(a/n I know this is short, I apologize. I know everyone always asks for longer chapters, I'm trying I really am. Anyway, I hope you like it. I only have two more chapters planned, but I think there will be a sequel. Possibly centered around Bonnie if this story continues in the direction I think it will. Also, I discovered that my "~" I use to separate scene changes don't publish on the story. Anyone know how I can add a line to indicate a change? Thanks. Enjoy.)

October 3, 2015

Dear Elena,

I've been trying to put together the right words in my head, I've been debating on how to start this off for weeks. I know there has been a pretty big gap from the last time I wrote, and I guess it's because I'm afraid to tell you this. I'm afraid that if I put the words to paper it'll feel more real. Mystic Falls isn't how you remember it, Elena. The town is falling apart. The heretics, along with Lily, have caused so much destruction. Damon fought their magic for a long time, but he's changed. I promised you we'd save him and I'm so sorry we haven't. We're not giving up. We're all trying our best, but I feel like we're at the end of our rope.

The heretics are more powerful than anything we've fought before, and I'm scared. Not just for me; I'm scared for Bonnie, and Stefan, and even Damon. I'm scared for our town and the people we've known our whole lives. I don't want to fail you, Elena. I keep thinking that if you were here you'd know what to do. You always seemed to have a plan, even though most of those plans ended up with you needing saving… At least that's more than any of us have.

Goodbye for now…

"Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?" Stefan asked as Caroline pulled on her jacket.

"I need to go alone. I haven't been to visit her in awhile with everything going on…" She quickly turned her head to wipe away the tear that fell. "Does it ever get easier?"

Stefan took her hand. He wanted to tell her yes, that after a few decades it wouldn't hurt anymore. "Sometimes it does, if you surround yourself with people who love you they'll help you get through it. Sometimes it doesn't, but you have me."

She smiled, knowing she was lucky to have him by her side. "Thank you."

"Anytime." he answered and placed a soft kiss on her lips. "Please be careful."

The look of worry in his eyes almost caused her to give in, but she needed to go alone. After a kiss goodbye, Caroline was driving with a bouquet of daisies in the passenger seat. She turned down the street leading the cemetery. When she pulled her car to the side of the road she noticed a figure standing in front of her mom's tombstone.

"Damon?" Caroline asked walking over to the seemly frozen Salvatore. "You look awful." she joked.

Damon stood in silence staring down at the flowers already placed on the grave; Caroline guessed he had put them there. "I don't know what's happening to me. I feel their magic taking over and I can't do a damned thing to stop it. I come here everyday. I try to think of what she'd do, how she'd handle this situation. They're taking over her town, and I'm helping them destroy everything she worked for."

For the first time, Caroline Forbes was feeling sorry for Damon Salvatore. "They're controlling you, that's not your fault. She knows that, we all know that. We're trying to find a way-"

"Stop. Stop trying because there's no way to stop them. I need you to tell Bonnie to give up on me. You all have bigger problems and I'm not worth anyone's time."

"I don't think Bonnie sees it that way, nor does Stefan. I know they're not giving up on you, and neither am I." Caroline stated.

"Why do you care what happens to me, Blondie? After everything I've done."

Caroline didn't have to think long, "Because the people I love care about you. They can see the good in you, Damon and that's enough for me."

Damon's eyes finally looked to Caroline, but their focus was behind her. For a second she feared he was losing control, but in a flash he was gone. Caroline turned to see the cause of his sudden exit. Matt was walking toward her, an angry look plastered on his face.

"Hey, I thought you were coming back next week?"

"Is all of this his fault?" Matt asked ignoring Caroline's question.

"No, Lilly and the heretics-"

"But he's a part of it too, isn't he? He always is."

Caroline sighed in frustration, "No, yes but it's not his fault."

"Are you seriously defending him, Care?"

"Matt, you don't understand. A lot has changed since you left."

Caroline began filling him in on all he missed; from the heretics taking over Damon's mind to how hard everyone's was working to stop it. She didn't leave out a single detail, and when she was finished Matt just shook his head. Caroline was afraid to say anymore, unsure of how he'd react.

"I got offered the sheriff position." Matt finally said. "I don't think I can do it."

"Matt…" Caroline wrapped her arms around her friend. "of course you can do it."

"I don't want to let her down." he admitted.

"Never, she's very proud of you. I know she believes in you." Caroline squeezed him tighter before letting go. "Now, as you're first official business, we have a town to save."

The group was gathered around the Salvatore living room. Stefan sat on the arm of Caroline's chair as Tyler and Matt took seats on the couch. Enzo was pacing, trying to think of a plan to help his friend. Everyone was pitching ideas and talking over one another.

"Stefan, why don't you just go talk to your mom?" Matt threw out.

"Don't you think we've already tried that?" Enzo said with obvious annoyance. "You don't understand what she's thinking or how they work. They're not just going to put everything back to normal because we asked nicely."

"Look, we're all frustrated. Each one of us wants to put a stop to this, but arguing isn't going to help anything." Caroline spoke loud enough to get everyone's attention.

"She's right, but so is Enzo." Bonnie appeared in the doorway with bloodshot eyes due to lack of sleep. "I've finally found something, and if we want to stop them we'll need something big. An element of surprise if you will, and it needs to come from someone just as powerful as them." Bonnie paused and looked to Caroline.

"Klaus." Caroline answered as if reading her friends mind. At the mention of his name Stefan tensed beside her and Tyler's hands were balled into fists to keep himself still.

After several minutes of silence, Matt finally spoke. "Looks like we're going to New Orleans."