Chapter 1

Stefan. I had to find him. I knew she had him. Trapped somewhere truly unthinkable. The myriad of horrors that filled my mind made me sick to the stomach with grief and pain. The minute Katherine arrived within mystic falls, she had made it her mission to tear us apart. It was immensely unbearable that I had no idea of his whereabouts and no ability to protect him. I wear a cloak of fear, hatred for this villainous creature called Katherine pierce, and above all heartache for the one I love. I have never known so much worry.

"Elena, we have to meet Alarick", Damon informed me.

Damon - one more tragic addition to my chaotic week. As always I was stuck with Damon as - now - my only 'protector'. Stefan had made Damon abide to the promise of keeping me safe, and so, I had approximately a 2 mile radius of freedom until the eldest Salvatore brother captured me. Damon is the worst company imaginable; but I do tell myself I have been in worser situations - those of which yet i still can not seem to recall.

"Er, yeah sure.", I grabbed my coat and followed Damon out the door.

Alarick Saltzman was a true friend. After parting with Jenna he still maintained a close bond with myself and the Salvatore's and was always a helping hand with every obstacle we faced. It continued to amaze me just how much intelligence that brain of his held, and even more so the benefit of the research he had carried out amongst the years. It seemed there was always fresh facts and history to guide us in the right direction. Alarick brought the comfort and familiarity of a human being - as my only non-supernatural friend he often was my salvation - bringing me back to reality. Although Damon hated to admit it: he needed him. We all did. Alarick granted us all with that little bit of human - a fighting streak.

Alarick would help us find Stefan.

The duration of the car journey tormented me with the consistent questioning from Damon Salvatore himself.

"How are you feeling?"

"HOW AM I FEELING?! Damon how do you think I'm feeling, my boyfriend is trapped god knows where, with his psychotic ex vampire girlfriend, plotting to kill me and everyone I love. I have to share a car with his murderous vampire brother, whom if you didn't already know I hate. Oh, and I'm hungry!"

"Ooh, you're sexy when you're angry... there's a sandwich in the back", Damon stated with a hint of pain in his voice.

I do admit I do feel a pang of guilt when treating Damon the way i do, but then I remember he killed my brother Jeremy; and if I could find a stake - I would quite happily drive it through his heart.

The remainder of the journey was shared in silence. We arrived at the meeting point at 10pm and by then i could feel the lids of my eyes beginning to fall, but if Rick had any form of help to save Stefan I would give up sleep for eternity.

At the centre of Roke forest Rick stood. Stranded in the middle of nowhere Roke forest was the perfect place for discussion of vampires - cut off from all forms of civilisation - but Katherine could hear us anywhere. My surroundings were eery, mysterious and black as coal, i knew at that exact moment I needed Stefan more than ever. My feet bounded to a starting position and then I bolted straight to Rick. Several times I stumbled over the roots of the limp trees; centuries old. Eventually i reached him.

Breathless, I began my interrogation.

"Do you have any news on Katherine's whereabouts? What does she want with Stefan? Why him and not me?", my mouth blurted out my endless questions of worry.

"Woah Elena slow down! Breathe I -"

"Breathe! Rick! Tell me please!" I pleaded.

"Right okay, okay. First of all Katherine has been gone now for 24 hours, Elena she could be anywhere I'm not physic -"

Physic? Bonnie!

"Bonnie! Bonnie can help us find Katherine. Damon do you still have the picture of Katherine from 1864?" I was ravenous. Intent on only finding my enemy.

"Erm, yeah it should be somewhere in one of Stefan's old diaries. Why do you really think Bonnie's strong enough?", Damon replied, curious.

"She's our only hope." the loss in my voice was hugely apparent.

"Elena. I've searched all night for any reasoning of why Katherine would want Stefan. And the only rational reason would be to gain a reaction from you. Katherine knows you and Damon will track down Stefan. I think we might be going at this in the entirely wrong way. She wants a reaction, she wants you to find her. It's a trap. She wants you.", Alarick demanded.

"So what you're suggesting we just leave Stefan to rot in hell?! No, Rick we find him! I can't lose Stefan. He's everything to me, if this is a trap I'll fall for it because I can't be without him, and the thought of him being all alone with that bitch is killing me-", then the tears began to flow.

Arms were wrapped around me at my sudden break down. I only wished the arms were Stefan's. Alarick then pulled me out of his grasp, and placed two hands on either side of my face.

"Sorry Elena that was careless of me I am so sorry, I'm just trying to protect you."

I was tired of everyone protecting me. It was Stefan who needed protecting. Why couldn't anybody see that?

"Look, the only thing I can offer you is Isabel's number. She'll have even deeper evidence of Katherine's history, and may even have been in contact with her. Here take it"' Alarick handed me a crumpled piece of paper with the 11 digit number scribbled onto it.

I looked up at Rick and nodded with watery eyes.

"Thanks Rick, I'm sorry too."

One last embrace and then Damon was pulling me back to car, it was getting increasingly late. And dark.

Back in the car, I devised my plan and addressed Damon.

"Ok. I have a plan. First we find Bonnie with the picture of Katherine and see if she can help us. You stay with her, and I go visit Isabel. Alone."

The car came to an instant halt.

Angry, Damon bellowed, "Alone?! Elena are you out of your mind?! Do I need to remind you that Isabel is a ripper and attacks any human being in contact with her?! And the fact I made my absent brother a pact to protect you at all times!"

"Damon if you go with me, she wont trust us. Going alone is my only chance to gain information and you know I'm right.", I fought back.

"No. I forbid it Elena. You stupid little girl, you have no idea have you! She'll kill you."

"Tough. I'm going. You can't compel me, and I'm sure Bonnie will help me to keep you guarded, giving me time to get away.", I threatened.

I could see the fear flicker across Damon's eyes for a fraction of a second. Witches abilities were deadly to vampires. Only the fear was more for myself than his own, as Damon knew this was a battle he would never win.

"Fine. On one condition. You take my ring. And I wait in the car around the street, I'll still be able to hear from there if she tries to attack you.", he had succumbed.

I was astonished at the lengths Damon would go to protect me. His ring. It would have to be an evening visit to my biological mother.

"You have yourself a deal."