The Vampire Diaries: Dark Reunion Chapter Thirteen

June 19, Friday, 1145 p.m. Dear Diary,Oh, God, what are we qualifying to do?This has been the recollectiveest week of my purport. Today was the die rocky day of school and tomorrow Stefan is leaving. Hes expiration to Europe to search for a vampire who got changed by Klaus. He regularises he doesnt inadequacy to surrender us unprotected. But hes acquittance to go.We rear endt realise to it Tyler. His car disappeared from the cemetery, gruelingly he hasnt turned up at school. Hes bemused eveingry final this week. Not that the rest of us are doing often terms better. I wish Robert E. Lee was resembling the schools that slang only their finals forwards graduation. I dont greet whether Im writing English or Swahili these long time.I hatred Klaus. From what I saw hes as crazy as Katherine-and yet crueler. What he did to Vickie- alone I fag endt even emit about that or Ill start crying over again. He was vindicatory playacting with us at Caro ph aneness lin es party, manage a cat with a mouse. And to do it on Merediths natal day, in like manner-although I suppose he couldnt fetch kn declare that. He calculatems to know a lot, though. He doesnt talk ilk a foreigner, not like Stefan did when he first came to the States, and he knows all about American things, even songs from the fifties. Maybe hes been over here(predicate) for a piece reasonable fall by the waysideped writing. She fancy desperately. All this time, they had been depending of victims in Europe, of vampires. But from the elan Klaus talked, he had obviously been in America a long time. He didnt sound foreign at all. And hed elect to attack the girls on Merediths birthday bonny got up, r each(prenominal)ed for the teleph maven, and called Merediths number. A sleepy male person division answered.Mr. Sulez, this is decorous. Can I speak to Meredith? reasonable Dont you know what time it is?Yes. seemly fancy rapidly. But its about-about a final we had right awa y. Please, I have to talk with her.There was a long pause, then a heavy(p) sigh. Just a minute. fair tapped her fingers impatiently as she waited. At pass in that location was the click of an early(a) ph unity being preferenceed up. reasonable? came Merediths voice. Whats persecute? Nothing. I mean- seemly was excruciatingly conscious of the open line, of the f travel that Merediths fix hadnt hung up. He might be listening. Its about-that German problem weve been working on. You remember. The one we couldnt figure out for the final. You know how weve been scenting for the one person who can help us work on it? Well, I think I know who it is.No, comme il faut express, it doesnt. It hits a lot closer to home, Meredith. A lot. In fact, you could say its right in your own hazardyard, hanging on your family tree.The line was quiet so long Bonnie wondered if Meredith was still there.Meredith?Im thinking. Does this solution have anything to do with coincidence?Nope. Bonnie rel axed and smiled slightly, grimly. Meredith had it now. Not a thing to do with coincidence. Its more a case of history repeating itself. Deliberately repeating itself, if you see what I mean.Yes, Meredith verbalise. She sounded as if she were recovering from a shock, and no wonder. You know, I think you just vacuousthorn be right. But theres still the matter of persuading-this person-to really help us.You think that may be a problem?I think it could. sometimes people get very rattled-about a test. Sometimes they even kind of lose their minds.Bonnies heart sank. This was something that hadnt occurred to her. What if he couldnt tell them? What if he were that far at rest(p)?All we can do is try, she state, making her voice as optimistic as possible. Tomorrow well have to try.All right. Ill pick you up at noon. Good night, Bonnie.Night, Meredith. Bonnie added, Im sorry.No, I think it may be for the best. So that history doesnt continue to repeat itself forever. Good-bye.Bonnie tou ch the disconnect preciselyton on the handset, clicking it pip. so she just sat for a few minutes, her finger on the button, staring at the wall. Finally she replaced the handset in its cradle and picked up her diary again. She put a plosive on the closing curtain sentence and added a new one.We are divergence to see Merediths grandfather tomorrow.Im an idiot, Stefan utter in Merediths car the next day. They were spill to West Virginia, to the mental institution where Merediths grandfather was a patient. It was going to be a fairly long drive.Were all idiots. Except Bonnie, phlegm said. Even in the midst of her anxiety Bonnie matte up a warm radiancy at that.But Meredith was shaking her head, look on the road. Stefan, you couldnt have realized, so stop beating up on yourself. You didnt know that Klaus attacked Caroleans party on the anniversary of the attack on my grandfather. And it didnt occur to monotonic or me that Klaus could have been in America for so long beca use we neer saw Klaus or heard him speak. We were thinking of people he could have attacked in Europe. Really, Bonnie was the only one who could have put it all together, because she had all the information.I wont modesty is one of my most charming qualities, Bonnie replied. gym mat snorted, but then he said, I still think it was pretty smart, which started the strike all over again.The institution was a terrible place. Bonnie seek as hard as she could to dissemble her horror and disgust, but she knew Meredith could genius it. Merediths shoulders were stiff with defensive pride as she walked down the halls in calculate of them. Bonnie, who had known her for so many years, could see the humiliation underneath that pride. Merediths parents considered her grandfathers peg down such a blot that they never allowed him to be mentioned to outsiders. It had been a tush over the entire family.And now Meredith was showing that secret to strangers for the first time. Bonnie felt a g et of love and admiration for her friend. It was so like Meredith to do it without fuss, with dignity, letting nobody see what it cost her. But the institution was still terrible.It wasnt filthy or filled with raving maniacs or anything like that. The patients looked clean and well cared for. But there was something about the sterile infirmary smells and the halls crowded with motionless wheelchairs and blank eyes that made Bonnie pauperism to run.It was like a building full of zombies. Bonnie saw one old woman, her pink scalp showing through and through thin white hair, slumped with her head on the table next to a naked moldable doll. When Bonnie reached out desperately, she install two-dimensionals hand already reaching for hers. They followed Meredith that way, prop on so hard it hurt.This is his room.Inside was another zombie, this one with white hair that still showed an occasional fleck of black like Merediths. His plaque was a mass of wrinkles and lines, the eyes rheum y and rimmed with scarlet. They stared vacantly.Granddad, Meredith said, kneeling in front of his wheelchair, Granddad, its me, Meredith. Ive develop to visit you. Ive got something important to ask you.The old eyes never flickered.Sometimes he knows us, Meredith said quietly, without emotion. But mostly these days he doesnt.The old man just went on staring.Stefan dropped to his heels. Let me try, he said. Looking into the wrinkled casing he began to speak, softly, soothingly, as he had to Vickie.And no matter what Meredith or Stefan did, that was all the response they could elicit.Eventually Bonnie tried and true, employ her psychic powers. She could sense something in the old man, some spark of life trapped in the imprisoning flesh. But she couldnt reach it.Im sorry, she said, sitting back and get-up-and-go hair out of her eyes. Its no use. I cant do anything.Maybe we can come another time, Matt said, but Bonnie knew it wasnt true. Stefan was leaving tomorrow there would neve r be another time. And it had seemed like such a good idea The glow that had warmed her earlier was ashes now, and her heart felt like a lump of lead. She turned away to see Stefan already starting out of the room.Matt put a hand under her elbow to help her up and guide her out. And later(prenominal) standing for a minute with her head bent in discouragement, Bonnie let him. It was hard to summon up enough energy to put one foundation in front of the other. She glanced back dully to see whether Meredith was following-And screamed. Meredith was standing in the center of the room, facing the door, discouragement written on her face. But merchantman her, the figure in the wheelchair had stirred at last. In a mute explosion of movement, it had reared above her, the rheumy old eyes open liberal and the rim open wider. Merediths grandfather looked as if he had been caught in the act of leaping-arms flung out, mouth forming a silent howl. Bonnies screams rang from the r later ons.Ev erything happened at once then. Stefan came charging back in, Meredith spun around, Matt grabbed for her. But the old figure didnt leap. He stood towering above all of them, staring over their heads, seeming to see something none of them could. Sounds were coming from his mouth at last, sounds that formed one ululating word.Vampire VampiireAttendants were in the room, crowding Bonnie and the others away, restraining the old man. Their shouts added to the pandemonium.Vampire Vampire Merediths grandfather caterwauled, as if warning the town. Bonnie felt panicked-was he looking at Stefan? Was it an accusation?Please, youll have to leave now. Im sorry, but youll have to go, a declare was saying. They were being whisked out. Meredith fought as she was laboured out into the hall.Granddaddy-And then washrag ash wood Vampire White ash wood-The door slammed shut.Meredith gasped, fighting tears. Bonnie had her nails dug into Matts arm. Stefan turned to them, super acid eyes wide with shoc k.I said, youll have to leave now, the harassed nurse was repeating impatiently. The four of them ignored her. They were all looking at each other, stunned confusion giving way to realization in their faces.Tyler said there was only one kind of wood that could hurt him- Matt began.White ash wood, said Stefan.Well have to find out where hes hiding, Stefan said on the way home. He was driving, since Meredith had dropped the keys at the car door. Thats the first thing. If we rush this, we could warn him off.His green eyes were shining with a queer medley of triumph and grim determination, and he spoke in a nip and rapid voice. They were all on the ragged edge, Bonnie thought, as if theyd been draught uppers all night. Their nerves were frayed so thin that anything could happen.She had a sense, too, of be cataclysm. As if everything were coming to a head, all the events since Merediths birthday party forum to a conclusion.Tonight, she thought. Tonight it all happens. It seemed stran gely appropriate that it should be the eve of the solstice.The eve of what? Matt said.She hadnt even realized shed spoken aloud. The eve of the solstice, she said. Thats what today is. The day before the summer solstice.Dont tell me. Druids, right?They celebrated it, Bonnie confirmed. Its a day for magic, for marking the change of the seasons. And she hesitated. Well, its like all other feast days, like Halloween or the winter solstice. A day when the line amid the visible world and the invisible world is thin. When you can see ghosts, they used to say. When things happen.Things, Stefan said, turning onto the main highway that headed back toward Fells Church, are going to happen.None of them realized how soon.Mrs. Flowers was in the back garden. They had driven straight to the embarkation house to look for her. She was pruning rosebushes, and the smell of summer surrounded her. backward down, slow down now, she said, peering at them from under the brim of her straw hat. What is it you want? White ash? Theres one just down beyond those oak trees in back. Now, wait a minute- she added as they all scrambled off again.Stefan ringed a grow of the tree with a jack-knife Matt produced from his pocket. I wonder when he started carrying that? Bonnie thought. She also wondered what Mrs. Flowers thought of them as they came back, the dickens boys carrying the leafy six-foot bough amid them on their shoulders.But Mrs. Flowers just looked without saying anything. As they neared the house, though, she called after them, A pile came for you, boy.Stefan turned his head, the branch still on his shoulder. For me?It had your name on it. A package and a earn. I found them on the front porch this afternoon. I put them upstairs in your room.Bonnie looked at Meredith, then at Matt and Stefan, meeting their bewildered, suspicious gazes in turn. The anticipation in the air heightened suddenly, close unbearably.But who could it be from? Who could even know youre here- she began as they climbed the stairs to the attic. And then she stopped, dread fluttering between her ribs. Premonition was buzzing around inside her like a peck fly, but she pushed it away. Not now, she thought, not now.But there was no way to keep from seeing the package on Stefans desk. The boys propped the white ash branch against the wall and went to look at it, a longish, flattish parcel wrapped in brown paper, with a creamy envelope on top.On the front, in familiar crazy handwriting, was scrawled Stefan.The handwriting from the mirror.They all stood staring down at the package as if it were a scorpion.Watch out, Meredith said as Stefan slow reached for it. Bonnie knew what she meant. She felt as if the whole thing might go ballistic or belch poisonous gas or turn into something with teething and claws.The envelope Stefan picked up was square and sturdy, made of good paper with a fine finish. Like a princes invitation to the ball, Bonnie thought. But incongruously, there were some( prenominal) dirty fingerprints on the surface and the edges were grimy. Well- Klaus hadnt looked any too clean in the dream.Stefan glanced at front and back and then tore the envelope open. He pulled out a single piece of heavy stationery. The other cardinal crowded around, looking over his shoulder as he unfolded it. Then Matt gave an exclamation.What the its blankIt was. On both sides. Stefan turned it over and examined each. His face was tense, shuttered. Everyone else relaxed, though, making noises of disgust. A stupid practical joke. Meredith had reached for the package, which looked flat enough to be empty as well, when Stefan suddenly stiffened, his breath hissing in. Bonnie glanced quickly over and jumped. Merediths hand froze on the package, and Matt swore.Stefan-Shall we try to solve this like gentlemen? I have the girl. Come to the old farmhouse in the woods after dark and well talk, just the two of us. Come unsocial and Ill let her go. bewilder anyone else and she die s.There was no signature, but at the bottom the words appeared This is between you and me.What girl? Matt was demanding, looking from Bonnie to Meredith as if to make certainly they were still there. What girl?With a sharp motion, Merediths elegant fingers tore the package open and pulled out what was inside. A pale green scarf with a pattern of vines and leaves. Bonnie remembered it perfectly, and a vision came to her in a rush. Confetti and birthday presents, orchids and chocolate.Caroline, she whispered, and shut her eyes.These last two weeks had been so strange, so different from run-of-the-mill high school life, that she had almost forgotten Caroline existed. Caroline had gone off to an apartment in another town to escape, to be safe-but Meredith had said it to her in the beginning. He can follow you to Heron, Im sure.He was just playing with us again, Bonnie murmured. He let us get this far, even going to see your grandfather, Meredith, and thenHe must have known, Meredith a greed. He must have known all along we were looking for a victim. And now hes checkmated us. Unless- Her dark eyes lit with sudden hope. Bonnie, you dont think Caroline could have dropped this scarf the night of the party? And that he just picked it up?No. The premonition was buzzing closer and Bonnie swatted at it, onerous to keep it away. She didnt want it, didnt want to know. But she felt certain of one thing this wasnt a bluff. Klaus had Caroline.What are we going to do? she said softly.I know what were not going to do, and thats listen to him, Matt said. Try to solve it like gentlemen-hes scum, not a gentleman. Its a trap.Of course its a trap, Meredith said impatiently. He waited until we found out how to hurt him and now hes trying to single out us. But it wont workBonnie had been watching Stefans face with growing dismay. Because while Matt and Meredith were indignantly talking, he had been quietly folding up the letter and putting it back in its envelope. Now he stood gaz ing down at it, his face still, untouched by anything that was going on around him. And the look in his green eyes scared Bonnie.I think, said Stefan carefully, concentrating on each word, that I am going out to the woods after dark.Matt nodded, and like the quarterback he was, began to chart out a plan. Okay, you go distract him. And meanwhile, the three of us-The three of you, Stefan continued just as deliberately, looking right at him, are going home. To bed.There was a pause that seemed endless to Bonnies taut nerves. The others just stared at Stefan.At last Meredith said lightly, Well, its going to be hard to catch him while were in bed unless hes kind enough to come visiting.That broke the tension and Matt said, drawing a long-suffering breath, All right, Stefan, I understand how you ascertain about this- But Stefan interrupted.Im dead serious, Matt. Klaus is right this is between him and me. And he says to come alone or hell hurt Caroline. So Im going alone. Its my decision. Its your funeral, Bonnie blurted out, almost hysterically. Stefan, youre crazy. You cant.Watch me.We wont let you-Do you think, Stefan said, looking at her, that you could stop me if you tried? This silence was acutely uncomfortable. Staring at him, Bonnie felt as if Stefan had changed somehow before her eyes. His face seemed sharper, his posture different, as if to remind her of the lithe, hard predators muscles under his clothes.All at once he seemed distant, alien. Frightening.Bonnie looked away.Lets be reasonable about this, Matt was saying, changing tactics. Lets just stay composure and talk this over-Theres nada to talk over. Im going. Youre not.You owe us more than that, Stefan, Meredith said, and Bonnie felt grateful for her cool voice. Okay, so you can tear us all limb from limb fine, no argument. We get the point. But after all weve been through together, we deserve more of a thorough preaching before you go running off.You said it was the girls fight too, Matt added. W hen did you define it wasnt?No, it isnt Bonnie cried. Did you make Elena kill Katherine?I made Katherine go back to Klaus Thats how this got started. And I got Caroline involved if it wasnt for me, she would never have hated Elena, never have gotten in with Tyler. I have a responsibility toward her.You just want to believe that, Bonnie almost yelled. Klaus hates all of us Do you really think hes going to let you walk out of there? Do you think he plans to leave the rest of us alone?No, Stefan said, and picked up the branch leaning against the wall. He took Matts knife out of his own pocket and began to strip the twigs off, making it into a straight white spear.Oh, great, youre going off for single combat Matt said, furious. Dont you see how stupid that is? Youre walk right into his trap He advanced a step on Stefan. You may not think that the three of us can stop you-No, Matt. Merediths low, level voice cut across the room. It wont do any good. Stefan looked at her, the muscles ar ound his eyes hardening, but she just looked back, her face set and calm. So youre determined to meet Klaus face to face, Stefan. All right. But before you go, at least be sure you have a fighting chance. Coolly, she began to undo the neck of her tailored blouse.Bonnie felt a jolt, even though shed offered the same thing only a week earlier. But that had been in private, for Gods sake, she thought. Then she shrugged. Public or private, what difference did it make?She looked at Matt, whose face reflected his consternation. Then she saw Matts brow crease and the beginning of that stubborn, bullheaded facial expression that used to terrify the coaches of op-posing football teams. His blue eyes turned to hers and she nodded, pigeon berry out her chin. Without a word, she unzipped the light wind-breaker she was wearing and Matt pulled off his T-shirt.Stefan stared from one to another of the three people grimly disrobing in his room, trying to conceal his own shock. But he shook his he ad, the white spear in front of him like a weapon. No.Dont be a jerk, Stefan, Matt snapped. Even in the confusion of this terrible moment something inside Bonnie paused to admire his bare chest. Theres three of us. You should be able to take draw without hurting any one of us.I said, no Not for revenge, and not to fight evil with evil Not for any reason. I thought you would understand that. Stefans look at Matt was bitter.I understand that youre going to die out there Matt shouted.Hes right Bonnie press her knuckles against her lips. The premonition was getting through her defenses. She didnt want to let it in, but she didnt have the strength to resist anymore. With a shudder, she felt it stab through and heard the words in her mind.For a moment, just a moment, she thought he might listen to her. Then his face went hard again and he spoke coldly.It isnt your problem. Let me worry about it.But if theres no way to win- Matt began.That isnt what Bonnie said Stefan replied tersely.Yes, it is What the hell are you talking about? Matt shouted. It was hard to make Matt lose his temper, but once lost it wasnt easily gotten back. Stefan, Ive had enough-And so have I Stefan setting back in a roar. In a tone Bonnie had never heard him use before. Im sick of you all, sick of your bickering and your spinelessness-and your premonitions, too This is my problem.I thought we were a team- Matt cried.We are not a team. You are a bunch of stupid humans Even with everything thats happened to you, kabbalistic down you just want to live your safe little lives in your safe little houses until you go to your safe little graves Im nothing like you and I dont want to be Ive put up with you this long because I had to, but this is the end. He looked at each of them and spoke deliberately, emphasizing each word. I dont need any of you. I dont want you with me, and I dont want you following me. Youll only spoil my strategy. Anyone who does follow me, Ill kill.And with one last smolderin g glance, he turned on his heel and walked out.