Dear Diary,

It's funny how the universe works. I have been working so hard to keep away from Mystic Falls and its habitants for the last 3 years, only to find myself back there once again, neck deep in vampire problems, forced to do things I hoped I would never have to do any more, see people I swore I would never see, feel things I thought I would never feel again.

Elijah called last night, bearing bad news. Klaus has made a move. Guess he finally decided he needed more hybrids, and that luring me out was quicker than trying to find me. He has bitten Damon. This bite has infected him, much like any normal wereworlf bite would, and it is slowly killing him. And apparently he must have been working with witches, because Klaus says only the blood of the doppelganger can cure him. And once again, we have no choice but to take his word on it.

I have resisted the urge to go back to Mystic Falls or to reach out to any of them for three years, but now I have to go back.

Damon has been bitten almost a week ago. Elijah says he didn't want to tell me before he was sure there was no other way to cure Damon. And there is none, so he told me. I understand why he waited, but I hate that he did. Sometimes it scares me how much I rely on him. He is my only link with Mystic Falls.

But I trust him, and maybe the Elena I was 3 years ago would have felt betrayed and would have done something impulsive and stupid, but I am not her anymore. The old Elena is dead. I killed her when I left Mystic Falls and all the people I loved behind me, and I spent the last 3 years making sure she stayed buried.

That is why, instead of rushing home head first, I spent last night thinking, discussing things over with Elijah, and making arrangements for my trip.

I hope I am ready for what is to come. Elijah thinks I am, and I have learned over the years that he is almost never wrong. But all will ultimately depend on me and how I play my cards with Klaus.

The train comes to a stop and I am one of the first passengers to bolt out of it, bags in hand. Flying would have gained me a few hours, but there was no way I could have passed security with what I am carrying. It takes me less than 5 minutes to locate the baggage room, and less than that to go through my stuff and leave there what I cannot bring with me. All evidences of my new life. My ID with a recent picture of me, that certifies that I am Lena Summer. I have travelled under that identity until this point, but it is time to go back to Elena Gilbert. I cannot risk having anyone knowing. Because when everything will be said and done, I hope I will go back to what I have. I leave my phone in it too, and my keys. I am about to close the locker when I hesitate, eyes on my handbag. What if some of the things I have in it can give away any information on my new life ? I finally take out my Elena Gilbert driving license, the cash, my sun glasses and leave the whole bag in it. I'm left with only a black duffle bag, containing a few clothes. I guess I'm as safe as I can considering.

Elijah has made arrangements in advance and I find myself behind the wheel of my new rented car in no time. It is the end of the afternoon, the sun is ready to set, and a strange emotion is sneaking its way up my stomach, up my throat and reaches my eyes. I try really hard not to think about the last time I was on this road. Instead, I revel in the feeling of the fresh air on my skin, the smell of the forest, and the quiet of the young night. Nostalgia is a luxury I cannot afford. And because time is also not something I can abuse of, checking in an hotel is not my first priority, and I directly drive towards the Salvatore Mansion.

All is exactly like I remember, the road that leads to the illuminated boarding house, the driveway, the house itself. I turn off the contact and take a few seconds to take everything in.

I am back.

Inside are people waiting for me. People that I used to love. People with whom I have been trough hell. People that I called home. People that I left in order to keep them safe.

And if Elijah and I are right, Klaus must be there too. I rented the car under the name of Elena Gilbert, and I am sure Klaus has little servants everywhere, ready to alert him the moment I resurface. My drive here must have given him plenty of time to make sure he will be there to take me the moment I step foot in the boarding house.

I shakily let out a breath I did not know I was holding and open the car door.