A/N: So I've been MIA for awhile. Sorry about that. It was also pointed out that I was lacking in the Elena part of the story, and I hadn't even realized I was doing it. So here is a chapter to make it up. Mostly Elena with some Tyler dashed in. Enjoy!
Chapter 7
Elena has packed her things, suitcases sitting in the corner ready to head home in the next few minutes. When Byron walks in taking a seat near her, she can already assume where the conversation is headed. "So you're just going to leave?"
Her eyebrow rises as if that is a stupid questions, "My brother is or may be in some kind of trouble. I'm going to do whatever I can to help him."
He stands, leaning against the bedroom door, "That means leaving us, the people who are taking care of you?"
"He's my family. And family always comes first in my book." At least she could say that was a mantra she was good at keeping up with.
Elena can see the guilt pass, while he looks at the ground. "I shouldn't be such a jerk."
Placing her hand on his shoulder, she gives a pat before turning back to her luggage. "I know you don't mean it."
"I'm just going to miss you is all. Everyone is going to miss you."
"I'm going to miss them, too." It's silent as the zippers on Elena's bags are being moved from one end to another. There is a question waiting at the tip of his lips and she wants him to get it out.
"Are you ready to go back their? From the things you told me it doesn't seem like a happy place." That was true. She could contribute most of the horrible things happening to her all back to Mystic Falls. The place seemed cursed for her and the people whose lives intertwined with hers.
"The place has bad memories but the people there are a different story." She remembers the people in the town. She use to think they were oblivious to everything happening around them but maybe they chose to be innocent knowing what happens to the people who put their lives on the line. They usually didn't make it out alive.
"Why are you going and you don't even know what's coming?"
"I saw that darkness in her eyes. I'm not letting my brother face whatever that is alone." Crossing his arms Elena knew that Byron was hesitant about this whole ordeal. He cared for her and she appreciated it but this was something she was going to do by herself.
"We should go with you."
"I told Marsha that I didn't want that. I've had people fight my battles before. I'm not doing it again." She thinks back to her past friends jumping through hoops to help her. "Not anymore." She learned to be self sufficient and independent. A page she took from Katherine.
She takes her bags outside to see her friends around her. "You be careful alright. If you need us you call and we will be on the first flight to Virginia." Elena smiles gratefully. These people have taken her in and have helped her become a better person. Looking over to "If you feel or see anything please call me and let me know."
"I'll make sure of it." She rolls her luggage leaving them behind.
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Elena sits on the plane as the woman next to her places her head on her shoulder. Maybe Bryan had been right. This couldn't be a good idea to go in blindsided. She hadn't sent a postcard to her brother in six months. What if everything had already gone to shit and she was just walking straight into it. It wasn't like it hadn't happened before. More than likely two Salvatore's where by her side as she did. As the Salvatore's enter her mind her last interaction with them resurfaces.
"Why are we waiting for them? We can take these guys out by ourselves instead of waiting here to die?" Damon's glancing between his brother and Elena, angry about their current situation.
Stefan answers being the voice of reason between the two dark haired vampires, "Because we decided that we would handle this threat together?"
"They are in over their head. These kids are going to get themselves killed." Hearing that only made Elena worry even more. She couldn't have any of her friend's death being her fault.
"This is the only way to save Elena and everyone has agreed." Listening to the two go back and forth for the hundredth time Elena could feel a headache coming on.
"Alright stop the both of you." The brothers turn to face her, giving her their full attention.
"Elena, we agreed to this." He was right. Just yesterday Bonnie, Caroline, Tyler and Jeremy had joined them and decided the best way to go about an attack. It had sounded full proof but listening to Damon talk had made her think otherwise.
"Maybe Damon's right. Maybe we can save them if I just go."
"You're not going by yourself." He had waved the comment off, taking a sip of his bourbon.
"I'm tired of constantly putting their lives in danger. If I can do this I will do it without involving any of the people I love."
"Thank you." Damon stated which only made Stefan side-eye him.
"Shut up Damon. Elena this is a bad idea. We have a plan."
"Can you guarantee that no one will die?"
"I can't promise that, but I can promise you we will be better as a unit. That it's good to have these people watching your backs."
"I think it's time I start fighting for myself. I'm going and you can stay here and wait for them or you can come."
"This is bad." Stefan retorts once again.
"Well at least it can't get any worse." Damon follows Elena to the door and the two vampires check back to see Stefan still standing in the middle of the living room.
"Are you coming?"
"Somebody has to make sure the two of you don't die." Following behind Elena and Damon, Stefan can feel a dreadful feeling run down his spine.
Elena knows now that what she had done was a terrible thing. It may have been the reason her friends were hardly her friends anymore. She doesn't regret what she did in the moment. But she regrets everything after it.
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"Why are we here again?" Chris holds Jeremy's hand, moving through the loose crowd of people currently in Damon's club.
"Damon said that the witch gave him some info. He wants us to meet here."
Not sure why they would talk about their plan in a room where there target could be, she asked another question, "In a place full of supernatural creatures?"
"I didn't say he was the brightest." Jeremy and Chris get to the VIP elevator, the security letting them up. Once in the room they are greeted by Matt, Damon, and his girlfriend. "Where is Rudy?"
"He has something else going on so I'm going to fill him in later." Matt answers from the corner. "So I'm guessing this is of some import?"
"I wouldn't have called if I didn't believe it was. I found out something big is happening and it may be a cause for alarm." Everyone's patiently waiting for the blue eyed vampire to spit it out. "Witches are disappearing. I asked was that everywhere or a specific place. And she said all the witches in a 30 mile radius of this town have disappeared."
"What?" Matt has come closer to the center of the group.
"I know and the worst part, it's been happening over a year and no one has noticed. When the witches found out most decided to leave. Those who have stayed, well they haven't been heard from." Maddie chimes in for Damon who is taking a drink.
"So she doesn't know what's happening to them?" Chris throws out, getting agreeing nods from Matt and Jeremy.
"Not exactly but I found out what I needed to know so we can have somewhere to start."
"So this witch thing is more serious then I assumed." Matt paces the wheels in his head rolling, "We have witches disappearing and she couldn't tell you anything else."
"No. She was in the process of leaving when we spoke."
"Did she tell you how to find a witch?" he nods going to grab a map off the table. The five of them surround the table where the map is laid. He circles three spots.
"There are three left here in Mystic Falls." Maddie points to the circle and continues "Someone should go check in on them." All eyes move to Jeremy.
"I guess since I'm the Sheriff I should do it."
"And your ex-lover was one. You could be of some use getting them to talk." Chris eyes Jeremy understanding the hint that Damon has thrown at him.
"Dick." Jeremy mutters under his breath but he knows damn well he can hear him.
"So what do we do?" Chris goes back to the task at hand.
"Jer and I will check on the witches and we'll go on from there."
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As the bus passes the welcome sign Elena dredges up more memories from her past. She tries to veer away from them, because they bring a vile taste to her mouth. I'm just here to help my brother, nothing else. Get in. Get out. Breathing steadily she can feel eyes on her neck. Turning around a little boy is eyeing her like she's insane. She thinks she has to be to be back here. But instead of rolling her eyes at the boy she gives him a cheerful smile and he resumes playing with his toy. Her eyes are about to quickly dart back forward when she sees for the first time a passenger in the back with his cap held low staring intently at something in his hands. She juggles with the choice to stay or go speak. Having manners she gets up and heads to the young man trying to keep his distance from the world.
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Tyler had been on the bus for hours. He didn't feel sleepy and he barely felt hungry. He just continued searing the pictures in his hands to his brain. He hardly notices when a brunette sits next to him. Not until he smelled the death that usually followed a vampire. Looking up he is greeted by a genuine smile. "Nice to see you got back into your drawing." He puts the papers back in a folder continuing his conversation.
"Never stopped just had other more important things to worry about. What's bringing you back?" He notices how different she looks, yeah she is still eighteen but her hair is shorter and eyes look sad. He feels like should give her a hug but the thought suddenly leaves his mind.
"I'm visiting my family, same for you."
"Yeah. It's hard to forget a place when the people you love still live there." Elena agreed with the hybrid next to her. She would never be able to fully relinquish this town from her thoughts. The bus is slowing to a stop.
"I know what you mean. When you see Gilbert let him know I said hello."
"You won't be here long?"
"I'm not sure." The two follow the aisle leading them outside. Once outside Tyler places his bag on and Elena grabs her stuff. "Maybe I'll see you around."
"Yeah it's really good to see you Tyler."
"Yeah you too." They separate heading in different directions
A/N: So I hope it wasn't that bad. Tyler and Elena are back in town which just leaves Stefan, Caroline, and Bonnie to make their appearance. That'll be happening in the next chapter. Thanks for reading.