EPOV

As the bell rang for the end of school, my stomach seemed to knot. It was time for detention. It felt a bit unfair to me that I'd been given a detention on the first day back. I mean, come on! The teachers might have been a little more lenient.

Damon and I gathered our books and walked towards our lockers. Damon yanked his open and roughly shoved his books inside, while I placed mine neatly in line and combed through my hair swiftly. Then we set off on the long hike to the maths department.

"You know, I think you're being rather quiet." Damon said.

"Do you, now?" I replied. I felt a little sick, so I kept my answers short.

"Uh huh. Say, Elena, you look awfully green." He smirked at me. "Are you feeling ok?"

"Yeah, I guess you stole a little too much blood for lunch."

"I didn't steal anything!" He replied.

"Well, you didn't have my permission." I retorted.

"You didn't try to stop me though." He answered and he had me there.

We arrived at maths and I opened the door. Mrs. Taylor was sat at her desk.

"Good evening Mr. Salvatore." She said gracefully to Damon. Then she turned to me. "Gilbert. Sit down." Of all the-

I was suddenly guided to my seat by Damon.

"Now, I am sure you know why you are here. I do not tolerate disruptive behaviour in my classroom, and both of you did just that." Suddenly, Mr. Ganley walked through the door. "Gilbert, you will accompany Mr. Ganley to the hall where you will work on the set for the lower school play. Off you go, now." She directed. I followed him out.

DPOV

"You, Mr. Salvatore-"

"Will sit here and do whatever I want to until you let me go." I interrupted and compelled her.

"Yes..." She said, dreamily.

I pulled out my phone and began to play games.

EPOV

When we arrived in the hall, I saw before me a huge wooden structure of some description. Mr. Ganley informed me that it was a wooden car, and that my punishment was to paint it. All the paint was on the floor surrounding the structure.

It was 5:30 before I was done.

"Right, that'll do ya. Off ya go now, lovie." Mr. Ganley said, gesturing towards the door. I grabbed my bag and stepped outside into the cold autumn air.

I had no idea when Damon would be getting here, so I began the long walk to the car park, my teeth chattering while I walked.

I was walking out the gate.

I heard footsteps.

They were getting louder.

I looked over my shoulder.

Something hit the back of my head.

I was out cold...

DPOV

"Mr. Salvatore? You have my permission to go now." The teacher informed me and I grabbed my bag. I swiftly dashed out the door and threw my bag in my locker. Soon, I was outside and standing outside my car door. I checked my watch. 6:00. Poor Elena. She must still be in detention. Detention had been a waste of time. We didn't get to spend it together, alone.

I began to contemplate what might have happened if we got to spend detention my way...

I smiled as I imagined...

Suddenly, my phone buzzed. I looked at the time before opening the text. 6:32.

Where was Elena?

I opened the text.

Hlp am hurt vamp bit me lost lot of blud am in car sign sed now leavin petersburg vamp is n darke

I threw the car door open and sped out of the parking lot. I didn't need a map to find my way; I knew the many roads in Virginia from experience. I took the 95 and pushed the car to its limits. I needed to call Stefan. The search for his ring had gone far enough.

"Stefan!" I shouted down the phone when he answered. "STOP HUNTING DARKE!"

"Why? I need my ring! What's happened!" Stefan frantically panicked.

"He's taken Elena." I choked out.

"Oh my god. I'm coming down!" Stefan yelled and the phone cut off.

I saw a sign saying 'Welcome to Richmond.' so I knew I was getting close. My phone beeped again.

car puld in at hotel holiday inn

I took a sharp turn down 85 and after about five minutes, turned up at the hotel.

I jumped out of the car and searched all the cars in the lot. They were all empty.

I ran into the hotel and went straight to the front desk.

"Did anyone check in with an injured girl? So high? Brown hair and bambi eyes?" I panted.

"Umm yes?" the hotel receptionist said.

"What room!" I begged.

"I'm not really suppo-"

"WHAT ROOM!" I screamed and compelled.

"23... Here's the key..." she murmured.

I snatched it up and dashed up the stairs at vamp speed.

"Elena! I shouted as I threw open the door. She sat in the corner of the room, wet, and with blood trailing from her hairline. She looked up at me and I saw her trembling. She was shaking and shivering. To say it was only September, it was cold in Virginia.

"Elena! My God, Elena, what happened to you?"

"I have... to give... you... this." She whispered, and in her fragile, quaking fingers, she held a single envelope, with fancy, cursive writing:

Damon

I ripped open the envelope and skimmed over the content.

Did you really think I wouldn't know that the lovely girl was informing you of my every move? I knew she was, and thus, lead you right where I wanted you.

The door slammed shut.

This room has been sealed by magic. Neither you, nor Elena, will be able to get out, until I say so. You have a choice on your hands, Mr. Salvatore. You will tell your pestilent brother to meet me at a designated time and place, where I will do to him as I see fit, or you will stay in this room, with the girl you love for company only, until the time comes where you will need to feed, and she will drained dry, by your own hands, caused by your own blood lust.

I will come for your answer at first light.

Enjoy your stay.

N. Darke.

Crap.