I wasn't really sure how to feel. We'd moved so that he was lying beside me, one arm rested lightly on my waist. I had my back to him, curled up slightly with as little of my body touching him as possible.

"Are you okay Elena…?" he asked softly, playing with a strand of my hair. His other hand trailed lightly along my spine, tracing random patterns.

"I'm okay," I said quietly. His hands faltered in their movement for a minute before continuing. It wasn't the same though, there was an undercurrent of tension to the gesture. I flinched a little although I tried hard to supress it. His hand stopped again and he pulled away, propping himself up.

"You're not acting okay." I sighed softly and rolled over to face him.

"I feel… used," I admitted. I looked away, unsure of how he would react.

"You could have said no." His tone made it almost seem like an accusation and I instantly felt any openness I'd had towards him disappearing back inside myself.

"Oh, like I said no to you killing my aunt? Or Damon trying to turn me? Or you kidnapping me?" I regretted it as soon as I said it and the look that appeared in his eyes, a mixture of hurt and anger. I sighed again. "It's not that I didn't enjoy it. I did."

"Then what's the problem?" How could I explain this to him? That I felt like he and his brothers were competing, that I felt like I was being manipulated and I was never sure what I was doing was of my own free will even when I consented?

I couldn't.

"Nothing… forget it." I got up and grabbed my clothes from the floor along with the book. "Thanks for the book, Klaus." He half sat up and looked like he was about to stop me but I left the room before he could say anything, taking refuge in my bedroom.

It wasn't that I didn't trust Klaus. I did… sort of. I mean, I'd saved his life after all, and I'd accepted my new life here, giving up my opportunities to escape. But after what Klaus had done, after what I'd seen… I couldn't open up to him completely. It was just too much to ask. He'd already taken my home, my family and more besides. I had to share so much of myself, I couldn't give up the last part of myself that was still only mine. Not to Klaus, not to anyone.

I went to the wardrobe and dug out the thickest coziest pyjamas I could find. The type that I used to wear when I was sick and stuck home in bed with my mom taking care of me. I curled up on my bed and opened the book. I let myself get lost in the story, absorbed by the tale of Christine and Raoul and Erik. It was touching in a way that was unfamiliar to me.

After a time, my eyes grew heavy and slowly slid closed. I felt myself drifting off into a deep sleep.

When I woke up, the house was quiet. I sat up in bed, momentarily confused. For a minute it was almost like I was back at home and nothing had changed. I stretched and my eyes fell on the clock beside me. Shit. I was late.

I threw myself out of bed and tugged on clean clothes. My hair needed a wash so I tied it into a messy bun before catapulting myself into the corridor, down the stairs to the front. I snagged a set of car keys on my way out, figuring no one would mind. I knew I had English this morning and if I was late, I had a feeling Mr Holt would tear out my jugular. I wondered where Rebekah was and why she hadn't woken me. I hadn't seen her since lunch the day before, I hoped she was okay. Maybe she'd got sick of high school boys and had decided not to join me anymore.

I drove as fast as I dared, silently wishing that I'd got some of the Originals super speed in the transfer. No, instead I got shitty voices in my head and messed up dreams. Where was the fairness in that?

I pulled into the school parking lot and checked the time to see the damage. I'd missed all of first period but second period had only started about ten minutes ago. I was still late but not as late as I could have been. I headed quickly to my English class and paused outside. Class was in full swing. Everyone had their heads down, already working on their tests. I hesitated, trying to work out what to do. I hated walking in half way through, especially when I had a mean teacher. I considered just going and hiding in the library for the rest of second. I'd probably get into trouble for it later but at least it would buy me some time and I could use the time to study for other classes.

As the thought crossed my mind Mr Holt, who had been immersed in something else, lifted his head as though he sensed my presence and his eyes met mine through the window. He crossed the room and opened the door, leaning against the frame expectantly with his expression saying 'are you coming in?' I had no choice. I sighed and bit my lip as I reluctantly approached the room. I entered the classroom and went to my seat, head down. He came over without a word and placed a test on my desk.

"Nice of you to join us Miss Gilbert," he said softly, before returning to the front. I could feel everyone looking at me and my cheeks flared red under their scrutiny. I focused on my test, ignoring them, and eventually everyone turned back to their work.

Most of the questions were on Phantom of the Opera, with a few other general ones about literary adaptations scattered in. I was glad that I'd studied up the night before or I wouldn't have known where to begin. By the time the bell rang, I felt fairly confident I'd done well. I scribbled my name on the front of my test and grabbed my bag, ready to flee the classroom.

"Miss Gilbert, please wait behind." His icy voice reached my ears the second my foot crossed the threshold of the doorway. I grimaced and stepped back to let everyone else go past me. I back tracked to his desk. He put a chair opposite his and gestured for me to sit. "Miss Gilbert…" I had a feeling a rant was coming so I decided to quickly cut in with my apology and hope that would curtail it a bit.

"Sir, I'm very sorry I was late. I overslept. I know that's not an excuse but I promise it won't happen again."

"I should hope so. But I want to talk about something else first before I address your tardiness." I kept quiet, waiting expectantly. "I had a look at your file. Your parents died during your sophomore year, yes?"

"Yes."

"And your aunt… and uncle died earlier this year?"

"Yes."

"It's a terrible to lose your family." His tone became slightly hollow and I got the feeling he'd lost someone… probably more than just one person. I didn't know how to respond. Of course it was terrible to lose my family. Of course it hurt. He clearly knew that. "Who are you staying with at the moment? I've noticed that your brother, Jeremy, has been arriving separately… and also on time."

"Umm well, he's been staying at our old house with Alaric…. I mean Mr Saltzman."

"The history teacher?"

"Yeah. He was… involved with my aunt, he's been keeping an eye on Jeremy."

"And what about you?"

"I've sorted of been… unofficially adopted by this family just outside of town."

"And how is that for you?"

"It's… okay." He fixed me with a hard look that made me want to shrink down in my seat until I disappeared completely.

"Elena… there are bruises on the back of your neck." My hand flew to my neck instantly, touching it lightly. I could feel a number of sore spots under my fingers as I probed the skin. "Would you care to explain what happened to you?"

"I… fell." I winced at the lie. Even as I said it, I knew it sounded stupid. But what was I supposed to say? I was having sex with a werewolf vampire hybrid and he got a bit rough?

"You don't have to lie to me. I can understand that it may be uncomfortable to talk about but you can trust me Elena. Tell me what really happened." I wanted to trust him. There was something in his eyes that just made me… want to tell him the truth.

"There's nothing to tell. Everything's fine." He sighed and got up.

"Very well. I expect to see you this afternoon after classes for detention to make up for your lateness." I nodded, grabbed my bag and hurried out of the class.

I kept to myself for the rest of the day, still shaken by my conversation with Mr Holt. I put my hair down, even though it looked a state, to avoid any more awkward conversations about the bruises on my neck.

As the final bell rang, I realized I needed to let the Originals know that I'd be late home. I hadn't seen Rebekah so I couldn't send a message with her. I considered attempting to contact one of them mentally but figured it wasn't a good idea after what had happened last time I'd pushed into their minds. I fished my phone from my pocket, wondering if I could text Stefan. I went to my contacts and saw Elijah had programmed his number in. Well I'd rather text him than Klaus after last night.

Going to be late home. Got detention. Don't worry. E x

I slid my phone back into my pocket and headed to Mr Holt's classroom. He looked up from what he was doing as I knocked lightly at the open door.

"Late for detention too Elena? Are you trying to set a record?"

"Sorry sir, I had to let my… family know I was going to be late home so they wouldn't worry."

"Hmm… well, you can get ahead on the reading for our next classes. After we finish with Phantom of the Opera, I was planning on moving onto Flowers in the Attic. Have you read it?"

"No."

"It's a good book." He fetched a copy from his desk and passed it to me. I settled down in my seat to read it. "You put your hair down."

"Yes." I was slightly startled by his comment and I toyed with my hair self-consciously. I tried to train my eyes on the words in the book.

"You shouldn't be afraid of people being concerned Elena." He moved to sit opposite me. I put the book down and looked at him, expression tired. I didn't need his concern right now, it was only making me more stressed.

"Honestly, I think by this point, most people are tired of worrying about me."

"I'm sure that's not true."

"Well they should be. I'm tired of being a problem."

"Clearly some people still care. That family offered to take care of you, they must have had a reason for that."

"I wouldn't say offered is the right word," I muttered to myself. He quirked his eyebrow and I bit my tongue, regretting it. I had to be more careful what I said. Mr Holt was intimidating but I couldn't help telling him things. It was like his presence just made the words flow more freely. "They were very… insistent on the matter. I didn't really have a choice."

"Is it better than being alone?" I considered for a moment before nodding.

"I guess. I mean, they're a pretty… quirky family. But I think they care. And it's nice to have people who do… care I mean, and who aren't already bogged down in all my shit."

"Tell me about them." I hesitated, considering it. It would be good to talk to someone who could offer an outsider perspective.

"Well they're siblings… there's five of them. Four guys and girl. I used to not like… most of them actually. One of the guys was okay. Finn. He's quite quiet, reserved. Nice though. And there was another one who I thought was alright but he did some stuff that made me doubt him. I'm still not 100% sure which side of him is real. He acts like he's above the rest of them. Like he's charming and polite and honest and… honourable. But I think there's a darker side. He likes to hide it but it's there… the other two guys have it as well, but they don't try to hide it. And I think in a way its worse the way he does it."

"Is he the one who gave you those bruises?" I hesitated. "I won't tell anyone. Anything you say here is in confidence."

"No. That was his younger brother. He has… issues. He seems angry at everything. I thought I was getting through to him last night… he started opening up to me but then he just reverted back. He's closed off too, but in a different way from Finn. Finn just keeps quiet. Klaus… he scares people off."

"What about the other two?"

"Kol's the youngest. He's wild and mischievous but I think he's just a teddy bear at heart. I wasn't sure at first, he seemed to enjoy upsetting people, but I think it's just an act. The whole family has a lot of issues. I think they like having someone else to focus on who's got different problems for them to deal with. Rebekah, the girl, she's just… I think she's the most normal. She's a complete cow sometimes but that's just normal girl stuff. You've got to stand up for yourself in that kind of household. I think she likes having me around, it's like she's finally got someone on her side. I'm… glad I can be that person." I smiled to myself.

"Sounds like… you really care about them."

"I do. It's difficult sometimes. I feel like I'm betraying my old life by enjoying this new one… betraying my parents."

"You are allowed to be happy again Elena. Your life doesn't have to end because other peoples have." I looked down at the table. Ever so slightly, his hand touched mine in a silent gesture of comfort. I appreciated it. It was nice to have someone there, someone to talk to whose opinion wasn't tainted or whose feelings I had to try and protect. It was nice to open up to someone.

He looked at the clock.

"I think you've been here long enough. You can go."

"Really?"

"Yes. But try to be on time tomorrow or I won't be so lenient." I gathered up my bags and headed for the door, pausing at the threshold.

"Thank you for this Mr Holt. It was nice talking to you." He gave me the smallest of smiles.

"Anytime… Elena." I smiled back and headed out into the corridor. I decided that since I'd already told Elijah I'd be late and I had no idea what mood Klaus would be in when I got home, that it was worth going to the library to make a start on the book Mr Holt had given me. There were a few students dotted around so I found myself a quiet corner away from them and started reading.

I'd been reading for about an hour and a half when the lights went out. I lifted my head. The library was empty or what I could see with the few remaining lights. I got to my feet, looking around.

"Umm? Excuse me?" Another light flickered out. "I'm still in here!" The last lights went out. I grabbed my bag and hurried for the door. My hand touched the handle and suddenly I was thrown back, clear across the room. I collided with a bookcase, my head smacking against the wooden frame.

"Ow…" I sat up slowly, rubbing my head. I looked around for my attacker but saw nothing. I got to my feet and eyed the door, wondering if I could make it before I got attacked again. I took a step. Nothing. Then another. And another.

I was a few steps from the door when a sharp breeze whipped past me and knocked me down again. It wasn't as hard this time but my body ached. I got up, eyes darting around for a clue as to what I was dealing with. For a second, the silhouette of a man appeared in the door way and then it was gone. Vampire. A witch couldn't move that fast and I didn't think a werewolf could when not in wolf form.

I slipped a hand in my pocket and retrieved a stray pencil. It had worked before… and it was all I had.

I took a deep breath and dashed for the door. I felt the same breeze as my attacker sped to intercept me, I stabbed at the air with my pencil the second before I was knocked down again.

"Bitch!" I heard the voice but couldn't see him. I took the chance and made another mad run for the door. This time nothing happened and I fell into the corridor. I ran.

I glanced back and saw a figure in black at the end of the hall. I blinked and he was gone. I sprinted, hunting for an exit. It grabbed hold of my hair and I was pulled back, screaming out in pain as it was torn from the roots. I was tossed aside like a rag doll, landing against the lockers with a painful thump that reverberated through my bones. I let my body go limp hoping that there would be the end.

Silence.

I dared look up. He… I guessed it was a he… was stood there, a short distance away. His face was obscured by a hood pulled down over his face. As I watched he began to take slow deliberate steps towards me until he was directly in front of me. He knelt down and grabbed hold of my face, forcing me to look at him. He held the pencil in front of my face, the tip smeared with blood.

"That wasn't very nice Elena…" he hissed. He raised his arm and I saw that he was going to drive the pencil into me as I had done to him.

"Elena!" Kol's voice. The man looked up, uttered a soft snarl and vanished down the hallway.

"I'm here…!" I called out weakly. Kol was at my side in a second.

"Oh god Elena…" he lifted me up, cradling me in his arms and carefully carried me out of the building to his car.