Chapter 1 : How does it feel like ?

** 3 months after Damon and Enzo's disappearance **

Water was running down the shower glass, soaking the floor, as some drops were falling on the bath mat. The daylight was shining in the room, illuminating the giant bathroom of the eldest Salvatore, creating a very bright and heartwarming atmosphere. Staring absently at the mirror in front of her, the beautiful caramel-skinned woman contrasted with it, a look of torment on her face. She was holding the shower head, deep into her thoughts. But what drew attention were the salty tears running down her cheeks, in perfect rythm with the water drops. A feeling of despair, suffering and sadness was brought out by this attractive woman, who seemed captivated by her own reflection in the luxurious mirror.

Bonnie's POV :

I feel like I am drowning.

It's been three months, but the feeling is the same. It hasn't changed. This need to find them, make sure they're okay, stop them from changing completely into something none of us can recognize. And this infuriating, nerve-wracking loneliness. Oh sure, I have Caroline : the last best friend I have left by the way , since the other two are in bad shape. And Stefan. He has been very sweet, nice and gentle with me : I know he feels sorry for me, honestly. But as much as they try to be there for me, it's not enough.

After feeling unloved, miserable and lonely for so long, everything was finally getting better since Damon's dessication : I was happy with Enzo, loved, saved, protected. Damon worked hard to earn my forgiveness, and I did forgive him. Just before this fucking Creature took them away from me. And now I was back to the first point. I was really starting to think the whole universe was against me having a happy ending , for once. All I was asking for was having the chance to taste hapiness for a moment, before everything went back to being screwed up. I was tired.

In 1994, I told Damon hope was the only thing keeping me going, but right now even hope was not enough. I was losing it. I just needed them to be there, with me : was that too much to ask ?

Wiping away the tears cascading down my cheeks, I sighed and stepped out of the shower. I grabbed the nearest towel and wrapped it around my body, before taking a look at my reflection in the mirror. Misery was written all over my face, and I looked like shit. I had shadows under my eyes, due to the lack of sleep, my skin looked like it was wrinkled from all the worrying, and my usual sparkling green eyes were darker : the sadness of loneliness replaced the joy of happiness. That's what happened when the people you cared about, and loved the most, were snatched away from you so abruptly.

Since we opened the vault and found no one inside, I've been holding my emotions back : I didn't want Stefan and Caroline to worry about me, when we already had Damon and Enzo to worry about. So I've been bottling it all up, only letting some tears escape my eyes when I was alone, under the shower. It was hard waking up every morning, knowing my boyrfriend and my best friend were probably getting even more evil, completely swallowed by the darkness of that Creature. The worst for me, was being helpless : losing my powers once more made me even more miserable, useless, and unable to do anything to bring them back. It was so frustrating.

I got out of the bathroom, getting the floor a little wet, as I walked towards one of Damon's drawers, in which I had put my clothes.

After the disappearance of Damon and Enzo, Stefan suggested I move in with him and Caroline, at the Boarding House. They both thought it was safer : this way we could protect each other all the time, and work faster together. I didn't really have to think about it before accepting : I didn't want to stay alone at the cabin now that Enzo was gone and I had nowhere else to go, since I left Whitmore when The Armory was after me. So I packed all my stuff, and Stefan told me to make myself at home, choosing any bedroom I wanted among the many ones.

Obviously, I chose Damon's : I missed him so much, and still do, so it was the closest I could get to him. Smelling his scent, seeing his stuff and just taking in Damon's signature, comforted me a little. It was like he was only on a trip, and would come back soon. Except we weren't sure he would at all, just like Enzo. I didn't remove anything that belonged to Damon when I moved in his bedroom. Otherwise, it would have broken this illusion I made up in my head, of everything being normal , and him coming back at some point. Sometimes, I expected him to burst into his bedroom, with this careless way of his, drinking from a bottle of Bourbon, before collapsing on the bed, legs crossed at his ankles. Then, he would take a look at his bedroom and my stuff spread everywhere around it, before saying something sarcastic like : « Missed me ? ». But I knew it wouldn't happen. Instead, I found an empty drawer and put all my clothes in it. Still, it felt weird : sleeping in his bed, taking a shower in his bathroom, using his towels, and yet him not being here.

Stefan and Caroline said nothing about it, but I knew they understood : I just needed to feel close to them, and I couldn't do that with Enzo right now... but I could with Damon, since he lived here. I hesitated, but decided to take Enzo's guitar at the cabin, and brought it here. I placed it against the front bed, and never touched it since then. It was just an object, but it felt like he was there with me too, though much less present than Damon.

I put my clothes on : a blue sweater and black pants, before going back in the bathroom to hang the towel, for it to dry. Then, I untied my messy bun, and picked up my hairbrush, proceeding to make myself a little more presentable , by improving my hairstyle. I kept brushing my hair, while walking around in the bedroom, cleaning it, gathering some clothes or things I left lying around, and putting them back in place.

As I was about to close another drawer, I noticed Damon's letter on top of the furniture, teasing me. I still haven't opened it yet. One day, as I was searching for something, I found it in one of Damon's drawers. I knew I gave it back to him when we fought, but I didn't think he kept it. So, I took it out, and put it here. I didn't think about it until now, much more focused on my researches to find Enzo and Damon. But, as I stopped brushing my hair and stared at it, the desire to rip it open and satisfy my curiosity, overwhelmed me. I wanted to know what he had written to me in that letter, before abandoning me. Even though he was forgiven, I just needed to read his words. In a situation like that, where he was missing and could become another person, completely different from the Damon I loved, this letter was a way to have a last conversation with him. Before he was taken by the creature, before he was taken away from me. The letter contained his words, his thoughts, his feelings, his handwriting, and I could imagine his voice while reading it : it was everything I needed right now. Yet, something was holding me back : maybe the fact that, after finally reading that letter, I'd be even more miserable. Because he certainly wasn't that person anymore : the Creature took his humanity away, and whatever was left from the feelings he felt in the moment he wrote that letter, was stolen by darkness. Besides, I couldn't do that to myself : I would only suffer more. I had to be wiser, protect myself from any more pain. I also needed to believe I would never open this letter, because we would find Damon, and Enzo, and I'll ask him myself what he wrote in it. So, I ran my fingers along the soft envelope containing the longing paper, and left it there.

Caroline's voice got me out of my thoughts at the same moment, as I heard her knock on the door before calling softly :

- Bonnie ? Is it safe to enter ?

- Hum... Yeah, I'm dressed. You can come in, Care. , I answered, clearing my throat from the sadness I was feeling seconds ago.

- Hey... I just wanted to inform you that Ric and I decided to ask the twins to do a locator spell to find Damon and Enzo, since our researches have been getting us nowhere. , my vampire best friend told me, lifting her eyes to look at me.

- What ?! No ! , I exclaimed, turning around to face her. I'm sure we can find them without using the twins' help. It might take longer, but we're not going to use your kids to find them : they don't even know how to do a locator spell, nor control their magic ! , I refused, not wanting to involve them into this dangerous situation.

- I know, Bonnie, but we honestly don't have much choices left. , Caroline sighed, sitting on Damon's bed. We tried everything : Matt used his policeman powers to improve our researches but found nothing, Tyler tried to track them with his wolf-pack but the Creature's magic is probably hiding them from their senses, and Jeremy also attempted something but it led him nowhere either. Without mentioning all the work we've been doing on our side. , she continued, looking resigned as she rubbed her forehead in defeat. I discussed it with Ric when we started looking for Damon and Enzo just after they disappeared, and he told me he was okay with using the twins if we really didn't find them any other way. I'm okay with it too : it's a small spell, they won't get hurt. , she finished, looking up at me to see my reaction.

Sitting next to her, I put my hands on my laps, and stared at the floor. It was true : we didn't have many solutions left. At least, if the twins did a locator spell, we would find them rapidly, and we could finally establish a plan to bring them back and kill that Creature. The last information we had on them was three months ago : they were on the West Coast and had killed 60 people so far. Since then, nothing. It was our only chance.

- I guess Stefan couldn't manage to contact Valerie either, huh ? , I tried, in a last attempt to protect the girls, my nieces.

- No... , my best friend sighed.

- It's not about them getting hurt, because I know a locator spell is nothing. It's about involving them in this messy and dangerous situation : it could backfire on us, and on them. , I confessed. I wanted Enzo and Damon back, but not if it meant risking my nieces' lives.

- I think the same way, Bon. But we need to find them : Stefan needs his brother, and I know you do too. And you also need Enzo. We'll protect the girls at any cost. And though I don't like using them either, they're our only chance to bring them back home. Damon's also Ric's friend, and even though he was pissed at him for leaving, he wants him back just as much. , the bubbly mom said.

- I guess we're doing it, then. , I nodded, resigned. Do we need to go all the way to Dallas ? , I asked, meeting my green eyes with Caroline's blue ones.

- I don't think so. I'm going to call Ric and discuss it with him. , she replied, stroking my hand gently. We're gonna find them, Bonnie. I promise. And no one will get hurt. , she swore, before offering me a small smile, and leaving the bedroom.

- If only... , I muttered, sighing and collapsing on the bed, ready to think about all the reasons why it could go wrong.

Stefan's POV :

Making pancakes in the morning was my new hobby.

Well, in fact, it was one of the only things that made me forget about my current problem : Damon. Yeah, some things never changed, no matter what the century. This idiot just had to go and play hero with Bonnie, getting trapped in the process, because, well, it was Damon, and his plans never went as planned. I understood he wanted to win Bonnie back and save her life : she was her best friend, but I thought he was aware of the Creature he was going to face, back then. It had already trapped Alex in the vault, and yet he fell for it the second it imitated Elena's voice.

Besides, the more I looked at it, the more their relationship seemed nothing else but toxic to me, in every possible way. The fact that Elena's voice was the thing who got him trapped and possessed by the Creature said a lot. She was his weakness, but not in the good way : he wasn't capable of rational thinking when she wasn't by his side. Being so dependent of each other couldn't be good for a relationship, and I didn't want that for either Elena, or Damon. However, she made him happy, I couldn't deny that : and who was I to deny happiness to my brother, after knowing his heartache over Katherine ?

Honestly, I didn't know what I was supposed to feel : sadness, hurt, anger, disappointment ? It was a mix of all that, to be clear. I was fed up with saving him, thinking he had evolved, and being disappointed once again. But I loved him : he was my brother, and I couldn't nor didn't want, to give up on him. I needed Damon : after everything we went through, he became my cornerstone, and I couldn't live without him.

So, his absence was doing a number on me. Each second of the day, I thought about what he was doing at the moment : probably killing hundreds of people with Enzo, becoming even more evil and dangerous than a vampire who switched off his humanity. I didn't want to lose my only brother to darkness : it wasn't even an option. No matter how long it would take to bring him back, I would. For Bonnie, for Elena, for me, and for him. I was rather determined, and I refused to be overwhelmed by my emotions.

Smelling that one of the pancakes was burning, I turned off the baking tray, putting it in the trash can, and placing the other ones in a plate. Caroline entered the kitchen seconds after.

- It smells burned pancakes in here. , she sniffed, lifting her eyebrows, as she looked at me.

- Really ? I didn't notice. , I teased back, smiling at her, as she rolled her eyes.

- You were deep thinking again, weren't you ? , my girlfriend guessed with a soft voice, before planting a gentle kiss on my left cheek.

- Yeah... Can't really help it when your brother's somewhere in the United States, killing people and literally becoming the devil because of some Creature who took his humanity, while you can't do anything but sit there in hope to find some information on how to save his stupid ass. , I blurted all in one breath, eyes wide, as I put the plate of pancakes on the kitchen table, knowing Bonnie would come to take her breakfast in some minutes.

Caroline sighed, rubbing her hand against my neck, in an attempt to comfort me.

- I'm sorry. You don't deserve that, not after everything you already went through. , she told me, resting her head on my shoulder.

- Maybe, but I can't do anything about it : it's life. , I replied, kissing the top of her head.

Things should get better since her and Alaric agreed to use the twins' magic to do a locator spell, after we tried everything we could to find them without it, but I doubted it. Findind them was the first step : kidnapping them, and saving them, was another thing. Much more complicated. And I had a feeling it would be anything but easy. This Creature was the most evil thing we've ever seen since knowing about the supernatural, and no one knew how to kill it yet. We were walking towards the unknown.

- Hey, Stefan. , Bonnie's small voice suddenly echoed in the kitchen, as she stepped in.

- Hey, Bonnie. Slept well ? , I welcomed her, as Caroline pulled away from our embrace.

- You could say that. , she shrugged, and I shared a knowing look with her, before she sat at the table.

- I'm gonna call Alaric. Be back soon. , my blond girlfriend informed us, pecking my lips and smiling at Bonnie, as she nodded while eating her pancake.

Once she left, I sat in front of Bonnie, taking a pancake too. I studied her closely, and noticed the bags under her eyes, as well as marks of tears on her cheeks. My heart ached for her too : we weren't as close as we were when I started dating Elena, because things took another turn when Damon came back to Mystic Falls, but I cared for her a lot. She had sacrificed so many things for me, Elena and Damon's happiness : she deserved some herself. She lost her Grams, her mother was turned into a vampire, her father was killed in front of her because of me and Damon, and still, she was here, ready to save my brother because she loved him and he was her best friend. It was quite extraordinary, really. I admired her a lot for that. That's why I was happy for her when I learned she found love with Enzo. But this thing ripped it away from her, and she was left alone, without nothing and no one, all over again. She had to be very strong emotionally, to take all those blows and still find the strength to stand up at the end of the day. Bonnie reminded me of Damon, in a way : she was like the female version of him, without the impulsivity and seducing side. She was very powerful, just like him : maybe that's why she was the only one who called him out on his shit and could make him think about it, which led to their profound bond. If Elena wasn't here, I'd say they were a good match.

- What ? Do I have something on my face ? , I heard her ask suddenly.

I didn't notice I was staring at her so hard, until then.

- Oh, no. Sorry. , I apologized, clearing my throat. It's just that... I realized I haven't been there for you since Damon came back into my life, and I kind of regret it now. I really looked forward to being your friend back then, and I guess I forgot about it, somewhere along the way. , I admitted, as she looked up at me with a surprised expression.

She paused for a second, thinking, before answering :

- Well, a lot happened since that dinner at Elena's, so... I'm not really mad at you. , Bonnie smiled a little, playing with her fork.

I nodded, agreeing with her, and made eye contact once again :

- I know : things went so fast after Damon came back to Mystic Falls, and danger kept coming our way. , I sighed. Still, I should have digged that friendship we started a little more. I didn't do a good job at supporting you, after learning you were a Bennett witch. I genuinely regret it, and I also apologize for everything I've put you through since you met me. , I insisted, watching as she stopped eating her plate, interested.

- Thank you : it means a lot to me, Stefan. , she said, chewing on her lips. But you're not responsible for everything : the choices I made for myself matter too. I wasn't always fair to me, but that's a lesson I learned, thanks to Damon. , she confessed, staring at me sincerely, while frowning. You suffered too Stefan, maybe that's why we didn't really... have the time to be closer friends. So, you don't have to apologize to me. , she finished, squeezing my hand in an affectionate way.

I smiled at her and nodded, squeezing her hand back. The thought of her crying alone in her bedroom , when me and Caroline couldn't hear, suddenly came into my mind, and I felt like she needed to know she didn't have to suffer alone in this situation : I could understand her, probably better than anyone, right now.

- And : I care about you, Bonnie. So, whenever you feel like talking, or crying, or just distracting yourself from anything... just know I'm here for you. I mean it. , I told her, waiting for her reaction, wearing my famous serious look.

- I'll remember it. , she answered after some seconds, a smile forming on her lips for a brief moment.

- Good. , I nodded, before standing up to leave the kitchen. I had to figure out a way to kidnap Damon and Enzo, before we find them.

Just as I reached the door frame, Bonnie spoke up.

- Stefan ? , she called, before I acknowlodged her with a « yeah ? ». I'm here for you too, if you need it. , she returned, smiling at me sweetly.

I simply nodded at her, smiling back, before going to my bedroom. I was glad I had this conversation with Bonnie. Things tended to be less hard when you knew you had someone to help you get through it. Someone who understood you.

Damon's POV :

It was weird. Being possessed.

Or more like, a Creature taking all the good in you, depriving you of any possible humanity. I was happy the way I was : killing people, not giving a shit, having fun doing it. But, at the same time, I still knew it was wrong. And that's exactly what made it so right, and so good, for me. I loved being humanityless, soulless. I couldn't explain it. I felt like it was my true nature. However, there was still this part of me, in my distant soul, who knew I wasn't that person, who wanted to stop it all. This little remaining part of the good that once existed in me, was the only thing left from the person I was before the thing possessed me. It was like a small inner voice, a low whisper, telling me it wasn't my true self, that what I was doing was wrong. But I ignored it, because the evil, bad, wrong other part of me was way louder, and much more convincing. In fact, my soul was trapped somewhere inside me, due to the doing of the Creature. But it was so far away I couldn't reach it enough to bring it back to the surface, and change, going back to who I was in the first place. So, I simply shut down this wise part of me, and let the dark side take over.

That's why I couldn't be saved : my soul was asleep. Hidden behind a very big amount of darkness, and nothing could awaken it. The Creature, and I, made sure of it. It was the same for Enzo : he had become my partner in crime, helping me to massacre hundreds of people and towns, with pleasure. Our dynamic duo was just another way to make things even funnier, having someone to share our feats with.

We didn't want to be saved : nobody mattered anymore now.

- Where do I put this one ? , Enzo asked me, holding the bleeding head of a man I decapitated some minutes ago, with a smile.

- Oh hum... Well, next to Marco. Or was it Mark ? I don't remember. , I frowned, lifting my eyebrows in an uncaring way.

- Actually, his name was Tom. , my friend answered me, looking at the man's head. Mark was his brother : the blond one, with green eyes, freckles, the most annoying voice on Earth, and the best-looking dead body ? He was the owner of that gorgeous house. , he specified, holding Tom's head in one hand to show me the different parts of Mark's physique he was enumerating, with the other one.

- Hmm, doesn't ring a bell. , I tapped my chin. I thought he was the cook. , I admitted, snorting. I don't really recall the names of the 26 people who worked in that rich family's mansion. Without mentioning the actual 4 members of the family living... oops, who lived, here. , I winked, smirking in an unapologetic way.

- Right. I lost count. Too many museum piece names. , Enzo agreed, rolling his eyes. So : where do I put him ? , he questionned again, scanning the room for a free place to set that head down, since the room was already very much full of heads and bodies.

- Wherever you want, old friend. Just add him to our beautiful collection. , I waved absently, stepping over the mother's corpse carelessly , to reach a bottle of Vodka.

Enzo shrugged, taking the man's head by the hair and walking into the office of the former father and owner of the house. He climbed on the desk and hung it above it, near the other heads, who formed a very realistic fresco. It was supposed to replace the usual deer heads, or lion and bear ones you saw as decoration, in some fancy offices.

- What do you think, Damon ? , he called, getting off the desk while admiring his master piece.

- Great job, Enzo ! I love the style. Worthy of a magazine of design and decoration. , I clapped, taking a photo with my phone. I'll even make it my new wallpaper. , I added, selecting the picture on my phone to replace it with the one of my former self and Elena, to get it done with.

Enzo shook his head but patted me on the shoulder, gesturing towards the door.

- Come on, it's been one hour since we killed the last one : I need new victims to slaughter. , he stated, winking and making his way towards the exit, stepping over the numerous dead bodies with a look of satisfaction in his eyes.

- Coming right away. , I replied, setting my phone back into my pocket.

I followed his steps, but stopped next to a woman's corpse, staring at it weirdly.

- Hey, Enzo ? , I called him, not taking my eyes away from the brunette dead woman.

- What ? , he acknowledged me, kind of annoyed. Move your ass, I need to kill. , he groaned.

- Just look at this woman's face : she's funny. , I said. She looks like a peanut that has been soaked in some rotten blood, right out of a constipated dude. , I described, frowning and looking at her closer.

- Does that even make sense ? , Enzo wondered out loud, rolling his eyes.

Slowly, he made his way towards me, squatting to get a better angle.

- It does. , he answered his earlier rhethorical question, wide-eyed. You're actually right, man. This one's one of a kind : poor girl. , he laughed, before high fiving me with an amused look.

- Told you so, mate. , I insisted, laughing with him too as we took another glance at what's her face. Now, let's get going : should be some bar not so far away we could devastate. , I suggested.

Enzo nodded and we left the house, climbing into our stolen car. The fun had just begun, and it was about to get worse.

Caroline's POV :

Staring at the blank page of Elena's diary, I sighed deeply.

I really didn't know where to start, nor what to say about everything that was going on. I couldn't imagine what it would be like for her, once she opens that diary when she wakes up. She'll probably think she's gone crazy while she was in her magical coma, reading all of that. I would.

I called Alaric some minutes ago, informing him that the girls would be performing a locator spell to find Damon and Enzo, since it was our last solution. He told me it was okay, and I talked a little while with Josie and Elizabeth, explaining to them what they were going to do, and why. The fact they were going to help their auntie Bonnie made it much easier : they loved her a lot. However, I knew the hard part would be the spell itself : it was a small one but they were only 3 years old, they wouldn't be as concentrated and serious as an adult and experimented witch. But Bonnie would be right by their side to teach them and guide them through it, so they wouldn't get hurt or do something crazy with their powers. I trusted Bonnie, so did Alaric : it was one of the reasons why we both accepted to use our girls. They would be okay.

Bringing my legs close to me, as I sat on the living-room couch with the diary on my laps, I decided to start this journal entry by telling Elena what changed in our lives, since Damon and Enzo got missing. I took my pen and started writing the first lines :

Dear Elena,

As Stefan told you in the page before, a lot happened lately. Damon saved Bonnie, but him and Enzo got trapped in the vault, where the Creature took possession of them. As a result, here we are, looking for Damon and Enzo, who escaped from The Armory, though we still don't know how. So far, we know, thanks to Virginia (Alex Saint John's sister), that the Creature is very evil , and erases any humanity present in its victims : it's like they don't have a soul anymore, and are ruled by darkness and evilness.

It's been 3 months now. The last time we heard of them was precisely 3 months ago : they killed 60 people so far, and were on the West Coast. Since then, we haven't been able to find anything else. I'm sure they've made hundreds of victims by now. But it's not their fault.

Things changed a lot. Bonnie is devastated : she feels abandoned, and alone. She lost the two most important people of her life : her boyfriend, and her best friend. I think she's much more desperate and touched than what she lets us see. You know her : she's hiding her emotions because she doesn't want us to see her this weak. I feel so sad for her : I'd like to make things right again, she doesn't deserve this at all. After everything she's been through these last few years, our best friend is the most deserving one for happiness, at the moment.

Anyway, we had to make big decisions very rapidly after the desaster of the vault : Bonnie moved in with Stefan and I at the Boarding House, since we both thought it was safer if we could protect each other, under the same roof. Matt decided to leave Mystic Falls : he gave up on fighting, and I completely understand him. He's tired and fed-up with being the only human left here, facing danger and having to see the people he loves get hurt, or die. He wants to get as far away from this mess as possible, hence why he settled in New York. We don't have much contact with him for now : guess we're painful reminders of what he now wants to forget.

As for Alaric and the girls, they stayed in our house, in Dallas. I go to see them on weekends, and vice versa. Except Alaric doesn't come to Mystic Falls when he takes the girls to see me : we meet in a town, halfway accross Dallas and Mystic Falls. We want them to stay away from this dangerous town. It's not a permanent thing, but it will last and stay like this until we bring Damon and Enzo back. Because you have to believe me, Elena, we WILL bring them back. Stefan, even though he's hurt and worried about Damon's condition, is also very determined to save his brother. He's quite obsessing over killing the Creature and saving Damon, in fact. I think it's his way of forgetting and ignoring the pain of Damon's absence, and possible loss. Stefan needs to know there's a chance that he won't lose his only brother to darkness. I hope there is. Me, I'm trying to be there for everyone, and remain optimistic : for Bonnie, for Stefan, for Alaric and the girls. There has to be someone, in our little group, who doesn't let her emotions take control, and keeps her head up. I'm trying to be that person.

Now, we might have a plan : after trying by every way possible to find Damon and Enzo, Alaric and I accepted to use the girls'magic. So, they're going to do a locator spell to find them, directed by their aunt Bonnie (the best one when it comes to magic.) Yeah, that part is the hardest one for her I think, by the way : she still didn't get her powers back, and the feeling of being helpless and useless is eating her slowly. But I'm sure they'll come back : it's her nature, there's no reason for her to lose them like this. Hopefully the twins will find Damon and Enzo, and then Stefan will come with a plan to kidnap them, and bring them back home. We'll go from there, I guess.

I'll tell you all about it soon enough,

Kisses, Care.

- Writing to Elena again ? , Stefan asked me, entering the living-room with a small smile.

I looked up at him, and smiled back. He was leaning against one of the couches, wearing that pensive face of his.

- Yeah. Someone needs to keep her informed on the Damon and Enzo show. , I sighed, putting the diary and the pen on the table next to me.

Standing up to give Stefan a kiss, I noticed he was holding his car keys in his right hand.

- Where are you going ? , I frowned, gesturing towards the keys with a questionning look.

- I'm going to The Armory. I'm sure there are some information on the Creature here. We just have to search for it, and find it. , he announced, sounding convinced.

I nodded, before giving him a little hug. Remembering he didn't know I called Alaric, I decided to tell him what we discussed over the phone.

- I called Alaric. , I informed him, watching as he set his green eyes on my blue ones, interested.

- Oh. What did he say ? , he asked, biting on his lips.

- He's okay with it, I already told you. , I reassured my boyfriend. We only discussed details. Ric accepted to do an exception and bring the girls to the Boarding House to do the spell. He thinks it's better since everyone's here and all. , I told him, crossing my arms above my chest.

- When will they arrive ? , Stefan wondered, frowning. I knew he wanted to do it as soon as possible : seconds were precious in our situation.

- He said he'll take the first flight tomorrow morning. I expect him to be there by noon. , I replied, shrugging.

- Okay. It's perfect. , he nodded, offering me a small smile. Did you tell Bonnie ?

- No. I'm going to. , I said, stepping away from his embrace. Do you want me to come with you, at The Armory ? , I asked, a little bit worried something might happen to him if he goes alone.

- In fact, I think we should all go there : you, me, and Bonnie. There's more chance we find something with 3 brains working. And this way, we can protect each other if needed. , my boyfriend suggested, waiting for my reply.

- Good idea. We have to be careful : don't need another one of us possessed by this thing. I'll go tell Bonnie. , I kissed him briefly, before walking to the kitchen to get Bonnie.

I really hoped we'd find something in The Armory : I couldn't think about any other place we would find information on the Creature, otherwise.

Climbing out of the car, Bonnie, Stefan and I walked towards the pretentious building of The Armory, a little bit nervous.

We didn't know if the Creature was still in there, but since we stayed at The Armory a little after Damon and Enzo got trapped, to try and open the vault, and that we didn't see it, we assumed it wasn't there anymore. I took a small glance at Bonnie, as we opened the door and entered slowly, noticing her pained expression. I think it was hard for her to come back here, after losing both Damon and Enzo in that same building. She seemed uncomfortable, and eyed every single furniture, or thing that came into view, as if she expected something terrible to happen again. I guess you could say she was traumatized, in some way. Who wouldn't be, in the situation she was in ?

- Okay. , Stefan's voice interrupted my thoughts, and caught Bonnie's attention, as she stopped looking at everything. Since we have no idea in which room we could find information on the vault and the Creature, I suggest we start searching downstairs, then upstairs. There are like 30 rooms in that building. , he sighed, looking hopeless.

Bonnie raised her head at his statement, and her mood changed a little, as she replied :

- We won't need to do that. , my best friend refuted him. While I was hiding in the cabin during those three years, Enzo showed me several maps of the building. He revealed many things to me, told me everything he learned about Alex and The Armory. , she paused, looking at Stefan, then at me. I know where Alex kept her files, on the secrets of The Armory. , she admitted, gesturing for us to follow her, before starting to walk down the big hallway without another word.

- Alright. Lead the way, then... , Stefan said, raising his eyebrows, as he looked at me.

I shrugged, following Bonnie. She didn't really seem in the mood for conversation, as she walked rapidly across the corridors of The Armory, leading us to the room. She didn't even make sure we followed her. But I ignored it, knowing she was disturbed, and probably in a hurry to find any information about Damon and Ennzo's state, and get out of here as soon as possible.

Bonnie's POV :

I didn't like coming back to The Armory, but I had no choice. I knew it was the only place we could find out more about the Creature. And hopefully, save both Damon and Enzo. I was in a weird mood : I didn't really want to talk, unless it was about the plan to save them, the vault, or the Creature. My mind was pretty hell-bent on blocking any emotional conversation, and focus on our biggest problem. It was a way to avoid that pain I had been feeling since they disappeared, because I honestly couldn't take it anymore. It was starting to eat me from the inside, and I wanted to preserve myself from going completely crazy. It was the last thing we needed : a powerless, useless Bonnie Bennett , who lost her mind on top of it.

As I walked across the hallway of the giant building, passing in front of several doors without stopping, memories flooded my brain. As hard as I tried, I just couldn't help it, nor stop them from appearing. I saw the first time I came here, with Damon, and that Enzo trapped us, locking him in a room with a turning Tyler Lockwood. The fear I felt this day way genuine, and the most terrifying one I had ever experienced. Well, until the Creature possessed them. Then, I replayed our scene at the hospital, when Damon told me he never wanted me to get hurt anymore, nearly dying. I also remembered the speech I gave him before he locked himself up in that coffin, and his sorry face when he came back with flowers, and I slammed the door in his face. It was funny, how our relationship changed so quickly after he chose to dessicate, abandoning me. I was so angry, ready to forget him and cut him out of my life, back then. And I did : that's when I met Enzo.

If I'm being honest with myself, Enzo had been a way to move on from Damon, and a way to get back this caring and protective side that I craved from someone. Except the hiding situation I was in at the moment, made me fall in love with him. I still doubted if it was pure love, or just the result of becoming deeply attached to the only person I saw in this special period of my life, though. I didn't want to know the answer, afraid it might break this illusion I made to myself, about being happy and in love. Something I had wanted since I came back from the 1994 Prison World. My feelings towards Enzo were something I relied on, something I held onto, because he was all I had since three years. He was all I knew, the only stability I had in my life, back then.

However, I had to admit that Damon's return, added to his determination to save my life and earn my forgiveness (which he did), shook me up, and turned my heart upside down. Those Salvatores...

- It's here. , I stopped in front of a big wooden door, closed by the famous electronic digital system of The Armory.

Stefan and Caroline stepped next to me, eyeing the imposing door.

- Great. , my vampire best friend answered enthusiastically, gripping her hands. How do we enter ? , she asked, noticing the digital system.

- All the members of The Armory are now dead : the digital system shouldn't be working anymore. , Stefan intervened, glancing at me for confirmation.

I nodded, pushing the door, and entering slowly. Seeing the door had opened, Caroline shrugged, eyes wide, before following my step. Stefan joined us, a look of concentration already present on his face, though we hadn't started researching anything yet.

Three hours later, and we still hadn't found anything.

Half of the files contained in the room were scattered all over the floor, and the table. Stefan was looking through some of them with Caroline, perched over the table, while I was flipping on my 55th one, cross-legged on the floor.

- I swear The Armory had more secrets than the government itself ! , Caroline groaned, cracking her knuckles to ease the cramps of her hands.

- Well, it was a secret organization... , Stefan teased, lifting his eyebrows, as she hit his arm playfully.

- Oh, shut up ! , she laughed, going back to reading her papers right after.

I smiled a little at their interaction. No matter how screwed up my life was right now, seeing them happy brought me a small amount of happiness too. I never told them, but Caroline's zest for life, and Stefan's determination, were the only things keeping me from falling apart. That, and the fact I wanted to remain strong, for Enzo and Damon. I wouldn't give up on them, just because some evil Creature decided to ruin my life, and theirs.

I took my eyes away from them, glancing back at the nth file I pulled out from the giant office, shaking my head as they kept playing with each other.

Suddenly, something caught my eye on one of the pages. There was the symbol of The Armory on it. So far, it was normal. Except it was a stamp, like they used in the 1880's. Not something very common anymore. It also read Darty Saint John's case. And I remembered what Virginia Saint John told me, when I came back to the psychiatric hospital, to ask her what was in the vault.

« Well, that's a question everyone's been asking since my great grandfather first managed to open it. My great grandfather was only in there a few moments. »

I blinked, standing up hurriedly , and rushing towards Caroline and Stefan, who were still working on their files.

- Guys, I think I found something ! , I exclaimed, stepping in between them and placing the paper on the center of the table.

- What's that ? , Stefan questionned, stopping what he was doing, as Caroline did the same and focused on the paper I brought.

- I didn't read it yet, but this paper wears the symbol of The Armory. On a stamp. , I stated, looking at their confused faces.

- The Armory signed all of their files with their symbol, I don't see what's special about this one. , Caroline frowned, mirroring Stefan's expression as they both didn't get the point.

- I know. , I said, pausing. But stamps like this one were only used in the 1880's, and I remember Virignia told me her great grandfather, who worked for The Armory, opened the vault for the first time in 1882, and met the Creature. , I continued, watching as their eyes widened, finally understanding.

- As far as we know, something else could have happened in the 1880's, not related to the Creature. , Stefan retorted, sounding skeptical, but hopeful.

Seriously ? Okay, I knew he was probably shielding himself from any more disappointment, but come on. He was supposed to be the determined one !

Shaking my head, as I grabbed the paper away from the table, I finished explaining myself.

- That's not all. , I shot him a look. Look at the name of the file, on the left. , I indicated, and they did so , looking over my shoulder. It reads : Darty Saint John 's case. And Virginia told me her great grandfather was one of the victims of that Creature. , I added smartly.

- We don't know if Darty Saint John was her great grandfather for sure. She didn't tell you his name, did she ? , Stefan raised his eyebrows, and I shook my head, trying not to slap him across the face. I was kind of...unstable, at the moment.

- I don't think it's a coincidence. , I glared, annoyed, watching as Caroline shifted to where I was seated on the floor minutes ago, going through a bunch of files.

Stefan and I turned around, following her movements with our eyes.

- What are you doing, Care ? , I asked, intrigued.

- There's something I've noticed, concerning the sorting method of The Armory. , she informed us, searching through the discarded papers on the floor. There are colors for each decade, and usually, the date is written at least on one page of the whole file. , she explained, raising her head to meet our surprised look.

Only Caroline Forbes would notice the sorting method of a secret organization.

- Which one was the file you found that paper in ? , Caroline pressed, a light shining in her beautiful blue eyes.

- Hum... This one. , I gestured towards a brown enveloppe, which contained the paper I found.

- Brown. , she noticed, thinking for a second. I think you got it, Bon. Brown is for the 18th Century. We just have to look for the date on one of the pages. , my best friend grinned, proud of herself.

Stefan and I looked at her, mouth open, dumbfounded. How did she... ?

- Don't ask me how. , she rolled her eyes, reading my thoughts, as she stood up. Just say thank you. , she winked, giving Stefan the brown enveloppe.

I snorted, and watched closely as Stefan scanned the whole file with his eyes, hope flooding his green orbs.

- There. , he spoke, putting his finger on the 15th page. The report is dated from July, 1882. , he smiled, showing us the nasty handwriting.

My heart warmed, and the small hint of hope I had in me became bigger, making the possibility to find them and save them more accurate. That was all I needed right now. Hope.

Damon's POV :

Sitting in a bar, next to Enzo, I finished my last glass of Bourbon.

- Alright, I need a refill. , I exclaimed, winking at Enzo as he drank from a blond waitress.

- You sure you don't want some ? , he offered, gesturing towards the woman's bloody neck.

- Oh no, go on and please yourself, buddy. , I declined, watching as Enzo shrugged and went back to feeding from the innocent pretty waitress. I've had enough of it while draining the entire bar. Remember : you let me do all the job ? , I smirked, dry blood escaping the corners of my lips.

- True. But you didn't exactly kill the entire bar, Damon. , Enzo retorted, carelessly dropping the dead woman who he was drinking from, on the ground. This little one in the back is still pretty much alive, though he's missing a hand. , he smirked, pointing at the scared man hunched up against a wall.

I turned my head, spotting the man Enzo was refering to. He was probably 18 or 19 years old, not more. Pale white skin, dark hair, and beautiful brown eyes. Very common. As Enzo stated, I noticed his left hand was ripped out of his arm. It layed down on the floor, in a pool of fresh blood.

- Oh. Right. , I frowned, staring at the frightened young boy. I spared his life because I wanted to keep a bartender, to refill my glass. How could I forget ? , I remembered, explaining myself to Enzo.

- But you cut his left hand, man. Not sure he can do it properly, now. , he laughed, patting my shoulder, as he sipped on his drink.

- That's because I wanted it to be funny, experiment new things. We need to add some spice in our life, Enzo. Look. , I deadpanned, facing my victim. Hey, Mister Handless over there, come and see me. , I called, watching as he unwillingly walked towards me, a terrorized expression on his face. I compelled him to obey me. , I clarified to Enzo, and he nodded.

Once my new toy planted himself in front of me, I took my time to admire the fear in his eyes. His entire body was trembling, and he was sweating. What could I say : I had my effect on people !

- Okay, buddy. What's your pretty little name ? , I asked him, wiggling my eyebrows.

- P-Parker... , he mumbled, stuttering.

- Alright, Parker. , I squeezed his cheeks, widening my eyes as I compelled him once more. Here's your new challenge of the year : you're going to refill my glass with some Bourbon, using your dismembered hand ! , I demanded, grinning widely as I spoke slowly for him to understand me fully.

- How do I do that ? , he replied, the fear gone and replaced with this unwilling urge to refill my glass.

- You'll figure it out, dumb one. I'm not going to explain everything to you and make it simpler while it's supposed to be a challenge. , I rolled my eyes, watching as he went to pick up his hand on the floor.

- Good one ! , Enzo laughed, finishing his drink as I nodded, winking.

Parker came back towards us, holding his bleeding hand in the only one he had left, before stepping behind the bar to take a bottle of Bourbon.

- Ahh... ! Things are about to get interesting ! , I smirked maliciously, as Enzo rubbed his hand together, impatient.

Parker put the Bourbon on the bar table, picking up my glass and placing it next to the bottle. Then, he grabbed his dismembered left hand, holding the palm of it with his right one, and making the fingers close around the bottle. He dipped the tip of the bottle, and poured some Bourbon into my glass, before handing it to me with his other hand. Blood was leaking from the bottle of Bourbon and my glass, and Parker's right hand was covered with his own blood too. Just like I liked it.

- Impressive, young man ! , I applauded, followed by Enzo.

- You're very talented ! What should we call it, Parker ? , he tapped his chin, thinking. Oh, I know : ''the Handless me over Challenge''. , Enzo clapped, and I laughed.

- Hilarious ! , I commented, noticing Enzo's empty glass. Hey Parker, a refill for my friend. , I commanded. Handlessly, of course. , I added, winking as Enzo high fived me.

- What are we gonna do about him, after ? , Enzo questionned, watching as Parker did the same thing all over again, to pour him some Bourbon.

- We have all day to think about it, don't worry. , I stated, amused by the situation. Just enjoy the service for now, Enzo. , I advised him, patting his shoulder.

Enzo nodded, going back to drinking. We did that the rest of the afternoon, not caring about anything, or anyone. But I knew if someone found us, or trouble came to stop us, I wouldn't have a problem leaving Enzo to die alone, here. We were pretending to be buddies, but thing is... : the Creature ate away our humanity, our capacity to feel anything. So, we didn't know what friendship or decency were. I'm sure Enzo would do the same. Nothing mattered more than our personnal survival, and our darkness.

Let's say : Parker lost his touch, so he lost his life...

*** TO BE CONTINUED ***

Hey everyone ! Here's the 1st Chapter of my Bamon S8 Fanfiction ! I hope you liked it, don't forget to tell me what you think of it, your assumptions on what's gonna happen next and all...

I specify that Bamon scenes are not coming right away, since I need to set up the background of the fanfiction. You need to bear in mind that I'm writing the WHOLE season 8, so everything will make sense and become more interesting in a few chapters. You need the context to understand though.

Hope you enjoyed reading it, and don't forget :

REVIEWS ARE ALWAYS MUCH APPRECIATED !

PS : I'm going on vacation, so I'm not sure when I'll post Chapter 2. I'll write it while I'm away.

KatemonLazuli