4/Elena
I fell asleep half way back to Mystic Falls and was jolted awake by a terrifying nightmare. Damon clutched my hand and searched my eyes with a worried expression in his own. I forced a smile onto my face and rested my head on his shoulder. Matt was silent most of the way home, only speaking when spoken to. When I wasn't asleep I kept my eye on the clock, counting down the minutes, counting down the seconds. We didn't pass any other cars; Matt's beat up truck was the only vehicle on the roads. I have to admit that I found it unnerving when an hour passed by and Damon was still sitting strong beside me. I had prepared myself for the worst, for Damon not to make it home. When we pulled up at the Salvatore Mansion the first emotion which hit me was panic. I had to face Stefan as well as Damon. On walking through the front door together, Stefan would immediately know my decision. The thought of my betrayal made my stomach turn uncomfortably. Matt cut the engine and there was silence in the truck.
"I could have driven Stefan's car back after all," Damon said finally, his attempt at light humour making Matt laugh nervously. I didn't see the funny side and I glared at Damon until he got the idea and the smile slid from his face. He pushed open the door and I followed him out. I heard Matt's door creak open as we approached the house and I knew that he was hesitating.
"Are you coming in Matt?" I asked him.
"I think I better head over to yours and tell Jeremy what's going on," he mumbled. He was looking down at his feet and shuffling, kicking the sand of the driveway. I walked back to him and kissed him lightly on the cheek.
"Thanks for trying Matt," I said.
"Anything for you, Elena," he replied, but his pained expression gave me the impression that he regretted the words, "and Damon, I'm hoping for the best… I know I'll see you soon," he grinned.
"Thanks Matt," Damon smiled back, and I saw a genuine sadness in the depth of his expression. With that, Matt swung back into his truck, revved the engine, and rattled down the drive. I stood and stared until the lights had vanished before I turned to face Damon. He was stood directly behind me, looking at me intensely.
"This is it," I whispered, taking his hand and heading for the house. Just before we could open it, the heavy old oak door swung open and we were bundled into the house and into embracing arms. The smell of spices and ancient books filled my nose and I smiled at the scent of home. This is where I was comfortable; this is where I felt the most at home. The arms which surrounded me and brushed me into the large open living room were Stefan's. My own arms grappled at his t-shirt, scrabbling at the material as we moved as one towards the fireplace. These arms were oh so safe and oh so familiar. But at the same time, they were hesitant and unreliable. They were gone from me as quickly as they had snatched me up, and I was left feeling cold and alone, despite the room full of people. I hugged my own arms across my chest as I stared at each face in turn. They were all here, Rebekah, Kol, Elijah, Bonnie, Caroline, Stefan and Damon. Each face was solemn and Caroline was particularly upset. She was sat on the couch her head in her hands, quiet sobs shaking her body. Rebekah had also been crying, the tearstained cheeks the only giveaway that she was mourning. Her hair was still in perfect condition, and her brows knitted together with unnatural anger, her usual stony expression really. Bonnie looked sombre, but not upset. The other Originals were quietly furious.
"Where's Tyler?" I asked, his absence seeming extremely strange. I would have thought his celebration would be apt. Then Caroline's sobbing made perfect sense and my hand flew to my mouth in a silent gasp. I hurried to the sofa where she was crying and wrapped both my arms around her shaking shoulders.
"He's gone Elena… He's dead," she breathed in between sobs. I felt my own eyes fill with tears for my best friend, and for the boy who I had been to school with all my life. Despite Tyler's boyish attitude and aggressive past, he had been a good friend to me.
"I'm so sorry Caroline…" was all I could think to say.
"We presume that Alaric Saltzman is on his way here to finish the job," Elijah said, interrupting my thoughts.
"The only way to stop him is to kill you," Rebekah spat coldly, directing her words at me.
"That's not going to happen," growled Damon. His voice made me jump and I was surprised to see him stood behind me, hands protectively on the couch by my head. I hadn't seen him move there. Stefan seemed to notice his closeness and cocked his head to one side in thought. He didn't say anything, but I could feel his questioning stare burning into me. I avoided his eyes.
"I'm really sorry, Barbie…" Damon whispered in Caroline's ear, and his sincerity made my heart flutter.
"My sister is right," Kol said, an amused smirk plastered to his face.
"Not an option," Stefan said quietly and calmly, crossing his arms across his chest.
"You don't have a choice, Salvatore! Within the hour you'll be dead and of no further help to the pathetic human!" Kol yelled, striding across the room until he was face to face with Stefan. Stefan didn't back away or step down, but continued to hold Kol's blazing gaze.
"Nobody is killing anybody. Stand down, Kol," Elijah ordered, taking on the tone of authority.
"First Finn, and now Nick. Elijah, the answer is staring us in the face, for God's sake!" Rebekah cried.
"I saved your god-damn ass back there so you could get away, you bitch!" yelled Damon.
"You let him kill my brother," the blonde snarled.
"Damon's right, Rebekah, we need to leave," Elijah said calmly, and then again to Kol, "Stand down." Very slowly, Kol turned away from Stefan and returned to his place by Elijah's side.
"Why are you two still alive?" Caroline asked, looking up through glassy fragile eyes at the Salvatore brothers.
"The chain hasn't got to us yet?" Stefan said, but it sounded more like a question.
"Tyler was turned after you were, and that means you should have died before he did," Caroline argued. Just then, the door slammed open and the lights flickered out. A low laugh started in the doorway before echoing around the room. There were sounds of panic and fear throughout the house and the door slammed shut, leaving us in complete darkness. I felt Caroline curl into me as she whimpered, and Damon's body pressing protectively over mine.
"Well well well, if it isn't for the remaining Original family of abominations," cackled a dangerous, yet recognisable, voice. Then the lights flashed back into life and Caroline's splitting scream pierced he air.
