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"I know. You are engaged to the man who is wearing the black cape. Congratulations! Don't be concerned; I do recall him. Even still, I find myself drawn to him, and only God knows why. Matt took a deep breath and immediately seemed to feel better. "Listen, I'm not sure whether Katherine has shared this information with you. He made a number of statements to me, including those in which he accused me of being wicked and said that he did not regret what he had done to Tyler. You're aware of what I'm referring about, right?

"I know. You are engaged to the man who is wearing the black cape. Congratulations! Don't be concerned; I do recall him. Even still, I find myself drawn to him, and only God knows why. Matt took a deep breath and immediately seemed to feel better. "Listen, I'm not sure whether Katherine has shared this information with you. He made a number of statements to me, including those in which he accused me of being wicked and said that he did not regret what he had done to Tyler. You're aware of what I'm referring about, right?

Matt nodded. "So it was the usual load of rubbish. I ought to have known better."

"Well, it depends on how you look at it. The need is great, far more than you could ever comprehend. Elizabeth was beginning to realize that she hadn't eaten anything today and that she'd been hungry prior to when they left to go to Alaric's house. "In point of fact, Matt, I really should get going. Just one thing: if I were you, I wouldn't attend to the dance that's being held tomorrow night. Then a negative event of some kind is likely to take place. We're going to give it our best go at protecting it, but I'm not sure what other options we have."

"Who exactly are 'we'?" Matt remarked somewhat sternly.

"Katherine and Dominic — I believe it was Dominic — and I. In addition, Merit and Denis, as well as Alaric Saltzman. Avoid inquiring about Alaric. It is a really involved tale."

But what exactly are you protecting yourself against!

"I am sorry; you are not aware of this. That's another drawn-out tale, but, in a nutshell, the answer is whatever it was that took my life. Whatever it was that caused those dogs to go on the attack at my memorial ceremony, they did. Something ominous has been lingering around the vicinity of Fell's Church for some time now, Matt. And we are going to make an effort to prevent it from carrying out any of its plans tomorrow night." It was a struggle for her to remain still. "Listen, I hate to be the one to break it to you, but I have to go." In spite of her best efforts, she couldn't help but notice the large blue vein running across the side of his neck.

She was able to take her attention away from his long enough to glance at his face, and she saw that the astonishment was being replaced by a sudden comprehension. The next step, which is really remarkable, is acceptance. "It's alright," Matt replied.

She was unsure whether or not what she had heard was accurate. "Matt?" "I said, it's alright. It didn't bother me in the past."
"No. No, Matt, I mean this. I didn't come all the way here to listen to that-"

"I know. Because of this, I would want to. I have something I want to offer you that you haven't asked for. After a minute he added, "For old friends' sake."

Elizabeth was thinking about you, Katherine. On the other hand, Katherine had instructed her to come, but to do it by herself. Katherine realized that she had been aware of it all along. And there was no cause for concern. It was a present from him to Matt as well as to her.

But I'll get to you eventually, Katherine, she told herself, "I promise."

Matt spoke to her as she was leaning toward him and said, "You know, I'm going to come over and help you tomorrow. Even if I'm not on the guest list."

Then she placed her lips to his neck.
I am certain that I have already written it, or at the very least, thought it. But this is the night, the big one, when everything that might possibly happen is going to take place. This is the end.

Even Katherine is experiencing it. Today after school he came home and informed me that the dance would go ahead as planned since Mr. Newcastle didn't want to raise a commotion by canceling it or anything like that. They are going to have "security" outside, which I assume to mean the cops, and this is what they plan to do. And maybe Mr. Smallwood and a few of his other buddies who are armed with guns. Whatever is going to take place, I do not believe that they will be able to stop it.

I have my doubts that we will be able to.

It has snowed steadily throughout the day. Due to the fact that the pass is closed, there is no way for vehicles to enter or exit the town. Till the snowplow gets there, which won't be until the morning, which is already too late. Until then, you're out of luck.

In addition to that, the atmosphere has an odd quality to it. It wasn't simply the snow. It's almost as though something much chillier than that is poised to pounce at any moment. It is retracted in the same manner as the ocean is retracted just before a tsunami. When it lets go...

Today I was thinking about my other journal, the one that is hidden under the floorboards of my closet in my bedroom. If there is anything left that is mine, it is that journal. I gave some consideration to bringing it out into the open, but I don't want to go back home again. I don't believe I'd be able to handle that, and I'm very sure my aunt Judith wouldn't be able to if she saw me.

It amazes me that anybody has been able to keep up with everything. Merit, and Denis, in particular Denis. And Merit, too, taking into account all that has happened to her family. Matt.

They are excellent pals that are dependable. It's weird, but I used to believe that in order for me to make it through life, I needed a whole universe full of friends and fans. Thank you so much, but three is the right number for me now. Because they are true friends with one another.

Before, I was unaware of the degree to which I cared for them. Or in reference to Margaret, or even Aunt Judith. And almost everyone in the school... I know that only a few weeks ago I said that it didn't matter to me if every single person in Robert E. Lee died, but that statement is no longer accurate. Tonight, I'm going to do all in my power to keep them safe.
I am aware that I am skipping about from topic to topic, but please understand that I am speaking about topics that are significant to me. To some extent, I am putting the pieces together in my head. For the sake of safety.

So, the moment has come. There is a wait for Katherine. I only need to complete this one more sentence, and then I'll go. My gut tells me that we'll come out on top. I certainly do.
We are going to give it a go.

The history room had a pleasant temperature and a lot of natural light. The other side of the school building housed the cafeteria, which was decked up in Christmas lights and other festive decorations and shone even brighter. Elizabeth, upon arrival, had observed it from a safe distance while maintaining a careful attitude, watching the couples come in for the dance and go through the sheriff's policemen who are stationed at the entryway. When she turned around and felt Dominic's presence behind her, she pointed out a female with long hair that was a light brown color.

watching the couples come in for the dance and go through the sheriff's policemen who are stationed at the entryway. When she turned around and felt Dominic's presence behind her, she pointed out a female with long hair that was a light brown color.

The response he gave was, "I'll take your word for it."

After that, she had a look around their temporary base of operations for the night. The mess on Alaric's desk was gone, and he was squatting down in front of a crude map of the school. Merit sat down next to him and leaned down so that her black hair might brush across his arm. Katherine and Dominic were patrolling the perimeter of the school grounds while Matt and Denis were out socializing with the dancegoers in the parking lot. The plan was for each of them to have a turn.

Alaric advised Elizabeth, "It is in your best interest to remain indoors." "All that is required is for someone to spot you and begin pursuing you with a stake," the leader said.

Elizabeth, amused, remarked, "I've been going around town all week," and continued to laugh. "If I don't want to be noticed, you don't see me." On the other hand, she consented to remaining in the history room in order to coordinate.

As she sat there and watched Alaric draw out the locations of the sheriff's officers and other men on the map, she couldn't help but compare it to a castle. And we're protecting it. Me and my devoted warriors in armor.

On the wall was a circular clock with a flat face, and it was ticking away the minutes. Elizabeth saw it when she opened the door for individuals and then opened it again for them to leave. She offered piping hot coffee to anybody wanted it by pouring it out of a Thermos. She remained silent while she awaited the news to arrive.

"There does not seem to be any activity on the north side of the school." "Caroline had recently awarded the title of snow queen. Big surprise."
The sheriff has just finished rounding up several boisterous children who were in the parking lot...

Midnight came and went without incident.

A little over an hour later, Katherine mused aloud, "Perhaps we were incorrect." Since the beginning of the evening, this was the very first time that they had all been inside together as a group.
Denis rummaged through the contents of a boot and speculated that maybe the event was taking place in another location.

Elizabeth said in a resolute manner, "There is no way to foresee where it is going to happen." "However, we were correct in our prediction that it would take place."

Alaric mused for a while before responding, "Perhaps there is a way. I mean, to find out exactly where it is going to take place." He said, "We need a precognition," as heads turned in his direction in a curious manner. Denis was the focus of everyone's attention.
"Oh, no," Denis replied. "It's it! I'm done with all of that. I despise it." Alaric started up by saying, "It's a fantastic gift-."
"It's a major, major inconvenience. Look, you don't understand. The standard forecasts are already somewhat pessimistic. It seems like the majority of the time, I find out stuff that I would rather not know.