A/N: Set at the end of season 5 when the Other Side collapses. So... I know this is a bit far-fetched, but I've wanted to write something like this for a while. As always, I hope you enjoy and please feel free to leave your thoughts below :)
The wind blew wildly around them, the cold air cutting across Bonnie's cheek like a knife. She clenched her teeth, her hands balled into fists at her sides. She'd known that this would be her fate; she was the anchor, death was unequivocal. If the other side collapsed, she would go down with it. But Bonnie's regrets plagued her with an undeniable feeling of guilt. It was her fault that Damon's here. He should be living his life with Elena.
"Do you think it will hurt?" The voice was strained, fearsome. Bonnie was shocked to find that it was her own.
Damon's brows drew together. He hadn't thought of that.
"I don't kno—"
A flash of light engulfed them, swallowing their surroundings into oblivion. Damon braced himself for the pain; for anything. He grasped Bonnie's hand, squeezing it softly in reassurance. She didn't deserve this. Bonnie had always put other people's needs before her own, doing what was best for her friends and family, often forgetting about herself in the process.
After a few moments of silent hesitation, Damon opened one eye, his curiosity getting the better of him. The light was fading, creating new shadows and dark patches around him. Eyes glimmered from tree hollows. The wind wailed between distorted trunks, carrying the sickly scent of wood rot. Damon, who's nose was now wrinkled in disgust, prodded Bonnie sharply in the ribs.
"Ow!" she yelped, her eyes opening suddenly. She glanced around warily, a frown creasing her forehead. "Where are we?"
Damon shrugged, tugging carelessly at a nearby branch. "I don't know, Bon Bon."
Bonnie looked at Damon questioningly. "Maybe Grams sent us here."
Damon raised an eyebrow at the Bennett witch. He couldn't think of a single reason why Sheila Bennett would willingly save him of all people. She'd made it clear that vampires were no friend of hers.
Damon snorted. "Well wherever 'here' is, it sucks," he hissed through clenched teeth.
"You're not the only one stuck here, you know," Bonnie grumbled. She gave him a pointed look. "We need to find out where we are."
"Ok," Damon huffed in agreement. "Where do we look first?"
Bonnie shrugged. "You're the vampire, you figure it out."
Damon shook his head. "Well isn't that—"
Damon stiffened. His head snapped up, the veins beneath his eyes growing more pronounced. His lips parted as his fangs began to unsheathe, protruding from his gums like daggers. Bonnie winced at the predatory grin that spread widely across his face.
"Damon…" Bonnie warned, her voice dangerously quiet. Damon placed a finger to his lips.
"Who are you?" he called, his voice loud and clear.
Silence stretched between them. Just as Bonnie was beginning to question Damon's sanity, a young girl, not much older than herself stepped out from behind the trunk of a beaten tree. Her bonnet covered the majority of her face, and it wasn't until she looked up to meet their cautious gazes that Bonnie recognised the face that had haunted her a few short years ago. The girl cleared her throat. "I'm Emily Bennett. I've been expecting you."