A/N: Hey guys, this is the start of my VD Fanfiction. :) Don't worry if you don't get it.. Atm, you're not supposed to. XD But, later on in the story, you'll realise its importance. Anywho, onto the FanFic. Hope you all enjoy this little teaser preface. :D Peace out! :)

SMALL SACRIFICES.

Preface.

EPOV

I yanked relentlessly at the iron hands that held me back, my wrists had become chaffen and my fingers were sore and red with blood. Pain didn't affect me anymore; I flexed my bony fingers, watching my tendons whitened under the thin membrane of skin above them. I needed to find him. I squinted through the thick cloud of mist that clouded my vision, where'd he gone? My eyes were restless and my throat ached from the endless pleas I'd scratched from my voice box. Somehow, I still found the strength to call and struggle.

"Stefan… Stefan? Oh, god, Stefan. Stefan? Where are you?" I called, but it was more like a whisper for the amount of voice behind it.

A minute or two past and my eyes began to weaken and tire as the last fire of hope inside of me began to burn out. Then, out of nowhere, came my answer.

"Elena..?"

I wasn't sure whether it was a statement or a question, but I'd take it either way. However, the voice that replied was not that of Stefan, but of Damon Salvatore. I breathed in, ignoring the burning sensation in my chest and windpipe.

"Damon? Are you… Where-where," and then it dawned on me, I wasn't alone; the flame inside of me re-lit. I smiled, for the first time in what seemed like days, I smiled. "Damon? Where? Oh, oh! Damon!" I started, pulling harder at the handcuffs and chains.

"Shush, Elena," Damon hushed, "Come here, I'm here," was the ghostly whisper of Damon's response.

My eyes scrunched together as I searched for his figure in the misty darkness.

"But, how can I? When, I can't see yo-"- I was interrupted by his sudden voice once again.

"You don't need to see me Elena… Feel" Damon's voice was, strangely vulnerable.

For a few moments, I was unsure what he meant, again, I tried for the chains.

"I can't. Damon, I'm bound, I…" There it was again, another interruption, although, the tone of his voice sounded different, like I could hear him smiling as he said it.

"But, would you, Elena… If you could.. would you..." He stopped abruptly, as if someone'd pressed the pause button at the epic part of a film.

I frowned, perplexed as to why he didn't go on.

"Would I, what Damon? Damon-" Out of nowhere, a bone-chilling laugh screamed down my spine and a loud clatter of broken glass echoed around the darkness.

"Yes, Damon. Why not tell us all what you mean."

I couldn't continue, I couldn't even breathe. The new voice was not one I recognised, but somehow I knew it couldn't be any other – it was her all along. An explosion of white light blinded my eyes and I could see it now… I saw everything. The first thing that registered to my mortal mind was Stefan, he was here now. Or, maybe he had been all along? His usually royal posture was dull and slouched, his head bowed in an unnatural position and his clothes were tear ridden, filthy and blood-stained. Granite hands gripped my gut, twisting and knotting themselves inside of me; I felt physically ill. I tore my gaze away from him, taking in all I knew she wanted me to. In almost no time at all, I caught Damon's eye. The arrogance and playfulness had vanished from his eyes and had been replaced with a lonely boy who was utterly defenceless to the very scene that beheld his eyes. My expression must have been an echo of his, for his lips pulled up into a friendly gesture; his smile told me it'd be okay, but his eyes reflected the torment within his soul. The will was slowly draining from his being, his state was only a fraction milder than Stefan's. I shook my head, my soul pleading with his not to give up; he was stronger than Stefan, he could make it… We could make it.

"Elena…" I thought I heard him murmur, before I could respond, his head wavered and flopped in on himself.

'No. No… No.' my brain begged. Alas, I knew it was too late. Preparing myself for the final chapter of my life, I nodded. She laughed again, this time though – it ripped my heart in half. My eyes arose from the floor, slowly but surely moving upwards; it was then I saw her. For the first, and almost certainly last time.

"Katherine."