CHAPTER 1

*Elena's point of view*

Last night, I had quite a weird dream: I dreamt of my younger self writing in my old diary, sitting against my parents' graves just as I used to years ago when they had just died. However, they were some differences: there was a thick fog that kept me from seeing anything further than my feet on the ground and there was a strange crow staring at me and as I kind of felt, tried to tell me something. I was sure it tried to communicate me a message, but obviously couldn't, as it was just a bird. I have been feeling really weird since I woke up from this dream this morning. But I couldn't afford to get distracted, my work doesn't allow me to.

I work as a psychiatrist in a psychiatric hospital, or in short, in an asylum. I began being employed there a year ago, directly after finishing my studies. I was admitted that quickly because Mystic Falls was quite a little place, no one really wanted to live there. I understand them in a way; nothing interesting happens here. But I want to live in Mystic Falls, surely because aside my college, I have never known another place in my entire life. I am quite happy to work in a not-so-happy place, probably because I get to do what I think I was meant to do: help others. Also, my best friend Caroline Forbes also works there as a psychiatrist. He have never been this close as we are since we finished our studies and both became doctors. It was her idea to study psychiatry first, as I didn't really know what to do, I decided to follow her and slowly really appreciated that side of medicine. Getting to study a human's mind is never not interesting: curing it is even better, though a bit difficult. But I try to never lose hope and imagine my parents being proud of me.

As I arrive at the hospital, I notice there was a van coming: a new patient. I wait for it in case the visitors need information or anything; also I am curious of what kind of ill person is coming. The van stops, two male nurses and the driver get out and the last one walks towards me.

"Good morning, doctor… Gilbert. We have come with the complicated patient from Chicago as promised."

"I actually did not know we had a new one coming." I feel quite angry nobody had warned me.

"Oh, doctor Maxfield must have forgotten. This one is a type of craziness I have never observed before: the man in the van is convinced he is a vampire."

"A vampire? That is not common. Let me help you settle him in his new room."

"With pleasure." The driver has a huge smile on his face; he seems happy to get rid of that man. I am not quite sure I really want to meet that patient. He may be dangerous. But no, I have to get past this fear and do my job.

I walk to the back of the van where the two nurses have opened the door. There are getting the man out of the van and at the sight of his face, my heart skips a beat. He is by far the most handsome, charming and seducing man I have seen on this entire earth. His skin is really pale, but just enough to make him still look a little healthy physically, he is taller than everyone and seemed to have had once an enormous strength. He wears one of his fingers a ring that looks really ancient, I wonder what it meant to him. He looks at me and I notice how blue his eyes are and how black his hair is, just like the crow in my dream. There is an expression of surprise and astonishment on his perfect face at the sight of me. It is surely because I am the only woman right now. Though I am secretly hoping it is for some, let's say, more romantic reason. I can't stop looking at the patient, I haven't even heard the male nurse on my right asking me if I must take his file. I take it and read it as quick as I can.

NAME: Damon Salvatore

GENDER: M

BIRTH DATE: Unknown (according to the patient: 06.28.1840)

BIRTH PLACE: Unknown (according to the patient: Mystic Falls)

I don't have time to read any more because we have to make Damon Salvatore go into his new room. I am really confused about the fact that he says his birth place is in my town, Mystic Falls. Is it true? Or, is it a lie as his birth date? I could not know. All I know is that right now I have to focus on making sure he gets where he has to without any problem or attempt in an escape. I will have time to think later. I will also have to find my superior, Doctor Wes Maxfield and inform him of the arrival of the vampire wannabe, at my highest regret. Me and him have never been able to get along, we have different point of views and I am afraid it will happen again today. I would like to take charge of Salvatore as I have no other specific patient to care for, but I doubt he will let me to. I want to study his behaviour, understand why he thinks he is a vampire and I want to be the one to save him. I want to be the one to save him.

Maxfield meets us in the hallway and I tell him all I know, except my request but inform him I want to talk the sooner we can. He nods and takes over into my mission. I see Caroline and walk, quite quickly to her. She is my age, but looks younger. She always has a fresh complexion and she is always stunning even though she never wears make-up at work, why would she anyway? She has long blonde wavy hair and an immortal positive attitude. She is the sun in my life, and I am not just saying that because of her hair colour. She has always been here for me, especially when I lost my parents. So I am always trying to help her, whenever she needs it. She greets me warmly and I tell her the same information as I told Maxfield, except faster this time.

"A good-looking patient? That is not good for work, but I want to see him. Let's go to his room." She giggles, excited. Caroline and her endless love for boys…

I roll my eyes. "Caroline, don't you have some work to do?"

"No, all of our patients are asleep, except the one that interests me. Come on, please. Let me enjoy him non-professionally once before going back to the serious psychiatrist attitude."

"Okay." I sigh.

We arrive to the room number 21051. We don't have that much rooms, it's just that the number of the room is the one the patient sleeping will wear in our files, it's a complicated way to give numbers, I realise that.

Maxfield is already taking notes of Damon Salvatore, who seems more desperate than ever. When he sees us arriving in the room, he doesn't seem angry or disappointed at all, surprisingly.

"Doctor Gilbert, Doctor Forbes, I was just to come to look for you both. This patient requires a special attention and treatment. He needs to be treated by only one doctor in order to confuse him the least possible. And only one of us three is qualified enough to do that. I, personally, have too much work and cannot do it, sadly. So it will be one of you two. Who volunteers?"

That is my chance, I don't even need to beg Maxfield. I just have to say one word which is…

"Me." says Caroline, and I swear in that moment I wish I haven't told her anything.

"Fine." Replies Maxfield, content with himself. He has always appreciated Caroline more than me, I don't care about that but it could be complicated sometimes. Like now. "If no one is against it, you take the job."

"I am against it." a deep voice full of history, anger, sadness and frustration has spoken: Damon Salvatore. "I want the brown headed one to take care of me." He seems to always get what he wants and is impatient when Maxfield considers his request for a minute or two.

"Well, I am sorry for you Doctor Forbes, but the patient's needs always come first. Doctor Gilbert, if you don't mind, would you take the job?"

There is nothing I want more in that moment. "Yes, Doctor Maxfield, I accept your offer. Thank you."

"Fine." This time, the word had less satisfaction in its pronunciation. "Let's leave now Mister Salvatore to rest, he has just gone through a long trip."

Maxfield leaves us out of the room 21051. "Caroline, I am sorry I got the offer. I- I hope you're not angry at me…"

"Elena! I would never be! The pretty crazy patient has chosen." She winks at me. "I am sure you will do it better than I ever would have." She takes my hands, looks at me, smiles and leaves me there in front of that grey door, behind which sat the man I have to take care of these next weeks, months, years, who knows?

Hey! End of chapter one. I had so much fun writing it, and I hope you had pleasure reading it. It is a story that I already like a lot. :') Please, if you like it as well, follow, favourite or/and review it! Leave a comment anyway if you want to ahah. Xo