"He's bleeding heavily—stop the bleeding!"
"Give him Desinon immediately!"
"Move him to the emergency room, his condition is critical!"
At Mystic Falls Hospital, doctors rushed right and left, the sound of their footsteps mixing with the sound of the gurney wheels cutting through the long hallway. Max's body was stretched out without movement, terrifyingly pale, and blood stained the sheet beneath him.
Vicki was right behind them, crying without feeling her tears, and Matt was walking beside her, nervous, trying to appear steady while everything inside him was collapsing.
"Please stay here. Only medical staff and patients are allowed to enter the emergency room." One of the nurses said in a practical tone, before the door was closed behind Max.
Vicki stopped in her place, as if the door had closed on her chest.
"What is happening?" She said with a trembling voice, tears pouring nonstop, "What's wrong with my brother?"
The nurse looked at her for a brief moment, then said: "We're not sure yet. We need to run some tests before we answer you, but I assure you that his life is not in danger."
Vicki felt no reassurance.
Matt sighed and said calmly, trying to make his voice steady: "Come on, Vic… let's wait outside."
He held his sister's shoulders and led her to the hospital corridor. They sat on the cold waiting chairs, where time seemed frozen, and the air was heavy on their breaths.
Vicki was crying and shaking, whispering Max's name between each sob, while Matt was patting her hand trying to calm her, even though his heart was pounding violently no less than her fear.
After a time that felt longer than it should, the emergency room door opened.
The doctor came out and headed toward them.
They stood up quickly.
"What's going on, doctor?"
"Is Max okay?"
Dr. Smith looked at them, then said: "His condition is stable now. It appears that his brain was exposed to a shock that made his body respond in an abnormal way, which led to this bleeding. Honestly… we've never had a case like this before. It's better that he stays the night in the hospital so we can keep him under observation, then we'll decide what we'll do."
Matt and Vicki let out a fragile sigh of relief, as if the danger had only stepped back one step—no more.
Then Matt asked, his voice not free of worry: "What could Max have been exposed to that made him faint like this… and bleed this much?"
The doctor's features changed slightly. "We're not 100% sure, but there's a high possibility that his condition is caused by drug use."
"What?!" Vicki shouted sharply and stepped forward, "What did you just say?!"
The doctor said calmly, heavily: "We analyzed his blood, and we found traces of use going back about twenty-four hours."
Matt stepped forward, his voice trembling: "There must… there must be some mistake, doctor. Our brother doesn't use drugs."
Dr. Smith sighed. "I'm sorry, but our tests don't make mistakes. In addition, his physical condition indicates continuous use… for more than a year."
"For more than… a year?" Vicki whispered, then slowly sat down on the chair, as if the words had pulled the strength out of her body. She was staring ahead with empty eyes, unable to comprehend.
The doctor looked at them with sympathy and said: "Unfortunately, drug use among young people is increasing. It's often linked to severe depression, loss of self-esteem, or deep grief. The solution is to help your brother quit with the help of specialized doctors, and seeing a psychiatrist could greatly benefit your situation."
He hesitated a little, then added: "Usually, we notify the police in cases like this, but since your brother is a minor, and those responsible for his care are still young as well, we decided not to report it this time. But you must make sure it doesn't happen again, or we'll be forced to follow protocol."
He ended his talk and left, leaving behind a silence heavier than any word.
Matt sat next to Vicki without speaking. After a moment, he said in a broken voice: "I… I can't believe this."
Vicki gasped and burst into tears. "This… this is all my fault. If I had paid more attention… if I hadn't drowned in my grief and had taken care of Max properly…"
"Vicki, this is not your fault." Matt said firmly.
She shook her head and tears poured down. "No, Matt. I'm responsible for both of you. I was entrusted with you, and I didn't notice my brother becoming an addict while he was living under the same roof with me. I'm… useless."
Matt placed his hand on her shoulder and said in a steady voice: "No, Vicki. You didn't make Max collapse, and you didn't push him down this path. Our mother did. As for you? You did more than you should have. You took care of us, fed us, fought, worked hard, and sacrificed your entire future for us. You're the best sister anyone could dream of, so stop blaming yourself, my dear sister, and don't be afraid—we'll fix this and make Max return to the right path."
He paused for a moment, then added in a lower voice: "If it weren't for you… I'd be in Max's place now."
He hugged her, and she collapsed into his arms again. He gently patted her hair, while his eyes were fixed on the emergency room door—dark, heavy—as if something inside him had begun to change… or break.
---
[The next day at school].
The noisy school hallways were full of activity as usual, and students were talking among themselves enthusiastically, while some bullies were watching and looking for an easy prey to bully throughout the new year. But there was one student walking through the halls with a dark expression, and it was unknown what he was thinking about. It was Matt Donovan.
Matt went to his locker, opened it, and slowly took out his books. Matt closed the locker with a slow creaking sound, then sighed deeply when he remembered the events of last night—from finding their brother Max unconscious and bleeding heavily, to receiving the news of his drug use. Vicki insisted on staying by Max's side all night, so he had to go to school alone today.
"Hey Matt, how are you, man?"
Matt heard a familiar voice, then slowly turned and found a handsome teenage boy with black eyes and hair, and a huge muscular build close to his own, and the teenager was about his age. It was the teenager Tyler Lockwood, the son of the mayor of Mystic Falls, and one of the most famous people in the high school.
"Hey Ty, I'm fine, thank you," Matt greeted his friend and shook his hand.
Tyler looked at Matt and then said, "So where are your siblings? Did you come to school alone today?"
Matt looked at him and answered, "Yes, I did."
"Why? Did something happen that made them miss school?" Tyler asked in a confused voice.
Matt looked at him carefully, then laughed sarcastically and said, "Is this an indirect way for you to ask why Vicki didn't come to school?"
Tyler looked at Matt in confusion and said, "What do you mean?"
Matt laughed sarcastically again, then stepped forward and stood in front of Tyler and said, "I know about you and Vicki, Tyler, so stop lying."
Tyler's eyes widened in shock, then worry and a little fear appeared in them, but he quickly said, "I don't know what you're talking about, man."
Matt grabbed Tyler by the shirt and pulled him into a corner of the hallway that students didn't frequent much, then said angrily, "I know you were secretly dating my sister, Tyler, so stop lying."
Tyler looked at Matt and anger began to rise in his chest and he said, "Listen, man, you don't have to act like this. It's true that I kept my dating Vicki a secret from you, but I didn't do anything wrong to her and I didn't hurt her, so can you let go of my shirt please?"
Matt looked at Tyler coldly, then said in a dark voice, "Listen to me carefully, Tyler, and carve my words deeply into your memory. I know what kind of person you are when it comes to girls. If I find you abusing my sister or insulting her like you do with your other whores, I'll make sure you regret it deeply."
Matt released Tyler forcefully when he finished speaking. Tyler stumbled several steps backward from the force, then looked at Matt with growing anger, but he didn't say anything.
Matt's anger was very justified, because Tyler was what was known as a womanizer. He changed the girls he slept with every night like he changed his shirt, and he also mistreated them and gave them no respect. Matt had even witnessed an incident where a girl was exploited and then beaten by Tyler. The girl was extremely angry, and she and her family were about to cause a scandal and expose Tyler's ugly actions, but Tyler's family intervened and silenced her and her family with money. Vicki might be ignorant of these things, but Matt knew exactly what kind of person Tyler was when it came to girls.
Matt stepped forward a few steps, then said in a low, dark voice, "Am I clear… Tyler?"
Tyler clenched his jaw, then said angrily, "One moment you ask me for help when you mess things up, and another moment you grab my shirt and threaten me. Just pick one thing, man—either be my friend or get out of my face."
"My friends don't fuck my sister behind my back,"
Matt replied in a dark voice.
Tyler smiled mockingly, then said, "Oh really? You should be happy, Matt, because I made your sister happy and satisfied. I mean, didn't you hear her begging me to give her—"
Bang!!
Tyler's words were interrupted by a powerful punch to the jaw from Matt.
Tyler staggered, then held his jaw in pain.
Tyler wiped the blood from his bleeding mouth, then looked at Matt with intense anger and said, "Oh, you're dead."
Matt smiled sarcastically and said, "Try me, and a bleeding mouth will be the least of your injuries."
"Aaahhh!!!"
Tyler screamed in anger and charged at Matt.
Matt raised his hands and took a boxing stance and waited for Tyler.
Tyler threw a quick right punch—Matt dodged it, then countered with a punch. Tyler lowered his head and tried to punch Matt again. Matt blocked the blow and countered with two quick punches to the face.
Tyler stumbled a little but tried to respond with a strong punch. Matt ducked under the punch and drove a strong knee into Tyler's stomach. The knee hit Tyler's stomach hard.
"Aaahh!!" Tyler screamed in pain and fell to his knees.
Matt took advantage of the opportunity and started punching Tyler several times in the face.
Tyler staggered with each punch and tried to stand, but Matt grabbed him and slammed him to the ground.
"Aaahh!!" Tyler screamed in pain again and fell hard on his back. Matt quickly sat on him and began punching him forcefully.
With every punch, Tyler's head snapped to the side as he spat blood in pain.
Matt continued hitting Tyler with intense rage, but he found his fist stopped with force by Tyler.
Tyler looked angrily at Matt, his expression replaced with absolute madness and extreme rage.
"Get away… from me!!"
Tyler screamed in anger and kicked Matt hard in the chest.
Matt flew from the force of the kick and landed hard on the other side of the hallway.
Matt got up quickly, his expression one of absolute shock. What is this… strength? Matt thought to himself anxiously as he held the spot where Tyler had kicked him with a pained expression.
Tyler lunged at Matt like a raging bull without hesitation.
"Aaahhh!!!" Tyler screamed in rage, then grabbed Matt by the waist and shoved him toward the lockers.
Bang!!
The sound of flesh slamming into metal echoed powerfully in the hallway.
Matt gasped in pain but began hitting Tyler on the back, who was holding him tightly.
Tyler didn't budge from the hits, then responded with a powerful punch toward Matt. Matt dodged the punch at the last moment.
Boom!!
A loud sound filled the hallway as Tyler's fist dented the metal from the power of the punch.
Matt stared at the dent in shock and thought, Are you kidding me?!
Tyler smiled cruelly, then said, "Oh believe me, you haven't seen anything yet!! Aaahhh!!"
Tyler roared in rage as he finished speaking, then began trying to punch Matt forcefully. Matt dodged the punches quickly and countered with punches of his own, then the two became engaged in a bloody fight in the middle of the empty hallways, as everyone had gone to their classes except Matt and Tyler.
Matt began dodging the blows with difficulty and trying to counter with punches, but it became clear that Tyler was much stronger than he thought.
As for Tyler, he was having difficulty landing an effective hit.
On one side, Tyler was physically stronger and more aggressive, and on the other side, Matt was faster and had quick reflexes and faster punches due to training in boxing for three years.
---
[At the same time, in a certain classroom].
"Alright students, let's begin today's lesson. I hope you studied yesterday because I'm about to ask some questions," said Mr. Tanner, the history teacher and coach of Mystic Falls' football team.
The students groaned in annoyance when they heard their teacher's words.
Mr. Tanner smiled sarcastically at the students' expressions, then said, "Come on, don't complain. I have to make sure you review your lessons after school—that's my job as a teacher."
Then he continued, asking, "The Battle of Willow Creek took place at the end of the war in our town, Mystic Falls. How many casualties fell in that battle? Miss—" Tanner looked around, then his eyes landed on Bonnie. "Miss Bennett?"
Bonnie looked at him with an embarrassed expression, then said, "Umm… a lot? I'm not sure. But it was a lot."
Mr. Tanner sighed in frustration, then said, "Miss Bennett, kindness turns into stupidity in a moment."
Then he turned to Jackson and said, "Mr. Whittemore? Would you like to seize this opportunity to overcome the deeply rooted stereotype about you as an athlete?"
Jackson smiled sarcastically and said, "Sure, Mr. Tanner, I'm okay with that."
Some students laughed at Jackson's words.
Mr. Tanner looked at him, then said, "Do you think this is funny, Mr. Whittemore? Let's see if two hours of detention will benefit you."
Jackson groaned angrily and muttered, "Me and my stupid mouth."
Tanner turned and looked at Elena and said, "Hmm. Elena? Surely you can enlighten us about one of the most important historical events in the town?"
Elena snapped out of her thoughts about Max and Stefan when she heard her teacher, then answered hesitantly, "I'm sorry, I… I don't know."
Mr. Tanner looked at her coldly, then said, "I was prepared to be lenient last year for obvious reasons, Elena. But personal excuses ended with the summer vacation."
Bonnie glared sharply at Mr. Tanner when he finished speaking.
Elena lowered her head and bit her lip hard when she heard Mr. Tanner hint at her parents' death, and pain and grief rose in her heart from his words.
"There were 346 casualties. Unless you're counting local civilians."
Suddenly, a cold and calm voice answered Mr. Tanner's question.
Mr. Tanner looked in surprise toward the source of the voice and then saw Stefan sitting calmly.
"That's correct. Sir…?" Mr. Tanner said with surprise, as this was the first time he had noticed Stefan.
"Salvatore," Stefan answered calmly.
A look of recognition appeared on Mr. Tanner's face, then he said, "Salvatore? Do you have any relation to the original settlers here in Mystic Falls?"
"Distant," Stefan answered calmly again.
Mr. Tanner looked at him, then said, "Well, very good. Except, of course, there were no civilian casualties in that battle."
Stefan looked at him with mild amusement, then said, "Actually, there were 27, sir. Confederate soldiers opened fire on the church, thinking it was hiding weapons. They were wrong. It was a night of heavy losses. The Founder's Archive is in the town hall if you'd like to… review your information, Mr. Tanner."
Some students gasped in shock, and others looked at Stefan with astonishment. Elena stared at Stefan in disbelief.
Mr. Tanner looked at Stefan with irritation as anger rose in his chest from Stefan humiliating him.
"Oh really?"
Stefan nodded, then added, "And you might also find something called empathy there, which would prevent you from attacking others and mentioning the deaths of their parents so casually."
"What?!"
If the students had been looking at Stefan in amazement before, they were now staring at him as if he had grown another head.
Mr. Tanner glared at Stefan angrily and said, "That's a stupid move to anger your teacher at a new school, Mr. Salvatore."
Stefan looked at him indifferently and said, "Maybe. But there are limits that shouldn't be crossed, even if you're a teacher. That doesn't give you the right to treat your students like this, and what you said to Elena earlier was a stupid move as well, in my personal opinion."
Elena looked at Stefan in disbelief again, then smiled at him warmly.
"Oh? Is that what this is about? You're angry because I insulted your romantic interest? Well, I hope Elena helps you during the detention you'll receive for four—no, six hours after school. Now get out of my class and go to the principal's office, Mr. Salvatore!!" Mr. Tanner shouted angrily.
Stefan stood up without saying anything and was about to leave the door, but he stopped when he smelled something very familiar.
Blood.
Boom!!
At that moment, Matt and Tyler burst into the classroom, breaking the door off its hinges, and fell to the floor fighting.
"Oh my God!!" Mr. Tanner said in shock.
The rest of the students gasped in disbelief.
"Aaahhh!!"
Tyler roared again and punched Matt hard in the face.
Blood flew from Matt's mouth and splattered onto Stefan's face, who was close to them.
Stefan found himself standing frozen as blood slowly dripped down his face.
Stefan's body trembled violently and he began to inhale sharply.
No, no, no, no!! Blood!! There's blood on my face!! Stefan thought desperately as he tried to lower his head and move away from Matt and Tyler before he tore them apart.
"Hey! Stop it, both of you, right now!!" Mr. Tanner shouted angrily as he tried to intervene in the fight between Tyler and Matt.
Chaos filled the classroom, chairs and desks flying, students screaming excitedly, some trying to get away as far as possible.
"Oh!! Yeah!! Finally, I'll teach you a lesson you won't forget, Donovan!!" Jackson shouted excitedly and jumped in to join the fight to get revenge on Matt for the beating he took yesterday.
"Jackson!! What the hell are you doing?!" Mr. Tanner shouted angrily, struggling to contain the fight between Matt and Tyler alone.
"Aaahh!!"
Jackson screamed angrily and tried to punch Matt in the face. Matt dodged the punch and punched Jackson in the nose. Jackson staggered and accidentally punched someone else.
"Hey, watch where you're swinging your hands!!" Henry shouted angrily and tried to punch Jackson. Jackson ducked at the last moment, and Henry's punch hit a girl's face by mistake.
"Ah!!" The girl screamed in pain and fell to the ground.
"Damn it!! How dare you hit my girlfriend!!" Mark Griffin shouted angrily and lunged at Henry Wayne.
And so chaos spread, and more than six students started fighting among themselves while the history teacher Mr. Tanner tried to stop them without success.
"Elena!! We have to get out of here!!" Bonnie shouted in concern as she tried to pull Elena away from the growing chaos in the classroom.
Stefan inhaled sharply and tried to control himself, but there was no use.
Large black veins appeared under Stefan's eyes, his eyes turned red with black sclera, and his fangs emerged.
No, no, no!! Not now!! Not in front of everyone!! Stefan thought violently as he tried to lower his head and hide under a desk so no one would see him.
"Aaahh!! Take this, you bastard!!"
Tyler shouted angrily, grabbed a chair, and tried to throw it at Matt.
"Lockwood!! Stop right now!!" Mr. Tanner shouted angrily and tried to stop Tyler, but Tyler kicked him hard in the chest. Mr. Tanner flew and landed hard on his desk, hit his head, and lost consciousness on the floor.
"Aaahh!!" Tyler roared and threw the chair angrily at Matt.
Matt lowered his head at the last moment and the chair crashed into the classroom window.
Boom!!
The window shattered, screams rose again, and the chaos increased even more.
Stefan looked at the open window, took advantage of the opportunity, and moved at a mist-like speed invisible to the naked eye, jumped through it, and landed hard on the grass outside the classroom, then started running toward the forest, disappearing in the blink of an eye as if he had never been there, believing that no one saw him.
Jessica looked toward the direction Stefan disappeared with growing fear and terror, as this wasn't the first time she had seen Stefan's terrifying form as a vampire.
"Stop right now, you bastards!!!" A loud voice echoed through the place, and everyone froze immediately.
Mr. Bruce entered the classroom angrily, then looked at all the students, his anger growing when he saw Mr. Tanner unconscious.
"Now!! Who is responsible for this chaos?!" Mr. Bruce shouted angrily, his eyes red with rage.
The students looked at each other, then moved away from Matt and Tyler.
Mr. Bruce stared at them with reddened eyes and walked toward them slowly while pulling his belt from his pants.
"Oh shit." Matt cursed himself tiredly.
"I didn't do anything!, it was Matt who started it and—" Tyler stepped forward angrily, trying to explain what happened, but he received a powerful belt strike as a result.
Slap!!
The sound of the belt hitting flesh echoed loudly.
"Aaahh!!" Tyler screamed in pain and tried to resist, but Mr. Bruce grabbed him with one hand, lifted him into the air, and slammed him onto a table.
Kaboom!!
The table shattered violently, and Tyler lost consciousness from the impact.
Mr. Bruce then looked at Matt angrily and said, "Yesterday you started a fight with Jackson, and now Tyler? It seems you never learn, Mr. Donovan."
Matt raised his hands and said, "Wait, Mr. Bruce, let me tell you something… let me tell you something!!"
Mr. Bruce stepped forward and struck with the belt without hesitation.
Thwack!!
"Aaahhhhh!!!"
Matt's painful scream filled the classroom as the other students watched in horror.
Jackson, Henry, and Mark tried to escape quickly, but Mr. Bruce stopped them and said, "Where do you think you're going?"
Thwack!!
"Aaahhhhh!!!"
The rest of the students trembled even more at the sounds of punishment and whipping, watching in fear at what was happening.