Chapter 6: Searching
The intense heat from the flames made my skin feel as if it was slowly peeling off. Everywhere I looked there was fire. Breathing in and out, I tried to calm myself, trying to tell myself that this wasn't real. This wasn't happening but I couldn't calm down. The heat from the flames felt suffocating. It felt real.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
I counted in my head, trying to focus on myself. I kept counting from one to ten, back and forth. Slowly, I peeled my eyes open. The fire was raging and it surrounded me. But it wasn't the only thing surrounding me.
All around where I stood were people on the floor, some passed out due to the fire or some unknown cause. And some were clutching their heads in immense pain. The screams of anguish rang through the air intertwining with the smoke from the fire.
Plucking up my courage, I walked to the men closest to me. One lay on his front side down, weakly gasping , his face blurred by the heat. The other was leaning against a pillar of concrete, clutching his head, dressed in a suit. Breathing out harshly, I crept closer…
Riiiiiiing. Riiiiiiing. Riiiiiiing.
I woke up with a sharp gasp, my lungs desperately gasping for air. My sheets were drenched in sweat. I threw them off me and turned to look at myself in the dressing table mirror, facing my bed. I looked horrible. Sweat-drenched hair, stuck to my face and neck in a messy way. My pajamas stuck to my body as well.
Riiiiiiing.
The incessant phone rings broke my train of thought. Annoyed, I stretched over to my bedside table and picked up my phone. Elena. Her name flashed on the screen, the minute, I flipped my phone open. The light from the phone illuminated my face. I squinted my sleep-filled eyes at my phone.
3 missed calls.
I groaned and prepared to call back when she called again. I tilted my head in confusion. It was 2 am in the morning according to my phone. What would be so important for Elena to call me this early in the morning. Lost in my thoughts, I didn't notice that her fourth call ended. I cursed myself for being this tired. Groggily, I tried getting up from my bed but fell down when my leg got caught up in my blanket. I breathed out, tiredly. It was too early for me.
With my eyes half closed, I tried to instead just stretch over and turn on my night lamp. I flicked my lamp on, light seeping out. With a tired sigh, I fully opened my eyes and stretched out my hands. The light, moving as I did so. My eyes widened as I quickly brought my hands in front of my face.
My palms were glowing like the sun or a star. A combination of light blue, sunshine yellow and white almost made me as I stared at it with widened eyes.
Now awake, I wiggled my fingers and shook my hands. The light would go out and come back when I opened my palms. I concentrated hard, shutting my sleepless eyes, willing the light to go. I was plunged into the darkness once again as the glow disappeared from my palms.
Riiiiiiing.
My thoughts were shattered when my phone rang again, reminding me this was real. My hands could in fact glow in the dark like a glow stick. Unfortunately, in the darkness, I had tossed my phone somewhere on my head. I blindly looked around for it, using the feeling of my hands to look for it. Riiiiiiing. The phone kept ringing.
Annoyed, I brought my left hand forward and willed myself to put all my thoughts and energy into making my hand light up. Hand, not hands, I only needed one glow in the dark hand. To my relief and shock, a ball of pure light appeared in my left hand. I breathed out, slightly impressed at this. I brought the ball of light close to my bed, trying to locate my phone which had gone silent.
Riiiiiiing.
Instantly, I followed that noise and thanks to my new abilities as a human torch I found my phone.
5 missed calls
The screen of the phone read. I breathed out in annoyance and finally picked up Elena's phone call. "Finally!" Elena's distraught voice greeted me. It sounded like she was pacing in the background.
I rolled my eyes at her tone and brought my left hand, still with the glowing orb in my hand. I observed it. "It's like two in the morning, El." I yawned as I replied.
She apologized for disturbing this late but claimed it was important. "I know what time it is, Ava." She snapped.
I was taken aback by her sudden change in tone. "Is there anything...wrong?" I hesitantly asked her, bringing the orb close to my face. It felt warm and comforting. I turned my attention back to Elena. "Elena?" Silence greeted me. Did she hang up on me? I wanted to curse her out for ruining my sleep. "You there?"
A weird static-like sound was heard in the background. "—still here—" She was cut off. "—Ava, I need—" Static kept interrupting her, no matter what she said.
"Hold on, I can't hear you." I pressed the phone hard on my ear and all but shouted out.
More static with occasional white noise mixed with Elena's voice. "—What did-" She kept cutting off. "-you-" More static. "-Ava-"
"Hello? Elena?" In frustration, I brought my left hand away from my face, keeping it almost an arm length while I focused all my attention on Elena. "Can you hear me? There's like a weird static thing going on in the background." I complained.
Slowly the static faded out but still there. "Oh my god. Finally, I can hear you." Elena breathed out. "What the hell was that? Where are you?" She questioned.
That same question appeared in my mind, thinking nothing of it, I brought the light closer to me. The static returned slowly. Noticing this, I willed the orb to disappear. The call became crystal clear the minute the orb disappeared, plunging me back into the darkness of my room. Interesting, I thought.
"Ava?" Elena called out. "You there?"
"I'm here. I'm at home." I reassured her. "Sorry, what did you want to say to me?"
I heard Elena breath out trying to calm herself. "Right...um. I don't know how to say this but I did what you asked me to do." I tried to think about what I had asked Elena to do. She ignored my silence and chose it as my answer and carried on. "I did some digging with Logan Fell's help. Tiki's grandfather was right. Stefan was there in the 1950s." She confessed, on the verge of tears.
"Oh my god." I exclaimed, my eyes widened as I realized that Elena knew. "Did...did you confront him?" I asked with some apprehension.
For a moment she said nothing. "...Yes. I went over to his house. He...um...confirmed what he was."
She kept pausing in between, almost scared to reveal everything in one go. Like confirming it with me would make her fears a reality. I understood where she was coming from, I too wished that this wasn't real and that these monsters were all just a figment of our imagination.
"...He's a vampire. Ava. A vampire..." She breathed out in between sobs. "You were...right. I wouldn't have believed you if you told me then." She sobbed.
"Elena. I didn't-" I cut myself off, trying to find the right words to comfort her. "I don't know what to say." I confessed sadly. "I do know. That Stefan is not a bad guy." I went on. "No matter what he is, he's not a bad guy. He truly cares about you but this was never gonna work." I finished. I was right, he was immortal and she was not.
"If he cared about me then why did he lie? Why did you lie?" She asked between sobs.
I was taken aback by her sudden accusation at me. "I didn't lie." I stated. "Lying would be stopping you from finding out. I didn't stop you. I just didn't tell you because it wasn't my secret to keep or tell."
She sniffed. "I know. I'm sorry for going off like that." She apologized. "You need to tell me how you knew, at least. Deal?"
"Deal. Over a few cups of hot chocolate mixed in with some tequila, maybe invite Bonnie over as well." I replied. "I need to show you guys something."
My left hand glowed faintly as I said this. I trusted my friends with my life and now that Elena knew of the supernatural, there was no point hiding this, even though I didn't know anything about the strange warm glow in my hands.
Elena laughed weakly. I just knew she was wiping any stray tears that were on her face. "Sounds like a plan." She said without hesitation. I heard her breath in and out on the other end. "...About Stefan? And Damon...apparently he killed Tanner and all those people..." She began.
"You two need to have that conversation on your own." I retorted. "As for Damon, I know." I revealed to her, fiddling with my bloodstone necklace. I heard Elena gasp. "Maybe in the morning after you sleep off the betrayal, you and Stefan can have an actual talk." I added, sarcastically.
She laughed again and sighed. "I'll take your advice. Thanks for listening to my breakdown."
"Oh honey. If that's what you call a breakdown...then you never wanna see me breaking down." I retorted, making a face of disbelief. "Anyways, I'm gonna hang up and go back to bed. Night, 'Lena." I mumbled out as a yawn escaped me. Before Elena could reply I ended the call and tossed my phone off to the side.
With a sigh, I finally got up from bed. I decided to take a shower and change out of my drenched pajamas before going back to bed. I brought both of my hands together in front of me and concentrated hard.
Slowly, I watched in awe as a ball of light appeared between them. I moved my right hand above my head and walked over to my bathroom, deciding against turning on the lights in case I woke up Zach and Uncle Nate.
Before entering the bathroom, I made my way to my closet and picked up a new set of pajamas. These ones were a red and black set. I grabbed my towel and stepped into the bathroom, into the shower. Turning on the shower, I let the water wash away my nightmare and my worries.
I stepped out of the shower and quickly changed into my new pajamas while throwing the old ones into the laundry basket. I sighed. It was getting more tiring everyday in this godforsaken town. I didn't know how long I was going to last here. I blinked all my worries away and slapped my cheeks with both of my hands. Hands that were back to normal. I applied my moisturizer and walked back into my room.
Stretching my head side to side, I walked straight to my bed. I stopped in my tracks when a cold chill passed through me. I held my breath and stared down at my hands. I glanced up and slowly crept closer to the center of the room.
With each step, the chill grew. My teeth chattered as I walked closer to the epicenter of the cause of the feeling. From the corner of my eyes, I noticed some movement from my balcony.
With a silent prayer, I quietly moved to my bag and got out the dagger and with my free hand, I turned over the bloodstone necklace. I didn't know if the glow would work in times like this. It was still uncontrollable and I didn't know how it worked but I knew how to use a dagger plus the bloodstone necklace had never failed me so far.
Plucking up all the courage I could, I slowly opened the doors to the balcony. I let my eyes adjust to the darkness outside. It was different from the darkness inside, here the stars shed some light onto my surroundings. Just enough for my eyes to make out a dark silhouette leaning over my half-down painting.
I shuddered, my teeth chattered. This was the cause of my sudden coldness. Noticing the unknown shadow of a man, I took a careful step back onto the threshold of my house.
"I have to say you're talented." A seductive voice which sounded male, weakly complimented.
I narrowed my eyes and brought my left hand forward in a defensive manner. It held the dagger. "Damon." I spat out. I could feel him smirking. "What the hell are you doing on my balcony?" I interrogated him.
"Relax, Buffy." He said with a cocky tone. "I'm not here to eat you or anything." He laughed, flashing forward to the edge of the boundary between my room and the balcony.
"You knew all along, what me and Stef really were. Good acting skills." He went on, taking a few steps back from the boundary and walking around. "Nice pajamas by the way. Red is definitely your color." He said, checking me out.
Anger flashed through me. All of a sudden a warm glow illuminated Damon's face. He looked weakened, near death almost. His natural pale skin looked deathly pale, paper white. He weakly laughed.
"Interesting, anger makes you light up like a glowstick."
I clenched my fist with the glow and pointed it at him. "A glowstick, that can hurt you." I retorted, backing away into the safety of my room. "...Or maybe kill." I added, as an afterthought.
He laughed, shaking his head in disbelief. "Uh-uh, right...Let's be real here, you and I both know you're not the type to kill...Or I would not be standing here." He paused, gazing at me. "But...that's not why I'm here." He said with a wave of his hands. "I'm here because..." He gestured to one of his fingers. "...my dear 'Uncle Zach' and 'baby brother Stefan', both decided to steal something valuable from me." He stalked closer, stopping just a few centimeters away from the boundary. "My ring. My daylight ring." He breathed out, tiredly.
"And this concerns me because?" I asked, putting the hand with the dagger on my hip.
He tilted his head and stared into my eyes. "Because you broke into my house, knocked me out with your little bloodstone necklace over there..." He retorted, gesturing to my neck. "...And then when I woke up, Zach, Caroline and you were gone." He finished.
I swallowed heavily and breathed out. I knew I couldn't tell him Zach was alive. One, I would be betraying Zach and two, I would be going against my family's plans to get him to safety. I let my eyes wander for a bit while I contemplated my options, I could feel Damon follow my gaze closely.
"...I got out with Caroline. Y'know the poor girl, you abused. She came back for me when you managed to get out of that...um...cell?" I replied with some feigned uncertainty.
"Then what happened to Zach?" He asked. He was losing his patience. "Cause I remember waking up and poof. The three of you were gone. Note how I said three." He went on, holding three fingers up.
I rolled my eyes at his theatrics. "I get it. You don't have to do all that." I stared into his eyes while tilting my head. "I don't know about Zach. I really don't." I paused for extra effect. "Last I remember you snapped his neck. Doesn't that mean YOU killed him." I accused him while breathing out harshly.
For a moment, he stared at me, searching my eyes for any shred of lies. I knew he wouldn't find any. He knew like I did that it was impossible for a human to survive a broken neck. But only I knew I did the impossible and somehow revived him. I watched in silence as Damon paced back and forth, thinking out loud his thoughts.
He stopped and flashed back in front of me. "Fine. Then the least you could do is help me get my ring back...since it's your best friend's fault that I lost it in the first place." He commanded while he ran his hands through his hair.
I stepped back in disbelief. "And why would I do that?" I barked out. I flinched when I realized how loud I was. Then I lowered my voice. "Helping you in any way is the last thing I would ever do." I pointed out quietly. "Especially not after what you did to Caroline." I went on, folding my hands. "...And Zach." I added for a good measure, still pretending he was dead.
He breathed out, frustrated by my denial and stepped back. He flashed back, his face changed. Black veins throbbed under his eyes and his fangs came out. "You're gonna help me or I will drain this town until there's not one drop of blood left." His face returned to normal. "And I know you're the caring type so I'll go for your family and friends first."
I laughed in disbelief. "I'm gonna call your bluff." I uncrossed my hand and held out the dagger. "I can't help you. I won't. If you want your stupid ring back…" I drifted off. "Go. To. Stefan." I stated, before walking back to my room.
"Fine." He agreed. Shocked, I turned around to look at Damon. He just agreed to what I said with no arguments. I narrowed my eyes on him. "I'll go to Stefan, right after a midnight snack-"
"Damon-" I warned him quietly.
"I thought you were calling my bluff or were you about to offer sunshine?" He asked weakly with a smirk. I rolled my eyes at his dramatics, he laughed, knowing I would die before I offered myself as vampire food. "Thought so." He said. When I blinked he was gone.
I relaxed, the minute he disappeared. I almost pitied the people he would drain but it was either me and my loved ones or them. And I had no wish to get involved with Damon of all people.
Before closing the door to the balcony, I glanced around checking I was alone. I then quickly shut the door behind me, making sure to lock the door. I stalked towards my bed and jumped onto but not before putting away the dagger back into my bag which now lay on the foot of the bed.
Laying in bed, I brought my still glowing hand in front of my face. I held it out above my head and moved it around as I stared up at the ceiling. It wouldn't go away, stopping me from going to sleep.
And I couldn't put it on my bed, in case the heat from the light burnt my sheets. I stared at the glow hard. It took a while and what felt like an hour at most before the light started to slowly dim down before fading away completely. I breathed out a sigh of relief and let my arm drop to my side. I closed my eyes and drifted off to a dreamless sleep.
I let the TV run in the background while I sat with a steaming hot mug of mocha in front of me and my sketchpad out in my hands. I ignored the TV and focused all my attention on my sketches. They were supposed to be the concept sketches for my next pieces of work in the 'Dream' series.
I had decided to go for the mythological approach and started researching 'dream-like' creatures from different myths. Choosing to settle on a few forest sprites, elves, pixies and like last time fairies.
I tucked my feet in and sat cross-legged on the couch. Focusing all my attention on shading the pixie's wing. I decided to make it intricate but not too intricate. Focusing too much on detail would make it harder for me to replicate on my canvas. I looked away from my sketch and put the pad at an arm length's distance while I stared at it, checking if it was okay.
I placed the sketchpad next to me on the couch. I glanced back onto my phone.
2 new messages
Flipping my phone open, I opened the new messages. It was Elena. I opened her first message without missing a beat. She finally decided to meet up with Stefan and the talked it out. Stefan had also offered to give her a tour of the Salvatore estate.
I held my phone close as I read her messages. I didn't doubt Stefan would tell her the truth but it seemed Elena did. I knew Stefan probably tried to defend Caroline's treatment at Damon's hand. That was something I would never forgive Stefan for. I was, however, surprised that Stefan had literally offered to walk Elena through his memory lane. My phone flashed again when another message came through.
She asked me to meet her at her house later.
I quickly agreed to her offer and shut my phone. I placed the phone next to my mug, trading it for the mug. I sipped the hot drink and flicked through the channels.
I paused when Logan Dell's face flashed onto the screen. Turning the volume up, I leaned back and watched the news.
"This is Logan Fell for WPKW9." He slowly walked backwards and gestured to all the corpses around.
"Three bodies were found dead in what is believed to be a drug deal gone awry. The bodies have yet to be identified. They were discovered earlier today, over at the old Mystic Falls cemetery.
"Drug deal gone wrong? more like a vampire trying to cover their tracks." Uncle Nate commented, leaning over my shoulders to look at the TV with his hands clasped.
I turned around to look at him with my eyebrow raised. "There was a council meeting?" I asked. He didn't say anything but just nodded.
I watched as he walked around and sat on the armchair next to the couch. "Not exactly a meeting, more like a voice message from Logan updating me that he got the Gilbert watch." He stared at the TV. "That guy…" He gestured to the TV. "Needs a hobby."
I laughed, throwing my head back. "And I thought hunting vampires was a hobby." I retorted sarcastically.
He made a face of disgust. "Sure, if you're Van Helsing." He leaned over and stole my mug and took a sip. "Mine now." He taunted me. I rolled my eyes at him. "As I was saying, they have these big plans to use the watch. Plan A is using it as a compass since we won't help. Plan B is to take the compass and another Gilbert heirloom to make the...wait for it…'The Gilbert Device", sounds great right?"
"Gilbert Device?" I repeated, confusedly. "How original." I commented dryly.
Uncle Nate laughed. "I know right." He groaned as he glanced at his phone. "And I don't even know what it does-"
"-Does anyone?" I questioned, out-loud.
"All the council knows is, it's an anti-vampire device meant to maim or kill them." He answered with a shrug. "Anyways, Evie just came through." He stared at his phone and pointed at it. "Zach Salvatore has been safely taken out of Mystic Falls. One less thing to worry about. Still a miracle how he survived." He shook his head as he replied to Aunt Evelyn's message.
I bit my lips in hesitation as I remembered what happened yesterday. I was hesitating whether or not I should tell him. Last night I was so confident about sharing this all but now, I was scared. Scared that I would be judged. "...About that." I started quietly.
Uncle Nate perked up, shifting his attention to me and putting down his phone on the coffee table. "What happened this time?" He asked, a little concerned. "Did you happen to have one of your dreams?" He went on, leaning close to me and picking up his phone, ready to call my parents.
"I did." I answered, remembering the vision I had at the car wash and the fire-y nightmare I had the night before. "But that's not the only thing…" I shifted in my seat and uncrossed my legs, sitting straight on the couch, I brought my left hand forward. "...Please don't freak out."
"Huh. I've seen everything at this point. Nothing can freak me out at this point." Uncle Nate's thoughts reassured me a little.
"It's good then you're not gonna freak out."
His eyes widened in shock as he stared at me. "How did you-" He began.
"-Read your mind." I interrupted. "I have no idea but apparently I can do that now."
"That's so cool….wait...shit...that means she can read all my thoughts. Don't think about failing classes."
I laughed. "You're failing your classes?" I asked with a grin.
"Please don't tell your dad and your Aunt Evelyn. They will kill me." He begged.
"Relax. I won't." I reassured him. "But I want my curfew extended and...I want access to the archives." I tried to make a deal.
"Curfew? Yes. Archive access? Your dad and Evie's in charge of that." I pouted in his response. "Don't give me that look, that's out of my hands."
Uncle Nate got up, almost out of the living room when I stopped him. "That's not the only thing I wanted to talk to you about." He turned around and stared at me. Taking a deep breath, I brought my left hand forward again and concentrated hard. A warm glow appeared slowly in my hand, engulfing it in a bright light. "Please don't freak out." I almost begged, biting my lips.
He stared at my hand and walked closer to me. With some hesitation he tried to touch the light. I protested, trying to stop him but he didn't care. Well, if he got burned that was on him. To my surprise he didn't get burned.
"Feels warm." He commented, staring at the light almost mesmerized by it. I watched with widened eyes as the scar on his hand from a childhood accident slowly healed just by being exposed to the light. "Holy-" He pulled away and observed his hand. It was clear. No scar or blemish was there.
"Woah. This is so freaking cool." He gushed, peering at his hand. "I would totally tell your parents but your dad just took on a huge case and your mom's busy with work. Unless-" He glanced at me. "-You don't want me to."
"I don't really care. They're gonna find out, one way or another. But that's not what I'm worried bout." I replied, trying to will the light away. "You're not freaking out?" I questioned him.
"Why would I?" He answered looking at me like I was crazy. "You've done stranger things, like that time when you fell off that tree and you miraculously-" He began.
I stared at him. Silent, just observing him before cutting him off. "That's great but I'm sure that incident wasn't as strange as being a human firefly that can read minds and supposedly bring people back from the brink of death."
"Human firefly." He repeated. "Sounds epic. Wish I was a human firefly." He went off topic, almost complaining about his lack of glowing abilities. "So far we have learned, you have psychic visions and dreams and now you can read minds and glow like a firefly. Oh...And you can heal people. Nice."
I looked at him incredulously. "No. Not nice." I retorted, losing my cool. "I'm freaking out." I lashed out, the light turned into an orb and shattered a glass vase into pieces. "Oh my-"
"-Uh, We need to get you some help." He commented with widened eyes. Just then Gina heard the commotion and ran to the living room.
She stared at the glass pieces in confusion, then glanced at us, we were too far to have broken it. Saying nothing, she went away and brought back a broom and a dustpan. "What happened here?" She asked while brushing up the shards of glass. Uncle Nate and I gave each other a look
"Oh no. This was an expensive vase. Miss Laila and Mister Gabriel will not be happy." I felt guilty all of a sudden, I didn't mean to lash out and break the vase.
Uncle Nate strode towards Gina and acted like he was inspecting the vase or what was remaining of it anyways. "Huh. That's so weird. Must have been the wind or it wasn't properly placed in its place." He commented, standing over Gina's shoulder. Gina looked panicked while she brushed the floor. "Don't worry, I'll tell Gabriel this broke by mistake." He reassured her. She wasn't reassured much but looked at the two of us skeptically.
Choosing to say nothing, she left the room like she had come. She left with the mug, dustpan and brush. "...I'm sorry." I mumbled out, guilt seeping through my apology. "I didn't mean to break great-aunt Helen's favorite vase." I added.
He breathed out tiredly before glancing at me, hands on his hips. "It's fine. You didn't mean it besides she's been dead for years. You lost control…" He sighed. "We need to go to Sheila's." I just nodded in response, getting up to put away my sketchpad and get ready.
"Focus. And breathe gently." The soothing voice of Sheila Bennett rang out through her parlor. I did as she instructed, focusing on the growing orb of light between my hands. "Good. Now slowly pour all your feelings and thoughts into it." I closed my eyes and did as she told me. I felt relaxed like this was as easy as walking or talking.
I could feel Uncle Nate fidget from the side lines. "A question. How are her feelings gonna help?" He asked, raising his hand up like he was in a classroom. I glanced at him and saw Bonnie giving him a questioning look from beside him.
Sheila laughed quietly, still not taking her eyes off me. "Feelings can often cloud judgment." She stated, amused. She leaned on the table and looked at me. "Now I want you to aim that ball to the pot behind me."
Bonnie got off the shelf, she was leaning against and came to look at her grandma. We made eye contact and both shared the same thoughts. This wasn't gonna end well. "Are you sure, Miss Sheila?" I asked carefully. "I might hurt you."
Uncle Nate came and stood by me as well. "This isn't a good idea Sheila." Sheila looked unbothered by all of our concerns. "I know you and Ava have been working almost all afternoon on this but come on...she broke a vase...an expensive one might I add and almost sent herself into a nervous breakdown on the way here."
I swallowed, listening to my Uncle's rant. He was right, I was still scared to do anything with my abilities. Bonnie came around to me and squeezed my shoulders in an effort to comfort me. "I'm sure." Sheila calmly replied to all of our concerns.
"She's ready." She turned to look at me. Her dark and aged eyes stared at me. "Forget your fears and put aside your emotions. Focus on the task at hand." She stated and nodded behind her at the pot.
Taking a deep breath, I aimed for the pot. Bonnie and Uncle Nate stepped back from the table in slight fear. I pushed the orb with my mind, shattering the pot into pieces like the vase at home. However, this time it was more controlled and I felt more in control than last time.
"I did it." I said, shocked. "I broke the pot. Like I wanted to." I added.
Sheila looked at me with pride. "Yes, you did." She leaned back. "Now I want you to try again, this time with one of your hands. Maybe your dominant hand." She gestured to my left hand. "You know how to generate the light orb but can you do it single-handed, we'll see."
I nodded and glanced at my left hand. I imagined a small ball of light taking shape in my head. There was nothing. Not a single thing in my hand. I kept trying, determined to get this right. Just when I was about to give up, some wisps of light started weaving a small orb of light.
I watched in awe as the wisps joined together to form a tiny star in the palm of my hands. Taking my gaze of my palm, I stared behind Sheila at my target and threw the orb straight at it, shattering the pot.
Uncle Nate and Bonnie burst into a fit of applause while Sheila beamed with pride. "That was so cool." Bonnie remarked, giving me a hug. She pulled back and looked at me. "I know it sounds weird but I'm so glad you're like me." She gushed. Turning to look at her Grandma, she leaned forward. "So when can I learn how to do that?" She gestured to the broken pots and Uncle Nate's scar free hand. "Break pots with beams and orbs of light while also healing people with my mind and reading minds. Sounds so-"
"You can't learn all that." Sheila cut in with a stern but calm tone. "Because you can't do that." She continued. "And neither can I." She turned her aged eyes to stare at me. "Only she can do that."
Bonnie scoffed, taken aback by what her Grandma was saying. Uncle Nate looked back and forth between the two witches, feeling awkward. He gave me a look and I nodded.
"What...what do you mean?" Bonnie asked, tilting her head. Confusion was etched on her face as she tried to comprehend what her Grandma had just revealed. "Isn't Ava like me, a witch?"
"No, she's not." Sheila replied, unbothered as she poured herself some tea from a ceramic teapot. "Now that I think about it, you probably could do what Ava did, with a few spells." She added as an afterthought as she sipped her tea.
"She's not a witch?" "I'm not a witch?" Uncle Nate, Bonnie and I spoke at the same time staring at Sheila who seemed so at peace drinking her tea. She said nothing but simply nodded.
Uncle Nate pulled back and started pacing around the room. "This doesn't make sense." He kept repeating as he paced back and forth around the room. "My mother was a witch, y'know...so are me and Diana." He stopped pacing and turned to look at Sheila. "Doesn't that mean Ava should be one as well?"
"Well she's not. I don't feel it." Sheila retorted, putting away the empty teacup on the tray. "And just because Janine was one, does not mean her granddaughter will be one as well."
Bonnie turned around and picked up the tray from the table while leaning into Sheila. "But Grams, I'm-"
"Let me finish." She cut Bonnie off. "Sometimes, not all the time, will the grandchildren of a witch will be a witch. Even a child of one can't always be a witch." She carried on, folding her hands on the table. Uncle Nate stared at her confusedly. "See, even out of all your brothers and sisters. Only your sister Diana and you have the gift." She finished, unclasping her hands.
"Then what am I?" I asked quietly.
I heard Sheila sigh tiredly. "That...I don't know." She began with a hesitant voice, the serenity and confidence all drained in an instant. "...You are something I have never encountered in all my life practicing." She took back the teacup from the tray, Bonnie was holding and stared inside the empty cup. "But when...I touched your hand, I felt…'light'. I felt 'nature'...it was unlike anything I have felt before." She answered with a faraway look in her eyes. "But you don't have to worry about it."
I said nothing in return but watched as she handed Bonnie her cup back with a smile. Bonnie threw a comforting look before she collected all the empty teacups and took them into the kitchen. I breathed, tired of it all yet I knew this wasn't over. This was only the beginning and hopefully, I'd know what I am soon. At least now I know how to control them a little better. No doubt I'd need more practice.
Ping.
My phone flashed while I was lost in my thoughts. The sound of a message coming broke me through my haze of thoughts. I took out my phone while keeping an eye on the room. Bonnie still hadn't come back while Sheila quietly talked to my uncle about his studies.
I flipped my phone open and searched for the new message. It was Elena. She really was determined to keep me updated with all of her supernatural findings and tell me to come over.
Just as I was reading her message another came through. One from Matt. I almost ignored it but stopped when something told me this might be important. It was about Vicki, she was at Elena's.
Flipping my phone shut, I got off the chair and quickly put on my pink cardigan. I glanced at Sheila and Uncle Nate, both too busy in their conversation to notice me. "Thank you for having me, Miss Sheila and for helping me with...um...y'know." I gave her a look to get my point across. "I think it's time, I left you and Bonnie." I said, bowing a little. "Also, please tell Bonnie, I'm sorry for leaving without telling her." I added. Uncle Nate quickly mirrored me, thanking Sheila while getting up.
"Where's the fire?" Uncle Nate asked, following me out of Sheila Bennett's house. He unlocked his door and got in.
From the inside, he pushed open the passenger door. I said nothing but just got in and quickly put on my seatbelts. "Elena's house." I chose to ignore his question. "Also, let's stop by the Grill."
It was still bright out. But soon the sun would set and day would end, bringing night out. That meant Damon would be free again to walk among us. I knocked one more time and waited for someone to open the door. I heard a click and the door opened revealing Elena on the end. She engulfed me in a hug, clutching tightly in relief.
She led me inside, closing and locking the door as she ushered me into her kitchen. "-She's transitioning." I heard Stefan's voice before I saw him from the kitchen. I walked into the kitchen without a warning. His eyes widened when he realized Elena wasn't alone. "Hey…" He greeted me awkwardly. "What are you-"
"Transitioning to what?" Elena asked him, cutting him off and ignoring his shock over my surprise visit.
Stefan glanced at me and hesitated answering her. I found his awkwardness kind of funny. I couldn't help it when a few giggles escaped me. Elena glared at me, trying to get me to be a little serious.
"Yeah...sorry...your face." I breathed out before becoming serious. "Anyways, carry on." He didn't say anything. He stared at me with apprehension. "Ugh, for the love of...I know what you and your brother are." I blurted out, leaning against a far counter.
He nodded dumbfoundedly at my answer. Elena repeated her question, he glanced at her. I suddenly felt like I was intruding on their conversation. "A vampire." He breathed out, jaws clenched.
"What?" Elena blurted out, shocked.
I pushed myself off the counter and walked towards Stefan. "Another vampire!" I called out. "Seriously?!"
"She's not a vampire, yet." He tried to defend himself. "She's in transition."
I scoffed. I glanced between the couple. "Wait. Who are we talking about, again?"
Elena rolled her eyes at my question, while Stefan looked on awkwardly. He still wasn't used to me knowing. "Vicki." "Vicki Donovan." They both said at the same time with the same exasperated tone. Stefan breathed out and carried on. "Damon must have gotten to her. She's new. She hasn't completed her transformation yet."
"H-how does she do that?" Elena asked carefully, walking towards me and clutching my arm in a way to calm herself down.
"She has to feed on human blood." He quietly replied.
Elena shook her head in disbelief and tightened her hold on me. "And what if she doesn't? Her voice, full of fear.
"She dies." I stated, emotionless. Vicki Donovan was going to become another victim of Damon Salvatore. I wanted to kill him but I couldn't. Damon was right, even if he was a monster, I wasn't a killer.
Elena's head snapped to look at me. She let go of my arm and backed away, shaking in fear of the truth. Stefan nodded at my reply and glanced at Elena. "Ava's right, She'll die. She may only have a few hours." He added.
"She's upstairs with him right now." She gasped out as the reality hit her.
I watched in silence as Stefan moved to calm Elena down, throwing me a look to help. "It's okay. She doesn't know what's happening to her yet."
"We have to tell Matt." I said, staring at the couple.
"We can't." Stefan and Elena said at the same time. Elena swallowed and took a step back away from Stefan and me.
I didn't say anything for a while. "She must be so confused." I mumbled quietly, pitying Vicki. Matt didn't deserve this. His mom was a no show, his dad went somewhere and now his sister was on the verge of becoming a monster. I couldn't tell him any of this.
Stefan nodded in agreement before turning to give all of his attention to Elena. "So when is she gonna know?" She asked Stefan.
He let out a breath, clearly struggling to tell Elena all of this. "Right now, she doesn't remember anything. A part of her is still human, but slowly, the deeper she gets into the transition, the memories will start to come back, and then she'll know she has to make the choice."
"The compulsion will break, then?" I asked, tilting my head.
Stefan nodded. "And then she becomes less human and more vampire or...she dies."
I paused and turned to look at Stefan. "Unless she makes a choice to live."
"It's a choice. For a reason." He tried to rationalize.
I heard Elena scoff and watched as her eyes hardened slightly. "The same choice you made?" She asked with a slightly harsh tone.
"Elena…" I tried.
"Don't Ava."
I looked at Stefan and shrugged. Hey, I tried. I glanced back and forth between the couple. They were clearly on thin ice. Elena was big on honesty, I had dodged the bullet by pushing her into the direction of the truth but Stefan just continued to lie.
"...I'm gonna go check on Vicki." I said quietly to no one as I walked out of the kitchen and walked upstairs. Remembering that Matt had also asked me to meet him here, I made my way to Jeremy's room.
I walked into Elena's room and walked around. Biting my cheek, I quickly decided to peek at her dressing table to see if the vervain I put there was still her. To not my surprise, they were gone. I groaned. Damon was definitely here. He must have moved them.
But that wasn't why I was here.
Jeremy's door was locked and the only other way to get to his room was through the shared bathroom. Slowly, I walked towards the bathroom and swung the door open. There leaning against a bathroom counter was a familiar blond quarterback.
I slowly walked up to him and tapped his shoulder. He looked lost in thought. I tapped his shoulder and he stirred, coming face to face with me. A relieved smile spread across his face. He engulfed me in a big hug.
"You made it." He said quietly, letting go but still holding on to my hands. "I thought you'd be busy or somet-"
"Matt. Relax. Breathe." I tried to calm him down. He stole a glance at Vicki who was wrapped in Jeremy's arms. "It's gonna be okay." I tried again, swinging our clasped hands sideways. I knew I was lying. I was a hypocrite. I should tell him the truth but I knew it wouldn't be fair to Stefan. "Vicki's gonna be fine." I let go of his hands. "I'm gonna go say hi to Vick and I'll be right back." I said with a painted smile, walking into Jeremy's room.
I knocked before I entered. Tiredly, Vicki and Jeremy untangled themselves a little but still holding onto each other for dear life. Jeremy was the first one to greet me. "Ava. Hey. Did Elena call you?" He asked me. I simply nodded. "Huh. Thanks for being here."
I took out a plastic bag from my bag. "I bought some burgers for Vicki. Matt told me-"
Vicki snatched the burger from me and I watched in silent horror as she gorged on the burger. I knew this was a preview of what was to come. I masked my horror with a pitiful smile. "Thanks..." Vicki breathed out between bites. "This is pretty good."
I think I had brought about enough for all the people in the house right now. All of which were now being devoured by her. She finished eating all of the burgers, offering one to Jeremy who refused.
"Better?" I handed her an unopened water bottle from my bag.
"A little." She breathed out
. Cleaning her mouth with a napkin. An image of Vicki's mouth caked in blood and sitting over a corpse flashed in my mind. I blinked trying to erase that image.
"...It's funny how you're always there when Matt and I need you." She laughed sadly and quietly. She sucked in a breath and looked at me with a devious smirk. "Y'know what?" She broke the seal on the bottle and downed it in one go. "You and Matt should hook up. You're waay better than Elena. No offence Jer."
Jeremy scoffed, somewhat relieved to have the old Vicki back for a second. I knew this wouldn't last for long but I decided to play along. I leaned close to her and flicked her forehead. She made a sound of being in pain while I rolled my eyes.
"Just checking if you have a fever." I said with an innocent smile. Vicki made a face. "But seriously, you okay?"
"I don't know. I feel...I feel like death." She said slowly. "Does that make sense? It's fine if it doesn't, Matty says I barely make sense when I'm high or sober-"
I grabbed her shoulders. I stared into her eyes. I swallowed heavily as I glanced at Jeremy who had tears in his eyes. They were threatening to spill, this was a boy who had lost his parents and was now about to lose his first love. The least I could do was try to make the last moments between them easier on him.
"Vick, I need you to calm down. You're scaring Jeremy." I said quietly, pretending I was hugging her.
I pulled back and watched tiredly as her eyes flickered to amber and she nodded. I glanced at the couple in pity, knowing this was the last time they'd have been normal together.
"I'm gonna catch up with Matt." I gestured to Elena's room. "Play safe, lovebirds." I waved at them, walking out.
"How is she?" Matt asked me, grabbing my hands again.
I stared at him hard. There was so much I wanted to tell him but I didn't. Instead I painted a smile on my face. "Hungry." I said with a small laugh. "Girl, just devoured six burgers and six servings of fries all on her own." I carried on with a feigned grin, letting go of his hands and hopping on to sit on a counter.
He breathed out in relief. I watched as he ran his hands through his golden hair in anxiety. "She's getting better." He said quietly. "This is gonna be the rest of my life." He stated, blankly staring at the door to Jeremy's room. "I'm gonna keep worrying about her for the rest of my life." He continued on.
"Isn't that the job of the responsible sibling?" I joked, turning around to look at the mirror behind me.
Matt sighed. "Does Dan worry about you all the time?" He asked with a genuine smile. "Or do you worry about him?" He tried to rephrase the question.
"Yes to the first one. And not to the extent you and Vicki do." I replied. "Dan only worries about me when I skip meals or OR I accidentally get a hold of something with fire." I laughed. "Like seriously, he even checks in with me and Uncle Nate to check if I'm eating properly and not going near fire." I added, rolling my eyes and getting off the counter.
He laughed as well. I stared at him. He looked a little lighter after laughing. "Do you? Do you still skip meals?" He asked me with a concerned look.
"Nope. Wouldn't dare. Don't want Dan to come all the way from Cali to annoy me." I answered, getting out of the room with Matt following.
Matt nodded, walking close to me. "I remember the camping fire incident." He said with a smile going down the stairs as he did so.
I groaned. "Please don't remind me." I begged, reaching the landing.
"I'm sorry but who cleans chicken with hand-sanitizer?" He asked me.
"I was a child!" I protested. "How was I supposed to know it had alcohol and alcohol was flammable?" I pouted, turning around to walk to the kitchen to meet with Elena.
"You then tried to barbecue that chicken."
"I was a child!" I repeated, getting off the counter. "And if anything, my parents are to blame. Who lets a-" Matt started laughing hysterically while I glared at him.
Our smiles faded when we heard Vicki make some noises upstairs. All of a sudden there was some frantic running down the stairs. We watched as Viki ran down the stairs like a prey escaping from a predator with her shoes in her hands. She ran out the door before we could even say a thing.
Matt glanced at me, I nodded and we both ran after her. "Vick. Vicki!" He called out after her as I followed him outside the Gilbert House.
I looked around but she was gone. She had disappeared. Elena gave me a look while Stefan stood next to her with a worried look on his face. Jeremy came down the stairs and joined us outside, standing on the threshold of the house.
"She was fine, and then she just...she just freaked out." He started.
Matt huffed. Turning to look at Jeremy, he got ready to run after Vicki. "I'm gonna go look for her. Call me if you hear anything." He stated in a tone of urgency. He spared me at last glance before sprinting after Vicki.
"I can track her." Stefan whispered to Elena and me while we watched Matt run after Vicki.
Elena nodded and Stefan glanced to look at me.
"I'll stay here to look after Jeremy and Elena...and in case Vicki comes back." Stefan tried to protest. I rolled my eyes and pushed him to follow Vicki. "Be careful, the Council are looking for vampires right now." I leaned in and quietly whispered just so only he could hear me."It's gonna get dark soon. I'll watch out for Damon as well." I added. He said nothing, gave one last fleeting look to Elena and ran off.
I stood over the sink as Jeremy handed me the plates from Elena. We were just playing the waiting game now. "Maybe we should check in with Matt." Jeremy asked both me and Elena.
Elena breathed out and walked over to the table, grabbing a plate before handing it to Jeremy. "He'll call when he finds her." She retorted, looking at me for support. "You should've let me do that." She called out as I washed the dishes.
"Well, you guys didn't let me cook and instead ordered chinese. This is the least you could let me do." I retorted, glancing over my shoulders. Picking up a towel, I dried the dishes and turned to look at Jeremy. "By the way, Matt texted me a few minute ago-"
"Did he find Vicki-"
"No." I cut in, shrugging. "Apparently, the Sheriff and her deputies offered to look for her." Elena and Jeremy nodded at the new information.
He turned around and leaned against a counter next to me. "Well, what are we supposed to do?"
"We wait. We're supposed to wait." Elena tried to reassure her little brother.
"I don't know what's wrong with her."
"Nobody knows what's wrong with her." "She'll be fine." Elena and I said at the same time. She gave me a look that said be more positive. I scoffed. She was coddling him. Jeremy would know sooner or later. "It'll all be fine." She tried again when the doorbell rang.
We all shared a look and rushed to the door. Elena getting there first. I watched as she opened the door and then quickly attempted to shut it.
"What's he doing here, now?"
"God. Can the Salvatores leave me alone?"
Hearing Elena's inner complaints, I rushed towards the door and threw all my weight against the door. Damon was here and he was on the other side of the door. This brought me a sense of deja vu. He pushed harder, moving me and Elena aside, he walked in.
Elena and I exchanged knowing looks. She breathed out in fear. "Jeremy, go upstairs." She commanded.
Jeremy started protesting. I rolled my eyes. I really didn't want to compel Jeremy but I needed him to get out of here fast. "Listen to Elena, Jer. Go to your room. Now." I said without looking at him, my afternoon session Sheila taught me a few things like eye contact was unnecessary for this. I heard Jeremy retreat up the stairs.
"Impressive." Damon remarked, watching Jeremy go up the stairs. "New trick?" He asked, staring at Elena. He was trying to make me panic.
"That's not the only trick I have." I retorted, trying to distract him from Elena. She backed away from him while he was busy talking to me. She accidently caught his attention.
Damon turned away from me and stared at Elena. "You're afraid of me. I'm gonna go out on a limb here and guess. Stefan finally 'fessed up."
Quickly, I put myself between Elena and Damon. Elena grabbed my arm in fear. I gave her a reassuring look and glared hard at Damon. "Stay away from me." She barked, pulling me back with her.
"Hey, there's no need to be rude. I'm just looking for Stefan. May I come in? Oh, wait. Of course I can. I've been invited. We can cut to the chase if you want." I took a step forward towards Damon.
His blue eyes met my amber eyes in a heated battle. I brought my left hand forward, ready to summon the ball of light. Damon caught my hand and looked at me.
"I'm not gonna kill Elena or you right now. Relax" He said with a grin, trying to placate me. "That wouldn't serve my greater agenda." He broke off our staring match and glared at Elena. "So...Where's Stefan?"
Elena looked disgusted by his presence and looked away. "He's out looking for Vicki." She answered, turning to glare at him and bury herself into my back.
"Don't look at me with those judgy little eyes or is that your resting face." He said, staring back at me. I moved to free my left hand from his grip. "Girl's gonna thank me for what I did to her." He added, letting go of my hand.
"Did you thank Katherine?" Elena questioned from behind me.
I rolled my eyes. "Elena, shut up." I whispered harshly. "Stop provoking him."
"Got the whole life story, huh?" He glanced at her, raising his eyebrows.
"I got enough." She retorted, completely ignoring my warning. I really don't know why I bothered.
"Oh, I doubt that." Damon said, stepping back.
I rolled my eyes and opened my left palm, light emitted from it. "Get out!" I warned him, bringing my hand in front of me. Elena stared at me shocked, about to ask me what that was. "I'll tell you later." I said to her, "Why are you still here?" I asked Damon.
"You heard her. Get out." Elena chimed in, getting her bravery back.
Damon laughed mockingly before it died down and he looked ready to kill. "Cute." He remarked. "Tell my brother I'm looking for him." He said with an annoyed look, almost walking out of the door. "Oh, tip for later, be careful who you invite in the house." He advised, standing on the threshold of Elena's house, smirking before he flashed away.
The minute Damon left, Elena quickly moved to shut and lock the door. Checking the locks twice to make sure. She then glanced at me. "Please tell me you're staying over tonight..." She asked breathlessly.
I took a step forward but not before willing the light to go away. "Do you want me to?" I questioned.
"After all that happened..." She started, staring at the locked door. "I think so." She replied on the verge of crying. I engulfed into a hug as she broke into a sobbing mess. "...I think...I might...break up...with Stefan." She said between sobs. Her pain was obvious.
I pulled back and squeezed her shoulders, trying to comfort her. She loved him, that was clear but she was so torn between life and death. Especially when she had just gotten her will to live back. I would never know what that felt like. The only thing other than this on my mind was Vicki. I prayed she would make it through the night. I prayed we all made it to another night.
