Fight With Me

Chapter 25

This will give background into the chapter beforehand and also the ones coming after this one 💗
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Mystic Falls – 2022

The twins, only eight years old, were in the middle of a heated argument. Josie glared at Lizzie, her hands clenched.

"GIRLS, stop fighting!" Caroline said, clearly frustrated.

"Sorry, Mommy," they replied in unison.

Caroline sighed. "It's okay, girls. Now, drink your juice so you can calm down and get ready for bed." She handed them each a cup.

Josie narrowed her eyes at Lizzie. "I WANT THE PURPLE CUP!"

"YOU CAN'T HAVE IT, IT'S MINE!" Lizzie snapped back.

Suddenly, Josie raised her hand. "INCEND—"

"NO!" Alaric and Caroline shouted in unison, quickly separating the girls. Alaric scooped up Josie and carried her upstairs, while Caroline stayed behind with Lizzie.

"Lizzie, baby, are you okay?" Caroline asked gently, trying to gauge her daughter's emotions.

Lizzie's face twisted in anger. "I'm going to *kill* her!" she growled, her voice darker than usual.

"Elizabeth, watch your mouth!" Caroline scolded sharply.

But before she could say more, Lizzie's skin began to flush red, scales appearing on her arms as her form shifted. Her eyes darkened. A chilling voice emerged from Lizzie's lips. "Hello, I am Elizabeth's true form."

Caroline's heart raced, but she kept her voice steady. "Ric!" she called, trying not to alarm the creature in front of her.

Alaric rushed down the stairs. His eyes widened in shock at the sight of the demon that now looked like his youngest daughter. "What the hell..." he mouthed to Caroline.

The demon smirked. "No need to whisper. If you have questions, just ask."

Alaric swallowed hard, trying to keep his composure. "Who are you? What have you done to my daughter?"

The demon spoke, explaining that Lizzie had been writing in her journal, harboring dark thoughts—how she wanted Josie dead for taking all the attention, and how she resented her father for constantly mentioning something called a tribrid. Those dark desires summoned her true self.

Caroline shook her head in disbelief. "Lizzie would never think those things. I don't believe you."

The demon smirked again. "Oh, you don't? Would you like to speak with her?"

Without warning, Lizzie's innocent voice returned. "Hi, Mom. I see you met the real me," she said, smiling eerily.

Alaric stepped forward, his voice full of worry. "Lizzie, baby, this isn't you. We're going to help you get through this."

"No!" Lizzie screamed, her power flaring as she threw Alaric across the room, sending him crashing into a table. "This is the real me! And nothing will stop me from killing you!" She glared at Alaric, then at the thought of Josie.

Caroline glanced at Alaric, who gave her a pained nod. They both knew what had to be done.

Caroline approached Lizzie, her voice calm but commanding. She looked deep into her daughter's eyes. "You were never a demon. You never wanted to hurt Josie or your father." Caroline's words, laced with the power of compulsion, slowly took effect.

Lizzie blinked, her scales fading. She rubbed her eyes and yawned. "Mom, I'm tired. I want to lie down."

Alaric let out a long breath, relieved. He carefully helped Lizzie to her feet and led her upstairs to tuck her into bed.