Mgc26133 Fanfiction Wiki
Register
Advertisement
Stefan's Diaries
Season 1, Episode 3
Written by Tyler Gracyne
Co-writer Mgc26133
Episodes List Transcript
previous
A Leap of Faith
next
For Better or Worse

A Man Out of Time is the third episode of Season 1.

Synopsis

A NEW BEGINNING — After realizing Sheriff's plans to restart a vampire hunt, April seeks help from the mayor to stop it. Stefan finds a coven of witches to help bring his friends back from the Other Side. Brad decides to help April with her cases so she can start working on clearing Anita's name, but his involvement leads to discoveries he wasn't prepared for. Meanwhile Anita learns more about April and Thomas. Finally, Brad helps April to uncover a terrible plot, and a race against time begins to stop it before it's too late.

Episode

Click "Show" to read
Randall entered the old Lockwood mansion, which was now mayor's work place. He went upstairs to the second floor, and through the corridor. At the end of it, there was mayor's secretary, right next to Mayor's office. His door was writing "Rudy Hopkins". He went straight near the secretary. She looked busy with something on her computer. She left it as soon as she saw Randall approaching, and smiled when he got close enough.

Carla: "Good afternoon, Sheriff!"

Randall: "Good afternoon Carla." (jokingly) "He alive in there?"

Carla: (responded jokingly) "I'm not sure, it's been a while." (they both chuckled. It was apparent they had some kind of affection for one another. She grabbed the phone) "Mayor Hopkins, Sheriff Brook is here. .. Yes, Mr. Mayor." (closed the phone and looked at the sheriff) "Yep, he's alive in there."

Sheriff smiled to her, then headed to Rudy's office. He was busy signing some papers as he entered. He closed the door and went to his desk. By the time he arrived, Rudy finished his work and stood up. They shook hands.

Rudy: "Sorry about that, some morning."

Randall: (smiled) "You don't have to tell me." (they sat) "Working on something?"

Rudy: "Condolence letters."

Randall: "Damn."

Rudy: "Yeah. Victims' loved ones ask for answers, all I can provide is .. whatever this is."

Randall: "You know damn well we're working hard on that. Is that why you wanted to see me?"

Rudy: "No. This is about the council meeting you asked for."

Randall: "Oh."

Rudy: "We haven't done that in years, so you mind explaining what's it about?"

Randall: (took a deep breath, as he was aware this would be no good news) "They're back." (he explained after seeing Rudy's confusion) "Vampires."

Rudy: (though shocked, tried to think calmly) "Do you know for sure?"

Randall: "None of this went public, obviously. We know the procedure, we covered it up. But Detective Young was sure the marks around Jane Allen's neck was consistent with a vampire's bite. And she's just first of many. Mass murder at my daughter's restaurant, and she conveniently forgets all about the day. My theory is that she was compelled to forget everything she'd seen. And then there is a dead police in forest, shots fired, people attacked by an impossibly strong and near invisible thing, and another police we find three miles in the forest, wandering around like an idiot, yet had no idea why. Look at all that, and tell me you don't agree."

Rudy: (dropped his head to think for a while. then looked at him) "I don't."

Randall: "What?"

Rudy: "We killed all the originals, my friend. Vampires are no more. The way I see it, this is just some desperate attempt of a father to clear his daughter's name."

Randall: (angrily) "Don't! My daughter has nothing to do with this!"

Rudy: "Not the way I see it."

Randall: "Fuck the way you see it!"

Rudy: (leaned back to his chair) "When was the last time you took a break."

Randall: "I don't need a break."

Rudy: "I wasn't asking. Take a few days off, get some rest. You know, it's time for you to get back out there; ask Carla out on a date. I know you like her and I know she likes you. Take her to a movie, to a fancy restaurant. Have some fun, clear your head."

A disturbing silence took place. Randall was clearly trying too hard with his anger to keep his mouth shut. Then stood up and looked at Rudy.

Randall: "I'm right about this!"

Rudy: "No. You're not."

Upon this Randall angrily headed to the door and got out. And walked away without saying goodbye to Carla. She saw he was angry, and looked at Mayor's door with worry.

After he's gone, Rudy took out his mobile phone and called April Young.


~~STEFAN'S DIARIES~~


Anita straightened in her bed and rubbed her eyes. She looked around for two seconds in confusion before she remembered where she was. Shortly afterwards, the door opened and Thomas walked in with handful of snacks. He saw Anita already woke up.

Thomas: "Good morning!"

Anita: "Morning!"

Thomas: "Hungry?"

Anita: (sighed) "Understatement."

Thomas: (dropped the things in his hand on the table with a cheerful smile) "Come over here."

Anita smiled and got out of her bed to go to the table. She started eating a chocolate, while Thomas opened a biscuit.

Anita: "This is just like when we were kids. Us staying in the same room, living on junk food." (Thomas laughed) "You know we shouldn't be spending like this."

Thomas: "Why not?"

Anita: "Because we don't know how long we'll be away, and what we have should be enough for us as long as possible."

Thomas: "We won't be away much long. April will figure this out before we know it."

Anita: "I admire your faith in her."

Thomas: "I've seen her working. She's good at what she does."

Anita: "Even if I had your confidence, which I don't, I think it won't take long until she realizes the most sensible option is that I killed those people."

Thomas: "But you didn't kill those people."

Anita: "I didn't."

Thomas: "Then why do you keep saying that?"

Anita: (sat to a chair helplessly) "I don't know, I guess I'm.. I'm just.." (sighed) "Even if she could somehow clear my name, which I doubt, she will not be able to bring back the day that I lost. That's just gone from my head. How does that happen?"

Thomas: "Maybe you were there that day. At the restaurant. The guy tried to kill you too, and you managed to escape. And the whole thing was just too traumatic for you that you conditioned your mind to forget all about it."

Anita: "Is that even a thing?"

Thomas: (sat) "I've read similar cases. The child had no memory of his parents being killed, despite he witnessed the whole thing. Sometimes our minds choose what to keep to serve our best interests."

Anita: "So you're saying that, whoever killed those people, his face is somewhere in my memory?"

Thomas: "It's just a theory."

Anita: "No, it makes sense. I was trying to run from the killer, I tried to find some car keys, got blood on my shirt. And then I found a car key, and that's why my fingerprints are on the truck!"

Thomas: "It's just a theory!"

Anita: "But a really valid and good one!"

Thomas: "You can't go to police with this!"

Anita: "What do I have to lose!?"

Thomas: "Your freedom! And Brad."

Anita put her head in her hands in despair. Thomas was almost feeling her despair too.


Stefan entered a restaurant like bar and went near the bar where drinks are served. His eyes caught a paper on the wall, written "No cash, no exceptions, no sleep drunkenness" in three lines with a so terrible handwriting that he found himself squinting with displeasure. Shortly after he sat, a bartender in his early twenties came close.

Bartender: "Need anything?"

Stefan: (looked at him curiously) "Ah, yeah. Bloody Mary."

Bartender: (laughed briefly) "Boy, you must be old school. We haven't served any of that in years."

Stefan: "You don't have the recipe?"

Bartender: "Sorry. Is it important? We've got lots of other choices."

Stefan: "No, I guess I thought the word blood in it might've helped, but um.. Not important."

Bartender: "Good." (offered him to look at the bottles) "Got anything else on your mind?"

Stefan: (looked at the bartender's name tag. The name surprised him) "Egregor?"

Egregor: (saw him looking at the name tag. Smiled with a little reassuring, but mostly disturbed face) "You can call me Greg. Most people do."

Stefan: "Okay Greg. Now be a good chap, and bring me your best scotch, and leave the bottle."

Egregor: "Will do. But first I'm gonna have to see an ID."

Stefan: "Is that a joke?"

Egregor: "Well you barely look eighteen, so, um, it's really not.

Stefan: (laughed weakly for a while) "Well looks can be deceiving, you know?"

Egregor: "Not to me. I'm pretty good at guessing people's ages, and I can say you still got a couple months before you're old enough. So unless you're a Terminator, and for which I'm gonna wanna see a licence, I'll need to see your ID."

Stefan: "Well.. I'm no Terminator, but I just might be the next best thing. I know I look charming for my age, but I'm like a hundred and seventy four years old."

Egregor: (laughed genuinely) "Okay!"

Stefan: "For real. You were right when you guessed my age, I am seventeen and would have been eighteen in less than three weeks."

Egregor: (questioningly) "Would have?".

Stefan: "Because I was born in September 1847, and became a vampire in August 1864, seventeen days to my eighteenth birthday. Physically, haven't aged a day since then." (realized Egregor was trying to figure out whether Stefan was legit crazy or just messing with him, Stefan continued) "Wanna see my real face, Greg?"

Egregor didn't know what to say and remained silent and confused. Stefan quickly looked around to see if anyone was looking, then showed his vampire veins and bloody eyes.

Egregor: (his eyes opened wide) "Hot damn!" (came closer) "No wonder you asked for bloody mary!"

Stefan: "You don't look fazed."

Egregor: "I'd only heard stories. Being only twenty two, you don't get good chances to meet a vampire in person." (Stefan made his veins and fangs disappear, and returned to his normal appearance) "Especially considering they were supposed to be extinct for like ten years!"

Stefan: "So you know the whole story."

Egregor: "How the hell did you survive?"

Stefan: (leaned forward and pulled Egregor's necklace, revealing the engraving of Greek Theta at it's center) "I was thinking you would already know, since you're more informed than most.. about death."

Egregor: (understood) "You knew?"

Stefan: "Yep." (left the necklace) "And now, I'm gonna need your expertise."

Egregor: (looked thoughtfully) "Say I was willing to help. In order to contact someone on the other side.."

Stefan interrupted him with a fake cough.

Stefan: "I don't think I made myself clear. I don't want to contact them. I wanna bring them back."

Egregor: (his looks changed) "Them!?"


April was sitting at her desk, on which pictures of Stefan's three crime scenes were placed in a seemingly disorganized fashion. She was holding her head between her hands, and was in deep thought. Images of Stefan violently attacking people flashed through her mind. She looked up at the ceiling fan. It was spinning, and she seemed to find it a bit soothing. Got straightened back up, again in deep thoughts, then punched the desk with desperation. Sheriff's words echoed in her mind: "Vampires have returned to Mystic Falls".

She stood up and grabbed her car keys.


Anita was nervously checking outside through the curtains. Thomas on the other hand, was looking as chill as one could be, laying on bed and watching TV.

Anita: "Shouldn't we be, like, on the move?"

Thomas: "Sure. If we were in a spy movie."

Anita: "We're waiting for them to come find us here!"

Thomas: "As they are."

Anita: "What do you mean?"

Thomas: "Mystic Falls Police don't have huge resources, or manpower. They can't bust houses door by door like you see them do in movies. And since we're out of Mystic Falls and their jurisdiction, all they can do is hold checkpoints and hope for the best."

Anita: "Well what if they ask for help? Release our images and get the public against us."

Thomas: "Nah. They won't do it."

Anita: "Why?"

Thomas: "Same reason they haven't already."

Anita: "Which is?"

Thomas: "Look. Mystic Falls is not a.. usual town. I know this is gonna sound like science fiction stuff, but we really do have a dark history. Unexplained murders, people disappearing. It's happened before."

Anita: "So I'm not the first?"

Thomas: (looked hesitantly, trying to decide whether to let her in on the whole thing) "No. But people blamed for them, all eventually got cleared."

Anita: (sat down) "That is not reassuring."

Thomas: "You just wanna stay anxious."

Anita: "Oh, now you're an expert?"

Thomas: (smiled in a smartass way) "I consider myself to be one. I learned from the best."

Anita threw her pillow at him with a happy smile. Thomas ducked his head, even though pillow came nowhere near. They laughed for a while.

Anita: "I don't get it."

Thomas: "What?"

Anita: "How you do it. Be around her all the time, and not touch her the way you want. Being that close to her but having to let her go every night.. Must be hard."

Thomas: (leaned back with deep feelings) "You had to do it."

Anita: "Oh come on! I've been away from the girls for too long, I need someone to gossip stuff with!"

Thomas: (sighed) "April.. doesn't want to be with me, because she doesn't want me to get hurt."

Anita: "What? What kind of a stupid ass reason is this?"

Thomas: "Believe, Ani, she has a point. Her world is much different than ours. The stuff she deals with on a regular basis.. it takes a toll on you."

Anita: "Well.. I know people can be.. strange. But throw me a bone here. Why would that be such a huge problem for you two?"

Thomas: (hesitantly) "Do you believe in hypnosis, mind control?"

Anita: "I believe I can spontaneously lose memories of an entire day, so I keep an open mind."

Thomas: "That explosion, the one that killed April's dad.." (Anita's looks became serious) "April found proof her dad didn't do it."

Anita: "What?"

Thomas: "Not willingly, anyway.."

Anita: "Oh god! You mean someone with.."

Thomas: "Yeah. But it was nothing she could take to the court, so she couldn't clear her father's name. It's why she got into occult studies and trained in firearms and combat. She's been looking for her guy for.."

Anita: (did the math quicker) "Twelve years!"

Thomas: "Yeah."

Anita: (put her head between her hands) "W.. wait a minute. Earlier you told me I might have forgotten that day out of shock. Now you're telling me you think the same guy who made April's father kill all those people made me forget that day? Maybe even responsible for the murders?"

Thomas: (surprised by how quickly she connected the dots) "That is her theory, yes."

Anita: (exhaled with deep thoughts) "I don't know what to think."

Thomas: "April has a knack for believing the impossible when no one else does, when all the evidence show otherwise. She doesn't accept, she always questions. It's why she's so good at her job. And it's why I know she's gonna get you out of this."

Anita: "Do you?" (Thomas looked at her) "Believe the impossible?" (he nodded) "Do you actually, or you believe because she does?"

Thomas: "That guy, that helped us at the forest. Think about it. I made the call to April, and he arrived minutes after. Nobody is that fast, even with a car it took us almost an hour to get there." (Anita's head moved slightly upwards as if she only just now realized the weirdness of it. Her eyes moved around nervously, as she was thinking fast to make some sense of it. But before she could, he continued) "I believe the impossible, because it exists!"


Egregor, as he walked inside, made a move with his head, inviting Stefan inside. Stefan followed him to the back of the restaurant. It was a round room, with lots of witch tools placed strategically. It was obvious that whoever designed the place was a powerful witch, witches, or maybe even a small coven.

A woman with long dark hair, deep eyeliner and dark black eyes entered through the back door while grumbling.

Woman: "Egregor! What was so urgent that y..." (words stuck in her mouth as soon as she saw Stefan. She looked at him in shock) "Silas!"

Stefan: (weakly shook his head) "I'm.."

Egregor: "Jo. Meet Stefan Salvatore. The doppelganger."

Jocasta: (her shock left it's place to confusion) "'The' Stefan?"

Egregor: "Ripper of Monterey."

Jocasta: "Can't be him. Head of his sireline is dead, none of his kind survived."

Egregor: "You don't have to tell me!"

Jocasta quickly checked Stefan's fingers, and realized he doesn't have a daylight ring.

Jocasta: "I want to try something. Stay where you are."

As soon as Stefan saw she headed to the curtains, he tried to run. But almost sensing it, Egregor pinned him down with his magic. He and Jocasta looked at each other, and she moved the curtains. Direct sunlight started to burn Stefan's skin. He tried to hold off on his screams. Thankfully Jocasta was convinced quick, and closed the curtains. Realizing Stefan was a bit pissed, Egregor spoke indifferently.

Egregor: "What? You heal!"

Jocasta: (surprised) "So it is you!"

Stefan: "You know, if I were Silas I could have made you think sun burnt me. What you did helped nothing except making me angry."

Egregor: (to Jocasta) "Look I gotta get back to the bar, can you.."

Jocasta: "Go, I got this."

Egregor nodded, thankfully, then turned around to head out. He stopped near Stefan and spoke to him quietly.

Egregor: "Bit of advice, that angry talk won't fly here. You're a sheep in a wolf den. Do as she asks, you'll get what you want."

Stefan looked elsewhere slowly. Then Egregor left.

Stefan: "Forgot how wicked you witches are."

Jocasta: (smiled) "So.. miracle vampire.. Tell me your secret."

Stefan: "Don't know. Don't care."

Jocasta: "So you're not least bit interested to know how Klaus died and you survived?"

Stefan: "Alright, I am. But any witch could tell me that. Instead, I've come here. All the way from Virginia, at this hollow ground where you formed your coven, at the weakest known spot between this side, and the other side"

Jocasta: (understood) "You wanna bring someone back."

Stefan: "Two someones!"

Jocasta: (looked at him with surprise) "You're bold."

Stefan: "I'm a vampire who survived Klaus' death, I get to be bold. Can you do it?"

Jocasta: (pursed her lips) "Theoretically. But I am curious. We're a secret coven, we don't even have a name. How'd you come to know about us?"

Stefan: "Emily Bennett. After she died, I read on one of her grimores that she was a part of this coven until Katherine Pierce saved her life and she was indebted to her. Later she used the coven's magic to create two resurrection rings."

Jocasta: "I know about those rings. Bennett witches have always been the first to bend rules of nature. No surprise you know her and come here to ask us bring two dead people back." (looked around) "It can be done. I'll need three things."

Stefan: "Name it."

Jocasta: "Your blood, their blood, and when the time comes, a favor in return. Do you accept?"

Stefan: "That depends. What kind of a favor will you ask in return?"

Jocasta: "I don't know. We don't need anything from you at the moment. But when we do, we will come knocking and expect you to provide."

Stefan: "Or?"

Jocasta: (smiled) "I'm not threatening. This is a business transaction."

Stefan: (looked confused) "Business?"

Jocasta: "Before you give an answer, let me clarify what you're getting yourself into. Bringing someone back requires blood bond. And blood bond is eternal. So we may not come for a year, a century, or a millennium. But someone eventually will, our deal will stand until the debt is paid."

Stefan: "And how many favors will it take until the debt is paid?"

Jocasta: "Just one." (Stefan looked at her confused, as if he wasn't expecting the number would be so small) "You ask us a favor, we get to ask one in return. Not more, not less. That's how this works."

Stefan remained silent and thoughtful for a while. Then raised his head and looked her in the eye.

Stefan: "I accept!"

Jocasta: (smiled) "The spell has to happen during a naturally recurring event. Lucky for you, we got solstice in two days. Be here at nightfall."

She headed to the door.

Stefan: "One question. How do I find blood of someone who is dead for twelve years?"

Jocasta: "Are there any living relatives?" (upon this Stefan's looks changed) "Might wanna start there."

Then she opened the door and got out. Stefan had to step back due to sunlight.


April's car stopped outside Anita's restaurant. To her surprise, Brad was there. He looked at the car until he saw April. She stopped the engine and got off the car.

April: (as she walked towards him) "Hey."

Brad: (without looking at her) "Hi."

April: (not in a questioning manner) "What're you doing here?"

Brad: "Got some free time on my hands, and nothing better to do."

April: (arrived near him and stopped) "You're fired?"

Brad: "Suspended."

April: "I'm sorry."

Brad: "I'm not." (looked at her) "Turns out it was the right move."

April: "How is that?"

Brad: "I know you only take odd cases. And if this piqued your interest, I figure she's in bigger trouble than we all thought."

April: (smiled) "I take normal cases too, once in a while. Something's gotta pay the bills, you know."

Brad: (smiled) "Don't I."

April: "But actually, I'm here for another investigation. Sheriff asked me to look into something else."

Brad: "I heard what happened at the forest. Is this about it?"

April: "Hm hmm."

Brad: "Crossed my mind too, but.. I don't see how those two events can be related."

April: "Anita is involved in both cases."

Brad: "Yes, but the MO is different. Here all we got is bodies. But in the forest, people are just knocked down."

April: "We have a body in the forest too."

Brad: "Just one. Besides, the guy terrorized Anita here. And then in the forest he helps her out? It doesn't add up."

April: "Seems you thought it through."

Brad: (after a brief silence) "Wanna hear something crazy?"

April: "Know your audience, Brad!"

Brad: "We have three strange events, all starting with the bodies we found at the quarry. Now nobody thought much of it, but the safe we found there was cut open. What if it wasn't meant to be open, and it was supposed to stay down there? What if there was something evil inside, and when those two opened the safe they let it out? I mean, what if.."

April: "Brad.. Brad!" (he stopped talking and listened) "You told anyone about this?"

Brad: "No."

April: "Good. Keep it that way."

Brad: "Why?"

April: "Because crazy-talk is my field, and that is crazy even for me! You tell this to anyone, you'll just as soon end up in a room right next to Jeremy G..."

April immediately stopped talking and her looks changed, as if she realized something crucial. Brad didn't catch it, and continued her sentence.

Brad: "Gilbert.. I know."

April: "No no no."

Brad: (realizing April was thinking something entirely different) "What?" (tilted his head) "What're you thinking?"

April: (looked at her watch, then the sky) "How long would you say till sun sets?"

Brad: (without realizing her panic, looked at the sky) "I dunno, an hour maybe."

April: (stepped backwards, towards her car) "I gotta go!"

Brad: (surprised) "You just got here?"

April: "Something came up."

Brad: "Let me come with!"

April: "Absolutely not! Randall would kill me if I got you involved." (opened the car door) "Go home, Brad." (got in and closed the door)

Brad: (opened the other door and got in) "Not a chance. If this is the case you gotta solve before looking into Ani's, then I'm helping you."

April: (paused) "Brad.."

Brad: (looked at her) "Weren't you just in a hurry? We're losing time!"

April sighed. She didn't want him around, but there was no getting rid of him. And he was right, they were losing time. She turned the engine on and started driving.


Egregor was serving drinks at the bar. Stefan entered from back door and sat close. Egregor saw him, and went near him after he finished serving to others.

Egregor: "What happened?"

Stefan: (showed his fingers) "Sun is still up."

Egregor: "Yeah, I'm not making you a daylight ring."

Stefan: "I'm not asking. I know where mine is."

Egregor: (laughed, and poured him a drink) "Yeah, I'd like to see you trying to get it back." (Stefan drank half of the glass) "Jo?"

Stefan: "We made a deal. I'm coming back at solstice."

Egregor: "Okay. I presume she gave you a list."

Stefan: "Yeah. She asked me the blood of a relative for each person I'm bringing back."

Egregor: (sense a troubled tone in Stefan's voice) "And?"

Stefan: "One of the people I wanna bring back is my brother. Somehow I think my blood won't do the work."

Egregor: "Because you're a vampire?"

Stefan: "No, because..." (looked around in confusion. Even though there were people close, nobody seemed to be bothered with the word "vampire") "Is this a supernatural bar?"

Egregor: (question caught him off guard, but he quickly understood what Stefan meant, and chuckled) "No, it's an enchanted bar. See, people in here are under a spell, without their knowledge. Any talk related to supernatural goes unheard."

Stefan: "Then how can we talk?"

Egregor: "Yeah, that was a tough glitch to work through. Jo eventually came up with a solution."

Stefan: "Seems like she's a powerful witch."

Egregor: "Would you believe if I told you she is my great grand mother?"

Stefan: (after a brief pause) "I might." (Egregor scratched his nose) "Are you serious?"

Egregor: "I wouldn't joke about it. Powerful witches slow their aging. Jo stopped hers. With a spell, on her body, except the mind. And she trapped the body in a time loop. Every morning at six o'clock, her body resets. She never ages a day."

Stefan: "That's as good as.."

Egregor: (interrupted him) "Immortality? Not without consequences though."

Stefan: "She has to drink blood?"

Egregor: "God no! It's other things, like.." (suddenly stopped, realizing it's best not to speak such things. Smiled nervously) "You know what? You don't wanna know about it."

Stefan: "No. What I really wanna know is why you two are so eager to help me?"

Egregor: "You're kidding, right?"

Stefan: (sarcastically) "I wouldn't joke about it!"

Egregor: "Boy, someone's been living under a rock."

Stefan: "Underwater, actually."

Egregor: "Beg your pardon?"

Stefan: "Twelve years ago, Silas locked me in a safe and threw the safe into a lake. I got out three days ago."

Egregor: "Dude, that's.."

Stefan: "Messed up, yeah. You still didn't answer my question."

Egregor: "Why are we so eager to help you? Okay. You're a vampire, right? If I asked you to kill someone, would you do it?"

Stefan: "If it benefits me somehow."

Egregor: "Exactly. If not, you'd ask for something in return."

Stefan: "So tell me, how does going against the rules of nature by helping a vampire resurrect two more benefit you?"

Egregor: "It doesn't. It's why we ask for something in return."

Stefan: "Only you didn't."

Egregor: "We think of it as an investment. Like.. sowing."

Stefan: (smiled weakly) "And come harvest day.."

Egregor: (completed his sentence) ".. we will collect."

Stefan: "Seems fair. "

Egregor: "You never know what kind of help you might need. Like yesterday my biggest problem was drunk customers. Today, it's a vampire staring at my artery."

Stefan: (smiled) "Sorry.."

Egregor: "It's why it's always good to have friends. Because at the right place and right time, anyone can make a whole world of difference." (then left the bottle in his hand to Stefan) "You did tell me to leave you the bottle."

Stefan took the bottle. They nodded to each other. Then Egregor headed to deal with other customers.


April and Brad were in the car. Brad realized she was headed to the old Lockwood Mansion.

Brad: "Where are we headed?"

April: "I need to talk to mayor for a minute."

Brad: "That's neat. If he agrees to see you without an appointment."

April: (stopped the car and looked at him) "He'll see me."

Then rushed into the mansion before he could speak. Clearly he was confused. April climbed the stairs and went straight to Mayor's room. Carla saw her.

Carla: "Excuse me.."

April looked at her with a sharp look, made Carla stay quiet. Then she opened Mayor's door and walked in. Carla rushed after her. Rudy was surprised to see them.

Carla: (to mayor) "I'm sorry, she just.."

Rudy: "It's okay, Carla. Leave us." (Carla wasn't expecting him to say it, but eventually nodded and left the room. After she's gone, Rudy looked at April) "You look like I owe you money."

April: "I'm sorry. If it could wait I would, but it can't."

Rudy: "And here I thought you came here because I've been calling you all afternoon."

April: "You were? I lost my other phone."

Rudy: "Noted. Well you said it can't wait, so I'll let you speak first."

April: "Did Sheriff ask for a council meeting?"

Rudy: "He did."

April: "What did he say?"

Rudy: "He said you reported him that the marks around Jane Allen's neck were consistent with a vampire's. Now I'm sure he did it with good intentions to save his daughter, so I'm not holding it against him, but he must have corrupted your report to claim something so bold. So I turned him down."

April: "I'm glad to hear that. But he didn't corrupt my report."

Rudy: "Come again?"

April: "The culprit is a vampire in all three cases we have. The quarry, the restaurant, and the forest. And it's the same vampire."

Rudy: "Do you realize how dangerous the words you are speaking is right now?"

April: "I do. And I also know who the vampire is. But I need you to keep it quiet."

Rudy: (with restrained rage) "What!?"

April: "I know it's hard to grasp, but I need you to trust me on this."

Rudy: (with unrestrained rage) "Keep it quiet?!" (continued calmly) "So he was right. Vampires are back."

April: "Not vampires. Just one. I don't know how, I don't know why, but he survived, and only he survived. He was locked in the safe that we found at the quarry for twelve years! He didn't even know that he was out, it was part delusion part hunger. I'm not defending him, but.."

Rudy: "Who is the vampire?"

April: (after a brief hesitation) "Stefan Salvatore."

Rudy: (his looks changed when he heard the name, and his attitude softened) "My god! He went to school with my daughter."

April: "Yes. He was her friend. A good friend."

Rudy: "Why are you telling me this?"

April: "Because if Sheriff Brook speaks to the council, the hunt will resume. They'll not rest until he's killed. Or worse, they'll have me do it. I can't have it. Council cannot know that he exists."

Rudy: "Because he's a friend?"

April: "Because he's an asset. Silas took everything away from both of us. He has as much reason as I have to want revenge from him. I'm sure you'll understand. After all he took everything from you too!"

Rudy saw where she was trying to get, and stood up and rubbed his forehead in desperation and deep thoughts.

Rudy: "God damn you, April!"

April looked at her watch. She had twenty minutes left to sundown.

April: "Look, I have to go."

Rudy: (turned to her) "What? You can't drop a bombshell like this on me and then just leave!"

April: (pointed the sky through the window) "I have to!"

Rudy: (understood what she meant) "Go. Go!"


April rushed to her car. Brad was still in, waiting impatiently.

Brad: (as soon as she got in) "Told you you couldn't see him."

April: (started the engine and started driving) "I saw him. We talked, and I got him right where I need him."

Brad: "You're joking! .. How?!"

April: "I have a long history with these people, Brad."

Brad: "How long?"

April: (while making dangerous maneuvers in the road) "I'll tell you when we get there."

Brad: "Where's there?"

April: "AMI. We gotta be there in.." (looked at car's clock) "Shit! .. twelve minutes!" (*)

Brad: "The nuthouse? Why?"

April: "You are asking too many questions!"

Brad: "Because none of this is making sense!"

April: (angrily) "I didn't ask you to come along!"

Brad: (rubbed his forehead with stress) "Turn around, I know a faster way."

April quickly looked at him, but didn't think twice. She made a hard break and turned the car around.


Back in Egregor's bar, Stefan was waiting at the door for sunset. Finally the sun disappeared behind the mountain at he horizon, Stefan rushed away with his vampire speed.


April and Brad had arrived to mental institution. She parked the car and started watching the entrance of the building.

April: "We're late."

Brad: "By only two minutes, it's nothing."

April: "Could be."

Brad: "What are we even doing here?"

April: "There's someone I've been looking for. I got word that he's been around Mystic Falls this past couple days."

Brad: "Why would he come to the nuthouse?"

April: "He was friends with Elena Gilbert. When he finds out she's gone, he'll most likely look for someone she was close to. From that gang, there's only one person left."

Brad: (suddenly realized) "Jeremy Gilbert." (then with a mocking voice) "Self proclaimed ghost whisperer."

April: "Don't mock him."

Brad: "Look I know crazy talk is your field, but.. ghosts? Come on!" (April didn't reply, but gave a little smile. Brad noticed) "You believe it!"

April: "I just don't find a reason not to."

Brad: "Most people look for proof that something exists before they believe it. You blindly accept everything and believe them to be real."

April: "I don't believe everything." (slowly turned her head and looked directly at him) "Just what I've seen."

Brad: (got nervous, and looked back at the asylum) "I don't believe ghosts, because I like sleeping at nights."

April: "I can do both."

Brad: "Not everyone is you."

April: "You think I was always this way?"

Brad: "Wouldn't know. Never met the pre-badass April."

April: "That would be when I first came back to Mystic Falls, when I was sixteen.. Back then.." (chuckled) "God, I just wanted to grow up fast."

Brad: "Why would you want that?"

April: "Because nothing was the way it seemed. Took me a long time to figure that out. And when I saw that no one was willing or able to do anything about it, I just knew that I had to change and be what this town needed."

Brad: "And what this town needed was?"

April: "Someone who's not afraid to get their hands dirty to get the job done. Someone who is willing to bend the rules and go above and beyond when necessary. Someone who is outside the system, but is a vital part of it. A guardian, if you will."

Brad: "Sounds a lot like a vigilante to me."

April: "I wouldn't expect you to understand."

Brad: "Because I'm a cop?"

April: "Because you don't know the town's history."

Brad: "The written one or the weird one?" (April slowly looked at him with questioning eyes) "I heard stuff. That the town used to belong to vampires, zombies and ghouls, and our founding families fought them and won the town, and it's why it's called Mystic Falls. You know, Mystic as in weird, Falls as in loses."

April: (smiled and looked back at the building) "Whoever made this up had a lot of free time on their hands."

Brad: "I don't understand you. One second you're all about other worldly creatures existing, but the moment I tell you a story, it's a tall tale?"

April: "Just because some things are true doesn't mean every thing is."

Brad: "Well I thought you'd at least give it a 'hmm' before you completely ruled it out."

April: "Hmm."

Brad: "How funny."

April: "What exactly is your problem with me?"

Brad: "I don't have a problem with you."

April: "Ever since you got in the car it's like you've been testing me. You either speak up or shut up. I don't have time for games."

Brad: "Honestly? I think you're a fraud." (April dangerously looked at him) "All you got is a skill set and a few campfire stories. I mean can you show me one proof that any one of those things you say is true?"

April: "Can you show me proof that your god is true?"

Brad: "That is way out of line!"

April: "So are you! Just because you don't see something doesn't mean it doesn't exist. There are things out there beyond your comprehension. How else do you explain all the craziness that Mystic Falls' been through over the years?"

Brad: "I don't. But just because you can't explain something, doesn't mean the answer is right away supernatural.

April: "And yet when it's someone you love on the line, you come running to me." (Brad didn't know how to reply) "You don't have to understand my work. But ever since I started this job, I put an end to our unexplained murders and missing people. So you'd do well to respect it!"

Brad remained silent for a while. Clearly he didn't have a trumping argument, and even if not because he saw her point, but because he didn't want her to stop looking into Anita's case, he decided not to push it further.

Brad: "Look, I'm sor..."

A sudden alarm coming from the building interrupted him. They both quickly looked at the building. April immediately got off the car and ran to the entrance. Brad followed her. They both had guns at their hands. They were quick to reach the door. But just as soon as they got there, someone with incredible speed hit April on his way out. April fell. Brad stepped back, and looked in confusion at the man that hit April as he too fell and rolled on the ground. April, without standing up, looked at who hit her. It was Stefan. Suddenly her eyes caught a syringe that Stefan dropped when he hit her. She quickly made a move to grab it. Stefan rushed with his vampire speed, but April reached first. Brad, who was at the same distance, watched Stefan's speed in shock. Stefan and April engaged in a quick fight. At one point their arms locked each others, and April hit him with her head. It forced Stefan to take a few steps back. April did the same. Stefan held his nose. Then looked at April.

Stefan: "Give it back, April!"

April: "What is this?"

Stefan: "Come on! A smart girl like you should have figured it out by now!"

April: "Jeremy's blood! Why is it not in your stomach but in a syringe?" (Brad weirdly looked at her) "You need it. But not to feed. For a spell? What are you up to, Stefan?"

Stefan: "Do you have any idea what it's like to wake up in a world that is not yours? To find out everyone you love gone? To find out that you don't belong anymore, and that the world has moved on on you?"

April: "What is the blood for, Stefan?"

Stefan: "It's my shot at a new life."

April: "More like your old life!"

Stefan: "Does it matter?"

April: "It should! Whoever you found, they're not gonna do anything out of the goodness of their hearts. There's always a price for those spells. What do you think would Elena say to you now?"

Stefan: "She's too dead to say anything. That's what I'm going to change!"

April: "At what cost?"

Stefan: "I dropped bodies all over eastern seaboard to keep her safe. I'd drop twice as much to get her back if that's the price."

April: "So you don't care? The rest of the world be damned?"

Stefan: "What's a little body count for the ripper of Monterey?"

April: "You don't care. I do. I'm not gonna let it happen." (she raised her hand, preparing the throw the syringe o the floor) "Not in my town!"

Then threw it. But just as soon as she did, Stefan ran with his vampire speed and managed to catch it before it hit the floor. Then ran away. Both April and Brad looked in shock.


April and Brad were in the car, driving back home. April seemed pissed, whereas Brad was still in shock. Eventually April slowed down and stopped the car. Only then Brad realized they arrived to his place. He slowly looked at April.

Brad: "That guy.."

April: "Yeah.."

Brad: (shook his head) "That wasn't normal."

April: "And cannot be explained."

Brad: "And it was real.. Real as ..." (couldn't think of a fitting thing for comparison) "What was he?"

April: "Something I'm going to protect us from. It's what I do."

Brad: "I'm sorry I didn't believe you."

April: (half smiled) "That's okay."

Brad: "I'm sorry I called you a fraud."

April: (jokingly) "Yeah, I'm gonna hold it against you, believe that!"

They chuckled.

Brad: "Look, I know today was.. well, rocky. But if you ever need any help.."

April: "I'll give you a call." (he looked at her) "Get some rest, Brad."

He nodded and got off the car. As he walked home, April drove away.


While approaching her house, April spotted Sheriff waiting at her doorsteps. Feeling a little nervous, she parked the car and got out to go home. She spoke when she came close enough.

April: "Sheriff Brooke! To what do I owe this pleasure?"

Randy: (smiled) "Sadly no pleasure, Detective. We need to talk."

April: (smiled and unlocked her door) "Don't I love it when you say that." (they walked in) "Want a drink?"

Randy: "No, thanks."

He closed the door and followed April to the living room. She faced him while taking off her jacket.

April: "Suspended?"

Randy: "Word travels fast." (sighed) "You're right. Rudy told me to take a few days off."

April: (she smiled vaguely, but tried to hide it, as she knew exactly why, but couldn't let sheriff know) "Why, if I may ask?"

Randy: "That's why I'm here. You told me those kids were murdered by a vampire. But when I asked for a council meeting, he said I'm making stuff up to clear Anita's name. We both know that's not true. So I need you to talk to Rudy and convince him that vampires are back. You're the only one he would listen to."

April: "I know, but after I reported you that, I went back to the crime scenes and realized some things just didn't add up. So I'm not sure if we're really dealing with a vampire, or if someone is trying to make us think that we are."

Randy: (half confused) "I.. I don't understand. Why would anyone want us to think that vampires are back."

April: "I don't know. But until I know for sure that we're dealing with a vampire, I can't in good conscience ask the mayor to start another witch hunt."

Randy stressfully took a few random steps around, while scratching his forehead.

Randy: "Alright then, answer me this. How can my daughter forget an entire day, if it's not for vampire compulsion?"

April: "I'm no expert, but there are many reasons for short term memory loss. Medication, diet, chemicals, physical impacts; or maybe she just willed herself to."

Randy: "How's that?"

April: "Maybe what she saw in the restaurant was just too traumatic for her that.. she just blocked it out, buried it." (a disturbing silence took place) "Also, there's the other option."

Randy: "Which is?"

April: "That she's just pretending to forget."

Randy: (became defensive) "Careful, Young!"

April: "I'm not saying I think that. But until I have hard facts, I have to be seen considering every single possibility. It's my job."

Randy seemed to have agreed. He looked around relatively calmer.

Randy: "I sent cops after her because I had to be seen doing my job. And then I saw what happened to her car, and.. If something happened.."

April: "Something did happen, Randy. But, as luck would have it, they're okay now."

Randy: (smiled) "I don't think it has anything to do with luck, but if you say so.. You know, I didn't want Tom near you at first."

April: (smiled) "Because I was the nutjob whose father killed eleven people and himself and your son deserved better?"

Randy: "I couldn't be more wrong. I'm glad this town has you."

April: "Mystic Falls is my home. I'm just happy I can help."

They nodded to each other, meaning "see you later". Then Randy turned around and left.


It was late night. Anita sat up in the dark in her bed. Thomas was sleeping deeply, but she just couldn't. She looked around without moving her head, indicating she is thinking about something. Then quietly got up and went to one of the computers in the lobby.

Cut to...
Morning came. Thomas woke up to the sound of the room door opening and closing. He moved in his bed and groaned, but didn't open his eyes. Anita sat near Thomas on his bed.

Anita: "Tom?"

Thomas: "Hmm.."

Anita: "Get up, we need to talk."

Thomas: "Later.."

Anita sighed, then pulled the blanket away. Thomas opened his eyes and looked at her. She was standing above him, holding the blanket, and seemed like wouldn't let it go until she got answers. He got up slowly.

Thomas: "Fine, give me a minute."


April had a map on her wall, with circles and arrows on it showing where Stefan was seen and to which direction he ran off to, and question marks over places he might have gone to. But she was getting nowhere. As she was standing before the map quietly in deep thoughts, her door opened and Brad walked in. As soon as she saw him, she asked.

April: "The day Anita escaped, the police caught them at the north exit, right?"

Brad: (surprised) "Good morning to you too!" (after April gave him a look, he answered) "Yeah, it was north. Why?"

April: "I'm trying to determine where Stefan might have gone."

Brad: "He was there that night?" (April suddenly realized she said something she shouldn't have. Though she tried to hide her reaction, the subtle change confirmed Brad's suspicion) "He was the guy that took down all those cops!"

April: (realizing there was no use in denying) "Yeah."

Brad: "But why? Why help Anita escape?"

April: "I don't have all the answers, Brad. Wish I had."

They both remained silent while looking at the map. Suddenly Brad tilted his head, as if he realized something.

Brad: "Hold on. He was talking about bringing "her" back. From.. beyond?"

April: "From death, yeah, that's what he meant."

Brad: "And he can do it?"

April: "He can't do it. But there are people who can get it done, and he's a resourceful man. If he's gone as far as he did yesterday, he most likely found one."

Brad: "A witch?"

April: (looked at him, surprised that he would know about them) "Yes."

Brad: "Like the ones.." (grabbed the marker and extended one of the arrows to all the way north, and drew a circle around some place at Massachusetts. April's face suddenly changed with realization) "Like the Salem witches?"

April: (thinking loudly) "It was a massacre. Painful murders. So much power. It's the best spot to channel for power, the weakest spot between this side and the other side!"

Brad: "And I've seen how fast he moves, I'm pretty sure he could get there in one day."

April: "There's a solstice tonight! That's when he's gonna do it!" (looked at him) "We have to stop him!" (she quickly grabbed her car keys and ran to the door. Before she ran out, she looked at Brad) "You coming?"

Brad quickly looked at the map, then followed April.


Thomas came and sat on his bad. Anita was still standing, holding on to his blanket and waiting patiently for him.

Thomas: "You look like you barely slept."

Anita: "I didn't."

Thomas: "Ani!"

Anita: "I couldn't, okay? Not after what you told me yesterday, about.. that man. Look, I didn't wanna worry you, but I'm not okay with it."

Thomas: "I didn't expect you to be. I know it's a huge pill to swallow."

Anita: "Then you know where I'm coming from. Some thing stole a day from me and I have no idea what's going on! I spent the night looking at every source I could find to make a tiny bit of sense of it. I found nothing. You told me Mystic Falls has a dark history, that we're an unusual town." (sat near him, looking at him with begging eyes) "So please tell me, brother. What are we really up against? Because I don't wanna hold on to hope, if there is none."

Thomas looked away sadly. Clearly he wanted to tell her, but knew he shouldn't.

Thomas: "Knowing won't bring you solace."

Anita: "I'm not looking for solace, I'm looking for answers."

Thomas: "Well maybe you should. Because what I know is not a joke. It's a burden, a heavy heavy burden, and once you know, you can't unknow. Look at April. She can't live her life because of this. I don't want that for you."

Anita: "But isn't it my right to know too?"

Thomas: "I know it is. But I'm asking you to give it up, and trust me that I will get you out of this. Can you do that?"

Anita looked with disappointment. She clearly wanted answers, but she also knew Thomas wouldn't insist on not telling unless it's for her good.

Anita: "I can try."

Thomas: (sighed with relief) "Thank you!"


In the backroom of Egregor's bar, Stefan and Jocasta were talking.

Jocasta: "Did you bring it?" (Stefan handed the syringe) "What's this?"

Stefan: "Blood of a living relative."

Jocasta: "I seem to recall you asked to bring two people back."

Stefan: "The other is my brother. So I have my blood."

Jocasta: "And you think you qualify as living?"

Stefan: (in panic) "Don't I?" (she shook her head) "Egregor told me it would work!"

Jocasta: (realizing what he meant) "There's a spell that will make your heart beat for a while, by temporarily tethering your life force to a living person. But even with my power, I can't do two binding spells at the same time."

Stefan: "So what're you saying?"

Jocasta: "I'm saying I'm gonna need some help tonight."


Later that day, at night, April parked the car near a building and she and Brad got out. He was looking at a map on his phone.

Brad: "If the source is correct, the place we're looking for should be.. one street behind."

April: (looked at her watch. It was almost quarter to twelve) "We got less than twenty minutes."

They started walking.

Brad: (chuckled) "Life's a funny thing."

April "Why's that?"

Brad: "Yesterday I was convinced that you were clinically insane. Today I followed you to Massachusetts to stop a vampire from resurrecting two dead people before solstice."

April: (laughed) "I know how you feel."

Brad: "I'm not sure you do. See, I'm not a believer."

April: "You're not? Because you sure did seem like one when you circled Massachusetts."

Brad: "Except this stuff is better when they stick to fiction. But knowing vampires, witches, werewolves, they really exist, does quite a number on your sense of reality." (as they kept walking) "Where are we going anyway?"

April: "The thing about witches, is that when they die, violently, that is, they leave an energy field behind. During the Salem witch trials, thousands of people were murdered. The place came to be known in the supernatural world as a ground zero."

Brad: "So you're saying, all those people that were executed were indeed witches?"

April: "Saying all would be bold, but most were. And that much death does two things: leave too much power behind, and create a weak spot between this side and the other side."

Brad: "Ghosts, that your Gilbert claims to see. They're all dead witches?"

April: "Dead witches, dead vampires.. Anything supernatural that dies goes to the other side."

Brad: "So we're looking for the spot where thousands of witches were murdered in a..." (stopped walking and looked at the building next to him, indicating they've arrived to the place. But both were shocked to see what has become of it) "... bar?"

They looked at each other. Both were equally surprised and confused. They tried the door, but it was closed.

Brad: "Why would a bar be close at this hour?"

April: "Unless.. this is exactly where we're looking for!"

Brad: "You mean they are inside?"

April: "Only one way to know for sure."

Then took a couple of metal strands and put them in the keyhole to pick the lock.

Brad: "And she can pick locks."

April: "Does that really surprise you?"

Brad: "Actually no, it doesn't."


Meanwhile in the backyard, Stefan was standing before Jocasta and Egregor. On his left and right, there was two perfect circles drawn on the soil with something white, most likely salt or chalk dust. And at the center of each circle, there was a vial of blood.

Stefan: "So how's this gonna work?"

Egregor: "Your blood now can be used for blood bond. But it cannot bring someone back. For that you need to be alive. Now no one can reverse vampirism, but I can make your heart beat for a while, which will give us a short window."

Stefan: "I sense there's a 'but' coming."

Egregor: "But.. There's a slight risk."

Stefan: "Elaborate."

Egregor: "The spirits will go through the one who is bringing them back and then visit the living person whose blood represents theirs. Which means your brother will not have a second stop before ending up in the circle in flesh."

Stefan: "Why's that bad?"

Egregor: "Because we stand at the weakest spot between this side and the other side, the moment your brother's spirit enters your body, it may push yours out and into the other side."

Stefan: "You mean I could die."

Egregor: "Yes." (smiled) "No pressure."

Stefan looked nervously as he turned around and went near Jocasta.

Jocasta: "Whenever you're ready."

Stefan: (nodded) "Let's do this!"

Jocasta: (smiled and looked at Egregor) "After you, kid."

Egregor smiled too and they both started their spells.


Meanwhile April and Brad had picked the lock and were in the bar. Seemed like people left in a rush, as the chairs and tables weren't placed properly and there were some half-full some empty glasses and spatters on tables. April nervously looked at her watch.

Brad: "How much time?"

April: "Three!"

Suddenly the lights started to flicker and windy noises came from the door behind the bar.

Brad: (half freaked) "The hell!?"

April: "Come on!"

They ran to the door and followed it to a rather small room. It seemed like a place to sleep for one person, but also there were many tools and stuff for witchcraft.

Brad: "Jeepers!"

April: "Right.." (pointed the backdoor) "There."

They checked. It was locked.

Brad: "It's locked. Can you pick it?"

April: (quickly looked at her watch) "No time!"

Then started kicking the door. Brad was quick to join. Together they quickly broke the lock and door opened to the backyard, where Jocasta and Egregor were casting their spells in front of Stefan, who now was on his knees with his wrists inside the circles on his left and right. The bang sound when the door hit the wall distracted the witches. Egregor saw Brad first, and pushed him back inside powerfully with his magic. As Brad literally flew, he almost hit April. Feeling threatened, she pulled her gun and shot repeatedly at the witches. However, Jocasta acted quick and managed to stop the bullets in mid air with her magic. Then with a powerful blast, she sent them back to April. Except two or three of them, all bullets hit April. In shock and pain, April first dropped her gun, then fell to the ground.

Brad raised his head slowly. He groaned, then lifted himself. Only then he saw April, on the floor, bleeding and struggling her hardest to keep breathing. In panic he ran to her and faced her to himself. She was almost out of breath and dying. She tried to speak, but she didn't have the strength or breath for it. In desperation, she struggled to raise her arm and pointed at Stefan. Then her arm and head fell. Brad, helplessly, looked at Stefan, not knowing what she meant. He pressed his fingers to her neck. There was a pulse, but it was weak and she clearly didn't have much time.

Brad: (yelled) "Stefan!" (Stefan didn't seem to hear, so he yelled louder) "Stefan!"

Little did he know that Stefan was in some kind of trance. He heard Damon's voice.

Damon: "Hello, brother!"

Stefan: "Damon?" (he opened his eyes and found himself in an infinite white room. Damon was right there in front of him. He stood up) "It's you! Did the spell work?"

Damon: "Not yet, but those two seem like they can pull it off."

They laughed and hugged each other.

Stefan: (cried) "I missed you brother!"

Damon: "Me too, brother. We all did!"

Stefan: (stepped back) "We?"

Damon: "You know. Me, Elena, Bonnie.. sometimes Jeremy."

Stefan: "You can speak to each other?"

Damon: "Jeremy can see us all, and Bonnie helps the gang Other Side."

Stefan: "I'm sorry I wasn't there sooner."

Damon: "'re you kidding me? After Klaus died, we looked everywhere for you. When we couldn't find you, we just assumed you found your peace and moved on. Just like we did with Caroline."

Stefan: "Caroline's not there?"

Damon: "Bonnie said she never found her. What I'm saying is, we gave up, brother. Had we known.."

Stefan: (interrupted him) "You could have done nothing. It's better you didn't, so you could work on finding your peace."

Damon: "I guess a small part of me always knew the truth, gnawing inside, telling me you weren't okay. I could never find my peace without knowing what really happened to you." (pat Stefan's shoulder sadly, but supportively) "Now I can!"

Stefan: (his smile turned to confusion) "What?"

Damon: "We can't go through with this, brother. Not when we're so close to finding our peace!"

Stefan: "B.. but you could come back!"

Damon: "And be a man out of time? I'll pass."

Stefan: "I don't understand!"

Damon: "We agreed that it's better this way."

Stefan: "I didn't!"

Damon: "So unless Elena screws me over big time, when you open your eyes, those circles will remain empty, because we are not going through with this."

Stefan: "Why?"

Damon: "We need to find peace, brother. We need to move on. We have a chance to end up in a better place, but if we go back, I know I'll do something to jeopardize it forever. You know I'm right." (they looked at each other with teary eyes) "I only came to say goodbye, and ask you to let us go. If you don't, then you're keeping us on the other side."

Stefan: (saw Damon's point, and half-accepted it) "I don't know how to go on without you."

Damon: "You kept going a century without me. I trust you to find your way." (they hugged each other) "Goodbye, brother!"

Stefan: (his voice broke) "Goodbye, brother!"

Then infinite white took over them.

Stefan opened his eyes. There was a powerful wind. He quickly looked at the circles. As promised, they were empty. Suddenly he heard Brad yelling at him. When he looked, he saw April laying lifeless and bleeding. He immediately rushed to get up.

Jocasta: "Stop! If you break position, you'll never get them back."

Stefan: (looked sharply) "They are not coming back!"

Then stood up. As soon as he did, Jocasta and Egregor stopped their spells. Wind stopped along with the spell. Stefan shared a dangerous look with the witches. Then ran with his vampire speed near April.

Brad: "Please! You're fast, take her to a hospital. She doesn't have much time left!"

Stefan: (breathed deeply) "No need."

Then bit his wrist to slice open a vein. He opened April's mouth to feed her some of his blood.

Brad: "What the.."

Stefan: "You wanna save her? This is the only way."

As blood went through April's throat, her wounds magically started to heal. Brad watched in surprise. It didn't take long until April slowly gained consciousness and came back. Stefan and Brad helped her up. They and witches shared one last look. Then they turned around and left.

They were on their way back. Brad was driving, Stefan was sitting next to him, and April was sleeping in the back seat.

Brad: "So.. is she a vampire now?"

Stefan: "No. She will be, if she dies in the next twenty four hours."

Brad: "Neat."

Stefan: "You're Anita's fiancé."

Brad: "And you're the guy that helped her in the forest. Thank you."

Stefan: "You don't need to thank me."

Brad: "No, I think I do. Because I've seen what happened to her car. No way she walked away from that unscathed. You healed her too?"

Stefan: "I didn't. She doesn't know I'm a vampire, and it stays that way."

Brad: "Well I thought, being a founding family member, she'd be in on the secret." (noticed Stefan was surprised that he would know these things) "April told me some things on the way here."

Stefan remained silent for a while. He looked at the road. They had a long way till they got to Mystic Falls.

Stefan: "I'm gonna get some sleep. Wake me up before sunrise."

Brad: "Why's that?"

Stefan: "You don't wanna be around to find out. Just do as I say."

Then took position to sleep.

Brad: "Alright."


As the first light appeared on the horizon, Stefan entered April's cabin, followed by Brad and finally April. Her clothes had blood and holes on them. She directly went to a back room to get a change of clothes. Soon she came back out and signed Stefan that he can go in, since it was the room he was kept in the first time, therefore sun-proof. After he went in, April and Brad walked out of the cabin. April thought about locking the door, but then left it unlocked. They walked back to April's car.

April: "Goes without saying but.. You can't tell anyone."

Brad: "You're right. Goes without saying."

They chuckled.

April: "Thanks for riding us home."

Brad: "Does this mean the case is solved? You found the guy, we stopped the evil witches, and we can move on to Anita's case?"

April: "Yeah. Just not today. I really need some sleep."

Brad: "Yeah. I could use some too."

They smiled, then left to go their homes.


Back in the cabin, Stefan was laying on the couch, watching the ceiling and brooding. Without him knowing, Damon was in there too.

Damon: "Are you sure we did the right thing?"

A familiar female voice replied. It was Bonnie.

Bonnie: "I know those witches. If he'd gone through with the deal, there would be terrible price to pay."

Another familiar voice spoke. It was Elena.

Elena: "It's why we told him to let us go."

Damon: "Seems it just went over his head."

Bonnie: "He'll get there.. when he's ready."

Damon: (sighed) "You know, after such a noble sacrifice, one would expect that a shining door would appear to take us to that better place."

They chuckled, knowing he was joking, but also meant it.

Bonnie: "Maybe one day."

Elena: "Yeah. Maybe one day."

They looked at each other, smiling.


Egregor and Jocasta were fixing the backyard back. While Egregor was working on the door April and Brad broke, Jocasta went near the circles to destroy the vials of blood. She broke the one in Elena's circle. But as soon as she turned to Damon's circle, she paused noticing something. She grabbed the vial from the floor and looked directly at it. A smile appeared on her face.

Jocasta: "Egregor!"

He saw what she was holding, and walked near her.

Egregor: "What's that?"

Jocasta: "This.. is the blood we took from Stefan while his heart was beating! And that means.."

Egregor: (suddenly sharing her excitement) "We have the blood of a living doppelganger!"

They smiled. Then she gave it to him.

Jocasta: "Freeze it. Who knows when we might need it."

Egregor: (took the vial) "So last night wasn't a total loss after all."

Jocasta: "Son.." (smiled dangerously) "You have no idea!"

~STEFAN’S DIARIES~

Cast

Main Characters

Recurring Characters

Guest Cast

Special Guest Starring

Trivia & Notes

  • A.M.I. stands for Atlanta Mental Institution.

Cultural references

Advertisement