Chapter Four

Elena wasn't sure what had compelled her to follow Ella, but when the other girl had appeared above them, watching their conversation over the railing, Elena went after her. She couldn't explain it, but she felt like there was something wrong with her friend and she needed Elena's help. Of course her other friends would be furious that she had wandered off without a word, but she'd gladly accept their wrath if it meant she could bring Ella back to Jeremy. Elena would do anything to see her brother smile again.

Of course Elena couldn't really trust the feeling. She couldn't be sure if it was a genuine feeling or if Ella was manipulating her, still Elena followed her through the house and out to where all the guest's cars were parked. It was here that Ella stopped and rounded on Elena and Elena could see her friend full on for the first time that night.

It was Ella, but at the same time it wasn't. It wasn't just her physical appearance that was different, although that was a huge difference in itself. Her waist long hair was cut into a choppy bob that fell to her chin and had bright blue streaks broke up the midnight black. Her naturally beautiful face was caked with thick dark make-up and deep, blood red lipstick. She also wore a very clingy red dress that did not leave much to the imagination, her perfectly defined muscles showing through the soft, thin fabric.

No, that wasn't all that had changed. There was something in her eyes, something cold and empty. It was like staring into an abyss, dark and never ending. There may have been physical qualities that were still Ella, but the cold, hard stare was not Ella. Elena couldn't understand it, how she knew this was Ella but at the same time it wasn't.

"Why are you following me?" she demanded, her voice was as hard as her gaze. Not at all the soft sound Elena was used to hearing.

"Why wouldn't I?" Elena asked, surprised by the hostility in her tone. "Ella you've been one for months, we were all worried about you! Damon's been going crazy trying to find you then you just show up and what? Were you going to leave without saying anything? Without even speaking to Damon? Or Caroline? Even Jeremy?"

"Lady…I don't know what you've been smoking, but I think you've got me confused with someone else."

"I don't think so Ella," Elena laughed humourlessly. She didn't know what game Ella was playing, but she didn't like it. "You may have altered your appearance slightly Ella, but I can still see it's obviously you."

"Why do you keep calling me that?" the girl snapped, a frown marring her pretty features. "My name isn't Ella, it's Gaby, I don't know anyone called Ella and I've never gone by that name either. You're drunk and confused, go sleep it off."

"Is this some kind of joke?" Elena asked. "Because if it is it's not funny Ella."

"Wow…you're either really drunk or really dense," Gaby laughed, shaking her head in disbelief. "My. Name. Is. Gaby!"

Elena's heart sank as she stared opened mouthed at the girl standing in front of her. "You…you really don't know me? Do you?"

"No, I really don't," Gaby assured her. "Should I?"

"I…I guess not," Elena whispered, shaking her head.

Gaby's frown changed from one of annoyance to one of concern, her cold hard stare melted into a warm gaze and Elena could suddenly see the girl she had once known staring back at her. "Are you all right? Do you need me to get someone?"

"No," Elena shook her head, still staring wide-eyed at Gaby.

"Are you sure? You don't look so good."

"I'm fine," Elena whispered. She didn't want to believe the words, but she couldn't deny the look on Gaby's face. There was no recollection there at all. She had no idea who Elena was, but Elena knew it was Ella. Something had obviously happened to her friend while she was gone. "Sorry to have bothered you."

Elena turned so quickly that she missed the cruel smile that twisted Gaby's features. The girl was too desperate to find her friends and tell them what she had discovered. That Ella had no idea who they were…who she was.

Pausing at the door, Elena took one last look behind her, but Ella was already gone. Back inside the Lockwood house the party was still in full swing. It was as if nothing had happened and Mayor Lockwood had changed into a new, more appropriate, dress. She was smiling and laughing with Sheriff Forbes as if they'd never done anything embarrassing.

"Elena!" Jeremy's voice cut into Elena's frantic searching for her friend's. She turned to find her brother, looking livid, bearing down on her. "What the hell Elena? What were you thinking? Where have you been?!"

"I found Ella," Elena explained. "I found her Jeremy, she really is back."

"What?!" Jeremy exploded, he started scanning the area over Elena's head, looking for any sign of the girl he loved. "Where is she?"

"She's gone Jer," Elena sighed. "Jeremy...there's something you should know…"

"What?" he asked, her sad tone catching his full attention.

"Ella…she's not…Ella anymore. She said her name was Gaby and she had no idea who I was Jer. At first I thought she was lying, playing some twisted game, but she didn't have a clue. I could see it in her eyes. She's completely different now."

"She has amnesia?" Jeremy inquired, his voice hollow.

"Maybe," Elena shrugged, taking her brother's hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. "I don't know for sure, she was gone for months. Anything could have happened to her. We should find the others. There's got to be something that we can do to save her, to get her back."

Jeremy nodded numbly, allowing Elena to drag him along behind her. He was too busy thinking to notice where they were going. Was the girl he loved truly gone for good?

TBC…