Chapter 2 – Aftermath:
Elena wakes up to the faint sound of her wall clock. It was four in the morning and still dark outside. She had barely slept for the last few weeks, since that incident. She did not even want to think about it but she always found herself wandering through that very memory, which she resented so much. She held up a picture of her and Stefan together, a single drop of tear rolled down her cheek. She got up from the bed and facing the mirror on the wall, staring at the figure in the reflection. She gave a deep sigh as she realized she was nothing like herself from a few weeks ago. She had dark circles underneath her eyes clearly indicating that she lacked sleep, yet, sleep was a luxury she could not afford. She gently lifted her hair to reveal the bruise on her neck, a souvenir from Klaus for planning to kill him and how Stefan had saved her. 'Stefan!', she thought, and again memories of that night rushed into her mind. How Stefan's plan to get rid of Klaus had gone horribly wrong when Klaus's mother sided with him. Klaus, so mad at Stefan and Elena, tried to kill her but Stefan had interfered, risking his own life to save hers, while Daemon hurriedly got her to safety. They had not heard from Stefan ever since. She did not even know if he was still alive. A knock on the door caught her attention. She quickly wiped her tears and rushed to the door knowing it was Daemon outside. She was glad she still had Daemon with her.
Daemon waited outside of Elena's home. It had been a daily routine to visit her every morning. After the incident he had asked her to move into the Salvatore mansion, but she had refused. He heard Elena's footsteps as she approached the door. He quietly cleared his mind. 'Hi Daemon!', Elena greeted him with a smile but somehow she knew he could see right past the fake smile. 'Come on in', she said. 'So, all ready for tonight?', asked Daemon. 'Why? What is it tonight?', Elena inquired. 'It's the founder's party', replied Daemon, 'and since Alaric's not here you'll have to attend it from now on'. She had all but forgotten about the founder's party. This conversation made her realize all over again just how lonely she was. Alaric's death had made it worse. She knew Klaus would be there at the party too. 'Are you coming too?', she hesitated. 'Why, of course', replied Daemon. 'But Daemon, Klaus will be there too, we don't know how he will react'. 'He is going to get to me sooner or later, maybe it is time to confront him', replied Daemon, 'Besides even he won't attempt anything at the founder's party'. She looked Daemon in the eye. There was something there that made her realize how lonely he was. Even thought he would never admit it, she had always felt loneliness dripping through those eyes. She knew he had feelings for her and the look in his eyes made no attempt to conceal it. Her strong love for Stefan was how she could have resisted it, but even she had to admit, she enjoyed the moment when the previously kissed. Realizing she was staring right into his eyes, she quickly looked away. 'I'll get you some coffee', she said and rushed into the kitchen. Daemon smiled gently and turned around to have a seat.
Elsewhere,
Alastair marched out of the airport, he was wearing a thick long jacket, everything royal about his appearance was gone. He was accompanied by a young girl who seemed to be in her mid twenties. She was blonde with brown eyes. She had a sense of pride in her body language. As they both exited the airport, Alastair inhaled a deep breath and uttered, 'Home Again!'.
Bonnie lay awake in her bed. She had been having nightmares about that night ever since. She had been give the responsibility of stopping Klaus's hybrid army from entering the tomb, but the witch she was up against was just too powerful for her. Not only had she failed her task but she had also ended up losing all her powers. She seemed so helpless when she almost her death but thanks to Daemon, she was able to survive. She never liked Daemon very much but she was grateful that he had saved her. That night he was able to everyone; everyone except his brother. She wished she could make it up to him, but without her powers she was nothing but a normal human.
Klaus stood at the window of his mansion, thinking how he had hesitated back then that night. He had known about Stefan's agenda a long time before the night, but he was arrogant, not to notice it. Almost half of his hybrid army was killed that night. He himself was nearly killed, but thanks to Anna, his witch he was able to survive. He had suffered a great loss that night, yet he hesitated to kill Stefan. Stefan was right there, on his knees, defeated but still he was unable to kill him. He had just compelled him to stay in hiding and not return to Mystic Falls. But he realized how soft he had grown. Clearing his head, he stared out of the window. Something about today was weird, as if it were warning of the upcoming threat. He knew Daemon will not roll over and die when it comes to his brother. He had this bad feeling that something out there did not want him here. Whatever it was, he was ready for it!