It had been... years, I mused as I ventured through the town. Not much had changed, in my opinion, but then again what, it had only been a hundred odd years. But still, you'd think these founding families would redecorate once every so often.

I retreated into the woods. Stefan Salvatore. Word on the street is he's the mysterious, brooding, handsome loner who just enrolled in school here. Oh how he sickened me. Just loved kicking a hitch in my plans my brother dearest. I was irritated now; his arrogant presence here had just complicated things ten-fold. I heard the chugging of an engine in the distance. Well it would be rude not to alert him of my arrival, I thought scathingly.

I impulsively leapt out onto the road; it would only be a few seconds before they hit me and BAM! I went flying over the windscreen. Ha, this was getting too easy. Their reactions were predictable - they both screamed; - naturally, the man panicked and told the women to ring for an ambulance, not that I'd need it of course but I needn't care to alert them to that particular fact. It was more fun this way.

The man rushed out of the car and knelt over me, but in the blur of the moment I had leapt to my feet, wrapped my arms around him and sucked him dry. I then leapt up; landing lightly on a tree branch to wait for the car's other passenger. I was patient, crouching perfectly still until she was nearly back to the spot where they ran over me before. She didn't see me coming. It was quick and I was satisfied, just the way I liked it.


These high school parties were so pitiful. Half the people here were either drunk, stoned or lying in a pool of their own vomit. How disgusting.

My brother was laughable. It was undoubtedly clear he was already smitten with this girl, Elena. She was beautiful, I'd give her that. But how could she not be when she wears Katherine's face? I admit at a first glance I thought it was actually her but at a double take I knew I was mistaken. They did after all, look exactly alike. I had been watching in the shadows, observing. Although the more I saw of her, the less like Katherine she appeared. The Katherine I knew was selfish, complicated and unpredictable. This girl...She seemed so innocent, kind-hearted and generous. She looked so fragile; as though the slightest touch would break her into a million tiny pieces.

Stefan didn't fit in here. He could pretend for as long as he wanted but his whole human-facade wasn't going to fool anyone. Her blood would be too tempting for him to resist.

And talking of dinner, look who's heading this way! Some girl was advancing towards me her shoulders heaving up and down with her heavy sobs. Ah, she looked sad, depressed; I'd be doing her a favour. She was cautious though, she sensed that something bad was impending her way. She halted and looked behind her. 'Jeremy? Is that you?' she called out. No. It's your cold blooded murder to-be, but I'm pretty sure that's not the answer you're looking for.

Her back was still turned so I took my chance. I sped towards her, piercing my teeth though her deviously soft neck anxiously awaiting the sweet soothing liquid that would gush down my throat. I muffled my hand against her mouth silencing her shouts of agony. Only after a few seconds of drinking I pulled away spitting out what was left in my mouth. This chick tasted terrible. She must have been consuming some pretty messed up stuff. Most likely some form of drugs or another. Trust me to pick the regular pill-popper. Fantastic.

Ugh, well that was dinner spoiled. I glanced down at her body; she was unconscious but not dead. I thought about killing her, but hey where's the fun in that? I'd made the effort of travelling to this pathetic little town, I may as well wreck some havoc while I was here. Maybe she'd bleed out, or perhaps someone would find her. Who knows? It'll probably be passed off as an animal attack or something similar. Anything to hide the truth from the naive inhabitants of this town.

I heard voices and footsteps coming this way. I'd stick around to see their reactions when they fall over the molested body in front of them, but I don't have the time. I have more pressing matters to tend to. I needed to get home before Stefan. Surely by now he must have guessed I'd returned and I'm thinking he won't be too ecstatic to see me.

I sped off into the darkness of the woods. I haven't been to the boarding house in years. As I grow nearer to my destination I can sense a heartbeat; I can smell the blood running through someone's veins. Surely Stefan wouldn't be dumb enough to bring his little pet to the house? Oh, I remember, its uncle Jack! Almost forgot he lived here, aha how silly of me. We're great buddies, Jack and I; we get along like a house on fire. Nah, I'm thinking of kicking him out, or maybe I should just kill him.. It is my house after all. Just because I permitted him to live there 50 years ago doesn't mean the offer still stands, especially now that I'm back in town.

I don't want to alert him to my presence so I silently scale the house so I land on the not so stable roof, and I wait. It doesn't take long before I hear the soft thud of Stefan's footsteps. I duck down so he doesn't see me. He races up the stairs and enters his room warily as though not to be taken by the element of surprise. I see my crow enter, darting throughout the room. Stefan ducks as it disappears within the rafters. He watches it flutter about madly, not sensing that I have jumped down and have appeared in the balcony behind him.

Slowly, he turns around and for the first time in 15 years I am face to face with my brother. His eyes burn with distaste as he utters one word. 'Damon...'

I smile smugly in return. 'Hello brother.'

'When'd you get here?' he inquired tensely.

'Well, I couldn't miss your first day of school!' I replied casually enjoying his look of unease. I wandered across the room peering into random bookcases. He had so much clutter. Did he save everything?

'Your hair's different' I said nodding. 'I like it.' He didn't lift his glare.

'It's been 15 years Damon-'

'Thank god' I drawled cutting him off. 'I couldn't take another day of the nineties. That horrible grunge look? It did not suit you' I chuckled shaking my head. 'Remember Stefan it's important to stay away from fads'

'Why are you here?' he asked, irritably.

Ah, knew that question was gonna come up. Luckily I was prepared. 'I missed my little brother.'

'You hate small towns, they're boring, there's nothing for you to do.' He didn't believe me. Fair game, I wouldn't believe me either.

I couldn't help myself; the smirk just crept up my face. 'I've managed to keep myself busy.'

Stefan's gaze hardened. 'You know you left that girl alive tonight. It was very clumsy of you.'

It wasn't clumsiness, if it was my intention Stefan. Get your facts straight. 'Ah, yes. That could be a problem...for you.' I smirked again.

'Why are you here now?' Jeeze, what's with all the questions bro?, I thought I'd already answered that.

'You know, I'm fairly certain I could ask you the same question. However I'm pretty sure yours could be summed up in one little word.' I advanced towards him still smiling. 'Elena.' His jaw clenched at the mention of her name and ding dong! I've hit the target. I probably should've stopped at seeing the slightly maniac look in his eyes, but I just kept on going, enjoying getting under his skin. What's the worst he could do?

'She took my breath away...Elena. She's a dead ringer for Katherine.' Stefan turned towards me as I continued to provoke him. 'Is it working Stefan? Being around her?' I taunted. 'Being in her world, does she make you feel alive?'

'She's not Katherine.' he stated flatly.

I figured. 'No? Let's hope not. We both know how that ended.' Stefan's eyes narrow, his anger flares up, but he reins it in quickly. But not quick enough, I grinned. I was getting to him; it wouldn't be long until he cracked.

'Tell me brother, when was the last time you had something stronger than a squirrel?' I jeered. I see the aggravation flash through his eyes.

'I know what you're trying to do Damon, and it's not going to work.' he said, sounding disgusted by my witty remarks.

'Yeah? C'mon, don't you crave a little?' He turned away from me. 'Let's do it. Together. I saw several little tarts out there tonight.' I hit him a playful thunk on the head.

'Stop' he commanded.

'Let's just cut straight to the chase...Or better yet let's go straight for Elena!' I hit him again.

'Stop it!' he shouted. Aha, I'd hit the weak spot. I continued to push him around the room, knocking his head, trying to gage some sort of reaction.

'Imagine what her blood tastes like,' I continued my taunting. 'I can' I grinned evilly.

I give him another whack, but I've gone too far. Stefan whirls on me, eyes filled with blood, his veins protruding from under his translucent skin, his face full of fury.

'I said stop!' he roared, rushing at me. His strength knocks us both off the ground and we smash through the giant window. Shards of glass rain down around us as we fall, but I had been prepared for this. I managed to land on my feet while Stefan fell flat on his face. Hilarious.

After a few seconds, he rose and rubbed at his head. He looks back up at the broken window and turns to find me leaning up against a tree.

'I was impressed.' I called over. 'I'd give it a 6. It was missing style but I was pleasantly surprised. Really good with the whole face thing. ARGHHH!' I laughed, mocking him. Ah Stefan, he gets so worked up over these things. He needs to get out more, loosen up a bit.

Oh great we were back to the death glare. 'You think its all fun and games Damon, but wherever you go people die.' Oh so he was trying to guilt trip me now? That's a first.

'That's a given' I replied, stating the obvious.

'Not here.' he commands, firmly. 'I won't allow it.' He won't allow it? Ha, bit late for that bro.

'I'll take that as an invitation.' I said pleasantly. No need for us to squabble over it.

'Damon, please.' He was willing to beg. How pathetic. 'After all these years, can't we just give it a rest?'

'I promised you an eternity of misery, so I'm just keeping my word.' I replied. I didn't want this life, he'd made me choose.

'Where's your ring?' I asked. I can't believe he hadn't noticed yet. Stefan looked down at his hand. Instantly his face filled with panic, then anger as he looked to me.

'Couple of hours, the sun will be up and poof! Ashes to ashes.' I whispered sympathetically. I laughed inwardly as Stefan tried to keep his anger in check.

I grinned. 'Relax. It's right here.' I held my hand out. He snatched it up quickly and secured it tightly on his forefinger.

Feeling rather annoyed, I grabbed him tightly by the throat, completely picking him up and throwing him across the yard with inhuman strength. He hit the side of the house painfully and fell to the ground. He deserved it. I walked over to him. 'You should know better than to think you're stronger than me. You lost that fight when you stopped feeding on people. I wouldn't try it again -brother.' I finished on a menacingly note.

'I think we woke Zach up.' I said cheerfully, completely switching demeanours. I walked away leaving Stefan a crumpled mess on the ground.

'Hiya Zach!' I called out, retreating into the house whistling. 'You pleased to see me?' Ah It was good to be home. I glanced around the living room. No major changed here, I observed.

'Zach! Where are ya buddy? You're not hiding from me are you?' I sniggered. 'Okay look, I promise I won't try to kill you this time. No hard feelings?'

Silence.

'Fine!' I shouted. 'Pretend you're asleep all you want, you aren't fooling me.'

I just didn't get this guy, I mean here I was trying to be civilised. You'd think by the way he was acting he wanted to die. 'We'll talk tomorrow, then' I called up the stairs. 'Sweet dreams'

I strolled outside again. 'Stefan?' I called. Ah, he had probably gone to check up on dear Elena. That was too bad. I was wondering if he would be up for a re-match.

I needed a drink. I set out at a leisurely pace, walking towards the village. I was sure I had passed a bar there, this morning. Who knows, maybe I'd even make some friends. I mean who could resist my charming personality and my devilishly handsome looks? Ha, I'm sure no-one would reject my advances, unless they were on vervain, that is. And I'd killed the last of the supply over a century ago, so I'm pretty sure I was safe.

I pushed open the door to the... I glanced up at the sign. The grill. Personally I'd of been a little more creative but you know, whatever.

I sank down at a table. A pretty waitress came over to me. 'Can I get you anything sir?' she smiled seductively.

'Why, yes you can' I smirked in return. 'You are going to keep bringing me free drinks, on the house. I never want my glass to be empty. Although I must warn, you I'm very, very impatient.'

'But'- she objected.

I compelled her. 'Do what I say.' She retreated silently back to the bar. Ha, this is what I loved the most about being dead. Getting what I want, whenever I want it.

I glanced around the bar. At this late hour, it was almost deserted apart from a few local drunks and two teenage girls sitting at the table opposite me. They both looked pretty familiar; now come to think of it, I'd seen them talking with Elena at the party. Oh and the blonde one had tried to make a drunken pass at Stefan. I remember being highly amused at her antics. I decided to tune in on their conversation.

'I always say the wrong thing' Blondie moaned. 'And Elena always says the right thing,' was that a hint of jealousy I detected? 'She doesn't even try! And he just picks her. She's always the one everyone picks for everything!' I guessing she's talking about Stefan. Tut, tut brother dearest, you're breaking hearts already. I shook my head in disappointment.

'And I try so hard,' yeah too hard. 'And I'm never the one.' Blondie continued her sob-fest.

'It's not a competition Caroline.' the other girl interjected. Caroline? I preferred Blondie if I was being honest. The dark-skinned girl though... she reminded me of someone; but I just couldn't put my finger on it. It was the era she admitted. It seemed frightfully familiar; almost like I'd encountered her before. She got up to pay the bill leaving Blondie unattended.

I smiled coyly at her until I caught her eye. She looked surprised that I'd even notice her, and didn't respond at first. But after a few moments a smile etched upon her pixie like face stretching into a wide grin. I continued to smile at her, entrancing her with my eyes. Now this could be fun, I thought to myself with a smirk. I needed something to entertain me around here or I'd grow restless.

For I had returned with one plan and one plan only: get Katherine out of the tomb.


Please, please review and tell me what you think! :)

Ali.