World So Cold

I waited a few minutes before following Tyler back inside. Once inside I went and found a vacant table to watch the plan unfold. Elena was onstage being crowned Homecoming Queen. Someone gave her flowers; someone put a rhinestone tiara on her head. Everybody politely clapped.

Once off stage Elena went to Tyler Smallwood. She started flirting with him immediately. She broke off one of the roses of her bouquet and gave it to him. Elena was surrounded by his friends, a shouting, laughing crowd, and obviously drunk.

Eventually Tyler’s arm circled her waist, and Elena threw her head back to laugh. The girls were getting shrill, the boys rowdy. Tyler was nuzzling her neck. He said something and pulled Elena more tightly to him. “Let’s go someplace more fun,” I heard him say once I focused my hearing.

Somebody shouted, “Like where, Tyler? Your dad’s house?”

Tyler was grinning a big, boozy, reckless grin. “No, I mean someplace where we can leave our mark. Like the cemetery.” The girls squealed. The boys elbowed each other and faked punches. Tyler’s date was standing outside the circle.

“Tyler, that’s crazy,” she said, her voice high and thin. “You know what happened to that old man. I won’t go there.”

“Great, then, you stay here,” he said uncaring. Tyler fished his keys out of his pocket and waved them at the rest of the crowd. “Who isn’t afraid?” he said.

“Hey, I’m up for it,” said Dick and there was a chorus of approval.

“Me too,” said Elena clear and defiant. She smiled up at Tyler and he practically swung her off her feet. And then she and Tyler were leading a noisy, rough-housing group out into the parking lot. As they left I saw Meredith swiftly follow a few seconds afterwards.

I noticed Stefan sitting at one of the nearby tables with Caroline draping over him. He looked bored and uncomfortable as Caroline chattered on endlessly. I got up silently and moved over to his table. I sat down without asking and Caroline instantly stopped her chatter.

“Excuse me,” she said, “but who told you that you could sit there?”

“Why don’t you go find some other guy to throw yourself at?” I said smiling sweetly. As the compulsion worked Caroline got up from the table and moved off into the crowd of dancing bodies.

“That was uncalled for,” said Stefan frowning.

“She’s a bitch,” I said dismissively. “Anyways, I thought you should know that your girl left with Tyler Smallwood.”

“My girl?” asked Stefan looking confused.

“Elena,” I supplied. “I think they said something about going to the cemetery to have some more fun.”

“How is this any of my concern?” asked Stefan harshly.

“I know you care for her, Stefan. Don’t pretend you don’t. And this is Tyler Smallwood. Who knows what he could be capable of? In fact,” I said looking over his shoulder to where Matt, Bonnie, and Meredith stood conversing, “I’d say her friends are pretty concerned. You should be too.”

Stefan looked back to see Elena’s friends worried faces. “They will take care of her,” he said.

“They don’t know where she went,” I pointed out. I then got up from the table. Giving a quick curtsey I left him at his table to do what he pleased. I set the bait now it was just up to fate. If Stefan and Elena were really meant to be together this plan would work out.

Exiting the gym I went out into the night. I immediately shifted into a raven. Giving a loud croak I flapped my wings and took off into the night. I flew swiftly and silently to the cemetery. I knew Stefan would not be far behind me.

When I landed at the cemetery I perched on an old headstone. I grasped the cold stone with my feet and sat there. I ruffled my feathers getting comfortable. I was going to watch this plan unfold and enjoy every moment of it. If only I had some blood to snack on.

“It’s okay, honest, it’s not far off the path. Look, there, you see?” He pointed to a statue that shone in the moonlight. It was made of red marble with a ball on top that was quite large. Elena gasped when she saw it.

“It’s just the ball on top. Nothing to be scared of,” said Tyler, pulling her with him off the path and up to the shining headstone. Elena started shivering as she stood there looking at the headstone. Fear was emanating off her.

“Poor baby, she’s cold. Got to get her warmed up,” said Tyler. Elena tried to push him away, but he was too strong, wrapping her in his arms, pulling her against him.

“Tyler, I want to go; I want to go right now…”

“Sure, baby, we’ll go,” he said. “But we’ve got to get you warm first. Gosh, you’re cold.”

“Tyler, stop,” she said. His arms around her had merely been annoying, restricting, but now with a sense of shock she felt his hands on her body, groping for bare skin. Elena aimed a spiked heel for his patent-leather instep, but he evaded her. “Tyler, take your hands off me.”

“C’mon, Elena, don’t be like that, I just want to warm you up all over…”

“Tyler, let go,” she choked out. She tried to wrench herself away from him. Tyler stumbled, and then his full weight was on her, crushing her into the tangle of ivy and weeds on the ground Elena spoke despearately. “I’ll kill you, Tyler. I mean it. Get off me.”

Tyler tried to roll off, giggling suddenly, his limbs heavy and uncoordinated, almost useless. “Aw, c’mon, Elena, don’t be mad. I was jus’ warmin’ you up. Elena the Ice Princess, warmin’ up…You’re getting warm now, aren’t you?”

Tyler pressed his mouth against Elena’s face in a form of a kiss. She was still pinned beneath him, and his sloppy kisses were moving down her throat. Tyler tore some of Elena’s dress either on accident or purpose I don’t know.

“Oops,” Tyler mumbled. “Sorry ‘bout that.” Elena twisted her head, and her mouth met Tyler’s hand, clumsily caressing her cheek. She bit it, sinking her teeth into the fleshy palm. The faint scent of blood filled the air. Tyler yelled in agony.

“Hey! I said I was sorry!” Tyler looked aggrievedly at his maimed hand. His face darkened, as, still staring at it, he clenched the hand into a fist. I spread my wings ready to intervene if I had to. Where was Stefan? On the ground Elena braced herself for the blow.