The Vampire Diaries: Dark Reunion Chapter Nine

And so, ladies and gentlemen, I give you the class of 92 comme il faut threw her treetop into the air along with every unmatchable else. We made it, she panorama. Whatever happens tonight, Matt and Me ceriseith and I made it to graduation. T here had been multiplication this last school year when she had seriously doubted they would.Considering Sues death, fair had expected the graduation ceremony to be listless or grim. Instead, on that point was a sort of excited excitement about it. As if everyone was celebrating being alive-before it was too late.It glowering into rowdiness as parents surged forward and the senior class of Robert E. Lee fragmented in exclusively directions, whooping and acting up. Bonnie retrieved her cap and because looked up into her mothers camera lens.Act normal, thats whats important, she told herself. She caught a glimpse of Elenas aunt Judith and Robert Maxwell, the man auntie Judith had recently married, standing on the sidelines. Robert was hol ding Elenas little sister, Margaret, by the hand. When they saw her, they smiled bravely, but she felt uncomfortable when they came her way.Oh, Miss Gilbert-I mean, Mrs. Maxwell-you shouldnt have, she said as Aunt Judith handed her a sm in all nosegay of pink roses.Aunt Judith smiled through the tears in her eyes. This would have been a very special day for Elena, she said. I loss it to be special for you and Meredith, too.Oh, Aunt Judith. Impulsively, Bonnie threw her arms about the older woman. Im so sorry, she whispered. You make love how much.We all miss her, Aunt Judith said. Then she pulled back and smiled again and the three of them left. Bonnie turned from looking at them with a lump in her throat to look at the madly celebrating crowd.There was Ray Hernandez, the boy shed gone to Homecoming with, inviting every be to a party at his ho subprogram that night. There was Tylers friend Dick Carter, making a fool of himself as usual. Tyler was smiling brazenly as his father took word-painting after picture. Matt was listening, with an unimpressed look, to close to football recruiter from James Mason University. Meredith was standing progressby, holding a bouquet of red roses and looking pensive.Vickie wasnt there. Her parents had kept her home, motto she was in no state to go out. Caroline wasnt there either. She was staying in the apartment in Heron. Her mother had told Bonnies mother she had the flu, but Bonnie knew the truth. Caroline was scared.And possibly shes right, Bonnie thought, moving toward Meredith. Caroline may be the only one of us to make it through next week.Look normal, act normal. She reached Merediths group. Meredith was wrapping the red-and-black tassel from her cap around the bouquet, twisting it between elegant, nervous fingers.Be careful with that youll ruin it, she said aloud.Merediths look of thoughtful melancholy didnt change. She went on staring(a) at the tassel, kinking it up. It doesnt front fair, she said, that we should get these and Elena shouldnt. Its wrong.I know its awful, Bonnie said. except she kept her tone light. I wish there was something we could do about it, but we brush offt.Its all wrong, Meredith went on, as if she hadnt perceive. Here we are out in the sunlight, graduating, and there she is under that-stone.I know, I know, Bonnie said in a soothing tone. Meredith, youre getting yourself all upset. Why dont you try to think about something else? Look, after you go out to dinner with your parents, do you want to go to Raymonds party? Even if were not invited, we can crash it.No Meredith said with startling vehemence. I dont want to go to any party. How can you even think of that, Bonnie? How can you be so shallow?Well, weve got to do something Ill set up you what Im doing. Im expiration up to the cemetery after dinner. Im passage to put this on Elenas grave. Shes the one who deserves it. Merediths knuckles were white as she shake the tassel in her hand.Meredith, dont be a n idiot. You cant go up there, especially at night. Thats crazy. Matt would say the same thing.Well, Im not asking Matt. Im not asking anybody. Im liberation by myself.You cant. God, Meredith, I always thought you had some brains-And I always thought you had some sensitivity. But obviously you dont even want to think about Elena. Or is it just because you want her old boyfriend for yourself?Bonnie slapped her.It was a good hard slap, with plenty of energy behind it. Meredith drew in a keen breath, one hand to her reddening cheek. Everyone around them was staring.Thats it for you, Bonnie McCullough, Meredith said after a moment, in a voice of deadly quiet. I dont ever want to let out to you again. She turned on her heel and walk of lifeed awayNever would be too soon for me Bonnie shouted at her retreating back.Eyes were hastily averted as Bonnie looked around her. But there was no question that she and Meredith had been the center of attention for several minutes past. Bonnie bit the inside of her cheek to keep a straight face and walked over to Matt, who had lost the recruiter.Good.Do you think the slap was too much? We didnt really plan that I was just sort of going with the moment. Maybe it was too obviousIt was fine, just fine. Matt was looking preoccupied. non that dull, apathetic, turned-in look of the last few months, but distinctly abstracted.What is it? Something wrong with the plan? Bonnie said.No, no. Listen, Bonnie, Ive been thinking. You were the one to discover Mr. Tanners body in the Haunted House last Halloween, right?Bonnie was startled. She gave an involuntary shiver of distaste. Well, I was the first one to know he was dead, really dead, instead of just playing his scene. Why on earth do you want to talk about that now?Because maybe you can answer this question. Could Mr. Tanner have got a knife in Damon?What?Well, could he?I Bonnie blinked and frowned. Then she shrugged. I suppose so. Sure. It was a Druid cave in scene, remember, and t he knife we used was a real knife. We talked about using a fake one, but since Mr. Tanner was going to be lying right there beside it, we figured it was safe enough. As a matter of fact Bonnies frown deepened. I think when I found the body, the knife was in a dissimilar place from where wed set it in the set about. But then, some kid could have moved it. Matt, why are you asking?Just something Damon said to me, Matt said, staring off into the distance again. I wondered if it could be the truth.Oh. Bonnie waited for him to say more(prenominal), but he didnt. Well, she said finally, if its all cleared up, can you come back to Earth, transport? And dont you think you should maybe put your arm around me? Just to show youre on my side and theres no chance youre going to show up at Elenas grave tonight with Meredith?Matt snorted, but the faraway look disappeared from his eyes. For just a brief instant he put his arm around her and squeezed.D..j. vu, Meredith thought as she stood at th e gate to the cemetery. The problem was, she couldnt remember exactly which of her previous experiences in the graveyard this night reminded her of. There had been so many.In a way, it had all started here. It had been here that Elena had sworn not to rest until Stefan belonged to her. Shed made Bonnie and Meredith swear to help her, too -in blood. How suitable, Meredith thought now.And it had been here that Tyler had assaulted Elena the night of the Homecoming dance. Stefan had come to the rescue, and that had been the beginning for them. This graveyard had affectn a lot.This graveyard had been the beginning, and the end as well. And maybe there would be another end tonight.Meredith started walking.I wish you were here now, Alaric, she thought. I could use your optimism and your savvy about the supernatural-and I wouldnt mind your muscles, either.Elenas headstone was in the new cemetery, of course, where the grass was still tended and the graves marked with wreaths of flowers. The stone was very simple, almost bailiwick looking, with a brief inscription. Meredith bent run through and placed her bouquet of roses in front of it. Then, slowly, she added the red-and-black tassel from her cap. In this dim light, both colors looked the same, bid dried blood. She knelt and folded her hand quietly. And she waited.All around her the cemetery was still. It seemed to be waiting with her, breath held in anticipation. The rows of white stones stretched on either side of her, shining faintly. Meredith listened for any sound.And then she heard one. Heavy footsteps.With her head blast, she stayed quiet, pretending she noticed nothing.The footsteps sounded closer, not even bothering to be stealthy.Hi, Meredith.Meredith looked around quickly. Oh-Tyler, she said. You scared me. I thought you were-never mind.Yeah? Tylers lips skinned back in an unsettling grin. Well, Im sorry youre disappointed. But its me, just me and nobody else.What are you doing here, Tyler? No good pa rties?I could ask you the same question. Tylers eyes dropped to the headstone and the tassel and his face darkened. But I guess I already know the answer. Youre here for her. Elena Gilbert, A Light in Darkness, he read sarcastically.Thats right, Meredith said evenly. Elena means light, you know. And she was certainly surrounded by darkness. It almost beat her, but she won in the end.Maybe, Tyler said, and worked his jaw meditatively, squinting. But you know, Meredith, its a funny thing about darkness. Theres always more of it waiting in the wings.Like tonight, Meredith said, looking up at the sky. It was clear and dotted with faint stars. Its very dark tonight, Tyler. But sooner or later the sun leave behind come up.Just like he showed Elena, Meredith thought. In a way she was enjoying this verbal fencing, but she never lost sight of what she had come here for. Her icy fingers dipped into her jacket pocket and found the tiny sprig of vervain there. Thats all right, Tyler. I think Id prefer to stay here.You sure about that? A cemeterys a dangerous place to be alone.Unquiet spirits, Meredith thought. She looked right at him. I know.He was grinning again, displaying teeth like tombstones. Anyway, you can see it from here if you have good eyes. Look that way, toward the old graveyard. Now, do you see something sort of shining red in the middle?No. There was a nauseous luminosity over the trees in the east. Meredith kept her eyes on it.Aw, come on, Meredith. Youre not trying. Once the moons up youll see it better.Tyler, I cant waste any more time here. Im going.No, youre not, he said. And then, as her fingers tightened on the vervain, encompassing it in her fist, he added in a wheedling voice, I mean, youre not going until I tell you the story of that headstone, are you? Its a great story. See, the headstone is made of red marble, the only one of its kind in the whole graveyard. And that ball on top-see it?-that mustiness weigh about a ton. But it moves. It tu rns whenever a Smallwood is going to die. My grandfather didnt believe that he put a scratch on it right stack the front. He used to come out and check it every month or so. Then one day he came and found the scratch in the rear. The ball had turned completely backward. He did everything he could to turn it around, but he couldnt. It was too heavy. And that night, in bed, he died. They buried him under it.He belike had a heart attack from overexertion, Meredith said caustically, but her palms were tingling.Youre funny, arent you? Always so cool. Always so together. Takes a lot to make you scream, doesnt it?Im leaving, Tyler. Ive had enough.He let her walk a few paces, then said, You screamed that night at Carolines, though, didnt you?Meredith turned back. How do you know that?Tyler rolled his eyes. Give me credit for a little intelligence, okay? I know a lot, Meredith. For instance, I know whats in your pocket.Merediths fingers stilled. What do you mean?Meredith backed away a step .You think thats going to help you, dont you? But Im going to tell you a secret.Merediths eyes measured the distance between herself and the path. She kept her face calm, but a violent shaking was beginning inside her. She didnt know if she was going to be able to pull this off.Youre not going anywhere, babe, Tyler said, and a large hand clasped Merediths wrist. It was hot and damp where she could feel it below her jacket cuff. Youre going to stay right here for your surprise. His body was hunched now, his head thrust forward, and there was an exultant leer on his lips.Let me go, Tyler. Youre hurting me Panic flashed down all Merediths nerves at the feel of Tylers flesh against hers. But the hand only gripped harder, grinding tendon against bone in her wrist.This is a secret, baby, that nobody else knows, Tyler said, displace her close, his breath hot in her face. You came here all decked out against vampires. But Im not a vampire.Merediths heart was pounding. Let goFirst I want yo u to look over there. You can see the headstone now, he said, turning her so that she couldnt help but look. And he was right she could see it, like a red monument with a shining globe on top. Or-not a globe. That marble ball looked like it looked likeNow look east. What do you see there, Meredith? Tyler went on, his voice hoarse with excitement.It was the full moon. It had risen while hed been talking to her, and now it hung above the hills, perfectly round and enormously distended, a huge and swollen red ball.And that was what the headstone looked like. Like a full moon dripping with blood.You came here protected against vampires, Meredith, Tyler said from behind her, even more hoarsely. But the Smallwoods arent vampires at all. Were something else.And then he growled.No human throat could have made the sound. It wasnt an imitation of an animal it was real. A vicious guttural snarl that went up and up, snapping Merediths head around to look at him, to stare in disbelief. What she was seeing was so horrible her mind couldnt accept itI told you it was a surprise. How do you like it? Tyler said. His voice was slow with saliva, and his red tongue lolled among the rows of long canine teeth. His face wasnt a face anymore. It jutted out grotesquely into a muzzle, and his eyes were yellow, with slitlike pupils. His reddish-sandy hair had grown over his cheeks and down the back of his neck. A pelt. You can scream all you want up here and nobodys going to hear you, he added.Every muscle in Merediths body was rigid, trying to get away from him. It was a visceral reaction, one she couldnt have helped if she wanted to. His breath was so hot, and it smelled feral, like an animal. The nails he was digging into her wrist were short blackened claws. She didnt have the strength to scream again.Theres other things besides vampires with a taste for blood, Tyler said in his new slurping voice. And I want to taste yours. But first were going to have some fun.Although he still s tood on two feet, his body was humped and strangely distorted. Merediths struggles were feeble as he forced her to the ground. She was a strong girl, but he was far stronger, his muscles bunching under his shirt as he pinned her.Youve always been too good for me, havent you? Well, now youre going to pay back out what youve been missing.I cant breathe, Meredith thought wildly. His arm was across her throat, blocking her air. Gray waves rolled through her brain. If she passed out nowYoure going to wish you died as immediate as Sue. Tylers face floated above her, red as the moon, with that long tongue lolling. His other hand held her arms above her head. You ever hear the story of miniature Red Riding Hood?The gray was turning into blackness, speckled with little lights. Like stars, Meredith thought. Im falling in the starsTyler, take your hands off her Let go of her, now Matts voice shouted.Tylers slavering snarl broke off into a surprised whine. The arm against Merediths throat r eleased pressure, and air rushed into her lungs.Footsteps were pounding around her. Ive been waiting a long time to do this, Tyler, Matt said, jerking the sandy-red head back by the hair. Then Matts fist smashed into Tylers newly grown muzzle. Blood spurted from the mean animal nose.The sound Tyler made froze Merediths heart in her chest. He sprang at Matt, twisting in midair, claws outstretched. Matt fell back under the assault and Meredith, dizzy, tried to push herself up off the ground. She couldnt all her muscles were trembling uncontrollably. But someone else picked Tyler off Matt as if Tyler weighed no more than a doll.Just like old times, Tyler, Stefan said, setting Tyler on his feet and facing him.Tyler stared a minute, then tried to run.He was fast, dodging with animal agility between the rows of graves. But Stefan was faster and apologise him off.Stefan was dragging Tyler back. I always knew you were a jerk, he said, shoving Tyler against a headstone, but I didnt know y ou were this stupid. Id have thought you would have learned not to burst forth girls in graveyards, but no. And you had to brag about what you did to Sue, too. That wasnt smart, Tyler.Meredith looked at them as they faced each other. So different, she thought. Even though they were both creatures of darkness in some way. Stefan was pale, his green eyes blazing with anger and menace, but there was a dignity, almost a purity about him. He was like some stern angel carved in unyielding marble. Tyler just looked like a trapped animal. He was crouched, breathing hard, blood and saliva mingling on his chest. Those yellow eyes glittered with hate and fear, and his fingers worked as if hed like to claw something. A low sound came out of his throat.Dont worry, Im not going to beat you up this time, Stefan said. Not unless you try to get away. Were all going up to the church to have a little chat. You like to tell stories, Tyler well, youre going to tell me one now.Tyler sprang at him, vault ing straight from the ground for Stefans throat. But Stefan was ready for him. Meredith suspected that both Stefan and Matt enjoyed the next few minutes, working off their accumulated aggressions, but she didnt, so she looked away.In the end, Tyler was trussed up with nylon cord. He could walk, or shuffle at least, and Stefan held the back of his shirt and guided him urgently up the path to the church.Inside, Stefan pushed Tyler onto the ground near the open tomb. Now, he said, we are going to talk. And youre going to cooperate, Tyler, or youre going to bevery, very sorry.