𝐞𝐩𝐢𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐲 | 𝐭𝐯𝐝

-5-

River's POV

I was able to sleep for the first time in years last night. After my usual nightmare, I suddenly found comfort and felt safe. I woke up in an empty bed, making me frown, but I quickly got over it and brushed my teeth then walked down the hall. Stefan's door was open and I heard him talking to Damon. "Hi." I greeted, standing in the doorway. "Hey. Can you please tell your ex-boyfriend how stupid he is for taking Elena camping in the woods and starting her off with animal blood? It's gonna crash and fail. I say, let her be a vampire and then pull her back. Or better yet, teach her control!" Damon glared at his brother. "You're stupid." I agreed.

"Ouch. And no, I'm not. If I can get Elena used to animal blood right out the gate maybe she'll be able to bypass all the things that we went through. She won't be able to handle it if she hurts someone, River. Her compassion is her Achilles heel and everything is magnified right now." He told me. I bit the inside of my cheek. "You're stupid, Stefan," I told him again. He got quiet. "Thank you! See, River agrees." Damon scoffed. I rolled my eyes when Stefan struggled to close his small bag and walked over to him.

I put my arm over his, forcing him to move it away and I zipped it up. I turned back towards him. "You look like a bloody wreck." I glanced at Damon. "Both of you," I added. His smile dropped. I picked up his bag and looked at Stefan. "Here. And fix your hair." I crinkled my nose. Stefan rolled his eyes. "Always correcting my appearance, River."

"That's right." I smiled cockily and pressed the bag to his chest. If it weren't given the circumstances, I would reach
across and kiss his cheek before he left or maybe have gone with him. Hunting with Stefan? I'm not into animals, but I'd try for him. Our eyes stayed locked as we fought out own wars in our heads. "Okay, okay, break it up." Damon intercepted. I turned around and walked towards the door. "Where are you going?" Stefan asked. "Out." I shrugged. Even I had no clue where my feet were going to take me.

However, I still went to my room and changed (outfit above). I applied light mascara and highlight, then braided my hair into two parts and slipped on sandals, then walked downstairs. "I said stop it!" Stefan grabbed Damon's arm and Damon immediately went to pull it off. "Hey!" I shouted. Stefan pulled his hand away. "Stop acting like little kids! You aren't five anymore." I scowled. "You weren't even alive when I was five." Damon huffed. "Well, you acted like it, even in your twenties. Now, let Stefan do what he thinks is right. If it crashes, then it'll be his fault. If it doesn't, Stefan gets to say an 'I told you so' and we move on." I pointed out.

I felt a presence behind me. "Ready to go?" Elena asked. Stefan walked past me, our shoulders brushing on the way. It felt like a goodbye. Like moving on. I felt goosebumps form on my arms. "See you later, okay? Don't run away again." Stefan grabbed my wrist to turn me around. I know he was joking, yet it didn't seem like it. I refused to turn but nodded. "Vampires eat humans. It's part of the natural food pyramid. Trust me, you're going to be miserable." Damon warned Elena. She gulped and they walked out. I punched Damon's shoulder. "Ow!" He hissed.

I ended up going to my car and driving to the Grill. A few drinks can't hurt. Maybe I'll see that man from before. What was his name? Alaric?

Damon must have followed me because he was inside 5 minutes after I arrived. He sat down next to me and reached over the counter for a bottle of bourbon. "Stalking me now, Damon?" I glared. "Don't flatter yourself, River. Just getting a drink." He remarked. We began taking shots and reminiscing on old times.

"Remember when we snuck out of the backyard and messed with the horses? Stefan was so mad that we left him." Damon laughed. "And when we had to run from the blacksmiths! They chased us with horseshoes!" I continued. "Sorry to interrupt, but I need to talk to you." A woman requested, looking at Damon.

The woman had short blonde and gray hair with dark eyes. She looked older, maybe 40, and wore a sheriff outfit. Her name tag said "Forbes." She threw a newspaper in front of Damon and moved to his side that had an empty seat. Damon took the paper and read the headline, "'Faulty gas line leads to a tragic explosion at Young farm.' Really?" He scoffed. She looked at me, alarmed. "She's fine. This is River Ambrose. River, this is Sheriff Forbes." Damon introduced. "Ambrose? As in Royce?" The woman questioned, shaking my hand. "Who?"

"Royce Ambrose. She's a descent from your line. She's Mallory Ambrose's great-great-great-great- something granddaughter. I thought you might know her..." Forbes informed. Mallory had kids? "N-no, I had no clue. Mallory was my sister. I never knew she-"

"Anyway, that title was better than 'Town Council blew up. Police have no suspects.' Unless the perpetrator is right next to me." Forbes looked at Damon. "Well, don't look at me. I always take credit for killing people." He chuckled, taking a swig of his drink. "Seriously, stop looking at me like that, Liz. If I was going to kill twelve people, I wouldn't blow them up, I'd have a dinner party."

I took a final shot. I drank the liquid like it was water. "Well, this is none of my business. I'll be leaving then. It was nice to meet you, Mrs." I stood up. The sheriff looked relieved for my departure. "What? No, come back." Damon complained. "I'd rather not, to be honest. I'll see you later, Damon. You need to talk to her privately." I shook hands with the lady once again and walked towards the door.

I decided to go to the old grounds. The old town, which was overtaken by trees and vines, still had ruins of our old homes. My chest was heavy when I drove into the area. I parked and looked around. There were still some standing chimneys but with no doubt, if I pushed it, it would fall.

It smelled like mold and animal droppings, making me nearly gag. I looked at Stefan's chimney and smiled, then walked into what was the backyard.

I walked deep into the woods, all the way until I reached an oak tree.