Ace of Hearts

5

Welcome to Mystic Falls! The sign greets as we drive down on the small road. I tap my foot anxiously as the pull I've been feeling in my chest becomes infinitely stronger. It's like my senses all went into overdrive. Every sight, sound, and even smell are heightened from my excitement and nerves.

A piece of me feels like a child returning from summer camp—like I'm finally home. Although Mystic Falls is definitely not my home, it's the closest I've come to feeling like it in quite a while, and who knows? Maybe one day, it will be home to me. "How come you never brought me here before?" I question my dad as I stare out the window with awe.

"It's my secret spot to come and write." He tells me with a chuckle. "Plus, you know how your mother is about me taking you to places with weird histories."

"She thinks it's impractical." I tell him dryly. She always thought that if you were to go somewhere it should be to do work or learn something new. Unfortunately she doesn't see the spooky and supernatural as viable learning topics. I know better than to bring up anything involving mom given the current situation, which leads me to ask. "So are we getting food or stopping by the apartment first?"

"Well, considering the chatter that's been coming from your stomach, I was thinking food first." He laughs as he nudges me with his elbow. "There's the local grill that has some pretty great burgers."

"Food sounds good to me and my stomach." I reply with a smile and urge my dad to tell me everything he knows about the town in the hopes of keeping his mind off of things.

It works like a charm. He continues to drive into town as he informs me of the entire town's history. "It was also home to some major Civil War activity, but I'm more interested in the spooky side of it all. From what records I've dug up, they've had a strange number of 'animal attacks' which resulted in victims being drained of blood."

"Are you saying this place might actually have vampires?" I question with a unbelieving smile. Everyone knows that vampires, werewolves, and all that supernatural stuff are only stories. "You know that's a bit of a stretch, Dad. Even for the two of us."

"Nothing is ever impossible, Ophelia. The moment you think something is, everything will conspire to prove you wrong."

I roll my eyes at my dad's eccentric thoughts as the car pulls to a stop outside of a small, well-lit restaurant, which stands out against the rest of the closed shops. It, like most of the town, is a little bit worn but still well-kept. "The whole town is so quiet." I whisper to my dad as we walk inside, and the sheer amount of noise and people nearly make me stumble. "Correction—outside is quiet."

"Come on, kiddo." I follow my dad along and watch all around me as we take our seats at the bar.

Everything in the restaurant has that small, 'hometown' feel. From all the rustic lighting and chairs, to the worn leather booths, and the pool table, it's the place you only come across once. I watch the people in their seats— some are laughing, others play pool, a group in the corner booth whisper with tense looks. They're the ones that hold my attention the most. Although I'm forced to break away from them when my dad starts talking to me again.

That's also when I notice the familiar face running around behind the bar. "Jeremy?" I call to the brown haired boy, who turns around in confusion. "Jeremy Gilbert." A chuckle escapes my lips at the look of wonder on his face. "I was not expecting to see you here."

"What are you talking about? I live here. The better question is what are you doing here?" Jeremy questions with a small laugh as he shakes his head.

I nod my head towards my dad, who looks between the two of us incredulously. "I'm staying with my dad for a little while." I lean back against the bar stool and shake my head. "It's so weird to see here. The only thing missing is Kol popping up to deliver another dose of his nauseating charm."