I was driving to the hospital for an MRI. I knew something was wrong with me and I wanted to know what it was. My brain wasn't working right. I checked in, went through with the MRI and then left the hospital.

I drove back to my apartment and only a few minutes after walking in the door, a person who worked in the MRI department was knocking. I let him in totally confused why he would be here, still in his scrubs so soon after my appointment. I asked as much.

"You're dying of brain cancer. You will be dead tomorrow. I thought you deserved to know right away," he said.

I don't want to die! And so quickly! What am I going to do. I need to write goodbye letters to my children! Wait, do I even have kids? Whose apartment is this? (dreams trying to collide with reality)

And then I realize I'm Elena from the Vampire Diaries.

"It's too bad you've never been in love with a Vampire before," he states regretfully. "I hear that their bite can heal cancer."

"Why would I need to have been in love?" I ask innocently.

"The endorphins you would have shared will react specifically with the venom in their bite since you have been bonded before. It has healing properties," he shrugs.

"Well, everyone knows Vampires are not real, so there's really nothing I can do about dying tomorrow. Thanks for coming by!"

I shut the door knowing full well that Vampires ARE real and I have been in love with one of them.

Stefan Salvatore.

We broke up months ago and I've been dating his older brother Damon. And even though he is everything I need right now, I don't love him. Yet. I'm still getting over his brother. Maybe there's still enough love there to save my life.

But how do I tell him that?

Damon doesn't take the news well that his bite isn't enough to cure my cancer because I don't love him. But he doesn't want me to die so he gives me his blessing to seek out Stefan. Which I do immediately.

I know where to find him. It's a place I know well. A place where I grew into myself, faced danger and survived, had my heart opened and broken all at once: Salvatore Mansion.

He's standing in his first floor office at his desk. Light shining through the windows makes his hair a lighter brown than usual while he sorts through stacks of paper.

"I'm sorry to interrupt." I manage to squeak out.

His head snaps to attention.

"What are you doing here?" He gently inquires.

I can't tell if he's loath to be in my presence so soon after our break up or if he's happy to see me.

"I have brain cancer. It's bad. I'll die tomorrow if I don't have the bite of a Vampire I have loved. It's supposedly in tune with my DNA to have healing properties." I explain mechanically.

He crosses his arms looking smug.

"Then why aren't you with Damon? Begging for his bite? Saving your life with his unconditional love for you?" An eyebrow raised he holds nothing back letting me know how I've hurt him.

"I don't love him," I stare at the shadows on the ground cast by the low light from the ancient windows. I can't bear to look at him as I admit this. I left him for his brother. Left him humiliated and broken-hearted. I'm drawn to Damon. I can't stay away from him. He's like a drug and I'm addicted to the passion.

But I don't love him. Maybe one day I will. I don't know. But I KNOW I loved Stefan. Deeply. Part of me still does. Hopefully, it's enough to save my life. I don't doubt his love for me. It's written in the pain on his face and he stands before me.

Closing the distance, he cups my face, looking into my eyes and breathes.

"I would do anything for you. Anything."

My eyes mist over at the sincerity of his words, the knowledge that I don't deserve his help or his compassion. He tilts my neck ever so slightly while he leans in slowly toward my neck.

I can feel the heat of his breath, the sharp indentation of his elongated fangs puncturing my skin.

I'm flushed with warmth as my skin breaks out in gooseflesh from head to toe. My breathing is rapid with anticipation.

And then I see movement from the window.

Unmistakably human.

I go completely rigid and Stefan, ever in tune with my body stops immediately.

He's barely punctured my skin as he whispers in my ear.

"What is it?"

"Someone is outside. Watching us through that window," I whisper back tracking the shape of the intruder who doesn't yet know he's been spotted.

In movements that are so quick they are a blur to my eyes, he is through the window and on top of a squirming man fighting for air as Stefan's hands lock around his windpipe.

"Who are you?!" He shouts.

I recognize him immediately.

"You!" I point my finger accusationally. "You work for the hospital...and just came to my apartment to tell me I'm dying...and now you're here? Were you filming us? I don't underst…"

Yes I do.

There have always been rumors in Mystic Falls of Vampires existing among us. Unexplained deaths, gas leaks, missing persons, and animal attacks are not easily ignored for too long. And there dozens of conspiracy websites dedicated to this topic. But recently, there was a reward offered by one of these places: $100,000 for live stream, irrefutable proof of the existence of Vampires.

How many people had he told this story to: You're dying. Only a Vampire bite can cure you.. Someone you love. Or did he know? Did he already know that I could lead him to one?

And now I have.

And put Stefan in danger.

"I'm not even dying, am I?" I ask.

Stefan loosens his grip.

"I won't keep him alive for long. So ask your questions while you can." He vows, eyes hungry for his blood.

"No," gasps the man. "No, you're not dying." He wheezes. "I needed the money. And I knew you that if anyone could lead me to a Vampire, it would be you."

"How would you know that? Have we met?" I need these answers before Stefan drains him.

"I went to school with Jenna. Your Aunt. Her death was suspicious. I knew something wasn't right. We're not all idiots in Mystic Falls. I knew if I made you desperate, and then followed you, I could get proof. Everyone around you dies. Mysteriously." He tries to sit up, still gasping, but Stefan is having none of that and he's quickly kicked back into the dirt.

"That was a live stream you know," he states proudly as if that gives him any power in this situation. "Everyone saw what you were about to do. They know I'm here."

"Then they'll know where to find your body," Stefan smiles hungrily.

"You can't kill me! You can't!"

"I have nothing to lose," He states calmly. "As you said, everyone knows."

And then he clamps down hard on his neck with no regard for my proximity. My stomach turns as Stefan's fangs sink deep into the dying man's artery, slurping while his victim goes still.

Stefan looks at me, blood dripping from his chin, like I'm the worst thing to ever happen to him.

Maybe I am.

"I am so sorry. I didn't mean to lead him to you...I didn't know it was a trap." Is it hot? I feel faint. I put my hand to my forehead. I feel the panic start to take over as the imminent danger we are in becomes quickly apparent.

"Look at me!" Stefan grabs my shoulders and forces me to face him. "We have to get out of here. Now. We can't come back. Nod if you understand."

I must look as out of it as I feel.

"But this is your home." And I destroyed it one day.

"I've run before. I can do it again," He sighs sadly.

"Damon," I breathe as I realize he's in danger too.

Stefan rolls his eyes skyward and lets go of my shoulders.

"Yes. Damon. He'll need to leave too since it won't be difficult for people to make the connection." He looks at the ground taking a deep breath before looking at me to continue. "I don't care where you two go. Just make sure it's nowhere near me. I can't do this, Elena. Keep hoping you'll come back. That you love me enough to stop trying to love him."

He's breaking my heart in all the ways I completely deserve.

"I…"

"Stop. Just stop. Get in your car and drive away. Forever this time."

And he's gone.

Leaving me alone. Staring at a dead body and a crossroads I've been at so many times I've lost count.