Bite Me (The Vampire Diaries - Book 1)

Chapter 6 - Heart of Darkness

Matt drove Rebekah home in his truck. "Here we are. Home sweet home."

Rebekah looked at him. "Okay, spill. Why are you being nice to me?"

"I drove you home," Matt told her. "You don't have a car."

"Not just that," Rebekah said. "I mean, helping me with the dance and standing up to Caroline. I don't buy it."

"Buy what?" Matt asked.

"The whole gentlemanly thing," Rebekah answered. "After everything my family's done to you. What are you up to?"

"It's sad that you can't just get a ride home from school without thinking there's some ulterior motive," Matt said.

After a moment of consideration, Rebekah chuckled and nodded.

"You're right," Rebekah replied. "I'm probably gonna organize the whole dance and then have to compel myself a date."

Matt smiled. "Let's not get crazy. Goodbye, Rebekah."

"Goodbye, Matt," Rebekah told him. "Thanks for the ride."

Rebekah got out of Matt's truck and watched him drive away, smiling to herself.

\/

Rebekah walked inside, heading into the living room before coming to a halt, seeing Esther standing by the fireplace.

Esther turned around.

"Mother," Rebekah said before rushing closer to pin her against the wall, gripping her throat. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't kill you right now."

"Because I'm dying," Esther told her.

\/

Alaric and Stefan were in the basement of the Salvatore Boarding House, drinking to kill time while they waited for Alaric's evil alter-ego to make an appearance. Because he was the only one who knew the location of the last White Oak Stake.

"Do you think they've got Jeremy by now?" Alaric asked.

"They should," Stefan answered. "I haven't heard from them. Elena's worried about him, knowing she can't count on his ring anymore."

"Who knows? Maybe his alter-ego's a pot-smoking hippie pacifist," Alaric said.

Stefan chuckled. "Yeah, maybe."

Alaric sighed. "I can't say I thought mine would be so hostile and militant."

"Actually, it makes perfect sense," Stefan told him. "Your wife left you to become a vampire and your girlfriend was killed by one."

"He must really hate me," Alaric said. "Here I am, the failed hunter/drinking buddy of vampires."

"He's too judgmental," Stefan stated.

"The thing is he's me," Alaric replied. "I'm not compelled, I'm not possessed. There's no humanity switch. What drives him is me."

No," Stefan denied. "No, he's not you. He's the darkest parts of you." He looked down in understanding and guilt. "Parts we all have."

Kara appeared in the doorway. "Well, this is depressing, isn't it?" Stefan stood, facing her. "Oh, and I, uh, found this upstairs." Kara held up a White Oak Stake as she walked in. "Now, by my count, there should be one more."

"Yeah, well, it's gonna take a little more time," Stefan told her.

"Why, because we're waiting for that one to pass out?" Kara asked, using the stake to point at Alaric. "No, thanks. I think I'll just kill him."