Crimson Whispers

Chapter Four

I wake up early, unable to shake this horrible nightmare I had. A couple was being attacked by something. I couldn’t see what it was but it was fast and dangerous. The couple didn’t make it. I write down every detail I can remember. What was even weirder is that in the dream it was as if I was the one attacking the couple. Starting with the man, taking him up in the tree and killing him before he had a chance to make a sound. Then letting his blood drip onto their tent to lure out the woman who thought it was going to rain. Letting her get all the way to their car before finally killing her and that’s when I woke up.

Just as I finish writing it down, the sound of my door being knocked on pulls my attention away from my journal.

Skylar: “Come in.”

I look at the door as it opens to reveal Jeremy with his puppy eyes on.

Jeremy: “Hey Sky, can I ask you for a favor?”

Skylar: “Of course, Jer. What do you need? As long as it’s not drugs of course.”

Jeremy: “I just need a ride to the hospital. I want to check on Vicki.”

Skylar: “Of course I’ll take you. But we have to go to school right after.”

Jeremy: “Thanks, I’ll wait for you downstairs.”

He shuts my door behind him and I get ready to start the day.

After letting him visit Vicki, we go to school and he goes off on his own while I meet up with Bonnie on my way to class.

Bonnie: “Hey, where were you this morning? When I picked up Elena, she had no idea where you were and your car was gone.”

Skylar: “Just doing a favor for my brother. [I notice the ‘are you serious’ look on Bonnie’s face] Nothing illegal. He just wanted to stop by the hospital before school. I think he feels responsible for Vicki after finding her in the woods.”

We arrive at Mr. Tanner’s class.

Bonnie: “I just hope she makes a full recovery for Matt’s sake.”

Skylar: “Me too.”

We take our seats along with everyone else before Mr. Tanner starts the class.

Tanner: “Originally discovered nearly five centuries ago…it hasn’t been over Mystic Falls in over 145 years. Now, the comet will be its brightest right after dusk during tomorrow’s celebration. [Approaches Stefan and Elena who keep making googly eyes at each other.] Are we bothering you? Mr. Salvatore? Ms. Gilbert?”

Elena innocently shakes her head no. Mr. Tanner continues his lecture on the comet. After class, Elena and Stefan go off to flirt with each other while Bonnie and I meet up with Caroline.

Caroline: “I’m confused. Are you psychic or clairvoyant?”

Bonnie: “Technically, Grams says I’m a witch. My ancestors were these really cool Salem witch chicks or something. Grams tried to explain it all, but she was looped on the liquor, so I kinda tuned out. Crazy family, yes. Witches, I don’t think so.”

Skylar: “Sounds interesting. I’d love to hear more.”

Caroline: “Yeah, well feel free to conjure up the name and number of that guy from last night.”

Bonnie: “I didn’t see him, you did. Why didn’t you just talk to him?”

Caroline: “I don’t know. I was drunk.”

Skylar: “Well, being drunk didn’t stop me from talking to a very sexy guy last night. Talk about hot and dangerous. I can’t believe I forgot to get his phone number.”

Caroline: “Wow, go Skylar. Who is he? What’s he like? I need all of the details.”

Bonnie: “Why didn’t you mention him last night?”

Skylar: “After the events last night, talking to him got cut short. All I know is his name is Damon. He has dark brown, almost black hair and amazing blue eyes. He was charmingly sexy and he had a very dangerous vibe to him. We got a beer and were going to talk, but then Jeremy came out of the woods with Vicki so I kinda lost him.”

I groan and Caroline gives me a hug.

Caroline: “That totally sucks. I want to meet him.”

Bonnie: “That’s too bad. Hey, maybe you’ll meet him again.”

Skylar: “Maybe. I’ll meet you guys at the Grill.”

We go to our cars and I find Elena waiting at my car.

Elena: “Hey, where have you been?”

Skylar: “Oh you know, just around while you were off flirting with a certain Mr. Salvatore.[dreamy flirty voice]”

She giggles while slapping my arm before we get in the car.

Skylar: “So really, how is Stefan?”

Elena: “Honestly, he’s very charming. He let me borrow this book that’s been passed down in his family for generations. He’s so sweet.”

Skylar: “You’re starting to fall for him.”

She can’t hide her smile as she looks out the window.

Elena: “Possibly.”

I drive us to the Grill where we sit outside with Bonnie and Caroline, starting our homework and talking. Caroline is drilling Elena on the whole Stefan situation and Bonnie tells us about the comet.

Bonnie: “Well, I was talking to Grams, and she said the comet is a sign of impending doom. The last time it passed over Mystic Falls, there was lots of deaths. So much blood and c*****e, it created a bed of paranormal activity.”

Caroline: “Mm, yeah, and then you poured Grams another shot and she told you about the aliens. [turns to Elena] So then what?”

Elena: “So then nothing.”

Caroline: “You and Stefan talked all night. There was no sloppy first kiss, or touchy-feely of any kind?”

Elena: “Nope. We didn’t go there.”

Caroline: “Not even a handshake? I mean, Elena, we are your friends. Okay? You are supposed to share the smut.”

Skylar: “You really don’t have to share details of the smut, just whether or not it happened.”

Caroline: “No, I want details.”

Elena: “We just talked for hours.”

Caroline: “Okay, what is with the blockage? Just jump his bones already. Okay, it’s easy. Boy likes girl, girl likes boy, sex.”

Elena: “Profound.”

Caroline: “Mm.”

Skylar: “Don’t put ideas in her head Caroline. She’ll do it when she’s ready.”

I see Elena gathering her stuff.

Bonnie: “Where are you going?”

Elena: “Caroline’s right. It is easy. If I sit here long enough, I’ll end up talking myself out of it, instead of doing what I started the day saying I was going to do.”

She leaves us sitting there.

Skylar: “And we all know she doesn’t exactly have a car. Where is she going?”

Caroline: “I’ll drive her.”

She quickly gets up and goes after Elena, leaving Bonnie and I baffled.

I decided to go home shortly after Elena left. When I enter the kitchen, Jenna is unpacking some groceries.

Jenna: “Hey, what’s going on?”

Skylar: “Oh not much. Caroline is off with Elena, getting all of the juicy tidbits of Elena’s love life. While Elena went to kiss Stefan because of Caroline’s influence.”

Jenna: “Oh the joys of being a teenager.”

We laugh together and I help her with the groceries when Jeremy comes in.

Jenna: “I picked up dinner. Tacos. I had an urge for guacamole.”

Jeremy: “No, I’m good, thanks.”

Jenna: “Eat anyway. It’s a ruse. I wanna talk.”

He tries to walk out the back door.

Jenna: “Hey, you.[He freezes in his tracks] Come. Sit.”

He comes over and sits at the kitchen counter.

Skylar: “And that’s my queue to exit.”

I go upstairs while they have a talk. I turn on some music while laying on my bed and continue to do some homework before I start drawing on some paper from the printer. I don’t even know what I want to draw, I just kind of go with the flow of whatever I feel. I look up as I hear a knock on my door and hear it squeak open to see Jenna poking her head in.

Jenna: “Hey, Elena’s home and Jeremy left. You wanna come down for some ice cream?”

Skylar: “Yeah, I’ll be right down.”

She nods and leaves my room. I look down at my drawing to see I drew Damon with some weird lines around his eyes. I feel like it’s incomplete, but I don’t even know why I drew this. I thought I was gonna draw a bird or something. I put it on my desk and join Elena and Jenna in the kitchen. Elena is making a sundae while Jenna is eating an apple and I start making my own sundae.

Elena: “He’s on the rebound and has raging family issues.”

Jenna: “Well, at least it’s an ex-girlfriend. Wait till you date a guy with mommy issues. Or cheating issues. Or amphetamine issues.”

Skylar: “[Sarcasm] Oh boy, can’t wait for those boys.”

Elena cracks a smile. Just then, we hear the front door open.

Jenna: “Jeremy.[He runs upstairs] Jeremy, where were you?”

She storms after him while I zip my lips and Elena gives me a look. I take my ice cream into the living room and she follows with hers.

Jeremy: “More stoner stories? Look, Jenna, I get it. You were cool once. And that’s cool.”

He starts going up the stairs.

Jenna: “Oh, no, no, no.”

She throws her apple at him, making him turn around.

Jeremy: “Ow. Why? Why did you do that?”

Jenna: “Listen up. Quit ditching class, or else you’re grounded. No discussion.”

Jeremy: “Parental authority. I like it.[gives her a thumbs up] Sleep tight.”

He then goes up to his room. Jenna turns to us, baffled.

Skylar: “Obviously he was high.”

Elena: “What was that look on your face?”

Skylar: “Well, I know where he was because I took him this morning.”

Jenna: “Where was he?”

Skylar: “He was at the hospital visiting Vicki. He’s super worried about her. I think it’s a crush.”

Elena: “Really? Vicki of all people?”

The two of them groan.

Skylar: “At least Stefan isn’t a stoner.”

Elena playfully glares at me before we continue eating our ice cream.

Elena: “So, the only reason I even found out about all of this was because I ran into Stefan’s older brother Damon at their house. I swear he never said he had a brother.”

Skylar: “Not technically. He said he didn’t have any siblings that he talks to. So maybe he just hates his brother and didn’t want to bring it up during the getting to know you phase.”