Chapter 10

Chapter: A New Beginning

The sun was dipping below the horizon, casting a burnt-orange hue across the landscape as Sam quietly placed the body bag in the trunk of his red 1964 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu. The weight of Enzo's drained and frail body settled into the car, the last vestige of what was once a formidable vampire now reduced to near nothingness. Sam paused for a moment, staring at the bag, and let out a heavy sigh. He'd taken Grayson down, but there was no satisfaction in the act. The hollow echo of disappointment thudded in his chest.

Closing the trunk with a soft click, Sam turned toward the house one last time. The house he'd grown up in, surrounded by people he once thought of as family. But now, all that was left were secrets, lies, and the consequences of those buried beneath the surface. He needed to get out before Grayson woke up.

He strode up to the porch where Elena, Jeremy, and Miranda were standing, their faces painted with concern. Elena, ever the perceptive one, crossed her arms over her chest, narrowing her eyes as she looked at Sam.

"You're leaving, aren't you?" she asked, her voice a mixture of sadness and understanding.

Sam stopped in front of them, trying to mask the guilt that tugged at him. "I got a call from a friend. Dr. Alistair in Hawaii. He offered me a job. It's a great opportunity, and… I can't pass it up."

Miranda furrowed her brow, her motherly instincts kicking in. "Hawaii? That's so far, Sam. You didn't mention this before."

"I didn't know about it before today," Sam lied effortlessly, his voice calm and even. "It all happened really fast. I need a fresh start, and this… this is the best way."

Jeremy tugged at his sleeve, his face scrunched in confusion. "Are you coming back?"

Sam crouched down to Jeremy's level, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "I don't know, Jeremy. Maybe. But I'll be in touch, okay? I promise."

Elena's eyes glistened with unshed tears, but she didn't say a word. There was an unspoken understanding between them. She knew something was wrong—maybe not the details, but enough to sense that this wasn't just about a job. She gave him a stiff nod, her lips pressed into a thin line.

"Take care of yourselves," Sam said softly before turning back to the house. He went inside, grabbing the last of his belongings—his duffel bag, his weapons, his journals—anything that tied him to Mystic Falls. Within minutes, the house was as if he'd never been there.

He stepped outside again, the cool evening air brushing against his skin as he loaded the final bag into the Chevelle. With one last glance at his makeshift family, Sam got in the car and started the engine, the deep rumble of the classic car filling the quiet street.

As he drove off, the road ahead felt endless, stretching far beyond Mystic Falls, far beyond the tangled web of secrets he was leaving behind.

The Gilbert lake house was a secluded haven, nestled deep in the woods. Surrounded by dense trees and the peaceful shimmer of the lake, it was the perfect place to disappear. Sam pulled the Chevelle into the narrow driveway, killing the engine as the cabin came into view. The house had been unused for years, a relic of the past. But tonight, it would serve a new purpose.

He walked to the back of the car and opened the trunk, pulling out the body bag. Enzo's limp form shifted slightly inside as Sam hoisted it over his shoulder, grunting from the effort. He carried the bag into the cabin and laid it carefully on the old wooden floor.

With a flick of his wrist, he unzipped the bag, revealing Enzo's emaciated figure. His skin was pale, sunken, and drawn tight against his bones. Sam knelt down beside him, his expression a mix of pity and determination.

"Time to get you back on your feet," Sam muttered under his breath, reaching into his bag and pulling out a blood bag he'd stolen from the hospital. He ripped it open, the scent of fresh blood filling the room, and gently tilted it into Enzo's mouth.

The vampire's eyes fluttered open weakly, his fangs instinctively extending as he tasted the blood. He latched onto the bag with a desperate hunger, draining it within seconds. Sam didn't stop there, feeding him one after another until the color began to return to Enzo's face.

It would take time for him to regain his strength, but Sam had time. He wasn't going anywhere.

With Enzo resting on the couch, Sam settled at the old oak table in the corner of the room, his laptop humming to life as he opened it. His fingers flew across the keyboard, navigating the deep, hidden corners of the internet, places where ordinary people dared not tread. The dark web was full of shadows, secrets, and the unspeakable.

He reached a familiar site, a digital marketplace hidden behind layers of encryption. A page for arms dealers, mercenaries, and bounty hunters. Sam hesitated for a second before entering the passcode that unlocked another, more exclusive section—a section dealing in the supernatural.

The screen flickered as a new page loaded, filled with requests and contracts that dealt with creatures of the night. Vampires, werewolves, witches. He scrolled through, his face unreadable as he scanned the listings. He saw names he recognized, creatures who had crossed his path before.

But he wasn't here to take on a contract. Not yet. He had other plans.

Sam clicked on the "Create Profile" button and began typing, his fingers steady, his thoughts cold and calculated.

Username: RedHood

Specialties: Assassin, Tracker, Hunter

Services: Vampire elimination, werewolf control, witch containment. Special contracts negotiable.

He filled out the rest of the form, detailing his skills and experience. There was no need to hide anything. In this world, anonymity didn't exist, and reputation was everything. Sam had built a reputation over the years, even if he had kept it hidden from the people of Mystic Falls.

Once the profile was complete, he hit "Submit" and leaned back in his chair, watching as his profile went live. Offers would start pouring in soon. He knew that. But for now, he had other things to deal with.

He glanced over at Enzo, who was slowly regaining his strength. The vampire's eyes flickered open again, locking onto Sam's with a newfound awareness.

"You… saved me," Enzo rasped, his voice hoarse from dehydration. "Why?"

Sam stood up, walking over to him. "Because you deserve better than being left to rot in that basement. And because I need you."

Enzo's gaze sharpened, a flicker of suspicion crossing his face. "What do you need me for?"

Sam smirked, his eyes dark with purpose. "No reason. The world's full of monsters, Enzo. I'm just here to make sure they stay in check."

Enzo sat up slowly, his strength returning with every passing second. "You're not just a hunter, are you?"

"No," Sam replied, his voice cold as steel. "I'm much more than that."

The night stretched on as Sam prepared for the days ahead. The lake house was quiet, save for the soft rustle of the wind through the trees and the gentle lapping of the water against the shore. Inside, the air was thick with unspoken promises and the weight of what was to come.