Casting Shadows
Chapter 2 – Searching For You
Caroline's eyes fluttered opened as the bright light shone on her face. She stretched out her body before sitting up, pushing the blanket off her. She couldn't remember falling asleep last night, but she did remember some of her dream. Stefan came to see her but he was really Silas and then he kissed her. She shook her head and laughed, weird dream.
She shook of the strangeness of her dream, gathered the things she would need and went for a shower. The cleansing water soothed away her troubles but one still lingered. Where was Stefan? She had given him time on his own to try and mend his broken heart as he tried to move on from Elena but, it had almost been four months. Surely he would have called her by now? She decided to call him as soon as she was out of the shower.
She wrapped a towel around herself and walked into her room. She was looking in the mirror when she heard the door open.
Damon walked in and shut the door behind him.
Caroline turned around, expecting Elena, but shocked to find Damon instead, "Damon!" She held the towel tighter against herself, "Towel, knock!"
"Caroline. No one cares, no." Damon looked around the dorm in worry, his agitation only increasing with Elena nowhere in sight which meant she was still with Silas, "Hey, where's Elena?"
"I don't know." Caroline shrugged, she hadn't seen Elena since yesterday, "She probably went to the bonfire to get more intel on our weirdo professor."
"Silas is here." Damon warned Caroline, knowing that she could have seen him without even knowing it, "He's with Elena, pretending to be Stefan. Get dressed."
"I thought that Stefan dropped his body in the quarry..." Caroline frowned in confusion, Stefan dealt with Silas months ago, Bonnie herself had calcified him again, so there was no way he could be wondering around.
"Join the club. Get dressed." Damon couldn't tell Caroline anymore because he didn't know anymore.
"Oh, my god. Oh, my god." Caroline breathing increased as her dream suddenly came into focus in her mind, "It wasn't a dream... Silas was really here."
Damon frowned, "What?"
"Silas was here... last night." Caroline wrapped her arms around herself as panic overwhelmed her, "He pretended to be Stefan, he talked to me... and then the I woke up and it all felt like a dream." She left out the kiss, that was confusing for even her to deal with never mind if she told anybody else.
"Just put some clothes on." Damon threw some clothes at Caroline, they needed to find Elena rather than find out why Silas visited Caroline of all people, "Meet me out there. We have to find her." He waited outside for Caroline.
Caroline quickly put on her clothes, worried about Elena and what Silas may or may not be doing to her. Another thought was in her head, making her hands shake and tears prick her eyes. Where the hell was Stefan? She knew that it felt wrong that Stefan wouldn't have at least called her to tell her that he got to Portland and that he was safe. She knew something wasn't right.
Damon walked through crowds of students looking for Elena. He spotted Silas ahead of him.
"Hello, brother." Silas tilted his head and smirked, "But I suppose distant nephew is probably more accurate."
Damon walked up to him and grabbed a hand around Silas' neck, "Where the hell's Elena?"
Silas used his mind control, "There's no need for violence, Damon. You'll find her eventually." He pulled Damon's hand off his neck; Damon seems unwilling, but can't resist Silas' mind control that forced him to, "There you go. Look, I get why you like her. I mean, she is cute in that girl-next-door kinda way. Though I personally have a soft spot for blondes myself. What I don't get is why she likes you."
Damon smirked, "That's 'cause you haven't had sex with me."
"Hm. Cockiness masking fear." Silas chuckled, "How transparent."
Damon ignored Silas' observation and asked, "You expect me to believe you came all this way just to talk to her?"
"No, that doesn't really make much sense, does it?" Silas tilted his head, scanning Damon's thoughts and almost rolling his eyes at the one dimensionality of his mind, all his thoughts centred on Elena. How predictably boring... "But if I told you exactly what I did, then it would ruin the fun. Enjoy the bonfire, Damon." Silas patted Damon on the arm and walked away.
Damon clenched his jaw and resisted the urge to sink his fangs into the abundance of college students around him.
Caroline was at the bonfire searching for Elena, she was with Damon but his craziness over Elena was driving her up the wall so she sent him out by himself. She also needed to make a call, and she wanted to do it in private. She took out her cell and dialled a familiar number.
"Hi, sweetheart?"
"Mom, I need a favour." Caroline chewed on her lip, she tried not to have her mom abuse her position as Sheriff if she could help it but this was for Stefan, "I want you to check the quarry for a safe."
"A safe? Why?" Liz was confused, Silas' wipe of her mind made it so she had no idea he was back, "Why don't you ask Stefan? He's just come back from his trip."
"Stefan?" Caroline's eyes widened as she realised Silas had already been to see her mother. She remembered his threats and she shivered with fear, she couldn't lose her mom, "Mom, that wasn't Stefan that was Silas."
"I thought you..." Liz trailed off as she now understood Caroline's request, "You want to see if Stefan has been at the bottom of the quarry all this time?"
"Yes." Caroline breathed out, fear and worry for Stefan filling her, he had been all alone for months and she hadn't even realised he was missing, "Though call me when you find it and whatever you do don't open it. If he is in there he will be starving and he will eat whoever opens it." She blinked back tears and her voice lowered to a whisper, "He won't be able to help it."
"Okay, sweetheart, I can spare one deputy to look for you." Liz knew what Stefan meant to her daughter so she would happily do what she asked to either alleviate her worries or to help her save her best friend, "I'll have him call you if he finds it."
"Thanks, mom." Caroline could breathe a little easier now knowing that she was one step closer to finding Stefan, "I love you."
"Love you too, Caroline." Liz smiled, then hung up the phone.
Caroline put her cell away and continued to look for Elena.
"Of course it would be you, my lovely girl." Silas couldn't help but smile as he watched Caroline from within the masses of students.
After he had left Damon he had wandered around indulging himself on the odd drink of students blood, before catching sight of Caroline's blonde halo. He couldn't resist watching her, still so drawn to her despite saying goodbye the night before. Overhearing her conversation made him smile. Her fear for Stefan was palpable, even from his position he could quite clearly read the warring emotions on her face before he ever touched her mind. Unlike Damon's one focused mind Caroline's was a multicoloured jewel of emotions.
She was worried for her mom, for Elena, and most of all for Stefan. Then there was annoyance at Damon and a professor called Dr Wes. Hurt at Tyler's continued absence. Relief that Klaus' had finally left Mystic Falls and her behind. Another part of her was constantly analysing their kiss, a grin touched his face as he read her enjoyment of it. Oh, he had more than enjoyed it, it had been perfection and all he wanted to do was go over to her, wrap his arm around her waist, pull her flush against him, and kiss those gloriously soft lips of hers.
He could... but he wouldn't.
Amara was his eternal salvation, and while Caroline may provide a wonderfully perfect distraction, he could sense the change within her. The racing of her thoughts let him know just what she had discovered by his kiss. It pleased him in a sense, while also hurting the part of his heart that loved her. Though it pushed him even farther to want to reunite with his true love.
Caroline would find Stefan.
There wasn't a doubt in Silas' mind about that.
Stefan was trying to hold on to the rapidly dwindling hope within him. His arms clutched Caroline against him as they danced under the twinkling lights, at their prom. She was beautiful, her eyes glowing brighter than any star he'd ever seen sparkling in the night skies. Her bare shoulders tantalized him, her glowing skin and tender neck made his mouth water. He was so hungry that it was starting to affect his dreams, a need more powerful than he'd ever felt made him want to kiss that bare skin and consume her. Slide his teeth into her porcelain skin, run his fingers along the smooth skin of her back to her delicate bun and release it from its hold so that her golden hair tumbled down and covered his hand. He would bury his fingers in her soft strands, twirling each curl around his fingers as he played with it. And he would lose himself at the taste of her no doubt exquisite blood.
Caroline felt Stefan's shudder against her, his fingers tightening on her hip ever so slightly, his breaths coming in pants, his every exhale puffing against her ear. She ran her hand from his shoulder blade to the back of his neck where she ran her fingernails through his hair. His breath stopped this time, a shiver running down his spine. She teased her lips against his jaw and whispered against his skin, "You're losing it, Stefan."
"I know." Stefan released a strangled groan, his forehead coming to rest on her shoulder, the hand on her hip sliding up so that it rest on her ribcage just under her breasts, his breathing becoming heavier at the temptation she posed to him. Beautiful, smelling like heaven, her hands making him come alive, and her blood calling out to him.
Caroline nuzzled her nose against the side of his face and whispered, "I'm coming for you, Stefan." Her hand moving away from his neck down his back to glide around his hips to his chest where she rest her hand over his heart. She kissed his cheek, and then continued kissing across his jaw and down his throat, "I'll find you."
Stefan closed his eyes in bliss, the feel of her lips against him making his skin become electrified, his heart racing at her wandering hands. He started pressing kisses across her shoulder, taking the time to breath her in between each brush of lips. His free hand moved from her ribs back to her back, his fingers dancing along the material of her dress to reach the top, he released her hand and joined his other holding her dress, he slowly pulled it down, his knuckles brushing against the skin of her back. He smirked against her throat as he felt her shudder, a low moan escaping her mouth.
Suddenly the dance floor disappeared and they were in Stefan's bedroom, standing at the foot of his bed, arms around each other and lips pressed against one another's skin.
Stefan's hands reached the base of Caroline's spine, having worked the dress all the way down her back. He pushed the dress over her hips, it slipped down her legs to pool at her feet. He slid his palms up her exposed back, caressing her skin as he familiarize himself to the feel of her, pulling back so that he could look into her glittering blue eyes.
Caroline shivered in the cool air of his room, her breathing hitching in her chest as she read the desire in Stefan's gaze. She raised her hands to his suit jacket and unbuttoned the two buttons before pushing it off his shoulders. Next, she loosened his tie pulling it free and then dropping it on the floor. Then she worked on the buttons of his shirt, working her way down until his chest was exposed before her eyes. She bit her lip as she placed her palms on his chest, her breathing quickening as she slid her hands along his smooth firm chest to push his shirt off his shoulder. She took a step closer, so that their chests teasingly brushed against each others, pulling his shirt down his arm to remove it, their eyes locking in an intense gaze of lust.
Once his arms were free Stefan wrapped one hand around her waist, the other coming up to cradle her cheek. He searched those gorgeously big and vibrant eyes, his lips pulling into a smile as he found nothing but desire there. He nuzzled his nose against hers, breathing against her mouth, anticipation running through him at the first taste of those pouty lips. He smirked as he felt Caroline's hands undoing his belt throwing it across his room, and then she pushed his pants down his legs where he stepped out of them. He couldn't wait a moment longer to kiss her. He covered her mouth with his, his lips moving against hers, a moan escaping him at how perfect she felt against him. With the hand on her waist he slid it down to palm her ass and hoist her up, her legs immediately curling deliciously around his waist, and her fingers dug into his back.
Stefan walked her over to the bed where he gently laid her down his body pressed firmly against Caroline's, his mouth never once detaching from hers. He ran his fingernails down her side to take hold of her thigh and push it further up his waist, thrusting his hips against hers, swallowing her gasping moan with his mouth. She felt so absolutely... perfect.
Caroline moaned his name against his lips, "Stefan..."
Stefan kissed down her neck when she said his name sharply, "Stefan!" He looked up at her in confusion at her tone.
Caroline cradled his cheeks between her palms, tears sliding unchecked down her cheeks, her lips trembling as she sobbingly called his name again, "Stefan!"
Stefan's eyes opened as he gasped awake, for the first time in months his lungs weren't filled with water, and instead of seeing the grey steel of the safe, he saw blue skies and sun. He felt the hands cradling his cheeks, and he could hear the sobs escaping her mouth. He looked into the blue eyes of his beautiful saviour, a small smile curved his cracked dry lips, and he whispered hoarsely his voice cracking on her name, "Car... oline."
Caroline beamed her megawatt smile, relieved sobs escaping her mouth, her thumbs caressing Stefan's skin, "I've got you, Stefan." She leant down and brushed a kiss against his forehead, "I found you." Her lips trembled against his brow as she kissed him there, "I'm right here."
Stefan closed his eyes as her blonde hair brushed his face just as her lips did, he breathed her in just as he had been doing for the past four months of being locked away. Caroline had kept him sane, even without her knowing it. He used every ounce of strength he had left to move his arm to cup her cheek, and whispered two words filled with a gratitude that she would never know how truly deep it ran, "Thank... you..."
Caroline leant into his hand, her hand coming up to cover it, relieved sobs running through her body, her smile still wide, her eyes gazing into his green eyes. She wanted to say so many things but she didn't know where to start. She stroked her thumb against the back of his hand, swallowed down the lump in her throat and opened her mouth to speak, "Stefan-"
Caroline's words were cut off as her head was suddenly jerked to the side and she dropped to the floor beside Stefan's safe. Her neck had been snapped.
Stefan struggled to find the strength to sit up, his heart beating sluggishly against his chest, the lack of blood making him weak. He felt panic fill him as Caroline's neck was snapped by an invisible force, she was so vulnerable lying their dead that anyone could hurt her. Suddenly a shadow stood over him, he squinted at the stranger, it was a woman with long dark hair, and a dark skin tone. He didn't know her.
"I was supposed to be the one that freed you, not her." The distaste and anger was clear in her voice as she glared in Caroline's direction. She looked back at Stefan, a small smile curving her face, "I think its time I introduced myself. I'm Qetsiyah, and you're the latest doppelgänger wearing the face of the bastard who broke my heart."
Before Stefan had time to process what she said, Qetsiyah pushed an unconscious man against him. His veins rippled and his fangs lengthened as he stared at the rapidly beating pulse in front of his face. He was transfixed, and so so hungry.
"Go on." Qetsiyah encouraged, a not so happy smile on her face, "You are going to need your strength."
Stefan tried to resist more, but his hunger was overtaking his being, all he could see was the blood beneath his skin, all he could hear was the rush of it through his veins, all he could smell was that delicious copper scent. With a inhuman growl he savagely bit into the man, viciously tearing his throat and sucking every drop into his mouth, his fingers gripping the man's neck as he tore his throat even more until with a sick crack his head came off.
"Come with me." Qetsiyah held her hand out to Stefan, ignoring the horror stricken look on his face.
Stefan stared horrified at the head he was holding in his hands, his own face covered in blood. He stood up and placed the man back together to lay in the safe with his head atop his shoulders all the while he kept repeating, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." He shut the door of the safe, not wanting Caroline to see his handiwork. He sank to his knees beside her, brushing the hair away from her face, his eyes shining bright with tears, "Caroline?"
Qetsiyah stormed over, took hold of his shoulders and pulled him up, "Forget about her. You need to come with me now." Not even waiting for a reply she grabbed his arm and dragged him away from there.
Stefan kept looking behind him, Caroline's prone form affecting him deeply, all he wanted to do was run back to her and hold her in his arms until she awoke. The nature of his dreams about Caroline while he was trying hard to stay sane showed him that his feelings for his best friend had changed. Especially after the latest one. He could still sense her body against his, his fingers against her skin, and his mouth against hers.
As soon as he got away from Silas' ex he would talk to Caroline.
Liz, Damon and Elena approached the safe that Stefan was locked in, Caroline next to it, her neck clearly having been snapped.
"Oh my god, Caroline." Liz rushed over to her daughter, her heart racing at the stillness of her body, she knew she was still alive as their was no greyness to her skin or dark veins, but it was still disconcerting to her still and dead.
Damon carefully approached the safe, prepared to face whatever shell of his brother was lying in there; the ripper or just a desperate animal needing blood.
"Do you think Stefan did this?" Liz asked, disbelieving that Stefan would ever hurt her daughter, but then again he was starved, who knew what he was capable of.
"I don't know." Damon lifted the top of the safe open, and he and Elena looked inside seeing a bloody corpse inside.
Elena gasped, "Oh, my God. That's not Stefan."
"No, it isn't." Damon eyed the corpse, drained of blood, torn head carefully put back together, Stefan's work for sure, "But this definitely was him. He was hungry." He turned away from the safe, scanning his surroundings frowning, "And I bet he still is."
Caroline gasped awake, sitting bolt upright, not even noticing her mom, Damon or Elena as she cried out, "Stefan?"
"He's not here, Blondie." Damon responded, a smirk on his lips, "Not anymore anyway. He's gone."
Caroline remembered looking into Stefan's eyes as her neck was snapped. He was gone, he had been taken by whoever broke her neck. She looked at them, fear shaking her voice, "He didn't go because he wanted to, whoever broke my neck must have taken him."
"Great!" Damon rolled his eyes, it was just one more problem to add to the never ending list of problems that they already had.
Caroline stood up, a glare on her face and determination in her voice as she all but growled, "We are going to find, Stefan." She happened to glance at the safe and noticed the new bloodless occupant, she bit down on her lip to keep in her tears. Stefan needed her so much right now, after draining an innocent person for their blood.
She looked around her, her arms wrapping tight around herself as she vowed to herself, a promise she would never break. No matter what she had to do.
I'm coming for you, Stefan. I will find you, I promise.
TBC
AN – I hope you all liked it. This one didn't actually have anyone discover that Caroline was Amara's doppelgänger but I felt that it wouldn't have fit in this chapter so I left it out. If anyone noticed that the final dream was much longer than Stefan's normal dreams were, that was because he had been pulled out of the water by the time he was having the dream so drowning didn't end it.
