Chapter 20: Where are you?

Damon POV

It has been a week now that Elena's been gone. I can feel my heart breaking more and more each day. We searched every town in Virginia and were headed to the island to hopefully pick up some clues as to where they could be. I couldn't even stand to look at Meredith anymore. A part of me will always blame her for this. I could tell Bonnie felt the same way. She would never say it out loud. But the she isn't as friendly as she used to be Meredith and she looks at her in a way where I can tell she is angry and doesn't want to admit it.

Sage filled us in on what had happened to Meredith and Alaric at the island. Mutt started pitying her for it. Especially when Alaric left and she broke down into sobs. They even rode together as we searched the state for Elena. I could tell this annoyed Bonnie as well.

I have no sympathy for Meredith, I may have before all of this she let Stefan in. Let Stefan take away my sunshine. And why? I mean she is s smart enough girl, She had to have some idea of what was going to happen. Was she so miserable she wanted Elena to be miserable too? I mused.

Sage shook his head at me to tell me to stop. Bonnie was starting to be able to pick up a little of telepathy and Sage didn't want her to hear my rant. I had not acquired that gift back unfortunately and was stuck having my thoughts read without being able to do it back. It was very frustrating.

"Can you feel her at all?" Bonnie asked as we pulled closer to the island.

"No" I said miserably "That's the worst part about all of this. I should be able to sense her. Our souls are connected. She is what drew me to Fells Church to begin with."

"Stefan may have had Shinichi put up a block between you" Sage said thoughtfully.

"A block?" I asked

"Yes. You and Elena are soul mates. Now that you have uh.. connected. He wont be able to get into either of your minds. But he can put up a block.. it's kind of like a force field to try to keep you from sensing each other" Sage explained.

"But she can't be compelled?" I asked relieved.

"No.. neither can her memories of you be erased or altered in anyway" He nodded.

"Wow so it's like they protect each other's minds?" Bonnie asked.

"Something like that" Sage said "I have no idea how it works though"

"So how do you know someone is your soul mate?" She asked.

"You just feel drawn to them and you cant really explain why. Once you finally connect and realize your feelings you just know. I guess.. I haven't found my soul mate yet. So I'm not entirely sure. Damon did you always know Elena was your mate?"

"No... but I knew I wanted her more then anything. I would have done anything to get her in the beginning. But her love changed me" I started to feel the tears and was not going to cry in front of them so I slipped my sunglasses on and peered out the window.

We made it to the island and I felt nothing.

"Elena is not here" I said as Matt and Meredith pulled up behind us and got out.

"But how do you know? Maybe Shinichi did that thing?" Bonnie asked looking around.

"What thing?" Mutt asked.

"Ask them about it" I said flippantly and looked to see if there were any fresh tire tracks around. I didn't want to talk about Elena being gone anymore. I didn't want to think about my soul being blocked from hers. And I definitely didn't want to talk about it with Mutt.

Guy just rubs me the wrong way, I thought to myself.

"Me to" Sage muttered looking toward Matt who was know talking to Bonnie. I could swear I saw a glare of jealousy in his eyes.

"You to what?" Meredith asked sage looking confused.

"Mind you own" I said and turned from her. "I think we should just go. She's not here. I might be blocked from her but I would still sense my brother. Plus I don't see any fresh tire tracks."

"What if we went to the demon of truth?' Meredith asked "He would have to tell us where she is"

"Only if he knows" Sage replied "He cant tell truths he doesn't know. Unless Stefan decided where he was going to take Elena when we were near the demon he wouldn't have a clue."

"Maybe he did?" She suggested meekly.

"No.. I don't think so.. " Sage replied "I think the decision came in the car on the way back. I knew something was wrong with him. He was struggling internally with something. I should have done something" He kicked a tree stump in anger.

"You did you warned us. I shouldn't have left her" I replied.

"You did that for her!" Bonnie said walking up with Matt in tow. "To pay your respects to her mother. This is NOT your fault"

I didn't miss the quick glance she shot at Meredith.

But I did almost miss the quick flash as someone stepped up to greet us. It was Tyler!

"What are you guys doing back here?" He said scratching his head. He looked disheveled.

"We could ask you the same question" I glaring at the man who attacked Elena so long ago.

"I came here when I turned into a werewolf" He replied. "After I attacked Elena and after what I did to Caroline." He shuddered and continued " I figured I needed to get far away from people. Shinichi told me about how he left this place Baron of normal humans so here I am"

"What do you mean what you did to Caroline?" Bonnie asked her eyes darkening.

"I don't want to discuss it. When I went through my transformation I did some horrible things. I do feel bad for all of them now. It wasn't me I swear. The anger it just took over." He looked down and I could see remorse in his he hurt my angel so I would never forgive him.

"So you guys gonna tell me what's up? I saw Meredith and this guy here with Stefan and the teacher a few weeks ago. And now your all here?"

"We are looking for Elena and Stefan" Mutt answered "Have you seen either of them in the last week?"

"No" Tyler nodded slowly "Is Elena with Stefan?"

"Yes.. why?" I didn't like the way he asked that.

"Its just that I saw him.. the last time you guys were here. When you left that old demon's house. I saw Stefan.. he went mad. He killed half a dozen possessed humans and hurt several more. He looked crazed. Then he looked around him fell to his knees and started crying. I don't know if it's very safe for Elena to be with him." Tyler explained actually appearing concerned.

I felt my heart start to race.

"Then we have to find her now" I said "We have to figure out where the hell they are before he hurts her."

I just hoped to God I wasn't to late.

"Where are you?" I said out loud for the 100th time. And for the 100th time no answer came. I buried my head in my hands.

Stefan POV

It had been a week now since I manged to capture Elena and get her away from Damon. I was upset when I found out Shinichi couldn't erase her memories of him. But I thought my new plan was much better.

I had figured that not only would she turn to me for comfort but would in turn comfort me. Impressing her with how I had forgiven my brother and bringing back our bond.

As if I could ever forgive Damon, I thought to myself.

But things were not working out like I wanted them to. Not even close. Elena wouldn't stop crying. She would hardly eat. She was sick all the time and the only time she would stop crying was when she went to sleep but she woke up every night with gut wrenching sobs. She wouldn't let me near her neck. She said she was to weak and sick to give up any blood. Which I had to admit was true.

I was getting irritated though and irritated fast.

She wouldn't be mourning over you like this , a small voice hissed in my head. I stopped trying to shoo the small voice away. It was actually helping me keep my head clear.

I was starting to see now that Elena was never gonna love me again. not like she used too anyway.

She has no respect for your feelings either, the voice whispered into my head, crying over her lover like that so loudly.

Right, I agreed with the voice this time nodding, no respect. The modern woman is so selfish. I mused.

Maybe you should teach her some respect, the voice hissed this time.

No. no. I thought back pushing it away, I wont hurt her. I couldn't hurt Elena.

"No... No... Damon.." Elena awake sobbing again.

But, I have to do something about this. I decided. What can I do?. She wont even allow me to try to comfort her.

"Shinichi!" I hollered.

"Yes Stefan" the fox slipped up the stairs quickly.

"What can you do about that" I motioned toward the room as Elena's sobs grew louder and more intense.

"You control me now Stefan. I can only do what you tell me to do" He replied with a blank stare.

"Can you soundproof the room somehow?" I asked

"From vampire ears hardly"

"Noooo Damon.. I loved you so..." Elena cried.

"Ugh!" I said holding hands over my ears. "I'm going hunting for a while. I have got to get out of here before I do something I'm going to regret"

Shincihi's eyes grew wider.

"You" I pointed to the female fox Misao" "Do your female thing.. Talk to her.. become her friend. Comfort her whatever you need to do. Make her STOP!"

She nodded slowly and headed for the stairs as I ran out the door to get away