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Chapter 13

Small drops of the sky fell on her skin. A bank of dark clouds were following her and chasing the sun away with them. The sounds of the forest had her on alert as every crack and rustle made her jump. She was moving as quickly as she could before she wound of up facing another obstacle.

A small hill stood in her way of reaching civilization. She had remembered stumbling down it when she went searching for Alaric. Falling forward, her hands dug into the ground becoming grimy and muddy. She wiped them on her dress and scurried up. The night was coming fast along with a storm and she did not wish to be stuck out here where anything could happen. Alaric and home kept her going and she pushed on.

With a few steps more, she saw it. The truck she had so rarely used was still parked at the end of the gravel road. Her hands patted her dress realizing she no longer had the keys. They were long gone now. Whether they were buried under the leaves or hidden away in the house, it didn't matter. Just the sight of the truck made her nearly cry out with joy. She wasn't far from home. It had given her another burst of hope and she began to sprint. Trees were like blurred images rushing past her and the wind brushed against her face harshly. Her hair whipped around as she frantically moved closer and closer home. It was so close, yet so far.

She still couldn't believe Damon had let her go.

The prison and the beast were far behind her, but she still found a place in her heart to remember. She knew of the ugliness he lived with, the curse that made him act out in ways that weren't human. But he was so much more than that. She experienced that side of him too. Damon was kind, gentle, and even charming when he wanted to be. She cherished those moments still hoping that one day he would be able to break his curse and live a normal life again. However, she wasn't sure her hope would be enough. With no knowledge of how to break it, it seemed he would live in damnation forever.

Her legs were growing tired and her lungs were about to collapse. She wasn't much farther. The faint light of the neighborhood street was up ahead. It took everything in her to keep going, but she did it.

The unkempt lawn and the two-story home were in front of her now. Elena fell to the ground letting tears stream down her face. She never thought she would see it again. Pure joy and happiness was overflowing from her.

"Alaric!" She yelled.

Being united with him would complete it all. Elena struggled to her feet and flew through the front door. "Alaric!" She called out again. No answer. "Alaric?"

The house was silent. She even checked the basement, but it was empty. He had been home though. Things had been moved and the trash was filled with discarded bottles of liquor. She could only assume things had turned for the worse since he arrived home. The bottles were her clue to where she would look next.

Not far from the downtown area of Mystic Falls, she walked as quickly as she could. The hustle and bustle of the night and townspeople were lively. The loud laughter and clanking of glasses could be heard as she reached the pub. She wasn't sure if Alaric would be in there, but at least she would try.

Her appearance wasn't very presentable. She knew she smelled and was stained with the remembrances of the forest and living at the home of Damon. Her dress was torn in places and her hair was a mess. People immediately glanced her way as she walked through the doors. Whispers emerged and the sound dwindled.

"Is Alaric here?" She asked scanning the bar and tables for him.

People showed deep concern as the place had gone completely noiseless. A familiar, yet unpleasant face turned around with a smug look on his face. "Elena?" Stefan said out loud to confirm that indeed it was her and not some ghost or a girl that looked like her.

"Is he here?" Elena asked once more.

"No that crazy kook isn't here." Stefan chuckled finishing up the last of his drink. He came toward her and she turned her head. "What happened? A woman like yourself should present herself better in a public place, Elena."

"I don't care, Stefan." She was choking on her words. Alaric wasn't here, so where was he?

"Let's get you cleaned up, Elena." He reached out for her. "Seems you've been spending too much time in that basement too."

Elena slapped his hand away and she heard a few gasps in response. "Don't touch me. Where is he?" She was on the verge of tears again. "Where is Alaric?"

Not only was she on the verge of tears, but on the verge of a break down. Horrible thoughts were spreading through her mind of what could have possibly happened to him. Was he alive? Was he still missing? Had he gone back for her and met the fate of the wolves again? Elena hoped none of those were the case.

"Alaric is sitting in a cell." He told her.

"What?!" She exclaimed. "No, why? What did he do?"

"He's crazy! That kook was babbling the other night about how you were locked up far, far away in a house with some beast." Stefan bellowed. He looked around to the crowd who joined in with the mocking.

"I was!" Elena replied.

Stefan rolled his eyes. "Come on, Elena. You don't want to put on a show like Alaric did. Clearly you don't know the difference between imagination and reality with your head always in your books." He grinned and put his hand on her shoulder.

"I do know the difference." She snapped and pushed his hand off her. "Alaric isn't crazy and neither am I."

"There are no such things as monsters and beasts. You know that Elena." He said loud enough for everyone to hear. His banter was really working up the crowd.

She had enough with him. If he wasn't going to believe her, than who would? The only proof she had were the scars on her neck. Would they be enough? She didn't know, but she had to try. This was for the sake of herself and Alaric.

"Fine, don't believe me or Alaric." Elena yelled throwing her hands up in the air. She flipped her hair back exposing her neck. The pain was still there from the memory of the bite, but the wound had mostly healed. It was just visible enough now up close. "Then how do you explain I got this?"

A few gasps were heard again. Stefan was peering down at her neck examining it. His face fell as he saw the horror of teeth marks that had punctured her neck. It was unmistakable of what it was. This was not self-inflicted pain. Another human being did not do this. A monster did this. Elena winced as his hand grazed it.

"Who did this to you, Elena?" He bellowed.

"I told you." She responded pulling away from him. "A monster, a beast did this."

"If she is telling the truth, then this town isn't safe with that thing lurking around." Someone shouted from one of the tables. A few other people sitting around him gathered in on agreeing with his statement.

A woman stood up. "We have to do something!" She shrieked. "What if it comes to town and gets to our children?!"

"No, no. He is a beast, but it's not his fault." Elena tried to reason with the now unruly crowd. By showing them the wound was suppose to clear Alaric's name. It was not suppose to put the blame on Damon. It was not suppose to bring fear.

"How can you say such a thing after what it did to you?" Stefan inquired. His voice was roaring and reaching out to the crowd.

"He is a beast, but he is misunderstood. He is quite kind and gentle once you know him." She pleaded. No one was listening.

"I say we find this beast and kill him!" Stefan shouted.

The crowd yelled back cheering. Men were pounding the tables and women were raising their fists in the air. This was going horribly wrong. What had she done?

"No!" Elena yelled.

"Gather any weapons you can. We'll head out at midnight." He ordered to the crowd. "Tonight we will kill this beast and the town will be safe again!"

Elena flung herself at Stefan. "You can't do this. He won't harm us, I swear. Stefan, you're making a mistake." She tried to reason with him. His ego was getting in the way.

"You're just as crazy as he is." Stefan said. "Take her away. She will only be a problem and get in the way."

"What?!" Elena shouted. "No. No you can't do this. Stefan, you can't lock me up! Get off me!"

Two sets of strong hands were dragging her out. The crowd was gathering into a clump and Stefan was standing up on a chair. People were screaming and shouting obscene things. Her body thrashed as she tried to fight the forces taking her away. Her fate was now sealed and so was Damon's. She could never live with herself knowing she had orchestrated his death. She had to do something, but what?