It's the next day, and I have to get ready for another day at Mystic Falls High. Great. After I got home last night, Sam and I talked about what happened. Josie was right; I was too hard on him. I haven't told him about Dad's diary and 'The Originals,' but I think it's best to search on my own, even though I have no idea where to start.
Most of my parents' journals and research are at the Salvatore School. I should get ready for school, so I go to my closet and pull out a pair of black jeans and a white shirt. I went downstairs, and of course, Sam is already gone, so I just pour myself some coffee and make myself some French toast.
I should hurry up, or I'm going to be late. I have to go to work tonight at the Grill, which sucks. I was hoping I'd have time to finish reading the diary, but I guess that will have to wait.
After a ten-minute walk, I finally arrive at school. The moment I step in, I can't help but notice people talking and whispering about something. Don't get me wrong, I'm not really invested in gossip, but there's something different about this.
I head to my locker to grab my books for the first period, and I catch sight of Sheriff Donovan engaged in conversation with the principal. Their discussion seems unusually serious, and I can't help but wonder what they're discussing.
I know I probably shouldn't, but I'm too curious not to find out. They make their way into the principal's office, and I discreetly try to stay nearby.
"Sheriff Donovan, please take a seat," Principal Wells instructed.
Sheriff Donovan obliged and settled into a chair. "So, what's the problem, Principal Wells?"
Principal Wells sighed, his expression grave. "We have a situation. Two of our students have gone missing—Dana Lilien and Sasha Stoteraux, to be exact. According to Dana's mother, it's not uncommon for her to skip town for a few days to party, but this is a first for Sasha. After discussing it with both girls' parents, we all agree that something doesn't feel right. That's why we're seeking your assistance, Sheriff."
I can't believe Dana and Sasha went missing. I just saw her yesterday in town, and now the thought that she might be in trouble... damn. I know she's had her issues, but I genuinely hope she's okay. The bell rings, which is my cue to head to class.
I head to class, and since it's history, I figure I should study my dad's diary. I won't have time later. The only good thing about this school is Mr. Cooper, my history teacher. In his class, we watch a black and white movie while he's on his phone, so I might as well be productive.
I carefully study every page of the diary, but one phrase grabs my attention: 'I knew I hadn't had much time left. Hayle's life was in danger, and I knew the only way to help her was in this grimoire. But that meant doing something that would be punished by nature. Yet, considering what's at stake, I knew black magic was the only option.'
This has to be some sort of joke. Black magic, a grimoire? None of this makes any sense. I keep rereading the sentence, trying to wrap my head around it. My dad was never involved in anything remotely like this. He was all about research and history, not some dark, forbidden magic. But there it is, right in front of me, in his own handwriting.
The class is finally over, and I still can't process what I just read. So, let's pretend for a second that I'm not going crazy and my dad really was a witch... nope, no, I can't. This can't be true.
I head to my locker to put my books away, and I think I'm just going even crazier because I see Hope and Landon Kirby, the boy who left school a while ago, talking together right here.
Yep, I'm officially descending into madness. I approach them, and honestly, Hope looks like she's on the verge of tearing Landon's head off. Better hurry.
