Try {One | Alaric Saltzman}

Know Thy Enemy

"Hello, Elena," Isobel said, ignoring the other stunned figures in the foyer. "It's nice to see you again."

Jenna looked to the left. "Again?"

Elena didn't respond, lapping them back into the sour mood of the afternoon.

"I need to speak to you, Elena," Isobel pressed on. "May I come in?"

Abigail stepped forward. "No, no. Don't... don't invite her in."

"Well, well, Abigail." Isobel looked her up and down with narrowed eyes and a downward smile. "You have gotten used to all of this haven't you?"

Jenna spun around. "Abigail? Wh-"

Isobel's voice broke through hers, "I need to talk to you, Elena."

Elena slammed the door. "No!"

"You all knew she was alive?" Jenna cried. "Alaric? John? They knew?"

"I can explain everything, Jenna."

"No."

She took off up the stairs, ignoring every plea they made.

Through Jenna's bedroom door, Elena cried, "Jenna, you have to talk to me. I-I need to explain what's going on."

There was no response.

Abigail lifted a weak hand through tears, using it to steer her little sister to her bedroom.

Alaric arrived the next morning, meeting Abigail with a small, sad smile. "Hey. Were you able to tell her anything?"

"Nothing." She could not hold back a sigh as she ran her hands through her hair. "She won't come out of her room."

Jenna came down the stairs then, stomping so loudly Abigail was sure the neighbors could hear her.

Alaric stepped inside. "Jenna-"

"I don't want you here, Alaric." She picked up her keys. "You need to go."

"Okay, listen. I can't begin to imagine what you must be feeling right now, but-"

"Rage and betrayal would pretty much cover it."

As she reached for the door, Abigail asked, "Where are you going?"

"I'm going to stay on campus. I have a thesis to write, and I don't want to be in this house."

"Jenna, please, just stop. Let us explain what's going on."

"I don't have it in me to hear any more lies from any of you." She opened the door. "Don't forget to go to the Lockwood's today to accept the Historical Society's check for your mom's foundation."

"Jenna, please-"

She slammed the door.

"Let her go," John said from behind them. "It's better that she's not here, what with everything that's going on? But maybe had you been a little more honest with her from the beginning, this-"

Alaric knocked him to the ground with a right hook, storming out of the front door without so much as a goodbye.

Elena looked down at him. "You know this is your fault, right?"

"Right."

Abigail followed Stefan up the stairs an hour later. There was some good in the news he delivered, but the bad far overshadowed the fact that Bonnie had her powers back and Damon knew where to take her to harness more power. They stood with Elena now, their plan on that had not been formed.

"Ah, this is bad." Elena shook her head. "Between Isobel and Jenna and now Matt, this is disaster bad."

Stefan sighed, "Yeah."