First of all, I just want to say thank you for all the awesome comments you guys gave to me. I was honestly really surprised by the amount of responses I got and it definitely made me want to write even more. So thanks again!

OK, I'm really nervous about this chapter, mainly because it's in Elena's Pov. I have nothing against her, honestly, and I think she's beautiful. I guess I just can't really connect with her character as much as I do with the others. Does that make sense? Haha.

So this will turn out to be either moderately okay or just plain horrible. I did really try my best though so don't hate me too much guys.

Never in a millions years did she ever think she would find herself running away from Stefan. It just never crossed her mind before. Now though, as she's running for her life, she's forced to accept this harsh reality.

Her feet move without direction. She doesn't know where she's heading. She just knows she needs to get away. She darts past the classes, ignores the throbbing pain on her neck and the loud sound of her shoes pounding against the floor. Her heart is beating so fast, it's like there are drums playing in her.

She doesn't know where Stefan is, how close behind her he is. She heard a crashing sound a few minutes ago but she doesn't dare look back to investigate. She takes a left turn and runs straight towards the cafeteria doors. She needs to get out of here.

She pushes the doors open.

Almost immediately she crashes into something and hands grip her elbows tight.

Terrified out of her mind, she screams and struggles to get away.

"Whoa, whoa, Elena! Stop, stop..it's me!"

She looks up into dark eyes and nearly collapses in relief.

"Damon?" she gasps out.

"What's wrong? Are you hurt? What happened?" Damon looks up and down at her, trying to see if she's hurt. His eyes narrows into slits as he focuses on the blood her neck.

He opens his mouth but before he could get a word in, Elena speaks first.

"Klaus is here." She rushes to explain, words stumbling. "And so is Stefan. He compelled Stefan to feed from me but he's fighting it. He told me to run. He can't help himself. We need to help him, Damon." Her voice takes on a hysterical tone, eyes wide in panic.

Damon's grip on her becomes even tighter, almost painful. "Klaus knows you're alive?"

"Yes, I do."

Oh no.

Elena's wide eyes slide past him. Damon whirls around and finds Klaus leaning against the white wall, arms crosses over his chest, smirk ever present on his face.

"I was wondering when big brother was going to show up," he drawls, pushing himself off the wall and taking a few leisure steps forward.

Keeping a wary eye on the hybrid, Damon himself steps forward, making sure to keep Elena behind him and effectively blocking her from Klaus' view.

Klaus smiles pleasantly at them. "Good to see you again, Damon. You're just in time for the party."

"Some party this is. There's not even any music on." Damon replies back lightly. Elena watches as Damon's shoulders tense and his legs take a wider stance.

A defensive pose, she realizes.

Smile still firmly fixed, Klaus dismisses Damon, cocks his head to the side and raises his voice slightly. "And Elena, still breathing I see. Well, that's certainly a surprise. Stefan must be quite determined."

She moves to stand beside Damon, ignoring his hiss to get back. She glares defiantly at Klaus. "Stefan would never hurt me."

"Mmmm..." he murmurs. "Yes, the only thing stronger than compulsion, it seems, would be his love for you. Quite fascinating, really." Suddenly, his smiles widens, taking an almost menacing edge. "The question is, do you love him just as much?"

"What are you talking about?" A sudden feeling of dread creeps over her. As for Damon, he tenses even more than before.

"There's a reason few manage to break free of compulsion. To fight against it would cause unimaginable pain. One must do as compelled. As soon as the order is given out, it's imbedded in their bones to obey. For those weak-minded, there's not even a thought to do otherwise. For others who are stronger, like Stefan…" he trails off. "Considering he's not bursting through the doors at this moment, he must be fighting the compulsion. Poor lad's probably going out of his mind right now. All that pain certainly can't be good for the body," Klaus finishes, saying it so casually it's as if he's talking about the weather.

Immediately her stomach drops. Horrified, she glances back at the door where she came from. "Stefan," she whispers.

"You bastard," Damon suddenly speaks up. He sounds furious, hands clenching into tight fists, veins popping out of his face. "You knew he was going to fight it. You did it on purpose!"

"Now, now, no need to be so upset," Klaus admonishes, eyes filled with sick amusement. "Stefan will be just fine. I'm sure Elena will be more than happy to step up to the plate and allow dear Stefan a little taste. Won't you, love?" The question is directed right at her. His eyes lock on hers, the challenge crystal clear.

I can't stop, Elena!

A ripper doesn't stop.

You are dead.

All I can hear is you heart, pumping blood through your body.

Stefan's earlier words echo in her head, suddenly loud and stifling. She closes her eyes, taking a deep breath to steady herself, her bravado abandoning her.

She knows exactly what Klaus is saying. She's not stupid. A little taste won't be enough for Stefan. A little taste means offering her neck and praying Stefan can find the strength to stop. A little taste means one more victory for Klaus.

But what other choice does she have?

Klaus has her tied. She's not exactly fond of becoming buffet but she can't just leave Stefan like that. She doesn't fully understand what it means to fight compulsion. She hasn't been through it. But that doesn't matter, because in the end it all boils down to the fact that Stefan's hurt.

And she'll do what's necessary to make it better for him.

Elena opens her eyes just in time to catch the sight of Damon launching himself into Klaus, sending them both crashing into a table.

Well, that's another chapter done.

Don't worry, I'm just gearing up. Next chapter will feature more hurt Stefan and protective bigbrotherDamon coming to the rescue.

More reviews would be awesome. Pretty please?