Chapter Eight: Shattered Glass

"Wow."

Wow was right. The federal testing lab had just confirmed a set of fingerprints that were salvaged. They had come from evidence found on the crash site of Elena Gilbert's highway disappearance. Although this was certainly a breakthrough in the case, the results were puzzling. It seems that the fingerprints didn't belong to anyone in the world! Of course, minus the convicted felons and current jail residents, it seemed as though the person involved had never been documented authentically into the government system. This did happen occasionally, rarely, with midwife born hippie's offspring, but it was unlikely. Not many people wanted to hide themselves from worldwide recognition. Dr. Isobel Flemming scratched her head. This was going to be a long, interesting day. She leaned forward in her chair and pressed the talk button on her office telephone. She had to alert the media right away, any update could help locate the missing girl. After all, Isobel's daughter herself was a huge fan of Elena Gilbert. Anything Isobel could do to help would be greatly appreciated by not only the Elena's family, but the world.

"Hi, yes, Channel 4? I would like to speak with your top reporter. I'm from the USA federal testing lab and I have an urgent update on the Elena Gilbert case"

"Yes, m'am' that would be Miss. Caroline Forbes, one moment please, I'll connect you."

Isobel tapped her clad foot against the floor underneath her cherry accented desk impatiently. After endless ringing, someone on the other end picked up.

"Hello, Channel 4 News. My name is Tyler, how can I help you?"

"I'm Isobel Flemming, calling from the United Sates federal testing lab. I'm looking for a Caroline Forbes, may I speak with her?"

"Actually," the man continued, "I'm her partner, Tyler Lockwood. Anything you need to say to her you can tell me. We work on all of our projects together anyways. I'll definitely pass the information along."

Isobel rolled her eyes.

"Look, this is a confidential.." She didn't need to finish. Caroline had apparently walked in and pried the phone from "Tyler's" hand.

"Hello?" I'm sorry for the confusion, my partner is on phone duty these days." Caroline giggled.

Isobel repeated her information for the third time and hung up after explaining in depth the latest findings she had uncovered. Hopefully, news would spread about this "fingerless" man and she would be able to update her new friend Caroline appropriately. In turn, the media would give them any information they uncovered that might help them catch the perp before it aired.

They judgment was tough, but Isobel knew in her heart that they would find the missing girl.

Damon looked his captive up and down in her deep blue cut out bikini. It would definitely suffice for what he had planned. He opened the glass door to SilverTAG shower and gestured for Elena to step inside. He had to admit, she already looked better for getting out of those awful clothes. He hadn't wanted to hurt her feelings, but she really looked horrible. Of course, it was his own fault. When the bus had crashed, her beautiful flower vase had fallen on her and coated her with dirt. Her outfit was also ruined by the many other things that had fallen on her. Luckily, all was healed with a little drop of his blood here and there.

As Elena stepped inside the shower, Damon followed suit and motioned for her to take a seat. He explained that he had one of the most high tech showers in the world. The one of a kind customized shower had 18 shower heads and a dozen different modes depending on his relaxation needs. In this case, he would need to set it to "submerge." This was a special mode that plugged up the drain and filled the entire shower with warm water until the person was completely submerged. Then, the cleaning tools were tapped and the person inside was thoroughly cleansed and invigorated, similar to a car wash. The person was left with a feeling of tranquility similar to what one might receive after a trip to the spa, except the experience was heightened times ten.

It was a unique and very expensive shower system that was specifically created for Eurotherapy clients all over the world. Damon had only had it for a few months, but he was just now getting a hang of how it worked. He hadn't wanted to leave Elena all on her own trying to figure it out. A couple more buttons and the cleaning was activated. Hoses of water rained down and products were flying everywhere. Damon took this opportunity to step out of the shower and leave a baffled Elena Gilbert behind.

The brunette became frightened and tried to open the door, but Damon put his hands up to reassure her.

"It's okay, I'm right here. You just take your time and when you're done it'll stop."

Elena nodded. At least she knew why Damon was wearing a bathing suit, too. It was impossible to even look inside this thing without getting absolutely soaked!

As the water began to splash Elena's heart was doing pitter patters. Out of fear, not love, rest assured. She hadn't even noticed this scary contraption when she had first come into the room, and now she was trying it out for a test drive!

What was Damon trying to do? This machine looked like it belonged in the year 2100, not 2012.

'Maybe Damon forces all the girls he kidnaps inside of here,' she thought.

She turned his back on his grinning face and tried to keep herself calm. It was nearing noon time for sure, Elena was overjoyed that she didn't have to worry about Jenna anymore. She knew that her aunt would be okay. Now, she just had to think about her own life at stake. Elena made herself a mental note and finished her shower enthusiastically. She knew she had to pretend to be in a good mood if she was going to get away from her captor without raising his suspicions.

As Elena stepped out of the shower and into the fluffy white towel that Damon held out to her, she breathed in deeply and turned around. She had read about victims like Elizabeth Smart before that had endured all sorts of horrible things while being captive. She knew that she needed to ask Damon some questions, and if he didn't give her any answers she'd have to take a different approach.

Just then, she caught sight of her reflection as the steam cleared. She had made a complete 360 since before the shower. Her cheeks had some color back into them, her hair was clean and vibrant, and her skin was shiny and clear. She didn't want to admit it, but she looked better than she had since before she went missing. It was true, she loved her job. But it also brought her a lot of stress and pressures, both external and internal. If she hadn't been abducted by a vampire and was possibly fighting for her life, she would enjoy this little vacation of sorts.

'Oh, what am I thinking? Of course I would never enjoy this. This man is sick.' Elena tried to convince herself, but deep inside, she did find him sort of cute.

Okay, really cute.

But, look! He was obviously psycho! Just like Ted Bundy; looks can be deceiving.

As she dried off, Elena noticed that Damon had left the room. She guessed that she had been a little deeper in thought then she had suspected. Or maybe he had just used his super vampire powers to speed away.' Elena thought with chagrin. It was going to be hard to wrap her mind around this whole supernatural thing.

"Here are your things. When your ready, just join me in the kitchen, I'm going to start lunch." Damon said, poking his head into the bathroom to hand her some clothes he had picked out.

Elena nodded meekly, reaching her hand out to take the items.

Damon continued. "... Unless, of course, you would like me to stick around. You know, I've heard I'm really good and dressing girls. And.. undressing them."

She rolled her eyes as Damon and shook her head as winked at her flirtatiously before stepping away.

What was going on here?

Rummaging through her fresh items, Elena peeled off her wet swimsuit and dropped it on the floor. She was giddy with the simple pleasure of clean clothing, and knowing that her aunt had already been returned safely to her home. Damon had arranged all of it after she had made the phone call to John. It was difficult for her to do, but Elena knew it was just temporary. Obviously when the police found her she would be able to resume her career as she had before. Her aunt wou;dn't even be worried about her! Damon had done that weird eye thing where he had made Jenna believe that Elena was okay. It was unfortunate that she had to impinge upon Jenna the workings of a vampire, but it was better than having her worry. Elena had also gotten some answers about why Jenna had looked so still. Damon had also "compelled" her to sleep so she wouldn't cause any noise. He had been waking up to feed her often, too. It was sickening and not at all okay, but Elena did agree that it could be much worse.

'Your going to be okay. You'll get your aunt and your career back. All your fans will be so happy when you come back!' Elena smiled to herself.

'Yep,' she told herself. 'It won't be long now.'

Just as she had slipped on the powder pink capris and cream colored lace cami over her lingerie, she heard a noise.

It sounded like something had crashed. That was odd. What could it be? A fallen pot maybe? Hesitating, Elena put on a brave face. Even in her worst times, she was a curious girl for sure.

Walking carefully to the door, she slipped through the bedroom soundlessly and walked out into the hall. She came just in time to witness Stefan, her most prized and beloved security guard, step through one of the living room windows. Yes, step through the window from the top floor of the apartment building. The noise she had heard was shattered glass. Except, how had he gotten up here? He had come to save her, that was all Elena cared about.

He turned his head immediately sensing her and started her way, his mouth turned up in a cheshire cat smile.

Running forward happily, Elena screamed when she was held back by strong arms. Damon.

"Elena, don't go near him!" Damon held her forcefully, she couldn't move an inch in any direction.

"Stefan!" She shrieked.

Stefan walked closer to the couple and looked Damon square in the eye.

"I've come for what belongs to me, brother, let her go."

Elena gasped. Did this mean? Was Stefan..

Oh no.