♡ DEAD GIRL WALKING ♡

𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐔𝐄.

ARIA HASTINGS WAS THE IT GIRL OF MYSTIC FALLS. the one who had everything handed to her on a silver platter, the one who people went out of their way to do favors for. she wasn't exactly kind, but she did deeply care for those that she loved. she was a thrill-seeker, and was often impulsive to get the sensory pleasures she so often desired.

the low chatter of the other customers filled Aria's ears as she shoved a small fly into her mouth.

in front of her sat Cady Rowan. a strawberry blonde haired girl who was never seen without Aria Hastings by her side. the two were attached at the hip, they always had been. they first met in the third grade when Cady scraped the flesh of her knee on the playground, and Aria had been right by her side to assist. since then, they were inseparable.

the two were sitting in a booth in Mystic Grill. it was only a few hours after school ended, and they decided to grab a bite to eat instead of lounging around and struggling to complete their homework. Aria sat with her head held high, her dark brown hair tucked behind her ears as she leaned her elbows on the table.

"so, i heard there's gonna a bonfire later this week."Aria fiddled with her straw as she lifted her thin eyebrows. Cady rolled her blue eyes with a scoff, shaking her head and ignoring the strand of red hair that fell into her face.

"no. no way." she was quick to reply.

"what? why?" Aria slumped her shoulders and lulled her head back, pushing her tongue against the inside of her cheek. Cady frowned.

"because, parties aren't my scene. you know that." she muttered the last part and adjusted the classes that sat on the bridge of her freckled nose. Aria huffed at her response. it was true. Cady absolutely hated school functions. why? that was left unanswered. but, no matter how many times the strawberry blonde denied, Aria would never stop pressing.

"come on, cady. . . Tyler will be there." she lifted a brow with a tiny smirk. Cady's eyes grew wide and her cheeks flushed a light shade of pink at the mention of the Lockwood boy. she glanced around to make sure that no one from their school had been lingering.

"yeah. and he'll be there with Vicky Donavan!" she whispered the last part, glancing at the said brunette girl that worked behind the counter. Aria shrugged, closing her lips around the straw and and exhaling lightly as the fresh lemonade shot down her throat.

"and? they aren't even dating, Cady. besides, she fools around with like, three different guys at a time. including that gilbert kid." Aria shook her head with a small eye roll. Cady suddenly frowned, fiddling with her thumbs as she stared at the dark haired girl in front of her.

"yeah. i feel bad for him though. and his sister." she said solemnly. Aria nodded, exhaling heavily as she remembered the tragic loss that the gilbert children had gone recently through. just a few months ago, they were involved in a horrible car accident that resulted in the unfortunate death of both of their parents, Grayson and Miranda Gilbert. Aria couldn't imagine losing her own parents, her heart clenched at the mere thought.

Elena Gilbert and Aria Hastings were rather close, along with Bonnie Bennett and Caroline Forbes. together, the five of them were a nice group of girls that could rely on one another whenever needed.

she shrugged her shoulders and cocked her head to the side, "same. but, let's change the subject." she tried not to sound to insensitive, but thankfully Cady understood.

"so, what do you say. will you come?" Aria pressed once again. Cady sighed heavily and fiddled with the bracelet tied to her wrist as she contemplated. she really hated socializing, but if she were to stick with Aria, would it really be that bad? the strawberry blonde could feel her heart thump beneath her chest as she considered stepping out of her comfort zone. Aria fought back a grin, a dimple pressing on her left cheek as she awaited the final answer.

"fine!" Cady surrendered. Aria cheered, a large smile forcing its way onto her lips as Cady shrunk in her seat. the hastings girl eventually began to laugh, flicking her hair out of her face before picking up her small flip phone and checking the time displayed on the screen. it was getting rather late, and the sun had already tucked itself away behind the horizon and left room for the moon to reveal itself.

Aria figured they should head back now. she curled her fingers around her small purse, cocking her head to the side and gesturing for Cady to follow her. the girl complied, standing up from the booth and strolling towards the exit of the Grill. her heels clipped against the concrete, and the warmth from the soft breeze tickled the flesh of her pink powered cheeks. she glanced over her shoulder, seeing the strawberry blonde staring intently at her cellular device.

"my mom should be pulling up in a minute." Cady informed. Aria nodded, flicking a dark strand of hair away from her frame. she softly exhaled and kicked a few pebbles with the heel of her shoe.

"ill wait with you."

Cady frowned and cocked her head, "do you need us to give you a ride? you're on the way." she asked. Aria shook her head, waving her manicured fingers with a small smile, dimples pressing into her cheeks.

"I'll be fine. I need to stop by the store anyways, pick up a few things." she curtly informed as a minivan pulled up to the curb. inside was a pale skinned woman, leaning on the center consul as she rolled down the window and wiggled her fingers.

"hey, Aria!" the older woman greeted with a toothy grin. Aria felt her chest grow warm as she heard the woman voice. she was a kind individual, always providing for others that weren't her own, which Aria greatly admired.

"Hi, mrs Rowan! it's good to see you." the sixteen year old politely waved. she adjusted the small purse that she had slung over her shoulder before watching Cady crawl into the van, slamming the door behind her and fastening her seatbelt. Aria gave one last wave before turning on her heel and striding off, hearing the groaning tires of the vehicle as they strolled off.

the girl exhaled, folding her lips inward as she glanced at the few figures that were still out and about at this time of night. she gritted her teeth, the grocery store wasn't too far away from where she currently stood. it shouldn't take too long to get in and get out. the gentle breeze kissed her olive skin, and she only picked up her pace as a chill danced along her flesh. spotting the store a little off in the distance, she didn't fail to keep her gaze on it as she approached it. there weren't many people in the establishment at this time of night.

she shuddered as the cool air enveloped her, and she quickly walked through the isles, picking up a few items and clutching them to her chest. after deciding that she was done for the night, she headed towards the checkout area. the lines were short, and she was quick to come face to face with the young lady at the register.

as she scanned her stuff, Aria rummaged through her purse, plucking out a twenty and waiting for the lady to reveal her final price.

"that'll be thirty seven, seventeen." the cashier informed, smacking the bubblegum between her teeth. at that, she searched for another twenty before extending her arm out. the lady muttered to herself as she counted the money, giving Aria the respectable amount back before packing her groceries into plastic bags and allowing the Hastings girl to take them. Aria smiled in thanks, turning on her heel and allowing a huff to escape her lips as she strolled towards the exit. she let her eyes flutter shut momentarily as a wave of exhaustion hit her.

she hadn't been home for hours, and it only made her want to rush. the dark sky was glittered with beaming stars that neighbored the glowing moon. her fingers began to ache as the bags in her grasp grew heavy. hearing a low whisper behind her, she halted her movements and quickly whipped her head around, her  own hair smacking her in the face. she pinched her thin eyebrows together.

"hello?" she called out. when no response came, she shook her head and continued her venture, she was walking faster as her heart began to pound.

she glanced over her shoulder, seeing a large hooded figure strolling a few feet behind her, hands shoved in his pockets as he kept his gaze on the ground.

she was walking.

she could've sworn that a silhouette zip past her, and she released a strangled gasp as her blue eyes widened. fear was taking over her, like a vicious enemy that held her in an iron grip.

she was running. 

she repeatedly muttered comforting words to herself, her palms growing damp with sweat as she heaved. she was almost home, just a little longer. she felt her muscles aching beneath her skin. her vision blurred, and she dropped the bags of groceries to run as far as she could, turning a sharp corner, she released a grunt as collided with a large figure. a grumble fell from his lips, and she took in his features. dark eyes, thick brown eyebrows with dirty blonde hair that fell over his eyes.

he bore a dried cut on his lip, and she could recognize him as Steven Ronald. also known as, her ex fucking boyfriend.

he had graduated from Mystic Falls High School two years prior. what was he doing here? rumor has it, he had moved to Northern California just a few weeks after graduation. a frown stained her lips.

"oh, my- Steven?" she trailed off, ignoring the way her chest painfully tightened. her knees felt week as he glanced behind her.

"hello, Aria." he said lowly before giving a curt nod.

   run, the voice in her head shouted at her. she could hardly move as the burning in her chest grew larger. she tried to scream, only it was muffled by a grimy palm being placed over her mouth. her eyes fluttered shut as she attempted to block out the overwhelming sensation of terror.

it wasn't long before she lost consciousness.

*.·:·.✧ ✦ ✧.·:·.*

Aria felt as though her flesh was on fire. she tried to pry her eyelids open, but she felt as though a heavy blanket was silencing her inaudible screams and dulling her senses. she could almost recognize the flames lifting and engulfing her helpless body, beautifully illuminating the night sky as her muscles flared in agony. a groan fell from her lips and her eyebrows pinched together as a voice reached her eardrums.

"look, I think she's waking up." a deep voice said as the van skidded to a halt. she felt her body jerk as the vehicle door opened. taking in a sharp breath, she mustered all of the strength that she could to push herself up, her heels clicking against the concrete before she attempted to run. she hardly made it far, before a strong grip curled around her midsection. she cried out, feeling the warm breath fan across her neck.

"where are you going, huh?" his chapped lips grazed her ear. his eyes lifted towards the night sky, "we've gotta waxy moon tonight, guys. just like the ritual said."

the ritual? we're they insane?

Aria sobbed, her upper lip curling as she pleaded for her freedom. the four men ignored her sobs. she could hardly even catch a glimpse of their features through her tears that stained her cheeks, "let me go, you bitch!" she began to shout before he placed his large palm over her pink painted lips.

"easy. . ." the other boy chuckled darkly as they ventured further into the handful of trees.

she never stopped thrashing in his hold, nearly gagging at the cologne that invaded her nostrils. twigs snapped beneath their weight, and she gasped as her captor shoved her towards the ground, her palms hardly breaking her fall. audibly hissing, she rolled onto her back and examined her palms as the four boys hovered over her helpless body, "help me!" the pleads tore through her throat.

"do one of you guys have something to shut her up with?" a recognizable boy named Joey said flatly. his jet black hair was jelled to his scalp. his face was freshly shaven, and he wore his Mystic High Varsity Jacket that he was gifted nearly two years prior. she caught sight of a thick book with deep carvings held in his grasp.

someone help, please.

"are you guys rapists?" she hesitantly asked. Joey folded his lips inward.

"God, i hate girls."

"Alright. get it nice and tight, don't want her to claw at me." the other said. this one sent chills down her arms. skinny and twisted and evil like this petrified tree she saw when she was a kid. she felt the thick ropes being secured around her wrists, the stinging sensation becoming prominent.

hearing a click, she spotted a lighter in Stevens hand, and a knife in his other. his face glistened in the steel weapon, and her sobs grew louder as he lit the tip of a stick on fire to illuminate the area.

"with the deepest malice, we deliver this virgin unto thee-" he raised the knife above his head and prepared to thrust it into her chest before halting, "wait, you are still a virgin, right? i mean, it's been like, what, two years since we broke up?"

he glanced at his companions who chuckled at his words, dark gaze sticking to Aria, "who knows if shes spread her legs for someone. wouldn't be much of a surprise." his gaze traveled downwards and lingered on her chest that was visible through a low cut shirt. she suddenly felt exposed, and attempted to cover her breasts with her roped hands.

"yes. yes, i'm a virgin. i'm a virgin, i've never- i've never even done sex. i don't know how." she profusely nodded in hopes they would set her free. who would want someone who was inexperienced? it was rather unappealing to guys like them. boys her age liked girls that were innocent and pure, and oblivious to their horrid habits. they liked someone who was easy to manipulate.

"so, you guys should find somebody who does." her bottom lip quivered as she lied right through her teeth.

"see, man? you owe me a beer." one boy said before shoving a chunk of cloth in-between her teeth, refraining her from speaking any longer.

"are you sure this is a good idea?" the other shakily voiced, his features twisted in concern.

"just- get me the ritual." Steven ordered. it wasn't long before he held a thin sheet of paper in his hands. Joey quirked his eyebrow.

"that's it?"

"yeah. found it online. we come here tonight to sacrifice the body Aria of Mystic Falls. okay, you guys ready? on the count of three it's gonna be gnarly. one, two—" he stopped as her cries reached his eardrums.

"you know, Aria, i've been thinking. Aria you're the girl for me. you don't know me anymore, but you make me so happy. i tried to call you before, but i lost my nerve." Steven began to sing, a sick grin crawling on his lips, revealing his disgustingly perfect teeth.

"i used my imagination, but i was disturbed. Ari, i got your number. i need to make you mine!" the other boys began to join in and hum the familiar tune. Aria tried her best to drown out their words, squeezing her eyes shut and embracing the painful ringing sensation that echoed through her eardrums. Steven suddenly thrusted the knife into her chest, tearing through the flesh as she cried out. he grunted as he repeatedly slammed the weapon into her body, ignoring the way her movements slowed as crimson blood seeped from he wounds and trickled down her stomach, staining the soil beneath her. 

blood began to litter Stevens face as he repeatedly stabbed her. after a few more thrusts, he stopped, the weapon feeling heavy in his grasp. his companions stared at Aria, her big brown eyes slowly rolling behind her eyelids as her head lolled to the side.

"do you think it worked?"

there was a chilling silence that followed, and it seemed as though no one wanted to pry their gaze away from the sixteen year old girl they had just sacrificed. if the ritual hadn't worked, what would happen to them? had they made a mistake in the spell? if that were the case, each one of them would be absolutely screwed.

they urged one another to pack their things, despite the sickening sensation that left their stomach in twists. the four boys left Aria Hastings' body in the depths of the forest, unaware of the fact that she would wake.

they were oblivious to the fact that when she did, it would bring absolute chaos to the town of Mystic Falls.