І'll ѕееk уоu оut
"What did you say to distract Elena?" Matt asked as we stepped into the bustling party, music thumping and laughter echoing.
The house looked like a scene straight out of a movie where every teenage party takes place—walls decked with colorful streamers, red solo cups scattered across surfaces, and a vibrant energy that filled the room, inviting everyone to let loose.
Bubbly and enthusiastic, Vicky dashed off, leaving Tyler and Jeremy to sprint after her like loyal puppies. This left Matt and me standing together, two calm islands amidst the storm of excitement.
I shook my head, trying to brush off the question. "It doesn't matter—at least not to Elena."
"Why don't you two like each other?" he probed, tilting his head in curiosity. "On paper, you should be best friends."
I shrugged, feeling the weight of my words. "I'm not really the friend type."
"Weren't you friends with anyone before?" he asked, searching my face for answers.
"Yeah."
"What happened?" His tone was gentle and sincere.
"Most of them weren't really my friends," I admitted, my voice quieting.
"What happened? Do you mind me asking?" he pressed gently.
"My best friend Jessica had a crush on this guy named Mike..." I started, a bitter memory rising to the surface.
"And you liked him too?" he asked, eyebrows raised.
"No, but he liked me." I sighed, recalling the painful details. "A mutual friend, Lauren, started spreading rumors about me. They invited me to a sleepover, claiming they wanted to make amends. But it was a setup—they spent the entire night humiliating me."
"Why didn't you call your parents to come get you?" he asked, his expression turning serious.
"I did," I whispered, the memory weighing heavy on my heart. "That was the night my parents died."
"Kinda like Elena's parents," Matt said softly. "They fought at a party, and she called them when they lost control of the car."
I faltered for a moment, shocked. I hadn't known that detail
before.
It was eerie how my life mirrored Elena Gilbert's—too eerily similar for comfort.
I pushed those thoughts aside, not wanting to delve deeper into that parallel.
"So, what are your parents like?" I asked, hoping to steer the conversation in a different direction.
"Well," he began, a hint of sadness creeping into his voice, "I never knew my dad; he disappeared before I was born. As for my mom... I don't think she's even bothered to call and check on her daughter. I know she loves us, but sometimes I wonder if she really cares—"
"Matt! Bella!" Caroline's bright voice cut through the air, drawing my attention.
I turned to see Caroline striding toward us, a dazzling smile lighting up her face. Damon followed closely behind, his gaze fixed on me with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine.
Caroline was wearing a striking red cami that contrasted with her blue jeans and stylish black boots, exuding confidence as she approached. We waved at her, but Matt leaned in and whispered, "Who's that guy with Caroline?"
"That's Damon Salvatore," I replied, feeling a mix of awe and apprehension.
"As in, Stefan?" he asked, eyes wide in surprise.
"Yeah."
"Huh. I didn't know he had a brother," he mused, intrigued.
"Bella!" Caroline exclaimed as she reached us, her voice cheerful. "I didn't know you were coming!"
"Neither did I," I replied, trying to keep my composure.
"We planned to crash," Matt interjected, "but as soon as Vicky found out today was Bella's birthday, she insisted we bring her."
"Today's your birthday?!" Damon muttered.
I nodded, feeling a mix of embarrassment and excitement as Caroline asked, "How old are you?"
"15," I answered, trying to sound casual.
"You're practically a woman, and you're here?! I could have thrown you a better party!" she exclaimed.
"Happy birthday, schoolgirl," Damon said, his tone sending an unwelcome chill down my spine.
"I'm going to look for Jeremy," I retorted, desperate to escape his unsettling presence.
It was official: Damon Salvatore made my skin crawl, and I couldn't shake the feeling that the evening was about to take a turn I wasn't prepared for.
As we stepped into the bustling scene, Elena confidently declared that she and Bonnie would go in search of Jeremy, allowing me the chance to focus on tracing Bella's alluring scent.
Finding her would be effortless; amidst the swirling mass of people, her distinct fragrance cut through the chaos like a beacon.
It was intoxicating, an irresistible draw that pulled me in.
She was captivating, every breath filled with her essence.
Yet, to my surprise, I also caught the scent of Caroline. Her presence here was unexpected.
Not without Damon, that is.
His familiar scent intertwined with hers, a lingering reminder of his presence.
Damon?!
What on earth was he doing here?
Was he drawn to the gathering because of Elena?
Or Bella, perhaps?
Dammit, Damon, what schemes are you conjuring this time?!
"You're in big trouble!" Caroline's voice reverberated through the dimly lit kitchen, her tone a mix of urgency and concern.
When I declared my intention to search for Jeremy, Caroline immediately offered her assistance, her determination evident in her bright eyes.
Once we were alone, she leaned closer, lowering her voice as if she were sharing a secret. "Elena, Bonnie, and Stefan are on their way. Just so you know, Elena is pretty upset with you."
"Should I be worried?" I thought, the events of our earlier confrontation replaying in my mind like a haunting echo.
"Don't worry," Caroline insisted with a reassuring smile that momentarily reminded me of Lauren Mallory, her cheerful demeanor contrasting sharply with the tension in the air. "I know a secret way out."
Without waiting for a response, Caroline seized my arm and pulled me through the bustling kitchen, weaving around the excited partygoers.
Why was I thinking about Lauren?
Why was this sense of fear creeping into my thoughts?
"Where are we going?" I asked, trying to keep pace with her brisk stride.
"Just out the back door," she replied, her voice barely rising above the lively chatter as we slipped outside into the cool night.
"Why?" I questioned, glancing back anxiously.
"To keep Elena from finding you," Caroline explained, leading me into the embrace of the shadowy forest that bordered the party.
I struggled to keep up, my heart racing as I noted how effortlessly she moved, her long legs carrying her swiftly through the underbrush. "Couldn't we have Matt distract her instead?"
Caroline halted, her eyes widening slightly as if she had glitched like a faulty program. "It's safer out here where no one can see us," she finally said, her voice more serious now.
"Safer where no one can see me?" I repeated, the weight of her words hanging heavily in the air.
"Yes."
"Why?" My curiosity was piqued, but her expression turned distant, almost blank.
"I'm supposed to take you outside away from the party," she finally admitted, her voice lacking its earlier lightheartedness.
"Why?" I pressed again, sensing something deeper was at play.
Another glitch. "Because."
"Because of what?" I demanded, urgency creeping into my tone.
Glitch.
"Because of?"
"Did Damon tell you to do this?" My heart raced at the mention of his name.
Glitch.
"Caroline?" I called, anxiety pooling in my stomach.
Suddenly, a chilling whisper floated into my ear. "Hello, schoolgirl," Damon said, his voice smooth yet laced with danger.
Before I could react, his hand clamped over my mouth, and I felt a sharp, searing pain as his teeth sank into the right side of my neck, leaving me frozen in shock.
I'll seek you out
The redolence of Bella's blood made me double over as her muffled scream made my ears perk up.
'Caroline,' whimpered Bella, 'help me.'
'Don't move.' Damon ordered.
'Maybe you shouldn't.' I heard Caroline whisper as Bella shrieked again.
'I don't see Jeremy.' Elena called out to me.
'Caroline, help.'
'Shut up!' he yelled. 'God, you taste good.'
A snap cut off Bella's scream, and a cry from Caroline made me jump.
Flay you alive
Or was it Bonnie?
'Something is wrong.' Bonnie stared off into the distance.
'What?' Elena turned to her.
'It's Bella. Something is wrong.'
I didn't want Bella to die, but she'd be safer dead.
That scent...
'Stefan.' Damon said as he and Caroline approached us; his breath smelt of Bella's blood. 'Didn't expect to see you here.' he grinned.
'Caroline, have you seen Jeremy?' Elena asked as Bonnie mentioned checking outside.
'Hello, Elena.'
Ignoring Damon, Elena turned to Caroline, 'Have you seen him?'
'No. But I remember Bella saying that she was looking for him too.'
'Well, where's Bella?'
'I saw her talking to Matt.'
'You will excuse us,' Damon tightened his grip on Caroline, making her flinch, 'this party is dead.'
Damon and Caroline leave as Jeremy's voice calls out for Bella. I tapped Elena's shoulder, and she turned to me and saw Jeremy approaching.
'I'm here to take you home.' Elena announced.
'Have you guys seen Bella?' Jeremy asked.
'No.' scoffed Elena.
'Did you do something to her?' he asked angrily.
'What?'
'I got a text message from Bella saying that you were on your way here, and she was with Caroline.'
I'll bet Damon doesn't know that.
'No, though, I would like to punch her lights out.'
'Where's Caroline?'
'She just left-'
'SOMEONE HELP!' Screamed Bonnie as she ran inside. 'I think she's dead!'
One more word, and you won't survive.
I thought I was dead.
I thought I was dead.
I should be dead.
'Bella.' I heard a voice call out.
It sounded like Bonnie.
'Bonnie.'
'Bella?'
The sound of twigs snapping and dirt crunching indicated that she was approaching.
'BONNIE!' I shouted with all the strength I had.
'Bella?!'
I was content with Bonnie being the last person I saw before the darkness took me.
For some reason, it never occurred to me that Damon could also be a vampire.
Or that he was the one who slaughtered Mr. Tanner.
Or, through compulsion, Caroline would lure me to my death.
I hate that this is how I perish.
'I'm going to get help.' her muffled voice assured me as I felt her warmth. 'It's going to be ok.'
Bonnie's warmth is comforting.
'Welcome back.' said a voice as fluorescent lights blinded me.
I saw Bonnie, an EMT, and Stefan Salvatore; Bonnie and the EMT looked relieved, while Stefan looked agitated.
'What?' was my disoriented reaction.
'I thought you were gone.' Bonnie sobbed.
'She was.' the emt answered back. 'She was gone for 5 minutes.' he turned to me. 'What attacked you? What happened?'
'Where's Vicky?'
'Vicky is fine.' Bonnie said. 'She's still at the party.'
'Don't move; your neck is fractured. How the hell did you manage that?'
Stefan was facing away from me, pinching his nose. He must have felt my gaze because he veered around to stare at me.
'What's the matter?'
'Did anyone call the sheriff?'
'She's at the party questioning people.' Bonnie squeezed my hand. 'We're going find the thing that did this.'
I shifted my gaze to Stefan; my stare seemed to unease him.
'What is it?'
'I saw Damon and Caroline.'
Аnd І'm nоt ѕсаrеd
He paled at his brother's name while Bonnie glanced at him.
'What?'
'You should warn him.'
'Bella, what are you talking about?'
'He...'
I stopped; whatever they gave me was making me drowsy.
'Bella?' Bonnie's voice buzzed.
I heard Damon snap her neck; she lost a lot of blood, and her heart was still.
She was dead; Bella Swan was dead.
Yet, here she is.
Alive and practically well.
Bonnie and I agreed to wait with Bella until her grandmother arrived. Elena called to find out what was happening and to inform me that she and the others were on the way.
Bonnie called her grandmother as well, while I called Zach.
Bella's grandmother was the first to arrive; she was a tearful mess.
She must have asked us dozens of questions; Bonnie told her everything she knew, and I told her what I could.
'It's crazy how Bella survived a neck fracture.' Bonnie said as we stood outside Bella's room.
Оf уоur ѕtоlеn роwеr
We watched Mrs. Higginbotham sit at Bella's bedside and wept bitterly; my heart went out to her.
'Lucky is what it is.'
I heard her neck snap; she stopped breathing. Maybe Bonnie used her powers, but I'm sure she doesn't know how to use them.
She's not even sure if she believes she's a witch.
'What do you think Bella was talking about?'
'What do you mean?'
'About your brother and Caroline?' Bonnie moved closer to me. 'She said she saw them; that do you think that means?'
'Caroline did admit to seeing her earlier.'
Bonnie shook her head and muttered something about there being more to the story.
'I'm going to call Caroline.'
Bonnie stepped away as Zach called out to me; he was down the hall, away from Bella's room.
І ѕее rіght thrоugh уоu аnу hоur
'Stefan,' he said quietly, 'the girl, is she dead?'
'No, she survived the attack.'
'WHAT?!' Zach was livid. 'Is Damon trying to expose us?!'
'I don't think he realizes that she's still alive.'
'What?'
We turned in Bella's direction; Bonnie was pacing in front of the door, trying to get Caroline.
'If she wakes up, I'll compel her to forget.'
'Is she the girl you came back for?'
'No.'
No, she wasn't the girl.
I strained to hear Bella's voice, but I was content with her heartbeat.
І wоn't ѕооthе уоur раіn
І wоn't еаѕе уоur ѕtrаіn
'Stefan?' called Elena's voice called from the elevator. She and Jeremy stood by the elevator. 'Is she...?'
'I'm going to find the doctor.' said Zach.
'I'll go with you.' Jeremy volunteered.
He pushed Elena past, who tried to grab him, but he pulled away.
'Jeremy-'
'You know what, save it.'
Jeremy stormed after Zach as Elena sighed.
'What's that about?'
'Jeremy thinks I had something to do with Bella's death.'
'She's not dead.'
'What? Didn't- wasn't she attacked by the same type of animal that killed Tanner? How the hell is she still alive?'
'I guess Isabella Swan is stronger than she looks.'
Elena made a face at the comment but only said, 'Maybe she'll tell Jeremy that she didn't do anything!'
'Did you talk to the sheriff?'
'No, Jeremy and I left soon after you did. You don't think Caroline and Damon had something to do with this, do you?'
І'm tаkіng іt ѕlоw
Fееdіng mу flаmе
Ѕhufflіng thе саrdѕ оf уоur gаmе
'Did you really have to kill her?' whined Caroline.
'Yes, I had to. She knows about vampires.'
'But couldn't you have, like, compelled her to forget?'
'She was on vervain.' I lied. 'Besides, no one's going to miss her.'
'Her grandmother will, and I thought she was kinda sweet.'
'No one is going to-'
'Oh.'
'Whats oh?'
'Elena just texted me.'
'What did you say?'
'Bella's alive.'
The statement hit me like a gut punch; how the hell is she still alive?
Аnd јuѕt іn tіmе
Іn thе rіght рlасе
Ѕuddеnlу І wіll рlау mу асе
'What the hell do you mean she's alive?!'
The sound of my phone buzzing made me jump; a text message from Stefan made my blood boil.
'You failed, brother.'
'Bella is alive.' Caroline repeated. 'The doctors are prepping her for surgery now.'
Dear Diary,
Today was...
Today was stressful.
It's Bella Swan's birthday; that little brat had the nerve to say that I'm the reason why Jeremy is on drugs.
I wanted to punch her lights off; I would have gotten her if Bonnie hadn't stopped me.
Like, where does she get off?
Then she sneaks Jeremy to a party where he could have been killed!
I guess it's lucky that whatever it was got her instead of Jeremy.
Bonnie found her; she and Stefan went with her to the hospital. Stefan said she survived the attack, but I think it's only a matter of time before she succumbs to her injuries. I mean, Mr. Tanner was a football coach, and that thing killed him instantly.
What chance does Bella Swan have?
І wоn't ѕооthе уоur раіn
І wоn't еаѕе уоur ѕtrаіn
You'll bе wаіtіng іn vаіn
І gоt nоthіng fоr уоu tо gаіn
'Bella?' a voice called.
'Bells.' a called another.
'Five more minutes.' I grumbled.
'Isabella!'
'Okay, mom.'
Wait a minute, mom?!
I opened my eyes and found myself in front of a tiny home that once had been gray. There was only one narrow window beside the weathered blue door, but the window box under it was filled with bright orange and yellow marigolds, giving the whole place a cheerful look.
I was in Forks; I was home.
'Bella.'
I turned to find a man about 6 ft, average build, curly brown hair, and a mustache. He wore a blue plaid shirt, faded blue jeans, and boots.
Next to him was a woman about 5'4, with medium-length brown hair, innocent childish blue eyes, and a round face full of laugh lines. She wore an orange layered top, a star necklace, a sun hat, jean shorts, and brown sandals.
It was Charlie and Renee; it was my parents.
Before I knew what was happening, I rushed into their arms.
'You don't know how long I've ached to hold you.' Renee muttered into my hair.
'I'd give anything just to be able to talk to you again.' Charlie half laughed, half sobbed.
'Then why did you leave me?'
'Bells, we never left.'
'Are you here for me now?'
'No, of course not.' Renee gave me a sad smile.
Еуеѕ оn fіrе
Yоur ѕріnе іѕ аblаze
Fеllіng аnу fое wіth mу gаzе
Аnd јuѕt іn tіmе
'Then, why are you here?'
Іn thе rіght рlасе
Ѕtеаdіlу еmеrgіng wіth grасе
'To send you back,' Charlie put his hands on my shoulders, 'you can't let that guy win.'
'He's a lot stronger.'
'He's never had to deal with you when you're angry.' Renee teased.
'You can't give up.'
І wоn't ѕооthе уоur раіn
І wоn't еаѕе уоur ѕtrаіn
You'll bе wаіtіng іn vаіn
І gоt nоthіng fоr уоu
Nоthіng fоr уоu
'Mom is waiting for you.'
'Gran.'
I can't leave Gran by herself.
'You can leave with us if you want, but-'
Ѕееkіng уоu оut
І'll ѕееk уоu оut
'No. He doesn't get to win. I'm going back.'
'Gran?' cried a weak voice.
My head jerked up, and I turned to Bella's eyes fluttering open.
'She's getting coffee down the hall.'
She jumped when she heard my voice and started freaking out.
'It's going to-'
'I know what you are.'
Her voice was quiet.
If it weren't for my hearing, I wouldn't have heard
'What? Bella, what are you-?'
'Vampire.' she gasped. 'You and Damon are vampires.'
Who is she?
Flау уоu аlіvе
Flау уоu аlіvе
Flау уоu.. flау уоu..
Flау уоu.. flау уоu…
