Redamancy | Elena Gilbert

Chapter 8

They were heading back two months later.

Rosalind had done everything in her power to settle all affairs so that they could eventually move back to Mystic Falls. She sold her father's store to one of his most trusted employees, and collected the money to finish paying off other debts.

She organized his belongings, discarding what was no longer useful, keeping other things for herself, and letting Tyler go through his clothes to see what he wanted before she took it to be donated. She kept most of her father's jackets, and nearly all of the hoodies as well. The shoes were too worn out for Tyler to use.

She worked like crazy trying to save money. She kept her job as a lifeguard, but worked several hours at the carpentry shop where Brady had been situated, to help the business while they waited to hire his replacement. She worked at the movie theater and comic book store for the same reason, making up for Stevie's absence. Thankfully, Jules handled everything else for the other pack members, to lessen the burden on Rosalind.

Every day, she called her aunt to let her know Tyler was doing fine. He was attending school, keeping up with his sports, learning to feel more comfortable in his changing body. Carol didn't understand what had changed in Tyler, she just knew that he seemed to need this, and did her best to not ask too many questions.

Tyler seemed happy, which is what mattered to Rosalind. He wasn't keeping up with his old friends, rather making new friendships and trying to see how to best function as a teenage werewolf. He came home every day to find Rosalind rushing in from work to make him something to eat before heading out for her next shift. He'd never known a life like that, where one actually had to be working constantly just to survive financially.

Every day, she made sure he ate, that he had a packed lunch, and a warm meal awaiting him before he got to doing his homework. It was a good distraction for her, having to care for someone other than herself. She got her chance to grieve without constant questions, and still managed to learn how to continue living without her father at her side. The one thing she didn't have to worry about was figuring out how the hell to get Tyler under her insurance. With his wolf healing, he wouldn't need it.

As their two month stay in Florida came to an end, they began to pack, and arranged to leave the apartment the day before the full moon, so they could spend it in Mystic Falls. Carol was delighted to hear they were coming back, and had been insisting on a welcome home party, which Tyler politely declined.

Jules decided to come with them, using the extra space in her car so that Rosalind's wouldn't be too heavy and put them at risk of something malfunctioning in the vehicle. Both Lockwoods were happy for her company, leading the way as Jules drove behind them at a slower pace.

"So, you can go back to school for the remaining weeks," said Rosalind. "Finish up your junior year strong, and then enjoy the summer... aside from full moons where we'll be in the cellar."

"How will it work if you trigger your curse?" asked Tyler worriedly. "There isn't enough room there for the both of us. We'll kill each other."

She shrugged, keeping her eyes on the road. "I don't know. But I'm going to try to not trigger my curse. Until we can ensure you have yourself under control on full moons, with minimal pain, I am not going to do anything that might lead me to trigger my curse. I already cut back on drinking and drugs and sugar... I'm keeping busier... some part of that has to work. Nobody's dying at my hands. I have myself under control."

Tyler leaned back in his seat. "Maybe we should just try one day to... let me roam free. Not in Mystic Falls, but we could go into the woods somewhere far away. See what that's like."