That day we had fun . We laughed too loud, ate too much, and we even went to a scenic place. By evening, Dad and Steven were getting ready to leave for dinner.
Before stepping out, Dad turned serious.
"Lock the doors properly," he said. "Don't let anyone inside. And don't say yes if someone asks to come in."
Steven echoed him, his tone firmer than usual. "No matter who it is."
Caroline simply nodded.
But something about the way they emphasized not saying yes made my stomach twist.
(In the car)
Steven gripped the steering wheel tighter than necessary. "Honey… I'm tense."
"Why?" Dad asked.
"Aaron and Caroline are bright kids. Special in their own ways. But Aaron…" He exhaled slowly. "Aaron is sharp. He senses when something's wrong—sometimes better than we do. And we've been in this field for years."
Dad stayed silent.
"Are you sure you don't want to tell him the truth about vampires?"
"Aaron is only fifteen," Dad replied. "I can't drag him into this."
Steven shook his head. "The Forbes family has carried this duty since the very first Forbes. One of the Founding Families. For generations your family have protected innocent people from these monsters."
He paused before continuing.
"Caroline doesn't seem interested in any of this. When I asked about her passion, she said journalism. We can't force her to become a sheriff or a council member if she doesn't want to."
Dad glanced at him. "So what are you suggesting? That I tell my fifteen-year-old son about vampires just because he's perceptive?"
"I'm not telling you to do it," Steven said quietly. "But at least think about it. Today Aaron figured something was off. He tried to go into your study. I stopped him before he peeked through your ancestor's journal."
Dad's head snapped toward him. "He tried to look at the journal?"
Steven gave a faint smile. "He's a Forbes. Of course he's drawn to it. I just hope that if one day he asks you about all of this himself… you won't lie to him. Don't keep him in the dark."
Bill Forbes' jaw clenched. He knew Steven wasn't entirely wrong.
"So," Steven added lightly, "did you lock your study with magic or just a normal lock?"
"Don't worry," Dad replied. "I used the lock that witch gave me. Aaron won't be able to open it."
(Back at the house)
Caroline and I were watching TV when the popcorn ran out.
She groaned dramatically. "Seriously? It had to finish at the best scene."
"It's fine. I'll make more," I said.
"Thank you."
On my way to the kitchen, a thought slipped into my mind.
Dad and Steven weren't home.
The study was empty.
The journal was there.
Before I could stop myself, my feet were already moving down the hallway. I stood in front of the study door. Locked.
I should let it go.
But curiosity burned hotter than caution.
I bent down and examined the lock. A normal one. I tried using one of Caroline's hairpins. It didn't work. Then I tried a safety pin, but it slipped uselessly.
As I stood up in frustration, the sharp edge of the pin sliced my finger.
"Fuck," I hissed under my breath as blood welled up.
I jerked my hand back, shaking it as if I could fling the pain away. But a single drop fell onto the doorknob.
Shit. If Dad saw that—
I quickly wiped it clean. As I finished, my fingers brushed the knob.
It moved.
Slowly.
The door creaked open.
"Okay… what the hell just happened?" I whispered.
I didn't wait for answers. I stepped inside.
The study smelled like old paper and dust. After searching for several minutes, I finally found it—the journal. Old. Worn. Almost fragile.
The name written inside made my breath catch.
William Forbes.
The same William Forbes who co-founded Mystic Falls?
My ancestor?
I opened it, heart pounding. His handwriting was terrible—nearly unreadable. But one page stood out.
[[March 17, 1864
More and more people are being found dead, drained of blood. Heaven knows it is the work of those monsters. The vampires have targeted Mystic Falls. I have spoken with Giuseppe Salvatore, Jonathan Gilbert, Jacob Lockwood, Thomas Fell, and Honoria Fell. We have decided to mix vervain into everything to protect the townspeople.]]
My eyes locked onto one word.
Vampires.
They aren't real.
They can't be.
The names of the Founders were also there.
I kept reading.
[[We keep a keen eye on the night, yet find nothing while people continue to die. Jonathan Gilbert suspects that vampires may be able to walk in daylight. The others dismiss it, but I cannot ignore the possibility. If these monsters can walk in the sun, then no one is safe.]]
I flipped through it's pages. I knew that he was a sheriff in 1860s .and he protected people but what is this? Could this journal be all lie? All his imaginations? I thought of jeremy. How he said he read his ancestor's diary, Jonathan Gilbert's journal. And in his journal he talked about weird creatures such as vampires. We both laughed about how imaginary he was but why the same things matches with my ancestor's journal too.
I flipped through it pages but 2 names caught my attention .Two names froze my blood.
Stefan Salvatore, Damon Salvatore.
[[July 22, 1864
Today we hunted vampires. The Founding Families stand united to protect Mystic Falls. Giuseppe Salvatore has informed his sons, Damon and Stefan Salvatore—]]
"Aaron!" Caroline shouted from the living room. "How long for the popcorn and drinks?"
I flinched ,startled from my concentration.
"Just swallow your saliva and eat air!" I yelled back. "Don't disturb me!"
I returned to the page.
I took my attention to the book again. But suddenly I heard noises of cars parking,'fuck dad and Steven came back. I shouldn't be in his study."
As I hurried to leave, one last entry caught my eye.
September 25, 1864
[[We have rid the town of vampires. Mystic Falls has suffered greatly. Giuseppe Salvatore has lost his two sons, Damon and Stefan Salvatore.]]
I didn't read further.
I shoved the journal back into place, slipped out of the study, and closed the door behind me.
(Living room)
Caroline smiled brightly. "Did you guys have a great night?"
"Yes, love," Dad replied.
Steven leaned over and kissed Dad on the forehead.
Later, in my room, I lay on my bed texting Jeremy. I had no idea how to bring up vampires. I had always told him they weren't real.
Now I was the one digging through journals.
A knock sounded at my door.
I shouted ,"Come in."
Dad entered, his expression stern.
"Aaron," he said slowly, "after Steven and I left… did you go into my study?"
My throat went dry. Did he know?
Before I could answer, Caroline screamed.
We rushed to her room. She was sitting on her bed, phone trembling in her hands.
"Baby, what happened?" Dad asked urgently.
Caroline looked up, tears streaming down her face.
"Dad… it's Bonnie. Her grandmother died."