“I’m glad she makes you happy. Must be nice having a pet too. Means someone will always loves you.” Grayson chuckled bitterly, before nodding as he followed her away from the bar. Part of him wanted to charge in there, but he knew she wouldn’t let him. Slowly the two of them made their way to her house, and Grayson could only pause as he stared at the familiar place. “I shouldn’t be here. I should just go home. I’m sorry for bothering you.”

“Shut up.” Alice rolled her eyes, tugging his hand as she walked inside.  Lifting her free hand, she halted the tiger and signaled that it was fine for her to lay back down. “You shouldn’t be here, but you are, and you’re not bothering me, not as long as you stick the kettle on. I could do with a brew” she turned to look at him as she closed the door. “When’s the last time you ate? I have Chinese on speed-dial.” Alice shrugged a shoulder, stepping out her heels. She wasn’t sure if distracting him was the best way, but it seemed logical, not to push, she was probably that last person he wanted to talk about Emma with. “Make yourself comfortable.” 

“Liar liar pants on fire” she poked out her tongue teasingly. “Whatever it is, is it worth making yourself suffer for? Everything feels worse when your body feels like shit. Suck it up. Literally. Don’t you have a stash somewhere?” she hummed, gazing around the store.

“Thanks for putting it so kindly. I only lost track of time and forgot to sleep…And feed.” Esther replied with a shrug, trying to play it off that nothing was actually wrong. “Oh, I was rather hoping that we could stay here. I just wanted some company. The store gets rather quiet when it’s just me around and I haven’t seen people in a couple of days.”

“You’re welcome.” Alice shrugged, putting her bag down on the counter. “You forgot? Right” she lifted a brow, making it obvious she didn’t believe her. “Here? All night? .. Sure, but you need to feed first before you drop.”

Amber Heard attends ‘The Danish Girl’ premiere during the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival (Sept 12).

“Wrong? Oh, nothing is wrong. Just got bored and wanted some company.” Esther replied, even though it was a complete lie. She was just tired of looking over her shoulder and thought that she could maybe finally get some rest with Alice over.

“Esther, you look like shit.” Alice put it bluntly, eyeing her up and down. “When was the last time you slept?” she frowned once more. “You know you can tell me if there’s something bothering you...” she encouraged, but left it at that. “I was just about to watch some movies at home, you can join me? My bed is big enough for the both of us. I’m sure Kiara won’t mind, just greet her with a head stroke and she’ll fall at your feet.” Alice smiled. She knew Kiara was good to those Alice welcomed, but like a guard dog, she was vicious to those uninvited. 

“Still have her, huh?” Grayson attempted to reply, but it was lost in his voice. His voice breaking instead of coming out in a teasing tone like he planned. His arms were wrapped tightly around her, and for some reason he was finding peace in her embrace. Of course, it was much too early to move on from Emma since she was just killed, but for now he would use Alice for comfort. “Thank you.” He whispered.

“She’s my baby” she whispered, happy she didn’t have to force a smile. Everything about the situation was awkward, and now it was sad on top of that. “It’s okay.” Alice gave him a soft squeeze and stepped back, careful not to let herself stumble. “Come on, it’s cold out here” she hummed. Sure she couldn’t really feel the cold, but he could. Maybe she could just wait till he fell asleep and scoot off somewhere else? It wasn’t like she didn’t trust him to be alone in her home. 

“Alice- Just don’t. I’ve heard enough from other people saying they’re sorry and trying to make me feel better. There is nothing you can say that is going to bring that girl back to me.” Grayson nearly shouted, but kept his tone down. He didn’t want to take his pain and anger out on her. His head nodded up and down as he slowly walked towards her and took the keys. It was a nice gesture, especially since he found himself unable to go home. “Thank you.” He replied in a quiet voice. With the keys in hand, Grayson found himself reaching for the her and quickly, tightly, he pulled her into an embrace. Needing her strength. “Don’t leave me. Please.”

“Yeah.. it’s fine, just uh.. watch out for Kiara” she mumbled, gasping sharply when he pulled her into a hug. She froze just for a couple seconds and let her eyes pool now he couldn’t see her face. “Okay..” she whispered, bringing her arms up to wrap around him. She wasn’t overly sad for Emma, but she was sad for Grayson, he didn’t deserve this. “I won’t.”

“Alice?” Esther walked out of the back office and slowly approached her friend. Her movements very week due to her lack of feeding. “It’s good to see you.”

“... And you” she frowned, something felt way off. Her message did sound urgent. “What’s wrong?”

Text: I’ll explain when you get here.

Text: Door will be open.

“Go home? Go home?” Grayson repeated in a bitter chuckle, his voice breaking due to the tears that were now forming in his eyes. “What home?” He asked, his hands coming up from his sides before slapping down on his legs. “Emma’s gone.” He choked out. “This fucking town destroys everything I hold dear. I loved her and brought her here, only to have her be taken away from me.”

“What home?” she repeated with a quizzical frown. For a few moments, she didn’t understand what he was saying, but when it clicked, her eyes widened and she shook her head in disbelief. “Grayson I-- I’m sorry, I didn’t know” she clutched her arm over her chest, feeling like an ass for mentioning her. Though she wanted to ask what happened, she decided against it and merely took a couple of hesitant steps forward. “I know it doesn’t feel like it right now, but --” Alice cut herself off, finding herself at a loss for words. “Don’t turn to drink, Grayson. It’s not worth the doubled pain. You should uh.. rest. Sleep, or lay down..” she sighed, fumbling in her purse for her keys. “You can stay at my place.. I’ll go crash with Esther” she suggested, holding out the keys for him. She wanted to go over and hug him, tell him everything would be alright, but considering the situation, it didn’t feel like it was the best thing to do, even in a drunken mind. “I’m sorry, I just don’t know what to say .. or do, so.. yeah” she mumbled awkwardly, lowering her gaze to the ground.

“Oh please, I’m no threat to any of you. Your father spent half of his immortal life chasing me, you must be stupid if you think I’d do anything to make him chase me again.” Katherine rolled her eyes at the girls sass. “My shoes don’t go out of style, blondie. Not when I wear them, but thanks for the tip. See, this is what I’m talking about, we could be best friends if you gave me a chance” her tone dripped with sarcasm as she let out a cold laugh. “It’s weird, seeing Klaus and Caroline mixed into one blonde bombshell. Kinda cute, in a irritating way.” Katherine tilted her head, amused at the girl in-front of her. 

“I can’t work out if you annoy me or amuse me” she lifted her brow. She scoffed at the Petrova’s words and shook her head. “Alright firstly, don’t call me blondie ever again. Secondly, I’m not kinda cute, I’m always cute, and thirdly, if you’re not going to buy me a drink then get out of my way.” Alice returned her smirk, she wasn’t against talking to her. She was after all curious about her, she knew her dad wouldn’t have told her the full story.. Mainly the parts about how she always managed to escape him. 

Grayson felt the hairs on his arms stick up when he heard the familiar voice reach his ears. Clearly, she didn’t recognize him due to the distance, but it would only be a matter of time before she realized it was him standing there. It didn’t take long to hear the clicking of her feet stop on the pavement and he knew she knew he was there. The two of them had been dancing this awkward dance for the passed few weeks, but stopped because of Emma. But, Emma was now gone. “I can’t decide if I want to be served.” He replied in a quiet voice, knowing that she could hear him. “I want to lose myself in there, but I know I shouldn’t. She wouldn’t want that.”

Alice frowned, swaying on her spot. Something in his voice seemed so sad. What was making him want to turn to drink, knowing his struggle with it? She glanced between him and the bar and sighed. “Then don’t. Go home to her, keep her sweet.” Alice replied.

Text: I need you to come to the store.

Text: Just you. No one else.

Text: Use the back door.

Text: Please.

@alice-evelyn