(1) Bloodlines: The Curse (A Vampire Dairies Fanfiction)

4. Home

Mystic Falls didn't change. A town full of history obsessed fools that celebrated every small thing related to the town's founding families. It was one of the many things that Alex had always hated about her home town and her family name. The Gilbert family was one of the founding families, which meant she got dragged to every event, kicking and screaming. The older she got, the more she calmed down, accepting the things she had to do. Sneaking off after a few minutes also seemed to work in her favour; her parents were too wrapped up in their friends to notice.

Alex couldn't stop the smile that graced her lips as she remembered leading Elena out of some stupid founders party to hang out down by the lake on the Lockwoods property; they shared a bottle of champagne and got very drunk. The punishment had been worth the crime in their eyes, and it hadn't stopped a repeat performance.

As Alex pulled up outside her family home, 2104 Maple Street, the bad memories came back full force. Alex could see Jeremy standing on the front porch crying as she drove away; she could hear her mother screaming at her to come back after they had argued about where she had been going; Alex remembered how her bed had caught fire after she had argued with her father. But she could also see herself sitting on the front porch swing with Elena, laughing and talking about boys. The family movies nights. Making dinner with her father. It all made Alex want to run away, but she couldn't. Not anymore.

There were no cars parked in the driveway when Alex parked her car. She had no idea who she would find inside; she hoped it would be Elena or Jeremy. There was no real plan about what would happen; she just hoped they didn't kick her out because that would make things difficult.

Alex paused at the front door. Walking in was probably too overconfident; she didn't live in the house anymore. She settled for knocking and frowned when no one answered. Alex looked in the windows and realised that no one was home. The idea of waiting on the front porch was daunting, but the door was locked. Glancing around, Alex used her magic to flick the lock. The door swung open, and silence greeted her.

The house hadn't changed. The furniture was the same, the photos on the walls, shoes by the door, jackets on the hook. Alex walked slowly through the entrances toward the kitchen and paused when she noticed the family phone. Alex's parents, Miranda and Grayson, stood with Alex, Elena and Jeremy. Alex had her arms around her siblings while their parents hugged them all from behind. The wide smiles were genuine, as had been the laughter that followed when Matt Donovan—Elena's boyfriend at the time—had tripped over his own feet as he walked towards them. That day was probably the last happy day they had all had together.

Alex found herself reaching up to touch the picture and tears welling in her eyes.

The lock of the front door clicked and swung open.

Alex turned and paused as four familiar faces walked inside.

"Easy. Grab the door, Jer," said Matt Donovan.

He was holding Jenna's arm over his shoulder, supporting her as he helped her through the door.

Jenna sighed. "Hey, stop fussing. I'm fine." She was holding the side of her stomach, wincing slightly.

"The doctor said that you have to take it easy," said Elena. She was carrying a few bags.

Jeremy said, "Yeah, you don't want to rip your stitches, haemorrhage and die, alright?"

It was Jeremy who spotted Alex first. He froze and dropped the keys in his hand. The others paused and noticed his reaction.

"Jeremy?" asked Elena.

Jeremy's eyes looked confused. As he stared at Alex, his mouth opened slightly before it closed.

Elena's eyes widened in shock. "Alex?"