AN: This is a short, but sweet filler chapter. Get ready for the usual intensity that the FSOS series has had in the past. The last bit is definitely my favorite and a plot twist. Enjoy the chapter and please review! I've missed reading what you guys think about the series and this story.
CHAPTER 4. WHAT LURKS AROUND THE CORNER
"Caroline," Elena started watching her friend fan her face with her hand. "You know you can take that ridiculous scarf off if you're hot."
The temperature was falling, but not quick enough. The setting sun going below the horizon in the west emanated heat. It was a beautiful day and she couldn't have imagined a more perfect way to spend it then with her best friend.
Since her first days of transformation, Elena had overcome many months living with her new traits. She had learned how to hunt without becoming a killer or causing a massacre. She had grown into her newly heightened senses and developed a taste for the human vein leaving her blood bag days behind. She had cooped with the idea she would never be normal again and embraced her vampirism knowing it was a permanent part of her for eternity. For the most part, Elena had things under control. All thanks to Damon of course.
Just out of sight, but not out of earshot, Elena could hear Damon and his brother, Stefan conversing over glasses of bourbon. She tried not to eavesdrop, but couldn't help it. Why ignore such a useful ability was what she thought.
"I know." Caroline replied tugging on the thin material around her neck.
"Care, I told you I'm not going to hurt you." She assured her wary best friend. "So please take it off, before I compel you to."
With her nose up high in the air, Caroline reluctantly pulled the scarf from her neck and raised the glass of ice water to her skin. She sighed with relief and peered over at her. "I see you're more feisty nowadays." Caroline remarked. "But you're vampire tricks won't work on me. See this," she held up her wrist with a shiny bracelet around it. "It protects me."
"As it should." Elena responded.
"You wouldn't actually compel me anyway, right?" She asked seeming worried.
Elena rolled her eyes. "No." She answered. "I wouldn't."
Even though Caroline had her fair share of vampire stuff with Stefan, she knew the unease of her best friend becoming one was new. Now surrounded by the not so human, Caroline was the last bit of human life she knew except Matt. Her mind instantly trailed off wondering about him. She had neglected their friendship ever since her engagement. Damon consumed the life she led now. She knew she needed to change that.
This was her first interaction with her and she knew it would be a bit awkward. It wasn't every day your friend turned into a vampire or married one.
"So how many people have you bit lately?" Caroline asked sipping her drink.
In the midst of cooling off with her cold drink, she sprayed the contents of it into the air. "What?" Elena exclaimed. Wiping her mouth, she spoke, "Seriously?!"
"I'm sorry." She whined. "I just…I just said what came to mind."
"We can talk about clothes, celebrity gossip, or our sex lives." Elena rambled. "Do you even seriously want to know what you just asked?"
"No." Caroline replied in a small voice. "Ugh, it's just…"
"I'm different." She sighed. "I know, but I'm still me. The only thing that's different is my food intake."
"That's not the only thing."
A tiny smirk was upon Caroline's face. The one she had missed. For most of her life, she was the only other person by her side. Sure she had acquaintances and flings, but no one she ever fully put her trust in completely like she did with Caroline. She knew one day that would all change when either of them found themselves falling in love, however, she never imagined it being so soon.
"You're confident." Caroline added. "You're glowing. Elena, I've never seen you more alive."
The truth was she did feel all these things, but it never occurred to her how others would perceive her now. Her transition had brought on some setbacks along with the advantages. The old Elena was shy and small. The new Elena was bold and poised. With no explanation for why such changes had taken place, she wasn't complaining. She fully accepted the confidence she had sprouted. It was a nice attribute to obtain.
"Really?" Elena asked.
"I've never seen you smile or laugh this much in a long time." She continued to compliment her aspects. "And I know being what you are isn't always wonderful, but I much rather have my best friend sitting next to me than dead."
And it took a morbid turn. Caroline's eyes glassed over showing her emotion of the situation. Only a few months prior she was on the verge of never returning to this life. Elena gazed around the grassy yard and down to the small pond below at the bottom of the hill. Her eyes flickered back to the two-story white home rising above them. It all seemed so serene, but the place still made her shiver. Just beyond where Caroline sat was where she took her final breath. The place where Klaus drank her blood and died, where Katherine's heart was ripped from her chest thanks to Damon. It all seemed so far away, yet so close. Reminding herself that memory was in the past from another life, she tried to move on. She couldn't mourn it forever, but she would never forget.
"Hey." Caroline reached over to touch her arm. "I didn't mean…"
"It's fine." Elena shook her head. "You're right. I rather be here with you, Damon, and everyone else than dead too."
Crunch. Elena heard a noise somewhere in the nearby woods that surround their beautiful home. Her instincts told her it was animal passing or grazing, but her memories served her otherwise. She could still imagine a wild and crazed Klaus emerging from the woods lusting for blood. Another shiver was sent down her spine and she tried to push the memory away.
"Elena?" Her tiny voice spoke her name.
"Elena." Another voice called from behind them.
Snapping out of her dark reminiscence, she glanced from Caroline to the moving figure approaching her fast. Tall, scruffy, and the hint of fresh booze on his breath, she smiled from ear to ear.
"Alaric!" She beamed and stood up. The sun hat occupying her head bounced as she threw her arms around him.
A wave of guilt hit her as she wrapped her arms around him tight. Too much time had passed since she had last seen him and she knew how wrong that was. Alaric had been there for her during times of need and yet since she had transition he had been distant. Something told her it was both their doings. He had made it clear for his dislike for more than two vampires inhabiting the town. The thought of her becoming like Damon didn't settle nicely for him either. She wondered what he was thinking now as she embraced like any normal human would.
Her body pressed close to his and she felt the underlying outline of a wooden stake. An immediate jolt disconnected them. She felt a wall being built.
"Don't worry. I didn't come here to stake you." Alaric assured her worry. "Even though you and I need to talk."
"Ric, I'm so sorry. I know I should have come to you sooner and tell you…" Elena began, but the palm of his hand was raised into the air and she knew to stop.
"I've already talked to Damon about it." He said. "And I guess this town can sacrifice having one more vampire in it, but no more. Don't get any crazy ideas."
In her mind, she never wanted to see another vampire enter this town either. It caused too many problems before. The likelihood of more vampires venturing into the town wasn't likely, but possible. Damon had informed her to always stay on her toes and never to let her guard down. Anything was possible and she fully believed that. Not long ago she lived in a world she thought was innocent. Now she knew better.
If you open your eyes, a whole other world lies before you. You just have to let it in whole heartedly.
"How are you doing?" Alaric inquired.
"Good." Elena replied.
Her answer could have been more detailed, but she knew she didn't need to share every aspect of how she felt with him. She saw the tiny ounce of displeasure in his presence. What Alaric saw was Elena, the girl who fell in love with a vampire stupidly. He saw a friend. However, he saw more than just the exterior. Never noticing it until now, she wondered if he reacted the same way when he was around Damon.
"Well, I'm going to go join the guys back inside." He mentioned. "It's too hot out here and…"
"The alcohol is inside. I get it." Elena smirked. "We will be in shortly."
"And you and I will have our chat." Alaric winked.
With a brisk motion, he moved his way back inside the cool house. Elena was bothered by the idea he kept their greeting and conversation short due to her new form. She didn't blame him though. Alaric was a hunter. It was in his nature to want to feel hatred and dislike toward a vampire even if he befriend them. She saw the bickering between him and Damon many times to know it was still there despite their friendship.
"That was awkward." Caroline remarked sitting back down.
"Tell me about it." She sighed and sat back down joining her. "Please lets talk about anything, but vampires."
With her back straight, Caroline's blonde hair bounced around her shoulders as she stared at the house. "Well I still can't believe you guys got it built in the time that you did." She stated. "What did you guys hire those people who help build those houses on the makeover shows?"
"No, just a generous payment and a little persuasion." Elena told her.
Not much time had passed since her death and her awakening. The ground had barely been touched and yet months later stood a beautiful two-story mansion like house. With her new life, Damon insisted they start fresh and so the need for their dream home had been constructed instantly.
"And we are talking about vampires again." She gritted her teeth.
"Sorry," Caroline apologized. "It's hard to avoid."
"I know. I guess I should just get use to it by now." Elena said shrugging her shoulders.
It was inevitable most conversations would lead to talking about non-human things. It was who she was now and she couldn't escape. Every part of her was different, even if she still felt the same as she did before death.
"I don't think I'll ever get use to it." Caroline chimed. "But it is what it is. I mean it's not every day you sign your best friend's deed to her house just so she can live in it without intruders."
The smug grin upon Caroline's face was worn proudly. She loved the fact that she still had some power despite being surrounded by vampires. In hopes of keeping out other vampires or threats, Damon and her had discussed having someone sign the deed of the house in their name that was still living. Only two people came to mind: Caroline and Alaric. Seeing as Caroline was a faster resource to get to then Ric, she signed the deed without hesitation. Of course, it didn't go without some her having some fun in the matter. Elena knew she would be happy to invite her in, but Damon was another story. She tried to subdue her giggles as Caroline tortured him while he waited on the other side of the entryway. The pissed expression was a sight to see and she knew he found the situation to be in no way humorous.
"No it's not." Elena laughed.
The sun continued to set in the west. As time passed, she grew more at ease being around Caroline knowing she had nothing to hide from her. She could not imagine going through any of this without her knowing everything. At one point she was wary about sharing the details with her, now it was all in the past.
Forgetting all the struggles she still endured, things were looking up. For once she felt satisfied and happy without worry. Nothing stood in her way of being with Damon. Their two threats had been eliminated and now all they had to focus on was spending the rest of eternity together.
In the distance, just off the property of their newly built home something lurked. Keen to staying out of sight and not making too many alluring sounds, it watched as two girls laughed and talked in the final hours of daylight. Countless hours had been spent waiting for the opportune moment to finally begin the final stage of war. Only a few more and the timing would be perfect.
Something cracked a branch in the distance, two yards to be exact. Looking over the shoulder, only a faint silhouette of a deer rustled in the woods. A shallow exhale of breath came and the watch continued.
Its attention grew more profound as movement took place. A brunette girl stood taking off her sun hat and smiling beautifully, which made its blood curdle. She didn't deserve to smile like that nor did she deserve to be walking. Every sense said to act, but remained hided knowing not yet. Another girl rose from her chair and she stretched. The fading sunlight reflected off her naturally blonde hair and she too beamed with happiness. They both walked together laughing toward the house and soon disappeared. Shadows formed over the lawn and it indicated safety had arrived.
Walking effortlessly closer to the two-story home, a light turned on downstairs drawing more attention to be had. Five individuals could be seen. The two girls sat down while two men stood by a bar. Tensions rose in every muscle and it became harder to not pounce, but a calming reminder of how this plan needed to come eased the idea of reacting aimlessly.
"Cheers!" The blonde shrieked. "To Elena and Damon's beautiful new home."
The man, Damon walked toward the girl, Elena and put his arm around her waist. They clinked their glasses together and kissed. Bile rose from the stomach and the sight of their affection stirred the pot faster. A few more hours, only a few until it would begin. It would be the downfall of Elena and Damon Salvatore.