At first I saw nothing, I felt nothing. It was like I had evaporated into thin air. I couldn't remember my name, or where I was. Then I saw a tiny pin point of light. I watched this closely. I admired it and it's warm glow. It began to get bigger and brighter. It seemed to flicker and dance in front of me. Then suddenly it grew so large it consumed me and I was surrounded by pictures and tiny moments that made up my life. I heard the voices that I knew and the words I remembered. I saw my mom and dad. I saw the way dad's eyes crinkled at the corners of his kind face. I heard his laugh echo through my mind. My mom gazing adoringly at him as he struggled to put up that Christmas tree.
I saw Jeremy when he was just a little kid. He was on the floor dragging himself around on my foot. Of course I was yelling for mom and dad to get him off of me. I saw our happy little family. I saw my first dance recital and my cheer leading days. Everything was in such vivid color. So bright it almost hurt but as the memories flooded by I was both comforted and sickened at the same time. I saw myself grow and Jeremy grow. I saw Bonnie's face and Caroline. I saw my first kiss with Matt on my doorstep. Then I saw the day of the wreck. The grief I felt then came crashing in. The look on Jeremy's face that struck me with horror everyday. All of those memories began to flash by quicker and quicker until it was nothing but a blur.
Then suddenly I was standing in a forest. It was dark with fog and mist. So much fog and mist I could barely see anything a few feet away. I felt like I was standing in a Washington Irving novel just waiting for the headless horseman and the thundering hooves to come for me. A huge black crow broke the silence with it's dark scream and landed at my feet. It seemed to stare at me, like it was waiting for me to say something. I felt scared suddenly. Horrified and insecure. Then it flew off with another haunting scream. Just as the ring of it's echo died I heard something in the distance. I had to squint to make out what the figure was.
Coming from behind a patch of trees, trailing through the misty air was Stefan. He was dressed completely in black, striding forward with devastating poise. His face was it's usual soft and kind. He made his way silently toward me. I began to feel calm and comforted. The feeling of fear melting away. Then only a few feet away from him Damon joined his side dressed completely in black as well. He flashed a mischievous grin that made me blush. They walked perfectly in sync and as they made it to me my horror returned as they walked right passed me like they never even knew I was there. I turned in panic as they walked passed me to someone else standing in the distance. I narrowed my eyes to get a better look.
It was me. A mirror image of me standing and smiling adoringly at Damon and Stefan as they joined her side.
Katherine I heard Damon's voice whisper in my head. That's when the full horror hit me. They had passed me and walked to Katherine like I didn't even exist. As they all turned their backs and strode off with one on each of her sides Katherine turned her head sharply and looked at me over her shoulder. A huge smile spread darkly across her face as I suddenly choked out a scream that broke through the misty woods.
"Elena!" I heard Damons sweet voice ring through my ears however it was so strange, his voice was amplified in an uncomfortable way. "Elena?" His voice sounded desperate. My eyes fluttered open as a stinging light hit them from an open window. I squeezed them shut and groaned.
"Stefan draw the curtains." Damon ordered. I opened my eyes again with a little more comfort. I finally focused on an angels face hovering above mine. His eyes were tight with worry.
"Oh thank you." He seemed to exhale in some great relief. I felt his lips touch mine. I jerked in surprise. The touch of his lips was a sensory overload. It felt so strong, so different. Like I had broken from a shell and I was reborn into a untouched timeless body. He pulled back when I jerked. I opened my eyes again. I saw his beautiful concerned face searching mine. His eyes were the most vivid blue I had ever seen. They almost seemed to glow. I began to look slowly around the room. I could see the individual specs of dust floating in the air. I could made out the tiny details in the wood grain in the room at the end of the long hallway. I could smell the leather smell from the coat hanging across the room. I smiled at this. Still confused I thought back to what happened. I remembered Katherine's smile over her shoulder, my fathers face....Jeremy...the stab in my chest.
I gasped and sat up looking down to my chest feeling around for a wound.
"It's okay Elena. It's healed. He pulled the silk robe I was wearing open revealing my naked body from underneath. He ran his hands over my breast and down to where the wound should have been, but it was replaced by soft tan flesh. I looked behind me. Stefan had been watching this take place and he didn't even flinch when I met his eyes. The feel of Damon's hand on me was once again almost unbearable. My senses were strengthened, tripled....it was ecstasy...but it was something I had to get used to.
Damon noticed Stefan's peaked interest and closed my robe back up and tied it.
"You need to stay laying down. Your going to feel sick and pretty uncomfortable for a little while. I need to go out and get you something to finish this. I will be as quick as possible. Stefan will be right here if you need anything." Damon laid me down on the couch and covered me with a blanket. He kissed my forehead and disappeared.
Once he left I had a moment to realize that I really didn't feel good at all. It was all so much to feel at one time. I looked over at Stefan who was standing by the window looking through his phone.
"Stefan?" I whispered. He flashed to my side. The funny thing is....I could see every movement now.
"Elena?" He said looking down at me with concern. I looked up at him. Feeling alarmingly reminiscent of our past.
"I'm kind of scared." I whispered. He sat down on the edge of the couch. I sat up slowly with his help.
"Elena, I know it feels strange but I promise you will get used to this. I didn't agree that this was the best thing to do, but you know I just wouldn't allow Damon to orchestrate something if I felt like it would truly hurt you. I don't care what the situation is." He added. I felt a sense of the closeness we used to share.
"I miss you." I said. He smiled sweetly.
"I miss you to Elena." he said.
I leaned forward and let myself fall into his arms. I knew it was probably more out of fear and discomfort but I couldn't lie enough to myself to pretend like I didn't love Stefan. I did. He held me close and leaned back on the couch. Cradled in his arms I fell into a dreamless sleep.
I heard Damon walking before he reached the front door. He made is way in and walked into the living room.
"I'm sure the a pillow could have done this job." He said sharply to Stefan. I was moved gently to the side and laid down as Stefan rose to his feet.
"Your pretty forward to be the one who stole straight from me." Stefan murmured.
"Elena, sweetheart. Open your eyes for me." Damon pleaded.
I opened my eyes quickly realizing fully that he had returned. I smiled weakly at him. This pleased him because the biggest smiled spread across his face.
"Sit up babe." Damon said.
I slid back into a sitting position. He handed me a wine glass with a pool of thick red blood in the bottom.
"Drink." He said.
I caught the scent and my mouth pooled. I tipped the glass up and poured it in. The strangest sensation filled my body. Heat exuded throughout me, radiating a feeling of strength and wellness. I felt like I could conquer the universe. I felt perfect. I stood and set the glass down on the table to the side of the couch. The glass busted and shattered amongst the floor. I looked to Damon and Stefan in confusion.
Stefan laughed lightly. "It's okay, you'll have to learn your strength. You'll get better." He smiled. I looked to Damon who had a wild fascinated look in his eyes. A question occurred to me.
"Do I still look the same?" I asked.
"As beautiful as ever." Damon answered. Stefan smiled.
After another day I had become a little more acquainted with how to react and how to feel. We all decided it was best for me to try to make a trip home and show my face to make sure they didn't think I disappeared. Damon ordered me to drink cup after cup of human blood before I left to make sure I didn't attack my own family. After a while I felt confident and so did he. I got a kiss goodbye and took an unnaturally short time to get home. It was definitely easier to drive now. I walked in the front door and made my way down the hall to the kitchen.
Jenna was grabbing her purse and headed out.
"Hey! Your home! How is Stefan and Damon, bless their hearts I know the lost their uncle. How are they holding up?" She asked.
"Oh their fine, they are moving along pretty well." I answered feeling like any minute she would point a horrified finger at me and scream. But she didn't and I began to feel more comfortable.
"Good, well I was just headed out. Meeting Alaric at the pub." She smiled.
"Well good luck." I smiled. Jenna seemed to take in a strange observant look at me but then shrugged and thanked me before leaving.
I made my way up to my room. I walked in shutting the door behind me and locking it. I turned around and gasped.
"Welcome home Elena." Katherine said smiling.
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