Hey my lovelies! This story has a mind of its own. Enjoy(:

Damon's POV

I woke Elena up two or three hours later, when we reached Tennessee. I felt horrible for keeping her like this, but part of me-the monster part- didn't. I wanted her, and I was going to get her, dammit!

Elena's POV

I felt my subconscious be ripped out of the dream and my eyes blinked open wearily. I was instantly met with Damon's intense steel blue stare. I could see emotions churning behind them in a mess of confusion. Damon whispered in my ear and I felt the compulsion disappear.

"It's Esther, Damon. She's messing with you! That pressure you feel-"

Damon cut me off by slamming the on the brakes and pulling over into the side lane. It was dark out and we were in the middle of freaking no-where. He unlocked the doors and stared at me, love and worry in his eyes. "Run Elena! Run as fast as you can and do not stop! Esther's hold is too strong. Take your phone and RUN."

I stared at him for a split second, and then snatched my phone out of the cup holder, opened the door, and sprinted into the woods, glad that I was rested and wearing good running shoes.

I felt branches hit my face, but I kept running, leaping over roots and rocks. The night was clear and I quickly shoved my phone deep into my jacket pocket, zipping it shut. In the moonlight I could see that the woods didn't end anytime soon, so I turned to my right, running back to what I hoped was Mystic Falls. After a few moments of running, I came into a clearing. The clearing was just a big hilly field with wheat and other tall grasses growing. The wind blew and I shivered, watching the grasses blow violently. I continued to run through the clearing, hoping I could get through the grasses without being caught.

Vampires without emotion are ruthless. Even when that vampire is Damon Salvatore.

I heard a twig snap faintly, and I started to sprint as fast as I could. I hit the edge of the woods again and continued to run. Who knew all the track I did in 8th-10th grade would pay off so much? Running from vicious vampires all the time is tough!

I sprinted over roots and fallen branches for a few more moments. My heart was pounding in my chest and I finally came to a stop behind a large oak tree. I pulled out my phone and dialed Kol's number.

"What have you done to Elena?" Kol's voice was hard and demanding, and I winced.

"It's me. Esther is screwing with Damon's emotional switch thing. He let me go. I think we're in Tennessee, I'm in the woods." I whispered urgently into the phone, my other ear tuned to the woods for any noise.

"'Lena…" Kol breathed in relief. "I'm coming to get you. Try to get as far away as possible, and then head to the freeway, I'll be running to you. It's quicker then cars."

"Okay." I whispered, and then hung up. I slipped the phone into my pocket and then started to run again. I started to veer back towards the road; almost slipping on the damp leaves more than once. Lights of a familiar car flashed by and I almost screamed.

Damon.

I heard a door open, and his voice called out to me. "Elena! Come out! Come out wherever you are!"

It was silent for a moment, and I started to climb a tree slowly, hoping he would move down the road to search somewhere else.

"Elena!" his voice was pained. "I'm fighting it Elena. Keep running! Please!"

I felt my heart tug for my friend and quickly climbed down the tree and started to run deeper into the woods.

Whoosh…snap…whoosh… "Elenaaaaa…"

I heard him zoom by twice, and a twig snap. Damon called my name eerily, and I could hear the sneer in his voice. I stopped running and slowly and quietly crept through the woods. My phone buzzed in my pocket and I jumped, quickly ripping it out and shutting it up.

I tapped the screen and it flashed on.

In TN woods, looking 4 u. saw car.

I shut the phone seconds later and stuffed it back into my pocket.

I stepped forward, ready to venture off deeper into the woods, when I felt my body fly and slam against a tree.

Damon? Oh no.

A dark shadowy figure walked towards me slowly. I couldn't see his face, but I had a feeling I knew this person. When they got closer, I could see their eyes and knew immediately whom it was. I was met with piercing hazel eyes and long raven hair, which gleamed in the moonlight. He smirked at me when recognition passed across my face.

"Hello Elena, love." It was Zach, the son of Sam and Robin. He was the one who kept stalking me for no practical reason back when I was Kol's prisoner.

"Zach," I gaped at him in confusion. "What are you doing here?"

He stepped closer and I instinctively fumbled for my phone.

"Looking for this?" he waved my phone in the air and I stepped forward to get it back.

"Ah ah ah." He smirked at me and threw it far in the other direction. I couldn't even hear a thud moments later.

I scoffed. "That was my phone."

"Obviously." He shoved his hands in his pocket and stared at me. "I hear your running from your rescuer?"

His form blurred and he was a few feet in front of me. "Is Mommy Original messing with you?" he pulled a leaf out of my hair and I flinched. "Easy there, kangaroo. No need to be so jumpy."

He smirked at me and I scowled.

"Damon is going to hear you, y'know." I stared off into the darkness nervously.

"So will the lover." He smirked and stared at a certain point in the distance. "C'mon Kol!"

I peered off to where he was staring and suddenly I was against the tree, lips on my neck.

"C'mon! You don't want me to bite her, do you?" scowling, he stared out again.

"I KNOW YOU CAN HEAR ME!" the irritation was evident in his crazed voice. "C'MON BASTARD! FACE ME LIKE A MAN!"

Kol and Damon both appeared a split second later and the three of them stared at each other intensely, tension rippling in the air.

"I want Elena." Damon spoke first, staring at me possessively.

"Fight my mother, Damon, or I will be forced to break your neck." Kol spoke next, his eyes locked on me, listening to my rapidly beating heart.

"You see dear chaps, we all want the lovely Elena." Zach smirked and kissed my artery tenderly, his tongue darting out. I flinched and he chuckled darkly.

Kol's face was the very definition of self-control. His face and posture were expertly shielded, but when I gazed into his eyes, you could see the worry buried in them.

I looked back to Damon, trying not to flinch each time Zach pressed a kiss to my neck.

His eyes were still a hurricane of emotion, switching from

Elena, I love you, I will save you!

To

Damn brat always getting into trouble. I should just take her to them like Esther wants.

"Damon." I whispered, taking a deep breath. "Fight it because you love me. I care for you Damon, you know that."

I looked over at Kol and nodded.

He blurred forward and I felt teeth gnash down on my neck for a split second, and then I felt myself in someone's arms. I put my hand to my neck, and pulled away with it covered in blood. I looked up at my rescuers face and was greatly surprised.