authors note: hey everyone! this is my second fanfiction. I had this idea in mind for awhile so I figured I'd write it down. I do not own vampire diaries or any of the characters, this is strictly just for fun. This story will focus on Elijah, Klaus and the OC's I created for the story. It will be similar to The Vampire Diaries and will follow some of the story lines from the show just with a different twist. Also the OC's are loosely based on main characters. Enjoy!

Chapter 1: Old Wounds

September 13th 2012

Dear diary, It has been a whole year since the fire. A whole year since I moved to New York City with my younger sister, Carly. A whole year of trying to convince myself that I'm fine, but I know deep down that I'm not. The pain still haunts me and I'm still plagued with nightmares surrounding my parents' deaths. I haven't had the will or desire to write in many months, but now it's changing. I feel the need to vent especially since I'm starting my sophomore year of college tomorrow. Throughout freshman year, I simply blended into my surroundings, I was nothing more than a sad, lonely girl who had lost everything, even the will to live, but somehow I managed to get through it. I thank God everyday for my grandparents, without their love and support, I don't know where my sister and I would be, literally, thanks to them we have a roof over our head's. And of course my sister, she has been unbelievably strong during this difficult time, in a way she's been taking care of me and I feel terrible that she has done so, I'm the older one, I'm nineteen and she's only seventeen, now going to be a senior in high school, she should be focused on normal things and I hope soon she will be. It has also been awhile since I talked to my good friend, Spike. I haven't seen him since Carly and I moved from Virginia, he has tried to contact me, even write to me, but I never responded. A part of me is afraid to look back at any point of my old life, it brings up too many painful memories. Spike is the son of my dad's best friend and we grew up together, anytime I think of him, I instantly remember all the time we spent together as a group... But I've made a decision, its a new school year and even if I have to put on a fake smile and pretend that everything's okay, I will and maybe in time, I'll come to believe that lie, I shouldn't be shutting people out, especially the ones that care about me. I've been alone with my thoughts for so long, it's time I broke this destructive pattern. At some point, I'm going to have to put the past behind me and let the pain go, but the one thing truly stopping me from doing so is one question I desperately need and want answered... How did Carly and I make it out alive? It still baffles me, I've gone over that night a year ago in my head every single day and I still can't figure it out. The last thing I remember was saying goodnight to my parents and laying down to go to sleep and the next thing I know I'm waking up on the sidewalk, completely unharmed, and looking to find my sister, unconscious on the pavement. I shook her awake as I saw flames traveling throughout our home, and we could do nothing to stop it. When help arrived it was too late, my sister and I were catatonic and it took me a whole month before I was able to speak again. But the mystery still remains, how is it possible for the both of us to go from our rooms on the second floor to the cold, hard ground outside? I would give anything to know...

"Natalie? You home?" Carly called out.

The sound of her voice snapped me out of my thoughts as I shut my diary immediately and left my room to greet her. I gave her a hug as I took in her disheveled appearance.

"Where have you been?" I questioned her curiously.

"I was at the gym by my school, I'm so glad I joined over the summer, I really think it's doing me some good" she said as she stumbled over to the refrigerator and took out a cold bottle of water.

"That's good" I said as I leaned over the counter top.

"And what about you? Have you even been out at all today?" Carly asked as she ran her hands through her long, straight, copper colored hair. Carly looks almost exactly like Mom, same shape face, same petite frame, same hair color and the same beautiful big green eyes. I'm about an inch or two taller than her and I have more of a curvy frame but I found that I take after Dad, I have the same dark brown eyes he had as well as the same jet black hair with a slight wave to it. Sometimes when you look at Carly and I, you wouldn't think were sisters at all...

"No, actually I haven't, I was writing" I said.

"Writing? Really? That's great!" Carly said as she took her sneakers off and turned to me.

"Writing anything special? Because I always loved reading those short stories of yours" she said with a smile. I couldn't help but return the smile as I thought back to all those times my family would gather round and listen as I read them aloud.

"I'm so happy to know that you enjoyed it, especially since you only liked reading horror stories" I said.

"Yeah your right, I haven't in a long time, I guess it was just a phase being obsessed with witches, wolves and even vampires" she said with a laugh as she walked into her bedroom to change. I lingered in the kitchen for a moment and decided I was going to heed her advice.

"You know what, I think I will go out for a run" I called out to her.

"Good, just be careful, it's late" Carly said.

"I will be, don't worry" and with that I went back into my room and proceeded to get ready.

I used to make a habit out of jogging almost everyday, more frequently during the summer, but Carly was right, I should get out more, the fresh air will do me some good and plus it will give me an opportunity to clear my head. I grabbed my iPod, clipped it to my hip, and made my way for the door, I took the staircase down from our loft and felt the crisp air on my skin. It was refreshing, there is just something about a cool, quiet night that manages to calm me. I made my way around a few apartment complexes as well as a park. Before I knew it, I had been out for a whole hour, I forgot how fast time could really fly. I started to make my way back slowly and when I was about a block away from home, I could swear I felt someone following me. When I turned around, no one was in sight for what seemed like miles, the streets were barren and there were barely any cars on the street. I tried my best to shake it off and chalk it up to just being paranoid but as I continued walking, I had this strange sensation, almost as if someone's eyes were on me. I quickly ran the rest of the way back and I didn't feel completely safe until I was upstairs with the door locked.

I tiptoed in quietly after I saw that Carly had already fallen asleep. I then jumped into the shower and got ready for bed. I looked out my window to reassure myself that no one was following me and that it was my imagination getting the best of me. I took a deep sigh of relief when I realized it was true, I have a bad habit of always assuming the worst, that's another thing I have to let go of. I got comfortable in my bed and reached for my diary yet again, I felt as if I wanted to write more but I stopped myself. I had done enough for one day and besides, I needed to get some rest to be ready for school tomorrow. I laid my head down gently and hugged my pillow, my eyes locked on a family photo I had sitting on my night table. It was of of Carly and I as well as Mom and Dad, it was taken a few years ago on the Fourth of July, during our old town's annual barbecue. I smiled as I remembered that day perfectly, all the laughs we had, all the great food, and all the fun in the sun. With that memory in mind, I allowed myself to softly drift off into a pleasant dream that I so desperately needed.

authors note: reviews will be much appreciated. This first chapter sets the scene of where this story will begin, there are many more things to come as well as characters. Natalie Lewis is the narrator and is loosely based on Elena and her younger sister, Carly Lewis is loosely based on Jeremy, as I said before I own nothing. I'm hoping to get as much as possible out of this story and I'm really looking forward to it. The next chapter will focus on Natalie's first day of sophomore year at college as well as an introduction of a major character. thanks so much for reading xo