure I didn't want him to weasel me into a conversation about sexuality; I decided to take control of this.

'Vampires, John? That's a little hard to swallow.'

'Is it?'

We stared at each other silently for a bit; his gaze was unpretentious but intimidating.

I halted our staring contest; John Gilbert's stare made me lose what little intrepidity I summoned.

'Beau was easily intimidated, too.'

'I'm adopted.'

'What do you know about that?'

He's trying to sidestep my question, but I would not back down so easily.

'Tell me about Beau and Isobel!' He chuckled at my attempt to intimidate him; it irked me, and perhaps in anger, I blurted out, 'I saw her last night!'

'Saw who?'

'Isobel.'

He stopped chucking and looked me square in the eye. 'Isobel is dead.'

'She saved me, John.'

'You hit your head, Bella.'

I took out the photograph of them, my uncle and Mr. Tanner. 'Tell me, or I'll go to Jeremy and Elena.'

'You wouldn't.'

'You don't know me.'

'Don't I?' he stood up straight.'What do you really want?'

What do you really want?

What do I really want?

'Isobel is a vampire. Are you one, too?'

'No.'

'Are we ...related?'

'I don't know.'

I have to go. My grandmother will be up soon.'

'Isabella! Isabella.'