For the first time in a long time, I felt truly happy. My heart fluttered with every movements, butterflies following in my stomach. I felt the excitement at my fingertips, as if electricity ran through them. I had slept with Damon, and there was no inch of regret inside of me. His kisses were hot and it felt as if he were searing his touch to every inch of my skin. I didn't want to return to the real world where Stefan didn't have his humanity, Elena was sort-of in danger, and I was a doppelgänger of some sorts.

   When the morning arrived, Damon and I went to the old Lockwood cellar with Alaric and Elena. It was the reason why Mason had brought Damon over. Damon and I could not really pass and see in person since there was some spell or something that did not allow us to pass. Maybe we needed to be invited in; it appeared that the Lockwood's were very anti-vampire. But, there were runic writings on the walls, which indicated presence of Vikings in Mystic Falls. Alaric took pictures of the drawings, and now we were at his loft as we tried to read what they meant. Since he was a big history buff, it was much easier for everyone. 

   "This images tell a story," Alaric said as he stared down at the pictures. "To learn a story, you have to decipher these images."

   Behind us, I could hear Elena and Damon. He had been helping her with her combat training, which was not going well. Each time she tried to get a good hit on Damon, he would immediately disarm her without effort. Her excuse would be that she was new at it, even though she had been practising for more than three months.

   "Yeah, but doesn't Mikael have a weapon?" Elena asked, continuing her practise. 

   "Yes," Damon answered her. "Which probably means the wall will lead us to Mikael, who we have already found. Bang! You're dead."

   "These images at the very least might tell us what that weapon is," Alaric continued. 

   Elena stepped to the table. "Then all we have to do is find out what they mean."

   "Fine, fine!" Damon groaned. "If I am being irritatingly optimistic like you three, how do you suppose we do that?"

   I looked at them with a smile. "You go to the main source," I said as I playfully pointed at her. "The Original family, Rebekah."

   Elena nodded, a smile forming around her lips. "That's a good idea," she said. "The cheerleading squad is at practise now, she should be there. I'm gonna go talk to her."

   "Don't get yourself killed!" I called out as I continued to look at the pictures. I circled the table, coming up to Damon, who was looking at the pictures as well. He bumped me with his hip gently, a small and playful smirk around his lips. I bumped him with my shoulder in return, a smile forming around my lips. And, there it was again. The happiness.

   Alaric cleared his throat, looking at us through his lashes as he kept his head down. "Are you two done flirting?" he asked. "Because Clara and I need to get back at deciphering these pictures."

   "Fine," Damon said, putting the picture he was looking at back on the table. "I'm going to check on Stefan."

   "Is that a good idea?" I asked. 

   He shrugged his shoulders. "Lexi had him worked up quite a bit," he explained. "At the moment, he might feel as if he has gone a few months, years without blood. He's weak, and he's my brother. Might as well check up on him." He wiggles his fingers as he walked backwards to the door. "Family day at Vampire Rehab."

   "Don't get killed," I called, rolling my eyes. "And don't kill him!" I knew that he could hear me through the closed door, because I heard him let out a chuckle. I smiled to myself and went back to looking at the pictures. As I continued, I felt someone staring at me. I looked up to see Alaric, who had a straight face. "What?" I asked, tilting my head to side.

   He shrugged his shoulders. "Nothing," he responded. "Just that you and Damon seem a lot closer than yesterday."

   "We, uh..." I scratched the back of my neck. "We slept together."

   "Why am I not surprised?"

   "Did I tell you that we were engaged when we were humans?" I sarcastically asked him. "Alaric, as stupid as it seems, I still love him even though it has been more than one hundred and thirty years. It's stupid, and I should have moved on a long time ago, but I never could. You know how ghosts don't move on because they have unfinished business? That was me. I was a ghost that couldn't move on." I looked up at him, a small smile forming on my lips. "Sorry, I'm rambling."

   "No, no." Alaric shook his head and looked back down at the pictures he held in his hands. "No, it's, uh, it's okay. I understand."

   "Now," I inhaled and nodded. "We should probably continue to decipher these."

   We continued to try and decipher the pictures. There were scripts, runic letters, and drawings. We had already figured out a few names, such as Niklaus, Rebekah, Elijah, and Mikael. Alaric wrote 'vampire' on a post-it note and placed it on top of one of the pictures, the one that resembled the moon. He picked up another picture and kept watching it with the other picture. He picked up the post-it note and put it on the picture that resembled the sun, then put another post-it note on the first picture, this time reading 'werewolf'.

   "A full moon," I mumbled lowly, watching the picture. "Makes sense."

   "Vampires can't walk in the sunlight, werewolves turn on the full moon," he explained. He began to put the pictures on the wall. I chuckled to myself as I watched, suddenly remembering old detective shows where they would put pictures on the wall, post-it notes with information on them, and connect them with a red string.

   "Elena's coming," I said as I heard her coming up the stairs. A few minutes later, she walking in through the door with her phone to her ear. 

   "I've got this, Damon," she said as she shut the door. "If we can figure out a way to kill Klaus, Stefan will be free of his compulsion." She let out a sigh. "So, how does he look?"

   "Pasty and pouty," I heard Damon respond from the other side.

   "He'll have to get over it," Elena said. "Call me later." She hung up and turned to us. "Rebekah will come around."

   "You're sure about that?" Alaric asked. "I mean, a thousand year old vampire, I'm sure, has learned the art of patience."

   "She's a thousand year-old vampire," Elena agreed, "who's joined the cheerleading squad. This is a whole different set of rules that play here, Ric. I got this." She turned the phone to him, revealing a text from Rebekah told told her to come over. 

   Rebekah was also staying at the Salvatore boarding house since Klaus left her behind. She has been a quiet roommate, mostly keeping to herself while sulking that her brother left her behind. I had tried to get her to come out, but she always said no and walked away. There were times where she would lock herself in her room, other times she would leave to go shopping and come back with heaps of bags in her arms.

   After Elena left, Bonnie came. She greeted us, a sullen look on her eyes and a forced smile. I stared at her, giving her a small and tight smile of reassurance. Her boyfriend, the littlest Gilbert, had cheated on her with his dead vampire girlfriend. It turned out that the dead vampire girlfriend was Annabelle Zhu, the same Annabelle Zhu that had been my friend when I was a human. I was surprised to learn that it was her, but I was also sad because it meant that she was dead.

   Alaric held up the necklace that Bonnie had brought, the one Klaus had been searching for. "So, I've been staring at this image all day, wondering why it looked so familiar." He held up the picture that had the same design as the necklace. "I was right."

   "It's the same design..." Bonnie uttered.

   "So, your grandmother said this necklace belonged to the witch that put the hybrid curse on Klaus, right?" Alaric asked, "Well, this symbol is repeated all across the wall. I've been trying to figure out what it meant. And now I know..." He wrote something on another post-it note and put it on the picture: witch.

   Bonnie left a few minutes later. I continued to look through the pictures, mostly the names. For a person that loved to learn, I found it amazing how there were Vikings in Mystic Falls before the world was discovered by the people in history books. I picked up a picture that had yet to be deciphered, and stared at it.

   "Alaric," I gently called, walking over to him with the picture. "This name, what is it?"

   He took the picture from my hand and looked at it for a few seconds, then moved back to the table. With a paper that described the runic letters, he began to decipher the name. "G-W-E-N..." He trailled off and looked over at me. "Gwenhwyvar."

   "Are you sure?" I asked as I marched over to him. "Alaric, are you sure?"

   "I-I'm not fluent in this Germanic language," he explained, writing down the name on a post-it note. "But, so far I've been translating the other names perfectly, so... Yeah, I'm sure. This says Gwenhwyvar."

   I took a deep breath and stared at the picture, admiring the runic letters as thousands of thoughts ran through my head. Even though it was a small victory, I was close to figuring out what I was. And suddenly, I recalled something. It was the same letters I had seen on the first drawing back in 1887 with Elijah. That girl must have been Gwenhwyvar.

   "But, does it say anything else?" I asked Alaric. "Does it say anything else about her?"

   "It's jut her name," he explained, taking a deep breath. "I'm sorry, Clara."

   "No, no!" I shook my head and smiled. "I'm thankful, Alaric. I don't think I would have been able to have this bit of information alone. Thanks to you I know that this Gwenhwyvar must have known the Originals." I looked back down at the name, taking in a deep breath. "She must have known them..."

   "Why don't you ask Rebekah?" Alaric asked. "She should have some answers."

   "I will," I said, smiling at him. "Thanks again, Alaric." I went to the sofa to grab my purse.

   "Clara," he stopped me as I went to the front door. I turned and look at him, raising a brow. "Uh, you don't have to call me Alaric, okay? Just call me Ric."

   "You sure?" I asked.

   "Yeah," he nodded. "I mean, we're friends, right?"

   I was surprised that he considered me a friend. I had thought that Alaric hated me, but maybe he didn't. He had problems with Damon because he had tried to kill him a few times, I knew that. But, there he was, telling me that we were friends. I couldn't help but smile and nod.

   "You need any more help, just tell me, okay?" He smiled and nodded. 

   "Got it," I chuckled. "I'll see you later, Ric."

   "Bye, Clara."

   I went back to the boarding house, ready to ask Rebekah about who this girl was. Maybe she wouldn't answer, but I was a bit stubborn so I wouldn't stop until she told me. I found her with a glass of scotch. She didn't look happy, in fact she looked as if she would break at any moment. Slowly, I walked to her.

   "Are you here to ask about the past too?" she asked, laying the bottle down and sighing. "I already told Elena everything."

   "I'm not going to ask you about your family," I said, taking a seat in front of her. "But, I am going to ask you about Gwenhwyvar."

   Rebekah stopped drinking and slowly lowered the glass. She turned to me, both surprised and with a face filled with sorrow. "How do you remember that name?"

   "When Elijah was staked, every compulsion wore off," I told her, crossing my arms and beginning to pace. "I remembered the drawings and I've been confused ever since then. Rebekah, I need to know who this Gwenhwyvar is."

   Rebekah watched me, curious and a face filled as if it would break into tears at any moment. I hope that it wasn't because of me, but because of what Elena had made her tell her about her past. Slowly, she stood and took my hand.  She blinked several times and looked my times. "I free you of Nik's compulsion, Clara," she softly said. "Remember me, remember us."

   And like a movie, every single memory returned. Every smile, every tear, every anger, every murder I had committed. I remembered Rebekah and Klaus, each moment that I spent with them since 1887. The happiness that I had was of that of a good friend, one that made me tear up and take a seat from the sudden memories that surged through me. I looked up at Rebekah, and smiled. 

   "Bekah..." I softly said. "Oh my god!" I stood and wrapped my arms around her, pulling her into a hug. She hugged me in return, murmuring my name over and over again as if she was thankful. I minded not one bit. 

   "Clara," she sniffed.

   "I'm so sorry for not remembering!" I told her, smiling. "God, I'm going to kill Klaus when I see him. That bastard made me forget. How did you break Klaus's compulsion on me?"

   "I'm in those memories as well," she said, wiping her tears as soon as they came. "You and I are going to kill him for what he's done."

   "Well," I took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "We'll plan his murder later. Now, well, I'm going to give you a twenty-first century girls night, yeah? I'm gonna buy some take-out, some ice cream, and I'm going to show you all the amazing films that you've missed while Klaus had you daggered for the last ninety years."

   "I could use some distraction," she smiled. 

   "Good," I chuckled. "And, when I return, you better tell me about this Gwenhwyvar, okay?"

   "Fine," Rebekah groaned, waving her hand. "Just bring me some of that ice cream. I've heard good things about it."

   "Oh, they have so many flavours now!" I called as I walked to the front door. She laughed, which caused me to smile. It felt good to remember, but it also felt horrible. As soon as I stepped inside my car, my smile faded. 

   I had murdered so many people for the pure pleasure of it with Klaus. I fed, and fed, like some hunger-stricken beggar. And then Elijah, like some father-figure, would scorn me for leaving such a large trail of dead bodies on my wake. He would ask how could I kill so many and feel little remorse, and I would answer with something about a red door. That I would hide the body count behind a red door, just like he had taught me.

   I drove to the grocery store and bought all the things I thought Rebekah would like. The list included different flavours of ice cream, chips, a large assortment of candy, and even a few bottles of soda. I mumbled to myself as I put them in the car, wondering if she would like them it felt strange, but it also felt as if I had regained an old friend back.

   "How much did you get?," a voice erupted in the silence. I jumped and slowly turned my head to the passengers side to see Stefan leaning back with his hands behind his head. "So, how much do you remember? I heard the reunion you and Rebekah had back at the house."

   "What the hell?" I groaned, throwing my head back in displeasure. "Why the hell are you out of your cell? Please, don't tell me that Damon got you out." I grabbed a part of his shirt when I noticed a red stain, and sighed. "Did you feed, too?"

   "Calm down, Mother," he laughed, pushing my hand away. "I didn't kill her, if that's what you're really asking."

   "So the ripper finally has calmed down," I chuckled with no emotion. "Hmm, never thought I would see that happening."

   "Ha," he sarcastically laughed. "I could tell you the same thing, Clara. You had your humanity completely intact and you destroyed cities, killed a lot of people, and just like a ripper, you indulged in all of it. So, what's stopping you in joining me?"

   I bit my bottom lip and stared at the steering wheel. With a bit of hesitation, I answered. "Because I know you want your humanity back, Stefan," I quietly said. "And, if I joined you, and you broke free from Klaus's compulsion and turn back to Saint Stefan, you would hate me. Not only you, but Damon and Caroline as well, Bonnie especially, and even Elena. I would make this town drown in blood, and you would hate me."

   Stefan was quiet, staring at me as if I were crazy. I let out a small chuckle, shaking my head and taking a deep breath. "Why the hell am I tell you this? You're the least person to understand."

   He chuckled. "Yeah," he breathed, nodding. "I'm the least to understand, 'cause, you know, absolutely no humanity here."

   "Then why the hell are you here?" I asked, sighing. "Shouldn't you be bothering someone else?"

   "I want to catch up with my good friend," he responded, smiling. "I mean, I only know that you've been travelling the world and the last place you were at was Prague before coming back to Mystic Falls, so why not catch up?" He shrugged his shoulders and turned his upper body to me.

   I sarcastically laughed and shook my head. "You're so annoying," I mumbled. "That's the least thing you want to know about me, Stefan. Tell me why you're really here."

   "Like I said, catch up," he said. "We got Mikael."

   "Mikael..." I repeated, turning from him. "You shouldn't have."

   "You're on Team Klaus now?"

   "I'm in Team I-rather-not-die!" I responded, shaking my head. "Mikael is a vampire that hunts vampires. Not only does he kill them, he feeds on them as well! Oh, and don't get me started on the horrible entrances that he makes."

   "Sounds like you've had your run with him a few times," Stefan said nonchalantly.

   I took a deep breath and shook my head, deciding to change the conversation. "Where's Damon?"

   "Where do you think he is, Clara?" Stefan asked, smiling. "He's with Elena." He must have seen the look on my face, because he chuckled. "Where else would be? You should just let it sink in that my brother lover her, too."

   "Please," I quietly pleaded, shaking my head. "I don't want to talk about that."

   "Why not?" Stefan shrugged his shoulders and continued to watch me, smiling. "I mean, it's the truth, Clara. Damon loves Elena."

   "Stefan..." I mumbled, wanting him to stop.

   "I wonder what would have happened if you never became a vampire, you know," he continued. "Maybe he would be fighting me for Elena's love, not that he already is."

   "Stefan..."

   "I think it's wrong," he continued. "I mean, why try to fight for someone else's love when they already have you. Ugh, greedy."

   "Stefan!" I yelled, shutting my eyes closed. "I swear, I'm going to break your neck if you don't shut up."

   He raised his hands in defeat, yet he still kept the amused smile around his lips. I shut my eyes again and rubbed my temple, letting out a soft long groan. It irritated me how different humanity-less Stefan was, and it also surprised me. How could he be so different, so rude? I wanted nothing more than to break his neck, throw him out of the car, and leave. 

   With irritation, I drove back to the boarding house. Stefan continued to talk, or he either sang a long to whatever 80's song was playing on the radio. I tapped my fingers against the steering wheel, his voice searing into my head as if it were some kind of fire. Whenever I stopped, I shut my eyes closed or hit my forehead against the steering wheel. Even Klaus wasn't as annoying as he was. 

   As soon as I arrived at the boarding house, I got out and hurried inside with the shopping bags. I stopped when I heard sobbing, laid the bags on the ground, and followed the sound. Rebekah was on her knees by the fireplace of the living room, crying. I ran to her, immediately pulling her into my arms like any food friend would do. I asked no questions as she cried, as she hung to me as if I were keeping her up. 

   After some time, as her sobs became gentle gasps of breath, I asked, "What happened?"

   "I've been lied to all my life, Clara," she softly said. "How could Nik lie to me? Was he so afraid that Elijah and I would leave him?"

   She pushed herself away from me and wiped away her tears. "Nothing," she said. "Nothing. Nothing important."

   "Are you sure?" I quietly asked, laying a hand on top of hers. "Rebekah, you can tell me anything."

   She took a deep breath. "Gwenhwyvar was a very good friend of mine," she began out of nowhere, a small smile on her face. "We had been friends since birth, and we were inseparable. We were to practice magic together if it weren't for the fate my mother places on us."

   "Us?"

   "Us," she nodded, looking down at her hands. "That night, our father gave us wine laced with blood. And then he drove his sword through our hearts, and he wasn't delicate either. Mikael walked in when Klaus and I awoke, and he had a girl with him."

   "Gwenhwyvar..." I came to realise.

   Rebekah nodded. "We needed to drink blood to complete the ritual," she continued. "And my best friend since childhood was the one to help my parents turn us into these monsters. My father pushed her to the ground and cut her wrist, making Nik and I stare at what this ritual made us thirst for the most."

   "You drank from her?"

   "I didn't want to," she cried, shaking her head. "Nik didn't want to. Clara, the first taste of it was euphoric! I couldn't stop, so Nik and I continued to drink, and drink, and drink until she fell limp in our arms—dead." She looked up and wiped her tears, letting out a chuckle with no emotions. "Gwenhwyvar was my best friend, she was the girl Nik loved, she was the girl that Elijah considered a very good friend. When we saw her again in 1438..." She looked down at her hands, the ghost of a smile visible around her pink lips. "I thought Nature was making fun of us for killing a very good friend."