The Fury

"No, I’m a stupid jerk. I should be banging my head against the wall with joy because you’re not dead. I will in a minute. Listen." He grabbed her wrist and Elena looked at it in mild surprise. "I don’t care if you’re the Creature from the Black Lagoon, It, Godzilla and Frankenstein all rolled up into one. I just-"

"Matt." Panicked, Elena put her free hand over his mouth.

"I know. You’re engaged to the guy in the black cape. Don’t worry; I remember him. I even like him, though God knows why." Matt took a breath and seemed to calm down. "Look, I don’t know if Stefan told you. He said a bunch of stuff to me -about being evil, about not being sorry for what he did to Tyler. You know what I’m talking about?"

Matt nodded. "So it was your basic crap. I should have known."

"Well, it is and it isn’t. The need is strong, stronger than you can imagine." It was dawning on Elena that she hadn’t fed today and that she’d been hungry before they’d set out for Alaric’s. "In fact-Matt, I’d better go. Just one thing-if there’s a dance tomorrow night, don’t go. Something’s going to happen then, something bad. We’re going to try to guard it, but I don’t know what we can do."

"Who’s ‘we’?" Matt said sharply.

"Stefan and Damon-I think Damon-and me. And Meredith and Bonnie… and Alaric Saltzman. Don’t ask about Alaric. It’s a long story."

"But what are you guarding against!"

"I forgot; you don’t know. That’s a long story, too, but… well, the short answer is, whatever killed me. Whatever made those dogs attack people at my memorial service. It’s something bad, Matt, that’s been around Fell’s Church for a while now. And we’re going to try to stop it from doing anything tomorrow night." She tried not to squirm. "Look, I’m sorry, but I really should leave." Her eyes drifted, despite herself, to the broad blue vein in his neck.

When she managed to tear her gaze away and look at his face, she saw shock giving way to sudden understanding. Then to something incredible: acceptance. "It’s okay," Matt said.

She wasn’t sure she’d heard correctly. "Matt?"

"I said, it’s okay. It didn’t hurt me before."

"No. No, Matt, really. I didn’t come here for that-"

"I know. That’s why I want to. I want to give you something you didn’t ask for." After a moment he said, "For old friends’ sake."

Stefan, Elena was thinking. But Stefan had told her to come, and come alone. Stefan had known, she realized. And it was all right. It was his gift to Matt-and to her.

But I’m coming back to you, Stefan, she thought.

As she leaned toward him, Matt said, "I’m going to come and help you tomorrow, you know. Even if I’m not invited."

Then her lips touched his throat.

December 13, Friday

Dear Diary,

I know I’ve written that before, or thought it at least. But tonight is the night, the big one, when everything is going to happen. This is it.

Stefan feels it, too. He came back from school today to tell me that the dance is still on-Mr. Newcastle didn’t want to cause a panic by canceling it or something. What they’re going to do is have "security" outside, which means the police, I guess. And maybe Mr. Smallwood and some of his friends with rifles. Whatever’s going to happen, I don’t think they can stop it.

I don’t know if we can, either.

It’s been snowing all day. The pass is blocked, which means nothing gets in or out of town on wheels. Until the snowplow gets up there, which won’t be until morning, which will be too late.

And the air has a funny feeling to it. Not just snow. It’s as if something even colder than that is waiting. It’s pulled back the way the ocean pulls back before a tidal wave. When it lets go…

I thought about my other diary today, the one under the floorboards of my bedroom closet. If I own anything anymore, I own that diary. I thought about getting it out, but I don’t want to go home again. I don’t think I could cope, and I know Aunt Judith couldn’t if she saw me.

I’m surprised anybody’s been able to cope. Meredith, Bonnie-especially Bonnie. Well, Meredith, too, considering what her family has been through. Matt.

They’re good and loyal friends. It’s funny, I used to think that without a whole galaxy of friends and admirers I wouldn’t survive. Now I’m perfectly happy with three, thank you. Because they’re real friends.

I didn’t know how much I cared about them before. Or about Margaret, or Aunt Judith even. And everybody at school… I know a few weeks ago I was saying that I didn’t care if the entire population of Robert E. Lee dropped dead, but that isn’t true. Tonight I’m going to do my best to protect them.

I know I’m jumping from subject to subject, but I’m just talking about things that are important to me. Kind of gathering them together in my mind. Just in case.

Well, it’s time. Stefan is waiting. I’m going to finish this last line and then go. I think we’re going to win. I hope so.

We’re going to try.

The history room was warm and brightly lit. On the other side of the school building, the cafeteria was even brighter, shining with Christmas lights and decorations. Upon arriving, Elena had scrutinized it from a cautious distance, watching the couples arrive for the dance and pass by the sheriff’s officers at the door. Feeling Damon’s silent presence behind her, she had pointed out a girl with long, light brown hair.

"I’ll take your word for it," he replied.