Enjoy!

Summer was drawing to a close and it certainly will never be forgotten anytime soon. So much had happened in my time being back, some thing's good and a lot… not so good. Klaus has wreaked havoc amongst our small town these past few months. Elena has lost the love of her life. My mom knows about Care now, and for some reason I feel more at ease with it all. Like I don't have to keep lying to the ones I love anymore.

Elena spent most of the summer looking for Stefan with Alaric after he sacrificed himself to Klaus so that he would save his brother's life, and Klaus kept his word and fulfilled his side of the deal. He sent Katherine to the boarding house with a vial of his blood to cure the werewolf bite on Damon. And it worked. Now we know what the cure is for a werewolf bite but we just don't like where it came from to say the least. So, as long as no one else gets bitten by one, we won't ever see Klaus again. Not seeing him again was fine by me, but something in the pit of my stomach ached at the thought of never seeing him again.

I snapped myself out of it. He was the devil in disguise. He tortured many of my friends to get what he wanted. I offered myself to him and I wasn't enough, and this still bugged me. I don't know what was running through his mind when he chose not to use me on the altar. I would have sufficed and he could have spared Jenna, but no. He wanted it his way, so that's what he done.

My phone began to buzz on the dresser, as I sat straightening my kinky hair, fresh from the shower.

"Hello?" I spoke into the phone.

"Hey! Come to the Grill. Tyler and I are talking party plans for Elena's birthday bash tonight." Caroline's voice travelled through my ears as she spoke so fluently.

"Uhh… I'm just doing my hair," I sighed, "Okay. Give me 15 minutes to get changed and I'll be right over."

"Yayy!"

I hung up the phone and placed it on the dresser before walking into the closet and rummaged through the clothes that were hanging up. It was a nice day, so something light and casual was the way to go. I pulled out a blue tank top and some black shorts and placed them on my bed. I grabbed the sandals that were by the closet door and placed them on the floor at the foot of the bed. Throwing the clothes on and slipping the shoes onto my feet, I took one last glance in the mirror before leaving the room.

I felt better being home now. My mom knew about my sister and she was slowly coming to terms with it. I had been working out a lot, trying to focus my anger into something other than myself and others. I all but bit Care's head of the other month. I didn't know was was triggering these out bursts, but I was slowly getting the hang of them.

Slowly.

I pulled up at the grill and walked over to where my sister and Tyler were sat outside in the sun and took a seat beside them.

"Hey guys," I placed my cell on the glass table, "So, what's happening with this party then?"

Care smiled. Planning parties and events was her thing, so she was in her element right now. "Something's up with your mother."

I frowned.

"What has Tyler's mom got to do with Elena's party?" I laughed lightly as did she.

"Like what?" Tyler asked.

"When I was over yesterday she kept eyeing me."

I frowned as I was clearly in the dark about something.

"Hey guys!" Caroline and Tyler eyed each other before turning to Jeremy.

"Did Matt make you switch sections?" she quizzed Jeremy, he just shrugged his shoulders. "He thinks were dating."

"So does my mother." Tyler added.

"What?" Caroline and I asked in unison.

"We're together all the time. It's not a leap."

"That's crazy."

"Right."

The uncomfortable, not to mention sexual tension between the two was unbearable. I was sat like a third wheel as they awkwardly shared glances with each other over their drinks.

"Okayyy… Shall we move this party somewhere more fitting?" I smiled. "Let's go get this thing ready!" and with that we got up and made our way to the Salvatore house to get the decorating underway.

At the Salvatore house, Caroline, Elena, Tyler and I were putting up the decorations and laying the tables with red cups and paper plates.

"I feel like I have to fight Damon every single time we get a lead on Stefan." Elena said as she took some napkins from Caroline.

"Maybe he doesn't want to find him." Tyler spit out without thinking.

"Tyler!" Caroline and I once again shouted in unison as we looked in his direction.

""What?" he shrugged, "He's into you, isn't he?"

Elena sighed, "The only reason Stefan left with Klaus was so he could save Damon's life. I mean, trust me, Damon wants to find him."

"But you kissed him?" Caroline and I looked at Tyler again, but this time it was a different look. I was one of shock and Caroline's was one of annoyance at his loose-lips. "You probably screwed with his head."

"Wait…what?" I turned to Elena, "You kissed Damon?"

Elena smiled and looked down to the floor. She and Caroline look at each other.

"I'm sorry." Care apologised to her.

"Don't worry about it," Elena said, "Look, yes I kissed him, but it was a… it was a goodbye kiss. I thought he was gonna die." Elena sighed as her phone beeped from inside her pocket. "I missed a call from Bonnie. I'll be right back."

She left the room.

Caroline tossed napkins at Tyler. "Just because I tell you things, doesn't mean you're allowed to know them!"

"Why didn't you tell me?" I asked from the side-lines of their little moment with a smile on my face.

"Sorry, Jess. It all just happened so fast." She smiled innocently.

I nodded and began to pick up the tossed napkins which were scattered on the floor.

"I've gotta run if I'm gonna change and pick up Sophie in time." Tyler said in a light tone.

Caroline stifled a snort, "Wait. You're bringing a date? Slutty Sophie is your date?"

"Hey! It's been kinda slow in that department. And… I am horny all the time now!"

Care laughed, "Yeah, tell me about it, sometimes I feel like I'm gonna explode! It's a… vampire… thing. Yeah, our emotions are heightened and we're on overdrive." She explained.

"You do know I'm right here… right?" I stated.

"Ohh, please. It not like you don't know what I mean."

I shrugged, "Fair point. Continue." I went back to crawling on the floor, picking up the napkins..

She's not wrong. I wanted to jump on anything that moved lately. I had a deep desire inside that just wasn't being met.

"It's a werewolf thing too. Just like I can't turn it off."

"Yeah…" Awkward silence filled the room. "Well, uh, I hope you get, uh, lucky tonight."

Tyler laughed, "I'll see you later."

I waited until Tyler left the room.

"Well, that… That was something else." I laughed, and playfully punched my sister on the shoulder as I got to my feet. She just smirked.

"Let's just get in here finished for tonight, okay?"

"Yes, boss." I saluted and we started to place food and drinks on the tables

The party was in full swing. There were more people arriving by the house. More than I thought would show anyway. I didn't think Elena knew this many people, because I certainly didn't.

Damon had arrived from wherever he was. Since Stefan had gone, Damon had become kinda distant from us all. I understand why, but if he just spoke to one of us, maybe we could help find Stefan quicker, together.

As Elena and Damon entered the living room, Caroline grabbed me by the arm and pulled me over to them.

"You like?" She looked at Elena's facial expression, which was one of shock, "Don't answer that."

"This is keeping it small?"

I smirked, "Do you know my sister at all"?

We all smiled and laughed, "What are we drinking?" Elena finally caved to Caroline's charm and took the drink she offered her and entered the party.

As we walked through the rooms, we crossed over the 'stoner den' and Matt walked over to us. Placing a kiss on Elena's cheek, she widened her eyes as she was slightly taken aback.

"Happy birthday," he smiled small, "Hey Jess."

"Hey, Matt." I replied and Elena thanked him for his wishes.

Caroline slumped in her stature, ""He hates me. His hatred for me, has driven him to drugs!"

"He doesn't hate you, Caroline." I rolled my eyes as she pouted and clasped a bottle of booze in her hands, "He just hates that you're no longer together. Give him time. He'll come around." I reassured her.

"Is that my brother?"

Elena looked into the room to see Jer, sitting on the sofa with a joint in his hand, smoking away to himself. She handed me her drink, "Thank you." she said as I clasped her drink before she walked into the room and straight over to her brother.

Caroline and I went our separate ways a few moments later. I wandered through the house looking around and chatting with people as they passed by, half-cut and stumbling against the walls. I rolled my eyes in annoyance. I wasn't nearly drunk enough for this. I grabbed a bottle off a table and made my way outside to the porch at the rear of the house.

"Ohh, hey." I smiled as I came into contact with Damon and Alaric. Both had a glass of bourbon in hand as they leaned on the small wall that surrounded the house. "Everything okay?" I asked.

"I am every parent's worst nightmare," Alaric huffed, "I am the chaperone from hell."

"I love high school parties." Damon quipped.

"No, you love high school girls," I sniggered as a laugh escaped my slightly drunken lips, "Get it right, Damon." Alaric laughed into his drink, and I took a long swig from my bottle.

"Touché." The older Salvatore smiled down at me.

"Isn't Andi supposed to be coming?"

"Ten o'clock broadcast. She should be here in a little bit."

Elena walked through the doors and approached us.

"Hello, birthday girl." Damon smiled from ear to ear as she came into view.

She never acknowledged us; she simply stretched out her hand and clasped Damon's glass. "Drink," she downed the auburn liquid in one swift movement, "Jeremy's smoking again." she informed us in a saddened tone.

"Is his stash any good?" Damon spoke as his lips turned up at the edges.

Elena gave him the evil-eye stare and I couldn't contain my laughter anymore, I received a punch to the shoulder. "You're an ass," she spoke to Damon, "Both of you."

I frowned, "What did I do?"

"You laughed!"

Damon looked at me and we laughed in unison.

Elena rolled her eyes and turned to face Alaric, "Talk to him, please. He looks up to you." She placed the empty glass back into Damon's hand and walked away.

"You're screwed." Damon sighed.

"Ahh." Was all Alaric could muster.

I however, stood to the side and continued to drink my poison quietly. Like a good girl.

About an hour has passed, maybe more, I don't know. I lost count a while ago. Everyone was getting drunker by the second, myself included. I final began to let loose and enjoy the party. I needed this, hell, we all needed this. After the summer from hell, no one was any wiser of what had been happening in our town, they all just got on with their lives, whilst we fought for ours.

I was dancing in the centre of the room, a few feet away from Tyler and 'slutty' Sophie, as my sister so poetically said earlier. They were dancing close together, bodies rubbing against one another. I watched on as some random guy began to dance beside me. He held my waist as he pulled me closer.

I didn't mind as I was too drunk to really register what he was doing. He was kinda cute though… or that may be the drink talking? Who knows. I was just going to enjoy this moment like everyone else.

My ears picked up a familiar voice from a few feet away.

"Aren't you guys supposed to be like mortal enemies? I mean, isn't that how it works in vampire, werewolf universe?" I stopped dancing as I looked at Matt. Caroline silenced him almost immediately.

"What is wrong with you!" she growled lowly.

I pushed the guy who was dancing with me away, and headed over to Matt and Caroline, bumping into Tyler as I walked. He was headed in the same direction; he clearly heard the conversation too.

"I-I don't know. I'm out of it I guess," Matt staggered a little as Tyler and I approached, "Sorry." He apologised to Caroline and walked off, wading through the countless bodies that scattered the halls.

"Are you o-okay?" I mumbled.

Wow, I really was drunk.

"What was that about?" I managed to get my drunken-ass to ask my sister

"Nothing," she shrugged, and crossed her arms over her chest defensively as Tyler and his date approached from my left.

"Great party, Caroline!" Sophie beamed, as she clung to Tyler's arm like a koala.

She smiles wickedly, "Thanks!" her face fell, "Now leave it." Sophie was transfixed by Caroline's compulsion; she released her grip on Tyler and walked away through the crowd towards the exit.

Tyler followed her line of view and then looked at Caroline in annoyance, "What the hell!" he moaned and threw his arms in the air.

Caroline never answered; she just simply waked into the crowd and disappeared.

"What was that about?" he turned to me, anger and confusion plastered across his pale skin.

I shrugged, "If you don't understand by now… then you never will." I sighed and walked into the crowd, following my sister.

I bumped into Elena as I was about to walk up the stairs, still in search for Caroline. "Ohh, hey!" I smiled at the brunette and she smiled back.

"Hi… boy, you're so drunk." She laughed and looped her arm through mine as we climbed the staircase together. I nodded lightly and pinched my fingers a few centimetres apart in front of her face.

"Maybe j- just a little bit." I smiled a teeth bearing grin at her as we walked down the hallway. We approached Damon's room, opened the door and enter inside.

"This room's off limits!"

"Caroline?"

"Sorry. I just needed to take a beat," she said and placed a blood bag on the counter top before approaching us, "Are you hiding?" she asked Elena suspiciously.

"I-I was looking for you. I have no idea what Elena was doing." I made my motive clear.

"I was looking for Damon."

"Well, he better be here somewhere because we haven't even done cake yet." Caroline huffed and clapped her hands against the sides of her thighs.

I could tell by Elena's face that she wasn't too bothered by the whole 'party' thing like Care was.

"I think I'm gonna pass on the whole cake thing"

"What? No, no way, no! It's your birthday! You know it's the dawn of a new day and, you can't get on with your life until you have made a wish and blown out your candles."

Elena frowned, "Is that what you want?" she looked over me and then back to Caroline, "Is that what everyone wants? For me to just 'get on with my life'?"

"Of course not, Elena, but you need to admit that you're just drifting at the moment." I said.

"I just don't think anyone wants to see you like this." Caroline added.

"I'm not gonna give up on finding Stefan, guys."

"And you shouldn't! None of us would expect you to anyway." I clarified as I plopped down on Damon's super-comfy bed.

"Look," Caroline interjected, "All we're saying is, you're letting your life pass you by. And isn't Stefan the one who wanted to make sure you lived it?"

"You want me to make a wish? I just wanna know if he's alive," Elena exhaled, I could physically feel her exhaustion as she spoke, "That's it! That's my wish." Elena turned to walk away when she faltered in her steps; she stopped in front of a closet door that was slightly ajar.

"I'm sorry, okay? I'm just drunk and dumb tonight." Caroline sighed sadly.

"Just tonight?" I laughed and earned a scowl from her.

"Wait, what are you doing…?"

Elena opened up the door, "Wow…" I gasped as she stepped back to reveal a door full of notes, maps, and information articles that Damon must have been using to search for Klaus and Stefan. Caroline and I approached her.

"What is all that?" she asked.

I examined the door further; there was a post-it note with the name Klaus handwritten on it and a newspaper article with the heading, 'DNA found at campsite', and another cut-out which read, 'Man vanishes Friday night'. I swallowed hard.

"It's Klaus. Damon's been tracking him without me." Elena sadly spoke.

"Why wouldn't he just tell you?"

"He wants to keep you safe…" I spoke as I continued to look at the door and read the articles. I wouldn't want to be caught up in this mess, and Damon doesn't want Elena to be either.

"I- I don't know." Elena was deflated; both Caroline and I could see it and feel it in the way she spoke as she touched the notes on the door.

"Why don't we go back downstairs?" I suggested, "You can ask Damon about all this when he shows his face."

People were finally leaving the Salvatore house in hoards as the party was coming to an end. The floor was littered with cups and rubbish from everyone as they left. I witnessed Care and Tyler having an argument then a make-out session. I smiled at myself and then watched them leave the house together. Happy. They were finally gonna do something about that sexual tension and I was overly jealous. The house was practically empty. Damon came back and walked straight up stairs, not giving anyone a second glance. I didn't pry.

I walked around the room, a trash bag in hand as I staggered a little whilst picking up the remains of the party. I stumbled and held onto the wall for support as I was still tipsy. My stomach growled as all that laced the lining was alcohol.

I needed food.

I tossed the trash bag onto the sofa and made my way to the kitchen. I whipped up a quick sandwich before heading back into the main room, the sandwich in hand as I continued to rid the house from the overflowing plastic cups.

Once I finished clearing some more of the house, I made my way home. I sent Caroline a text letting her know where I was and to message me when she woke and to let me know she was alright. I knew she probably wouldn't do that, but it was worth a shot anyway.

I walked up the porch, and entered my house. It was quiet and I noticed that mom was sleeping in her room as I passed by her door. As I entered my room, I peeled off my dress and let it slip to the floor before stepping out of it. I removed the bracelet that clung to my skin from the heat inside the house and slipped inside my silk house coat before walking over to the window. I opened it wide until it was just over halfway open, letting in a cool breeze to caress my heated skin. Once again, my skin began to heat up. I took a quick, cool shower before climbing into my bed and watched out the window until I fell into a transient sleep.

'Meet me at the Grill. I need your help.'

I read the message in my head as I climbed into my car and turned on the radio. It was just news about the world we live in this day. I switched between channels and I drove the 20 minute drive to the Grill. The day was sunny with a slight breeze, so I grabbed my hoodie from the back seat and tied it around my waist before walking into the Grill.

As I entered the Grill, Tyler caught my eye almost immediately.

"Hey!" I greeted him as he swung around in his seat.

"Ohh, hey." He replied with a faltering smile.

"Where's Caroline?" I wondered as I took a seat beside him.

His gaze flickered between both my eyes, "I, Uhh… I don't know. I was gonna ask you."

I crossed my arms over my chest.

"I mean, I woke and she was gone," He smiled limply, "She's probably just went home."

I nodded in agreement with Tyler, "Yeah… yeah, maybe I just missed her when I left this morning," I looked up from my phone to see Elena waving me over, "Okay, if you hear anything from her, let me know as soon as possible, okay?" he nodded.

As I approached Elena who was sitting with Alaric at the bar, she had a coy smile on her face which filled me with uncertainty.

I reluctantly let out a sigh, "What now?"

I hated asking that question these days.

"How do you feel about a little hike through the Smokey Mountains?" she grinned, and my stomach churned.

"As in the remote mountains... on a full moon?"

She nodded.

"That's a swift NO!" I turned on my heels and felt a hand grab my forearm, spinning me back around to face her again. "Elena, that's a suicide mission!" I looked at Alaric who was also looking unamused by Elena's latest plan. "It's a full moon tonight!"

"We'll be out of there before the moon is full. If you don't come with me, I'm going by myself." Alaric scowled at her, "What? You're the one who told me that I could handle things on my own now."

He shook his head in aggravation, "Yeah, I mean like frozen dinners and SAT's," she raised her brow, "A-all right fine. Let's just… Let's just go. But, uh," Alaric clicked the glass on the bar, "You're driving."

Elena turned to me, "So?..."

I sighed, "Fine," she beamed and engulfed me in a hug, "But if I see one wolf, I'm out!"

"Deal."

We shook hands and headed out of the grill one after the other.

The drive wasn't as bad as I though. I sat in the back seat, one earphone in and the other hanging by its wire on my chest. I mainly looked out the window at the mountains; they were truly breath-taking. Shades of green, brown and blue passed by the window in a blur as we drove along the desolated roads. You could just make out the silhouette of the moon poking out from behind the clouds. I scratched at my skin absentmindedly. As the car came to a stop, Elena placed it in park and hopped out, passing by my window to open the trunk.

I climbed out and placed my phone in my back pocket, making sure to turn the volume down. Just in case we run into any stray wolves. Walking round to the back of the car where Elena and Alaric were stood pulling bags out of the trunk and placing them on the ground. I stood idly by, leaning against the car for support as Alaric closed the trunk down with a thud.

"Here," Alaric picked up a hiking bag and pushed it into my chest, "You can carry this one."

"What's in it?" I asked as I tugged it around my back and clipped it at my waist and chest for support.

"Vervain, wolfsbane, some grenades and stakes," he shrugged, "Things like that."

I nodded apprehensively, "Okay, remind me not to open that one."

He laughed.

"Okay," Elena huffed as she threw her bag on her back, "Tyler said they should be up this way." She pointed to a due-east direction through the trees.

"Let's go then." I swallowed hard and followed on behind Alaric and Elena as we set off into the unknown.

We must have been walking for about two hours by now. Luckily, I was in good shape and didn't need to stop, but we did make some stops along the way for Elena and Alaric to get a drink and catch their breath; I was alright for the moment. I was still a little weary about where we were. I just hoped that we were done with whatever needed to be done before the moon rose completely.

Walking along a river bank, I stopped in my tracks and looked around my surroundings. I heard some twigs snapping from behind, but I couldn't see anything. Alaric and Elena stopped a few feet in front of me for another drink and rest. I hovered on the spot, listening.

"In a couple of hours, the full moon's gonna rise just about that ridge. If Tyler's right, that's where the pack will be."

"You were a boy scout, weren't you?" Elena laughed, "A boy scout, slash vampire slayer?"

"Slash whisky-drinking all-around lost cause." He leaned down and opened his bag. There was a full armoury of weapons inside. It reassured me a little knowing he came fully prepared for any and all situations that may arise tonight.

He tossed Elena a grenade. "Vervain grenade?" she asked as she examined the weapon.

"Wolfsbane."

"Well," Elena reached into her back pocket and pulled out a piece of jewellery, "Since we're exchanging gifts…"

"That's John Gilberts ring." Alaric clarified.

"It was yours once. Go ahead. Take it. It'll protect you from whatever supernatural danger we're about to get ourselves into."

I stood, ignoring the rest of the conversation as I braced my head in the air, smelling the scents that were around us. Picking up on many familiar scents that hung in the air, but there was another that was lingering in my nose.

"I don't know why you think that you're a lost cause."

Just as I blinked, a whoosh of air flew by me and I watched as Elena went flying into the river that lay beside us. Alaric braced himself on the ground, his crossbow aiming straight at Damon as he casually leaned up against a large tree trunk.

Elena flounced in the water for a few seconds, clearing her hair from her face and turned to looked at us three on the embankment.

"Damon! How are you even here?" She yelled.

"Thanks for the tip, brother."

Elena scowled at Alaric, "You sold me out!"

He shrugged, "You think I'd take you to a mountain range of werewolves on a full moon without backup?"

I cleared my throat, "Umm, hello? What am I here for then?" I pointed to my face with both fingers as Damon smiled.

"The view." His lips tugged at the edges as I rolled my eyes.

"Pig!"

"Get out of the water, Elena."

"If I get out," she huffed and shuddered under the cold water current. "You're gonna make me go home."

"Yes, because I'm not an idiot like you." Damon pushed himself off the tree, arms folded across his muscular chest.

"Right now, you're both acting like idiots." Alaric threw into the conversation.

I raised my hand, "I second that. Can we just get going now, please?"

"You gave up on him Damon."

"I didn't give up on him, Elena. I faced reality. Now get out of the water."

"No!"

Damon snapped, "What's your big plan, Elena? Huh? You gonna walk through a campsite full of werewolves, roast a marshmallow, and wait for Stefan to drop by?" he jumped off the embankment and into the water. Alaric and I shared the same confused and annoyed look.

"My plan is to find him and help him, Damon, this is the closest that we've been to him since he left. I'm not going home."

I could hear Damon's audible sigh from a few feet away. His shoulders relaxed and his jaw slackened.

"Klaus thinks you died when he broke the curse. That makes you safe. This," he pointed to the surroundings, "This is not safe."

"I'm not leaving before we find him."

"It's a full moon tonight, Elena."

"Then we find him before then, Damon, please."

"Okay. Okay. But we are out of here before the moon is full and I'm werewolf bait."

"I promise."

"Unless you wanna relive that whole deathbed kissy thing."

I slapped my hands against my thighs, "Oh, my god! Guys, can we do this somewhere else?" Damon and Elena stopped whatever moment they were having and waded through the water back to the embankment. "In case you have forgotten, I'm a human too, therefore, also werewolf bait."

"All right, don't get you panties in a bunch, blondie." Damon snorted as he helped Elena out of the water.

I rolled my eyes as we dusted off and set off down the trail again, following Alaric as he guided us through the mountains.

The sky was beginning to get darker as the moon was nearing it's time to rise. We had been walking for hours, and still no sign of Stefan anywhere. We were now walking up the mountain at a steep angle, I was walking with Alaric whilst Damon and Elena were bickering behind us like two children.

"What are you guys, twelve?" Alaric must have read my mind, as I laughed.

"I was thinking more ten." I smirked as I could feel Damon's eyes burning into the back of my skull.

As I walked beside Alaric, his arm gently brushed over mine.

"Wow," He gasped, "Are you alright?"

I turned to look at him, "Why wouldn't I be alright?"

"Your skin...It's burning hot."

I crossed my arms and began to scratch at the flaming skin, "I'm fine. It's just all the walking up hills." I said as I tried to brush it off as nothing of importance. Alaric slowly nodded his head and dropped the subject for now.

Thankfully.

The sun was now setting at a rapid pace, but Elena showed no sign of slowing down yet.

Who could blame her? I sure couldn't, it if were Caroline, I'd be doing the same as her right now.

"We've got about a mile left." Alaric informed us all.

"The sun's about to set."

"I can see that, Damon." Elena snapped.

"I'm just saying." Damon raised his hands in a defensive gesture.

"The moon doesn't reach its apex for a while," she panted, "We've got time."

I stopped walking, bracing my arm out, stopping Alaric walking any further.

"What's wrong?" Elena whispered.

I placed my finger to my lips, silencing her.

I looked at Damon, "Did you hear that?" My voice was almost inaudible but I knew he could hear me.

Damon nodded. Walking around Elena, he pushed her closer to Alaric and me as he stepped out in front to see what may be coming. The sound of twigs snapping became louder. Someone staggered out of the woods and stopped in front of us, Alaric raised his crossbow, prepared for an attack.

"Stay where you are!" Alaric warned him.

"Vampire!"

The man hissed and rushed over to Damon and began to fight him. He pushed Damon against a tree and began snapping his jaws at him as he tried to take a bite. Alaric shot an arrow at him but the man never flinched as it pierced his back. Elena kneeled down in front of me and opened her bag, she reached in and pulled out a grenade, "Damon!" she yelled, pulled the pin and tossed it in his direction. He swiftly caught it and held it in front of the guy's face as it exploded. He collapsed to the ground and screamed in pain. Damon kicked him in the stomach, rendering him unconscious.

"Let me guess. Hybrid?" Alaric looked down at the body in the dirt as we all fell silent.

Damon, Alaric and I began to tie the man to a large tree as he was still unconscious, so his body was limp under our hands as we tied him in place.

"These ropes aren't gonna hold him much longer. What else do we have?"

"Ric, here. Take these." Elena held out a large rope in her hand for Ric to take, but Damon reached for them instead.

"Aah! Ow!" he screeched.

"I said Ric."

He looked at me, "Well, she did say Ric." I shrugged my shoulders as I stood straight up off of the ground after tying the guy's feet together.

Alaric took the vervain-covered rope and began to wrap it around his torso. "Alright, that's the last of the vervain," Alaric looked through the now empty bags, "We don't have enough stuff to hold him. I don't think we're gonna make that ridge before the full moon."

"I don't think we will either. I think we need to go." I pointed at the guy, "We don't know how many more of them there are out here now."

Elena walked over to the tree, "If we can get him to talk, we won't have to." She reached out to touch the hybrids face, but just before her hand touched his skin, he woke up and began to scream in pain.

"Is he turning?"

"It's impossible! It's still daylight."

"Tell him that."

Damon walked over to him and placed his hands on his shoulders, trying to steady him against the large trunk.

"There aren't supposed to be werewolves out here until the moon is full." Elena gasped as her panic began to take hold.

"Yeah, but he isn't a werewolf, Elena! He's a hybrid." I informed her."

Alaric grabbed the bag, "You know, those ropes aren't gonna hold the wolf."

The newly turned hybrid began screaming louder as his bones began to contort into unimaginable positions.

"We need to leave, now!" I grabbed the other bag and threw it on my back.

"Damon, we've got to get out of here. We gotta get out of these mountains now! Damon, now!" Damon backed up from the hybrid as we all began to run through the woods.

We were Running for what felt like miles. My limbs began to burn as we ran through the woods, away from the danger that lurked behind. The ground began to become uneven under my feet as I hopped over fallen trees and holes in the ground. As I hopped over another fallen tree behind the rest, my foot got snarled on a branch that was sticking up.

"Aghh!" I cried out as the branch ripped at my skin, causing a small tear along my ankle.

I heard no footsteps.

Had they left me?

Then I heard Damon's voice, "Don't move." His tone was so low and calm, so much so that it sent shivers down my spine. I slowly looked up from the ground as I was braced on all fours.

Oh, my god…

I gasped as I was face-to-face with a werewolf. I had never seen one before and it sent my blood to run cold. My heart was racing, and my mouth became dry.

The wolf just...stared at me. I looked deep into its eyes as it growled inches from my face, and suddenly, I didn't feel scared anymore.

"Here, doggie, doggie." Damon whistled at the wolf then bolted into the vast wooded area. The wolf broke its eye contact with me and bolted straight after Damon, disappearing into the trees.

"Come on. Let's keep moving." Alaric ordered us as he grasped Elena's arm to pull her along.

"We can't leave Damon." Elena tugged her arm free from his grasp.

"He can handle himself. Let's move." He pushed.

"No, if he gets bit, he'll be dead. I'm the reason he's out here."

"I am the reason he's out here! I told him where we were, and I'm telling you to keep moving. Let's go. Elena, now!"

She turned to face me, her face panic-ridden and red from tension and fear.

I was just starting to catch my breath after my close encounter with my killer. I could read her expression, she was petrified for Damon. I nodded.

"I won't be long…"

"No! Wai…" I didn't look back as I bolted into the woods before I caught the end of Alaric's sentence.

I stalked through the woods slowly, uncertain of where I was. I tried to stick to Damon's scent as I ran around, picking up bits and pieces as I stopped for a few seconds. I still wondered how I could smell him so easily in the dense woodland. I shrugged it off, it was a question for another day. I looked to my left, and through some vegetation, I could make out Damon's being. In a blink of an eye, the hybrid was on top of him as they battled on the ground.

"Oh, god…" I moaned to myself as I dug my feet into the earth.

I took a sharp inhale and sped off in the direction where Damon was rolling on the ground with the hybrid. My body collided with said hybrid and we were sent flying into the air. I rolled on the ground like a ping pong-ball before bracing myself on my hands and knees. I heard an audible gasp coming from Damon, as he rolled onto his side to get to his feet.

"Jess!"

I gulped as the hybrid shot to his feet and snarled in my direction. He took one step forward… then his body crashed to the ground in front of me, a bloodied hole on his back. I released a breath that I wasn't aware I was holding, my hands were shaking as Damon yanked me off the ground by my waist and pushed me behind him for protection.

"Fancy meeting you here." I peered around Damon to see who he was having idle chit-chat with in the middle of the forest.

It was Stefan, his stance was weak, but none the less, he was still powerful. "What part of 'don't follow me anymore' got lost in translation, Damon?"

Damon tapped at his lip with his fore finger. "Might want to take it up with your girlfriend. You don't want her chasing you; I'd stop with the late-night phone calls."

Stefan's brows scrunched together, his heart quickened, "I didn't call her."

He lied.

I knew it, he knew it, and Damon sure as hell knew it.

"Sure you did," the tone became low and heavy, "She's not gonna give up on you."

Stefan's eyes fell to the ground where the hybrid lay, "She has to. Because I'm never coming back why don't you get her home?" He looked at me, "Both of them. See if you can keep them there this time."

Stefan grabbed the dead hybrid from the ground and sped off into the woods, not another word came out of his mouth as he just disappeared.

My fingers were still gripping Damon's shirt tightly, my knuckles had turned white with the tension in my grip.

What did Stefan mean when he said keep them 'both' there? Why was I included in this?

My head began to hurt with thinking into the situation to hard.

Damon took me by my wrist and brought me to stand in front of him. His expression was unreadable.

"Don't you ever do that again!" his tone was low but carried.

I frowned, "I just saved your life!"

"Yeah… at the cost of yours." His eyes searched mine, "Don't do it again."

I surrendered, "Okay." I spoke softly. "Can we please leave now? I've had enough forest for one night." I smiled.

Damon nodded and pulled me under his arm as we made our way through the woods. The light was almost completely gone; there would have been no chance of finding Stefan now. Luckily, Damon and I had already done so. Walking back to the car that was now in sight, Damon asked me not to mention seeing Stefan in the woods. I agreed, not really knowing the reason why, but I did so anyway. Near the car, Damon dropped his arm from my shoulder as Elena and Ric came into sight, Elena rushed out of the car and headed in our direction.

If my skin wasn't ablaze earlier, it certainly was now.

"Are you okay? Did you…?" Elena's words came out in a hurried mumble.

"Fine, bite-free. Get back in the car, please."

"Can you just give me a minute to appreciate that you're both not dead?"

All I could muster was a reassuring smile for her, anything else would involve effort, and I was clean out of effort now. I just wanted to leave, go home, and collapse onto my bed for the remainder of the year.

"I'll give you 10 seconds 9, 8…" Damon grabbed Elena by the shoulders and marched her towards the car. "Hey, Ric, did you happen to see where I parked my car?"

"Damon, stop being such a caveman!" Elena was thrust into the backseat beside me. I was coiled up against the window, my head resting against the cool glass as to cool my temperature down. Damon climbed into the front seat and slammed the door behind him.

I was dropped off at my house a while later, and as I climbed out of the car, his voice stopped me from walking away. "Hey…"

I stopped and turned around on the spot, "What, Damon"?

He looked down, "Thank you… for tonight. For going with Elena and… for saving me."

I smiled weakly, "What are friends for?"

He fell silent for a split second before he cleared his throat, "There's just something I don't get."

I shrugged my shoulders, "What?"

"How did you manage to find me in the woods?" He sighed, and I genuinely felt at a loss for words. "And how did you manage to get the hybrid off of me?"

I smiled weakly, "I listened for the sound of a commotion," I pointed to my ears, "I have good hearing." He didn't look like he was buying what I was selling as he narrowed his eyes at me. "As for getting the hybrid off of you...I guess he was just caught off guard, and I was running in adrenaline."

"Yeah...That must be it." Damon said flatly.

He smiled and drove away, leaving me in the dark, alone. I sighed and turned to face my front door, all the lights in side were off.

"Ohh, shit, Caroline!" I gasped as I searched myself for my phone. I threw my head back in frustration as all my pockets came up empty. This day was just getting worse and worse by the second. I must have lost my phone in the woods when I was running blind. It was breaking 2 am now as I hovered outside the house.

I had no way of getting in contact with her, not now that my phone was lost somewhere in the woods. I left her a voicemail from the home phone. It went straight to voicemail after a few rings. I frowned once I hung up and placed the phone down on the table by the door.

I chose to believe that she was with Tyler, and that he had just forgotten to message or call me to let me know she was safe.

Walking into my room, I dropped my bag to the floor and collapsed on top of the bed with a loud groan. Tonight wasn't a total disaster. We found Stefan. On the other hand, we lied to Elena about it all. I was beginning to get fed up with the new secrets that were arising as of late. First I lied to Alaric about my intense heat earlier in the woods.I knew he didn't by my shit excuse, and Damon sure as hell didn't believe a word I said a few minutes ago. I just didn't have any other explanation to give.

It was a mystery to me.