I do NOT own the rights to The Vampire Diaries or any content. The rights belong to LJ Smith.

This is just my first ever attempt at anything fan fiction related. I would love for some feedback and responses.

Chapter 1: I Am Different

I grew up believing that I was normal just like everyone else. There were times that I felt "different", "special", and "unique". I'm not sure why. When I was a child I couldn't quite understand. I would have this strange and unusual feeling wash over me at times. Being so young I would dismiss it. I thought that I was just like every other child growing up. I had my innocence yet I felt older than my actual age. Often times I would wonder if there was anything wrong with me. I felt like there was something unspoken, secretive that was being kept from me. Maybe not on purpose but in order to protect me until the time came for the truth to be told. Sometimes I would be riding in the car with my parents and my siblings and wonder if anyone else was like me. If there were others out there wondering the same thing. I couldn't approach any of my family for fear that they would think that I'm crazy. After all I was a little girl at the time. A little girl with tons of imagination.

I remember when I had turned thirteen years old. I was a teenager. For my birthday my parents gave me a necklace. Not just any necklace but a silver heart shaped locket that looked antique. It had two birds carved on the front and a rose. It was filled with something but I wasn't told what nor did I play with it. It was the first piece of jewelry that I had been given in my entire life. I cherished it . Never taking if off other than to shower or to swim. I was told that it belonged to my mom's ancestors and it was passed down from generation to generation thru the years. Now it was mine. I had no idea the special significance that the necklace held. For once I began to think maybe I was normal. That maybe I was wrong. I had friends. I did well in school. I had extra circular activities. I had sleepovers. I never mentioned how I felt out of fear. But because I wasn't sure what was happening myself.

When I was sixteen I received my drivers license just like any other normal sixteen year old. For my birthday my parents gave me not only a used car but also a ring. It was silver and heart shaped. Inside the heart was filled with moonstone. I wore it on my right index finger. I never took it off. It was the first ring I was ever given. At this time those feelings of being "special", "different", and "unique" began to surface yet again. I was in high school. Things were changing. I was changing. I'm not sure if it was because I reached that magical age or if it was all in my brain. But I began to feel that maybe I shouldn't fight this...whatever this unexplained thing was. I wasn't sure if I really wanted to figure this all out. If I was even ready. I knew that I wasn't psychic that is for sure. If I was then I would have been able to see things, to be able to predict things. I had no visions. I don't have any special powers that would have enabled me to see my presents from my parents.

I turn eighteen and near graduation. For my present that summer my parents sent me and my best friend Amanda away to spend a week at the beach. It's bittersweet because she is going away to school in the fall and I'm staying to attend the local university. This will be the last time that we will be able to have a girl's trip away. I try not to think about it. During the day we hang out on the beach with the warm sun beating down on us. The warm sand underneath our sun kissed bodies. The waves crashing onto the shore. The water a crystal blue color. Sea gulls flying overhead landing on the sand and skimming across the water. We cool off in the water when we get too hot. When we aren't at the beach we are cruising the shops and even spend some time on the pier just walking and talking. The evenings hitting the local eateries and clubs. For the first time in a long while it's a much needed get away.

About the third day into our trip we happen to pass by a psychic fortune teller. I happened to notice it before on our first day there. "Come on...wouldn't it be fun to have our fortunes read?" I try not to let out a laugh. I swallow hard and take a deep breath. "I...I don't believe in fortunes and palms read and all of that stuff." I have to express how I feel. It's the truth. "If you want to fine. But just don't ask me to. It's all make believe anyway. They say stuff that isn't true. It never comes to play out in real life." I know she just wanted to have some fun. After all we were going our separate ways in the fall. The look in her eyes was all I needed to give in. "That's fine. I won't push you to have your fortune or your palm read. Only if you want to." I try not to show my hesitation. Maybe it's because I'm afraid. Afraid at what I might be told. Afraid that the psychic fortune teller knew or could know about my special uniqueness that up until now only I have been aware of. Was I ready for the answers? Part of me wanted to just run away...run far far away back to our hotel room and hide. But the other part of me, the part that is strong and wants to face the truth wants to know. It's almost like fate is guiding me to learn the truth.

"Ok...ok. You're right. Besides you only live once. Right? I'm still unsure about having my fortune or palm read or any of that none sense stuff done. But I do want to watch knows I could change my mind." An uneasy feeling washes over me. I try not to let my nervousness show as we enter into the room. The room is dark. There are candles lit and incense burning. There's a table with a crystal ball, tarot cards, cups with I'm assuming tea leaves and other items needed I'm sure. She stands up as we enter. She's wearing a white blouse and long flowing multi colored skirt. Her hair is dark and she has dark eyes to match. Her facial features seem youthful but yet she seems wise and mature. Her demeanor very inviting almost friendly. But then again she has to be. I'm sure that she's read many many palms and told many many fortunes. "Welcome. Won't you sit down." She gestures to two chairs set up next to the table. We sit down in the chairs.

I watch as Amanda takes out some money from her purse and hands it to the lady. I try to remain calm but inside my entire core is shaking. Part of me wants to laugh at the foolishness of it all yet the part that is shaking just wants to get up and run. It's as if I'm getting some sort of signal. Not that I'm in any sort of danger or anything because I'm not. Just a gut feeling I have that I'm about to uncover some deep,dark secret that has been buried until now. Luckily I am for the moment just a spectator. I watch as she shuffles the deck of tarot cards before beginning to flip them over onto the table. She places them face up in some sort of order before taking the time to read each individual card. I'm skeptical. How could she know reveal things about Amanda that only her and I know? I get shivers up and down my spine. I try to brush this off as coincidence but my gut is telling me otherwise. After she finishes with the cards she has her place her palm face up onto the table. She takes her hand palm side up and begins to read her fortune. I try not to let my mouth drop open in shock at what my ears are hearing.

I do not want to believe that this is all real. That she isn't some sort of fake fortune teller or psychic. But I keep asking myself how does she know these things that no one else seems to know? It baffles my mind. After she finishes she turns to me. I have to take a deep breath. I'm torn. Part of me wants to have my fortune and whatever else read or done and the other part wants nothing to do with this. I open up my mouth trying to find the words. I don't want to say no but I don't want to say yes either. I'm torn, conflicted. I think to myself it's now or never. I need to be brave. After all this is for fun. I need to take a chance. I will regret my decision if I decline. I swallow and take another deep breath. "Yes, I guess it's my turn." I try to control the shaking of my right hand as I fumble in my purse for my wallet. Somehow I manage to remove some money and hand it over to her. She takes the money from my hand. I watch mesmerized as she picks up the tarot card deck and begins to shuffle the cards. She begins to place the cards face up in a certain order on the table before beginning.

There's no turning back now I guess. I find myself nervously twisting my ring on my finger around and around. She begins with the first set of cards representing my past. "This is your past. You question if you are "different", "special", and "unique". I'm here to inform you that you indeed are. It's nothing harmful or bad. You are correct that you aren't psychic or hold any special powers. Your parents wanted you to have a normal childhood." I'm in disbelief in what my own set of ears just heard. She asks me some questions and I would answer her whether I liked it or not. The next set of cards is my present. "Things are about to change. Cherish the good times like this with your friend here. Hold onto all of your memories." Part of me is relieved that the card reading is just about over. The other part is worried that I'm about to find out even more. The final set of cards is the future. "You will embrace being "special", "different", and "unique. You will know when the time comes what to do. You will be kept safe." She finishes the card reading and my whole body relaxes for the moment.

Ok I convince myself that the worst is all over with. What else could possibly be revealed that I don't already know? I find that my whole body begins to hesitating I offer her my hand palm side up so she can read it just like she did with Amanda."How about we use the crystal ball?" Somehow I manage to swallow and take a deep breath. I can't refuse. As hesitant as I am about the outcome I figure I have nothing to picks up the crystal ball and moves it closer in front of her. I watch as she peers into the crystal ball unaware of what she's about to say will change my life. "I see death. Death all around you but you will remain safe. I see the color of red like blood. I see fangs very sharp whiter than white teeth. I see a dark black animal, no bird...a crow maybe. Two brothers. One has jet black hair and blue eyes. His name starts with a "D". His brother has light brown hair and green eyes. His name starts with an "S". They live in a dark brown house. I think last name starts with an "S". They will help you. Maybe help with answers. You know where to find them. I see the letter "V". It's one word." She pauses. I swallow and take a deep breath. I am in disbelief to what I'm hearing. I try to comprehend this. I'm not sure I want to figure this all out. "This whatever this is is already happening. It's started. There's no stopping it. You may not understand and you maybe alone but just remember what I've told you." My heart feels like its going to explode out of my chest.

I don't know if I want to believe what I just heard or if this is just a bunch of nonsense. Why would she lie to me? She seemed so sincere. Could this just be a warning? I know as much as I want to forget all of this I can't. I file it away for the time being until I can get home and maybe do some research. I definitely will write this all down in my journal before I retire for the night until I can see if I can make any sense over the information I have been given. We tell her "thank you" for the readings. She ushers us to the front door. Before we can step outside she reminds me of what she's told me. As if I need a reminder. I just hope and pray that Amanda doesn't hound me for an explanation or to go searching for answers. I almost want to forget about the reading but something is telling me that I shouldn't just dismiss it.

We head back out into the early evening air. I try to fill my lungs with the salty sea air. "Can you believe that mobo jumbo crap? I bet she just pulled that out of thin air." I try to laugh at her comments. If she could see that I'm hiding how I really feel. How serious I am she'd be asking a million questions. This trip was supposed to be for fun. I don't feel like trying to explain or answer anything. "I know and I'm supposed to go find two brothers. Wtf is that supposed to mean?" Even though in the back of my mind I'm curious. We decide to get so,e dinner and hit a club for a little while before heading back to our hotel.

Once back in our hotel room we get ready for bed. I lay in bed with my journal. Maybe if I write down the events from earlier that I will be able to enjoy the rest of the trip. I find that by putting my words down makes this all the more real. I try not to wrack my brain as I lay in bed waiting for sleep to come what this all means. My thoughts go back to her commenting on my powers. Well not powers but something. I knew that I was not normal like everyone else. This only proves what I had thought all along. I decide for now to embrace fate. That whatever happens is bound to happen. I can't change anything. As I find myself closing my eyes and sub coming to unconsciousness I can't help but picture these two brothers. One dark black hair with blue eyes and his name begins with a "D". The other has light brown hair with green eyes and starts with an "S". Their last name begins with the letter "S". Sleep over takes me.

The rest of our trip goes by uneventful. Neither one of us mentioning our experience with the psychic fortune teller. As we pack up our things and head for home I am full of mixed emotions. Happy to be going home. I miss my family, my other friends, my house, and even my own room including my bed. But an overwhelming sadness washes over me at the same time. A sadness that things will be changing. Friends leaving for school. Sadness that I can't quite put my finger on. Even though I couldn't be any happier I almost feel a sense of loss. Maybe because what I know and call normal isn't going to be. I'm anxious to return home and I can start researching the information I was given at my reading. I'm also afraid of what I may uncover. I push all those thoughts from my mind at the moment. Little do I realize that this trip will be the last trip we will ever take.