The next morning
Caroline arrived in the kitchen, where the breakfast table was set. Liz was making some coffee and it seemed as if she tried to avoid looking at her daughter.
“Mom?” Caroline said, sensing something was wrong. Liz didn’t react, but pretended to be busy. “Mom, what’s going on?”
“You want some coffee?” Liz asked, avoiding the question. Caroline got up and walked towards her mother. “Mom, what’s wrong? Why are you acting like this?”
Liz turned around and leaned against the sink. “I’ve been having flashes”
“Flashes of what?” Caroline asked.
“Of things I thought I forgot” Liz said. “Things I suppressed, forced myself to forget”
“Or someone else made you” Caroline said. She remembered the talk with Tyler. “What about your mother?” Tyler asked. “Doesn’t she wonder where you are?”
“I guess she’s compelled” Caroline said soft.
“You were never with your father, were you?” Liz asked trembling. Caroline shook her head and broke down. Liz held her in her arms and caressed her hair as they both cried. “I should’ve known. I should’ve made sure. I should’ve called your dad”
“Mom, no, it’s not your fault. You were being compelled” Caroline said. Liz let go. “Stefan came to the house and I didn’t want him to come in, but he was already invited in. And when he came in he compelled me to let Amber in. I recognized her from the WANTED poster. She compelled me to think you were with your dad and that you would come back by the end of the summer”
“She’s dead, mom” Caroline said. “She can’t hurt you anymore”