Elena POV:

The atmosphere inside the tomb was tense. The first hour inside the tomb was filled with panic and hopeless attempts of escape but as they neared what was most likely day four of being confined, things were getting dangerous.

All the vampires were weak but some were older than others meaning they retained more strength without blood. Elena stayed close to Pearl. She didn't trust the way some of the others were looking at each other. She was sure a fight would break out. Elena had an advantage being older but she knew there were a few vampires in there that were older than her. Pearl was one of them and Elena was glad that she at least had ally in the woman. Elena turned to the woman in question. Her expression was calm and collected but Elena could see the hard edge in her eyes.

"This is getting out of hand, Pearl. If they start a fight in here it could become chaos!"

If a fight broke out inside the tomb, there was no telling if it would end with all of them dead. Pearl nodded in agreement. She eyed the vampire that was leaning against the wall distrustfully.

"I know. Frederick has a look in his eye I do not trust. I am older than him but if he pulls together a group I will not be able to subdue him alone, especially without blood. Elena, Can I count on your help?" The older vampire asked her hesitantly. Elena respected Pearl greatly. Even now she knew what a risk it was to involve her, so much that she actually asked if she would help. Elena did not hesitate when she nodded.

"Of course. How long do you think it will take until...Until we desiccate?" Elena whispered. She could barely get the words out. The thought of the pain that she would go through in this tomb still frightened her. Pearl looked at her and a sympathetic smile touched her lips. She grasped Elena's hand in hers.

"You remind me so much of my Annabelle. Not in looks of course, but in spirit. You are both kind and fragile. Not in physical strength obviously. It always surprised me with my Annabelle. You have lived so long and through so much but you remain gentle." She smiled and Elena could tell she was not thinking of her when she spoke. Elena squeezed her hand softly which broke her from her trance.

"It will probably be another day or two until we really feel the effects. It'll take another few weeks for our bodies to desiccate completely. I know you are scared Elena but you are strong. You will get through this. We both will. When we start to desiccate completely I will take your hand and I will hold it for however long we are in here. That way we will never forget that we are not alone."

Pearl smiled at her again and she was overwhelmed by her kindness. Elena felt tears dripping from her eyes and she couldn't help herself when she pulled her into a hug. There was no hesitation on Pearl's part. She returned the hug automatically and hushed Elena like a baby. It must be because she is a mother.

"Thank you." Elena whispered against her. Having her behave like this reminded her of her own mother and she felt a little braver knowing she was not alone.

Damon POV:

Damon shook his head as he spotted another bloodstained rug. He had returned to Stefan but he did not forgive him. Stefan was not his brother anyway. He had become a monster. Damon continued his path to the parlour where his brother was currently feeding off of a young woman. Damon could tell she was compelled because her face showed no fear. He could also tell she was on the brink of death by her pallid skin and drooping eyes. With an irritated sigh, Damon stormed over and pulled Stefan away. The girl sagged onto the floor with her eyes closed. Her heart was beating at least. Stefan looked up at him with a confused look; blood covered his face and disappeared under his shirt.

"How long are you going to keep this up, Stefan?" Damon asked calmly. He lifted the girl from the floor and bit into his wrist, proceeding to give her his blood. When she opened her eyes he set her down and compelled her to leave and forget what happened. Stefan groaned as the door slammed shut. He looked at Damon with an annoyed expression.

"Damon why can you not embrace what we are?" Damon crossed his arms.

"This is not what you are, Stefan. You have made yourself this way. Elena was a vampire and yet she was still good and pure. We do not need to become monsters!"

Stefan made a disbelieving sound. He stood and faced Damon.

"Okay, Elena was good and pure. Well look at where that left her! She is dead! And probably why she is dead is because she could not kill to save herself!" It didn't matter that Damon knew Elena was not actually dead. The fact Stefan mentioned her had angered him and so he hit his brother square in the jaw causing him to stumble. Damon held his glare as Stefan stared at him with humour on his face.

"Really, Damon? I just have to say her name to get you riled up?" He chuckled as he righted himself.

"Elena is not a topic to ever discuss, brother. If you don't pull yourself together Stefan, I will leave." With that said Damon made his way upstairs to his room. It was one of the only places in the house that had not been tainted by Stefan's activities. He still missed his family home but it was necessary to leave. It was on record that they had both died.

He grabbed his suitcase and began filling it with his belongings. He only took what was necessary or dear to him. He made sure to take some trinkets of his mothers and Elena's belongings. He had not been able to take all of her items. He had to leave her clothing behind. The elaborate dresses were far too bulky to travel with but he would buy her anything she needed once she returned.

He put his packed suitcase back in the wardrobe. He still had not resolved to leave yet. As much as he hated his brother, he still could not give up on him yet. Stefan did not have anyone else but him. He still had hope that he could change his brother's ways.

While he drank blood to survive, Damon had not descended into bloodthirsty madness as Stefan had. He only took what he needed to survive and compelled the person to forget. It was what Elena had done and he would follow her example. She had not killed unless absolutely necessary and that was what he was resolved to do. It was difficult though. As soon as he tasted the warm liquid all he wanted was to drink until there was nothing left. The only thing that stopped him was thinking of her and how she would want him to stop. She would not want him to become a monster.

He heard the door slam downstairs and he sighed. Stefan had clearly left to go cause mayhem somewhere else. He hoped his brother would be able to see his way. If he didn't then Damon would leave. He couldn't stay around Stefan as he carelessly killed. The only problem was that once he left, he would be alone. Damon would have to live out the hundred years alone. Would that change him? Would spending so long without the only two people he cared about turn him into something he was not? Damon moved to the window and stared out at stars. He could only hope not.

A/N: Ok here are a few chapters. I hope you like them. Let me know what you think :) you guys are awesome!