Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot and any OC, like Dante XD

AN: Sorry it took so long guys. I'm officially hating the USA for not having a cure for the flu. It damn near killed me I swear. Ok back to regular updates, hopefully. If you guys have any stories that you've written or are your favorites let me know and I'll check 'em out.

DPOV.

"Damon, you need to stop doing this to yourself. It's been three months and they haven't found anything. Just except it."

Jenna was lecturing me.

Again.

"I'm not giving up Jenna. If this was Miranda or Cole you would search until your last breath."

"Yes but maybe he just wants space."

"It's been three months. If he wanted space he would've left for a day."

I hit the end button and put the phone away, tired of hearing the same argument. I decided this trip was over for now. I'd been everywhere I could think of and found nothing. It was time to go home and wait it out. Elena had been staying with the Saltzman's since I'd left. She wanted to come along but I knew she was safer there with them.

The whole east coast had been searched top to bottom. Liz and her deputies were doing all they could but nothing worth mentioning was turning up. I hated knowing I was the cause of him disappearing. If I would've waited and told him with Elena, maybe we could've made him understand.

Ric had been keeping me updated on the other subjects, like my wife. We both went crazy looking for him the first couple of weeks, but I think she's handling it better than I am right now. I'd only been gone a little over a month but it felt like years.

I missed the familiarity of Mystic Falls. Hell, I even missed the people that lived there. Over the years it had become my home again. And no one would ever get me to admit it but Ric was a great friend, and his family was turning out to be pretty cool. As far as I know his staking days are over, but the vampires are never far away. Him and Jenna know to keep Vervain in or on their kids at all times, and they know that stakes are for more than tents and playing horseshoes. With Miranda at fourteen and Cole at ten, him and Jenna are kept pretty busy with all the normal stuff.

I hear my phone go off and reach for it, opening it up to see a text.

Animal attack. Twenty-two year old body found out in the woods by the cemetery. -Alaric

I hope you still have those vervain darts. We're gonna need 'em. Time to get the Scooby gang back together. -D

I'll let 'em know. Still in NY? -Alaric

No. I'm on my way home. Surprise. -D

About time. 'Lena was starting to go crazy. -Alaric

Did you really miss me that much? -D

Find anything? -Alaric

Way to change the subject and no. I don't have time to sit around texting you like a teenage girl. -D

I have a softball game to attend anyways. -Alaric

Doesn't that sound fun. -D

After that little chat I decide to call Elena. It's better than sending her a text at least.

"Hey" She says, answering on the first ring.

"Are you sitting around waiting for me to call or something?" I ask.

"Ha ha no. I was actually just grabbing it so I could head to Miranda's game."

"Oh you mean it's Miranda's game? Well damn, I thought I might get to blackmail Ric with some pictures of him in short shorts." I say, knowing it'll make her laugh. I can almost picture her biting her lip, trying her hardest not to.

"Wait. You mean you're coming home?" She asks hesitantly.

"Yep. Just crossed the Virginia state line babe. I'll be there in about an hour. I need to stop at home first and change."

"Can't wait."

"Me either. I love you."

"I love you too, Damon. Bye."

I hang up the phone and turn my attention back towards the road.

"Finally" I mumble, pulling into the dirt road that leads to the boarding house.

As I reach the house I slow down. Something isn't right. I climb out and look to the front door that has been left wide open. Grabbing Ric's black bag from the trunk seems like a safe precaution.

"Elena? Ric? Anyone home?" I yell, walking up the front stairs and into the hallway.

"Whoa" I whisper, seeing the living room. The couches are turned over. Bourbon covers the rugs. Every book lies on the floor. "Call Of The Wild" Is left in pieces.

"Hey, I liked that one." I yell into the air. I hear something crash and jump up, running up the stairs and down the hall towards the noise. I hesitate at the door to Stefan's room for a second. Holding a cross bow in one arm, I push the door open and take a step back.

"Holy Shit" I mumble, walking inside. Two bodies lie on the floor across the room, both of their throats torn open. Dead. Blood bags cover the floor. I walk over to the little bathroom and turn the knob, opening the door inch by inch.

"Alex?" I say.

He sits, hugging his knees in the corner. Hearing his name he lifts his head to stare at me.

Blood drips from his mouth, tears drip from his eyes.

"Help me"