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[VD] Ch 15: How to Kill a Vampire
🕑 Added 2025-09-26 19:04:51 +0000 UTC— — — — — —
"...Elena?"
Jack had just used the Rabbit Talisman, planning to zip straight to Caroline's house. But the moment he opened the door, there was Elena—who also caught him using his powers right in front of her.
Elena froze. She had been chasing leads about Stefan after stumbling on an old news report that hinted at his unaging appearance, along with all the little oddities she'd noticed in her daily life. She'd come here to confirm the truth, hadn't even knocked yet—only to be startled by Jack appearing out of nowhere.
"Elena? What are you doing here?" Stefan rushed out the second he heard her voice.
"What are you people?" The wide-open door gave Elena a full view of two people lying unconscious on the floor inside. She stumbled back, terrified.
"I've got things to deal with. Stefan, you'd better explain everything yourself." Jack knew right away Stefan couldn't keep hiding this. He hadn't driven here, so he simply activated the Rabbit Talisman again and vanished in a blur.
As he ran, he called Caroline. "Caroline? You home? Good. Stay put, I'll come to you. There's something we need to talk about in person."
He reached her house quickly. Since Caroline still lived with her mom, giving Jack a key wasn't exactly an option—and their relationship wasn't at that stage anyway. So he could only knock and wait for her to open the door.
"What's going on?" Caroline led him up to her room, confused.
"Don't panic. Let me explain." Jack sat down on her bed.
"Don't panic? Jack, what happened?" Caroline sat beside him, worried.
Jack told her everything—how Damon had escaped earlier that night, how Sarah was nearly turned into a vampire.
"And Elena probably knows about Stefan now too. Tomorrow, we'll all meet and figure out what to do. Damon's never been invited into your house, so you're safe here… but for the time being, it's better if you stay close to me." Seeing her fear, Jack pulled her into his arms, trying to give her a sense of safety.
"...Okay." Caroline didn't know what else to do. For now, she'd follow his lead.
Later, Jack called Stefan. "How's Elena? Did she take it badly?"
"She's scared," Stefan admitted, his voice heavy with exhaustion. "We agreed to meet tomorrow so I can explain everything."
"I'll bring Caroline with me. It might help if she's not alone."
"Thanks, Jack. See you tomorrow." Stefan gave him the time and place, then stayed outside Elena's house to watch over her. Meanwhile, Jack held Caroline close until they both drifted off to sleep.
The next day, Jack and Caroline arrived early at the meeting spot they'd chosen yesterday.
"Let's just wait here," Jack said, guiding her to a bench.
"Caroline? What are you doing here?" Elena was shocked when she arrived and saw her friend. This wasn't exactly the kind of thing you wanted spread around.
"Hi, Elena. I came with Jack." Caroline pointed at him.
"It's fine, Elena. Caroline knows enough already. The rest, Stefan will tell you himself." Jack tried to calm her.
"Sorry I'm late." Stefan finally showed up. Seeing everyone there, he sat down too.
"You promised to explain everything. That's the only reason I agreed to meet you here," Elena said immediately. "When I googled 'vampire,' all I got were myths and stories. What's real?"
"Anything you want to know, I'll tell you." Stefan's tone was earnest.
"Garlic is one of your weaknesses?" Elena asked.
"No. I like garlic."
"Sunlight doesn't burn you?"
"My brother and I wear protective rings."
"So Damon can't go out in the sun without his?" Jack cut in, surprised. Stefan had been withholding details—probably worried Damon would end up dead too easily if Jack knew everything.
"That's right." Stefan shot him a glance.
"Not to interrupt, but I've already tried crosses, silver, holy water… none of that works. So what actually kills a vampire?" Jack pressed.
"..."
"A stake to the heart. Or beheading." Stefan glanced at Elena before answering.
"And vervain is dangerous to us," Stefan added. "Injected into the body it's poison, plus even humans who drink it or wear it can resist our compulsion." He gestured at the necklace hanging around Elena's neck.
"Do you have any more? I'd like Caroline to have some," Jack asked.
"I'll get you some later." Stefan nodded. "For now, let's go. I'll answer more on the way."
Since Jack hadn't driven, they all piled into Elena's car and followed Stefan. Their destination turned out to be the ruins of an old estate.
"Why here?" Elena asked as she got out.
"I want to show you something," Stefan replied. Clearly, bringing Jack and Caroline along was incidental.
"Out in the middle of nowhere?" Elena looked around uneasily.
"This used to be my home," Stefan said quietly.
He gave Elena a tour of the ruins, telling her about his long life—over a century of it—and his history with Damon. Two brothers torn apart by their love for a woman named Katherine. Stefan promised not to keep any more secrets.
"That ring… is that Damon's?" Elena asked when she noticed him pull a bundle from under a stone: a ring and a necklace wrapped in cloth.
"I took it from him. But I have to give it back."
"No, don't! Stefan, you should keep it hidden," Elena pleaded.
"If I don't return it, Damon will retaliate in the only way he knows how."
"What way?" Elena frowned.
"By hurting you." Stefan's voice was heavy with emotion.
"Sorry to cut in." Jack finally spoke, unable to stand it any longer. "But if I'm here, wouldn't Damon be more scared of showing his face? He's crossed me one too many times. And honestly, without that ring, he'll be a lot easier to find."
"I can't risk anything happening to Elena," Stefan said apologetically.
"I don't want to argue, Stefan, but be honest—this isn't just about Elena, is it? Part of you is doing this for Damon too. You're afraid that if he's stuck in Mystic Falls without that ring, one day I'll drag him out into the sun myself." Jack fixed him with a sharp look.
"You actually care for him."
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