Alaric stared at the terrified Mrs. Higginbotham, or more accurately, the bite on her neck. He bit his wrist and held it out to her. "Here."
She cringed when he held out of her blood. "No."
"Drink it."
She shook her head. "No."
"My blood will heal you."
"I don't want to die."
"You won't die."
"I don't want to be a vampire."
"That's only if you die with it in your system."
"Are you going to hurt Bella?"
"I don't want to hurt any humans." He growled, frustrated. "Drink; your blood is making it hard to focus."
"What do you want?"
"A world without vampires." He ripped her off the vervain bracelet. "Now listen to me."
When Rosalie returned from the decade dance, the haunting sound of Meredith's heart-wrenching sobs reverberated through the house, echoing as if her very essence had been shattered into a million irreparable fragments.
Rosalie went to Meredith's bedroom door. "Merri?" She called out gently as she rapped on Meredith's bedroom door, the worry evident in her voice.
A sense of concern enveloped her when she opened the door and found the room empty.
She swiftly texted Meredith and then hastened to prepare herself to meet Bella.
I found myself in Alaric's old room, surrounded by memories of him that flashed through my mind.
As I stood there, lost in thought, my phone suddenly started ringing. I glanced at the screen and saw that it was Alaric calling.
Confused and frustrated, I couldn't help but wonder who would find this situation amusing. I sighed heavily, suspecting that Damon might have given someone Alaric's phone and compelled them to call me.
"Whoever this is, it's not funny," I snapped into the phone.
"Well, who else would it be?" came the response.
I was taken aback; what the fuck?
"Ric?"
"Listen closely; I'm at the school. I have Caroline and Isabella, and if you want to keep them safe, I need you to get in your car and get here immediately. If you tell anyone where you are going, I will make her regret it," Alaric's voice sounded urgent and severe.
"I don't believe you!" I protested.
"Elena?!" Bella's voice suddenly gasped over the phone.
"Bella?!"
'What's happening?!'
"Get here," Alaric commanded before the line went dead.
"Gran?"
"Bella? Bella, this is the fifth time you've called," her voice crackled through the line, a mix of concern and annoyance threading her words.
"I just wanted to check in," I murmured, glancing around the bustling grill, where the intoxicating aroma of sizzling burgers mingled with the crisp scent of fresh fries.
The rustic décor, with its varnished wooden tables and vintage posters adorning the walls, offered a cozy retreat from the outside world as I waited for Rosalie.
"I'm fine; I'm still on the plane," she reassured me, her voice softening slightly though there was an undercurrent of tension.
"How long will you be gone?" I asked, the knot of worry tightening in my stomach.
"For about a week. Irma's husband passed away, and her kids can't get away from their own families at the moment," she explained, her tone now tinged with genuine sadness.
"I hope your friend will be okay," I said, feeling the weight of loss seep into my heart.
"It's just a slip on gravel, but when you reach my age..." She trailed off, leaving the implications like an unspoken truth.
"It's okay; I can manage," I said, sounding more confident than I felt. "Elena and Jeremy are just a few houses down, and the Forbes family is across the street. I promise I'll be alright. Go take care of your friend." I hoped my words disguised the flicker of unease that loomed in the back of my mind.
"Sorry, I'm late!" Rosalie declared as she burst through the door, her cheeks flushed and her wavey hair bouncing with each hurried step. She slid into the booth across from me, clearly flustered. "I was looking for Meredith."
"Looking for her?" I echoed, a hint of concern weaving through my tone.
"She was really down last night; I heard her crying," she confessed, her brow furrowed as she remembered her cousin's distress.
"Did you see her?" I pressed.
"She's at the hospital; she went in early this morning," Rosalie replied, the seriousness of her tone sending a chill through me.
"Did she say what was wrong?" I asked, my heart racing at the thought of her being in such a difficult place.
"Guy trouble," Rosalie sighed, rolling her eyes as if the mere thought was a burden.
"Isabella?" a deep voice broke through our conversation.
I turned to see a tall man approaching me, his well-tailored suit contrasting sharply with his haggard appearance. He stood at least six feet tall, with a complexion that was a shade darker than mine. The weariness etched into his face spoke volumes about a life that had endured its share of trials. While stylish, his thick, salt-and-pepper hair was slightly unkempt, and his piercing eyes mirrored a familiarity that sent a shiver down my spine—he held Isobel's gaze.
I swallowed hard as he drew near. "Isabella Swan?" he asked, his voice low, uncertain, yet strangely compelling.
Rosalie exchanged glances with me, a look of confusion crossing her features. "Who's this guy?" she questioned, her curiosity piqued.
"Henry," I replied, my pulse quickening with every word.
At that moment, my phone buzzed insistently in my pocket, and I glanced at the screen to see Damon's name flashing ominously. I hesitated before declining the call, my heartbeat loud in my ears as I refocused my attention.
"Henry?" Rosalie repeated, eyes widening in recognition. "As in Henry Flemming?!"
"May I join you?" he asked, his gaze sweeping across the crowded restaurant as if searching for someone.
We exchanged hesitant glances before nodding, and he slid into the booth, his presence commanding yet strangely awkward. I saw Matt lingering in the background, his expression a blend of curiosity and concern as he watched us intently.
"Hello," Henry said softly, the weariness in his voice almost palpable. "I've been waiting a long time to meet you, Isabella."
"Hi, I'm Caroline Forbes," Rosalie introduced herself enthusiastically, extending her hand for a shake.
Henry's face paled slightly at her introduction, and I felt a knot of discomfort tighten in my stomach, grateful that this conversation was taking place amidst the chatter of eager patrons and the clinking of glasses.
"Pleased to meet you," he replied nervously, glancing between us. "How are you?"
I shrugged, trying to project a façade of stability. "Surviving."
"How's your grandmother?" he inquired, his expression softening with genuine interest.
"Good," I replied, keeping my voice steady. "How are you?"
"I'm... fairing," he said carefully, his eyes darting momentarily to Rosalie, who was watching him with keen interest. "You should have your grandmother call me."
Without warning, Henry Flemming abruptly rose from his seat and walked away, leaving a heavy silence, like the sudden stillness that follows a loud crash.
"That was weird," Rosalie murmured, her gaze glued to his retreating figure.
"Did you notice his reaction when you introduced yourself as Caroline?" I asked, the strange encounter lingering in my mind.
"The color literally drained from his face. You should be cautious around him," she said, expression serious.
"Hey, Bella."
We turned to see Matt standing behind me, his penetrating gaze on my face, revealing mixed emotions.
"Donovan," Rosalie greeted, keeping my tone neutral as I regarded him.
"Rosalie," he added briefly.
'Hey, Matt.'
"Did you need something?" Rosalie inquired, a hint of irritation creeping into her voice after a brief pause. "Bella and I are discussing important matters here."
"I want to ask Bella something," he insisted, urgency creeping into his tone.
"What is it?" I prompted, feeling the tension rise.
"Can you give Bella and me a minute?" he pressed, pointing at Rosalie.
"Just ask, Matt," I sighed, frustration bubbling beneath the surface.
"Have you seen Elena?" he blurted out, his eyes darting anxiously.
You've got to be kidding me.
I shook my head. "I haven't seen much of Elena lately."
"Maybe Mr. Saltzman took her and Jeremy out," Rosalie suggested, attempting to lighten the mood.
"How can he when he's—?" Matt paused, his expression shifting as he gritted his teeth. "Maybe you're right." He turned back to me, frustration evident in his voice. "Jeremy called me looking for you."
"I'll talk to him when I'm finished here," I replied firmly, determined to stand my ground.
"You should really check on your... neighbors," he hissed, glaring at Rosalie as if she were somehow to blame for the situation.
"Will do," I said tersely, unwilling to back down.
"We should head over to my house," Rosalie suggested, shooting a pointed glare back at, Matt. "Fewer interruptions."
"Is Bella alright?" Elena demanded, her voice urgent as she stormed into the Gilbert house, her eyes darting around. "Alaric said he had her—"
A somber expression settled over Caroline's features.
"We can't find Bella," she said gently, her tone laced with worry.
I could hear Elena's heart racing as she turned sharply to Damon and me, disbelief shadowing her face.
"What?! Alaric said he had Bella—I heard her voice—"
"He used a tape recorder," Caroline interjected, a hint of frustration in her voice. "When we heard your car, he played it for me. It was a recorded conversation with both of you."
Elena's face drained of color as she processed this.
"Was he planning this for that long?" Her voice quivered as she turned back to us, the dread consuming her. "Did anyone call her?!"
"I did," Damon replied, his brows furrowing with intensity. "She's not answering; maybe Ric got her."
Elena insisted, "No! Call her grandmother—"
Caroline's voice dropped to a whisper. "Her grandmother is out of town visiting a friend. I saw her leave this morning when I went to school."
A wave of disbelief washed over me. "I can't believe Alaric would do anything to harm Bella," I said, pulling out my phone. "Maybe I should try calling her."
"I already did," Damon scoffed, his voice dripping with exasperation. "She's probably already—"
"Hello?" Bella's quiet voice came through the line, sounding distant and uncertain.
"Bella—"
"Why the hell didn't you answer me when I called you?" Damon erupted, his temper flaring.
"I don't like you," Bella replied, her tone flat and devoid of warmth.
Caroline stifled a laugh, but the tension hung heavily in the air.
"Where are you?" I pressed, desperate for answers.
"At Rosalie's house. I decided to stay the night here," Bella said, her voice tinged with defiance.
'Have you been with Rosalie all day?'
'Pretty much.'
"Where is Rosalie now?" I asked, trying to remain calm.
"You're on speaker, Salvatore," Rosalie's voice chimed in, bridging the gap between concern and irritation. We exchanged glances, nerves rippling through us, before she continued, "Did you find Elena?"
"How did you know I was missing?" Elena answered, surprised and a bit unnerved.
"Matt Donovan," Rosalie replied matter-of-factly, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
I caught Caroline rolling her eyes in exasperation, making me think it was.
"We're coming to get you, Bella," Elena declared, her voice urgently rising.
"Why?" Rosalie questioned, confusion evident in her tone.
"No, I told Gran I was—" Bella started, but her words were cut short.
"We're coming to get you," Damon reiterated firmly, his determination palpable.
"I'm staying here," Bella shot back defiantly, and with that, she abruptly ended the call.
"She's probably safer there," Caroline began, her voice softening as concern etched her features.
"No, her friend is Meredith's cousin," Damon declared, shaking his head.
'What?!' The three of us cried.
'How long have you known?!' I asked.
'When I talked to Meredith at the hospital.' Damon answered with shrugged. 'Didn't think it was important.'
'You didn't think it was important?!' Elena screeched.
Damon dropped his indifference and went to her, but she stormed upstairs as Jeremy and Bonnie entered the house.
'What's with her?' Jeremy asked.
'Has Elena ever mentioned that Matt Donavan has a big mouth?'
'Nope.'
'You should probably mention Henry Flemming before big mouth does.'
Bella tossed her hair, putting it between her and Rosalie. 'I don't feel like telling her anything. She's not telling me anything.'
'Text Jeremy, he'll tell her.'
Bella sighed but nodded, and turned to the window. 'Someone will come to spy on us. It could be a human, a witch or vampire, but someone will come.'
Rosalie sighed and sat next to her and stared out the window.
"You know, I'm barely out of Virginia, and already Elena has sold our souls to the Originals?"
Damon's frustration dripped from his voice, each word heavy with the weight of their predicament.
"It was her decision," replied Bonnie.
"And what else does she decide? Every single disaster we've faced."
A tense silence hung between them, thick with unspoken fears.
"Where's the body?' Bonnie asked. 'Because as long as it's unspelled, Alaric is just one witch away from uncovering its whereabouts."
"It's hidden, Originally, I thought about using Unit 666, but that seemed a bit too on-the-nose. So..." They paused before a non-descript storage unit. "It's in 1020. Just a mini fridge, a couple of old bird cages, and a box of vintage Playboys." With a swift motion, Damon pulled open the shutter door of the unit.
Inside, nestled in darkness, lay a solitary casket. Heaving it open, Bonnie's breath stilled. There, chained and desiccated, was Klaus—the infamous Original—his body a grotesque shadow of its former self. But suddenly, he opened his eyes, their fiery gaze locking onto theirs. "Oh, creepy," Damon muttered, a shiver creeping down his spine.
"I need a moment," Bonnie replied softly, her heart racing.
"Just use the witch locator or your bat signal, whatever you have, and let's move on," Damon urged impatiently.
Bonnie's voice quivered with palpable anguish. "Elena and Jeremy lost Jenna and Alaric because of him. Tyler's a hybrid, my mother's a vampire... Could you just give me a moment to process this?"
Damon sighed, frustration etched on his face, before turning and shutting the storage unit door behind him.
Bonnie remained, peering into the casket, her heart heavy with conflicting emotions.
"You should burn in hell," she whispered, staring down at Klaus. "But if you die, my friends die too. My mother... What am I supposed to do with that kind?" Her voice cracked under the weight of despair as she grappled with the impossible reality before her.