Carson Gilbert

Chapter Four

I couldn't help but groan under my breath with disgust as I caught sight of Elena flirting with Stefan Salvatore at the bonfire. In truth, I hadn't even wanted to come but Jared had talked me into it.

"Didn't take her long," mused Garrett as he also caught sight of Elena and Stefan. "Truly, your sister just has no taste."

"I feel bad for Matt," added Jared while nodding his cup toward Matt and Tyler. "To think last time, he was at the bonfire party he was getting dumped, and now said ex is hitting it off with someone else right in front of you."

Not that Elena owed it to Matt to remain single considering it had been a year since they broke up. But the point still stood, it was a bit tacky as well since she was using the death of our parents to put Matt off.

"Let's just leave," I muttered with a small scoff while dumping the rest of my drink onto the ground. "Jared can drive still considering he hasn't had any alcohol yet."

We mostly stuck to just plain soda since none of us were big fans of alcohol, on top of being underage, and didn't want to risk our spots on the basketball team.

"Sounds like a plan," agreed Jared as he also dumped his drink and took the empty cups to the trash can near Matt. "I am more than ready to bounce."

"We can head to our usual spot," added Garrett before reaching into my jean pocket to pull out my cellphone. "I'll let Jenna know where we're going so she doesn't worry."

"Thanks," I offered with a small laugh even as I looked around for Jer to let him know we were leaving. "I'll be right back."

It wasn't surprising that Jer was off by himself already to the point of wasted. If he wasn't high then he was drunk and skipping most of his classes, which caused the teachers to hold me back after class to ask about him.

"What?" demanded Jer with a glare as he caught sight of me.

"We're leaving for the night," I answered getting to the point and holding back some choice words. "If you run into Elena, let her know."

"Bye," scoffed Jer while shoving past me and deeper into the woods.

If I had a worst temper, I might have snapped by now and decked him in the face by this point. He was really testing my patience.

"Want me to prank him?" asked Garrett having seen what had happened. "Because I totally can."

"I'll help," added Jared while throwing his arms around our shoulders before pulling us away from the others at the party. "We know all his fears, might be worth it."

"Nah," I laughed in answer with a shake of my head. "I'd rather just focus on passing my classes and basketball."

Because if I focused only on my family, that was falling apart, then I would start to slip back into depression. I couldn't do that, not when I knew that all they needed was some time to sort themselves out.

There was also the fact that soon we'd all be too busy dealing with the supernatural to really be able to focus on mourning our parent's deaths.

"Want to swing by Mystic Grill for food?" asked Jared as we all got into the jeep with Garrett sprawling out in the backseat while I settled into the passenger seat.

"Sure," I answered while tossing my cellphone at Garrett to call and place our order, we already had a card on file at the place. "You can place the order."

The rest of the ride was silent outside of the music blasting from the speakers as I took in the scenery around me. I had begun to really love just going for late rides with nothing but the road ahead and music to fill the air.

Something that both Jared and Garrett had noticed and made sure to make time to do with me since Jared was our designated driver. Aunt Jenna was also made aware when we did head out, so she didn't worry.

"Man, it's been some time since we've been here," I mused as we settled in the small hidden meadow area near the waterfall in the outskirts of Mystic Falls. "Do remember when we found this place?"

"Yeah, I also remember that Jeremy almost snitched about it to Elena," answered Garrett with a grumble while passing out the food containers. "I swear, he would have done just about anything for her attention."

He had adored our older sister when we were younger, thinking she was the coolest person in the world, and that meant he'd share any secret she wanted to know with her.

~ Two Hours Later ~

Laughter filled the air as we joked around and spoke on some of our fondest memories while finishing our food. That faded away as my phone began to blare Aunt Jenna's ringtone.

"Hello?" I asked after placing aside my drink.

"I need you three to come home," answered Aunt Jenna quickly with a ragged breath. "There was some type of accident at the bonfire, your siblings are okay, but I want you three home."

"Alright," I answered while taking a deep breath to calm the fear that had made my heart spike. "We'll be back at the house in thirty minutes."

"What happened?" asked Jared the second I had hung up the phone while Garrett stood up and gathered up all the trash around us.

"There was some type of accident at the bonfire," I answered while walking toward the jeep. "Neither of my siblings are hurt, but I don't know if the same can be said for Matt and Vicki."

Meaning that neither hesitated to haul ass toward the jeep before Jared took off, almost over the speed limit, back to my house. Aunt Jenna was waiting for us on the front porch.

"It was Vicki," began Aunt Jenna while reaching out to tug each of us into a tight hug. "She was attacked by something, likely an animal, and was rushed to the hospital. Matt is with her now."

"Do you want me to take you there?" asked Jared toward Garrett who was pale in the face while I reached out to tug him into a side hug.

"No," answered Garrett before taking out his phone to likely shoot Matt a text message. "I'm not close to Vicki, and I'm honestly just glad it wasn't Matt."

None of us said anything else as we headed straight for my room after Aunt Jenna ushered us into the house. Jar was nowhere in sight, and neither was Elena now that I paid closer attention.