'Hello, Bella.'

There she was, Izzy Flemming, in the flesh.

We met at the public library; most people gathered for the Founders Day parade, so we were mostly alone.

She stood there, shining the sun on her hair; she looked like a redhead.

She loved to wear black.

'You look beautiful.'

I shrugged at the compliment. 'I guess.'

'You don't think so?'

'My mom always told me I was.'

Isobel looked away nervously. 'I need- did Renee ever tell you about your birth mother?'

My chest tightened as she paced in front of me.

'No.'

'Really? You know nothing?'

'Nothing, really. I haven't asked.'

'What about your father?'

'I didn't ask about them.'

'Why not?'

'I thought it disrespectful to seek them out; I'm sure they had their reasons.'

My hands felt numb, and I felt dizzy.

'Such as?'

'I could be a child of assault, or- I don't-'

'Beau was your father, Bella.' she turned to me. 'He never assaulted your mother. She loved him; Beau was the one who gave you the name Isabella.'

'Why?!'

I had to push past what I was feeling now.

Refocus your attention.

Focus on your breathing; take slow, deep breaths.

Remind yourself that feelings are not dangerous and will pass.

You can do this, Bella.

I sat in a chair, and Isobel knelt to me. 'My blood can heal you.'

'No,' I took a slow, deep breath, 'I got this... How do you know?'

'To honor your birth mother.'


A lot happened last night.

I found out who my birth parents are.

Caroline, Matt, and Tyler were in an accident.

John Gilbert was attacked.

I was sitting in Caroline's room with her; Gran was asleep in a chair.

'What exactly happened?'

'Tyler grabbed his head and lost control of the wheel. I tried to grab it to save us, but we crashed.'

'Was he drinking?'

'No, claimed he heard something-'

'Caroline-' Elena burst into the room, making me and Gran jump. 'You.'

The way she said you, one might think I'd stabbed her.

Or stole her boyfriend.

'Yes, me.'

'Elena, you came.' Caroline said.

Elena stalked over to Caroline; Gran and I exchanged a glance.

'Well, I'm going head home.' I looked at Caroline as Gran stood. 'Caroline, I'll talk to you later.'

'Okay.'

'Leaving so soon?'

'Bella has homework.' Gran yawned.

'I want to talk to you.'

'I'm not really in the mood to talk.'

Definitely not in the mood to talk to you.

I hurried out of the room, passing Damon.

'Little Swan-'

'Bite me.' I threw over my shoulder.

'Bella.' Jenna said. 'I heard about what happened-'

'I'm fine.'

'Did you ever meet up Jeremy?' I shook my head. 'He's been a little moody; I think it's that girl, Anna.'

'Where is Jeremy?'

'I'll talk to him.' I took hold of Gran's hand and wished her, Bonnie, and Matt a good night.

'What about me?' Damon said with mock sadness.

I rolled my eyes, and we left.


'Ready for this?' asked Stefan as we entered John's room.

'For this? No.'

He looked like he was napping; it reminded me of when I was ten and I broke something of his.

I was terrified that he would hate me.

When I begged forgiveness, he beamed and told me he could never despise me.

I peeked back at Stefan, then back to my... John...

Does John hate me now?

'John?'

He opened his eyes, turned to me, and panicked. He tried to grab the button, but Stefan took it away.

'I'm Elena.' I proclaimed. 'I'm not - I'm not Katherine.'

'We know she did this to you.'

'We need to know why.'

'Where is she?' John gasped.

'You tell us.'

'I don't know.'

He made an effort to sit up, but Stefan pushed him back down

'You're a little too weak to play tough guy. Why don't you sit back and answer a few questions?'

I put the Gilbert ring into John's hand.

'Please, tell us why she's here. What does she want?'

John looked up at me but didn't respond.

'She'll try again; we can't help you if you don't confide in us.'

'In you?' he said, looking at Stefan, his voice full of venom.

'In your daughter, then.'

'My daughter should have driven a stake through your heart by now.' He looked at me again. 'I never spoke with Katherine directly; she never trusted me.' He looked at Stefan. 'So either kill me or get out because I can't stand seeing you with my daughter.'

'You see the world with such animosity.' I heard my voice say. 'It's going to get you killed.'


'Hey,' Elena told me when I met her outside, 'I just have to swing by home to pick up Jenna and Jeremy so we can go to the Lockwoods.' How did you leave him there, John?'

'I...I asked him to leave town.'

We stop walking and look at each other.

'Asked?' she repeated. 'You threatened him.'

'Yeah, I threatened him.'

'Good. I want him gone, Stefan. I know that I shouldn't feel that way, but I don't want someone like that in my life. Or Jeremy's life.'

'I know.'

She embraced me. 'So what now?'

'Now,' I let go of her, 'I need to find Damon.'

'Please, Stefan, don't fight with him.'

'No, Elena, he tried to kiss you. I'm not okay with that.'

'That's not the problem; Katherine is. She's already messing with both of your heads, and Damon is not stable when it comes to her. The last thing we need is to make things worse.'


The sound of a door opening woke her up; Caroline opened her eyes to see her friend.

'Elena?'

'Hey, Caroline.'

'What are you doing here?'

What was she doing here? Caroline thought as she eyed her girlhood friend.

Caroline knew visiting hours were over; the nurses even threw her mother, the sheriff, out.

Maybe a friend of Dr. Gilbert let her in.

'My name is Katherine. I was hoping you could give the Salvatore brothers a message for me.'

Katherine? Has Elena flipped her lid?

'What are you talking about? What message?'

'Game on.'

'What?'

Elena or Katherine grabbed one of Caroline's pillows, pressed it down over her face, and smothered her.

Caroline screamed and struggled, wondering when Elena got so strong.

It was getting harder to fight her, and it was even harder to breathe.

What's wrong with you? That was Caroline's last thought.

Katherine took the pillow off and placed it next to Caroline; she casually sauntered out of the room.