A/N ok friends, this is my first TVD fanfic. I have about 6 chapters completed as of right now, and I will continue to upload as I receive reviews. I won't upload the second chapter of there are no reviews, because I want to know if I should continue. i hope you enjoy, though. Thank for reading! 3

Another hopeless school year starting in another hopeless town. International Falls, Minnesota. Population: 6,457. Quite the tourist attraction. I couldn't tell you why, I've lived here for 17 years and I've yet to find a reason to deliberately come here. My mother thought it was safe, desolate. I couldn't say I disagreed, the town sat hundreds of miles away from any big cities, and the 'down town' here was pathetic to say the least. Nobody moved here and almost nobody left here, and I was bound and determined to overcome those statistics. I would leave as soon as I could, but every teenager says that, don't they?

This school year did hold a small bit of promise, however. If you call it that. News of strange animal attacks had been all over the news, corpses ripped to pieces. Mostly tourists, nobody we knew. It brought a certain type of attention to this anticlimactic place. Negative attention, of course. The tourists stopped coming, although they usually did around this time. And many citizens were afraid to leave their homes. The sanctity and carelessness that was always heavy in the air had thinned out to be replaced with apprehensiveness and paranoia. I was worried as well. But not for the same reasons. I knew what the 'animal attacks' were. And I knew what 'animal' they came from. My mother knew too. She was more worried than I was, for a whole different reason than the other two. She was so worried, in fact, that on one painfully ordinary morning, she made a shockingly not so ordinary suggestion that nearly made me implode with excitement. Leave International Falls.

She'd approached me while I was eating breakfast, a routine bowl of cereal, with a look of twisted concern.

"Sybil, good morning." that in itself was strange, as I was very much used to being referred to as 'Sibby' by friends and family, and only in very serious situations was my (awful) full name used. I had worked hard to keep my composure. For some unknown reason, I felt as though I needed to remain calm and oblivious. "You've, uh, seen the news lately, right?" Her voice was drawn out and cautious. "Of course. How about those animal attacks? That's a weak cover up." I scoffed, forcing a playful smile. She answered with the furrowing of her eyebrows, "Yeah, it is... Which is why I think it's time for you to go live with your father for a bit."

"What?" I stopped eating and kept my hazel eyes locked with her navy ones. "It's only temporary, of course. But I've been shielding you from a life you should know for 17 years. You've been stuck in this small town and kept away from civilization for far too long. I think you're ready, and your father agrees. And with these recent attacks, you're at a greater risk of exposure. In the cities, there are more people. It's much easier to go unnoticed. You deserve this." and who was I to argue? I agreed with everything she'd said, though I couldn't recall the last time she'd talked to my father, more recently than I'd thought, I suppose.

My trip was set for one week after that conversation, what would be my first day of school. It was weird to think I wouldn't be starting with the same people this year, I was so used to attending the same schools with the same people every single year. It was oddly comforting to know that I wouldn't be there this time. I never really made friends either, sure, I had some acquaintances, people to sit by at lunch. Occasionally to go see a movie with, but nobody to miss. I didn't quite fit in here, but the only way to do that was to be as painfully ordinary as the town itself. Exchange hollow greetings with your neighbors, sit quietly tucked away in your bedroom while all of your parents got drunk together. I wasn't like that, no matter how hard I tried. My mother always complained about the way I dressed, she said it drew attention to me, attention that I didn't need. This was true, I dressed in black. All black, despite putting forth my best efforts not to. Everything I was drawn to was dark. This didn't fend well with my naturally black hair and striking hazel eyes. I loved my hair through, it was one thing I took great pride in. It was long, to my hips, and thick. It didn't form unruly curls or fall pin straight, it cascaded in gentle waves, like I belonged on a beach in California. I didn't look like my mothers child. She was tall, with long legs and wide hips, she had a body to die for. Nobody ever believed she was my mom, she didn't look a day over 25. Her hair was cut a little past her chest, and curled perfectly. It was a vibrant scarlet color. Her eyes were dark, navy blue, set in ivory skin, flawless ivory skin. I did inherit that trait from her. My skin was like porcelain, I'd never been cursed with acne or blemishes. And I couldn't tan, of course, I didn't want to. There was a reason for that. I was short, only 5'3, another opposing characteristic with my mother. I didn't have much of a figure, I was just petite. I wasn't strikingly skinny, but my thighs didn't touch and my stomach sometimes concaved, most of the time it was just flat. I was kind of bony, which I wasn't so fond of. But I wasn't going to complain, it could be worse. There were many things I would change about myself, but I didn't think about it if I could help it. I looked a lot like my father.

That wasn't the only way I was different from the people here, though. I was different in an unbelievable way. I knew it from when I was a child, I could feel it, something inside me clawing at my inners to come out. A sort of thirst that I couldn't seem to quench, I tried everything. But one thing prevailed, and I was horrified. I couldn't tell you the first time I did it. My childhood memories are kind of hazy. I only got bits and pieces, dreams about running through fields wearing very old dresses. Villages and smiling faces. It was strange, really. It wasn't realistic. But I could tell you that when I did it, it was a sensation of pure ecstasy that I couldn't get from anything else. I hated myself for it. I hated myself for being what I am, something inhuman, I hated myself for being a vampire.

The morning arrived with harsh sunlight, and unseasonably warm day for International Falls. It was 7 o'clock, 2 hours before my flight. International Falls didn't have much, but it did happen to have an airport so there was no excessive traveling needed. I willed myself to get up, I could hear my mother fumbling around downstairs, she was already awake. I walked over to my dresser, it was empty but I had what I planned on wearing today sitting in a neat pile on top. Black skinnies with many rips in them (very old, from 7th grade, and they still fit me. Maybe even better than they did when I got them.) and a very long and loose fitting IAMX tee shirt. I brushed my hair and just left it, no point in doing anything special with it. I applied very light makeup, a bit of eyeliner and mascara and grabbed my bag on my way downstairs. I travelled light, mostly just my makeup and clothes, a few books and my laptop. My mother was on the phone in the living room when I came downstairs, she didn't see me at first, then she turned around.

"Oh! Sibby, are you ready?" she put on a fake calm façade and hung up the phone.

I nodded and we went out to the car.

Throughout the whole car ride and the difficult goodbye, I kept thinking of what I would find in Mystic Falls, Virginia. What was so promising about that place? And most prominently, were there others like me? I almost laughed out loud, of course not. I was a freak, the freak, people like me only existed in stupid movies and books. And that's how it would always be.

The flight landed 4 hours later, the airport buzzed with commotion, women in suits shouting into the phone, families laughing and hugging, couples kissing. And me by myself and slightly confused. Draped in all black and carrying just one backpack.

"Sybil?" My name rang from the mouth of a deep voiced man behind me, I turned around.

There he was. The man who created me, the one who looked like me. He was average height, about 5'10. His hair was black, like mine, and it still covered all his head. He had a scruffy beard and the same hazel eyes as my own. His skin was pale. He looked no more than 30 years old.

"That's me."

This meeting wasn't weird to me, it wasn't some emotional moment like in the movies, sure I hadn't seen my father in a while, but I used to visit him. He wasn't a stranger. It felt like I had lived with him all this time, like I had just seen him yesterday, I smiled and he hugged me.

"Hey, kiddo. You've grown!" He said through a warm smile as he pulled away.

I looked down at myself then back up at him, "A centimeter, maybe."

He let out a low rumbling laugh, "Isn't that what you're supposed to say to a child after you haven't seen them in a while?"

I rose a thin black eyebrow, "I'm 17."

He sighed, "I know. Come on, we'll go get some lunch and catch up."

***Elena Gilbert's POV***

"You're telling me you haven't heard?" Caroline Forbes asked, the disbelief seeping through her voice, it was kind of silly how she expected me to know everything she knows.

"That is what I'm telling you."

"Daughter of Valentine Knight. Not many have ever seen her before, she hasn't been in Mystic Falls in over a year. She arrives today. My mother wants to go over to their house to welcome her, you know, to be 'neighborly'." She rambled on.

I could admit that it was intriguing, the last time new people came to Mystic Falls it had completely changed my life. I didn't have any expectations, though, I wasn't excited.

Stefan sat down next to me, placing a gentle kiss on my cheek, "What's this I hear about Valentine Knight?"

"His daughter is coming to town." Caroline said quickly.

"Is she? You know, I knew that man's grandfather. Valentine is a family name. The Knight family has long been established, even longer than the Salvatore's. They were nobles in London but migrated here."

"Thank you for the history lesson, Mr. Salvatore, maybe that's your calling." I giggled.

"I don't know about that, you know, since I'm a..." He looked around dramatically and whispered mockingly, "Vampire."

I hit his arm lightly, and the final bell rang, signaling the end of the day. Caroline stood up and said, "Toodles, off to go play welcoming committee."

"Wait! Stefan and I will come with you." I shouted, surprising myself and Stefan.

Caroline rose her eyebrow, "Alright then, off we go."

*** Sybil's POV***

Mystic Falls was my mother's idea of a city. It's population beating International Falls by a whole 300 people. I would admit, however, that it was much more developed, and the people were less irritating, I didn't feel so out of place here.

My fathers home was larger than my home in Minnesota, not quite a mansion, but big enough to earn the title, 'Knight Manor.' There was an iron gate surrounding it and a long driveway. The house looked like a plantation house, which it very likely was at one point. It was white and had pillars in the front. There was an old, decrepit carriage missing one wheel sitting in the front yard, covered in vines and flowers.

Inside was just as old fashioned as outside, with scarlet, worn carpet and Victorian furniture. Before I got to see the rest, a loud ringing chimed throughout the house. I looked at my father in confusion.

"Somebody's at the gate, I'll be right back." He disappeared into the kitchen and returned moments later, with him, a knock on the front door. I followed him to open it.

Standing in front of me were two people who looked strikingly familiar, and two other people I'd never seen. A tall brunette girl, olive skin and big brown eyes. Next to her, a taller boy. Chiseled features, he was gorgeous. They looked so familiar to me, I couldn't place my finger on it, I might have seen them the first time I visited Mystic Falls.

There was a blonde girl wearing a fake smile, and a women in a sheriffs outfit who looked like the blonde girls mother, she was the first who spoke.

"Hello, Valentine! How are you?"

My father smiled, "Liz, what brings you here?"

"We wanted to come welcome your daughter, of course."

The blonde girl spoke, "I'm Caroline Forbes, this is Elena Gilbert and Stefan Salvatore."

My breath caught in my throat, Salvatore. I knew that name. I regained my composure quickly when Elena extended her hand.

I took it, "Sybil." And shook Stefan's hand brusquely.

"Why don't you guys show her the town?" The sheriff suggested, Caroline agreed reluctantly.

The town was small, basic. There was the mayors mansion, the local 'hangout' (Mystic Grille), and our last stop was the Salvatore house. They'd invited me over to get to know me, which was kind of silly, I hadn't said much the whole time.

As we walked up the driveway, the front door opened.

"You know, brother, the house really c- Why, who do we have here?"

One of the most gorgeous men I've ever seen in my life was wearing only a towel around his waist. His hair was wet and dark, his eyes an icy blue. Not staring at his body was quite the challenge. He wore a brilliant smirk.

"Jesus, Damon! Put some clothes on, where's your decency?" Caroline cried, breaking the trance I'd fallen into.

Damon switched his gaze to Caroline, "Aw, you see, I have none." He laughed quietly and disappeared into the house.

"Well, you've met my brother, Damon. And now that the worst has happened, we can go inside." Stefan announced, leading us into a high ceiling living room. Damon was nowhere to be seen. We all sat down on the couches in a carpeted area, facing a fireplace.

"I'm so sorry about Damon," Elena gushed, "We should have warned you."

I smiled, "It's totally ok."

Elena let out her breath, "Good... Are you thirsty, or hungry?"

I shook my head, "I'm fine."

"Are you sure?" Asked Stefan, I nodded.

"Ok. We'll be right back then." The trio got up and left the room, I stayed still.

Observing the room, the fireplace that looked like it wasn't lit much, and environment was warm, welcoming. I heard footsteps approaching.

In walked Damon, fully clothed in a black tee shirt and denim jeans. Still gorgeous, "Never got your name." He acted as if the whole half naked thing never happened.

"Sybil." I stated simply.

He rose his eyebrow, "Sybil? How old fashioned, charming. I'm Damon, the 'bad' brother." His tone was sarcastic, which, for some reason, I thought was very common with him.

I didn't try to hide it when my eyes roamed over his body, I got the vibe that he was more than he appeared to be, "Humble."

He stepped a little closer, in turn, I stood up, this time, it was his eyes that roamed over my body, "I try."

Eventually we were less than an inch apart, our eyes locked, both very wary of one another. Suddenly, a light purple surfaced from his skin, the veins forming around his eyes. He was like me. He was going to attack, his eyes changed.

It was instinct that pushed me to react, instinct that pushed me to move at an inhuman speed to avoid his lunge.

He turned back to me, his face back to normal, I stared at him.

"I knew it." He said softly.

My eyes widened, "Don't tell anyone!"

He grinned, using his finger to push up my chin, "Don't worry, Sybil, your secret's safe with me."

"What secret?" Elena asked, she was standing in the doorway from the kitchen.

"That she thinks I'm irresistible and want to get in my pants... Shh! Don't tell Stefan." Damon chuckled, walking back from where he came.

"Ugh! I'm so sorry again! He's ridiculous." Elena cried, Stefan and Caroline returned to the living room with her.

I forced a small laugh, "It's fine."

But it wasn't fine, Damon was a vampire. My whole entire life was spent thinking I was a freak, I was the only one. I thought that if I'd ever found another person like me, I'd be elated. I'd be relieved. But I wasn't. Instead, I was confused and upset. I had so many questions and Damon was the only person I could ask. I needed to see him again.