"Caroline, I don't think I understand your desire for adventure." Elena strung a finger through one of her curls and flashed a smile that always made Caroline feel inferior. The way her perfectly white teeth stood out against her exotic olive skin made her own skin tense. "Why don't you just try horseback riding?"

Caroline resituated her large skirt and tried to press it down unnoticed with her hands but it to no avail. "That's a wonderful suggestion, Elena; maybe Lord Salvatore would be willing to show me how to ride."

Elena had been coy with two brothers from a manor a town over and had yet to select one to not only seal her betrothal but also to create a business deal between the Salvatores and Gilberts. Caroline was friends with the younger brother and her relationship with him had always made Elena uneasy. There was no romantic interest between the two because Stefan only had eyes for one, but Caroline wasn't going to tell Elena that.

"Now Caroline there's no need to be rash, I was only giving a suggestion. Besides, the Salvatores are going to be too busy escorting me to the—"

It didn't matter what event or dance Elena was about to name, Caroline had no interest. She would be declining every invitation to go as always and would spend the night making fun of the guests with the kitchen staff. They all had a particular opinion of Miss Gilbert. "Elena, I think I'd like to go for a walk, would you be interested in accompanying me?"

A certain joy burst in her chest as Elena's nose wrinkled in disgust and she shook her head while reaching for her tea. "I think I'd rather enjoy the garden a few minutes more before retiring for the evening." The way that Elena stroked her leather journal allowed Caroline to know that she was going to do the one thing she liked about the girl. Elena may not be the best at sharing her thoughts verbally but some of her poems had really spoken to Caroline in the past.

The blonde girl politely excused herself and made her way down the path to the lake. Once out of view of the main house she cursed and pulled up the skirt that had been tripping her the entire way. Removing the petticoat underneath, Caroline was able to let the upper skirt fall loosely around her legs. The blue fabric was one of her favorites and covered her riding boots enough that most didn't notice. Elena was delusional if she thought Caroline hadn't been riding since she knew what a horse was.

She pulled her curls into a loose bun and pinned it back. The water was gleaming in the afternoon sun and with the sky beginning to change colors she wished she was able to paint the scene to capture forever in her room. Finding a ledge that gave her the best view of the lake Caroline began to relax without Elena's constant chattering. The wind rustled the leaves above her head and she watched the shadows of the branches move on the ground. Closing her eyes she took a deep breath and listened to the silence.

"Where did I put it?"

Her eyes popped open and she whipped her head from left to right trying to discover the source of the voice.

"Not again, why can't I keep track of it!"

"Sir, can I assist you in finding what you've lost?" Caroline stood and brushed her skirt and made her way to where she believed the voice was coming from.

Stopping mid step she came face to face with the strangest thing. A white rabbit in a burgundy vest looked back at her hunched over the ground digging through a bush. She blinked several times and still couldn't understand what she was seeing.

"Hello dearie, you must've fallen asleep on the lake edge, soon you'll wake up—"

"I didn't fall asleep; I can see you in front of me plain as day!"

He stared at Caroline sternly before he hopped several feet away from her. "No wait! Don't go, what were you looking for?"

The chase began as Caroline lifted her skirt and ran after her knew acquaintance. How strange that she should be chasing after a rabbit, a male rabbit for that matter. The trees were beginning to work against her as they made their way into the wood around her house. The rabbit was able to dip underneath roots and fit into spaces she was unable to. Soon enough he disappeared but Caroline was no longer able to hear him making his way through the woods. She leaned against a small tree and caught her breath. Assessing the damage she saw where her skirt had been caught and muddy leaves clung to it and her boots.

"Where did you make off to?" She listened for any breathing or rustling but all signs of the rabbit had disappeared, as if he were never there. Picking a leaf from her bun she made her way to the largest tree in front of her. Circling it she tried to find a hole that was large enough to fit the rabbit. She tripped on a root and threw her hand out in front of her to brace her fall. Opening her eyes she saw a root she had obtained for balance but she noticed a burrow in between the two.

"Ha, I've got you now rabbit!" Caroline quickly began to push leaves and dirt out of her way to bring her face closer to the opening. "Hello, rabbit? Can you hear me?"

Before she could make another move, Caroline's hand slipped on the wet leaves and sent her face first into the hole. Expecting to smack her face straight into the ground Caroline braced herself once again for impact. As her entire body shifted forward Caroline became more uncertain as the once rabbit sized hole swallowed her into a vast abyss.