Short and sweat! Wanted to let you guys know something else, really quick. The whole 'Shadow Men' name, which is REALLY lame, wasn't originally meant to become an official name. I didn't originally plan on loading this, so didn't fork out much mental energy on actually calling them something. What was originally 'the men who came from the darkness' become 'the men the hid in the shadows' to 'shadow men' to 'Shadow Men.' So, yeah... anyways, thanks for reading! Oh! And I'd love to hear any of your ideas regarding deciphering Bonnie's message! That's it. Enjoy!

Terrible Trade

We left the bar and my heart skipped a beat. It was dark. The monsters were out. That's why you need to go back to the manor. He pressed. There aren't many people out. I doubt anyone will notice you if you get in the air as soon as you reach the forest. Already, he was running down the street at a fast clip. Let me know when you get there. With absolutely no intention of staying, I started toward the manor. Yes, I would stand before the door; I would see if Elena was there; and then I would leave.

I sprinted toward the forest; forcing back the terror the shadows created. Get in; get hidden; and fly. Damon's jacket already looped around my arm, I jumped over the border of bushes and flapped hard. From above the treetops, I could see the edge of the storm front; great rolling clouds; ready to burst at a moment's notice. The storm sent angry winds billowing down the lee side of the mountain. For that I was grateful. I knew how to conform the gales and use them to accelerate my flight to almost dizzying speeds; I just hoped Damon wouldn't try to fly in them yet; not in his human form at least.

In under a minute, the manor came into sight. Just as I started my decent, something caught my attention on the door. Something white was flapping madly in the wind. Damon, I'm here. I projected. There was a fleeting moment of satisfaction, but then his mind went back to focusing on his frantic search. Good; I didn't want him focusing on me.

Heart pounding, I touched down and trotted to the door; staring at the paper like it was an angry snake; venom already dripping from its fangs in anticipation. Still, I forced myself to hurry forward and grab it; hoping; praying it was a harmless note to the residents. But, as my eyes flew over the first line, that hope was obliterated.

We have the girl. You know what we want. You know where we are. If you want her back safe, you'll make the trade. You have until sunrise. Run, run, run. As fast as you can.

The Shadow Men had Elena. She was in danger because of me. This was my fault. My heart pounded wildly in my chest. Guilt; agonizing and justified; burned within me. I had to go to them. I had to free Elena.

What's wrong? Damon. I quickly forced back the thoughts of the note and what I had to do as I entered the house.

Nothing; I lied, have you found anything?

Not yet. I could hear him curse under his breath. Just, stay inside until we sort this out. For a moment I was quiet; warring with myself.

Alright; be safe. I murmured, closing the door behind me. Satisfied, he returned his attention to Elena. Once I was sure he wasn't listening to me, I opened the door and took to the sky. Even though I was unconscious when I was taken to and from the Shadow Men's refuge, somehow my body knew where it was and, regardless how every fiber of my being was screaming to run the other way, I started towards them. Fast.

The winds were violent now; the storm maybe an hour away. Forcing the violent air currents into submission, I shot through the sky and came upon their camp in minutes. Still, the effort it took to tame the angry gales left me panting as I dropped to the ground outside the isolated cabin. It would have been a beautiful thing to see; the grand log house nestled in the middle of the forest; but I knew of the monsters hidden within.

"I'm here!" I shouted, adrenaline pounding through my veins; panic spreading through my body like ice. "Let her go!"

Thea? Damn. Damon, I'm sorry. The door opened. Thea, where are you? I could feel the dread steal over him. Elena was tossed out the door, a gag tied around her mouth, and her hands and feet bound. There was a scrape on her forehead, but she seemed otherwise unharmed. Thea! Her terrified eyes shot to mine; tears spilling down her cheeks. No! A blank expression formed on my face; empty; as a man walked out from the shadows within the cabin. Thea, get out of there! I'm so sorry; Damon. You need to forget about me.

"Let her go." I demanded. "I'm here. I'm not going to run." That sick smile crossed his lips as he stared at me with those hungry black eyes.

"How do I know you won't fly off the instant she's free?" he asked. He had won. There was no way for either of us to escape them; they were too fast. If he wanted, he could easily overtake me and keep Elena. Yes, he was certain of his victory; he just wanted to make sure I knew it, too. Still, I lifted my shirt over my head and trapped my wings in it. And he laughed. That laugh that made my hair stand on end and my heart falter in terror. Damon was shouting wildly; demanding my retreat; a frenzy of wrath and horror. The man walked slowly towards Elena, a knife gleaming in his hand. The closer he got, the more frantic her sobs became. Completely focused on me, he absently sliced through her bonds. Frozen in terror, she scrambled away from him.

"Go on, girl; your use is done." He said impatiently. With a final, fleeting glance at me, she struggled to her feet and raced away. In that one look, I saw the heart-stopping guilt tearing through her; the silent apologies screaming from her core. But the simple fact was that she had no choice except to run. There was nothing she could do to help me. She could merely escape and keep the casualties down.

Damon, you need to find Elena; she's in shock. I told a still frantic Damon. Find her and get her out of here. I said calmly over his mad demands. He mentioned having Stephen take care of her while he came to me, but that immediately sent my heart racing. No Damon! I shouted silently. There are too many; you know that! We only barely got out last time, and then they weren't expecting you! The alpha held his hand out for me; motioning for me to come to him.

I'm not going to let them have you! Not again! He roared. A tear slid from my eye as I started walking.

There is no other choice, Damon. If you come here now, they'll kill you. He was silent as his mind desperately struggled for a logical argument, but found none.

I don't care. He finally said. I was so shocked, that words and thoughts temporarily failed me. The vampire's cold hands touched the small of my back as I stood before the black within the cabin.

I'm sorry. I sobbed as the darkness consumed me.