୧‿̩͙ ˖︵ ꕀ⠀ ♱⠀ ꕀ ︵˖ ‿̩͙୨
Chapter Two

II. 'struck by reality'

"How exactly does this work again?"

Standing in the living room of her Aunt's new friend, who happened to be a vampire hunter, Nancy lifted the crossbow in her hand, which was pointed at a stuffed bear. One eye closed as she squinted the other, the arrow in place. Her gaze shifted to the arrow she had shot previously, which was now stuck in his wall.

"It works by focusing on your target and getting the aim right." Henry Barlowe, the middle-aged man, stood behind Nancy, his dark brown eyes watching her. "Try again. With both eyes open this time."

From his place, he observed her, examining how she held the weapon. Although he was confident that he had taught her everything. It was always necessary to go back over the essentials.

Watching as Nancy closed one eye again, Henry sighed. "Both eyes open, Nancy. What does having one eye open help you?" he said, stepping forward, placing a hand on her forearm, and gently lowering the crossbow. "You need both eyes open to have better vision, therefore, better aim."

Nancy exhaled a sigh. "Okay.." she muttered, her gaze shifting between the crossbow and the stuffed animal across the room.

She inhaled a quiet breath, bringing the crossbow back up, this time with both eyes open. She tried to ignore Henry's presence right behind her, as her mind focused on the target in front of her. Henry stepped forward before he adjusted her stance with slight taps to her shoulders and legs. His hand moved to hold her forearms, ensuring she had a firm grip on the crossbow's stock. 

"See the target in front of you. Feel the weight of the crossbow in your hands. Don't think about anything else around you. Just that target."

Nancy nodded, taking in his words. She took another deep breath, centering herself, her mind clearing of distractions. She aimed the crossbow again, this time with a new sense of focus. The target seemed clearer, the room around her fading into the background. Her grip on the crossbow felt more natural, her body instinctively adjusting to Henry's minor corrections.

As Nancy focused on the stuffed animal, her mind wandered. The once harmless toy transformed into the likeness of none other than Damon Salvatore. His cocky smirk, his intense eyes, every detail becoming vividly clear in her mind.

Nancy's grip on the crossbow tightened, her target not just a stuffed creature anymore, but a manifestation of the snarky vampire who loved to push her buttons.

The shift in her mindset was subtle but powerful. The weight of the crossbow felt different now, as if it were imbued with a new purpose. She exhaled a breath, her heart pounded in her ears. Her gaze was sharp and fixed, as if she could feel the satisfaction of 'shooting' Damon in that moment.

Even if it was an inanimate representation of him.

"You're doing good." Henry's voice came from behind her, briefly pulling her back from her thoughts. "Remember, aim for the heart."

The room seemed to quieten, time slowing as she lined up the shot. The crossbow felt natural in her grip, her body responding to her focus. She envisioned the bolt piercing Damon's chest, the smug look vanishing from his face.

Without hesitation, she pulled the trigger. The crossbow's limbs snapped forward, the arrow slicing through the air with a whistle.

The arrow pierced the stuffed animal square in the chest, a satisfied 'thud' confirming the hit. She giggled as she lowered the bow, a mix of relief and satisfaction washing over her. For a moment, she could almost imagine the cocky vampire groaning in pain, his smirk replaced with a grimace.

Victory.

"Excellent shot," Henry complimented, his stern demeanor giving way to a small smile. "That was an improvement."

"I guess. I was picturing Damon's face," she said, her voice tinged with a mix of satisfaction and defiance.

Henry quietly chuckled. "Well, if you ever need to shoot at the real Damon," he said, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Just remember- aim for the heart."

"Don't worry, I won't hesitate next time," Nancy responded, a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips.

Henry nodded, a glint of approval in his eyes. "You've got the aim down, Nancy. But remember, it's one thing to hit a stuffed animal... and another to deal with a living, breathing vampire."

Nancy nodded, her smirk faltering briefly, replaced with a more serious expression. She knew that he was right. Training with a crossbow on a stuffed animal was one thing, but facing a vampire in real life would be an entirely different experience.

"I know," she replied, her voice quieter now. "I'll keep practicing. And the next time I face Damon... or any other vampire, for that matter... I'll be ready."

Henry nodded, satisfied with her response. "Good. Never underestimate the strength and speed of a vampire. They're dangerous, unpredictable. But they also have weaknesses. Make sure you remember that."

Nancy stored away the advice in her mind. She knew that the world she lived in was filled with supernatural beings, some with a taste for human blood. It would be unwise to think she could face them with a simple crossbow.

"I will." Nancy confidently spoke, her mind already going through various scenarios, each one more dangerous than the last.

Henry picked up another arrow, handed it to Nancy. "Good. Reload," he instructed. 

Nancy took the arrow from Henry, her fingers moving with practiced ease to load it into the crossbow. She then drew the bowstring taut, locking the arrow into place in the flight groove. As she prepared for another shot, her mind wandered momentarily to the upcoming high school carnival at Mystic High. She had promised Elena that she would attend and take part.

She took another deep breath, pushing the thought aside for the moment, and focused on the target before her. The carnival could wait; right now, training was her priority.

"Ready," she confirmed, her eyes fixed on the target once again.

As the night deepened, the carnival at Mystic High came alive. The brightly lit rides, the sound of laughter, and the scent of popcorn filled the air, all contributing to the joyful atmosphere.

Nancy made her way through the carnival grounds, the sounds and lights surrounding her blurred into a background hum. Despite the chaos of the supernatural world she had found herself in, there was a certain normality about the scene before her. Within the crowd, she spotted Tyler at a distance, talking to one of the cheerleaders whom she had seen perform with Elena and her friends during football games.

As she drew closer to him, he noticed her approach and turned, their eyes meeting. The air felt thick with memories and unspoken words. She forced herself to take a deep breath, steadying her emotions. She had promised Elena she would participate, and right now, focusing on the task at hand was crucial.

"Nancy," he spoke while approaching her, his voice betraying a mixture of surprise and... something else, an emotion she couldn't quite put her finger on. "I didn't know you'd be here tonight."

"Yeah, Elena and Dylan roped me into it," she chuckled, her voice steady despite the butterflies in her stomach. "And I keep my word."

A small, strained smile flickered on her lips. Being near him still caused her heart to skip a beat, a bittersweet reminder of what they had and what they could've had, given different circumstances.

"Right." He nodded, his gaze lingering on her for a moment. The silence between them was heavy, filled with unspoken words and suppressed feelings.

A moment of silence passed between them, the hustle and bustle of the carnival seemingly muted in their bubble. He seemed to wrestle with something, his expression conflicted.

"Can we talk?" he finally asked, his voice quiet. "Alone?"

Nancy hesitated for a moment, the request catching her off guard. Sure, she had kept him company he day before during his father's memorial. But today was a regular day, where they couldn't easily forget about the past while focusing on grief or prying guests. Despite everything, despite their complicated history and the knowledge that they would be alone, she found herself nodding.

"Alright," she replied, her voice even.

They moved through the crowds, finding a quiet spot away from the noise and lights of the carnival, where they could have some semblance of privacy. Tyler leaned against a nearby railing at the bleachers, his gaze meeting Nancy's.

He took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. "We need to talk about what happened," he started, his voice carrying a hint of weariness. "Between us. It's been eating at me, at both of us."

She mirrored his movements on a nearby wall, crossing her arms in a subconscious protective gesture. "What is there to talk about, Tyler? We both know it can't work..."

The words tasted bitter in her mouth, but they were true. Their relationship, or whatever it was they had, had fizzled out months ago, leaving them in this awkward limbo. Tyler visibly stiffened at her words, the truth in them cutting deep. He sighed, running a hand through his hair.

"Why not?" he asked, his voice growing sharper with impatience from her mixed emotions. Noticing the way she avoided his gaze and refused to respond, he continued, "I don't know what reason you have. But whatever it is, it doesn't stop me from... dammit, Nance, I can't just shut my feelings off like a switch. Believe me, I've tried."

Nancy's heart ached at his words. She wanted to be angry with him for making it harder and refusing to accept her life's reality. But her feelings mirrored his - the same pain, the same longing.

Nancy's chest ached at his words, the turmoil within her mirroring his own. "Tyler..." She began, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's not that simple."

She struggled to find the words, the truth about her world, the supernatural, on the tip of her tongue. But how could she explain it to him, a human who had no idea about the existence of vampires and witches? And god knows what else was out there that they aren't aware of.

How could she selfishly bring him into her life when everyone who knew the truth got hurt?

Tyler's frustration grew, his gaze hardening. "It never is with you, is it?" He pushed off the railing, pacing a few steps before returning to her. "Every time we get close, you pull away. I don't understand what I'm doing wrong, what I need to change for you to just... let me in."

Nancy's shoulders slumped, his words hitting her like a punch to the gut. Each truth he spoke was like tearing away at her defense mechanisms, exposing the vulnerability beneath.

"You're not doing anything wrong," She assured, her voice wavering.

"Then what? You're going to give me some vague answer about how 'it's complicated' or 'it's a me thing'," Tyler retorted, his frustration boiling over. "I'm tired of these excuses, Nance. Tired of feeling like I'm always at arm's length, like I'm just... something you keep around when it's benefits you."

Nancy bit her lip, trying to keep her own emotions under control. It was one thing to keep him at bay for fear of endangering him, but it was another to see him hurt and resentful because of it.

Nancy's vision blurred, her eyes clouding with unshed tears before she blinked them away. "That's not fair," she managed, her voice cracking.

"Fair? You wanna talk about 'fair'?!" Tyler's voice rose, his words carrying a sharp edge. "We've been riding this rollercoaster of on-and-off for months now. You pull me in just close enough that I think there might be a chance, then pull back whenever I get too close. You have no idea how frustrating that is."

"Tyler, you don't understand..." Nancy's voice was almost pleading. "If I could explain-"

But he cut her off, the pain and frustration clear in his voice. "Explain what? That you only want me around when it's convenient for you?!

Nancy winced as if struck, the truth of his words hitting too close to home. She hated this, hated the pain she was causing him, hated having to keep this massive secret.

"That's not true," she protested weakly, the protest sounding even more feeble to her own ears.

"Isn't it?" Tyler shot back. "Because from where I'm standing, it looks exactly like that." He took a step closer, his gaze pinning her to the spot. "I care about you, Nancy. Deeply. But this? This isn't fair to either of us."

His proximity, the intensity of his gaze, was almost overwhelming. Emotions swirled within her: guilt, fear, love. Her heart pounded painfully against her chest, causing an ache that made her inhale shakily.

"Tyler, I..." She trailed off, not knowing what to say. She wanted to explain, to tell him everything, but the words were stuck in her throat.

He clenched his jaw, his own frustration mixing with the intense emotions he felt for her. "You what? Can't form a proper sentence?" He took another step closer, closing the distance between them. Despite his anger, there was an undercurrent of vulnerability, a desperate need to understand. "You can't keep stringing me along, Nancy. Either you're in or you're out. There's no in-between."

"Is everything alright here?" A familiar voice interrupted, and the girl turned to see Dylan standing at a distance.

Tyler took a step back, his eyes leaving Nancy for a moment as he acknowledged the younger boy. "We're fine," he said, his voice holding an edge of irritation.

Dylan, sensing the lie in Tyler's tone, raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. Instead, he shifted his gaze to Nancy, a silent question in his eyes. Although he was young, he was perceptive. He could sense the tension in the air, could see it etched on their faces.

She gave him a small, reassuring smile, trying to convey that things were under control, albeit poorly controlled. She appreciated his concern, but this was one problem she couldn't share with him.

Tyler's frustration was still evident in the tense line of his shoulders. "I should get back to the others," he said abruptly, his attention refocusing on Nancy. He gave her one last look, a mix of pain, anger, and a hint of pleading. "See you around," he stated, before he pivoted, disappearing around the corner, leaving Nancy and Dylan in the aftermath of their tense exchange.

Watching Tyler walk away felt like an arrow to Nancy's chest, each step increasing the distance between them, both physical and emotional. She closed her eyes, taking a shuddering breath while trying to collect her thoughts.

Dylan moved closer to her, hesitating for a moment before speaking up. "Hey... What was that about?"

Nancy turned to face Dylan, her face a mask of forced composure. "It's nothing," she lied. "Just a disagreement, that's all."

Dylan wasn't convinced, his gaze locked on hers, seeing right through her attempt at nonchalance. He knew her too well, knew when she was hiding something.

"It didn't sound like a disagreement," he countered bluntly. "You two were a step away from having a full-blown fight."

Nancy sighed, her shoulders slumping in defeat. She had hoped to brush this off as nothing, but Dylan's gaze would make it difficult, if not impossible. She couldn't fool anyone, least of all Dylan. considered her words carefully, choosing them slowly.

"He wants more than I can give," she finally confessed, the words as heavy as her heart at that moment. "At least, right now."

Dylan nodded, understanding the dilemma Nancy was caught in. "You're afraid," he noted, not as an accusation, but as a statement of fact. "Afraid of what might happen if you give in," he added, his voice soft yet firm. "And what might happen if you don't?"

Nancy looked at him, surprised by the insightful words coming out of his mouth. The same boy who would sit in front of a TV and eat cereal all day. "When did you get so smart?" she tried to joke, a small, strained smile on her lips.

"Guess I've been spending too much time around you," he replied, the corner of his mouth lifting in a slight grin. But then his expression turned more serious. "But this is not something you can dance around forever," he continued. "You need to make a decision. For both your sakes."

Nancy let out a deep sigh, the weight of his words settling heavily on her shoulders. She nodded, her voice tinged with a mix of resignation and dead, "I know."

Nancy and Dylan had walked through the carnival grounds, trying to enjoy the festivities despite the earlier tension. As they stood at a corn-dog stand together, a shadow fell over them. Startled, Nancy looked up to find Damon Salvatore standing before them, his usually cool demeanor replaced with something else.

She exhaled, composing herself despite her blood crawling at the sight of him. "What do you want?"

"I know I'm the last person you wanna see right now- or ever, but I need you to come with me," He said before glancing at Dylan, who was ordering food from the vendor.

"Not interested." She responded, a hint of irritation in her tone. She folded her arms before turning to Dylan, who was ordering food for her from the vendor, wanting to block out anything the vampire was saying.

"Yeah, I'm gonna need you to come with me right now... Nancy," His voice was laced with urgency while shooting her a pointed look.

Nancy rolled her head back with a groan as she gestured to the man who was handing Dylan her meal, "But I'm getting a corn-dog."

Damon rolled his eyes with a huff of frustration and took the corn-dog from her cousin, "I'll be taking that to go." He then glanced at the Gilbert girl before walking away, expecting her to do the same. "Come on."

Hesitant, Nancy stepped forward and began following the man who was holding her corn dog hostage. But not before assuring a puzzled Dylan that she would return.

"No..."

Nancy's voice was muffled with a mouthful of food, and she shook her head, glancing among her sister and the Salvatore brothers, who were all gathered in Alaric Saltzman's classroom. Without chewing properly, she swallowed, feeling the heaviness in her throat that perfectly mirrored the one in her chest.

"No," She repeated firmly, unable to believe what Damon had just revealed about Caroline's new nature. "What?! It can't be."

"How did this even happen? Hm?" Stefan questioned while pacing the room.

"Well, I fed her blood. And Katherine obviously killed her," Damon stated the facts before looking at his brother. "And A plus B equals..."

"But why?" Elena demanded an explanation as to why Katherine would commit such an act, solely to send them a message. But did nothing to hide the concern she felt.

"Does she even need a reason?" Nancy scoffed, the wooden stick firm in her hand, that one would be surprised it hadn't snapped. "After all she's done so far..."

"Katherine's a manipulative nasty little slut," The older vampire spoke bitterly, a scowl etched on his face.

"And she said 'Game on'? What does that even mean?" Stefan pressed, still trying to put together pieces of the missing puzzle that were scattered in his mind.

"It means she's playing dirty. She wants us to know," Damon answered, confident in his beliefs behind his ex-girlfriend's actions.

Elena shook her head in despair and released her hold on the windowsill. "But, Why Caroline?"

Nancy stood straight, her gaze fixed on nothing in particular. While everyone attempted to come up with answers, she thought back to events that occurred while Caroline was healing in the hospital. She found herself wishing that she had visited the girl when Dylan went late at night due to losing sleep over the fear of Caroline possibly losing her life.

But she hadn't. Now Caroline was one of them.

A vampire.

"It was convenient," She finally spoke, her expression almost emotionless. Lost in thought. "Caroline had Damon's blood in her system. She was out of reach... in a hospital with doctors who can easily be compelled."

Stefan abruptly stood from his seated position on the table with a sigh, "Caroline must be completely out of her mind; she has no idea what's happening to her." His hands flew to the back of his head with heavy pressure as he paced, dwelling on his unease.

Because he was once in her situation... Burdened, terrified.

"Oh, I think she does," Damon lowered his head, which was tilted back, looking to his brother, who was in disbelief. "All of my compulsion from the past? Started wearing off the minute she was in transition."

"We have to find her," Stefan insisted.

"Yep," Damon agreed nonchalantly with a heavy exhale. "And kill her."

Elena's mouth fell agape as her eyes flickered from her sister to the older vampire, disgusted by his solution. "You're not gonna kill Caroline."

"She knows who we are. She's officially a liability, we gotta get rid of her," He responded with a shrug, confident in his decision because he saw it as the only way to protect himself and his kind.

With her heart racing, Elena stood from her seat, her hand reaching out to Stefan, and he gently took her wrist in reassurance. "Damon," He pointed at the man with finality in his tone. "Absolutely not."

Nancy rolled her eyes, seemingly bored. But if one looked closely, they would see that she was emotionally exhausted with the argument. But her heart ached solely for the sake of her sister's friend, whom they all deeply cared for. A friend who was suffering out there, all alone.

"You're not going anywhere near Caroline." 

"Need I remind you both of a tragic little story about Vicky Donovan?" Damon reminded the three people who stood against him of the girl who barely made it twenty-four hours before her 'immortal' life ended.

Nancy tensed up at the mention, remembering how broken Matt was after learning the news of his sister. Damon was quick to notice the recollection in Stefan's eyes turning into guilt, and he nodded.

"Yeah. Caroline, of all people, won't make it as a vampire. Her mother is a vampire hunter," he sounded as though he genuinely couldn't understand why no one seemed to agree with him. "Guys, come on, we all know how this story ends. So let's just skip to the last chapter..."

Elena quickly shook her head at the man who pretended to turn invisible pages in a book, her voice cracking as tears stung at the corners of her eyes, "It's not an option, Damon."

Damon's wide eyes stared at the girl with lifted brows. "No?" His eyes flickered to his brother, who now appeared to be contemplating, "Your silence is deafening, Stefan. Wait, wasn't there a school carnival the night you staked Vicky?" He scoffed when his brother's head lowered in shame. "Talk about a town where history repeats itself. You know I'm right."

With his lips pressed tightly, Stefan rose from his seat, but not before stopping in front of Damon with his index finger lifted in conclusion. "We're not gonna kill her."

The older Salvatore couldn't help but roll his eyes as Stefan walked past him, followed by Elena, who shot him a glare. "It's the only way," He shrugged at the girl, but she ignored him.

As the silence settled, Nancy shook her head firmly. "It's not, and you know it."

"Says the girl who was plotting to exterminate us just two days ago," Damon retorted as he stood straight while sauntering toward her. "Literally."

 His shoes came to a halt inches from her, his towering frame casting a shadow over Nancy's. While Damon wore his usual smirk, there was an added edge of mocking in his gaze— Nancy's jaw clenched with frustration.

"And yet you're still breathing," she snapped, her voice dripping with exasperation. "Plotting to kill vampires who bring harm to my family is one thing—it's self-preservation. We're on the menu here, remember? But Caroline? She's human... or was. There's still hope for her. Or are you so hell-bent on playing Grim Reaper that you can't see that?" Her brows furrowed deeply as she confronted Damon's apathy.

Damon leaned with a dramatic sigh, leaning his forearm on the table beside her. "Ah, the self-righteous Gilbert. Always fighting the good fight," His sarcasm cut through the tension like a blade, savoring the crack in her armor. "Careful, Nancy. Keep playing hero and you'll turn into a walking tragedy. And believe me, I've seen my share of those."

"Enough of this," Nancy demanded, her tone sharp enough to slice through Damon's arrogance. Her jaw clenched tightly as she slammed her palms on the table, her anger crackling in the air. "Save your clever comebacks for someone who cares. This isn't about heroics. It's about doing the right thing—something you clearly know nothing about." Her gaze hardened. "So if you're done acting like a walking cautionary tale, maybe start thinking with something other than your ego for once."

Damon grinned, his eyes briefly averting to the half-eaten corndog in her hand that was attached to a thin piece of wood, which seemed to crack from her strong grip. "You know... I can't take you seriously when you're lecturing me while holding fried sausage on a stick."

Nancy's emotional exhaustion was visible as she rolled her eyes at Damon's jokes that came at the worst timing, her exhaustion stemming from not only her recent emotional upheaval with Tyler but also from her own conflicted feelings about Caroline's new vampire identity. The gravity of the situation pressed upon her, and she tightened her hold on the corn-dog before shoving what was left of it into his smug mouth. Which, in her favor, was already opened and ready to make a remark that would aggravate her.

"We're not turning our backs on Caroline. She's not some broken toy to dispose of."

Nancy's eyes blazed with a mix of anger and frustration as she turned on her heels and stormed out of the classroom. The door slammed behind her, leaving a forcefully silent Damon alone and her words hanging in the air like a bitter reminder of their clash of values.

Damon's gaze lingered on the empty doorway where Nancy had stormed out, now left alone in the classroom. His lips quirked at the corners as he chewed methodically on the remnants of the corn dog now forced into his mouth before discarding the stick into a nearby trash can. He swallowed, the stubborn corn dog crumbs sticking to the back of his throat, refusing to go down smoothly.

His thumb absently wiped away a smear of mustard from his shirt cuff from when he hadn't stopped her in time. "Feisty little Gilbert," he muttered to himself, a mix of irritation and reluctant amusement tugging at his usual smirk. 

Nancy's boots struck the pavement outside with purpose. The carnival lights flickered in the distance, their glow not reaching the shadowed parking lot she now strode down. Her sight now became blurred with tears, and her hands reached up to grip her hair tightly as she turned around with unsteady steps. Suddenly, the footsteps crunching against the pavement behind her made her jump, spinning to face the intruder.

"To her relief, it was Dylan, his hands raised in reassurance. "Whoa— I've been looking for you." His voice softened as his eyes searched her face, seeing the storm clouds in her eyes. "I saw you leave with Damon earlier— what happened?"

Nancy's shoulders slumped as Dylan's presence shattered the fragile web of her anger. She sniffled, but her hands remained tangled in her hair as though it anchored her to her crumbling composure.

"Caroline," She croaked out between her hitching breath. "Damon—he—" Her voice cracked, failing to push the words past her lips. She swallowed hard against the lump in her throat, her eyes darting away from Dylan's probing gaze.

Dylan stepped closer, his hands hovering awkwardly, torn between consoling and respecting her space. His voice softened to a whisper as he dared to ask the question that hung heavy between them.

His throat bobbed with a gulp before he finally muttered, "Where is she—Caroline...?" His voice wavered, fear clinging to every syllable as he braced himself for the worst.

Nancy's head snapped up as she studied Dylan's face—the familiar eyes now glossy with unshed tears— before exhaling a shaky breath. The words tangled in her throat, but she forced them out in one trembling breath.

"She's... She's gone—" Her voice cracked sharply, shattering the fragile calm between them.

Dylan stiffened, eyes widening, jaw clenching as if her words shattered an unspoken hope he hadn't realized he'd clung to until now. "She's—gone—" He echoed in disbelief, knowing he had seen the girl barely thirty minutes ago.

Nancy's face hardened with fresh resolve as her hands slipped from the tangled strands of hair to curl into fists at her sides. She squared her shoulders, meeting Dylan's wounded gaze with unshakable intensity. She wouldn't let him spiral into grief—not yet.

Her voice, though rough from unshed tears, held the steel she'd inherited from her family, "No." Her head shook stiffly as her eyes closed briefly in an attempt to gather her thoughts. "I'm sorry. She's... fuck!" Nancy breathed out, frustrated that she barely held the courage to say such a thing out loud. "She is one of them."

A moment of excruciating silence stretched between them, each second loaded with grief and dread. Nancy's breath hitched as she finally forced herself to meet Dylan's gaze, searching his face for a reaction. Any reaction to the devastating truth.

Dylan's face froze in a mask of shock—eyes widening, breath hitching. He stepped back, a humorless laugh escaping him, jagged like broken glass against the night's stillness. His fingers clawed at his hair, his eyes glazed over as though he saw a ghost.

"A—A vampire—" His voice cracked, jaw trembling like a cornered creature's. "Caroline's a vampire?" The words hung in the air like poison, threatening to choke the fragile remains of his hope. "That's impossible, I saw her just yesterday, she was... she was perfectly fine."

Nancy remained still, her own grief momentarily muted by the raw anguish playing out across Dylan's face. The weight of her confession pressed heavily on her chest, stealing the oxygen from her lungs. She stepped closer, hesitantly reaching a hand out to rest on his tense, shaking ones—a silent anchor in the swirling chaos.

Her voice came softer, gentler, as if she feared breaking him with every word. "She's out there somewhere. Still breathing. Still, Caroline." She dropped her gaze, throat tightening. "Just... hungry."

Dylan flinched beneath her touch, his gaze snapping back to meet hers. His eyes were wild—a maelstrom of disbelief and pain. He gripped her wrist, not tight enough to hurt, but desperate, searching.

"How—How did this happen? When?" The questions stumbled over each other, each more painful than the last.

Nancy's throat constricted at the desperation in Dylan's voice, her heart wrenching in response. She steeled herself against the wave of emotion, knowing she had to be the steady anchor in Dylan's tumultuous sea.

She forced herself to meet his gaze, her own eyes weary with the weight of knowledge and pain. Her voice was quieter than the night, but it cut through the tension with brutal finality.

"Katherine."

At the sound of the name, Dylan's body went rigid, as if every muscle tensed in response. A mix of rage and disbelief clouded his eyes, turning them into dark pools of despair.

"Katherine," he repeated through gritted teeth, the name a curse. He shook his head, a bitter laugh escaping his lips. "Of course. It had to be her, didn't it?" He scoffed, swallowing the thickness that formed in his throat. "She must have done it after I left. But why? What the hell does she even want?!"

Overwhelmed by his emotions, Dylan slammed his fist into a nearby trash can, ignoring the pain that coursed through his knuckles. Nancy flinched at the loud sound ringing through her ears, her eyes widening as they followed his movements in sympathy and caution.

"I don't know," She whispered weakly, her voice hoarse and exhausted. "But we have to find Caroline before Damon does. Plus, he owes me a new corndog."

Nancy's words seemed to jolt him back to reality. "But what then?" He turned to her, his eyes pleading for any scrap of hope. For a magical solution. "We find her, and then what? There's no cure, no way to fix this."

Nancy felt the weight of his despair almost crushing the air out of her lungs, the helplessness in his eyes tearing at her. "No, there isn't," She muttered softly and stepped forward. "But we can try to help her."

"Get away from me!"

The familiar voice, broken by fear, caught Nancy and Dylan's attention as they had been searching for Caroline in the chaotic crowd of the Carnival for almost fifteen minutes. They pair rushed out from behind a wall that blocked sight of what could have been happening, preventing them from seeing what caused the girl to be scared.

"Caroline," Nancy exhaled in relief as they finally found the blonde girl, but her footsteps faltered at the sight of the vampire brothers and a concerned Elena attempting to comfort her friend. "What are you doing?" Her sharp voice was directed to Damon, whose challenging gaze was unwavering while staring at his brother.

"Only the right thing," He shrugged indifferently before looking at the older Gilbert and her cousin, who strode toward Caroline.

"It's alright, Caroline. Come with me," Stefan ignored the man and held his hand out for the girl to take, after listening to her yell at Elena, accusing her of turning her into a vampire.

She had questions. And he will provide answers to them.

"She will die," Damon declared, standing there arrogantly with folded arms. "It's only a matter of time."

"You're not going anywhere near here," Dylan spoke, his grip on Caroline's arm tightening protectively, intending to pull her out of the situation at any moment.

Nancy's heart pounded when she heard the words of her cousin, a human in unfamiliar territory, but determined to protect the girl he cared for. She stepped forward, her eyes fixed on the dark-haired vampire as she felt that similar sensation coursing through her body.

Hatred.

"She's not dying tonight, Damon." Her voice was eerily calm, her feet slowly tapping against the pavement, carrying her to where her sister stood near a truck.

Damon's brows lifted, taking her words and hateful glare as a challenge. "Oh yeah, she is."

He swiftly grabbed the stake that had been dropped to the ground earlier, using his unnatural speed as he rushed to where Caroline stood. A gasp caught in Nancy's throat when she saw Elena protecting her friend, and she rushed forward, her body shielding Elena from potentially getting hurt.

Elena's eyes widened when her body was suddenly engulfed by her sister in the blink of an eye, looking over her older sister's shoulders to see that Damon's resolve was faltering. His movement stopped abruptly, gaze dropping to Nancy's back, which covered both Elena's and Caroline's, preventing him from finishing what he started.

Short breaths escaped Nancy's trembling lips as she tightened her grip on Elena, her eyes slowly drifting up to a stunned Caroline, who was quickly pulled out of the way by Dylan.

"Damon, she's my friend." The lights from various carnival rides glimmered in Elena's disappointed eyes, prompting the tears that were glistening in them, reflecting how deeply she cared for Caroline.

When she was sure that Damon was no longer taking any drastic actions, Nancy turned to face him, her chest heaving with each breath she took. Damon's expression hardened into a glare as he stopped, only a couple of centimeters were between them, the proximity was far too close for comfort. He could sense the protective rage radiating off her, but it seemed to only fuel his defiance.

He leaned forward, his voice lowering to a dangerous pitch, his words laced with barely concealed condescension, "Move."

With a sense of stubborn defiance, Nancy's glare deepened, refusing to yield to his commands. The air was thick with tension, and her breath hitched when their proximity created a feeling that she could almost feel him.

"No." Her voice was steady, betraying no sign of fear or uncertainty. She lifted her chin defiantly, meeting his gaze directly, daring her not to look away, like a gazelle staring down a lion

He took another step closer, their bodies now almost touching, his chest hovering mere inches away from hers. "Whatever happens is on you," he said, his eyes flicking to a nervous Elena. He used his index fingers to point at the sisters, watching the disbelief in their eyes. "Both of you."

When Damon finally distanced himself, Nancy's eyes closed, and a breath of relief escaped her lips. Knowing the younger girls were now safe, the hand that unconsciously held onto her sister's who stood behind her, now released its strong grip to set Elena's hand free.

"Caroline?" A hesitant voice broke the lingering silence, and everyone turned to see Bonnie approaching, the disbelief in her eyes clear. "N-No. You can't-" Her head shook as she stared at her friend's face, watching the crimson that stained around her lips. "You can't be."

A gasp escaped Caroline's lips when the witch suddenly gripped her arm. She looked down, her gaze landing on Bonnie's shocked expression. She had no clue of what the girl did when they touched. But she knew that whatever it was, it wasn't good. The look on Bonnie's face was pure terror as she released Caroline, stepping back as if trying to grasp onto reality while processing what could have happened to turn her best friend into one of them.

A killer.

A monster.

"Bonnie?" Caroline whimpered softly, her voice hoarse, evidence of the uncontrollable tears she shed that night.

Nancy's gaze followed Bonnie's movements, watching as she choked back tears when stumbling upon the sight of a deceased man lying in the truck. "Dylan..."

The Sommers boy's attention shifted to his cousin as they exchanged a knowing look. "She needs to get out of here," He told Stefan, swallowing thickly as his heart raced after witnessing the events that occurred.

When Caroline was finally dragged away by Stefan and Dylan, the Gilbert girls turned to the young witch. Her head hung low over the body, indicating she somehow knew the boy. Elena rushed to her friend, placing a comforting hand on the girl's back as she wept silently, her shoulders shaking with each sob that she attempted to stifle.

"Bon..." Nancy's tone softened as she carefully approached the girl from behind, not wanting to interrupt her moment, but also aware that the problem needed to be solved. "We have to get rid of him."

"Get rid of him?" Bonnie snapped, her chest heaving as she turned to pace the area, her face streaked with evidence of her grief. "He's a person, we can't just get rid of him. And Caroline did this to him? I can't believe this is happening."

"Come on, don't pout about it." Damon approached the girls with a shovel in hand. Unlike them, he seemed unbothered by the life that was taken from an innocent human. That's because he was. He didn't care. "We got a body to bury." The metal tip of the shovel hit the ground as he tilted it toward Elena. "Thought you were calling the shots?" He asked, his bottom lip jutted out as he waited for her to accept the shove. But when she turned away from him with a scoff, he took a step back, his fingers releasing from its wooden handle. "No?"

"Now not, asshole," Nancy bitterly said as she grabbed the shovel from his hand, causing his brows to lift in amusement.

"Whatever you say," He shrugged and put his hand up in mock-surrender before his eyes drifted to the lifeless man as he slowly strode around the truck. "Sucks to be you, buddy."

Suddenly, Damon's loud groan came to everyone's heed. They turned around to see the man falling to the floor, writhing in pain as Bonnie watched. She looked cold and unfeeling. Her fury overshadowed any sympathy she might have previously felt for him. Her eyes fell to a hose nearby, and the Gilbert girls were taken aback as water began to glow from it.

Bonnie's voice was tight with anger as she spoke, yet there was a calmness to it that scared the girls standing nearby. "I told you what would happen if anyone else got hurt."

"I didn't do this!" Damon's protest was strained, with pain etched in every line of his face

"Bonnie..." Elena shook her head, choosing to defend the vampire after Bonnie shifted the blame onto him. "It wasn't his fault.

"Everything that happens is his fault, Elena."

The Bennett girl was tired of Damon's reckless behavior, tired of his constant insistence that he was better than everyone else. She was certainly tired of Elena and Stefan trying to shield him despite the actions he took at every turn. She had had enough.

"Bonnie, I get that." Nancy voiced while stepping toward her, a hand extended out in caution. Her shoes squelched from the water that soaked the ground beneath her feet. "I do. As much as I would like to hold him accountable for this, he didn't do this."

Just as the witch was about to respond, Elena gasped softly. "Bonnie, what are you doing?" She questioned, her brows furrowing at the sight of the stream directed toward Damon, who was curled up on the floor.

The water turned to gasoline, the smell of volatile liquids filling the air and the noses of those around. All of a sudden, the flame was set ablaze, following the trail that led to Bonnie's target. Nancy stumbled back before her shoes could catch fire, her heart racing as she stared at the witch, mirror's Elena's shocked expression.

"Bonnie, stop it." Elena panicked, unsure how else to prevent her friend from killing Damon. "Bon-" Her words were cut off by Damon's screams when the fire caught up to him, engulfing his entire feet in its merciless torture. "You're gonna kill him!"

"Bonnie!" Nancy shouted, hoping the girl would listen to her pleas and snap out of whatever trance-like state she seemed absorbed in. "You really don't wanna do this."

The older Gilbert understood Bonnie's feelings toward Damon. She truly did. She, herself, would imagine the day Damon's life was taken so that he may finally understand what it is to be in fear and paranoia. She didn't care if the vampire lived or died.

She was only concerned about what would happen to Bonnie, a selfless teenager who had never harmed a fly in her life.

It would destroy her to kill a person. It would change her.

"BONNIE!" Elena yelled, her frantic gaze switching from a screaming Damon to her determined friend.

Without hesitating, Elena jumped over the fire and rushed toward Bonnie and grabbed the girl's arms as she shook them. After finally getting the witch's attention, the flames because to dissipate. Damon's cries of pain had finally stopped, bringing relief to the Gilbert girls.

"Why did you stop me?" Bonnie harshly shoved Elena's hands away, not wanting to be touched or interrupted.

"Because this isn't us!" Elena breathed out, her softened eyes searching her friend's tearing ones. "Bonnie, this can't be us."

Nancy watched as her sister comforted the sobbing Bennett girl while leading her inside their school. A shaky breath escaped her mouth as she stood there, her hands clenched into tight fists with her eyes closed.  Despite witnessing the events of that night, her mind failed to wrap around it completely.

An innocent boy was murdered. Caroline died at the hands of Katherine, becoming a pawn in whatever game she was playing. Everyone Nancy loved was in danger, and she no longer had any idea of what to do or how to protect them.

After all, she was only human.

I'm not sure how I feel about this chapter or my writing, but here we go...

I can't explain Damon's previous kiss with Elena (Katherine), but it's Damon. God knows what he's feeling.

Damon didn't snap Jer's neck in the previous chapter because Nancy appeared at his house and was his distraction. Plus, I'm not having him pine over Elena in this book.

If she wasn't there... that would have been another story.