My Light

Secret Hiding Place

Hello everyone! Thank you so much for the comments! If you're all wondering–yes, I am going to age Caroline.

Enjoy this chapter!

-8-

Chapter 3: Secret Hiding Place

Caroline woke up the next morning feeling extremely happy. She hadn't woken up to these kinds of mornings in a very long time and it was all thanks to her new best friend, Klaus. The happy girl hopped out of bed and started to get ready for the day. After getting dressed, Caroline went to the kitchen to eat some breakfast. Normally, she would eat with her mother but today was different. Instead of seeing her mother, she was shocked to see her father. And just like any father during breakfast, Bill was reading the local newspaper and drank coffee instead of having a full meal.

"Good morning, daddy," she greeted.

Bill didn't respond and just ignored his daughter, pretending not to have heard a thing. Trying to hide her disappointment at his lack of communication, she decided to ask questions anyway.

"Where's mommy?"

"At work." He said sternly.

"Why?"

"Because there was an emergency."

"Oh, well, do you want to do something together today?"

When he didn't answer, an awkward tension filled the air and Caroline noticed that she was getting hungrier by the minute.

"Daddy, can you please make me some breakfast?"

"Caroline!" Bill snapped, "Stop asking questions! You're a big girl. You don't need me and mommy to take care of you anymore! You are old enough to get breakfast yourself and do whatever you like!"

He stormed out of the kitchen with his papers. Caroline jumped when she heard the door slam with such force. Not getting to hang out with her dad just reminded her that they no longer had the kind of relationship that she wanted. And all too soon, her happiness was ruined.

-8-

Since Caroline, Bonnie, and Elena were best friends, they would always hang out together on the weekends at Elena's house. And to get to Elena's house, Caroline would have to walk two long blocks down the street whenever her mom was too busy to take her. Caroline was just a block away when a car pulled up in front of her.

"Hey, sweetie. I'm lost, can you give me directions on how to get to town?" The stranger asked.

Caroline was skeptical, but answered anyway, "Sure, just keep going down the street and there will be the entrance to the town when you turn left then right," she said while pointing down the road.

"Are you sure?"

She nodded, "Positive."

"Are there a lot of people there?"

"Yes, there is."

"Why don't you get in and show me the way?"

Caroline shook her head and walked away from the car, ignoring the stranger. Her mom explained how dangerous it was to get into cars with strangers. She was so caught up with her thoughts, she didn't hear the footsteps approaching her from behind.

"Hey!" The stranger grabbed her shoulder and spun her around.

At this point, Caroline's level of panic was rising. She backed away from the stranger until she felt a fence against her back.