No Way Out | Teen Wolf & The Vampire Diaries

Chapter 34

"Hi dad," I greet, my voice raspy. I'm a mess, also surrounded by mess. Currently, I'm half-buried beneath my duvet on my bed, surrounded by crumpled tissues, textbooks, highlighters, my open laptop, lindt chocolate truffle wrappers, and empty cups and bowls.

"Nylah, it's good to hear from you!" dad exclaims cheerfully. "How are you? What have you been up to?"

I swallow heavily, my throat sore and raw from crying. "I'm good, thank you," I respond, lying through my teeth. "It's been incredible here. The ball that the Mikaelsons hosted on the first day was amazing, and I explored Mystic Falls with Elijah, Klaus, and Kol yesterday."

"That all sounds great. And your grandmother? What's she like?"

"She's a formidable woman," I utter, an array of rustling sounds accompanying my answer as I yank my blanket under my chin and turn onto my side. "Very welcoming." Until she wasn't.

"Ah, lovely. Well, I just called to check up on you. Are you coming home soon?"

"Yes, I think so. Maybe the day after tomorrow?"

"Perfect."

"I've been catching up on schoolwork just fine," I inform him, not knowing what else to say about Mystic Falls. Instinctually, I glance at the numerous emails my teachers have sent me for revision. There's so much to do.

I can sense dad smiling. "I have no doubt you have." There's a crash in the background. "Allison, please!" he yells.

I hear a soft "Sorry dad!"

I smile weakly, rubbing my stinging eyes. "What's going on over there?"

"Your sister and your friends are trying to investigate this Melissa... uh, no... Maria... ah, Malia Tate girl, and for some reason they need tranquilliser darts to do so. Something about a coyote..."

"Oh." I frown, puzzled. Who's this now? I swipe down on my notification gallery, scanning a few messages mentioning this girl on the "Scott's Wolfpack" group. Ah. I've missed a few things. "Well... um... good luck?"

"Thank you, Nylah. Bye-bye. I love you."

"I love you too. Take care."

"You too." There's another thud in the background. "Allison, for the love of Pete!!" dad exclaims, exasperated. Chuckling feebly, I hang up.

With a heavy sigh, I allow the back of my head to hit the wall. I hate how everything got so screwed up. Elijah disappeared this morning to go and run some "errands", Rebekah and Klaus are occupied with investigating something relating to a White Oak tree, and Kol, Finn, and Esther have fled to goodness knows where.

Marie has been checking up on me constantly, which I really appreciate. She isn't being paid to babysit — she's doing this out of the goodness of her heart. She's a very special woman.

I haven't been bearing this like my family has been. I don't know how they're so strong — they almost died, at their mother's hands no less, and they're braving the day.

I, however, am not.

I've spent the entire day in bed. When I'm not crying, I'm studying for tests and catching up on the lessons I've missed. And then, occasionally, I'll watch a few episodes of Gilmore Girls in the Mansion's cinema (yes, can you believe it?) because I need a distraction.

***

The following day, I make an attempt to clean myself up. I just had a steaming hot bath and did my skincare. Dressed in grey jogging bottoms, fluffy socks, and a cardigan, I trudge down the polished marble stairs.