The Hybrid's Heart

Welcome to the Land of the Supernatural

"We have to make Caroline proud or she will kill us," Bonnie laughed as we set up the carnival. "I don't know how she does all of this."

I offered a grim smile, hoping that my mood wasn't noticeable to my friends. I didn't want to have to explain anything to them - no, I wanted to wallow to myself, letting anxiety and sadness continue to pummel me. They already had enough on their plates, and to put this on them as well? It wasn't worth it.

"Well because usually between the both of us perfectionists, it's therapeutic," I responded with a false smile. On top of everything, I was worried. Caroline wasn't answering her phone, and I'd called her a bunch. What if the vampire blood hadn't worked? What if Caroline's hurt? What if she's upset? Was she okay? Did she need me? Did-

My thoughts were interrupted by Elena, who was waving her hand in my face, trying to snap me out of the storm of my own brain.

"Earth to Rory," she said in a sing-song voice. When my attention snapped to her, she continued. "You okay?"

"I'm fine. Just tired," I lied, putting stuffed animals in their respective spots on display.

The girls looked at each other in disbelief but said nothing as we continued to set up. I was grateful for that, too. I didn't want them prying, trying to understand everything when even I didn't understand it. I hadn't asked my mom about my real mom, and I hadn't talked to Uncle Mason about it either. I went right to my room, had an anxiety attack, made an accidental mess because of magic, and had to clean up after myself, which took another hour. By then, I felt exhausted and collapsed on my bed, only to find that a million thoughts raced through my mind and I would not, in fact, be falling asleep at night.

We continued to set things up, Bonnie and Elena chatting as we worked, but I was tuning them out. Not that they were annoying, but I couldn't deal with that type of drama they were talking about. Not after finding out my life was practically a lie. I was probably being overdramatic, and needed to get my shit together.

"Ah, my two least-hated people!" I finally heard a voice - Damon - exclaim to Elena, Bonnie - wait, when did Bonnie leave?

"What do you want, Damon?" Elena spat, still angry with him for killing Jeremy - even if he had the ring on, that was uncalled for.

"I know I'm the last person you want to see right now but I need you to come with me," he said quietly, looking around.

"Whatever it is, I'm not interested," Elena responded, her words dripping with venom.

"Yeah, I need you to come with me right now," he said urgently. "You too, Lory."

Me? Why would he need me? Elena and I looked at each other, having a silent conversation on whether or not we should join him. Eventually, we both let out a sigh before reluctantly following him. Each step instilled another possibility in my head, each one significantly worse than the previous one.

"Caroline's a vampire?" I asked, trying to stop an oncoming anxiety attack. "No, no, no, she was supposed to be safe, as far away from the supernatural world as possible, she, she, oh my god, it's all my fault, I told you to-" I was rambling, pacing the room as I let the anxiety take over once again. I needed to get myself together. My best friend was going through shit and I needed to calm down so I could help her.

"Lory, listen, it's not your fault," Damon sighed.

"How did this happen?" Stefan asked, his arms crossed as he sat casually on the desk.

"Well, I fed her blood and Katherine obviously killed her, and A plus B equals..." Damon said like it was obvious. 

"But why?" Elena asked.