"Think, Caroline. You have to be absolutely certain. Is there someone else it could have been, like-"
"Like that guy who calls himself Damon Smith," came Meredith's voice. She was standing beside Alaric's car, a slim shadow. "You remember him, Caroline? He came to Alaric's first party. He looks like Stefan in some ways."
"Like that guy who calls himself Damon Smith," came Meredith's voice. She was standing beside Alaric's car, a slim shadow. "You remember him, Caroline? He came to Alaric's first party. He looks like Stefan in some ways."
"Yes... it could have been, I suppose. Everything happened so fast... but it could have been."
"And you really can't be sure which it was?" Alaric said.
"No... not absolutely sure."
"There," said Alaric. "I told you she needed more sessions, that we couldn't be certain of anything yet. She's still very confused." He was walking, carefully, toward Stefan. Elena realized that the wolf had withdrawn back into the shadows. She could see it, but the men probably couldn't.
Its disappearance made them more aggressive. "What are you talking about? Who is this Smith? I've never seen him."
"But your daughter Vickie probably has, Mr. Bennett," Alaric said. "That may come out in my next session with her. We'll talk about it tomorrow; it can wait that long. Right now I think I'd better take Stefan to a hospital." There was discomforted shifting among some of the men.
"Oh, certainly, and while we're waiting anything could happen," began Mr. Smallwood. "Any time, anywhere-"
"So you're just going to take the law into your own hands, then?" Alaric said. His voice sharpened. "Whether you've got the right suspect or not. Where's your evidence this boy has supernatural powers? What's your proof? How much of a fight did he even put up?"
"There's a wolf around somewhere who put up plenty of fight," Mr. Smallwood said, red-faced. "Maybe they're in it together."
"I don't see any wolf. I saw a dog. Maybe one of the dogs that got out of quarantine. But what's that got to do with it? I'm telling you that in my professional opinion you've got the wrong man."
The men were wavering, but there was still some doubt in their faces. Meredith spoke up.
"I think you should know that there've been vampire attacks in this county before," she said. "A long time before Stefan came here. My grandfather was a victim. Maybe some of you have heard about that." She looked across at Caroline.
That was the end of it. Elena could see the men exchanging uneasy glances and backing toward their cars. Suddenly they all seemed eager to be somewhere else.
Mr. Smallwood was one who stayed behind to say, "You said we'd talk about this tomorrow, Saltzman. I want to hear what my son says the next time he's hypnotized."
Caroline's father collected her and got in his car fast, muttering something about this all being a mistake and nobody taking it too seriously.
"Are you all right? Did they hurt you?"
He moved away from Alaric's supporting arm. "Somebody hit me from behind while I was talking to Caroline. I'll be all right-now." He shot a glance at Alaric. "Thanks. Why?"
"He's on our side," said Bonnie, joining them. "I told you. Oh, Stefan, are you really okay? I thought I was going to faint there for a minute. They weren't serious. I mean, they couldn't really have been serious. ..."
"Serious or not, I don't think we should stay here," said Meredith. "Does Stefan really need a hospital?"
"No," Stefan said, as Elena anxiously examined the cut on his head. "I just need rest. Somewhere to sit down."
"I've got my keys. Let's go to the history room," Alaric said.
Bonnie was looking around the shadows apprehensively. "The wolf, too?" she said, and then jumped as a shadow coalesced and became Damon.
"What wolf?" he said. Stefan turned slightly, wincing.
"Thank you, too," he said unemotionally. But Stefan's eyes lingered on his brother with something like puzzlement as they walked to the school building.
In the hallway, Elena pulled him aside. "Stefan, why didn't you notice them coming up behind you? Why were you so weak?"
Stefan shook his head evasively, and she added, "When did you feed last? Stefan, when? You always make some excuse when I'm around. What are you trying to do to yourself?"
"I'm all right," he said. "Really, Elena. I'll hunt later."