Disclaimers : I do not own the Vampire Diaries series. Whether it be the actual books or the television show that comes on every Thursday night. But what I do know is that title ship goes to none other than, the mastermind behind all of the marvelous writings, Julie Plec and the CW corporation. And I just had to say thank you Julie, for not only putting my heart through the ringer like a mad sadist but bringing us such an action pack series as well as bringing a new favorite character to the mix, like Kai Parker. Even if it was for a few glimpses at a time.

And going on that random note, if anything I would like to see him end up with our dear, misguided sacrificial lamb witch, Bonnie Bennett. I mean you could practically feel the sexual tension in the first few episodes that they have been together. With that being said, I'm tired of her with Jeremy. I'm just saying I've had enough with the Gilbert and Salvatore family.

Author's note : Just to let everyone know, that I may occasionally rant from time to time. Do not take anything to seriously. But just to clarify things. I really do love the Vampire Diaries series, I do. But, if I had to chance to be living in Mystic Fall, Virginia, I would be a witch or an werewolf of some sort. Then I would have already at least tried to kill the stupid doppelganger Elena, and her minions the Salvatore's already by now. Hey, I'm just saying. It was bound to happen eventually.


Chapter 1

The Chilling Prologue


Art. The expression of emotional feelings through a medium for which breathes into an creation of something genuinely unique. Whether it be music, paintings, poetry or even the development of dessert like pastries. But one thing always stays the same about it. Art, lasts as long as the message is conveys does. When the meaning is no longer needed, the art fades into oblivion of one's own mind. Forgotten, never to be appreciated.

My name is Nicholas Bennett and this is my story. I'm the youngest in my family, just barely even fourteen years old and the most art centric. In some aspects I can draw as well as Jeremy, but my art is my own. But it really was just a stress reliever at the time until Grams decided it could be use for something more productive.

Just last year, one of my paintings was framed at the Masquerade ball, the Founders parties, and other freelance events that I'm equally pleased of. But soon enough all that changed when Grams died. It really hurt me, like no other. I wanted to know how it happened, but no one tells me anything. Even my own sister. So, I kind of shut down and withdrew myself from the Scooby gang. Then slowly begun to lose a semblance of my interest for art.

To be honest, I'm still depressed but at least I'm trying to get back to myself. I only talk to only a handful of people : Bonnie, Caroline, Elena, Jeremy, Matt, Stefan, Damon, Alaric and Tyler. Even they can't manage to get too many words on some days. At school it was a whole different game. People just didn't know how to handle a guy with the morality issues. So, I made it easy for them. I just didn't talk to them and they don't speak to me.

But once again it happened, I grew attached to the Martin Family, especially Luka since he taught me how to play pool as well as to have fun again. And just like that, before I even knew it, the whole family is dead. By that time, I was freaking out. I started to talk less and less. Hell, I think the only communication I had for the past week between short phrases and nods.

Leaving me once again, to Jeremy and Alaric semi-decent company. Even if it is for the moment, since the poor man just gets drunk with Damon. And that fact that Jeremy now works at the grill. I'm basically alone for a few hours with nothing to do until the get back. But right before they leave, they always say "Stay inside! and Don't let anyone in!"

For Pete's sake, I'm not stupidly blind like everyone thinks I am. I spend my time watching the news since there is nothing better on. I mean give me a break. I know that there is odd things happening around this town way too frequently. I notice that when the Scooby gang minus Jeremy, Alaric, and Matt that someone winds up dead. I know that there connected some how but I'm not sure what. It doesn't take a genius to figure out something is going down behind the scenes of this town.

And the only reason I listen to them is because I trust them. Now, they want me to do certain things. The laces of fear, that I find in their voices is sometimes, but seeing as the looks fear on their faces is enough to scare me into listening. Even though I still get this bad vibe from the Salvatore brothers. There's something not right about them. Whenever I'm in the same room as them there is an unexplained urge to leave. To never be in their presence because death walks in their shadow. Whenever they're around, I feel like a gazelle being stalked by a lion. I know it's out there, watching, waiting. I just don't know when it's going to strike death into my heart. But, Bonnie stills hangs around them even when I tell her otherwise, which when every time she just gives me a look and just chalks it up to me being paranoid and stop being a drama queen.

After a while, more and more people started acting like Elena. Completely devoid of common sense, which kind of reminds me of Bella from the twilight movies. They all were overprotective about things that I have been taught since before kindergarten. After a while, I was the only one who was being told stay in the house, don't open the door, don't let anyone in, don't take off your necklace, and don't look anyone in the eye. Everyone else is somehow now protected. I don't understand, but I think that I will someday when I become one of the protected ones.

The whole purpose of me painting is the love of doing it, but the money that comes with it is nothing to not appreciate. I make a lot of money making those cakes, and every dime of it I put away for my trip. My senior year, I'm planning a trip to New Orleans. My dream land, my utopia, and my salvation. New Orleans is the light at the end of the tunnel. I just feel like that as soon as I take that trip, as soon as I'm out of high school, a new chapter of my life is going to start. I'm not going to be the awkward little boy who lost his parents and his grandmother. I'm going to move on to a life that is full of possibility. I'm going to grieve now, and I'm going to live in my near future. In my light at the end of the tunnel.

As I got done with the finishing touches of the painting of my sister and her friends, I stepped back to appreciate my work. It's just a simple painting of my sister and her friends holding each others hands smiling. I really hope the birthday girl likes it, since in been a while after I made one. I always get nervous if someone is going to like my paintings and drawings, friends, family or not.

After I finished admiring my work, I moved to go up the stairs to Bon's room. I knocked on his white door three quick, short times before going in without her saying anything. My older sister was lounging around on her bed with this big ass book in her hands. I wonder what it was. She was dressed in jeans and a dark green blouse top. Her hair was slightly pulled back from her face. Her room was clean, as usual. It was the typical girl's room with clothes strewn everywhere and posters of exotic landscapes and a giant mirror.

I leaned against the door frame with one hand on the doorknob and the other on the door. I poked my head in and just looked at her. I saw her piercing green eyes crack open before reaching me as she lowered the book. "What?"

I tapped my wrist where a watch should go. I had already asked her a few hours ago if she could help me get the cake to Elena's party at the Salvatore boarding house and he agreed. All I had to do was drag her lazy ass behind the drivers seat. She groaned before throwing her legs over the side of the bed and putting away the big ass book. "I'm coming." Bonnie replied. My largest fear for her would be that I woke up and there would be a dead body in the room again, or she just stop breathing and her body is laying on the ground somewhere. Just staring blankly up at the ceiling in death.

I heard the trump of her feet as they made their way down the stairs behind me. I walked over to the cake and stood beside it. My black Nikes went perfectly with my shirt. It's a simple panthers dark blue shirt that hugged my torso until my waist, it was short sleeves, but some black slacks along with some blue/grey Nike air max's.

I took one side of the canvas that the painting was on and she took the other. Together we maneuvered through our living room, out the door, down the stairs and to the awaiting car.

I carefully set it in the back seat and slid myself in next to it. My shirt rode up only slightly when I got comfortable. During the entire car ride, I was silent and watching my cake as I listen to my iPod. We were an hour early to the party because Caroline wanted to make sure everything was perfect, so she asked for a painting that she could approve before being put on display. As soon as I saw Elena's reaction, I was going to leave since I'm under the notion that alcohol and human interaction are going to be a big part of tonight.

We arrived at the boarding house and I slid out of the back. I got to the other side and pushed on the board of the canvas until I was able to slip my fingers underneath. I got a good grip and awaited her to come out to help me carry it in. We made our way up to the door that I quickly opened with one hand. My sister and I made our way through the house until we found a good spot to lay the painting down.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a pale blonde woman with blue eyes before I heard her squeal. I slightly smiled and put my hands behind my back. My right hand grasp around the wrist of my left as my right began to tighten it's grip. I may be friends with all of them, but I don't get close to people usually cause they always leave. I try not to, at least. But I can't help it.

"Wow. I love it!" Elena said halfheartedly. She had a smile on her face but I could tell it was fake. There was a sadness in her eyes that I would never be able to know where from. The only one that would be able to pick up the pieces, I guess was Stefan, and he's been long gone for a long time. She must have him on her mind or whatever.

"Oh my God it looks amazing! Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Caroline squealed once again rather loudly in my ear. I simply nodded my head. As she came to give me a hug, I literally thought I was going to die from lack of air. As she let go, I finally took a breath of air. Mentally thanking every higher power, that the hug didn't last as long as it did.

Thankfully, the final person to enter the room and comment on my work of art was Tyler. He came up to me and squeezed me tight to him. My muscles were rigid, but I hugged him back." Nice job kid." He said. I smiled just as the doorbell rang to announce the first party goer.

I pointed to myself before pointing towards the door to indicate that I was going home. Caroline's face fell. "You can't just leave! It's your Elena's birthday, and you're dressed so nice!" I smiled and shook my head towards the ground. I looked at her and she sighed in defeat.

I walked up to Elena and gave her a hug before I started walking towards the door. Bonnie didn't follow me, she was more focused on Jeremy. But, I digress. I tilted my head in the direction of the exit. "I'm staying." My face fell only slightly before I nodded and made my way out. When I pulled the door open I forgot about the people at the door. Shock graced their features when they saw that it was the silent awkward boy opening the way for them. I smiled at them and stood aside for them to enter. After the last one went through I made my way out of the house and onto the road where a long walk awaited me.


So, there it is. please tell what you thought of it and please REVIEW, comment etc.

~ MistSpade