The Vampire Diary: Fallen Angels

"We have to take her view into account Linas. She was raised by Zane. Her mother was just a fleeting figure in and out her whole life. She never got to know her so when she died it was like losing a distant relative, it hurt but not so much that she felt the loss. She probably hasn't felt that parental connection to Bella or Marcello. The only family she knows is Zane, so to me it makes perfect sense why she wants to go back to how things were. The only problem is they can't, things will never be like that again."

"I guess so. Maybe I need to try again?" Linas said

"I don't know if she'd been okay with you again. You made quite the impression on her already."' Kyira said with a light laugh.

Marcello nodded, "She's technically out of the teenage years, but I'd say not mentally. She just turned twenty a month ago."

Riley shook his head. "It's been more than 20 years since I've seen you all? Damn. Time really does fly. Well I would love to introduce myself to the little tyke, but it sounds like she needs some cooling off." He said before looking over to Linas and Kyira. He held out his hand towards Linas. "My name is Riley, by the way. I don't believe I've ever met you two."

"Most likely not. I've not been here since they started writing the diary."

Zane nudged her side with a chuckle, "He's asking your name."

Kyira elbowed Zane and turned to Riley.
"I'm Kyira. And that sassy man over there is Linas."

Riley smiled slightly. "I suppose that means I'm not the only one who's older than they look." He joked. It had been quite a while since the Diary had been written. "It's a pleasure to meet you both. I just wish it were for a happier occasion." He said.

"Pleasure to meet you as well. I do agree, it'd be better to have met under less saddening circumstances." Kyira's face returned to a sad expression, remembering she was here since her best friend had met her end.

Linas finished his glass of wine in a few sips. He did his little sassy "I'm here" wave once Kyria mentioned his name. "Welp on that note, I think I'm going to try again with Bella with a little more passion this time." He stated while gliding back up the stairs. Once he reached Bella's door he knocked softly. "Bella, it's Linas again. I'm sorry what I said earlier. Can we try this again?" He asked to the unopened door.

There was no response when Lina's knocked. Only silence.

Marcella sighed, sitting on the couch. No one seemed to notice, but someone who was a bit OCD would probably be very bothered by one of the books turned the wrong way on the shelf.

"Bella, open up. I will start singing Taylor Swift." Linas threatened

Riley nodded his head, giving a bit of a chuckle. "Good luck." He said to Linas. He stood around silently for a moment, looking to the others before his unnaturally keen eyes caught sight of a misplaced book on the shelf. He casually walked over before picking up the book, taking a second to eye the cover before deciding whether he should return it to its place or not.

The book was a first edition of Dracula, in remarkably good shape. But, the book somehow felt thicker in the middle.

Riley's brow raised slightly as he looked over the edition of the classic, and then furrowed as the book felt a bit denser than it should. He opened the cover, thumbing quickly through the pages curiously.

As he thumbed through the pages, a wax-sealed envelop, a raven pressed into the red wax, fell to the floor.

Riley looked down at the sealed envelope, bending down to pick it up. He eyed the seal carefully, pursing his lips a bit as he looked it over. "Zane, Marcello. I've found something." He said, strolling back up to the group before holding out the letter towards the fallen angel brothers.

Marcello furrowed his brow, "That's Bella's seal. I didn't know she had left anything else though..." A pained sadness tinged his golden eyes.

"C'mon blondie, I know you're in there. Open up!" Linas said into the door

Riley frowned a bit. "I'm sorry, Marcello. I think it was meant to be found, however. The book was out of place. Maybe... maybe it's important." He reasoned.

He nodded, eyes fixated on the seal, "Would... would you mind opening it? I-I don't know if I can."

Riley frowned a bit, but nodded his head. He slipped his finger under the fold of the envelope, popping the seal and looking inside.

The envelope felt brittle; clearly quite old. The ink had somewhat faded, but Bella's flowing, gothic script was unmistakable.

"If this note has been discovered, then I fear that I am lost to you all. I apologize for failing you; for failing to keep up with my responsibility to you all. While I might not be there to defend you, I have set things in motion; everything from mental suggestions that prompted you to visit, to the changing of others. Rest assured, each of you is here for a reason, and I have a gift for you all...."

((Letter continues, giving each a chance to respond.))

Marcello clasped his hand over his mouth, like his fingers were an emotional dam that would keep him from breaking down.

Linas still didn't hear a response. He tried jiggling the knob on the door and it creaked open. With a confused look on his face, he walked into the room. [i] Sh*t[i] he thought to himself. The room was empty and the window was wide open.