Meredith stepped into her office and froze at the sight of Alaric sitting at her desk.
"Hello, Meredith."
She stood her ground, visibly taken aback. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm Elena's guardian. It's unacceptable that I didn't receive a phone call."
"You were…?" She faltered. "How did you find out?"
He smirked, showcasing his fangs. "I have eyes and ears everywhere now." He turned to face her. "It's interesting— the people in this town are actually competent when given the chance. Speaking of which, you're a little too competent at your job." He stood up, opened a mini fridge, and retrieved a rack of test tubes filled with vampire blood. "But that's because you cheat. I found your stash of vampire blood."
Alaric opened the test tubes and deliberately poured the blood onto her desk.
"No, stop! Don't do that!" she exclaimed, panic rising.
He emptied the last tube of vampire blood onto her desk with finality. "The Council will contact the medical board to have your license suspended. Mayor Lockwood and Sheriff Forbes are being relieved of their duties. I'm taking control of this town." He seized Elena's medical folder from her hands. "And you will be releasing Elena to my custody."
Alaric signed the paperwork and thrust it back into the hands of a shaken Meredith. He then left the room and headed for Elena's hospital room. Upon entering, he found the bed empty.
"NO!" he roared.
As Tyler and Matt swung open the creaky front door, a blast of cool air swept in, followed closely by Caroline, who had her arm protectively draped around my shoulders, guiding me into the familiar warmth of my home.
"Couch," Caroline commanded firmly, her tone brooking no argument.
"I'm fine," I protested weakly, my voice barely above a whisper. "I just... I want something to eat first."
Tyler flashed a quick grin. "We'll take care of that, but first, we need to make sure no one is hiding in the closets," he said playfully, his footsteps echoing as he and Matt made their way up the stairs. Caroline gently led me toward the couch, her expression a mix of concern and resolve.
"Alright, couch, now!" Caroline reiterated, her voice booming with authority.
"Uhh, I told you I'm fine," I groaned, feeling the weight of my weariness.
Ignoring my protest, Caroline swiftly snatched a soft, plaid blanket from a chair and followed me with a determined stride. "The doctor says you need to rest, so you're resting," she insisted, settling beside me on the plush couch. As I sank into the cushions, Caroline wrapped the blanket around me like a comforting cocoon.
"Now, what can I get you? How about some tea, maybe a splash of vodka? Both will help you sleep," she suggested, her eyes sparkling with mischief. I met her gaze, caught between gratitude and teasing disbelief.
"I know, I'm being smothering. It's just what I do," she admitted with a sheepish smile.
"No, it's— it's nice," I replied, feeling warmth amid the fatigue.
"Maybe I'll whip up some tea with a little vodka," she said, a playful grin spreading across her face.
We both laughed, and Caroline rose from the couch, her presence lingering in the air. I remained there, wrapped in the blanket, my eyes drawn to a picture on the end table. It depicted a happy moment—me with my parents, smiles wide and infectious, alongside another snapshot of me in my cheerleader uniform, radiating youthful exuberance. The memories brought a bittersweet mixture of joy and sadness, reminding me of the warmth of home and the love surrounding me.
Rosalie opened the window, allowing the warm sunlight to spill into the room, illuminating the dust motes dancing in the air. She glanced outside and spotted a figure standing uncertainly in the middle of the road, their silhouette half-hidden by the mid haze.
She squinted, trying to identify the person's features, but she didn't recognize them.
Bella lay sound asleep in the room's stillness, her phone ringing insistently like an urgent alarm disrupting the quiet.
With a sigh, Rosalie answered Bella's phone, her voice slightly hesitant. 'Hello?'
A sharp and clear voice from the other end asked, 'Is this Isabella Swan?'
'This is her phone. Who is this?' Rosalie asked, curiosity piqued.
'Riley Biers,' the voice replied, casual but curt.
'Okay, Riley Biers, how do you know Isabella Swan?' she probed, sensing there was more to this call.
'A friend of a friend.'
'What friend?' Rosalie pressed, feeling a protective instinct flare up.
'Vic.'
'Are you referring to—never mind. Isabella is asleep. Can I take a message?' Rosalie inquired, her tone firm.
'No, I'll talk to her in school on Monday,' Riley replied abruptly, cutting the conversation short.
Rosalie hung up just as Bella's phone began to ring again, its shrill tone finally rousing Bella from her deep slumber.
'What's going on?' Bella groaned, her voice thick with sleep as Rosalie handed her the phone, worry etched across her face.
'Miss popular,' Rosalie quipped, trying to inject humor into the tense atmosphere.
'Hello?' Bella answered groggily while Rosalie quickly grabbed a pen and paper, ready to jot down anything important.
'Someone is standing outside in the road,' Rosalie scribbled, holding it up for Bella to read.
'Who's this?' Bella asked, her interest piqued as she peeked out the window. A shocked gasp escaped her lips, and her head whipped around to face Rosalie. 'What?!'
'Who is it?!' Rosalie demanded, urgency spilling over onto the paper she held.
Bella quickly scrawled a message on the same paper, 'Damon is standing in the street.'
She spoke again, her voice laced with disbelief. 'Nothing what.' A sigh escaped her. 'It's nothing, Caroline.' Rosalie slumped onto the bed, her frustration palpable. 'What's going on with Elena?' Bella asked, rejoining her on the bed. Suddenly, she shot to her feet, wide-eyed. 'What did you mean Elena's been in an accident?!'
They exchanged bewildered looks, the weight of the news hanging heavily between them. After a moment, Bella let out a shaky breath of relief. 'Okay. What? Yeah, I'll be there—come alone.'
'What?' mouthed Rosalie, confusion lining her brow.
'I'd rather take my chances here than deal with Damon,' Bella stated firmly, her resolve hardening.
'Take your chances against what?' Rosalie wrote down, anxiety creeping in.
'I'll have Rosalie's cousin drive me home then,' Bella replied, determination flashing in her eyes.
'What's going on?' Rosalie pressed, searching Bella's face for answers.
'Typical entitled Elena shenanigans,' Bella mumbled, her pen moving quickly as she wrote, 'Elena was in the hospital.'
'Ugh, I truly can't stand her,' Rosalie said while writing, 'What happened?'
'Yeah, she seems to have a knack for grating on one's nerves,' Bella said aloud, her frustration evident as she added, 'She didn't say.'
Caroline and Tyler paced in the dimly lit study of Lockwood Manor, where heavy mahogany furniture cast deep shadows on the walls. Her heart raced as she struggled to process the betrayal; Alaric had exposed both her and Tyler to the council, a revelation that sent waves of anxiety coursing through her.
"We can't just leave town," she exclaimed, her voice tinged with desperation.
"Yes, we can," Tyler insisted, his tone firm yet gentle as he stepped closer, his expression resolute.
"But our friends need us," she shot back, her eyes searching his for understanding.
"And our mothers need us to stay alive," Tyler replied, determination igniting in his gaze as he took her hand.
"Stefan and Damon will do whatever it takes to protect themselves, but this is our lives. Let me protect you."
Caroline's heart softened at his words. "I'll go anywhere with you. I will run with you if we must spend the rest of our lives running—I will run with you." She paused, biting her lip. "But first, I have to help our friends."
A smile broke through Tyler's serious demeanor as he nodded. "I'll gather everything we need and meet you at the cellar in two hours."
Caroline's face lit up, a spark of hope returning. "Deal!"
Tyler leaned in and captured her lips in a brief but passionate kiss. "We need to travel light," he reminded her, his voice low and teasing. "So, what do you need?"
"Just you. Maybe a curling iron," she laughed, her spirits lifting further as she kissed him again. The thought of Bonnie suddenly popped into her mind. "Oh, I have to tell Bonnie!"
"I'll call Bonnie, okay? Just remember—two hours. And don't you dare be late," he warned, his playful tone laced with genuine concern.
"Okay," she agreed, determination shining in her eyes as they prepared to face the uncertain road ahead.
Rosalie and I sat in her room, waiting for Dr. Fell, when a
sharp buzz made us jump and my fall.
'It's not me.' Rosalie said, holding up her phone.
We turned to find my phone glowing under Rosalie's bedspread, I felt around the soft sheets until I located my phone, the screen illuminating. It was a text from Mr. Saltzman demanding attention.
"Where are you?!" it read, filled with urgency.
I looked at Rosalie. 'Text him.'
'What do I say?' I asked.
'Tell him something.'
I typed back, "I'm in my room,"
"Are you?" he pressed further, skepticism lacing his words.
'Bastard.' Rosalie snipped. 'Who is he to call you a liar?!'
"Yes, my Gran is sleeping," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady in this digital exchange.
"I thought we had a better relationship than that," he accused, his disappointment palpable even through the screen.
'Relationship?!' Rosalie said, looking between me and the screen.
I couldn't help but roll my eyes at his dramatics. "We don't have a relationship," I retorted coolly.
"Where are you, Isabella?"
"In bed," I stated flatly, unwilling to divulge more.
"Caroline told me she saw your grandmother leaving," he texted, the implication of betrayal hanging in the air.
'Then why the hell would he just not say that?' Rosalie asked.
I groaned internally, feeling a wave of frustration wash over me.
With a resigned sigh, I typed back, "Rosalie and I are with her cousin," hoping to quiet his constant worry.
"Was that so hard?" he shot back, his tone both probing and accusatory.
"What do you want, Mr. Saltzman?" I replied, my patience wearing thin.
"I was just checking in," he finally answered, leaving me to ponder what he thought would come from it.
'What the hell do you think he wants?' Rosalie inquired.
I shrugged.
Alaric leaned against the worn wooden bar, his eyes fixated on Jeremy as he accepted the food from the young kid behind the counter. The enticing aroma wafting through the air was unmistakably that of a cheeseburger—though not just any cheeseburger. This creation was dripping with extra ketchup, accompanied by caramelized onions left on the flat top just a tad too long, their edges perfectly charred.
It was topped with rich provolone cheese, not the sharpness of cheddar. There were no tomatoes or lettuce here, just a generous layering of kale, adding a strange freshness. The fries beside it were a crispy golden brown, expertly seasoned for that perfect crunch.
This was precisely how his sister, Elena, adored her meals.
He recalled so many evenings spent with Jeremy, Elena, and...
Jenna...
Stopping by the neighborhood grill to grab a quick bite for their little 'family' gatherings.
The thought of Jenna's bright, smiling face crashed over him like a tidal wave of grief, nearly suffocating him in its intensity.
"Thanks, man," Jeremy said, breaking the heavy silence and pulling Alaric back to the moment. "Make sure to tell the kitchen I really appreciate them staying open for me."
Alaric stepped closer to the bar, placing two cold bottles of beer on the surface with a soft thud. He met Jeremy's gaze, his expression serious. "We need to talk. I need you to tell me where they're keeping Klaus."
Jeremy set the bag on the bar. 'I don't know, and even if I did, why would I tell you?'
'Elena's relationships with vampires nearly ended her again tonight, Jeremy.' Alaric told him. 'Does that even register with you?'
He looked offended by the question. 'Of course it does.'
'Well, she can't seem to cut them out of her life, but I can. And with your help, I'll get rid of all of them. Find out where Klaus' body is being hidden, and I'll take care of him and all his siblings, and when I die, vampires will no longer exist.'
'But the only way for you to die is if Elena dies.' Jeremy grimaced.
'Then lock me up. Have Bonnie put a spell on me like she did Klaus.' Alaric offered. Let Elena live a long, healthy human life, and when her life is over, mine will be too.' He pulls out the indestructible white oak stake. 'This stake is the one weapon on Earth that can stop them. I'm gonna get Klaus either way, Jeremy. Be on the right side of this.'
A sharp knock on the door broke the room's stillness, causing the two teenage girls to jump in surprise. Alaric could hear them fumbling with each other as they hurried to answer.
"Who's there?" Rosalie's voice echoed, a mix of curiosity and caution ringing through the wood.
Alaric leaned closer and gently squeezed the old woman's shoulder, prompting her to speak. "It's me, Mrs. Higginbotham," she said, leveling him with an annoyed glare.
With a swift motion, the door swung open, revealing the two girls bathed in the warm glow of the entryway. Rosalie Hale stood confidently, her long, golden-blonde hair cascading in waves around her shoulders and her striking violet eyes glinting with surprise. She wore a vibrant outfit of reds and whites that complemented her radiant appearance. Beside her, Isabella Swan appeared more reserved; her long, thick, straight dark brown hair framed her face, and her deep brown eyes seemed to dance with emotion. She was dressed in a blend of blue and black that contrasted beautifully with her warm complexion.
"Gran!" Isabella exclaimed, her voice filled with relief and excitement.
"Bella!" Rosalie quickly grabbed her arm, pulling her back from the threshold before she could dart into the world beyond the door.
"Rosalie—" Isabella protested, but the concern in her voice was palpable.
"Hello, Isabella, Rosalie," Alaric said as he stepped fully into the light, his presence commanding and serious. "We need to have a chat."