Dark Heart , Mystic Ties

8. 𝑨 𝑯𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚 𝑪𝒂𝒓𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝑺𝒕𝒐𝒏𝒆

Old Lockwood Cellar, Mystic Falls ,

Elena and Alaric ventured cautiously through the tunnel beneath the cellar, their footsteps echoing softly against the damp stone walls. Elena held her flashlight up, casting a narrow beam of light ahead.

Elena furrowed her brow as she glanced at Alaric. "So, the Lockwoods really have no idea these tunnels are under their property?"

Alaric chuckled softly, his eyes focused on the path ahead. "Careful where you shine that thing. Bats hate the light."

Elena froze for a second, her face twisting in confusion. "Wait, what?"

Suddenly, a voice whispered behind her. "Elena!" Damon’s voice came out of nowhere, sending a chill down her spine.

Startled, she spun around, only to see Damon grinning mischievously.

"Boo!" he said with a smirk.

Elena jumped and gasped, reflexively slapping him in the stomach. "Ah! God, Damon!"

Damon rubbed his stomach, grinning wider. "Scaredy-cat."

Alaric sighed, shaking his head as he walked ahead. "Just ignore him. That’s what I do."

Elena shot Damon a glare before she turned to Alaric. "So, you really can’t get in?"

"Nope," Damon interjected, shrugging. "Seems even the ancient Lockwoods were anti-vampire."

"What do you mean by ancient?" Elena asked, her eyes narrowing in curiosity.

Damon gestured forward. "See for yourself."

As they walked deeper into the tunnel, they arrived at a chamber adorned with ancient drawings. Emersyn stood waiting for them, her back facing the group.

"This is as far as I go," Damon muttered, leaning against the entrance, arms crossed.

Elena walked into the chamber and saw Emersyn turn to greet her, her red hair catching the dim light. "Elena, hey," Emersyn said with a small, friendly smile.

"Hey, Emersyn. What’s in here?" Elena asked, her eyes already scanning the walls.

Emersyn gestured to the ancient drawings. Elena lifted her flashlight, revealing intricate carvings etched into the stone.

"What is all this?" Elena asked, her voice laced with awe.

Alaric stepped forward, running his fingers along the carvings. "As far as I can tell, it's a story. In simple terms, it’s a really, really old story." He pointed to a drawing. "That right there, that’s the moon cycle."

Elena tilted her head, her gaze following Alaric’s hand. "You mean…"

"A werewolf," Emersyn added, her voice calm but knowing.

Damon leaned against the wall, smirking. "Yeah, it’s the ‘Lockwood Diaries: Pictionary Style.’"

"I don’t understand," Elena began, her forehead creased in confusion. "I thought the Lockwoods came here with the Original Founders in the 1860s."

Alaric nodded, still examining the wall. "Maybe they did. But according to this, these werewolves have been here a lot longer."

"How long?" Elena asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Long," Damon said, a smirk playing on his lips.

Emersyn crossed her arms, her expression contemplative. "So, you're saying the ghost that attacked you, the one who led us here—these drawings belong to his ancestors?"