Lost in Translation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Lost in Translation - Essay Example In the passage gave, Hoffman portrays her excursion from Europe to North America, the convergence of feelings and the sort of experience it was. She places into viewpoint what she picked up, what she lost, her second thoughts and her way forward from that point. She felt damaged at the situation of abandoning her place of youth and was over-whelmed with an inundation of profound feelings as she remained on the deck of her pontoon. As asserted in the content â€Å" †¦.I feel that my life is ending†¦and I need to break out, run back, run toward comparable fervor, the waving hands, the shouts. We cannot be leaving this behind† She felt that a significant part of her life and of her own reality is being detracted from her, is slipping from her hands and she is in no state of mind to neglect it. Regardless of how awful her experience was in Cracrow, she yet holds the roads of her youth, her companions and every one of her recollections extremely dear to her. As put in the master with respect to her emotions on displacement ..† It’s an idea of such smashing, conclusive absolution that to me it should mean the apocalypse. â€Å" She felt wistfulness overwhelming as though the last snapshots of a mind-blowing best went blazing past by her as the Polish national song of devotion was played before the boat left. That more likely than not been a connecting with second for her. She not just needed to counter the sentiment of abandoning a significant piece of her life yet needed to get the job done it with the sentiment of misery and longiness.

The Plot Line for Esperanza Rising Free Essays

Severance’s rich and cherishing father was killed by crooks. Spenserian and what is left of her family are undermine by her dad’s underhanded stepbrothers that may have contributed to his demise. So as to escape from their detestable handle they rushed to the US Of A. We will compose a custom exposition test on The Plot Line for Esperanza Rising or then again any comparative subject just for you Request Now Filling in as ranch laborers with their workers. In the midst of this she needed to desert her grandmother because of wounds likely brought about by her insidious stepsons. Likewise like Spenserian Diego De la Vega’s family was detracted from him, his girl taken, spouse killed, and sent to a Mexican likeness Augmentation Bay to plot his vengeance. Rising activity Spenserian needs to figure out how clear, care for children, and take care for her mother that has valley fever who need to go to the emergency clinic. She is making some hard memories to alter having carrying on with a real existence begrudged by princesses to a real existence that is hard not to feel sorry for upon, her bratty side is appeared. Not at all like Spenserian who manages cleaning Diego escapes from jail with just a single target discover his little girl, however his got derailed to discover a man who he help back in the days when he was Zero named Alexandra. As Hollywood would have it this man’s sibling was killed and now he is plotting to retaliate for him. So Diego sakes him in and trains him to turn into another Zero. While preparing Diego makes Alexandra go to a ball and advises him to keep an eye on Don Rafael who took Doggie’s girl and essentially murdered his significant other. Alexandra goes to the ball meets meet Elena Doggie’s tragically deceased girl and Don Rafael. After the ball Don Rafael welcomes Alexandra to see his â€Å"vision†. Peak At this pivotal point in the story Spenserian figures out how to think about her mother, she finds a new line of work to pay for her mother’s clinic costs and a ticket for her grandmother who she left back in Mexico, and she figures out how to manage all the prejudice that goes on in the camp. Likewise she has a contention with her previous worker now manor associate. He assembles all the cash she been sparing and flees. While Spenserian acclimates to her new life, Alexandra learns of a plot to purchase California from the Spanish with gold mined from California worked purchase vagrants, and arbitrary beggars, even a cleric. Outcome Severance’s mother gets more beneficial enough to return home, and the hireling who fled with her cash returned with Severance’s grandmother. Presently everybody is glad and rejoined. As Spenserian is being brought together with her family Diego attempts to get rejoined with his family. With the assistance of Alexandra Diego attacks the home of Don Rafael finds a plot to annihilate the gold mine with all the laborers tank attempts to disclose to Elena the she IS his little girl and he succeeds however Rafael tosses him in constrainment. Elena salvages her newfound dad and carries him to Alexandra where he is with Captain Love the maniacal man who murdered Alexandrine sibling and afterward made him into a refreshment. Diego then goes up against Rafael as he attempts to get his gold to the legislative head of California. As them two win their own duels for Hollywood deny them to lose, Elena at long last accomplishes something she enables the laborers with he to help of Alexandra. Step by step instructions to refer to The Plot Line for Esperanza Rising, Papers

How to Observe and Accept Your Emotions

How to Observe and Accept Your Emotions BPD Living With BPD Print Learning to Observe and Accept Your Emotions By Kristalyn Salters-Pedneault, PhD Kristalyn Salters-Pedneault, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and associate professor of psychology at Eastern Connecticut State University. Learn about our editorial policy Kristalyn Salters-Pedneault, PhD Updated on September 19, 2019 Bob Thomas / The Image Bank / Getty Images More in BPD Living With BPD Diagnosis Treatment Related Conditions This emotional acceptance exercise is one way to help you learn to be more aware and accepting of your emotions. Many people with borderline personality disorder (BPD) and other disorders that involve intense emotional experiences have a tendency to reject their emotions as bad or wrong. Unfortunately, this can lead to some very dangerous behaviors, such as deliberate self-harm. How can you learn to be more accepting of emotions? This exercise teaches you to see your emotion from a little bit of a distance. This is different than dissociation (which involves being completely cut off from your emotions) or emotional suppression. Emotional acceptance promotes mindfulness, or the ability to see the emotion for what it is without judging it or attempting to get rid of it. The exercise is adapted from a workbook developed by Dr. Steven Hayes at the University of Nevada at Reno called “Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life.” The workbook is an excellent introduction to a type of therapy called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, which has been shown to effectively treat a variety of psychological disorders. The workbook is well worth a read if you are interested in learning more about accepting your emotions. Emotional Acceptance Exercise: Observing Your Emotions This exercise can be done when you are having an emotion that is uncomfortable. If you are just starting to practice this exercise, it is best to choose an emotion that is not too intense. Pick a time when you are having an emotion strong enough for you to recognize you are having it, but not so strong that you are feeling overwhelmed by it. After you get some practice with this exercise, you may want to try it with stronger emotions. Step One: Identify the Emotion The first step is to identify the emotion you are having. If you are having more than one emotion, just pick one (you can go back and do this exercise with the other emotions later if you want to). If you are having trouble identifying the emotion, sit for a moment and pay attention to your physical sensations and thoughts. See if you can give an emotion you are having a name (e.g., sadness, anger, shame). Once you have a name for the emotion, write it down on a slip of paper. Step Two: Getting Some Space Now that you have identified the emotion, close your eyes (if that feels safe to do) and imagine putting that emotion five feet in front of you. Imagine that for just a few minutes you are going to put it outside of yourself so that you can look at it. Later on you will take it back, but for now, you are going to allow yourself just a bit of distance so that you can observe the emotion. Step Three: Give the Emotion a Form Now that the emotion is out in front of you, close your eyes and answer the following questions: If your emotion had a size, what size would it be? If your emotion had a shape, what shape would it be? If your emotion had a color, what color would it be? Once you’ve answered these questions, imagine the emotion out in front of you with the size, shape, and color you gave it. Just watch it for a few moments and recognize it for what it is. When you are ready, you can let the emotion return to its original place inside you. After the Exercise: Reflect Once you’ve completed this exercise, just take a moment to reflect on what you noticed about your experience. Did you notice any change in the emotion when you got a little distance from it? What about changes in your reactions to the emotion? What size, shape, and color did you give the emotion? Did the emotion feel different in some way once the exercise was finished? Practice this exercise once a day for a month. It won’t take much time out of your day; so it’s not a huge investment. After a month, see if you notice any changes in how you relate to your emotions. This exercise may seem a little strange at first, but many people notice that it helps them start to think differently about  and be more accepting of their emotions. Mindfulness Meditation for Borderline Personality Disorder

Factors Influencing The Teacher s Perspective - 1725 Words

The primary researcher and second researcher, both occupational therapists, analyzed the interview transcript independently. Both researchers identified common themes of factors influencing the teacher’s perspective. Categories from both researchers were compared and merged. Also, these categories were verified against the survey and participant observation data. Similar to findings of the interview analysis, survey participants acknowledged benefits of integrated therapies. Also, survey findings showed the teachers’ sense of control and availability of support influenced implementation of integrated therapies in classrooms. The importance of teachers’ sense of control is evident in one participant’s response, â€Å"†¦use of picture boards†¦show more content†¦Teacher’s perception of the cost and benefit ratio was crucial in considering the intervention as beneficial. Her responses, â€Å"But I think overall, the interventions help rather than letting the kid sit in the classroom and not have anything to make things better† (34-36), and â€Å"it is better than them standing and running around the room. It is less of a distraction† (248), reflect the teacher’s comparison between the cost and benefits of interventions. She identified â€Å"getting their energy out†, â€Å"calm them†, task completion, and cooperative behaviors as some of the benefits of interventions. In contrast, classroom disruptions and off-task behaviors were identified as the cost of the intervention. Similarly, the teacher’s sense of control influenced her perspective of the intervention. Her sense of control depended on the ability to negotiate classroom demands which were influenced by her personal context, the support she received, and dynamics of the classroom structure. Her personal context included her experience, knowledge of interventions, and a repertoire of strategies. Teacher’s perception of support included the availability of time, finances, a variety of available interventions, and classroom aides. The availability of support helped the teacher negotiate classroom demands and fostered her sense of control. The following response reflects the influence of the classroom demands on the teacher’s sense ofShow MoreRelatedWomen s Lack Of Women1409 Words   |  6 Pagesthis article, the factors associated with influencing women’s interest in science are examined women’s interest and participation in this module. Then, in the second part is to focus social-psychological explanations on the psychical biological bases of sex differences and women’s performance in STEM. Main Body: Factors Influencing Women s Interest in Science: To begin with women’s interest and participation throughout secondary or high school period, there are several factors to influence themRead MoreThe Strengths and Weaknesses of the Sociocultural Perspective986 Words   |  4 Pagessome of the other sciences. Over the years, social scientists have developed theories or perspectives based off of their observations, research, and the perspectives of other scientists. Although there is some overlap, each of the major perspectives of psychology is unique. As a result, they each have strengths and weaknesses and explain psychology in a different way. One theory, the sociocultural perspective, is exactly what its name suggests. It’s the idea that the society and groups that anRead MorePublic School System Of Discrimination Based On Their Gender, Race, Ethnicity, Sexual Preference, Or Age1741 Words   |  7 PagesThe purpose of this paper is to research two cases where a teacher was denied a promotion and accused the pub lic school system of discrimination based on their gender, race, ethnicity, sexual preference, or age. Then, find an example for two different criteria, one for each case. Last, state three reasons that her / his accusation could be legally supported after you identify the supporting case. Research two cases in which a teacher was denied a promotion based on discrimination The first case isRead MoreEssay on Education: The Roles of a Principal1013 Words   |  5 PagesSchools, Teaching, and Supervision Overview In schools everyday are many people influencing and taking the important role in education and supervision. In these roles are collaborating, teachers, principal, students, and educational supervisors, all these are the main basics of this process (Annan Ryba, 2013). In an immediate setting, with a more encompass culture is guide by educators, principals, and other staff that supports the student’s success in a daily basis. In any school the culture isRead MoreThe Second Factor Is All Domains Have A Set Course Of Developing.1243 Words   |  5 PagesThe second factor is all domains have a set course of developing. Teachers should know their grade level(s) development so they understand the skills and abilities they have. The third factor is children develop in a set pattern, but they also have individual differences. Children have a set sequence in which they develop, but certain characteristics are unique to each child, such as their temperament. The fourth factor is a child’s maturity level and their experiences create development and learningRead MoreFactors Favoring Managerial Effectiveness : A Study Of Select Public And Private Sector Organizations Essay1509 Words   |  7 PagesAbdul-Azeem, M. and Fatima, S. (2012) ‘Factors favoring managerial effectiveness: a study of select public and private sector organizations’, International Journal of Business Economics and Management Research, 2(1), Pp. 1-27. Adewuyi, D. (2002) ‘Comparison between school effectiveness characteristics and classroom instruction strategies in the United States and Nigeria’, Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa, XXVI, Pp. 263-287. Agarwal, V. (1983) ‘A study of stress pronenessRead MorePersonal Reflection Paper On Social Work1451 Words   |  6 Pages feel and behave in the way that we do. Life experiences and one’s environment give meaning to how they feel and interact with themselves and others. Considering the whole person and recognizing his or her background is the starting point when influencing change to occur. Evaluation of personal assumptions, values and beliefs Graduating from college with a degree in Early Childhood Education, I had one thing on my mind - to help children and make a tremendous difference in the lives of little peopleRead MoreThe Main Components Of Language Development981 Words   |  4 Pagescomponents of language development being phonological, syntactic, semantic and pragmatic. Within each component a discussion will be conducted on what roles nature and nurture have on these, this will be done through discussion of different theoretical perspectives of language acquisition. This essay will explain what roles do nature and nurture play in children’s language development. Phonological language development is the beginning of how language is formed, its consists of making sounds and recognisingRead MoreInformational Essay on Autism598 Words   |  3 Pagesexpansion,† Dr. Baker writes. Research is now delivering the answers to what causes autism. There is no one cause of autism and no one type of autism. Most cases of autism appear to be caused by a combination of autism risk genes and environmental factors influencing early brain development. (Olney, M. F, 2000) Everyday life for people with autism can be confusing, frightening and lack meaning. They often find understanding and communicating with others particularly difficult, which can leave them feelingRead MoreThe Theories Of First Language Acquisition Essay1636 Words   |  7 Pagesare not the result of direct imitation or produce unique sentences they’ve never heard before. Meanwhile, the Innatist perspective fails to take into account the importance of interactions with other people when learning a language. The Interactionist Theory best reflects the way we understand first language acquisition because it takes into account biological and social factors interacting in order for a child to learn language. This theory has both innatist and behaviorist aspects interwoven to

Military Vs. Civilian Life - 1270 Words

Many civilians end up thanking veterans for their service without knowing how their lives actually differ. Military life can offer many differences that civilian life cannot. Having lived both lives, I have an inside perspective on the differences between the two. These differences can include laws, regulations, and the different types of punishment one may receive. Although, everything between the two may seem different, there is also a similarity. That similarity, is encountering the same personality types in the military as one would as a civilian. The last, the biggest difference between military and civilian life is the benefits. Although the benefits may not seem like much, they are the key reason people switch from civilian to military life. Both military personnel and civilians must follow the local, state and federal law, except the military has their own laws; known as the uniform code of military justice (UCMJ). Both military and civilian citizens alike must follow all the laws of this land; an example of these laws could be speeding, assault, or even underage drinking. While civilians only adhere to federal/state law, members of the military obey these laws, as well as the UCMJ. The UCMJ is the basis for all military law; these laws make up the 146 articles that are the UCMJ. The articles cover an expansive amount of criminal offenses; such as rape, theft, and even murder. If a member of the military violates these laws they use a civilian court system and willShow MoreRelatedMilitary Life vs Civilian Life787 Words   |  4 PagesMilitary Life vs. Civilian Life When we think about the military these days, normally the first thing that comes to mind is war. However, when we think about the civilian world the one thing that stands out is freedom. As a result, in order to maintain that freedom we must have our military go out and fight wars. 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His line of amphibian planes became the precursor to commercialRead MoreAgent Orange : A Herbicide Mix ture Used By The Us Military During The Vietnam War Essay1350 Words   |  6 PagesAgent Orange is a herbicide mixture used by the US military during the Vietnam War. (Agent Orange Vietnam War History). The Department of defense advance project (DARPA) had an important role in the U.S development of herbicides as a military weapon (usa.gov). The first large scale defoliation by the US military took place in Fort Drum using a chemical called agent purple and a spray system that was the model for the one used in Vietnam (Buckingham). The use of chemicals in war is considered biologicalRead MoreUnited States Department Of State1748 Words   |  7 Pagestheir definitions, it is possible to get a better grasp of the concept and which organizations fit the description.   Professor Kydd defines terrorism as â€Å"politically motivated violence, usually targeted at civilians by non-state actors, but sometimes by states and sometimes towards non-civilians,† (Kydd 9/7). Kidd specifies that this violence is directed toward people, not property, does not usually involve economic motivation, is usually by a state-actor, and is performed for a broad audience inRead MoreCyber Attack And Cyber Attacks958 Words   |  4 Pagesattacks (JOAC, i), extrapolation to an era of cyberwar is unjustified as cyber attacks alone do not constitute an act of war and cyberspace should not be considered in isolation in regard to war. Increasing dependence on cyberspace for U.S. civilian and military systems and networks, combined with the ability for remote access to attack without overt exposure of the attacker’s identity or organization, make cyber attacks an attractive means against a stronger opponent. However, an act of war hasRead MoreThe Invisible War1662 Words   |  7 PagesInvisible War, many of the service members were treated as though their attire (short skirts, running shorts, etc.), behavior, and alcohol consumption encouraged the sexual assault attacks and sexual harassment they endured during their service in the military. Also known as â€Å"victim blaming†, this form of blaming often occurs because perpetrators do not want to be held culpable for their wrongdoing. It also may be used as a way to take the blame off the wrongdoer and displace it onto the victim. InRead MoreGun Control Amendment990 Words   |  4 Pagesrecent incident, several others in past few years, has s park the debate over gun control in the United States. More and more are calling for a complete ban for assault type of weapons, that to include fully automatic and semi –automatic weapons with military attachments and features. In the light of the recent surge of incident involving guns, particularly assault type weapons has call for a ban. That has created an outrage from the advocates of gun owners and the (NRA) National Rifle Association. However

The Vampire Diaries The Awakening Chapter Eleven Free Essays

string(87) " gown in one of the books I used for my oral report, and we’re having it copied\." Elena stumbled down the dim corridor, trying to visualize what was around her. Then the world suddenly flickered to brightness and she found herself surrounded by familiar rows of lockers. Her relief was so great that she almost cried out. We will write a custom essay sample on The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening Chapter Eleven or any similar topic only for you Order Now She’d never have thought she would be so glad just to see. She stood for a minute looking around gratefully. â€Å"Elena! What are you doing out here?† It was Meredith and Bonnie, hurrying down the hall toward her. â€Å"Where have you been?† she said fiercely. Meredith grimaced. â€Å"We couldn’t find Shelby. And when we finally did find him, he was asleep. I’m serious,† she added at Elena’s incredulous look. â€Å"Asleep. And then we couldn’t get him to wake up. It wasn’t until the lights went back on that he opened his eyes. Then we started back to you. But what are you doinghere ?† Elena hesitated. â€Å"I got tired of waiting,† she said as lightly as she could. â€Å"I think we’ve done enough work for one day, anyway.† â€Å"Now you tell us,† said Bonnie. Meredith said nothing, but she gave Elena a keen, searching look. Elena had the uncomfortable feeling that those dark eyes saw beneath the surface. All that weekend and throughout the following week, Elena worked on plans for the Haunted House. There was never enough time to be with Stefan, and that was frustrating, but even more frustrating was Stefan himself. She could sense his passion for her, but she could also sense that he was fighting it, still refusing to be completely alone with her. And in many ways he was just as much a mystery to her as he had been when she first saw him. He never spoke about his family or his life before coming to Fell’s Church, and if she asked any questions he turned them aside. Once she had asked him if he missed Italy, if he was sorry he’d come here. And for an instant his eyes had lightened, the green sparkling like oak leaves reflected in a running stream. â€Å"How could I be sorry, whenyou are here?† he said, and kissed her in a way that put all inquiries out of her mind. In that moment, Elena had known what it was like to be completely happy. She’d felt his joy, too, and when he pulled back she had seen that his face was alight, as if the sun shone through it. â€Å"Oh, Elena,† he’d whispered. The good times were like that. But he had kissed her less and less frequently of late, and she felt the distance between them widening. That Friday, she and Bonnie and Meredith decided to sleep over at the McCulloughs’. The sky was gray and threatening to drizzle as she and Meredith walked to Bonnie’s house. It was unusually chilly for mid-October, and the trees lining the quiet street had already felt the nip of cold winds. The maples were a blaze of scarlet, while the ginkgoes were radiant yellow. Bonnie greeted them at the door with: â€Å"Everybody’s gone! We’ll have the whole house to ourselves until tomorrow afternoon, when my family gets back from Leesburg.† She beckoned them inside, grabbing for the overfed Pekingese that was trying to get out. â€Å"No, Yangtze, stay in. Yangtze, no, don’t! No!† But it was too late. Yangtze had escaped and was dashing through the front yard up to the single birch tree, where he yapped shrilly up into the branches, rolls of fat on his back jiggling. â€Å"Oh, what’s he afternow ?† said Bonnie, putting her hands over her ears. â€Å"It looks like a crow,† said Meredith. Elena stiffened. She took a few steps toward the tree, looking up into the golden leaves. And there it was. The same crow she had seen twice before. Perhaps three times before, she thought, remembering the dark shape winging up from the oak trees in the cemetery. As she looked at it she felt her stomach clench in fear and her hands grow cold. It was staring at her again with its bright black eye, an almost human stare. That eye†¦ where had she seen an eye like that before? Suddenly all three girls jumped back as the crow gave a harsh croak and thrashed its wings, bursting out of the tree toward them. At the last moment it swooped down instead on the little dog, which was now barking hysterically. It came within inches of canine teeth and then soared back up again, flying over the house to disappear into the black walnut trees beyond. The three girls stood frozen in astonishment. Then Bonnie and Meredith looked at each other, and the tension shattered in nervous laughter. â€Å"For a moment I thought he was coming for us,† said Bonnie, going over to the outraged Pekingese and dragging him, still barking, back into the house. â€Å"So did I,† said Elena quietly. And as she followed her friends inside, she did not join in the laughter. Once she and Meredith had put their things away, however, the evening fell into a familiar pattern. It was hard to keep hold of her uneasiness sitting in Bonnie’s cluttered living room beside a roaring fire, with a cup of hot chocolate in her hand. Soon the three of them were discussing the final plans for the Haunted House, and she relaxed. â€Å"We’re in pretty good shape,† said Meredith at last. â€Å"Of course, we’ve spent so much time figuring out everyone else’s costumes that we haven’t even thought about our own.† â€Å"Mine’s easy,† said Bonnie. â€Å"I’m going to be a druid priestess, and I only need a garland of oak leaves in my hair and some white robes. Mary and I can sew it in one night.† â€Å"I think I’ll be a witch,† said Meredith thoughtfully. â€Å"All that takes is a long black dress. What about you, Elena?† Elena smiled. â€Å"Well, it was supposed to be a secret, but†¦ Aunt Judith let me go to a dressmaker. I found a picture of a Renaissance gown in one of the books I used for my oral report, and we’re having it copied. You read "The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening Chapter Eleven" in category "Essay examples" It’s Venetian silk, ice blue, and it’s absolutely beautiful.† â€Å"It sounds beautiful,† Bonnie said. â€Å"And expensive.† â€Å"I’m using my own money from my parents’ trust. I just hope Stefan likes it. It’s a surprise for him, and†¦ well, I just hope he likes it.† â€Å"What’s Stefan going to be? Is he helping with the Haunted House?† said Bonnie curiously. â€Å"I don’t know,† Elena said after a moment. â€Å"He doesn’t seem too thrilled with the whole Halloween thing.† â€Å"It’s hard to see him all wrapped up in torn sheets and covered with fake blood like the other guys,† agreed Meredith. â€Å"He seems†¦ well, too dignified for that.† â€Å"I know!† said Bonnie. â€Å"I know exactly what he can be, and he’ll hardly have to dress up at all. Look, he’s foreign, he’s sort of pale, he has that wonderful brooding look†¦ Put him in tails and you’ve got a perfect Count Dracula!† Elena smiled in spite of herself. â€Å"Well, I’ll ask him,† she said. â€Å"Speaking of Stefan,† said Meredith, her dark eyes on Elena’s, â€Å"how are things going?† Elena sighed, looking away into the fire. â€Å"I’m†¦ not sure,† she said at last, slowly. â€Å"There are times when everything is wonderful, and then there are other times when†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Meredith and Bonnie exchanged a glance, and then Meredith spoke gently. â€Å"Other times when what?† Elena hesitated, debating. Then she came to a decision. â€Å"Just a sec,† she said, and got up and hurried up the stairs. She came back down with a small blue velvet book in her hands. â€Å"I wrote some of it down last night when I couldn’t sleep,† she said. â€Å"This says it better than I could now.† She found the page, took a deep breath, and began: â€Å"October 17 â€Å"Dear Diary, â€Å"I feel awful tonight. AndIhave to share it with someone . â€Å"Something is going wrong with Stefan and me. There is this terrible sadness inside him that I can’t reach, and it’s driving us apart. I don’t know what to do. â€Å"I can’t bear the thought of losing him. But he’s so very unhappy about something, and if he won’t tell me what it is, if he won’t trust me that much, I don’t see any hope for us. â€Å"Yesterday when he was holding me I felt something smooth and round underneath his shirt, something on a chain. I asked him, teasingly, if it was a gift from Caroline. And he just froze and wouldn’t talk anymore. It was as if he were suddenly a thousand miles away, and his eyes†¦ there was so much pain in his eyes that I could hardly stand it.† Elena stopped reading and traced the last lines written in the journal silently with her eyes. I feel as if someone has hurt him terribly in the past and he’s never got over it. But I also think there’s something he’s afraid of, some secret he’s afraid I’ll find out. If I only knew what that was, I could prove to him that he can trust me. That he can trust me no matter what happens, to the end . â€Å"If only I knew,† she whispered. â€Å"If only you knew what?† said Meredith, and Elena looked up, startled. â€Å"Oh-if only I knew what was going to happen,† she said quickly, closing the diary. â€Å"I mean, if I knew we were going to break up eventually, I suppose I’d just want to get it over with. And if I knew it was going to turn out all right in the end, I wouldn’t mind anything that happens now. But just going day after day without being sure is awful.† Bonnie bit her lip, then sat up, eyes sparkling. â€Å"I can show you a way to find out, Elena,† she said. â€Å"My grandmother told me the way to find out who you’re going to marry. It’s called a dumb supper.† â€Å"Let me guess, an old druid trick,† said Meredith. â€Å"I don’t know how old it is,† said Bonnie. â€Å"My grandmother says there have always been dumb suppers. Anyway, it works. My mother saw my father’s image when she tried it, and a month later they were married. It’s easy, Elena; and what have you got to lose?† Elena looked from Bonnie to Meredith. â€Å"I don’t know,† she said. â€Å"But, look, you don’t really believe†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Bonnie drew herself up with affronted dignity. â€Å"Are you calling my mother a liar? Oh, come on, Elena, there’s no harm in trying. Why not?† â€Å"What would I have to do?† said Elena doubtfully. She felt strangely intrigued, but at the same time rather frightened. â€Å"It’s simple. We have to get everything ready before the stroke of midnight†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Five minutes before midnight, Elena stood in the McCulloughs’ dining room, feeling more foolish than anything else. From the backyard, she could hear Yangtze’s frantic barking, but inside the house there was no sound except the unhurried tick of the grandfather clock. Following Bonnie’s instructions, she had set the big black walnut table with one plate, one glass, and one set of silverware, all the time not saying a word. Then she had lit a single candle in a candleholder in the center of the table, and positioned herself behind the chair with the place setting. According to Bonnie, on the stroke of midnight she was supposed to pull the chair back and invite her future husband in. At that point, the candle would blow out and she would see a ghostly figure in the chair. Earlier, she’d been a little uneasy about this, uncertain that she wanted to see any ghostly figures, even of her husband-to-be. But just now the whole thing seemed silly and harmless. As the clock began to chime, she straightened up and got a better grip on the chair back. Bonnie had told her not to let go until the ceremony was over. Oh, thiswas silly. Maybe she wouldn’t say the words†¦ but when the clock started to toll out the hour, she heard herself speaking. â€Å"Come in,† she said self-consciously to the empty room, drawing out the chair. â€Å"Come in, come in†¦Ã¢â‚¬  The candle went out. Elena started in the sudden darkness. She’d felt the wind, a cold gust that had blown out the candle. It came from the French doors behind her, and she turned quickly, one hand still on the chair. She would have sworn those doors were shut. Something moved in the darkness. Terror washed through Elena, sweeping away her self-consciousness and any trace of amusement. Oh, God, what had she done, what had she brought on herself? Her heart contracted and she felt as if she had been plunged, without warning, into her most dreadful nightmare. It was not only dark but utterly silent; there was nothing to see and nothing to hear, and she was falling†¦ â€Å"Allow me,† said a voice, and a bright flame sputtered in the darkness. For a terrible, sickening instant she thought it was Tyler, remembering his lighter in the ruined church on the hill. But as the candle on the table sprang to life, she saw the pale, long-fingered hand that held it. Not Tyler’s beefy red fist. She thought for an instant it was Stefan’s, and then her eyes lifted to the face. â€Å"You!† she said, astounded. â€Å"What do you think you’re doing here?† She looked from him to the French doors, which were indeed open, showing the side lawn. â€Å"Do you always just walk into other people’s houses uninvited?† â€Å"But you asked me to come in.† His voice was as she remembered it, quiet, ironical and amused. She remembered the smile, too. â€Å"Thank you,† he added, and gracefully sat down in the chair she had drawn out. She snatched her hand off the back. â€Å"I wasn’t invitingyou ,† she said helplessly, caught between indignation and embarrassment. â€Å"What were you doing hanging around outside Bonnie’s house?† He smiled. In the candlelight, his black hair shone almost like liquid, too soft and fine for human hair. His face was very pale, but at the same time utterly compelling. And his eyes caught her own and held them. † ‘Helen, thy beauty is to me/Like those Nicean barks of yore/That gently, over a perfumed sea†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ † â€Å"I think you’d better leave now.† She didn’t want him to talk anymore. His voice did strange things to her, made her feel oddly weak, started a melting in her stomach. â€Å"You shouldn’t be here. Please.† She reached for the candle, meaning to take it and leave him, fighting off the dizziness that threatened to overcome her. But before she could grasp it, he did something extraordinary. He caught her reaching hand, not roughly but gently, and held it in his cool slender fingers. Then he turned her hand over, bent his dark head, and kissed her palm. â€Å"Don’t†¦Ã¢â‚¬  whispered Elena, stunned. â€Å"Come with me,† he said, and looked up into her eyes. â€Å"Please don’t†¦Ã¢â‚¬  she whispered again, the world swimming around her. He was mad; what was he talking about? Come with him where? But she felt so dizzy, so faint. He was standing, supporting her. She leaned against him, felt those cool fingers on the first button of the shirt at her throat, â€Å"Please, no†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"It’s all right. You’ll see.† He pulled the shirt away from her neck, his other hand behind her head. â€Å"No.† Suddenly, strength returned to her, and she jerked away from him, stumbling against the chair. â€Å"I told you to leave, and I meant it. Get out-now!† For an instant, pure fury surged in his eyes, a dark wave of menace. Then they went calm and cold and he smiled, a swift, brilliant smile that he turned off again instantly. â€Å"I’ll leave,† he said. â€Å"For the moment.† She shook her head and watched him go out the French doors without speaking. When they had shut behind him, she stood in the silence, trying to get her breath. The silence†¦ but it shouldn’t be silent. She turned toward the grandfather clock in bewilderment and saw that it had stopped. But before she could examine it closely, she heard Meredith’s and Bonnie’s raised voices. She hurried out into the hall, feeling the unaccustomed weakness in her legs, pulling her shirt back up and buttoning it. The back door was open, and she could see two figures outside, stooping over something on the lawn. â€Å"Bonnie? Meredith? What’s wrong?† Bonnie looked up as Elena reached them. Her eyes were filled with tears. â€Å"Oh, Elena, he’s dead.† With a chill of horror, Elena stared down at the little bundle at Bonnie’s feet. It was the Pekingese, lying very stiffly on his side, eyes open. â€Å"Oh, Bonnie,† she said. â€Å"He was old,† said Bonnie, â€Å"but I never expected him to go this quickly. Just a little while ago, he was barking.† â€Å"I think we’d better go inside,† said Meredith, and Elena looked up at her and nodded. Tonight was not a night to be out in the dark. It was not a night to invite things inside, either. She knew that now, although she still didn’t understand what had happened. It was when they got back in the living room that she found her diary was missing. Stefan lifted his head from the velvet-soft neck of the doe. The woods were filled with night noises, and he couldn’t be sure which had disturbed him. With the Power of his mind distracted, the deer roused from its trance. He felt muscles quiver as she tried to get her feet under her. Go, then, he thought, sitting back and releasing her entirely. With a twist and a heave, she was up and running. He’d had enough. Fastidious, he licked at the corners of his mouth, feeling his canine teeth retract and blunt, oversensitive as always after a prolonged feed. It was hard to know what enough was anymore. There had been no spells of dizziness since the one beside the church, but he lived in fear of their return. He lived in one specific fear: that he would come to his senses one day, his mind reeling with confusion, to find Elena’s graceful body limp in his arms, her slim throat marked with two red wounds, her heart stilled forever. That was what he had to look forward to. The blood lust, with all its myriad terrors and pleasures, was a mystery to him even now. Although he had lived with it every day for centuries, he still did not understand it. As a living human, he would no doubt have been disgusted, sickened, by the thought of drinking the rich warm stuff directly from a breathing body. That is, if someone had proposed such a thing to him in so many words. But no words had been used that night, the night Katherine had changed him. Even after all these years, the memory was clear. He had been asleep when she appeared in his chamber, moving as softly as a vision or a ghost. He had been asleep, alone†¦ She was wearing a fine linen shift when she came to him. It was the night before the day she had named, the day when she would announce her choice. And she came to him. A white hand parted the curtains around his bed, and Stefan woke from sleep, sitting up in alarm. When he saw her, pale golden hair gleaming about her shoulders, blue eyes lost in shadow, he was struck silent with amazement. And with love. He had never seen anything more beautiful in his life. He trembled and tried to speak, but she put two cool fingers over his lips. â€Å"Hush,† she whispered, and the bed sank under new weight as she got in. His face flamed, his heart was thundering with embarrassment and with excitement. There had never been a woman in his bed before. And this was Katherine, Katherine whose beauty seemed to come from heaven, Katherine whom he loved more than his own soul. And because he loved her, he made a great effort. As she slipped under the sheets, drawing so near to him that he could feel the cool freshness of night air in her thin shift, he managed to speak. â€Å"Katherine,† he whispered. â€Å"We-I can wait. Until we are married in the church. I will have my father arrange it next week. It-it will not be long†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Hush,† she whispered again, and he felt that coolness on his skin. He couldn’t help himself; he put his arms around her, holding her to him. â€Å"What we do now has nothing to do with that,† she said, and reached out her slim fingers to stroke his throat. He understood. And felt a flash of fear, which disappeared as her fingers went on stroking. He wanted this, wanted anything that would let him be with Katherine. â€Å"Lie back, my love,† she whispered. My love. The words sang through him as he lay back on the pillow, tilting his chin back so that his throat was exposed. His fear was gone, replaced by a happiness so great that he thought it would shatter him. He felt the soft brush of her hair on his chest, and tried to calm his breathing. He felt her breath on his throat, and then her lips. And then her teeth. There was a stinging pain, but he held himself still and made no sound, thinking only of Katherine, of how he wished to give to her. And almost at once the pain eased, and he felt the blood being drawn from his body. It was not terrible, as he had feared. It was a feeling of giving, of nurturing. Then it was as if their minds were merging, becoming one. He could feel Katherine’s joy in drinking from him, her delight in taking the warm blood that gave her life. And he knew she could feel his delight in giving. But reality was receding, the boundaries between dreams and waking becoming blurred. He could not think clearly; he could not think at all. He could onlyfeel , and his feelings were spiraling up and up, carrying him higher and higher, breaking his last ties with earth. Sometime later, without knowing how he had gotten there, he found himself in her arms. She was cradling him like a mother holding an infant child, guiding his mouth to rest on the bare flesh just above the low neck of her night shift. There was a tiny wound there, a cut showing dark against the pale skin. He felt no fear or hesitation, and when she stroked his hair encouragingly, he began to suck. Cold and precise, Stefan brushed dirt off his knees. The human world was asleep, lost in stupor, but his own senses were knife-keen. He should have been sated, but he was hungry again; the memory had wakened his appetite. Nostrils flaring wide to catch the musky scent of fox, he began to hunt. How to cite The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening Chapter Eleven, Essay examples

The Vampire Diaries The Awakening Chapter Eleven Free Essays

string(87) " gown in one of the books I used for my oral report, and we’re having it copied\." Elena stumbled down the dim corridor, trying to visualize what was around her. Then the world suddenly flickered to brightness and she found herself surrounded by familiar rows of lockers. Her relief was so great that she almost cried out. We will write a custom essay sample on The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening Chapter Eleven or any similar topic only for you Order Now She’d never have thought she would be so glad just to see. She stood for a minute looking around gratefully. â€Å"Elena! What are you doing out here?† It was Meredith and Bonnie, hurrying down the hall toward her. â€Å"Where have you been?† she said fiercely. Meredith grimaced. â€Å"We couldn’t find Shelby. And when we finally did find him, he was asleep. I’m serious,† she added at Elena’s incredulous look. â€Å"Asleep. And then we couldn’t get him to wake up. It wasn’t until the lights went back on that he opened his eyes. Then we started back to you. But what are you doinghere ?† Elena hesitated. â€Å"I got tired of waiting,† she said as lightly as she could. â€Å"I think we’ve done enough work for one day, anyway.† â€Å"Now you tell us,† said Bonnie. Meredith said nothing, but she gave Elena a keen, searching look. Elena had the uncomfortable feeling that those dark eyes saw beneath the surface. All that weekend and throughout the following week, Elena worked on plans for the Haunted House. There was never enough time to be with Stefan, and that was frustrating, but even more frustrating was Stefan himself. She could sense his passion for her, but she could also sense that he was fighting it, still refusing to be completely alone with her. And in many ways he was just as much a mystery to her as he had been when she first saw him. He never spoke about his family or his life before coming to Fell’s Church, and if she asked any questions he turned them aside. Once she had asked him if he missed Italy, if he was sorry he’d come here. And for an instant his eyes had lightened, the green sparkling like oak leaves reflected in a running stream. â€Å"How could I be sorry, whenyou are here?† he said, and kissed her in a way that put all inquiries out of her mind. In that moment, Elena had known what it was like to be completely happy. She’d felt his joy, too, and when he pulled back she had seen that his face was alight, as if the sun shone through it. â€Å"Oh, Elena,† he’d whispered. The good times were like that. But he had kissed her less and less frequently of late, and she felt the distance between them widening. That Friday, she and Bonnie and Meredith decided to sleep over at the McCulloughs’. The sky was gray and threatening to drizzle as she and Meredith walked to Bonnie’s house. It was unusually chilly for mid-October, and the trees lining the quiet street had already felt the nip of cold winds. The maples were a blaze of scarlet, while the ginkgoes were radiant yellow. Bonnie greeted them at the door with: â€Å"Everybody’s gone! We’ll have the whole house to ourselves until tomorrow afternoon, when my family gets back from Leesburg.† She beckoned them inside, grabbing for the overfed Pekingese that was trying to get out. â€Å"No, Yangtze, stay in. Yangtze, no, don’t! No!† But it was too late. Yangtze had escaped and was dashing through the front yard up to the single birch tree, where he yapped shrilly up into the branches, rolls of fat on his back jiggling. â€Å"Oh, what’s he afternow ?† said Bonnie, putting her hands over her ears. â€Å"It looks like a crow,† said Meredith. Elena stiffened. She took a few steps toward the tree, looking up into the golden leaves. And there it was. The same crow she had seen twice before. Perhaps three times before, she thought, remembering the dark shape winging up from the oak trees in the cemetery. As she looked at it she felt her stomach clench in fear and her hands grow cold. It was staring at her again with its bright black eye, an almost human stare. That eye†¦ where had she seen an eye like that before? Suddenly all three girls jumped back as the crow gave a harsh croak and thrashed its wings, bursting out of the tree toward them. At the last moment it swooped down instead on the little dog, which was now barking hysterically. It came within inches of canine teeth and then soared back up again, flying over the house to disappear into the black walnut trees beyond. The three girls stood frozen in astonishment. Then Bonnie and Meredith looked at each other, and the tension shattered in nervous laughter. â€Å"For a moment I thought he was coming for us,† said Bonnie, going over to the outraged Pekingese and dragging him, still barking, back into the house. â€Å"So did I,† said Elena quietly. And as she followed her friends inside, she did not join in the laughter. Once she and Meredith had put their things away, however, the evening fell into a familiar pattern. It was hard to keep hold of her uneasiness sitting in Bonnie’s cluttered living room beside a roaring fire, with a cup of hot chocolate in her hand. Soon the three of them were discussing the final plans for the Haunted House, and she relaxed. â€Å"We’re in pretty good shape,† said Meredith at last. â€Å"Of course, we’ve spent so much time figuring out everyone else’s costumes that we haven’t even thought about our own.† â€Å"Mine’s easy,† said Bonnie. â€Å"I’m going to be a druid priestess, and I only need a garland of oak leaves in my hair and some white robes. Mary and I can sew it in one night.† â€Å"I think I’ll be a witch,† said Meredith thoughtfully. â€Å"All that takes is a long black dress. What about you, Elena?† Elena smiled. â€Å"Well, it was supposed to be a secret, but†¦ Aunt Judith let me go to a dressmaker. I found a picture of a Renaissance gown in one of the books I used for my oral report, and we’re having it copied. You read "The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening Chapter Eleven" in category "Essay examples" It’s Venetian silk, ice blue, and it’s absolutely beautiful.† â€Å"It sounds beautiful,† Bonnie said. â€Å"And expensive.† â€Å"I’m using my own money from my parents’ trust. I just hope Stefan likes it. It’s a surprise for him, and†¦ well, I just hope he likes it.† â€Å"What’s Stefan going to be? Is he helping with the Haunted House?† said Bonnie curiously. â€Å"I don’t know,† Elena said after a moment. â€Å"He doesn’t seem too thrilled with the whole Halloween thing.† â€Å"It’s hard to see him all wrapped up in torn sheets and covered with fake blood like the other guys,† agreed Meredith. â€Å"He seems†¦ well, too dignified for that.† â€Å"I know!† said Bonnie. â€Å"I know exactly what he can be, and he’ll hardly have to dress up at all. Look, he’s foreign, he’s sort of pale, he has that wonderful brooding look†¦ Put him in tails and you’ve got a perfect Count Dracula!† Elena smiled in spite of herself. â€Å"Well, I’ll ask him,† she said. â€Å"Speaking of Stefan,† said Meredith, her dark eyes on Elena’s, â€Å"how are things going?† Elena sighed, looking away into the fire. â€Å"I’m†¦ not sure,† she said at last, slowly. â€Å"There are times when everything is wonderful, and then there are other times when†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Meredith and Bonnie exchanged a glance, and then Meredith spoke gently. â€Å"Other times when what?† Elena hesitated, debating. Then she came to a decision. â€Å"Just a sec,† she said, and got up and hurried up the stairs. She came back down with a small blue velvet book in her hands. â€Å"I wrote some of it down last night when I couldn’t sleep,† she said. â€Å"This says it better than I could now.† She found the page, took a deep breath, and began: â€Å"October 17 â€Å"Dear Diary, â€Å"I feel awful tonight. AndIhave to share it with someone . â€Å"Something is going wrong with Stefan and me. There is this terrible sadness inside him that I can’t reach, and it’s driving us apart. I don’t know what to do. â€Å"I can’t bear the thought of losing him. But he’s so very unhappy about something, and if he won’t tell me what it is, if he won’t trust me that much, I don’t see any hope for us. â€Å"Yesterday when he was holding me I felt something smooth and round underneath his shirt, something on a chain. I asked him, teasingly, if it was a gift from Caroline. And he just froze and wouldn’t talk anymore. It was as if he were suddenly a thousand miles away, and his eyes†¦ there was so much pain in his eyes that I could hardly stand it.† Elena stopped reading and traced the last lines written in the journal silently with her eyes. I feel as if someone has hurt him terribly in the past and he’s never got over it. But I also think there’s something he’s afraid of, some secret he’s afraid I’ll find out. If I only knew what that was, I could prove to him that he can trust me. That he can trust me no matter what happens, to the end . â€Å"If only I knew,† she whispered. â€Å"If only you knew what?† said Meredith, and Elena looked up, startled. â€Å"Oh-if only I knew what was going to happen,† she said quickly, closing the diary. â€Å"I mean, if I knew we were going to break up eventually, I suppose I’d just want to get it over with. And if I knew it was going to turn out all right in the end, I wouldn’t mind anything that happens now. But just going day after day without being sure is awful.† Bonnie bit her lip, then sat up, eyes sparkling. â€Å"I can show you a way to find out, Elena,† she said. â€Å"My grandmother told me the way to find out who you’re going to marry. It’s called a dumb supper.† â€Å"Let me guess, an old druid trick,† said Meredith. â€Å"I don’t know how old it is,† said Bonnie. â€Å"My grandmother says there have always been dumb suppers. Anyway, it works. My mother saw my father’s image when she tried it, and a month later they were married. It’s easy, Elena; and what have you got to lose?† Elena looked from Bonnie to Meredith. â€Å"I don’t know,† she said. â€Å"But, look, you don’t really believe†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Bonnie drew herself up with affronted dignity. â€Å"Are you calling my mother a liar? Oh, come on, Elena, there’s no harm in trying. Why not?† â€Å"What would I have to do?† said Elena doubtfully. She felt strangely intrigued, but at the same time rather frightened. â€Å"It’s simple. We have to get everything ready before the stroke of midnight†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Five minutes before midnight, Elena stood in the McCulloughs’ dining room, feeling more foolish than anything else. From the backyard, she could hear Yangtze’s frantic barking, but inside the house there was no sound except the unhurried tick of the grandfather clock. Following Bonnie’s instructions, she had set the big black walnut table with one plate, one glass, and one set of silverware, all the time not saying a word. Then she had lit a single candle in a candleholder in the center of the table, and positioned herself behind the chair with the place setting. According to Bonnie, on the stroke of midnight she was supposed to pull the chair back and invite her future husband in. At that point, the candle would blow out and she would see a ghostly figure in the chair. Earlier, she’d been a little uneasy about this, uncertain that she wanted to see any ghostly figures, even of her husband-to-be. But just now the whole thing seemed silly and harmless. As the clock began to chime, she straightened up and got a better grip on the chair back. Bonnie had told her not to let go until the ceremony was over. Oh, thiswas silly. Maybe she wouldn’t say the words†¦ but when the clock started to toll out the hour, she heard herself speaking. â€Å"Come in,† she said self-consciously to the empty room, drawing out the chair. â€Å"Come in, come in†¦Ã¢â‚¬  The candle went out. Elena started in the sudden darkness. She’d felt the wind, a cold gust that had blown out the candle. It came from the French doors behind her, and she turned quickly, one hand still on the chair. She would have sworn those doors were shut. Something moved in the darkness. Terror washed through Elena, sweeping away her self-consciousness and any trace of amusement. Oh, God, what had she done, what had she brought on herself? Her heart contracted and she felt as if she had been plunged, without warning, into her most dreadful nightmare. It was not only dark but utterly silent; there was nothing to see and nothing to hear, and she was falling†¦ â€Å"Allow me,† said a voice, and a bright flame sputtered in the darkness. For a terrible, sickening instant she thought it was Tyler, remembering his lighter in the ruined church on the hill. But as the candle on the table sprang to life, she saw the pale, long-fingered hand that held it. Not Tyler’s beefy red fist. She thought for an instant it was Stefan’s, and then her eyes lifted to the face. â€Å"You!† she said, astounded. â€Å"What do you think you’re doing here?† She looked from him to the French doors, which were indeed open, showing the side lawn. â€Å"Do you always just walk into other people’s houses uninvited?† â€Å"But you asked me to come in.† His voice was as she remembered it, quiet, ironical and amused. She remembered the smile, too. â€Å"Thank you,† he added, and gracefully sat down in the chair she had drawn out. She snatched her hand off the back. â€Å"I wasn’t invitingyou ,† she said helplessly, caught between indignation and embarrassment. â€Å"What were you doing hanging around outside Bonnie’s house?† He smiled. In the candlelight, his black hair shone almost like liquid, too soft and fine for human hair. His face was very pale, but at the same time utterly compelling. And his eyes caught her own and held them. † ‘Helen, thy beauty is to me/Like those Nicean barks of yore/That gently, over a perfumed sea†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ † â€Å"I think you’d better leave now.† She didn’t want him to talk anymore. His voice did strange things to her, made her feel oddly weak, started a melting in her stomach. â€Å"You shouldn’t be here. Please.† She reached for the candle, meaning to take it and leave him, fighting off the dizziness that threatened to overcome her. But before she could grasp it, he did something extraordinary. He caught her reaching hand, not roughly but gently, and held it in his cool slender fingers. Then he turned her hand over, bent his dark head, and kissed her palm. â€Å"Don’t†¦Ã¢â‚¬  whispered Elena, stunned. â€Å"Come with me,† he said, and looked up into her eyes. â€Å"Please don’t†¦Ã¢â‚¬  she whispered again, the world swimming around her. He was mad; what was he talking about? Come with him where? But she felt so dizzy, so faint. He was standing, supporting her. She leaned against him, felt those cool fingers on the first button of the shirt at her throat, â€Å"Please, no†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"It’s all right. You’ll see.† He pulled the shirt away from her neck, his other hand behind her head. â€Å"No.† Suddenly, strength returned to her, and she jerked away from him, stumbling against the chair. â€Å"I told you to leave, and I meant it. Get out-now!† For an instant, pure fury surged in his eyes, a dark wave of menace. Then they went calm and cold and he smiled, a swift, brilliant smile that he turned off again instantly. â€Å"I’ll leave,† he said. â€Å"For the moment.† She shook her head and watched him go out the French doors without speaking. When they had shut behind him, she stood in the silence, trying to get her breath. The silence†¦ but it shouldn’t be silent. She turned toward the grandfather clock in bewilderment and saw that it had stopped. But before she could examine it closely, she heard Meredith’s and Bonnie’s raised voices. She hurried out into the hall, feeling the unaccustomed weakness in her legs, pulling her shirt back up and buttoning it. The back door was open, and she could see two figures outside, stooping over something on the lawn. â€Å"Bonnie? Meredith? What’s wrong?† Bonnie looked up as Elena reached them. Her eyes were filled with tears. â€Å"Oh, Elena, he’s dead.† With a chill of horror, Elena stared down at the little bundle at Bonnie’s feet. It was the Pekingese, lying very stiffly on his side, eyes open. â€Å"Oh, Bonnie,† she said. â€Å"He was old,† said Bonnie, â€Å"but I never expected him to go this quickly. Just a little while ago, he was barking.† â€Å"I think we’d better go inside,† said Meredith, and Elena looked up at her and nodded. Tonight was not a night to be out in the dark. It was not a night to invite things inside, either. She knew that now, although she still didn’t understand what had happened. It was when they got back in the living room that she found her diary was missing. Stefan lifted his head from the velvet-soft neck of the doe. The woods were filled with night noises, and he couldn’t be sure which had disturbed him. With the Power of his mind distracted, the deer roused from its trance. He felt muscles quiver as she tried to get her feet under her. Go, then, he thought, sitting back and releasing her entirely. With a twist and a heave, she was up and running. He’d had enough. Fastidious, he licked at the corners of his mouth, feeling his canine teeth retract and blunt, oversensitive as always after a prolonged feed. It was hard to know what enough was anymore. There had been no spells of dizziness since the one beside the church, but he lived in fear of their return. He lived in one specific fear: that he would come to his senses one day, his mind reeling with confusion, to find Elena’s graceful body limp in his arms, her slim throat marked with two red wounds, her heart stilled forever. That was what he had to look forward to. The blood lust, with all its myriad terrors and pleasures, was a mystery to him even now. Although he had lived with it every day for centuries, he still did not understand it. As a living human, he would no doubt have been disgusted, sickened, by the thought of drinking the rich warm stuff directly from a breathing body. That is, if someone had proposed such a thing to him in so many words. But no words had been used that night, the night Katherine had changed him. Even after all these years, the memory was clear. He had been asleep when she appeared in his chamber, moving as softly as a vision or a ghost. He had been asleep, alone†¦ She was wearing a fine linen shift when she came to him. It was the night before the day she had named, the day when she would announce her choice. And she came to him. A white hand parted the curtains around his bed, and Stefan woke from sleep, sitting up in alarm. When he saw her, pale golden hair gleaming about her shoulders, blue eyes lost in shadow, he was struck silent with amazement. And with love. He had never seen anything more beautiful in his life. He trembled and tried to speak, but she put two cool fingers over his lips. â€Å"Hush,† she whispered, and the bed sank under new weight as she got in. His face flamed, his heart was thundering with embarrassment and with excitement. There had never been a woman in his bed before. And this was Katherine, Katherine whose beauty seemed to come from heaven, Katherine whom he loved more than his own soul. And because he loved her, he made a great effort. As she slipped under the sheets, drawing so near to him that he could feel the cool freshness of night air in her thin shift, he managed to speak. â€Å"Katherine,† he whispered. â€Å"We-I can wait. Until we are married in the church. I will have my father arrange it next week. It-it will not be long†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Hush,† she whispered again, and he felt that coolness on his skin. He couldn’t help himself; he put his arms around her, holding her to him. â€Å"What we do now has nothing to do with that,† she said, and reached out her slim fingers to stroke his throat. He understood. And felt a flash of fear, which disappeared as her fingers went on stroking. He wanted this, wanted anything that would let him be with Katherine. â€Å"Lie back, my love,† she whispered. My love. The words sang through him as he lay back on the pillow, tilting his chin back so that his throat was exposed. His fear was gone, replaced by a happiness so great that he thought it would shatter him. He felt the soft brush of her hair on his chest, and tried to calm his breathing. He felt her breath on his throat, and then her lips. And then her teeth. There was a stinging pain, but he held himself still and made no sound, thinking only of Katherine, of how he wished to give to her. And almost at once the pain eased, and he felt the blood being drawn from his body. It was not terrible, as he had feared. It was a feeling of giving, of nurturing. Then it was as if their minds were merging, becoming one. He could feel Katherine’s joy in drinking from him, her delight in taking the warm blood that gave her life. And he knew she could feel his delight in giving. But reality was receding, the boundaries between dreams and waking becoming blurred. He could not think clearly; he could not think at all. He could onlyfeel , and his feelings were spiraling up and up, carrying him higher and higher, breaking his last ties with earth. Sometime later, without knowing how he had gotten there, he found himself in her arms. She was cradling him like a mother holding an infant child, guiding his mouth to rest on the bare flesh just above the low neck of her night shift. There was a tiny wound there, a cut showing dark against the pale skin. He felt no fear or hesitation, and when she stroked his hair encouragingly, he began to suck. Cold and precise, Stefan brushed dirt off his knees. The human world was asleep, lost in stupor, but his own senses were knife-keen. He should have been sated, but he was hungry again; the memory had wakened his appetite. Nostrils flaring wide to catch the musky scent of fox, he began to hunt. How to cite The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening Chapter Eleven, Essay examples