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Prologue
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Flashback to a few weeks ago…
Elena Gilbert let out a sharp gasp of breath as she shot up in her bed. She looked around frantically, trying to remember what happened. Why was she in her bed? Who brought her here? And where was Matt? Elena didn't have time to think about it because a familiar voice said,
"Hey Elena."
Elena's head jerked up at the sound and she met the green eyes of Stefan Salvatore, who stood in her room with the door wide open. She let out a breath of relief as a smile came on her face.
"Stefan," Elena said quietly.
A flash of something appeared in his eyes and Elena knew what the emotion was. It was guilt… Elena frowned internally. What would Stefan be guilty about?
Stefan didn't say anything as he went to sit on the end of her bed, still looking at her with guilt in his eyes. This time Elena actually frowned.
"What's wrong Stefan?" she asked.
Stefan ignored her question as he asked his own, "What do you remember?"
Elena tried to think. The last thing she remembered was going off Wickery Bridge with Matt because Rebecka appeared in the middle of the street and she remembered drowning in the water and telling Stefan to take Matt instead of her. After thinking about it, Elena told Stefan who looked even guiltier.
"Elena…" Stefan took a deep breath, "There's something you should know."
Elena could see he was hesitating. She paled. What was going on?
"Stefan, what's going on? What do I need to know?" Elena demanded. "Tell me!" Stefan looked down at her bed not saying anything and she added with a pleading tone of voice, "Please…"
Stefan looked up at her and opened his mouth to tell her but before he could, Damon's voice was heard.
"Did you tell her yet?" he asked, his tone of voice dark and cold. He looked really upset. Elena could tell and there was slightly drunk look in his eyes so she knew that whatever Stefan needed to tell was bad enough where Damon would drink.
Stefan looked at his brother. "No," he replied quietly.
Damon's eyes lost the slight drunk look and hardened. "If you don't tell her, I will," he growled in a warning tone of voice.
Stefan sighed and nodded before looking back at Elena. "When Jeremy brought you back to the hospital after the accident, you're injuries were worse than anyone knew, Meredith Fell made a choice, she used Damon's blood to heal you…"
Damon interrupted Stefan, his voice going back to the hard, cold one, "And when Rebecka struck Matt off of the road, you had vampire blood in your system Elena."
Elena's face took on a look of realization at those words. "Oh my god," she whispered, putting her hands to her mouth. "Does that mean I—"
"Yes," Stefan said quietly, glancing away from her. "You're dead…"
"No!" Elena screamed as tears fell down her face. "No…this can't be happening…no!" She jumped out of the bed and rushed towards her front door to leave but Damon grabbed.
"Let me go! Let me out of here!" Elena yelled as she struggled to get out of Damon's arms.
She continued to scream and struggle and bang her fists into Damon's chest but Damon wouldn't budge. Finally Elena fell forward in Damon's arms and sobbed into his chest.
His arms tightened around the girl as Damon glanced at his brother who was looking at them, guilt all over his face. Good… he should feel guilty. It was his damn fault for letting this happen to Elena in the first place. Stefan could and should have chosen to save Elena instead of that stupid, fucking Matt Donavan. Elena's crying stopped and she pulled back from Damon's arms, running a hand through her hair. She turned towards her bed and looked at Stefan who immediately stood up once she looked at him.
"Elena—"Before Stefan could finish, Elena threw herself in his arms. He immediately pulled her close and buried his face into her hair as Damon watched on with a hard look on his face.
Obviously she wouldn't blame Stefan for doing this to her. Damon turned and left the room leaving Elena and Stefan alone.
Elena pulled back from the hug with her arms still wrapped around his neck.
"I am so sorry Elena," Stefan told her softly. "I should have saved…I should have known…"
"Don't," Elena said sternly, interrupting his pity part. "I wanted you to save Matt…you couldn't have known that Rebecka would run Matt of the road and that Meredith would give me Damon's blood to save my life. I don't blame you Stefan, I love you. I chose you."
Stefan opened his mouth to say something but Elena interrupting him.
"Just like I'm choosing this…I don't want to be a vampire Stefan, I never have so I'm choosing not to compete the transition."
"Elena, no, you can't," Stefan protested, shaking his head, unable to believe what she was saying.
"Yes I can and I will," Elena said sternly. "This is my choice." Her eyes grew sad and filled with tears, "Take care of Jeremy for me. He's going to need someone when I'm gone."
"Elena, please, Bonnie will find a way to save you, please," Stefan pleaded. "I love you…I lost you and I don't want to lose you again…change your mind."
"I'm sorry Stefan," Elena whispered as she slowly pulled out of Stefan's arms.
She walked out of the room, without glancing back at Stefan. Elena closed the door behind her and she leaned against the closed door with her eyes closed. Tears dripped down her cheeks and she fell to the ground with her face in her hands, sobbing loudly. Why did this have to happen?