Chapter 1

The first thing that I felt was pain, strong and consuming pain, next were those intense and almost paralyzing green eyes that gazed into me. All I could hear was numbing noise like a radio signal gone mad, than there was my inability to take a breath. It was like something heavy was sitting on my chest, I couldn't concentrate. Next darkness was surrounding me.

Beeping sounds. Dry throat. Someone was holding my hand. I tried to open my eyes but they didn't listen to me, my whole body didn't want to move. Where was I? What happened?

"Sweetheart, can you hear me?" gentle voice suddenly resurfaced above the annoying beeps. Was I in a hospital? Why can't I remember anything?

Finally I won the battle with myself and opened my eyes. After the initial blurriness I indeed found myself in a hospital room. In front of me was standing a nurse looking at me with sympathy. Why? Then I succeeded in slowly turning my head to the right. There on the chair next to me sat a pretty girl with long straight brown hair and doe like brown eyes. Do I know her? Why does she feel so familiar to me? She was looking back at me, trying but failing miserably at putting a smile on her face. Even though she was hiding it well I still could see the sadness that she was going trough. When I wanted to speak I remembered how dry me throat was.

"W-water.." the girl was on her feet in a instant grabbing a plastic cup, helping my shaking hands to hold it without spilling any.

The door behind the nurse opened and in walked two people. The first was a male doctor holding some papers, what grabbed my attention was the second one. A woman with blond short hair wearing a uniform. Sheriff? How was it possible that I knew this person and in the same time I didn't?

"Good afternoon, Eliza, my name is Sheriff Forbes. Do you know where you are?" when I shook my head she signed,sharing a look with the doctor and the girl still standing next to me. "You are in Mystic Falls, Virginia. Do you remember what happened?"

"I-I..." suddenly memories came crashing down. The bridge, the car in the water, my inability to...to. "Oh, God.." I started to tremble, tiers were spilling down my face. "I c-couldn't, I-I tried to-to save them, b-but ..." the girl on my right stood still, her pained expression was making me suffocate, so much guilt, I felt so much guilt.

"Eliza, please calm down, it's not your fault." the Sheriff was next to me now holding my arm. The other two people stood there not knowing what to say.

"After the incident, you were admitted in our hospital, you almost drown that night, we were barely able to save you. It's been a week since then. After your last examination I can assure you that you are in good condition now." I've been unconscious for a whole week?

"We found your car near the Wickery bridge. That's how we identified you as Eliza Capuchie. Apart from your bag and wallet we found a suitcase in your truck. We tried to find some of your relatives, but there...there was none. We, we couldn't find anyone." Sheriff Forbes explained.

My head was hurting, I wasn't from here? Then how did I knew all those people, Jenna, Jeremy, Tyler, Caroline...Elena Gilbert. The girl's name was Elena Gilbert. Why can't I remember what was I doing before I stopped my car that night?

"W-who am I?" my voice trembled, I took my hand from the hold of Elena's and covert my face. My whole body was shaking uncontrollably. "I-I am s-sorry, I j-just...don't I have parents? Where...where...do I even have a family? I can't, I can't remember a-anything." I didn't dared to look at any of their faces, because the pity that I was sure they were unconsciously showing would just make me break down completely.

"Peter, she is in a panic attack." I heard the Sheriff's voice, next I was starting to relax. Did they inject me with something? After a few moments I fell asleep.

Something was certainly wrong. The next time I woke up I knew Elena was still in the room with me. But for the sake of my own sanity I pretended of still being unconscious so I could comprehend what was happening. Even if I didn't know anything about my past I just somehow knew that I was a calm and collected person. Now was the time to start acting like one. I tried to piece together what happened. I was driving my car 69 Chevy Camaro, God, I loved this car. I passed the sign 'Welcome to Mystic Falls' and then I saw from a far in front of me another car loosing control and plunging from the bridge. I stopped and before even realizing it I was in the water but the door wouldn't open. Inside there were Elena and her parents. They were drowning and I was trying to save them but I couldn't hold my breath for so long. Then there was someone beside me and with no effort at all opened the car. Next I was on the bridge with him above me, telling me something, but I couldn't hear him. Then I blacked out.

What made me panic was not the near death experience, no, it was that I have seen this happening, the whole thing, Guilbert family drowning and their daughter being saved by Stefan Salvatore, a vampire, brother of Damon Salvatore, both fell in love with Katherina Petrova costing them their lives. One constantly battling between being a Ripper and a docile bunny eating vampire and the other one making the life of his little brother a living hell, while trying to save his supposed one true love from a tomb full with vengeful bloodsuckers.

Just great. Founding families, vampires, werewolves, witches, doppelgangers, curse, Originals, hybrids, love triangles, death – how can I remember the lives of so many others, their past, their future, when I sure as hell wasn't part of it? It was like I have seen it in a TV show. I would have dismissed all of this, because seriously lets face it I must be insane, and I would have believed it if it wasn't for the girl that was sitting next to me, that lost her parents the same night that I lost my own memories and gained new ones even if they were not mine to begin with.

I was trying to not panic yet again, my mind needed to stay intact so I could decide what to do. What was that the Sheriff told me? All I had was a car, a suitcase and a purse. No parents, no family that was searching for me and no one knew me here. What was I supposed to do? I was a 17 years old teenager with nowhere to go, they would most probably put me in a foster care. Did I wanted to stay here, knowing what was going to happened in less then a few months? I should run and save myself before it's too late. Maybe it was better that way, I could start fresh. Apparently I was all alone in this world, so whatever happened that wiped off my memories I should be tankful because I was almost certain it saved me from heartache. If I don't remember I won't miss anyone. Yes, I would build a new life. Maybe that's what I was doing in the first place, searching for a new place to call home.

"You shouldn't feel obligated to stay with me you know?" finally I decided to open my eyes and look at the girl that had no idea what was awaiting for her in the future. She looked from her diary, which I was sure was her only way of expressing her grieve, a little startled.

"I-I...uhm..." at least now I knew she was as awkward as I was about this whole situation. "I didn't do it out of obligation..." I didn't let her continue.

"You probably hate me right now..." and why wouldn't she, I was there I could have changed the outcome. But when I looked in her eyes there was no detest or revulsion towards the one person that could have saved her parents, there was only surprise.

"What are you talking about? How could I hate you? You saved me!"

"No I didn't, I couldn't save your family. I-I..." I knew that I shouldn't tell her about Stefan, but I didn't want to lie to her. Mentioning her parents made her cringe. "Ugh, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have mentioned them..."

"No! I-I mean, yeah, I just can't help myself. I try to not react so strongly whenever someone says their names, but I..." if you asked me what made me do what I did next, I would blame it on knowing what hardships she will endure after this, how many more loved ones she will loose, but deep inside I knew that the pain she was going trough, the loneliness felt so familiar like something similar has happened to me as well. So I hugged her, at first she was standing unmoving from shock most probably and I don't blame her, I was complete stranger to her, but in the next moment she sat on my bed and engulfed me in her arms as well. I don't know who from us two needed this more, the girl that just lost her parents and couldn't pass even a minute without thinking about it or the girl that had lost someone as well but for the life of her won't be able to remember.

In that moment I felt some kind of connection with her, in some way we were so similar even if I didn't know how exactly. My heart hurt knowing that what she was feeling now was nothing compare to what would happened in the future. Was I so selfish to run away even when I had the knowledge to change that? Should I stay and try to save her and all those that fell throughout this upcoming disaster? When we finally pulled away from one another I was no surprised to see unshaded tiers in her eyes as well.

"Ah...I'm sorry. It must be strange to be hugged by someone that you don't know at all." When she saw how awkward I was about it she couldn't stop the small smile that graced her lips. In return I grinned sheepishly.

"No, I needed it. Thank you."

"There is no need to thank me really." I was getting embarrassed here. God! Was I so awkward all the time?

"It's not only for that, thank you for what you did...y-you know?" even though I could see clearly her grieve she was genuinely thankful for what I did, or what I tried to.

"I...I might not remember anything so I'm not sure if you will believe me, but I feel like I have gone through the same pain, t-the same loss even if I have no memories of it...what I'm trying to say is that I know what it feels like and I know that no words can, you know..make it go away." was it hard to explain about something that you had no idea.

"You really don't remember anything?" I shook my head. "I'm sorry, it-it must be so hard."

"I'm not sure if it's not for the better. I have a feeling that whatever I have forgotten must have driven me away, have made me leave."

"So, you have no where to go?" How can she be so concerned about me? Now I could see why both Salvatores were fighting for her hearth. But non the less it felt good to be cared for by someone.

"I..ugh..no. I don't think so, no." she looked at me thoughtfully, like she was considering something. Suddenly she must have remembered something because she was on her feet.

"Oh! I forgot, you have no idea who am I. My name is Elena Gilbert." She extended her hand and I shook it. I have to keep reminding myself that I was the only one here with the unexplainable knowledge.

"Hah, yeah, I guess introductions are needed. Eliza Capuchie." she returned my smile.

"Capuchie? It's such a unique name. I don't want to sound rude, I just never have heard it before." before I opened my mouth, Sheriff Forbes and Jenna entered.

"Elena, I might be able to answer that question actually." was the Sheriff able to find who I am? "Eliza, dear, how are you feeling?"

"I...there is no pain, I guess I have recovered all the injuries that I had." it was so much easier to explain my physical well being then my emotional. Well..I could...if I wanted to be put in psychiatry before counting to 10. Jenna stayed by the door, I could see how new to the whole grown up, taking care of two teenagers thing was it for her.

"Eliza, we were able to find some information about you." Liz Forbes continue, she was talking in a gentle voice, I just knew that whatever she was going to say next could possibly destroy me. "At first we couldn't find anything about you in our database, then we expanded our search and found Nathaniel and Monica Capuchie Italian business family which residence was in Rome. They had a very successful catering company, they died 4 years ago in plain crash leaving their 13 years old daughter to her grandparents in Genoa. That's you Eliza Capuchie." she paused for a moment waiting for my reaction, all three women were, but I schooled my face because she was not finished, there was more, there was so much more. "Ferro and Patricia Capuchie the parents of your father, you stayed with them. After 8 months Ferro died from cancer, 2 months later Patricia passed away in her sleep." I could hear the gasps coming from both Elena and Jenna, and I couldn't blame them, if I wasn't so paralyzed from what was I hearing maybe I would have reacting in some way.

"Liz, I think that this is enough for one day, maybe we should leave the rest for tomorrow." Jenna tried to say.

"No. Please. I-I need to know." I looked at them all. I just needed to know. To understand where all this unexplainable pain and sorrow was coming from. "Please."

"After the loss of your grandparents you were taken by your uncle Toma Libronie and stayed with him till 4 months ago when he...when he dies in car crash with you on the passenger seat." At that Elena took my hand in hers, maybe she as well was understanding how very similar we were indeed. By the time Jenna has come to stand by her side looking at me with such sympathy that I just couldn't bear it. "After that you...Eliza, you were left with no relatives and it looks like you decided to come in the states. All your family inheritance is on your name now. You have few estates in Italy as well. Because you are still 17 you have to be taken under foster care till you become 18."

I didn't know how to react, with all that information I just couldn't even move.

"I-I...Could you please give me a few minutes? I...uhm...then we can continue with all the documents about the hospital and the foster care. Please. I just need 10 minutes." at that Jenna jumped with concern written all over her face, maybe I was not so good at hiding my emotions.

"Of coarse!" she said her voice trembled a little, not only in her eyes but in Elena's as well I could see tiers.

"Don't worry, Eliza. Take all the time you need. I brought your bag." added Liz as she placed it on the night stand on my left. After that the three women exited the room.

I couldn't let myself to cry, I wanted, God did I wanted, but I did not deserved to. No, I had no right to cry about people that I had so easily forgotten about, even if with the mentioning of each of them I could feel so many different emotions varying from sorrow, regret, pain, love, bitter happiness. I remembered all those feelings but no actual memories. What made me feel even worse was that I was glad, yea I was so glad as well, because I just knew that at any given moment it could all come back and it will destroy me. How was it possible for me to continue living after loosing all my loved once? How have I not gotten completely insane?

Then I took my bag, opened my wallet- I.D. Card, credit cards and a photo, no actually three photos tucked away with care. The first was a couple at their 35-40 smiling happily, so beautiful and lovingly. The woman especially she was stunning with red/orange hair and big shinny green eyes. My parents. The next was of my grandparents and the third was of me and what was I sure to be my uncle, looking exactly like my mother. I caressed gently the photos, at least I knew how they looked like. I looked again at the one with my uncle, at the back was a date, maybe just a few days before the catastrophe, it looked like we were both goofing around. What kept my attention was how similar my physical appearance was to my mother. I had a long wavy ginger hair, small nose, full perky lips even freckles, but my eyes they were exact replica of my mom's – big light green eyes, they were shinning so bright on this photo full of happiness and life. Even after everything that had happened I could still see the hope in them, hope that things were somehow going to be better. Now I was sure that if I looked myself in the mirror there won't be any light left, no hope.

There was a knock on the door, I put away my belongings in time to see Elena and Jenna reentering the room. Jenna was looking at me nervously, Elena looked the same.

"Hey, can we talk? My name is Jenna by the way, I am Elena's aunt and guardian." she stayed at the door ready to run away, or maybe ready for me to break down.

"Hello, well you already know but I'm Eliza." I tried to smile reassuring her at least a little, for what I had no idea. But it wasn't she who continue.

"Eliza, we don't know each other very well, but what you did...I would be always grateful. I don't want you to be put in foster care, after everything that happened...neither one of us deserve to be alone. We are total strangers but we would like for you to come live with us."

"Oh no, Elena I couldn't do that, no there is no way I will impose on your family, especially after what you are all going through. I am just additional baggage that will do nothing but complicate things for you." I wouldn't be able to do that to them, they had enough problems as t is. At my words Jenna stepped forward as well, this time she wasn't so nervous, like she was sure of her decision.

"Eliza, I had to grow very fast in the past week and a half from being partying college student to a guardian to two teenagers and am I scared. I have no experience in taking care of anybody, I don't cook well and I am very hectic, maybe there are a lot of things happening right now but if I am sure of one thing at this moment is that I would have no problem with you staying with us. We all have lost someone and we are all in a way dysfunctional, but maybe we can make one big home full of dysfunctional members." she smiled at me and I felt like crying.

"Jenna is right, Eliza, we have more then enough room for you, and I am not gonna lie to you we all are taking this in different ways...I-I am not r-really one to talk about it...I-I just can't, Jeremy, my brother h-he is only 15 and I feel he is drifting away from us, keeping the wrong people company. You see...w-we are far from okay but you being here with us I just feel less suffocated in my own body. It's far from pity, if you ask me I am actually doing it for my own selfish needs." at Elena's word I couldn't help but smile a little.

"I-I really don't know what to say, what you are doing is far more then I could ever ask for. I just can't possibly be ever grateful enough or could ever pay you back." my bottom lip trembled a little. I can't believe that I would actually accept their offer. "The moment you decide that you had enough of me please tell me and I will go. Till then I would help you with whatever you need, I will pay you rent, and no I will not change my mind about it, it's the least I could do."

At that Elena brighten up in a instant her face was graced with a smile, a true happy smile, the content look on Jenna face after seeing her niece even just a little bit lighter made her absolutely certain that by taking Eliza with them might be one of the best decisions she could have made.

I on the other hand had made my own decision. Whatever it may take I would make sure to guard this family, keep them safe, I will try to help anyone that might be saved with my knowledge for the future. It even might be my own salvation. Me being selfishly selfless. Now looking at myself in the mirror in the hospital bathroom, while listening to Elena and Jenna tell me all sorts of information about the city, the people here and Jeremy, waiting for me to get dressed, I see just a faint copy of the girl in the photo. That made me even more sure, I will try to do my best because by saving those people I might just as well save myself.

It's been two days since then a lot of changes have happened. My Chevy was parked outside next to Jenna's and Elena's cars, they have given me my own room for which I was very grateful. The suitcase with my belongings wasn't that big, I had clothes, varying from edgy to cute, most were dark colors. I had toiletries, every necessity was here. I found a few other photos of my family but no friends. I guess that indeed I was am awkward person, or after loosing so much I didn't feel the need to get close to anybody. That was about to change. There was a necklace midst this whole, it was simple silver chain with letter 'C' in the middle – Capuchie. The same my mother was wearing on every single photo.

I tried to make this room as much as mine as possible, scolding myself for every thought that plagued my mind that it will not last. Well not this time, I am ready to fight. Later I met Jeremy he looked just like every other 15 year teenager with a stranger living in his house, I could start to notice the appearance of blood shot eyes, the smell of weed. It wasn't as often as it will be in a few months. I wasn't sure if he just didn't like me or he was mad at the whole world...probably both, too bad because I was going to change that. Elena was helpful as much as she possibly could but I didn't blamed her for her constantly being distracted. Jenna was running around still adapting, the moment I had found a bank a had made a transaction paying her for the room one year in advance. They were far from poor but it still made me feel better. The money that I was left from my family could easily support me for the next 10 years without having to work, but that didn't stop me from wanting to find a job.

The second night in Gilbert's house I was laying in my bed forming a plan for the future interventions that I will need to make in order to prevent the upcoming disasters. I had to get my hands on vervain, learn how to defend myself, build some endurance, maybe even carve stakes. I had to save Vicky, Caroline from the clutches of Damon. Become somehow friends with Tyler so if I can't stop him from activating his curse, I will be able to help me after that, Mason and Alaric should stay alive as well. I knew that by preventing those things from happening the future will change as well, but if Vicky stayed alive, Matt won't loose his sister and Jeremy wouldn't spiral down after he finds about his own sister lying to him and being compelled. Caroline could become a better person without having to live with the memory of abusive Damon, making her loose even more self esteem. By keeping Mason alive I could prevent the attack of the pack that leads to Damon being bitten and Stefan selling his soul to Klaus. Bonnie will need her Grams as well, and maybe the vengeful vampires wont make it to the surface.

My head started to hurt, I had to do all of this and much more without putting myself in the spotlight. Could I stop the Salvatore brothers from once again falling apart by preventing the love triangle? How do I do that? What about the Originals? Katherine? Were they so bed, could they be saved as well? I was becoming scared, I didn't wished anyone's misery, but could I- a cranky, awkward, human girl achieve even a fraction of what I wanted? Stop it, Eliza! Take it step by step, I still had the summer to prepare, to at least try and patch this family a little.

Sneak Peek - Chapter 2

"Do you come here often?" it took me few seconds to understand his question and nodded in return because it was hard to even function properly when he was so close to me. "When exactly?"

"I-I...uhm...I tend to come and read for a few hours every Tuesday and Friday."

"Okay. I will see you then." again I only nodded. With what looked like almost reluctance Stefan released my hand and left. It was then my mind caught with my actions. What just happened?