Swan Diaries (crossover between Twilight and The Vampire Diaries)

N I N E ∘ Big Bad Wolf

POV: BELLA MIKAELSON
Saturday, November 4 2017
(flashback of Sunday, December 18 1949)

The dark walls of our home were lit by a fireplace in the parlor. The house was empty, and I sat alone as I waited.

I heard him and the others outside. He came inside first, and I knew I only had a few seconds to accomplish what I had to do before the rest of them followed him in.

I held the white oak stake firmly in my hand and crept toward the hallway. As soon as he was turned toward the liquor cabinet, I made my move.

The wood pierced his heart through his back, and as if all my senses had returned at that moment, I screamed.

My brother-in-law faced me with a shocked and betrayed expression. His light brown eyes tortured me.

I didn't risk wasting any time for an audience to witness what I'd done. I ran out the back door, and even the muffled cries from my family couldn't stop me.

I awoke gasping, clutching my chest. After a moment of awareness came over me, I sighed. If only there were a spell to stop the nightmares.

But it wasn't just a nightmare. It was a memory. That devastating moment from sixty-eight years ago is why the Original Family is after me. Every time I close my eyes, I see my crime all over again.

I shook my head of the dark thoughts and focused on the present.

It was Saturday. I hadn't gone to school in a few days. I'd been telling myself I needed to get started on my project—as I'd taken to calling my situation—but if I was being honest, I was trying my best to keep some distance between myself and the odd family I met. The Cullens. Not that I've had any interaction with them apart from Edward and the doctor.

Aaron was gone most hours of the day. Apparently, being a high school gym coach was a very busy job. I knew he was probably just avoiding me—a stranger living in the bedroom next to his. I hadn't compelled him since I asked about the Cullens, so his brain was finally starting to realize it was being messed with.

I didn't blame him. I felt a little bad for barging into his life, but it was a means to an end. Besides, I wasn't actively hurting the man. Just... keeping secrets. Using him as a cover.

I decided to take a break from writing a new grimoire, so I grabbed the truck keys and drove to a hiking trail.

The breeze was nice. It helped me clear my head.

I bet if Bonnie were here, she would've already figured out what was going on and how to get back home. I sighed, realizing how much I missed her and the rest of my friends back in Mystic Falls. It's been almost three years since I'd seen them.

When Klaus found out about Elena's existence in 2010, I had to flee Mystic Falls. I couldn't go back until he blackmailed Stefan into leaving with him after saving his brother, Damon, and that was only to explain why I bailed. Since then, I'd only visited a handful of times.

Last I heard, Damon and Enzo—Damon's close friend and Bonnie's long-term boyfriend—were missing. Even if I were able to reach out to her, she'd probably be too busy looking for them to help.

My train of thought came to a halt when I heard a loud growl about fifty meters behind me.

I turned around slowly, lifting my hand in case I had to defend myself with magic.

I knew I was in shock, but I could swear my heart skipped a beat.

Right there in front of me stood something I'd never seen nor heard of before.