Elena

Slowly but surely, people begin to fan out of the Mikaelson's home (I mean our home). The suits and the gowns disappear and the noise fades until only the residents are left. I've been standing in the corner for a while now. Klaus went upstairs with two young women a half an hour ago. Rebekah and Kol went to gossip. Elijah is nowhere to be found. The only people that remain in the room with me are Klaus's compelled staff. Cleaning up the mess.

I decide to go to my room and undress for the night. A nice tee shirt will do the trick. I haven't dressed up in weeks yet these fancy clothes still manage to irritate me. As if they're a reminder of my change in lifestyle. It's not like I didn't use to go to Mystic Falls Town events and get all dolled up. But at least those were my choice.

Sometimes I think they forget I'm here against my will. They've gotten so used to me and maybe they think I'm beginning to like this life. I'm not. Kol kissed me tonight at I cannot stop thinking about it. Not in a good way either. It's guilt because a part of me wanted him too. Guilt for Stefan - my devoted boyfriend who is probably searching the world for me. But I also feel dread and disgust. A pit sits uneasily in my stomach. Because I don't want to be with Kol or even in one- night sexual manner. You know when you just can't stop thinking about the mistakes you make. This is a big one. I don't know what to do. The part that bothers me the most is I am Kol's prisoner. And if a part of him truly is beginning to care for me, he should want to let me go. Right?

Enough thinking for tonight. I slip into my comfy clothes. Dip under my sheets. And I immediately pass out.

The next morning is here. God every day, this place feels like it is shrinking. The walls are getting closer and I become more and more helpless. I go to my desk and open one of the journals and for the first time in months, I decide to the journal.

Dear Diary,

Today marks one month of being here. One fricken month of being confined. Away from those I love. Away from Jeremy. Gosh, I wonder how Jeremy is doing. He's all I think about. I mean other than when I am thinking about Bonnie or Caroline or Matt or the rest of the gang. How is Tyler dealing with being a hybrid? How is Alaric adjusting to raising Jeremy all alone? He never asked to be our parent. I was there. How is Stefan? I hope he's sleeping but I know every second I'm here he and Damon are looking for me. Of course, Damon is threatening Bonnie every five minutes to use her 'witch mojo'. Of course Bonnie is exhausting every spell and every resource. Yet I'm stuck. Stuck here for what could be forever. Or as long as Klaus has run me dry,

I tell myself today will different. Klaus is allowing Elijah to accompany me into town. I get to interact with locals (and not just the most elite snobs). But it won't any different. Every day feels like an endless cycle of the same pattern. I feel like Belle in Beauty and the Beast only without the fairytale ending. Taken from her family and thrown into a world of magic where treacherous monsters hold me captive. Belle even loved reading as I do. The strange thing is I wonder when I wandered into the beast's castle. Was it when Klaus dragged me across the seas? Or was it when Stefan bumped into me outside the men's room? If we're talking magical curses then wouldn't it be Stefan? That's where everything began? Or was it when my parents drove off Wickery Bridge and Stefan rescued me? When can I mark the beginning of this twisted classic? I am Belle. Because despite being surrounded by those that inhabited the castle, she felt nothing but loneliness. After all, fairy tales were meant to teach children lessons.

But today is a new day. Elijah and I will hopefully have fun. I appreciate the time Elijah and I spend together. It freedom - well as close as I can get to it. A breath of fresh air. Elijah also never presses me or forces me into doing anything I do not want to. He keeps me sane in this purgatory. Elijah is sincere and noble. And despite betraying my friends and me, which I think is one of the few things he regrets. Not in the sense of I wish my brother was dead but in going back on his word. Elijah's word is true. I can talk to him and be myself. No judgment. I think he admires my sincerity.

But there is also Kol. Kol makes these dreaded days exciting. He's the only thing that's not completely predictable. The only feeling of change I get is from him. I don't know. From the events of last night, I think he is into me. But I have a feeling Kol see's me as more of a sexual conquest than anything. And I want to keep it that way. I mean I couldn't possibly develop feelings for a Mikaelson. The most deadly and malicious family. Filled with vengeance and vindictiveness.

Shit someone just knocked. I slam the notebook shut and hide it under the mattress. No need for any of my roommates to find it. After all, I've done a good job of avoiding any Elena talk.

"Come in," I say just loud enough for the person on the other side to hear. Not that a whisper wouldn't do the job. Everyone in this house, other than me, can hear a pin drop.

Klaus opens the door. Out of all housemates, he is the one I look forward to seeing the least.

"Elijah and you should have today. You know soon maybe you could go out without my siblings attending you," he tells me. Great. Freedom. The thing is Klaus ensures I do not drink vervain and if I try to contact someone, he could easily find out. He continues, "Before you leave, I ran into a werewolf. Promised him the lot. If you don't mind he needs some quick doppelganger blood."

I nod in agreement. As if I have a choice. And follow Klaus to the parlor where a young lad in his late twenties awaits. He looks nervous and hungry. I can tell Klaus has already killed this man. He is in transition. He is looking at my neck as if it was a 40oz juicy steak.

Klaus proceeds to introduce him. A courtesy he always gives me. I mean I should know who I'm feeding right? "This is Winston. Rebekah found him in London a few days ago." Klaus turns to Winston. "Winston this is Elena. Now she is very important to me so you're only going to have a small taste. Like an appetizer. You can join us for breakfast in a bit for the main course," Klaus says.

Although Klaus is trying to maintain a low profile. Any time he turns a wolf into a hybrid - they eat straight from the vain. He invites every hybrid he has turned so far over so the more times they feast, the more bodies they use. 4 originals and 11 hybrids. I estimate about four humans for them to drain.

God, I'm estimating the number of bodies they're going to impale. Yet I'm used to it. I've known about the supernatural world for over a year now. 13 months to be exact. I still remember the exact moment when I asked Stefan what he was. My adrenaline pumping. The complete fear running ramped. Sometimes I wish I never asked him. That I never got involved in any of this. Lately, being trapped by the Mikaelson's, I wish that more than ever.

Winston approaches me. He's practically drooling. He gently grabs my hair and pulls it back, so that my neck is bare. Then, I feel two parallel daggers sinking into my neck. My breathing gets heavier. I can feel my eyes rolling to the back of my head/ And then there is a release. Winston stops.

I feel lightheaded but Klaus quickly sits me down on the couch. How thoughtful of him.

Klaus brings me apple juice to bring back my energy. Get my blood flowing. After some resting time, I head to the dining room for breakfast. The table is almost full. There are 16 of us and the table holds 20. What will we do once we reach capacity? Buy an extension?

Elijah, Rebekah, Kol, Klaus, and I sit together as always as the hybrids who have just recently entered the estate sit directly next to us. Seated in the order they were turned. The first hybrid, Benjamin is directly next to me. The second, Romania, is directly next to Kol. And so on in a diagonal pattern. I have only spoken to Benjamin twice now. Not that we haven't sat beside each other more than that, but we're not exactly friends. Every hybrid won't say a bad thing about Klaus. They obey. Like he's the alpha.

As usual, I barely speak during the meal. The only difference for this meal is Kol hasn't been able to look at me. Usually, he stares at me in a ridiculous way. Like he's pealing my clothes off with his eyes. I'm unsure if it's flirtatious or just extremely controlling. Either way, it's not occurring today. I think Klaus takes notice. I'm unsure if he saw our quick one-sided kiss at the ball last night. I'm still not gonna ask about it though.

We eat human food, waffles, and chocolate croissants, and then dessert comes. Not mine anyway. Six women dressed in very skimpy outfits, if you can call them outfits, make their way around the table. All the women are dressed in black lace - Klaus's favorite. The women are beautiful. Like the flawless model beautiful.

I try not to watch any of the fangs around me indulge. It only bothers me. When they're are done, the hybrids leave. Elijah then takes me and we decide it's time to head into town. It's Sunday and there are apparently the best farmer's markets. Not that I would know. This makes for the second time I have been allowed to leave the grounds. Now that the spell is no longer in operation.

Yet I cannot just run away. Klaus's hybrids patrol the grounds. Watching me like hawks.

I go upstairs and change. I put on a pair of leggings and a sweatshirt. The weather is beginning to get colder. Slipping into my converse, I realize I don't need to grab anything. Not a purse because what would I put in it? I'm not allowed fun. I don't have a wallet and Elijah will pay for anything that we need. No sunglasses or lipstick. It feels weird leaving anywhere without at least a phone. But I guess in this reality I don't need anything. Materillisticly.

I met Elijah at the front door and together we walkout. We reach an expensive black Ferrari. Of course, Elijah would drive such a car. I mean the man only wears suits.

He opens the passenger door and waits for me to get seated before shutting it. Who knew my captors were such gentlemen.

We begin to drive. The countryside is beautiful. It's like a movie. Downtown isn't too far maybe 10 miles from the estate. Neither Elijah nor myself speak during the car ride. There is no music. It's not because we feel awkward or at least for myself. I just don't have anything to say. I mean interact with the same people every day - how much more could I talk about.

Finally, we arrive downtown. The square is packed even at 10 in the morning. Children are running around. Giggling. Laughing.

"I have to do business in that building real quick. If you want to wait for a bit," Elijah says.

I go in sit down by the fountain as he walks away. This is it. The first real moment I have had alone since. I look over and see a young couple. The man is staring at the women beside him. Captivated. He smiles at her while she's looking at her food. A genuine smile. You could tell in his eyes how in love he is with her. The scene is admirable.

"Excuse me," a little voice grabs my attention.

I see a little girl dressed in a pink tutu. "Yes?" I say.

"Why do you look so sad?" the girl asks me. A question one doesn't expect to get from a child. Children also have no filter. So then I realize that the pain I'm feeling must be present in my facial expression. I get up from the bench and start walking around. Leaving the little girl's question unanswered. Oh well if Elijah wants me he can look for me. Maybe not the best idea but I do not really care. The kids right, I'm sad. I need to find any sense of joy.

I walk into a local pub. The pub is empty other than a few local drunks. It's the morning.

The bartender greets me. I smile at him before sitting in the middle of the bar. I take a seat in between two empty stools.

"What can I get for you?" the bartender asks me.

"Mojito, please," I tell them. I am 18 thus I am legal to drink here in the United Kingdom. It's refreshing to not be carded. He brings me a mojito and I start sipping. And sipping. And sipping.

Ringgggggggggg...Ringggggggggg.

The phone is going off.

THE PHONE

The bartender takes the call and begins to converse for a few moments. Then he hangs up.

"Excuse me, may I use your phone?"

The bartender nods. I get up and head to the phone hooked onto the wall. I begin to dial. The number is embedded into my brain. Good thing because I forgot almost every other number.

The phone is ringing. After a few rings someone finally answers.

Him: Hello

I breathe heavily. My nerves are everywhere.

Me: Ric

Him: Elena?

Me: Hi

My eyes begin to water just by the comfort of a familiar voice. A friend.

Him: Elena where the hell are you?

Me: Klaus he took me. I've been held prisoner for the past month

Him: We figured. But where are you?

Me: Berkshire, England.

Him: Okay okay were gonna come for you. We've been looking for you. Nobody can rest. Especially Jeremy.

Me: How is he? Jeremy?

Him: He's going crazy Elena. He lost the last family he has.

Me: He has you

Him: You know what I mean. How are you doing?

Me: Horribly. This is the phone I've been able to touch.

Him: Are they hurting you?

Me: No. No they wouldn't. Maybe Rebekah but Klaus hasn't given her the chance. They need me. He does.

Him: Elena I'm going to bring you home. I promise.

A brute force takes the phone from my hands. Elijah. Shit. He smashes the phone with his bare hand. The look in his eyes. Pure anger. He is pissed.

"Who was that Elena?" His face is turning red. Bright red.

"Does it matter?" I respond snarkily.

"Were leaving. Now. Klaus will have an aneurysm when I tell him. I had a nice day planned too. I was going to show you all over town. Pity," Elijah tells me. A part of me can see that he is upset the day is ruined.

Oh well though. Speaking to Alaric. That was the happiest I've been since arriving here. Even if it was just for a couple of seconds. They know where I am now. Even if Klaus makes us move locations. They have a lead. They cannot give up yet. Not that I ever thought they would.