The Vampire Diaries: The Struggle Chapter Five

November 2, Saturday undecomposed Diary,This morning I woke up and felt so strange. I dont cognise how to describe it. On the superstar hand, I was so weak that when I seek to stand up my muscles wouldnt support me. provided on the other hand I felt pleasant.So well-provided , sorelaxed. As if I were floating on a bed of g ancienten light. I didnt c ar if I never moved again.Then I remembered Stefan, and I tried to deject up, and auntie Judith contrive me sticker to bed. She utter decent and Meredith had left hours ago, and that Id been so fast asleep they couldnt wake me. She say what I needed was rest.So here I am. Aunt Judith brought the TVin, tho I dont c atomic number 18 near watching it. Id or else live here and write, or entirely lie here.November 3,Sunday (1030 p.m.)Ive expert read all over yesterdays entering and Im shocked. What was wrong with me? I broke forward in the middle of a sentence, and instantaneously I donteven accredit what I was passin g game to say. And I didntexplain close my y let onhful diary or everything. I must submit been completely spaced egress.Any flair, this is the official chute of my overbold diary. I boughtthis blank book at the drugstore. Its not as beautiful as the other one, just it will have to do. Ive nominaten up rely of ever seeing my old one again. Whoever steal it isnt dismission to bring it back. just when I conjecture of them reading it, totall(a)y my inner thoughts and my witnessings around Stefan, I want to kill them. While simultaneously demise of humiliation my ego.Im not ashamed of the way I feel about Stefan. scarce its private. And there are things in there, about the way it is when we kiss, when he holds me, that I k directly he wouldnt want anybody else to read.Of course, it hasnt got anything about his unk presentlyn in it. I hadnt effect that out yet. It wasnt until I did that I genuinely infras similarlyd him, and we got to adopther, really together, at c losing. Now were part of from each one other. I feel as if Ive been waiting for him all my life.Maybe you commemorate Im terrible for loving him, considering what he is. He bum be violent, and I know there are some things in his yesteryear that hes ashamed of. But he could never be violent toward me,and the past is over. He has so much guilt and he hurts so much inside. I want to bring more or less him.I dont know what will happen now Im just so glad that hes safe. I went to the embarkment house today and found out that the practice of law had been there yesterday. Stefan was unbosom weak and couldnt use his Powers to get rid of them, but they didnt accuse him of anything. They just asked questions. Stefan says they acted fri interceptly, which makes me suspicious. What all the questions really boil shoot down to is where were you on the dark the old man was attacked under the bridge, and the nighttime Vickie Bennett was attacked in the ruined church, and the night Mr. Ta nner was killed at trail?They dont have any evidence against him. So the crimes started regenerate after he came to Fells Church, so what? Thats not verification of anything. So he argued with Mr. Tanner that night. Again, so what? E reallybody argued with Mr. Tanner. So he disappeared after Mr. Tanners body was found. Hes back now, and its more or less clear that he was attacked himself, by the same someone who committed the other crimes. Mary told the police about the condition he was in. And if they ever ask us, matting and Bonnie and Meredith and I ordure all raise how we found him. in that respects no case against him at all.Stefan and I conversationed about that, and about other things. It was so severe to be with him again, even if he did touch sensation w luluened and trite. He still doesnt remember how Thursday night ended, but roughly of it is just as I suspected. Stefan went to find Damon Thursday night after he took me home. They argued. Stefan ended up h alf-dead in a well. It doesnt press a genius to figure out what happened in between.I still havent told him that I went breasting for Damon in the graveyard Friday morning. I suppose Id damp do it tomorrow. I know hes waiver to be upset, specially when he nails what Damon said to me.Well, thats all. Im tired. This diary is going to be well-hidden, for obvious reasons.P.S. I winder who our new European account teacher will be?She tuck the diary under her mattress and sullen out the light.Elena walked down the hallway in a unpaired vacuum. At school she was usually peppered with greetings from all sides it was hi, Elena, after hi, Elena, wheresoever she went. But today eyes slid away on the sly as she approached, or people suddenly became very busy doing something that required them to keep their backs to her. It had been happening all day prospicient.She paused in the doorway of the European history class path. There were several students already sitting down, and at the ch alk gore was a stranger.He looked almost same(p) a student himself. He had sandy hair, wearied a picayune long, and the work up of an athlete. Across the board he had written Alaric K. Saltzman. As he turned around, Elena saw that he also had a child corresponding grin.He went on smiling as Elena sit down and other students filed in. Stefan was among them, and his eyes met Elenas as he took his seat beside her, but they didnt speak. No one was trounceing. The room was dead silent.Bonnie sat down on Elenas other side. Matt was only a a couple of(prenominal) desks away, but he was looking straight ahead.The last two people to come in were Carolean Forbes and Tyler Smallwood. They walked in together, and Elena didnt like the look on Carolines face. She knew that catlike smile and those narrowed fleeceable eyes all too well. Tylers reachome, rather fleshy features were shining with satisfaction. The discoloration under his eyes caused by Stefans fist was almost gone.Okay, to start off, why dont we spue all these desks in a circle?Elenas attention snapped back to the stranger at the front of the room. He was still smiling.Come on, lets do it. That way we buns all see each others faces when we talk, he said.Silently, the students obeyed. The stranger didnt sit at Mr. Tanners desk instead, he pulled a chair to the circle and straddled it backward.Now, he said. I know you all must be curious about me. My names on the board Alaric K. Saltzman. But I want you to call me Alaric. Ill tell you a little more about me later, but firstly I want to give you a chance to talk.Todays plausibly a difficult day for most of you. soulfulness you cared about is gone, and that must hurt. I want to give you a chance to open up and deal those feelings with me and with your classmates. I want you to try to get in touch with the pain. Then we can start to build our own relationship on trust. NowThey stared at him. No one so much as moved an eyelash.Well, lets see what abo ut you? Still smiling, he gestured encouragingly to a pretty, fair-haired girl. see us your name and how you feel about whats happened.Flustered, the girl stood. My names carry through Carson, and, uh She took a deep breath and went doggedly on. And I feelscared. Because whoever this maniac is, hes still loose. And next time it could be me. She sat down.Thank you, Sue. Im sealed a clustering of your classmates share your concern. Now, do I understand that some of you were actually there when this tragedy occurred?Desks creaked as students shifted uneasily.But Tyler Smallwood stood up, his lips drawing back from strong white dentition in a smile.Most of us were there, he said, and his eyes flickered toward Stefan. Elena could see other people succeeding(a) his gaze. I got there right after Bonnie discovered the body. And what I feel is concern for the community. Theres a dangerous killer on the streets, and so off the beaten track(predicate) nobodys do anything to stop him. And He broke off. Elena wasnt sure how, but she felt Caroline had signaled him to do it. Caroline tossed back gleaming auburn hair and recrossed her long legs as Tyler took his seat again.Okay, thank you. So most of you were there. That makes it doubly hard. Can we hear from the person who actually found the body? Is Bonnie here? He looked around.Bonnie raised her hand slowly, then stood. Iguess I discovered the body, she said. I mean, I was the first person who knew that he was really dead, and not just faking.Alaric Saltzman looked meagrely startled. Not just faking? Did he often spirt being dead? There were titters, and he flashed that adolescent smile again. Elena turned and glanced at Stefan, who was frowning.No no, said Bonnie. You see, he was a sacrifice. At the Haunted domicile. So he was covered with credit line anyway, only it was talk through ones hat blood. And that was partly my fault, because he didnt want to put it on, and I told him he had to do it. He was s upposed to be a Bloody Corpse. But he un low-spirited saying it was too messy, and it wasnt until Stefan came and argued with him She stopped. I mean, we talked to him and he lastly agreed to do it, and then the Haunted House started. And a little while later I noticed that he wasnt sitting up and scaring the kids like he was supposed to, and I went over and asked him what was wrong. And he didnt answer. He just he just unploughed staring at the ceiling. And then I touched(p) him and he it was terrible. His head just sort offlopped Bonnies percentage wavered and gave out. She gulped.Elena was standing up, and so were Stefan and Matt and a a few(prenominal) other people. Elena reached over to Bonnie.Bonnie, its okay. Bonnie, dont its okay.And blood got all over my hands. There was blood everywhere, so much blood She sniffed hysterically. He stood up and paced around the center of the circle, his hands opening and shutting nervously. Bonnie was still sniffling softly.I know, he said, the boyish smile coming back full force. Id like to get our student-teacher relationship off to a good start, away from this whole atmosphere. How about if you all come around to my erupt this evening, and we can all talk informally? Maybe just get to know each other, maybe talk about what happened. You can even bring a friend if you want. How about it?There was another xxx seconds or so of staring. Then someone said, Your place?Yes oh, Im forgetting. Stupid of me. Im encumbranceing at the Ramsey house, on Magnolia Avenue. He wrote the utter on the board. The Ramseys are friends of mine, and they loaned me the house while theyre on vacation. I come from Charlottesville, and your principal called me Friday to ask me if I could take over here. I jumped at the chance. This is my first real teaching job.Oh, that explains it, said Elena under her breath.Does it? said Stefan.Anyway, what do you approximate? Is it a plan? Alaric Saltzman looked around at them.No one had the heart to refuse. There were scattered yeses and sures.Great, then its settled. Ill provide the refreshments, and well all get to know each other. Oh, by the way He opened a grade book and scanned it. In this class, participation makes up half your final grade. He glanced up and smiled. You can go now.The nerve of him, psyche muttered as Elena went out the door. Bonnie was behind her, but Alaric Saltzmans voice called her back.Would the students who shared with us please stay behind for a minute?Stefan had to leave, too. Id better go check about football practice, he said. Its credibly canceled, but Id better make sure.Elena was concerned. If its not canceled, do you think youre feeling up to it?Ill be fine, he said evasively. But she noticed that his face still looked drawn, and he moved as if he were in pain. Meet you at your locker, he said.She nodded. When she got to her locker, she saw Caroline nearby talking to two other girls. tierce pairs of eyes followed Elenas every move as she put away her books, but when Elena glanced up, two of them suddenly looked away. yet Caroline remained staring at her, head more or less cocked as she whispered something to the other girls.Elena had had enough. Slamming her locker, she walked straight toward the group. Hello, Becky hello, Sheila, she said. Then, with great(p) emphasis Hello, Caroline.Whats going on? she demanded. Going on? Caroline was obviously enjoying this, trying to draw it out as long as possible. Going on with who?With you, Caroline. With everybody. Dont pretend youre not up to something, because I know you are. People have been avoiding me all day as if I had the plague, and you look like you just won the lottery. What have you done?Carolines expression of innocent doubtfulness slipped, and she smiled a feline smile. I told you when school started that things were going to be different this year, Elena, she said. I warned you your time on the throne strength be running out. But it isntmy doing. W hats happening is simply natural selection. The law of the jungle.And just whatis happening? Well, lets just say that going out with a murderer can put a cramp in your social life. Elenas chest tightened as if Caroline had hit her. For a moment, the desire to hit Caroline back was almost irresistible. Then, with the blood malleus in her ears, she said through clenched teeth, That isnt true. Stefan hasnt done anything. The police questioned him, and he was cleared.Caroline shrugged. Her smile now was patronizing. Elena, Ive known you since kindergarten, she said, so Ill give you some advice for old times sake drop Stefan. If you do it right now you might just avoid being a complete social leper. Otherwise you might as well buy yourself a little toll to ring in the street.Rage held Elena hostage as Caroline turned and walked away, her auburn hair paltry like liquid under the lights. Then Elena found her tongue.Caroline. The other girl turned back. Are you going to go to that party at the Ramsey house this evening? I suppose so. Why?Because Ill be there. With Stefan. slang you in the jungle. This time Elena was the one to turn away. The self-worth of her exit was slightly marred when she saw a slim, shadowed figure at the far end of the hallway. Her step faltered for an instant, but as she drew nigher she recognized Stefan.She knew the smile she gave him looked forced, and he glanced back toward the lockers as they walked side by side out of the school.So football practice was canceled? she said.He nodded. What was that all about? he said quietly.Nothing. I asked Caroline if she was going to the party tonight. Elena tilted back her head to look at the gray and dismal sky.She remembered what he had told her in his room. He could see better than a human, and hear better, too. Well enough to catch words intercommunicate down forty feet of corridor?Yes, she said defiantly, still inspecting the clouds.And thats what do you so angry?Yes, she said again, in the same tone.She could feel his eyes on her. Elena, thats not true.Well, if you can read my mind, you dont need to ask me questions, do you?They were set about each other now. Stefan was tense, his mouth set in a grim line. You know I wouldnt do that. But I thought you were the one who was so big on honesty in relationships. each(prenominal) right. Caroline was being her usual bitchy self and shooting her mouth off about the murder. So what? Why do you care?Because, said Stefan simply, brutally, she might be right. Not about the murder but about you. About you and me. I should have realised this would happen. Its not just her, is it? Ive been sensing hostility and worry all day, but I was too tired to try and analyze it. They think Im the killer and theyre pickings it out on you.What they think doesnt matter Theyre wrong, and theyll ascertain that eventually. Then everything will be the way it was again.A wistful smile tugged at the corner of Stefans mouth. You really believe that , dont you? He looked away, and his face hardened. And what if they dont? What if it only gets worsened?What are you saying? It might be better Stefan took a deep breath and continued, carefully. It might be better if we didnt see each other for a while. If they think were not together, theyll leave you alone.She stared at him. And you think you could do that? Not see me or talk to me for however long?If its necessary yes. We could pretend weve embarrassed up. His jaw was set.Elena stared another moment. Then she circled him and moved in closer, so close that they were almost touching. He had to look down at her, his eyes only a few inches from her own.There is, she said, only one way Im going to announce to the rest of the school that weve broken up. And thats if you tell me that you dont love me and you dont want to see me. Tell me that, Stefan, right now. Tell me that you dont want to be with me any more.Hed stopped breathing. He stared down at her, those green eyes striated li ke a cats in dark glasses of emerald and malachite and holly green.She never got to finish the sentence. It was cut off as his mouth descended on hers.