Cassiopeia Forbes has spent years distancing herself from Mystic Falls-a town steeped in memories of her younger sister, Caroline, and the mother she never truly connected with. Leaving at just nine year old to live with her father, Cassie vowed nev...
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We entered the Mystic Falls hospital through a back entrance. Stefan quietly closed the door behind him, and we moved silently down the hallway. The sterile scent of antiseptic hung in the air as we walked to the first room. I picked up the clipboard from the door, scanning it quickly. "Appendectomy at 8:30," I read, shaking my head at Stefan before placing the clipboard back in its holder. We were looking for something else—someone else.
We moved on to the next room, where an older man lay in bed, his face pale and drawn. I picked up his clipboard, reading that he had complications from a quadruple bypass. I shook my head again, returning the clipboard to its place. Stefan glanced at me, his expression unreadable as we continued down the hallway.
As we neared a room guarded by a police officer, Stefan walked over to him with a purpose. I followed closely behind, my heart beating a little faster. The officer looked at us with a curious expression.
"Can I help you?" he asked, his voice firm.
Stefan’s eyes locked onto the officer's, his voice smooth and compelling as he said, "Time for a little break. He'll be safe with us."
The officer’s stern expression softened immediately, and he nodded before walking away. Stefan pushed open the door and stepped inside. I followed him, my stomach twisting with unease.
Inside the room, a man was handcuffed to the hospital bed, his eyes widening as he saw us. "Who are you?" he demanded, his voice shaky.
I ignored his question, glancing around before asking, "Why is there a cop outside?"
The man’s face twisted into a sneer. "I'm a convicted murderer."
Stefan stepped closer, compelling him effortlessly. "You guilty?"
The man’s sneer didn’t fade. "Of course I am."
Stefan’s expression was cold, detached. "Any regrets?"
"Only that I got caught."
I felt a chill run down my spine as Stefan looked at me, his gaze heavy with meaning. I nodded, knowing what was coming next. Stefan bit into his wrist, blood pooling quickly, and pressed it against the man’s mouth, forcing him to drink. The man’s eyes widened in shock before his body went limp as Stefan snapped his neck. The room felt suffocatingly quiet.
"Whoa," I breathed out, the gravity of what we were doing settling over me like a dark cloud.
Stefan looked at me, his eyes softening slightly. "You okay?"
I nodded, trying to steady my breathing. "Yeah. What are we gonna do now?"
"I texted Jeremy," Stefan said, his voice all business. "He'll meet me at the Lockwood cellar."
"And me?" I asked, trying to keep my voice even.
"No," Stefan replied firmly. "You're going to the pageant."
