Stefan was woken from his sleep by a humming sound, someone was humming a song, he couldn't quite make out what the song was but he recognised the voice, it was dark but it didn't matter his eyes adapted to the darkness instantly. Someone was sitting in the leather chair that used to be by the window, it was now situated at the foot of his bed, with Elena lying back in it, legs dangling over the sides like a child.
"Elena, is that you" silence, she said nothing, but he knew it was her, she still wore the same scent that she knew he loved so much, it was a rare French perfume that was incredibly hard to find he'd given it to her for her birthday last year, which meant she remembered that much at least.
"shh, shhhh" she walked over to him and climbed onto the bed, Stefan now well aware that he was bare chested grabbed for his t-shirt and pulled it over his head.
"what's the matter Elena, are you ok? Where's Damon? Are you hungry" he sat staring at her as she sat at the foot of his bed.
"what's going on Stefan, why don't you like me anymore. Her eyes piercing his heart with their cat like mesmerising stare. She began to crawl over to him on her hands and knees, he couldn't help feel like a predators prey.
"what do you mean Elena?, look its late I think we should get you back to bed, you'll tire yourself out, come on.
Stefan pulled back the duvet to make way for himself to climb out of bed and as he did he felt her cold hand grab his wrist, the same hand that once had such a warm touch it sent tingles down his spine, it was saddening to think things had changed so much, so soon.
"Stefan, I know why you won't come near me anymore, you won't even look me in the eyes anymore. But I just want you to know, I may not be the old Elena, but that doesn't mean we've lost what we had, think about it we can be together now, forever, you, me and Damon. I'm the new more improved version of me and no can stand in our way, we can be great together, and don't worry about Damon he'll come round soon, I know he will he can't live without me and I can't live without you, we need each other".
Stefan looked into her deep, dark eyes, where had it gone, once upon a time when he stared into her eyes he could see right through to her soul, her loving, selfless soul. Was it lost forever, was she truly gone, was this Elena in front of him just a mere shell of her.
"Elena, it's late you should go" he looked away and walked over to the window, staring out into darkness, "I have no interest in being your little puppy, so why don't you just get back to Damon, I'm sure he'll be more than happy to oblige". Stefan felt a gust of wind and knew she was there behind him, it was amazing in such a short amount of time Damon had taught her so much. He could feel her breath on the back of his neck; nothing felt the same anymore, nothing.
"Fine" her fangs were exposed, she obviously hadn't learned to be able to control them when she was angry, her emotions were heightened, I doubt she even knew they were out. " Just remember Stefan, we're here when you change your mind, and you will change your mind, don't make this harder than it needs to be". And then she was gone.
Was he ever going to be able to bring her back, had she gone forever? The thoughts bombarded his mind, he needed to get out he couldn't be here, he needed to hunt, he needed to release the rage before he couldn't control it and someone innocent got hurt. He was dressed in an instant, it would be light soon he didn't have long, he left the house unaware that Damon was watching from his window up in in the attic, his jaw was clenched tight, he'd unfortunately heard everything, even when he didn't want her she still wanted him. Damon knew it wasn't Stefan's fault but how he despised him for holding such a place in Elena's heart, when was it going to be his turn, he'd make it his turn soon enough. Time, he just needed time and he needed to get Elena away from Stefan, it was the only way.
Stefan had fed his appetite, it was amazing what you could find in the vastness of the forest, deer's, rabbits, badgers, prepubescent teenagers who really should know better than to be out in the woods so late in to the night. If it had been any other vampire the chances of them surviving would be minimal, it was their lucky night.
Stefan walked, not really caring where the night was taking him, he realised he'd somehow made it to Bonnies house, the house was dark , she'd obviously be asleep, he hovered for a moment, the thought had crossed his mind, how sad it was that she lived in such a big house all alone, couldn't be the greatest of feelings, he knew what it felt like to live a lonely life he wondered if that's how Bonnie felt, "lonely" she was all alone in that big empty house with no one to say goodnight to, or good morning to. She'd wake alone, and go to sleep alone, and now with the Elena situation she was even more alone, even if she never admitted to it.
He was headed off home, when he saw a movement in the living room, the lights were out, someone was in there, Bonnie wasn't safe. Within seconds he was at the window, he could see a shadow but no one was there, it seemed to be hovering, searching for something, it passed to the hallway, as Stefan watched he felt a chill go down his spine he'd never come across something like this before, he had no idea what it was, he couldn't make out a face it was just one big dark shadow that seemed to glide silently, there, there it was again a small twinkle of light , something was hanging from its neck, some kind of vial, Stefan couldn't make out what it was but he knew whatever it was wasn't here to help.
He watched as it slowly glided through the hallway towards the stairs, he couldn't even get in, Bonnie had never invited him, what was he going to do?, how was he going to help her?. The shadow was now almost to the top of the stairs, Stefan rushed to the rooftop, just in time to see the shadow hanging over Bonnie, how could she not be awake? How could she not feel it hanging over her? Then he realised, the vial was open, the shadow was draining her slowly, of what before he could think any further he slammed his fist against the window and it shattered into pieces, Bonnie jolted out of bed, screaming at the sight of the black shadow being.
"Bonnie, invite me in" Stefan shouted from the window. Bonnie looked over at him, as if lost in thought, she sprinted out of bed only to land on her feet, she couldn't stand it was like she'd lost all feeling in her legs.
"Bonnie invite me in, trust me I can't help you from here, Bonnie please!" Stefan's face was filled with fear for Bonnie and Bonnie could see that, she screamed as the shadow began to draw closer.
"I invite you in" Bonnie screeched from the top of her lungs, as the black shadow drew closer to her she attempted to drag herself to the window where Stefan once stood, realising that Stefan was no longer at the window he was now in her room, she felt herself being lifted and screamed with terror only to realise it was Stefan who had her in his arms. The black shadow dissolved into the bedroom, floor, Stefan had seated Bonnie on the landing safely, as she attempted to stand all she could see was Stefan whizz passed her down the stairway following the black mass. It had only been seconds but it seemed like she'd been holding her breath for ages. She finally managed to steady herself at the top of the landing, Stefan stood infront of her, she hadn't even realised when he'd appeared.
"Are you ok Bonnie? Whatever it was its gone, it dispersed through your front door, its left the house"
"what was it Stefan"
"I don't know, I was passing and I just happened to notice it, have you got any idea, what it was and what it wanted, it looked like it was draining something from you, how do you feel?"
" I feel a bit out of it but I'm ok" Bonnie lied, she felt awful, her legs felt like they were going to give way under her any second, but she didn't want to rely on Stefan for help, she could do it alone, she had to learn to manage.
Stefan could see Bonnie was definitely not alright, but he didn't want to undermine her, he could see she was trying her hardest to keep things together, and he was pretty sure that any act of kindness towards her would probably end up breaking her, she was in a fragile state even before any of this had happened, so he just remained silent in the hopes that he'd just wait till she was ready to lean on him.
