The morning at the Salvatore School began with a tense meeting in Alaric's office. He had gathered a group of students in the main lobby, his expression serious as he held up a map of the town of Mystic Falls. Hope, Lizzie, Josie, MG, Kaleb, Rafael, Landon, and Ethan were present, all sitting in chairs arranged in a semicircle, listening intently. Next to Alaric was Matt Donovan, the sheriff of Mystic Falls, with his impeccable uniform and a look of concern that did not hide his distrust of the Salvatore School. Matt had insisted on being present, especially after the disappearance of Dana and Sasha, two girls from the town, and Alaric had no choice but to allow him to attend.
"Two girls from Mystic Falls High School, Dana and Sasha, have been missing since last night," Alaric began, his voice steady as he pointed to the map. "We don't know what happened, but considering what we saw with the gargoyle, it's likely something supernatural. You're going to Mystic Falls High School today as part of an 'integration day.' The mission is simple: blend in, ask discreet questions, and find out what you can about their disappearance. But—and I can't stress this enough—no using your powers in public. We can't risk exposing who we are, especially with Sheriff Donovan keeping an eye on us."
Matt crossed his arms, his blue eyes scanning the group of students with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion. He'd dealt with the supernatural enough to know that the Salvatore School was a magnet for trouble, and his presence there was as much about helping as it was about keeping an eye on things. As Alaric spoke, Matt's gaze fell on Ethan, who was sitting next to Rafael, listening intently with his arms crossed. Suddenly, Matt froze, his face going pale as if he'd seen a ghost. His eyes widened, and he took a step forward, his voice shaking with disbelief.
"Clark?" Matt asked, the word slipping out of his mouth before he could stop himself. Silence fell over the lobby, all eyes turning to Ethan, who frowned in confusion.
Ethan raised an eyebrow, his voice calm but thick with curiosity. "Sheriff, did you know my father?"
Matt blinked, as if coming back to reality, and then shook his head, running a hand over his face. "No, of course, you're not him…" he muttered, more to himself than to the others. He stepped closer to Ethan, examining him more closely, and then his eyes locked with his—one blue and one green, shining with an intensity that seemed almost supernatural. "The eyes… the eyes are different. Clark had greenish-brown eyes, but… my God, the resemblance is uncanny. You're… you're his son, aren't you?"
Ethan felt a knot in his stomach when he heard his father's name. He knew Clark had a complicated history. Of course someone from ancient Mystic Falls would know his father. "Yes, I'm Ethan, Clark's son," he replied, his voice firm but with a hint of caution. "Have you met him?"
Matt nodded slowly, his face still filled with astonishment. "Yes, I did. Many years ago, when I was still a teenager. Clark… He stayed in Mystic Falls for a while. He was a… remarkable guy, let's say. From what I remember, he didn't cause many problems, the problems were caused by others and he was caught in the crossfire, so to speak. The resemblance between you two is frightening, except for the eyes. I've never seen eyes like yours before."
Alaric, who had been watching the exchange with interest, intervened before the conversation could get too deep. "Matt, I know this is unexpected, but we need to focus on the mission right now. Ethan is one of ours, and he'll help us find the girls. We can talk about Clark later if we need to."
Matt nodded, still giving Ethan one last look before walking away. "Okay, Alaric. But…keep this kid in line. If he's Clark's son, he could be in more trouble than you think."
Ethan was silent, processing Matt's words. He knew his father had a past, one he had no idea what it was like. He looked at Hope, who was sitting a few seats away, and noticed her staring at him, her eyes filled with a mixture of curiosity and concern. Hope felt her heart race when she heard Clark's name—the same Clark she had heard mentioned in her life conversations almost her entire life . And also, aside from the fact that Clark was the father of her twin brother. Speaking of which, where could that idiot be? He doesn't care, doesn't say anything, he just disappears without a trace, ugh I wish I could be like him and disappear into the world and forget my problems, especially my emotional ones....
Lizzie snorted, breaking the uncomfortable silence. "Seriously, Dad? I have to deal with those Mystic Falls idiots again? You know how much I hate Dana. She's insufferable."
"Lizzie, this isn't about you," Alaric said, his tone firm. "It's about saving lives. And yes, you will, because we need all of you. Now, get ready. You leave in half an hour."
As the group began to stand, Ethan thought for a moment. The mention of his father had made him curious, but it had also given him an idea. If his mission was to blend in at Mystic Falls High, he could use his resemblance to Clark to his advantage. A mischievous smile played on his lips as he approached Alaric. "Hey, Alaric, since we need to be discreet… how about I pose as a transfer student? I can sneak up on you guys, make an entrance that doesn't raise any suspicions. Who knows, I might get some answers faster that way."
Alaric frowned, considering the idea. "That… could work, actually. But don't draw too much attention to yourself, Ethan. Just come in, ask your questions, and join the group. No fuss, got it?"
"Understood," Ethan replied, the smile still on his face. He glanced at Rafael and MG, who raised their eyebrows, clearly intrigued. "See you there, guys. I'm going to get my Harley."
Hope, who had heard the conversation, felt her heart race once more. The idea of Ethan arriving alone, on his motorcycle, made her feel a mixture of curiosity and… jealousy? She wasn't sure, but something inside her already imagined the impact he would have on the Mystic Falls school. And she didn't like the idea of other girls noticing him at all.
While the Salvatore School gang—Hope, Lizzie, Josie, MG, Kaleb, Rafael, and Landon—arrived at Mystic Falls High School on a bus, Ethan took a different route. The deep rumble of his Harley echoed through the town streets, the wind tousling his hair as he rode with a confident smile on his face. He parked his bike in the Mystic Falls High School courtyard, removing his helmet and running a hand through his sweat-damp hair. The leather of his black jacket gleamed in the morning sun, and his eyes—one blue and one green—seemed to glow with an almost supernatural intensity. As he stepped off his bike, the schoolyard fell silent for a moment before erupting into whispers and curious glances.
The students of Mystic Falls, who were scattered around the courtyard, stopped what they were doing to stare at Ethan. The girls, in particular, couldn't hide their admiration. "Who is that guy?" a cheerleader whispered to her friend, her eyes shining as she watched Ethan walk towards the school entrance. "He's... gorgeous. Look at those eyes!"
— And that bike? My God, he looks like he's out of a movie — replied another, biting her lip as she adjusted her hair, clearly trying to get his attention.
The boys, on the other hand, seemed torn between envy and curiosity. Connor, the arrogant football player, crossed his arms, frowning as he assessed Ethan. "Who does this guy think he is, coming in here like he owns the place?" he muttered to a friend, his voice thick with disdain.
The Salvatore School students, who had just gotten off the bus and were mingling with the others so as not to arouse suspicion, were stunned by Ethan's entrance. MG's eyes widened, a smile appearing on his face. "Ethan really knows how to make an entrance," he said, patting Rafael on the shoulder, who laughed and nodded.
— That's right. He's taking this "blending in" thing to another level — Rafael replied, shaking his head with a mixture of admiration and amusement.
Lizzie, who was standing next to Josie, rolled her eyes, but couldn't hide a slight smile. "He's a show-off, that's what he is. But… I have to admit, it was a good idea."
Hope, however, was not as amused. She watched the scene from afar, her arms crossed as she tried to focus on the mission. But her eyes betrayed her thoughts, following Ethan as he walked across the courtyard, his leather jacket highlighting his figure and his confident smile drawing even more glances. When she noticed the girls of Mystic Falls—cheerleaders, girls from the drama club, even a few shyer students—staring at Ethan with admiring glances and whispering among themselves, a wave of anger washed over her. Their eyes flashed with a hint of jealousy she couldn't control, and she clenched her fists, feeling the heat rise to her face. Who do these girls think they are? she thought, anger mixing with the confusion of her own feelings. She knew she had no right to be jealous—she and Ethan were nothing more than… what were they, anyway? But the idea of other girls admiring him, wanting him, made her want to punch something.
Ethan, oblivious to the storm of emotions his arrival had caused, after a while walked over to the Salvatore school group, the smile still on his face. "What's up, guys? How's the mission going?" he asked, his voice casual, as if he hadn't just attracted the attention of the entire school.
Hope stared at him, her eyes narrowed, and answered in a tone that was more dry than she intended. "It's coming. But you could be a little more discreet, you know? It wasn't supposed to draw so much attention."
Ethan raised an eyebrow, noticing her tone, but decided not to press the issue. — Sorry, Hope. I just thought an entry like this might help loosen some tongues. People talk more when they're curious," he said, his tone light but with a hint of sincerity.
Hope huffed, looking away to avoid him seeing the blush on her face. She knew he was right, but that didn't lessen the jealousy she felt. Ugh, this is ridiculous , she thought, trying to focus on the mission.
The group split up to cover more ground. Hope and Landon went to the library, where they tried to talk to some students about Dana and Sasha. MG and Kaleb mingled with the football team, while Lizzie approached the cheerleaders. Ethan, Rafael, and Josie decided to talk to some students in the hallways, casually asking if anyone had seen the missing girls.
The investigation began to bear fruit when MG heard a rumor that Dana and Sasha were last seen near an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of town. The group gathered in the schoolyard to share what they had discovered, but tension with the Mystic Falls students only grew. Connor taunted Rafael, mocking his humble origins, and Rafael nearly lost control, his eyes glowing a wolfish yellow before Ethan grabbed him by the arm. "Calm down, man," Ethan said, his voice steady. — He's not worth it.
With the clue to the warehouse, the group planned to investigate the place, but before they could leave, Ethan decided to take matters into his own hands. "I'll check other places in town," he said, his voice firm. "Maybe Dana and Sasha were taken somewhere else. I'll look around and meet you later."
Hope looked at him, her expression serious. "Just… be careful, okay?" she said, her voice firm, focused on the mission.
Ethan nodded, giving her a confident smile. "I always do. See you later," he replied before walking out of the courtyard, grabbing his jacket and heading toward his Harley.
Meanwhile, in a part of town, before heading to the warehouse, the group that had stayed behind—Hope, Lizzie, MG, Kaleb, and Landon—gathered in the lobby to discuss their next steps. The tension in the air was palpable, and the absence of Ethan, Josie, and Rafael made everyone a little more anxious. MG, who had been quiet since the investigation at Mystic Falls High, finally spoke, his voice thick with suspicion. "Guys, there's something you need to know," he began, his eyes fixed on Kaleb, who immediately became defensive. "Kaleb… he fed on Dana."
A heavy silence fell over the lobby. Hope, Lizzie, MG, and Landon turned to Kaleb, their eyes filled with shock and anger. Kaleb held up his hands, trying to explain himself. "Wait a minute, wait a minute! Yes, I fed on her, okay? But I didn't kill Dana! I just… took some blood, and she was fine when I left her. That was before she disappeared!"
Lizzie clenched her fists, her eyes blazing with fury. "Are you kidding me, Kaleb? You know it's against the rules to feed on humans! And now Dana's missing, and you think we're going to believe it wasn't you?" she yelled, her voice shaking with rage.
Kaleb, feeling the pressure, tried to run, but Lizzie was faster. She raised her hand, her eyes focused as she recited a spell in Latin. " Dolor Cerebri! " she exclaimed, sending a cerebral aneurysm into Kaleb. The vampire fell to his knees, clutching his head as he screamed in pain, the spell causing excruciating pain in his mind.
"Lizzie, stop!" Hope shouted, grabbing her arm. "He's not going anywhere. Let's hear what he has to say."
Kaleb, panting, recovered quickly, the vampiric healing easing the pain in a few seconds. He stood up, his eyes shining with anger and fear. "I told you, I didn't kill her! I swear! I just… I was hungry, and she was there, and… I didn't kill her, okay?"
Before the argument could continue, Landon, who had been silent until then, pointed to the lobby door, his eyes wide. "Guys… look!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with shock.
Everyone turned, and there she was—Dana, standing in the entrance to the lobby. She looked disoriented, her face pale and her eyes glassy, as if she were fighting something inside herself. There were bite marks on her neck, confirming Kaleb's story, and her skin had an unnatural pallor, almost like that of a vampire in transition. The group exchanged glances, tension rising as they tried to make sense of what they were seeing.
"Dana?" Hope asked, stepping forward, her voice thick with disbelief. "How… how did you get here?"
Dana opened her mouth to speak, but before she could say anything, a horrific sound echoed through the hall. She fell to her knees, her hands clutching her throat as a guttural scream escaped her mouth. Suddenly, her body convulsed violently, and to everyone's horror, she began to expel her entrails from her mouth in a grotesque gush. Blood, bile, and bits of internal organs spewed out in a relentless stream, the sound of retching mixed with her screams of agony echoing through the hall. The group recoiled, eyes wide with shock, as Dana continued to vomit, her body drying out by the second, her skin wrinkling and turning into a dry, gray husk. Within seconds, she was dead, her body completely desiccated on the floor, a foul, viscous liquid splattered around her.
A heavy silence fell over the lobby. Lizzie froze, her face pale, covering her mouth to hold back a scream, while Hope clenched her fists, her eyes fixed on Dana's body. MG and Landon exchanged a look of horror, and Kaleb shook his head, his voice shaking. "I… I swear I didn't do it…" he muttered, still in shock, his stomach churning at the disgusting scene.
Hope was the first to speak, her voice firm but thick with tension. "This… this wasn't a vampire transition. I thought she was transitioning because of the bite marks, but… this is something else. Something… disgusting and supernatural," she said, wrinkling her nose at the foul smell that now permeated the lobby.
Lizzie finally found her voice, anger mixed with disgust. "What kind of monster would do something like that?" she asked, her voice shaking as she tried to look away from Dana's body.
Before they could continue their discussion, Lizzie's phone buzzed with a notification. She grabbed it, her eyes widening at the message. "It's from Josie!" she exclaimed, her voice full of urgency. "She sent a distress call… and her location is here. It looks like she and Rafael are in a cabin on the outskirts of town!"
Hope didn't hesitate. "Let's go now! MG, Kaleb, Landon, come with us!" she ordered, already running towards the exit, with the others right behind.
Meanwhile, Josie and Rafael were in trouble. They had decided to split off from the group to cover more ground, following a different trail on the outskirts of Mystic Falls, where the trees were thick and the silence was almost oppressive. "Do you think we'll find anything around here?" Josie asked, her voice low as she looked around, her senses alert.
Rafael shrugged, his eyes alert for any movement. "I don't know, but it's worth checking. If Dana and Sasha were taken somewhere, we might be able to find some sign."
After a few minutes of walking, they spotted an old cabin hidden among the trees, its wood rotting and covered in moss. The door was ajar, and a foul smell wafted from inside, making Josie wrinkle her nose. "This doesn't look good," she muttered, hesitating before taking a step forward.
Rafael nodded, his expression serious. "Stay behind me," he said, entering the cabin carefully, his werewolf senses heightened.
The interior of the hut was dark, lit only by the dim light that filtered through the cracks in the broken windows. Thick webs covered the walls and ceiling, hanging like sticky curtains, and the floor was covered in dust and dry leaves. In the corner of the hut, they spotted something that made their hearts race—a cocoon made of webs, hanging from the ceiling, with a human figure inside. It was Sasha, bound and unconscious, her face pale and her eyes closed.
"Oh my God, it's Sasha!" Josie exclaimed, running towards the cocoon, but stopping when she noticed the webs covering the ground around it. "What… what is that? Who did this to her?"
Rafael frowned, his eyes scanning the cabin. "I don't know, but this isn't normal. These webs… they look like spider webs, but they're too big. We need to get them out of there, but we have to be careful."
Before they could get any closer, a soft footstep echoed behind them. They turned, and there was a young man, apparently a student at Mystic Falls High School, standing in the doorway of the cabin. He had shaggy brown hair and dark eyes, but there was something odd about his expression—a disturbing smile that didn't seem human. "You shouldn't be here," he said, his voice low and filled with a coldness that made Josie shiver.
"Who are you?" Rafael asked, stepping forward, his werewolf instincts alerting him that something was wrong. "What did you do to Sasha?"
The young man tilted his head, his smile widening in a frightening way. "I am… a guardian, shall we say. And she… she is my prey," he replied, his voice dropping to a hiss as his body began to change. The young man's skin tore away like paper, revealing a grotesque creature beneath—a giant spider with long, hairy legs, multiple eyes glowing with an evil light, and fangs dripping with viscous venom. It was an Arachne, a creature from Greek mythology that kidnapped humans for food, capable of taking on human form to lure its victims.
Josie let out a scream, backing up until she hit the wall, while Rafael stood frozen for a moment, his eyes wide with panic. "What… what is that?!" he exclaimed, his voice shaking as the Arachne lunged forward, her legs slamming against the wooden floor with a sound that echoed like thunder.
"Run, Josie!" Rafael yelled, pushing her toward the door as he tried to buy time. But the Arachne was faster, launching a sticky web that pinned Rafael against the wall, his legs immobilized as he struggled to free himself.
Josie, panicked, began to chant a spell, her hands shaking as she tried to concentrate. " I dissolve! " she exclaimed, and the webs binding Rafael fell away, allowing him to fall to the ground. But the Arachne was already upon them, hissing in rage, her multiple eyes fixed on her prey.
At that moment, Ethan burst through the cabin door, his eyes wide as he took in the scene before him. He had heard Josie scream as he searched for clues nearby, and he ran as fast as he could. Seeing the Arachne charging toward Josie and Rafael, he screamed, his voice filled with shock. "WHAT THE FUCK?!"
The Arachne turned to him, eyes glowing with fury, and let out a guttural growl that shook the floor of the cabin. Without hesitation, the creature lunged toward Ethan, fangs bared, venom dripping onto the wooden floor. Ethan dove to the side, rolling on the ground to avoid the attack, and quickly got up, his heart racing. "Rafael, what the hell?!" he screamed, glaring at his friend as he tried to position himself to fight.
Rafael, still panting, shook his head, his eyes fixed on the creature. "I don't know what it is! It looks… it looks like some kind of giant spider!" he replied, his voice full of tension as he tried to help Josie up.
The Arachne, now focused on Ethan, lunged forward again, its long, furry legs slamming against the ground with a force that made the entire cabin shake. Ethan, using his werewolf reflexes, tried to dodge, but the creature was too fast. He managed to grab one of the Arachne's legs, but the creature's slippery, slimy texture made him shudder in disgust. This shit is so disgusting , he thought, feeling the viscous venom dripping down his hands as he tried to hold the Arachne's mouth to keep it from biting him. "SHIT, HELP ME HERE, GUYS!" he screamed, his voice filled with desperation as he struggled to keep the creature under control.
Meanwhile, Hope and Lizzie, accompanied by MG, Kaleb and Landon, rushed to the cabin. Josie, in the midst of panic, had sent a call for help on her cell phone, which included her location, and the group did not hesitate to go to her aid. Upon entering the cabin, they came across a chaotic scene: Ethan fighting the Arachne, Rafael and Josie cornered, and Sasha still unconscious in the web cocoon.
— Josie! — Lizzie shouted, running towards her sister, her eyes widening when she saw the Arachne. — What is that?!
Hope, without wasting any time, took charge. "No matter what it is, we need to end this now! Lizzie, Josie, with me! Let's use a spell together!" she ordered, her voice firm as she positioned herself next to the twins.
The three girls clasped hands together, their eyes focused on Arachne as they began to recite a spell in Latin. — Motus Maxima! — they shouted in unison, and a wave of invisible energy hit the Arachne, ripping her out of Ethan's hands and throwing her upwards with overwhelming force. The creature slammed into the roof of the cabin, becoming trapped in its own webs, hissing in rage as it tried to free itself.
"Don't let her escape!" Hope exclaimed, her voice deepening as she and the twins intensified the spell. " Ignis Solis! " they shouted, and a bright light enveloped the Arachne, burning through her shell and making her scream in pain. With one last effort, the girls reinforced their magic, and the Arachne exploded into a foul-smelling yellow goo that splattered everyone in the cabin, covering them in a sticky, disgusting substance.
Ethan, who was closest to the creature, was hit the hardest, the yellow goo dripping down his face and jacket. "Ugh, that's disgusting!" he exclaimed, wiping his face with the sleeve of his jacket, his stomach churning at the putrid smell of the substance.
Rafael, also covered in slime, helped Josie to her feet, both of them still shaking from the shock. "That… that was insane," he muttered, looking at Sasha, who was still in the cocoon. "We need to get her out of there."
MG and Kaleb, using their vampiric speed, ran to the cocoon and began to carefully undo the webs, freeing Sasha, who was still unconscious but alive. Landon stood beside Hope, his eyes wide as he took in the scene. "What… what was that thing?" he asked, his voice full of disbelief.
Hope wiped the slime from her face, her expression serious. "I'm not sure, but it looked like an Arachne… a creature from Greek mythology. They kidnap humans to feed on. That must be what's behind Sasha and Dana's disappearance," she replied, her voice firm as she tried to process what had just happened.
Back at the Salvatore School, the group gathered in the lobby, with Sasha now rescued and under the school's medical care. Alaric had erased her memories of the incident to protect the supernatural community's secret, but the tension in the air was palpable. The experience with Arachne and Dana's gruesome death had left everyone shaken.
Alaric, who had been briefed on everything, was silent for a moment, his eyes fixed on the ground as he processed the information. "So… Arachne kidnapped Sasha, and probably Dana too. But what happened to Dana… that wasn't a vampire transition. It was something different, the arachne bit her and she was reduced to a pulp on the floor, that's horrible."
Some time later, night had fallen over Mystic Falls, and the Salvatore School was silent. Ethan, needing a moment to himself after the chaotic day, left the main building and walked to a grassy area at the back of the school. He sat down on the grass, his back against a tree, and looked up at the starry sky, the stars shining like tiny pinpricks of light in a sea of darkness. The cool night air helped calm his mind, but he still felt the weight of everything that had happened—Dana's gruesome death, the fight against the Arachne, and Matt Donovan's words about his father echoing in his head.
He heard light footsteps approaching and turned his head to see Hope walking towards him. Her face was slightly flushed, and she looked hesitant but determined. She sat down next to him on the grass, her knees drawn up to her chest, and for a moment, the two of them were silent, just enjoying each other's presence.
"Crazy day, huh?" Hope finally said, breaking the silence, her voice soft but with a hint of nervousness. She looked at him, her eyes shining under the starlight, and Ethan realized how beautiful she looked in that moment, even after everything they had been through.
— Well… — Ethan replied, his voice low, a slight smile appearing on his lips. — I don't think we'll ever have a normal day around here, do we?
Hope laughed, the sound light and genuine, and Ethan's heart picked up a little. "Probably not. But… you know, you were amazing today. Back at the cabin, facing that disgusting thing…" she said, her tone thick with admiration but also with something else, something that made the air between them feel heavier.
Ethan turned to face her, his eyes shining with an intensity that made Hope feel heat rise to her face. "You were amazing too, Hope. That spell you and the twins used… without you, I don't know what would have happened," he replied, his voice sincere but with a hint of something deeper, something he couldn't hide.
Silence returned, but this time it was different, filled with a tension that neither of them could ignore. Their gazes met, and for a moment, the world around them seemed to disappear. Hope felt her heart race, the blush on her face deepening, and she found herself leaning toward him slightly, almost without realizing it. Ethan moved closer, too, the space between them closing, and for a moment, it felt like something was about to happen—a kiss, perhaps, or at least a moment that would change everything between them.
But before anything could happen, a familiar voice cut through the silence. "Hope? Are you there?" Landon called, his voice echoing across the lawn as he approached, clearly looking for her.
Hope and Ethan quickly pulled away, the moment broken. Hope felt a mix of frustration and relief, while Ethan just looked away, a soft sigh escaping his lips. Landon appeared, stopping a few feet away from them, and frowned when he saw the two of them together. "Oh, you're here… I was looking for you, Hope. Alaric wants to talk to us about what happened today," he said, his voice a little hesitant as he noticed the tension in the air.
"Sure, I… I'll be right there," Hope replied, her voice shaking a little as she stood up, avoiding looking directly at Ethan. She knew it wasn't Landon's fault, but she couldn't help but feel a twinge of irritation that he had shown up at that moment.
Ethan stood up as well, running a hand through his hair as he tried to hide the disappointment on his face. "I guess I'll go then," he said, his voice neutral but with a hint of resignation. "I'll see you tomorrow."
Hope opened her mouth to say something, but no words came. She just nodded, watching as Ethan walked away, heading toward the parking lot where his Harley was parked. He climbed onto his bike, put on his helmet, and with one last look at Hope—a look that said more than any words could—he started the engine and took off, the roar of his Harley echoing in the night as he disappeared into the darkness.
Hope stood there for a moment, her heart still racing, a mix of emotions swirling inside her. Landon watched her, clearly confused, but she just shook her head, forcing a smile. "Come on, Landon. Let's go see what Alaric wants," she said with an angry look at Landon as they started walking back to school, but her mind was still on that almost-moment with Ethan, and she knew that things between them would never be the same again.