Greetings, fellow readers! It has been over a week since I started this, and unfortunately, I have been quite busy for the better part of this week. But now that I'm available again, I'm taking the time to write the first chapter of his fic! :D

Also, thanks to all those who reviewed, favorited, and followed! It means a lot.

Disclaimer: I do not own The Vampire Diaries.

Chapter 1: Howl of the Wind

Caroline gave Elena a warm smile as she zipped up the last of her dress. "Perfect," Caroline smiled, smoothing out the last of the creases on it. Elena spun around in the navy blue dress in front of the mirror, so that she could see her reflection. She twisted her head so that she could see the back of her dress in the mirror.

"How do I look?" Elena asked proudly.

"Beautiful," Caroline said, smiling, grasping Elena from behind on her shoulders. "Damon won't be able to take his eyes off of you the entire night."

"Thanks, Caroline," Elena replied, feeling the silk rub against the side of her skin. She picked up her matching blue purse that was seated on the couch beside the mirror, and Caroline patted Elena on the back.

"You're going to have so much fun tonight!"

Elena gave a small laugh. "It is true that Damon is the king of romance."

Caroline gave a small jump, her face overflowing with a large smile. "You know it. Come on, let's go. You don't want to be too late."

Elena headed down the stairs of Caroline's house, her friend close on her tail. Downstairs, Caroline was quick to grab Elena's coat, handing it out to her.

"You don't want to move too much," Caroline said. "You don't want to ruin your dress."

"Caroline!" Elena laughed. "I'll be fine."

"Oh, I know," Caroline replied. "I just want you to have the best night." She gave a little jump. "You'll have to tell me all about it."

"Of course, Caroline," Elena replied with a large smile.

There was a moment's hesitation as Elena headed for the door. The lights flickered for a moment, making Elena's eyes widen in surprise.

"It's just the lights," Caroline replied. "They're old."

"Right," Elena nodded awkwardly.

There was a moment of uncertainty that passed between the two of them, but after a moment, Elena turned towards the door. A moment later, though, she turned back to Caroline, a question on the tip of her tongue.

"Caroline?"

"Mm hmm?" Caroline asked, a smile still etched across her face as she watched her friend.

"Are you happy?"

Caroline didn't flinch when Elena asked, a response that Elena had expected. "Of course, Elena." When Elena didn't say anything, Caroline knew that she wanted more of answer. "But this night isn't about me. It's about you. Don't ask me those questions. I should be the one asking you."

Elena gave a small laugh. Caroline always put her friends first. Elena walked back over to Caroline, the sound of her heels ringing around the empty house. "No, Caroline, I know you're happy. You always are." Elena reached out to touch her friend's hand. "I mean… are you happy with Tyler?"

Caroline gave a nod, but Elena could make out the uncertainty in her face. "He's amazing, Elena. I don't know what I'd do without him."

But you miss Klaus, Elena thought. She'd never have the heart to tell Caroline that she knew how much she missed him. She knew how important Klaus had been to Caroline before he'd left even if Caroline would never admit it. Elena still remembered the first time that he'd told them he was moving to New Orleans with his family. Elena could still remember the look of hurt and anguish that had crossed Caroline's face like it was yesterday, although it had been over a month.

"I know, Caroline," Elena replied. "I just feel like you're missing out on something."

"Elena." Caroline took Elena's hands in hers and looked her straight in the eyes. "If something was bothering me, don't you think I'd tell you?"

"Of course!"

"Then please." Caroline seemed as if she was trying to get the point across so that Elena wouldn't bring the topic up again. "For my sake, please stop worrying about me and start thinking about yourself."

"O—okay, Caroline," Elena said, slightly taken aback. "I will. I just worry about you because you're my best friend."

"And that's why I love you," Caroline replied. "But sometimes, I don't need you to worry about me."

Elena nodded. "All right. I understand."

Elena released her grip on Caroline's hands and turned away. There was a part of her that knew Caroline wasn't telling her something, but she wasn't going to press her friend further. If Caroline wanted to talk about it, she'd talk. If not, Elena would let her keep quiet until she was ready to share what it was.

"You need to go, Elena," Caroline said. "Damon is going to be waiting."

Elena nodded. "Yeah, I do." She opened the door. "Thank you, Caroline. You have no idea how much this means to me that you helped me out tonight. I don't know what Alaric would have thought if he'd seen me getting dressed for a date with his best friend."

Caroline waved Elena off. "I know. Now go! Don't leave Damon waiting."

Elena laughed, hurrying down the driveway, calling out a last goodbye and thanks to Caroline. But even as she left, she felt as though there was something that Caroline just wasn't telling her.

Elena pulled the door to her car open and sat down, pulling out her cell phone. She saw one missed call from Damon Salvatore. Elena felt an irresistible smile spreading across her face, and she quickly dialed Damon back while fumbling around in her purse for her keys.

On the third ring, Damon picked up the phone just as Elena found her keys. She leaned back in the driver's seat, twiddling with the keys in her fingers.

"Elena?" Damon asked, his voice low and seductive as always.

Elena had to hold back a laugh as she found the key on the keychain that she was looking for. "Hi, Damon."

"I know you're laughing," Damon replied.

"I know you know I am," Elena replied, still smiling. "No need to deny it."

"Funny, Elena. I just called to tell you I'm running late."

Elena stuck the key into the ignition and turned it so that the car was on. She then turned to the radio and lowered the volume so she could still hear Damon on the phone.

"It's okay, Damon," Elena replied. "I'm just leaving Caroline's now."

Damon chuckled. "So I'm not the only not following my schedule."

"Well, you're going to make me later if you don't hang up now," Elena replied.

"You don't drive and talk, eh?"

"Shut up, Damon!" Elena laughed. "You know that. I'll see you in half an hour."

Elena could hear Damon about to throw back a reply, but she hung up before he could, laughing to herself. She tossed her phone back into her purse, turning up the volume on the radio before pressing the gas pedal and speeding out of Caroline's driveway.

Elena rolled down the window slightly, feeling the evening wind rake past her face. Her hair which was pinned up into a tight bun on top of her head swayed slightly, and Elena reached her hand up to feel it to make sure all of her hair hadn't come out of it yet.

Elena rolled the window up so that it was almost completely shut and felt the music she was listening to in her ears. "Perfect," she murmured to herself. Elena closed her eyes for a brief moment, before opening them again to turn around a bend in the road.

Elena sighed, before hearing a howl. She hesitated, tensing in her seat, wondering what it was. The howl had an echo to it like it was far away, but at the same time, it felt like it was right beside her in the passenger seat. She turned to see if there was anything there. It was empty. She pressed down on the gas pedal a little harder, speeding up before she heard the howling again. This time Elena slammed down on the brakes, stopping the car in shock. Elena unbuckled her seat belt and turned around to look to see if there was anything there. She chided herself, telling herself that she was making a fuss over nothing, but even as she tried to convince herself of that, she knew that it was a lie.

Elena buckled her seatbelt and was about to drive off again, but stopped. Something was holding her back, but she couldn't figure out what it was. She opened up the car door, looking around. There weren't any lights on the street, and it took Elena a moment to realize that she was in complete silence and that the radio had turned off on its own. Elena tensed, wondering what was going on. She backed slowly towards her car, quickly sitting down, and buckling her seatbelt.

As she did, she felt a gush of wind whip by her. Elena felt her heart stop, and she closed her eyes, trying to block it out.

Elleeeeeeeeeena.

Elena could feel the wind whispering her name, and she heard the howl once more, this time closer than ever. Shutting the door, Elena held back a scream as she pushed down on the gas pedal as hard as she could. She heard the sound of another car behind her, and frantically, Elena tried to drive faster to get away. She knew she was being followed, but she couldn't make out who it was.

Elleeeeeeeeeena.

Elena felt the wind calling her name, and with a terrified scream, she missed a ditch that was in the road. Swerving to the side, Elena tried to get out of the way, but found that she couldn't.

"Ack!" Elena cried as she felt her car tumble over the ditch and skid onto the side of the road. In a panic, Elena spun the steering wheel in circle, barely missing a tree. She tried to turn herself around again, but in desperation, found that she couldn't. With a last screech, Elena felt herself completely lose control as her car skidded across the road and into a tree nearby.

Elena let out a moan, trying to make sense of herself and her surroundings. She struggled to figure out where the other car was, but she couldn't without her head throbbing in pain. Elena let out another mumble, trying to call for help. She couldn't tell if her words made sense either, because before she knew it, everything turned to black.

And thus, Elena has been caught in turmoil! Can't wait to find out what happens to poor little Elena next. Reviews are appreciated!

xx.