Chapter 1

Hovering over her was a guy near his 20s. His hair was brownish

bronze and he looked ancient. Like someone who has seen it all. His wide,

green eyes searched over her face with heightened anxiety.

"Elena?" he whispered, reaching up to touch her cheek. "Are you

alright?"

Elena flinched away from his touch and sat up. "Stay away from me,"

she muttered, her teeth chattering from the cold. "Matt!" she remembered

suddenly. She turned to the mysterious guy. "Where's Matt?"

He was looking at her in a way that showed pain and confusion. "He's

here," he said pointing behind her. "But Elena…"

She was no longer listening. Rushing over to Matt, she brushed his

wet, damp hair away from his face. Her hands on her hips, she turned to the

guy standing behind her, expressionless. "Who are you?"

The guy's eyes widened. "Elena, you…" his voice trailed off and they

simply stared at each other. There was a soft buzzing noise near Elena's feet,

and she realized it was his phone.

She squinted at the caller and said, "Someone named Damon is

calling." She held the phone out to him. "You should pick it up."

He silently came forward, taking the small phone, still staring at her.

Pressing a button, he raised it to his ear.

"Hello?" his voice was flat. He listened. "That was my guess. She's

standing up and everything."

Elena faintly heard someone (Damon?) say loudly, "So what do we do

now?"

Stefan stared at Elena. "I don't know, Damon."