Games

Elena and I stood outside Katherine's house the next afternoon, our breaths visible in the crisp autumn air. Caroline's car was already in the driveway, parked at a slight angle as if she'd rushed in. The house was picturesque—a two-story colonial with white shutters and a wraparound porch. It looked charming, but I couldn't shake the sense of foreboding that had clung to me since Katherine's arrival.

"Are we really doing this?" I asked, my hand tightening on the strap of my bag.

Elena glanced at me, her eyes narrowing. "We need to find out what's going on. She didn't just show up out of nowhere, Amara. People don't look identical to us and have that streak of blue by coincidence."

I nodded, but a chill ran down my spine as we walked up to the door. Elena knocked, and within seconds, it swung open. Katherine stood there, her smile as bright as ever.

"You made it!" she said, stepping aside to let us in.

The inside of the house was just as polished as the outside—soft gray walls, pristine furniture, and a faint smell of vanilla candles. Caroline was already sprawled on the couch, laughing at something Katherine had said before we arrived.

"Finally!" Caroline exclaimed, sitting up. "We've been waiting forever!"

"It's been five minutes," Katherine teased, her voice warm as she turned to us. "Come on in. Make yourselves at home."

Elena and I exchanged a glance but stepped inside.

"So," Katherine said, motioning toward the kitchen. "Snacks? Drinks? I wasn't sure what you liked, but I figured Caroline could fill me in."

"Snacks sound great," Caroline said, standing to follow her.

Elena stopped her with a hand on her arm. "Actually, Katherine, could we talk to you for a second? Alone?"

Katherine paused, her expression faltering for a split second before the smile returned. "Of course. Let me just grab something real quick." She disappeared into the kitchen, leaving the three of us in the living room.

Caroline frowned. "What's with you two? You've been acting weird all day."

"Caroline, don't you think it's strange?" Elena asked. "The way Katherine just… fits in here? And how much she looks like us?"

Caroline rolled her eyes. "Oh, come on. You're just being paranoid. She's new. Give her a chance."

Elena didn't reply, but her jaw tightened.

Katherine returned moments later, holding a tray with glasses of lemonade and a plate of cookies. She set it on the coffee table with a flourish. "There we go. Now, what did you want to talk about?"

Elena didn't waste any time. "How do you know Caroline?"

Katherine tilted her head, her smile unwavering. "We just clicked. You know how Caroline is—so welcoming. It's hard not to like her."

"Where did you say you moved from again?" Elena pressed.

"Upstate New York," Katherine said smoothly. "Small town. Not much to talk about."

Her answers were perfect—too perfect.

"What brought you here?" I asked, my voice softer than Elena's but no less suspicious.

Katherine's smile grew. "Family stuff. It's just me now, but I needed a fresh start. And Mystic Falls seemed like the perfect place."

Caroline groaned. "You're grilling her like she's on trial. Stop being so weird and just… relax."

But I couldn't relax. Not with the way Katherine was watching us, her gaze sharp despite her friendly demeanor.

Elena crossed her arms. "You look exactly like us, Katherine. Don't you think that's odd?"

Katherine's smile faltered for the briefest moment before she laughed. "I noticed that too. It's uncanny, isn't it? Maybe we're distant relatives or something. Stranger things have happened."

Her tone was light, but there was a glint in her eyes that made my skin crawl.

After an hour of forced small talk and polite smiles, Caroline announced she had to leave for work. "You two should stay, though," she said, pointing at Elena and me. "It's good for you to get to know each other."

Katherine beamed. "I'd love that."

Elena and I exchanged another glance, but neither of us argued. Caroline left with a wave, and the moment the door closed, Katherine's demeanor shifted.

"So," she said, her voice dropping its cheery tone. "What is it you really want to know?"

Elena stiffened. "What do you mean?"

"Come on," Katherine said, leaning against the arm of the couch. "You didn't come here for cookies and lemonade. You came to figure me out. So, let's cut the act. Ask your questions."

I swallowed hard, my throat dry. "Why do you look like us?"

Katherine's eyes gleamed. "Maybe fate has a sense of humor. Or maybe I'm here because you needed me."

"That's not an answer," Elena snapped.

Katherine smirked. "You're right. But it's all you're getting for now."

Before we could push further, the front door creaked open. All three of us turned, but no one was there.

Katherine's expression darkened. "Looks like our time's up."

"What does that mean?" I asked, my voice trembling.

She stood, her movements fluid and deliberate, and walked to the door. "You'll see soon enough."