Fall

Chapter 21: 162 Candles

"Where did Vicki say she was going?" Sheriff Forbes asks me. I look up at her, keeping a look of guilt off of my face. I refrain from tapping my fingers on the arms of the chair. That would definitely look suspicious. 

"She didn't. We're not exactly close." I reply, keeping my voice neutral. It's a good thing lying is my strong suit, otherwise I'd be doomed with something like this. Man, I should become like a secret agent or something. I could totally be a Black Widow, I'm getting the training for it. I'm a redhead. I've already got some red in my ledger. It's a perfect match. 

"Did she tell her brother where she was going." I shrug at the question. How am I supposed to know that. Again, it's not like we were close at all. "So how did you get involved?" 

I wet my very chapped lips at the question. "I wasn't, really. There was a moment a few days ago when I was at the house and she had some sort of drug breakdown. I saw her at the Halloween party with Matt, and that was about it. Matt, Stefan, and Elena were just trying to help her. I think she was really messed up." Damn, someone should give me an Oscar. 

"Any signs of aggression, or violence?" I keep the disbelief of the question off of my face. Yeah, a fuck ton of aggression. A 'going to kill me' amount of violence. I just shake my head and tell her no. Easier than explaining the fight we got into, especially considering the story Stefan and Elena texted to me. We all have to be on the same page. "So you believe Vicki really has left town?"

"Yes. I mean, what else could it be?" I frown at her, doing my best doe eyed Elena impression. I figure if you want to look innocent, act like Elena. Sheriff Forbes nods before indicating towards the door for me to go. I get up and leave, meeting up with Jeremy, Elena, and my mom. We all get out of the police station and walk down the steps, where a certain Salvatore stands waiting for us. 

Well, based on where his gaze goes, not waiting for us. Waiting for Elena. "I'll meet you guys at the car." Elena says to us, giving me a look. I take a deep breath and sigh, following my mom and Jeremy. Despite the hole Stefan practically burns into my back from staring at me. I have no desire to be around him. None at all. 

Also, I should probably tell Elena soon that her ex and I made out a few times. I sit in the car in the front seat, next to my mom. I try not to stare at them too much through the windshield, but it's hard not too. Though it doesn't look like the conversation is going well, if that's any consolation. God, I'm a horrible cousin. "What's wrong?" My mom asks. I shake my head and unclench my hands, trying to relax myself. 

"Nothing. I'm just peachy." I reply. 

♢ — ♢— ♢ — ♢ — ♢ — ♢

I throw the knife, watching as it misses the bullseye completely. It just bounces off of the target, clattering to the floor. I clench my jaw and pick up another knife, pulling my arm back to aim and try again. "You know, you're almost done with your training." I hear Ms. Skuld say. I release the knife, hoping it finally hits something. But it just bounces off again, falling to the ground. 

"I think this target would beg to differ." I reply with a chuckle, forcing myself to be in a better mood. Or at least appear to be in a better mood. All I can think about is how I have to act like everything is fine around Jeremy and Matt, after I killed Vicki. And how Elena had Damon compel Jeremy's memories away. That should've been his choice. 

I grab another knife from the table next to me, getting into position again. Ms Skuld walks over to me and lowers my arm with her hand, forcing me to look away from the target and back at her. "You couldn't have saved her, Kara. It was her or you. Her or Elena and Jeremy. You chose correctly." She squeezes my arm comfortingly as I frown. How the hell does she know that? I never told her about Vicki.