The Vampire Diaries: The Struggle Chapter Five

November 2, Satur daylightDear Diary,This dayspring I woke up and felt so strange. I dont hit the hay how to place it. On the one turn, I was so weak that when I assay to stand up my muscles wouldnt support me. simply on the a nonher(prenominal) hand I felt pleasant.So comfortable , sorelaxed. As if I were floating on a bed of golden light. I didnt care if I never moved again.Then I remembered Stefan, and I tried to express up, notwithstanding Aunt Judith enthrone me patronize to bed. She verbalise clean and Meredith had left hours ago, and that Id been so fast asleep they couldnt wake me. She give tongue to what I needed was rest.So here I am. Aunt Judith brought the TVin, notwithstanding I dont care intimately notice it. Id rather lie here and write, or comely lie here.November 3,Sunday (1030 p.m.)Ive just read over yesterdays entry and Im shocked. What was wrong with me? I stone-broke off in the middle of a sentence, and now I donteven feel what I was leaving to say. And I didntexplain almost my new diary or anything. I must collect been completely spaced out.Any mien, this is the official split up of my new diary. I boughtthis blank book at the drugstore. Its not as beautiful as the other one, but it will have to do. Ive presumption up hope of ever fulfiling my old one again. Whoever take it isnt going to bring it back. But when I think of them reading it, every(prenominal) my inner horizons and my noteings about Stefan, I fatality to kill them. While concurrently dying of humiliation myself.Im not ashamed of the substance I feel about Stefan. But its private. And there are things in there, about the commission it is when we kiss, when he holds me, that I go he wouldnt indigence anybody else to read.Of course, it hasnt got anything about his sneaking(a) in it. I hadnt open that out yet. It wasnt until I did that I in truth infras similarlyd him, and we got together, re exclusively in ally together, at last. Now wer e part of each(prenominal) other. I feel as if Ive been waiting for him all my life.Maybe you think Im wicked for loving him, considering what he is. He poop be violent, and I know there are some things in his past 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 pauperism to heal him.I dont know what will happen now Im just so glad that hes safe. I went to the boarding house at present and found out that the law of nature had been there yesterday. Stefan was be quiet 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 friendly, which makes me suspicious. What all the questions really grind down to is where were you on the darkness the old man was attacked under the bridge, and the night Vickie Bennett was attacked in the ruined church, and the night Mr. Tanner was killed at school?They dont have any e vidence against him. So the crimes attempted right later on he came to Fells Church, so what? Thats not proof of anything. So he argued with Mr. Tanner that night. Again, so what? Everybody argued with Mr. Tanner. So he disappeared after Mr. Tanners body was found. Hes back now, and its pretty 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, languor and average and Meredith and I can all testify how we found him. theres no gaucherie against him at all.Stefan and I talked about that, and about other things. It was so tidy to be with him again, even if he did look white and fatigue. He inactive doesnt remember how Thursday night stop, but most of it is just as I suspected. Stefan went to find Damon Thursday night after he took me home. They argued. Stefan ended up one-half- brain dead in a well. It doesnt take a genius to persona out what happened in between. I still havent told him that I went looking for Damon in the graveyard Friday morning. I suppose Id relegate do it tomorrow. I know hes going to be upset, especially when he hears what Damon say to me.Well, thats all. Im tired. This diary is going to be well-hidden, for obvious reasons.P.S. I wonder who our new European account statement teacher will be?She tucked the diary under her mattress and rancid out the light.Elena walked down the hallway in a curious vacuum. At school she was usually peppered with greetings from all sides it was hi, Elena, after hi, Elena, wherever she went. But today eyeball slid international furtively as she approached, or people all at once became very busy doing something that required them to keep their backs to her. It had been occurrent all day long.She paused in the doorway of the European history classway. There were several students already sit downting down, and at the chalkboard was a weird.He looked almost break down care a student himself. He had sandy hair, worn a bantam long, and the build of an athlete. Across the board he had written Alaric K. Saltzman. As he sullen virtually, Elena truism that he also had a boyish smile.He went on smiling as Elena sat down and other students filed in. Stefan was among them, and his eyeball met Elenas as he took his rear beside her, but they didnt speak. No one was talking. The room was dead silent.Bonnie sat down on Elenas other side. Matt was only a few desks away, but he was looking full-strength a chair.The last two people to come in were Carolean Forbes and Tyler Smallwood. They walked in together, and Elena didnt standardized the look on Carolines face. She knew that cat analogous smile and those narrowed green eyeball all too well. Tylers handsome, 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 put all these desks in a circle?Elenas attention s napped back to the stranger at the front of the room. He was still smiling.Come on, lets do it. That way we can all empathise 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 postulate you to call me Alaric. Ill tell you a little more about me later, but first I want to give you a chance to talk.Todays probably a difficult day for most of you. Someone you cared about is gone, and that must hurt. I want to give you a chance to open up and allocate 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 about you? Still smiling, he gestured encouragingly to a pretty, fair-hair ed girl. Tell us your name and how you feel about whats happened.Flustered, the girl stood. My names Sue Carson, and, uh She took a fat breath and went doggedly on. And I feelscared. Because whoever this maniac is, hes still loose. And next sequence it could be me. She sat down.Thank you, Sue. Im sure a lot of your classmates share your concern. Now, do I understand that some of you were actually there when this disaster occurred?Desks creaked as students shifted uneasily.But Tyler Smallwood stood up, his lips drawing back from strong white teething in a smile.Most of us were there, he said, and his eyes flickered toward Stefan. Elena could see other people following 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 far nobodys done 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 more or less startled. Not just faking? Did he often fake being dead? There were titters, and he flashed that boyish smile again. Elena turned and glanced at Stefan, who was frowning.No no, said Bonnie. You see, he was a sacrifice. At the taken up(p) House. So he was covered with blood anyway, only it was fake 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 supposed to be a Bloody Corpse. But he kept saying it was too messy, and it wasnt until Stefan came and argued with him She halt. I mean, we talk ed to him and he finally agreed to do it, and then the Haunted House started. And a little while later I discover that he wasnt sitting up and scaring the kids alike(p) he was supposed to, and I went over and asked him what was wrong. And he didnt answer. He just he just kept staring at the ceiling. And then I touched him and he it was terrible. His idea just sort offlopped Bonnies voice wavered and gave out. She gulped.Elena was standing up, and so were Stefan and Matt and a few 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 unit atmosphere. How about if you all come around to my place 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 thirty seconds or so of staring. Then someone said, Your place?Yes oh, Im forgetting. Stupid of me. Im staying at the Ramsey house, on Magnolia Avenue. He wrote the address 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 think? 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 clear 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, soulfulness muttered as Elena went out the door. Bonnie was behind her, but Alaric Saltzmans voice called her back.Would the students who shared out with us please stay behind for a minute?Stefan had to leave, too. Id better go check about football practice, he said. Its probably 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. Three pairs of eyes followed Elenas every move as she put away her books, but when Elena glanced up, two of them suddenly looked away. Only Caroline remained staring at her, head slightly cocked as she whispered something to the other gi rls.Elena had had enough. Slamming her locker, she walked straight toward the group. Hello, Becky hello, Sheila, she said. Then, with dangerous emphasis Hello, Caroline.Whats going on? she demanded. vent 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. plurality 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 interrogative slipped, and she smiled a feline smile. I told you when school started that things were going to be variant this year, Elena, she said. I warned you your clipping on the throne world power be rivulet out. But it isntmy doing. Whats 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 pounding in her ears, she said through clinched 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 know 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 bell to ring in the street.Rage held Elena hostage as Caroline turned and walked away, her auburn hair moving 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 night? I suppose so. Why?Because Ill be there. With Stefan. See you in the jungle. This time Elena was the one to turn away. The dignity of her exit was sli ghtly 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 closer 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 get a line words spoken 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 facing each other now. Stefan was tense, his bac k talk 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 realized this would happen. Its not just her, is it? Ive been detection hostility and fear all day, but I was too tired to try and analyze it. They think Im the killer and theyre taking it out on you.What they think doesnt matter Theyre wrong, and theyll realize that eventually. Then everything will be the way it was again.A wistful smile tugged at the corner of Stefans mouth. You really gestate that, dont you? He looked away, and his face hardened. And what if they dont? What if it only gets worse?What are you saying? It might be better Stefan took a deep breath and continued, carefully. It migh t 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 broken up. His stir 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 reveal 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 like a cats in shades of emerald and malachite and holly green.She never got to finish the sentence. It was cut off as his mouth descended on hers.