I can feel the flames on my skin

Jeremy looked down. “I’m sorry you did that to yourself. I am sorry i acted like an ass… but… I had my own shit.” 

Beth nodded, giving a slight smile. “I’m sorry I did it to myself too... but grateful I am still here. No, no. It was a shock. I know.” She looked at him. “How are you doing?”

He nodded. “I can imagine why. You know how i feel… about this whole thing. I had to go and grieve for you.”

Beth nodded slightly, fiddling with her hands. “I... yeah. I know. I... I am sorry. Sorry I did that to you.”

“Paris seems nice, you could’ve made that home.” Although he was glad to hear that the girl saw this as her home still. Maybe Beth was in there somewhere. “I guess… Tomas is looking over you at least?”

“It is nice but I... it’s more of a treat. This is home.” She gave a warm smile before it faded slightly. “No... he is with them. I suppose he still watches me when I... don’t know. He’s... weird around me.”

Jeremy put his hands in his pockets. “Stable… is good. I’m glad to hear it. Ezra… is she still about? And Claudia… i miss her face.” He also knew returning home with his new news… might not go down so well with his ex lover who happened to be an ancient vampire.

Beth’s eyes glanced over him, taking in his body language. “Thank you, I’m adjusting. I feel okay. They’re both in Paris. I spent some time there with them but it was time to come home.” She nodded. “As she does yours.”

Jeremy gave the blonde a sad smile, now unable to smell his sweet scent. It saddened him. “Stone something…” He sighed. “And you Beth… it’s nice to see you. You look… well.”

Beth could see the sadness in his smile and tucked her hair behind her ear. “Sorry,” she said quietly, knowing what he had meant. She was dead and cold like stone. “Thank you. I am. I guess, I am stable.”

She nodded. “maybe they’re just the same thing then. Not everything changes when you become a vampire right? You’re just you. You’re Beth.” She half smiled. “You don’t mind me saying… i feel like you still struggle.”

Beth gave a small smile at her words. “I’m Beth. Thank you. I am Beth.” She sighed. “Sometimes... I do. But old vampires... aren’t always the most understanding. And well... not everyone else treats me like me still.”

All vampires needed their time alone, Tomas was no exception. “Perhaps the old lighthouse is functioning again?” He didn’t bother looking. “Granted, the last owner died about sixty years ago… but you never know.”

Beth was already lost in her own thoughts again when he spoke, she looked up. “Huh? I think I did about the old lighthouse in school when I was a kid. Not that it matters,” she half laughed. “Link... said maybe I’m being paranoid.”

“Why you came back?” He asked, fishing for more information about what the blonde was up to while she was gone. “Then you have a gift. That’s cool. You still have magic.” 

“It’s my town, my home... I missed it. Yeah,” she nodded, looking back at him. “A vampire’s version of magic. Maybe. I’ll have to find out more.”

Link blinked. He wanted the blonde to be alright. “He certainly does. This town a big bbq place.” he laughed, nudging the vampire. “I am not a vampire, I don’t have a clue. I think it’s the rational explanation.” 

Beth looked back at him giving a small smile. “It is but I like that... the town and all its small town quirks.” She nodded, he genuinely seemed to listen. “I mean, I read something on it... vampires can have all sorts of gifts enhanced.”

Hazel glanced towards the vampire, she was fond of the girl that had given her a lift into town. “Okay…Are you okay? You seem a little jumpy?” She reached out and touched his shoulder. 

Beth looked up when she touched her shoulder, nodding. “I... yeah. I think so. Maybe I’m just being paranoid.” She paused. “I used to have these dreams, before I died... they’ve started again.” She shook her head. “But I am totally fine.”

Hazel sniffed the air, trying to smell what the vampire was describing. She glanced over, rubbing her lips together. “Hey… Beth… you okay? I can’t… smell anything.” 

Beth sighed, nodding, the girl’s words snapping her from her daze. She was doing it again... like the dreams. “I... yeah. Sorry. Maybe I was imagining it.” She paused. “I died in a fire.”

Link shrugged. “It’s May, it’s probably someone kicking up a barbecue with the football season.” He took a sip of his coffee. “I don’t know, i’ve never thought about it. Are there vampire therapists? I’m sure they could answer it. Or… your powers have survived the change. it’s not unheard of.”

“That’s true, it is. My mom loves her barbecue garden parties when the weather gets a little warmer. And we know Cailan loves his beers,” she gave a little laugh, grateful he never talked down to her. He had a way of making things make sense. “No idea, can’t say I have ever enquired. i suppose... makers do that stuff?” She looked at him. “Ezra... really seemed to think my powers would show in some way like this. You think that... I could?”

Link flicked through his magazine carelessly. “Or you just died in a fire and you’re paranoid?” He offered. 

Beth sighed, part of her feeling like her friend was right. She nodded, sitting back down. “Maybe. I am so certain I could smell smoke though.” She wrinkled her nose. “Do you think vampires can get ptsd? Do you think that could be my dreams?”