16

I didn't sleep that night. Or the night after. I was alone the night after, and I felt lonely, which isn't a good combination for me. Damon had compelled Ryan to leave. I didn't watch him do it because I didn't want him to leave. After he was done with the compulsion, Damon told me that Stefan had flipped his switch. I wanted to cry, but I didn't. I wanted to call Kai, but I didn't.

Nothing feels right or okay, and it's bothering me. I feel like I'm reverting back to how I used to be. I've been alone for the past week. The only interaction I've had is with Damon, and that was so he could tell me to stay out of it. Whatever "it" is. It would be nice if someone came over at least once, but they're all working on finding and fixing Stefan and Carolne.

The knock on my front door makes me freeze. I stopped pouring the coffee and looked up. I sat the mug and the coffee pot on the counter. I slowly made my way to the door. I hesitated before pulling the door open. I stared at the man suspiciously.

He had bright blue eyes and dark hair with streaks of gray in it. He was muscular and big. At least 6'5. Not terrifying at all. Especially not to a girl who's home alone and has no way of defending herself. I kept holding the doorknob.

He offered a smile, "Hi, Evelyn. I, um, worked with your mom." He tilted his head. "I wasn't able to make it to the funeral because I was out of town. I was wondering if you had a minute."

I opened my mouth to speak but then looked down to see the shoes of two people behind him. I looked up at his face. His demeanor changed, and he stepped back. "Forgive me." He glanced back at the two before returning his attention to me. "I'm Darren. This is Chris," he pointed to his left to a guy who looked identical to him, "And Tom," he pointed to his right to a guy who also looked identical except for a few freckles on Tom's face. They were all dressed in solid black and leather jackets.

I shook my head once, "My mom never mentioned any of you."

Darren laughed before stepping closer again. "She was a busy woman, and she knew a lot of people. Isn't it possible that she just forgot to mention us?"

I stared back at him, waiting for his smile to crack and for him to become hostile. "Sure..."

"Can we just talk for a while?"

I was curious as to who these people really are. I opened the door further, stepping back as I pulled it open. He nodded graciously and walked into the house, followed by Chris and Tom. They made their way into the living room and made themselves comfortable on the couch. The couch was huge, but they made it seem small. I shut the front door but left it cracked in case the neighbors needed to hear me scream for help.

I stood in front of the coffee table with my arms crossed.

"Aren't you going to sit," Tom asked. He seemed mad.

I looked at him. "No." I looked at Darren.

"Your mom mentioned you were in college. Harvard."

I nodded once, "Yeah."

He smiled, "Very impressive."

"Thanks," I answered.

"She was a great woman. Very kind and smart. And she raised very beautiful children. How old are you?"

I didn't answer for a moment, noticing a holster on the side of his jeans. "Seventeen." I looked at the floor before looking at his face again. "How did you know my mom, again?"

He chuckled. "We're old friends. From high school, actually."

I raised my eyebrows, "And you stayed in touch?" I tried to calm my heart as it beat faster. He knew her from work.

"Yeah. It wasn't easy, though. She stayed busy."

I nodded slowly, "Yeah. She did."

"So, your sister," Tom started, "How is she?"

I looked at him. "She's okay. Sad, but okay."

"And she's with a friend, right? The Salvatore brother?"

I looked at Darren. I dug my nails into my arm. "I-I don't know, actually. I can call her if that's - "

"No, that's okay." Darren offered a tight-lipped smile. "We're just checking on things."

"Right," I laughed breathily. "Oh," I uncrossed my arms. "I'm being rude. Do you guys want a drink or anything? There's water, and I just -"

"That's okay," Darren answered as he put his hand on his knees. "We're actually just about done here."

I furrowed my brows, "Sorry?" I felt my stomach drop as they glanced at each other. I faltered back a step as they rose to their feet. I tried to keep my breathing steady.

"You seem like a nice girl, Evelyn," Darren started. I watched as he reached for the holster at his side.

I panicked and started to run toward the door. I felt both of my arms being pulled away from me as I was pulled back and tossed to the ground. I yelled out as my head hit the floor. I opened my eyes. I tried to move away from them. Tom held my left arm against the ground and stared down at me. Chris held down my right.

I fought against them, trying to pull away, but it was pointless. I felt a hand on my lower stomach. I kicked as I gasped for air. "No! Please," I cried.

"Shh. It'll be over before you know it.

I looked at Darren's face as he moved an open vial of something to my mouth. He forced my mouth open. I tried to escape from the tight hold on my body, but it was impossible. My head and my arms were being held in place. I squirmed, but it was no use. I whined as my mouth was forced shut, and a hand was held over my mouth. My mouth was filled with the taste of copper. It's blood. Most likely, vampire blood. I felt the tears fill my eyes as I was forced to swallow it. I realized that they were about to kill me.

I forced my eyes open and looked at Darren. I felt his hand on my stomach shift, moving my shirt. He glanced down, his lips parted. "Well, this wasn't on the list, but it couldn't hurt, right?" He looked at the guys. I tried to escape again.

"Please don't do this! I'll do whatever you want, please."

He looked at me. "Try not to tense up. It'll be easier for both of us."

"No!" My voice was louder than I expected it to be. I yelled out for help. A hand cupped over my mouth, and I screamed against it. I felt Darren's hand on my waistband. I shut my eyes tightly, wishing this would be over already.

"He only wanted her dead, Darren. What do you think he'll do if he finds out you raped her?"

"How's he going to find out? Are you going to tell him?"

I opened my eyes and looked at Tom. "Who are you people?"

He glanced at me before turning back to Darren. He loosened his hold on me. "I didn't sign up to be killed. Uncle Joshua only paid us for -"

"Dammit! Now she knows who sent us!" Darren pushed away from me as he rose to his feet.

I stared up at him. "No, I don't, actually. I don't - I don't know who Joshua is. You can let me go."

He stared down at me. The other two let go of me and stood up. "Really?" He sounded skeptical.

I was scared to move, but I did it anyway. I rose to my feet and took a few steps back. I stared at him. "I really don't know who it is. And I don't know who you are." I wiped at the tears on my cheeks.

He stared at me while the other two exchanged words through glances. Darren took a step closer. He pulled out his phone. "You're Kai's girlfriend."

I furrowed my eyebrows, "Kai Parker?"

He tapped on his screen a few times. "Yeah."

"I'm not his girlfriend. I know him, but I'm not his girlfriend."

He turned his screen to face me and started swiping the screen. It was pictures of me and Kai at the Grill the night of my mom's funeral. My lips parted as I thought of a defense. I stared at the picture, speechless. He turned his phone off and put it back in his pocket.

"You lied."

I looked at his face and shook my head, "We really weren't dating. It was a deal we made. He helped me out, and I owed him -" I sighed. "We were just hooking up," I shook my head, "That's all."

"You still know him, kid. And if you're that close to him - close enough to know things about him like where he is - then you're useful. Useful to us."

My heart was beating rapidly against my ribcage. "No. I don't know where he is. He said he didn't want to see me anymore a week ago. I don't know where he is, and I don't know anything about him."

"Mhm," he responded. He stared at me. I felt anxious. My hands were shaking. I was still afraid of what they could do to me. "Call him."

I furrowed my brows, "What?"

"Call. Him."

I shook my head once, "I don't- Why?"

"If you're telling the truth, he won't answer."

I felt my stomach sink. "My phone's upstairs. I don't remember his number, either."

He tilted his head, "Which room?" I started to speak, but he stopped me. "I'll find it." He looked at the other two, "Keep watching her. If she gets away, then you'll both be dead." He left the room and went upstairs.

The other two stared at me. It felt awkward. I don't feel that threatened by them, though. I watched as Tom's eyes followed the shape of my face.

"So, which one of you is the boss?"

They stared at me.

"No one -" Tom was interrupted by Chris.

"Me."

They turned to each other. They started arguing. I looked at the door to the kitchen. They moved closer to each other. I took the opportunity to sneak away. I made my way out the backdoor, shutting it quietly. Thankfully, I put my shoes on after I got dressed. I stood for a minute, thinking of what to do. I don't have my phone or my keys, and they can easily catch up to me.

Adrenaline sets in as a crashing sound fills my ear from inside the house. I started running through the neighbor's yard. I ran toward town. After a few minutes, I'm out of breath. I stop at the side of the house. I pause to catch my breath. I look in front of me. Around that building is the town square. I started to run but paused, seeing Tom as he rounds the other side of the house I'm leaning against. I rush to the back porch and open the back door. I shut it and lean against it. I turn to see an empty, dark house. It was put on the market three weeks ago.

I can hear them yelling outside. A few minutes pass, and I hear the yelling fade away, going back toward my house. I camp out in the empty house for a few minutes before bolting out the back door and making my way across town. I debate on where to go. The only place they wouldn't find me is Kai's. I know we're not talking right now, but that doesn't matter. I don't want to die, and this is his fault.

...

I stared at the empty part of the bed next to me. When I got here, he wasn't here. I was tired from running, so I decided to lay down. I slept for three hours, and he still hasn't come back.

I got out of bed and walked slowly out of the bedroom. I felt anxious about what may happen between us when he comes through the door.

I stopped at the end of the hallway. The front door opened. Kai tossed his keys onto the table aggressively before slamming the door behind him. He stopped as his eyes found me. His expression of frustration and anger changed to something I couldn't read. He stared at me.

I took a few steps forward. "I was about to leave. I just - I needed somewhere to -"

"Stop talking," he said as he walked closer. He stopped in front of me and cupped my face in his hands. He tilted my head back to make me look up at him. "You're not leaving. Not until you can be home alone without being in danger because of me."

I was unsure of what approach to take. I wondered if I should yell at him or not. I could be mad at him, but what help would that be. "I thought you hated me."

He looked at my lips. "Yeah, well... me too." He looked into my eyes. He didn't say anything else for a minute. I stared into his eyes, trying to decipher what he meant. My mind ran wild with thoughts. His brows furrowed as a look of concern crossed his face. "You're okay, right? You didn't... They didn't hurt you?"

I was confused as to why he was asking. "They.... No," I answered.

"What were you about to say?"

I shook my head once and moved my hands to his. "Nothing."

He grabbed my hands and pulled them to his chest, "Evelyn, please. Just tell me."

I stared at our hands. I felt ashamed. I shouldn't, though. "They tried to kill me but before..." I felt a lump in my throat. I pulled my hands away as I looked at his face. "Talking is what made this happen in the first place." I tried to stop the tears from filling my eyes. This is my fault. "I have to leave."

He shook his head, "No, you don't. They're still looking for you. The minute you step out of here, they'll be on their way. You need to stay here with me where it's safe."

I was conflicted on what to feel and speak. "You said you don't care about me. Why are you trying to keep me safe?" He didn't respond. "But you also said you do care about me. Then you said you don't. And now you do."

He sighed as he shook his head, "Baby, I don't know what you're asking."

"Tell me you care about me or tell me you don't. I need to know so I know if I can be here."

He stared at me. "I..." He seemed just as confused as I am. "I don't know." His eyes followed the tear down my cheek.

"Why didn't you just say that before?" I whispered because if I spoke any louder, I would start crying, and that's the last thing I need.

"I was dealing with Joshua and his coven. I had to make sure I was separated from them so that I could..." he paused as he looked down. He looked into my eyes. "I had to keep myself away from them so that I could be around you."

I furrowed my brows. "You... knew about them."

He opened his mouth to speak and then pressed his lip together as he groaned. "I didn't know they would go after you. I didn't know they knew about you."

I closed my eyes and took a breath. I looked at him again. "They had pictures of us."

He shook his head once, "I didn't know, Evelyn. If I had known, I would've killed them or taken you away from here."

I shook my head as I took a step back. "You had to have known something, Kai."

He tilted his head, "Don't do that."

"I'm just trying to figure out just how stupid I am for trusting -"

"Don't do that to yourself. And stop trying to blame me for something that wasn't my fault. If I had known a single thing they were going to do, I would've had them all killed, Evelyn. You trusted me because I gave you something to trust. We've built on that for months! When you start to question that, everything we have goes out the window. I may not know everything I feel for you, but I do know that I feel something. I pushed you away, I know, and I'm sorry, but I was trying to keep you from getting hurt. That obviously didn't work, and I hate myself for what happened, but"

"What did you just say?"

He furrowed his brows. "What?"

"You feel something."

He stared at me for a minute. The look on his face told me he was backtracking in his mind. "What?"

I tilted my head, "You just said -"

"You heard me wrong."

"You can't be serious."

He furrowed his brows, "I don't have feelings for you."

I felt the rage bubbling inside of me. Gaslighting me is insane. We're supposed to trust each other and be honest. This entire conversation has consisted of his feelings and mine. Even though he hasn't spoken to me directly, it's obvious he cares about me. Why else would he want me to stay?

There was a cold look on his face now. "The only thing I feel for you is pity." I bit down on my tongue as he took a step closer. His eyes scanned my face before looking into mine again. "If you thought anything else, then you're wrong. If you think I will ever feel anything else, then you should probably walk away." He looked at my lips. "I'm the same person I always have been, and I always will be." He looked into my eyes. "The only thing that's changed here is you."

This has to be a joke or something. The pace at which he switched made my head spin, and my chest tightened. I was suffocating in anger as the air between us was depleting.

"What? Did I upset you or something?"

"You told me you wanted to change." He sighed. Before he could speak, I did. "You told me you wanted things to be different. And before that, you told me you weren't a liar."

"It's different now. You're on Joshua's radar. Do you know how dangerous that is for me?"

"Of course I do. But-"

"But nothing, Evelyn! I'm not going to get killed just because you want to fool around. And I'm not going to let you get killed because then your friends would come after me."

"So, you're saying the only person you care about, is you?"

"I've said it from the beginning. You were just too caught up in your feelings for Stefan to listen."

He knows which buttons to press to piss me off, and he's close to breaking the remote from pressing so hard.

I walked around him, going toward the front door. I started to pull it open, but then it slammed shut. I turned to face him. He took a few steps closer.

"You're not leaving. I told you that."

"Let me go."

He walked toward me. "No."

"Why?"

"I already told you. You're going to get yourself killed."

I stepped closer. "No, you're going to get yourself killed if you don't let me leave."

He stopped a few feet from me and crossed his arms over his chest. "You think you can kill me?"

"I never said I would be the one to do it."

He laughed softly. "Right," he turned his head and looked to the side. "Well, you're not leaving, and I'm not dying." He looked at me. "You should make yourself comfortable because you're going to be here for a while."

He walked away into his bedroom. I was tempted to chase after him and stab him to death to break the boundary spell he undoubtedly put up. I walked to the couch and sat down. I sat back and put my hands over my face. The urge to scream was overtaken by the thoughts of what he said to me.

Pity.

Every time he was inside of me, I didn't feel his pity. Every time he begged me to stay, I didn't feel his pity. He's a liar, and there's nothing worse he can possibly do that he hasn't already accomplished. I'm sure I'll be proven wrong.