Everyone gathered into Caroline's car. She started the engine. Elena sat in the back seat, close to Damon. She leaned forward and pressed her head against the passenger side headrest. Her mind was swimming. So much had happened in the last day. She was feeling very overwhelmed. Hot tears slid down her face now. Damon laid his hand on her back. He had nothing to say that would soothe her, but at least she would know he was there with her. Caroline backed out of the driveway, and onto the street.

"Seriously, what could all of those numbers mean," Stefan questioned.

"Stefan, drop it for now. We can talk about it later. She has enough to think about right now," Damon's voice was stern.

"Damon, you don't think it's weird? No words. Nothing but numbers?"

"Yes, it is weird, but for God's sake leave it alone right now," Damon's voice was getting harsh.

Elena was still crying. She slumped back into the seat now. She was quiet for a very long time. The car engine hummed quietly as they all made their way to the Grill. Damon placed his hand on hers, rubbing the back of it slowly. She did not pull away. They might have not known each other very long,but his touch was comforting. Elena's phone lit up. It was Jenna.

Where are u? Everything Ok?

Elena typed a short reply.

Yes. Staying with Caroline tonight. Call you in the morning.

It was mean to do this to Jenna, but Elena couldn't handle going back there tonight and lying in bed alone. Left there to be swallowed by her sadness. What if that man followed her earlier? Would he be at Jenna's waiting for her? Staying with Caroline was definitely the right choice for tonight.

Caroline's Prius pulled into Mystic Grill's parking lot. She parked next to an older model, blue Mustang. Stefan looked at her adoringly.

"Keep in touch tonight Care. If you all need anything just let me know," Stefan said.

"I will. I'll let you know when we make it to my house."

Damon drew his hand back and wrapped his arms around Elena once more. Again, she felt comfortable, safe. He whispered something lightly in her hair.

"Be safe Elena. I'll see you tomorrow."

The hint of a smile drew to her lips. She was overwhelmingly sad, but his promise of seeing her again made her feel slightly better. He pulled away and opened his car door.

"Caroline, you take care of her tonight. We will call tomorrow," Damon said as he closed the door behind him. Stefan got out also and walked to the blue car beside them. Damon jumped in the passenger seat and their engine roared to life. It was noisy, boastful. Elena climbed up to the front seat beside Caroline. She laid her head on her best friend's shoulder.

"Thank you for coming to my rescue tonight," Elena sighed.

"I'm always going to be there for you Elena. I'm sorry I took so long, though. Dumb and dumber had to tag along and they are slower than Christmas," Caroline laughed.

"I'm glad they were there too. Who knows what could've happened to us tonight if they weren't. I'm sure a big strong man wouldn't be very afraid of two teenage girls."

"I don't know Elena, we can be pretty intimidating."

Caroline backed out and headed for her house. Thankfully it wasn't very far. Nothing in Mystic Falls was ever very far due to it being such a small town. Caroline lived on the ritzier side of Mystic Falls. It was a gated community full of oversized houses. Elena could remember spending the night at her house and on several occasions being awestruck by how beautiful Caroline's home was. Her mother always had it decorated elaborately back then. Ever since her father left, to be with another man in fact, her mother had scarcely ever had the house very festive. She was too busy working, or in most cases, moping.

They pulled into her driveway and slowly got out. Together, they walked into the house and up to Caroline's bedroom. Elena had no change of clothes with her. Thankfully, the girls were about the same size. Caroline handed her a pair of silky pajama pants and a tank top from her dresser drawer.

"I hope you don't mind, but I really need to shower first," Elena confessed.

"Oh take your time. I don't want to sleep next to a smelly Elena anyways," Caroline sneered.

Elena took the clothes and went into the attached bathroom. She opened the glass shower door and turned the shower handle as far left as it would go. Soon, the bathroom was filled with steam. The water would be scalding hot. Good, just hot enough to wash away the emotions of today. Elena undressed, and stepped in. She was right, very hot, a little too hot for comfort. She adjusted the temperature and stepped back into the stream, letting the water run down her hair and face. Her stress fell off of her as the minutes passed. She let her mind wander off as she shampooed her hair.

Ice blue eyes. The way Damon had ran into her house and threw himself down next to her. The way he soothed her, rubbing her back and hand. He wasn't pushy with his presence. He understood that she just needed comfort. She wished she could see him again now. He had been her bright spot in the darkness of today. Just keep the good things, wash the bad away, she repeated to herself.

She tried that, but only managed to keep thinking about those numbers. Whose blood was used for that? There was only three likely candidates for that. The thought made her shudder. Stop it. Stop thinking about that. She stepped back out of the water and ran conditioner throughout her hair. The steam enveloped her and clung to the glass shower walls. There was footsteps outside of the shower. She could hardly make out a person on the other side of the glass. He's back. He knows I'm in here alone, and now he's come to finish what he started. Elena's eyes were wide with terror.

"Elena, can I talk to you about something," Caroline's voice hung in the air. It was just her. Elena was being so jumpy.

"Yeah Care, anything." Elena stepped back in the water, rinsing the last bits of conditioner out of her hair. She reached for the body wash and lathered that on next.

"What did that man look like tonight," Caroline questioned. What an odd question. Why would she care?

"I don't really know Caroline, it was dark. I told you, he was just big and fast. I don't really want to reminisce on that right now."

"Oh, ok. I was just curious. I think he will be back for you."

"What the hell Caroline. Why would you say that?" Elena poked her head out of the shower to glare at her friend. She was no longer there. Elena finished up, and quickly turned the shower off. She yanked the towel down off of the rack beside her, and wrapped it around her.

"Caroline," Elena called out.

"What," she yelled from the other side of the door.

"Why did you say that to me?"

"Say what to you," her voice sounded genuinely confused.

"You said he would come back for me. Why?"

"Elena, I've been out here on the phone with Stefan. I haven't been in there with you. You must be hearing things. Besides the door is locked, I wouldn't have been able to get in there to you."

Elena frantically looked around the bathroom. There was no sign of anyone there with her, but she had been talking to someone. Nervously she glanced toward the giant mirror. Etched into the steam was 3 sets of number identical to the ones that were on her living room wall.

"Well anyways, I was thinking about today and I really hope it didn't bother you that I drug Stefan along with me. He's pretty much been everywhere with me since the other night. I think we are starting to be a thing. You know, something just clicks with us."

Caroline was rambling outside the door. Elena didn't bother to call for her, she merely pushed the door open for her friend and pointed to the mirror. Shock ran across the young blonde's face as she took in the numbers.

"I've got to call Stefan and Damon."