Chapter 6


Who says I can't be free

From all of the things that I used to be

Rewrite my history

Who says I can't be free

Who Says – John Mayer


"Now child in order to use your magic you need a source of power; this amulet your mother gave you will be that source. Understand?" Ms. Shelia asks me. "But how do I do that Ms. Shelia" I question as I look up at her face. Going to her knees in front of me she gabs both my hands and says "You have the ability to do almost anything as long as you have a source of power. Just focus your energy on the source and imagine pulling from it and putting it into your spell." Nodding eagerly, I ask "can I try?" Letting out a laugh Ms. Shelia agrees and grabs a candle from beside her, "okay child, focus and pull your magic to light this candle." As I turn my focus, I feel my face furrow and hands clench. "I can't do it" I pout. "Yes, you can child just focus and pull". Recentering my focus on the candle I nod. As I close my eyes, I feel for the power contained in my amulet when suddenly a shiver runs down my back. Pull, I think to myself. Release. Suddenly a slight warmth comes from in front of me. As I open my eyes, I notice the candle in front of me is lit. "LOOK. LOOK. Ms. Shelia, I did it" I yell as I jump up and clap. "Yes, you did child, I am so proud of you" Shelia smiles at me before patting my head.


Later that day I am standing at the front entrance of the grill with Caroline, Matt, and Elena for one of the founders' fundraisers, the bachelor auction. Together we starting talking about the many older woman who have already hit on Matt tonight." He's already been hit on, like, 35 times. He's total cougar bait" states Caroline, letting out a laugh as Matt blushes I announce, "maybe we should be auctioning off Matt!" Laughing along Matt pushes at my shoulder as he states, "it's embarrassing." Suddenly Caroline sits tall and plants a smile on her face as she says "Hi, Mrs. Donovan '' in the most annoying chipper voice. Giving Caroline an annoyed smile covered in distaste she then turns to Elena "Elena, honey" "Hi Kelly '' responds Elena as her and Matt's mom briefly hug. "Long time, no see" shares Kelly once she and Elena stop hugging "How are you doing?" "Oh, same old. Oh. Matty tells me you broke his heart." "mom" interjects Matt. "Just kidding. Calm down. He found his rebound girl." Letting my jaw go slack I sneak a look at Caroline who looks heartbroken. Reaching out I place my hand on her back and give her a smile. Suddenly Kelly turns to us and hands Caroline some money as she states "Oh. Here you go, sweetheart. However, many that'll buy. I just hope I don't get Bachelor 3. I dated him in high school. Not impressive. In any way" In that moment Matt looks horrified as his blush intensifies and he shakes his head towards his mom. As Caroline hands Kelly her tickets Kelly states "Very exciting" before walking off. Leaning down to whisper in Caroline's ear I tell her "God. I love Mat but his mom is a complete bitch."

Sitting in my bed reading post auction, I am interrupted by my phone ringing ugh Tyler. "Hello brother. What can I do for you this fine evening" "You need to get to Matts. They found Vicki's body." "Wait what" "I will meet you there no go" "Okay I am going now" Hanging the phone up I jump from my bed and grab a sweater before grabbing my keys and driving to Matts. Dead Vicki is dead… Matt. Without knocking I step into Matt's house. Already here are Tyler, Caroline, Jeremy, and Elena. Giving them a quick nod I make my way to Vicki's room where Matt is most likely hiding out. Seeing him sitting on his bed staring into the distance breaks my heart. Stepping forward I slowly make my way to him as I reach out to collect him into a hug. In my arms he lets out a short sob and I feel tears on my shoulder. From behind me the door opens, glancing back I see Caroline with a mug looking at me hopefully. Nodding towards her I turn back to Matt and softly state, "Hey, Caroline is here I am going to give you a minute okay. Call me back if you need me" Giving him a soft smile I see him nod as I make my way back into the kitchen. Immediately I notice Tyler looking uncomfortable. Walking over to him I stand behind him as he sits on a chair and give him a hug from behind. Turning my head slightly I whisper into his ear "Are you going to be, okay?" As he gives me a slight nod I sigh in relief. We will be okay.

Another party, another dress. I tell myself as I stand with my father and Tyler talking to Matt and his mom. "I'm so glad you could join us tonight" announces my father "It was nice of you to reach out to us" states Kelley, nodding his head my father responds "This town is one big family, when we lose a member, we all have to come together." After taking his leave Tyler and I follow and shoot Matt identical looks of disbelief and annoyance in one. Following Tyler out I start to laugh once our father is out of ear shot. "God that was painful" I announce "you're telling me. I am going to go grab a treat for Matt who wants to join?" "Join you and Matt for a drink and risk the wrath of dad. Yeah, no thanks, have fun though ""Suit yourself" responds Tyler as he turns to find a bottle of alcohol to bring to Matt. Shaking my head I turn towards the party and think to myself How much more painful can tonight get.

As I stand beside my dad talking to someone, he deems important, a yell comes from outside. My dad excuses himself and goes to see what is happening, seizing my opportunity I follow. As we enter the outside terrace, we see Matt on the ground gasping for air as Mr. Saltzman has Tyler pushed against a wall. Stepping closer to Tyler my dad tells Mr. Saltzman ``I'll take it from here; I'll take it from here" putting his hand on the back of Tyler's head and forcing him to look him in the eye he asks Tyler "Are you hurt? Go get cleaned up. It's okay. Go get cleaned up." As I see the confused and slightly panicked look on Tyler's face I follow him to the bathroom. Once we enter the bathroom I close and lock the door. "Tyler, are you okay?" I say as he starts to wash his hands. "Oh my god Tyler is that blood?" Straining to hear him above the sound of the water he replies "it isn't mine." Moving to stand beside him I ask "what happened out there". Turning the water off he turns to face me and exclaims "I don't know. Well, I know but I don't know why. It is like I blacked out or something. All I remember is making out with Matt's mom and then punching Matt while he was on the floor." "First of all, Matt's mom? You can do wayyyyy better than Matts mom." "He-" Holding my hand up I shot him a look "I am not done. Secondly, dad is pissed you need to collect yourself before he comes looking for you." Reaching out Tyler pulls me into a hug and whispers "thank you for being you Annie" before pulling away and pushing me towards the door. Laughing I shake my head and unlock the door before leaving the bathroom. Well things got worse that's for sure.

A few days later I get a call from Bonnie, who left town shortly after her Grams funeral. "I think I am ready to come beck Annie," Bonnie tells me. Sitting up in my bed I respond "Really? That would be amazing I have so many things to tell you!" Laughing at my excitement Bonnies states "I look forward to hearing all about it. I will probably come back on Monday, mind sending me anything I missed from school?" "Absolutely no question about it I will send you everything. Beware though, we have had tons of math homework the past couple days!" I say with resentment in my voice. "I am sure I will be okay Annie, thanks though. I got to go, see you on Monday?" "Of course, I can't wait to have you back!" Hanging up my phone I lay back in my bed and think, I wonder what will happen when Bonnie returns.

Monday seems to come quick. Sitting in class with Dr. Saltzman he shares this week's class plans "Okay, this week we're going to set outside our regular curriculum for a lesson in local history as we approach Founders' Day. Apparently, the community leaders feel it's more important than World War 2 but hey what do I know?" he says with clear resentment in his voice. Trying not to laugh I hear the door to the room open, BONNIE! A smile quickly makes it way onto my face as Bonnie states "Sorry I'm late" as Bonnies walks to an empty seat beside me Dr. Saltzman announces "Well, it looks like we will be at full occupancy today. Welcome home, Bonnie." As she sits beside me, I notice her smile at Elena and then looks turns dark and the smiles disappears when she notices Stefan beside Elena. And here I hoped things would go back to somewhat normal. Getting comfortable in my chair I let my mind wander as Dr. Saltzman drones on about local history.

After class Bonnie and I are walking out when Elena comes up behind us. "Hey, I tried to grab you after class but you already taken off. How are you? How's your family?" Bonnie sends me a look of sadness before reluctantly responding "We're dealing, it's been hard." Slowly I shift closer to Bonnie to give her a sense of support when Elena responds "Everyone here really missed you." "Yeah, I just had so much to deal with after Grams' funeral and, honestly after you told me the tomb spell failed, I just didn't really want to come back." Nodding Elena shares "I hope that you understand why I called...I wanted you to know before you came home." "I understand why. I just...shouldn't know." As they stare at each other I quickly jump in "Is this really the place to be discussing this" Giving them both a look we are quickly interrupted by none other than Caroline. "Bonnie! Bonnie! Thank God you're home!" Suddenly Caroline hugs Bonnie and states "I know we three way called almost every day but I missed you" Glancing towards Elena I notice a look of hurt flash across her face. "How are you doing?" Asks Caroline. "Better. Better. You know, glad to be back and trying to keep myself busy." A look of excitement enters Caroline's face as she shares "Well, I can help with that. Major wardrobe problem. You need to help me pick up the perfect dress for the Founders' court." With confusion clear in her voice Elena asks "The Founders' court? Did I miss something?" Groaning in fake pain I announce, "the Founders court for Miss Mystic Falls got announced today and both you and Caroline are on it, or so says Carol." As I talk a look of realization comes across Elena's faces as she says "Oh my god! We signed up for that so long ago...I completely forgot." "So, are you dropping out then?" Caroline quickly asks with a tone of hope in her voice. "I can't." Elena says with a glance towards Bonnie. With a slight smile back to Elena, Bonnie shares "Her mom is the one who wanted her to enter." Between the four of us a long look of understanding passes.

The rest of the week leading up to Miss Mystic Falls has been hectic. From being forced to help Carol organize, Caroline be neurotic about everything, and the tension between Bonnie and Elena I am run down. Now I find out that Stefan is back on human blood and is going a little crazy. Thanks Elena just what I needed during the Miss Mystic pageant when Carol is already in my back about not competing. Standing with Damon and Elena, Damon announces that "Stefan has a fridge full of stolen blood bank contraband in the house." Together, Elena and I sit on the nearest couch as Elena states "oh my god." Holding her Hand I turn my attention to Damon as he says "He has no idea what normal is, his entire existence isn't normal. Normal to a vampire is drinking human blood but he spent all this time fighting it when he should have been learning to control it and now it's controlling him instead." Stepping into the conversation I ask "so what do we do here?" Damon takes one look at me before glancing back at Elena and sharing "Stefan on human blood Elena; he'll do anything, he'll say anything because he's not going to want to stop. Trust me."

As the three of us continue speaking we are suddenly interrupted by Stefan "What's going on in here?" Turning towards him Damon raises an eyebrow and notes "I was just filling Elena on your extra-curricular activities." I jump as Stefan lets out a loud laugh and asks "What are you talking about?" Jumping to her feet Elena announces "I know about the blood, Stefan." Looking around uncomfortable Damon comes towards me and says "I think it is time for us to take our leave Annie" nodding in agreement I stand up and walk towards the door with Damon following me. As we exit the room I lean towards Damon and snarkly state "only my friends call me Annie and you are not a friend." Turning quickly, I head off to find Carol in hopes she has something to help distract me from this mess.

Luckily or unluckily by the time I find Carol franticly pacing she has a job for me, find Amber, one of the Miss Mystic contestants. After spending what feels like forever searching, I come up empty and head back to Carol to let her know. Unfortunately, I do not have the chance to tell her as she standing beside my father who is announcing the Winner of Miss Mystic Falls. As I approach, I hear him share "Before I crown the winner, I'd like to offer a personal thank you to all of these young ladies for their efforts to better our community. So, without further a due it is my honor to announce our very own Miss Mystic Falls, Miss Caroline Forbes!" A huge smile comes across my face and I enthusiastically applause as Caroline gets crowned as Miss Mystic Falls.


Well past my bedtime I slowly tiptoe into the living room when I hear voices coming from the kitchen. Knowing I will be in trouble if mommy finds me out of bed, I hide beside the kitchen door and try to listen in. "Please Shelia, help me, help my child." I hear mommy begging. An unknown voice responds "I will not help bring a dangerous child into this world, Amelia. A siphon is incredibly dangerous. Why would you ask this of me?" "Because I can no longer teach her. I-I used a containment spell on my magic and put it into an amulet for her to use. I can only teach her so much without my magic." "AMELIA, why would you do something so reckless th-" "SHE IS MY DAUGHTER SHELIA. I will do anything to help protect her. Including asking you to teach her. Please Shelia train her to be good, teach her not to be dangerous." Asks my mommy to the woman named Sheila. Hearing a deep sigh the woman says "Fine. But let me meet the child first to decide. Come in here child." straightening my back I realise I have been caught. Uh Oh, I think to myself. Slowly I make my way around the door into the kitchen and see the unknown woman sitting with mommy at the table. A look of guilt crosses my face as I look up at my mommy "sorry for being out of bed mommy."

Slowly waking up I realise my dreams have shifted into memories. At least I am not dreaming about that strange man anymore, I wonder how long this will last. Sitting up in my bed I can't help but wonder how I forgot so many things about my mom and when I would regain all my memories of her. In some ways I wish I was still having dreams of that strange man still, at least they hurt less.