Chapter 3: Enough to Let Me Go


The suspicions of his actions had grown in the days following the incident. She didn't know what went up in blames in the world he had created, but Elena knew that if she didn't protect her children, as well as herself, she might as well be putting all of their lives at risk. Guarding her flesh and blood was her number one priority at the time, for she had no clue what Damon would do next. He had completely lost control and had become this whole different person she was slowly beginning to despise.

Damon spent countless nights out and about town, always with a bottle of bourbon in hand. On one of the nights while he was stumbling through the streets, trying to find his way home, his knees gave out, dropping to the ground where he laid, his head and body rested against the pavement of the black street. The soft patter of rain against his leather jacket soothed his sobbing head, only to be disrupted by the screeching of tires. Ever so slowly, his head turned towards the source of the screeching, finding himself nearly blinded by two bright lights shining down on him.

If he was in his right mind, Damon would have called it a close call, for the bumper was nearly hovering over his shoulder as the driver stepped out of the car.

"Oh my God! Are you alright?" He placed a hand on his brows, finally being able to see the face of the driver, a woman in her late twenties. Too tired to feed from her, all he could do was speed to his feet, nearly scaring the poor woman out of her skin.

Swaying back and forth for a few moments, he composed himself, "I'm fine." Just as he turned his back to leave the woman in the dust, a hand gripped his shoulder.

"Are you sure you don't need any help?" She asked, innocence dripping in her voice.

His entire body tensed, which immediately made the woman's hand drop back to her side, and he flipped his body around so he was facing her directly, "That's all that everyone wants to know!" He took one step forward, causing her to step backwards, "Are you okay, Damon? Do you need help? I'm fucking fine!" She flinched as his voice grew with anger, shouting in her face when she knew absolutely nothing about him. In one, swift movement his hands wrapped around her head, snapping her neck.

The blank stare on his face was that of a mad man, looking down upon his victim. She was as innocent as can be, just asking if he was alright out of good will. Now, as he stared down upon her lifeless body, the tinge of regret in his eyes showed itself.


By that time, Elena was far used to the idea of being home alone with Drake, doing nothing, but read baby name books. But the fear of her own husband had grown far too great, and when she knew that he was gone for at least a good chunk of time, she carefully pulled out her suitcase. With enough tears to fill the ocean shed, she packed what she could and called a cab.

With Drake on her hip, she glanced out from under the overhang, seeing the rain pour down on the grass, creating a river of mud towards the edge of the lawn. Her mind began projecting images that were similar to the way her marriage was; the joyous memories being the adventure down from the clouds that the raindrops had to endure. Then, her marriage came crashing down for reasons Elena still does not have knowledge of. And finally, she ran away, just as the water ran downhill away from the grass, leaving in such a hurry. It wasn't until she heard the obnoxious honking of a car horn that she realized the cab had arrived. Biting her lip, she rushed out to the back of the cab where the cab driver assisted her in putting the suitcase in and hopped into the back of the taxi, Drake securely placed on her lap.

People say that once you leave, you should never look back, for fears that you would long to turn that car around and go right back. Elena Gilbert had broken that rule, looking over shoulder, out the window to the boarding house she had so many fond memories of. She knew that she was depriving her son of having a father to grow up with or being raised in the glorious and beautiful boarding house. Oh yes, she knew, she had thought every aspect that would follow after she left. She knew the consequences, but also knew that it was for the best, for everyone.


One lonely, frustrated man, Damon to be exact, had begun to walk home after aimlessly wandering the streets of Mystic Falls. His priorities were in a jumble, unable to gain control over his life again. Deep down, whenever he saw the angelic face of his wife, his heart tore, for he knew that he was causing her pain.

Stumbling up the porch steps, he pushed the front door open. This actually came as a surprise, for Elena usually locked him out until he found another way inside. Leaning against the banister of the staircase, he called out, "Elena!"

Dead silence.

He tilted his head, "Elena!"

Silence.

Most men would panic at a time like this, but to Damon it was more of a game of hide-and-seek, with a deadly ending. Pushing off of the banister, he stumbled into the parlor, looking in every space possible to find her. No luck. Continuing on to the neighboring rooms, he couldn't find any sign of her. He narrowed his eyes before speeding upstairs, knowing that he wouldn't find her there. The suspicions were high as he looked around, playing the role of Sherlock Holmes.

Opening her dresser drawers, he frowned, "Why, Watson, I do believe that we have a missing persons case." The utterly black heart of Damon Salvatore tore down to the core at the sight of the empty drawers and the vacant spot in the closet where Elena had kept her suitcase. Reality seemed to smack him in the face, but he punched right back, not wanting to end this little game of his just yet.


Arriving at the train station, her eyes skimmed across the various locations she could sneak away to.

New York City, no. Los Angeles, no. Lexington, Virginia.

She thought for a moment, knowing from history class with Alaric that Lexington was a small town that not too many people knew about. Elena glanced down to Drake who was beginning to shut his eyes, immediately knowing that Lexington was perfect.


A/N: This was short, sorry. I hope you enjoyed this little twist!

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