Disclaimer! I do not own Vampire Diaries or its cast, but Alex and her story are mine, please don't 'borrow' them!

Present

Alex

There wasn't a phone call the next day, or the next. Da never was one for keeping up with calls, sometimes he could forget to phone Gran for weeks at a time. It was concerning, yes, but he always remembered eventually. It was just the fact that he was with the damnable Council, and I knew for a fact it was not a 'camping' trip. I had remained hidden in the mansion since Damon's visit, loathe to leave should he appear again. By now, I was sorely tempted to leave and seek out news.

Going to town was my last resort. Biting my lip, I glanced again at the grimoire in my hands. I could scry and look in on him that way. But my magic still felt wrong, it still felt hungry. I drew a steady breath, fingertips brushing the soft parchment. It was for Da, how could I justify not trying? But what if he's alright, and this just leads to trouble? a voice whispered.

But what if he wasn't?

I could not take that risk. Hands shaking slight-they had not stopped since Damon's visit- I slowly flipped through the pages. The library was dark and silent but for the quiet rushing sound of the parchment as it turned, lit only by a slim oil lamp beside the window alcove I had hidden myself in. Enchantment. Hexes. Ailments. the latin and celtic words flashed past, easily taken in, easily dismissed, until-

Scrying. It could be dangerous magic. If the user forgot their purpose, they could be drawn into the gray world of the Sight, forever encased inbetween future and present. Fingertips white against the aged yellow page, I traced the words. "Quaero occulta visum. Ejice mentis, quam quaerimus invenire. Cinereo mundi futuri et praeteriti reserare. Desideriis revelare secretum meum." They fell from my lips in a rush, as soft as falling autumn leaves.

The silence became overwhelming and a heady, thick buzz fell over my body. The library dimmed, my stomach turned as the sensation of falling took over me. I couldn't breath! Darkness descended over my eyes, the buzzing strengthening to a blare, and-

Red flashed behind my eyes. There was screaming, so much screaming, and the smell of iron was in the air. I couldn't breath! A crack sounded, twigs crumpled underfoot. The wind whipped and brewed, the scent of fire smoke overbearing the iron. Iron and ashes, it fell on my tongue. I could taste the fear, I could taste it.

"MICHAEL!?"

The name pierced through the air. It tugged at my heart, drew me close. I could not see, there was only gray-black darkness, the burn of smoke as my eyes teared. "MICHAEL!"

A sudden, sharp pain blossomed at my throat. The air rushed from my lungs, a stinging sensation running through my veins. "Michael?!"

The darkness tinged red, a dizzying sensation rushing through my limbs. The red thickened, a curtain of scarlet that enveloped my sight. The smoke clogged my lungs, I could taste blood on my lips-

"MICHAEL!"

"DA?!" I shot from the library floor, breathing hard. The library was empty, cold and dark. The lamp had died. How long had I been out?! Panic settled through my veins, poisonous as it spread. What had that been?! I had not seen Da, I had only heard his name, and there had been screaming, the smell of blood...

Tires squealed as the Mustang peeled out of the drive. My knuckles were white as I drove. Da was in danger, I knew it. I knew that something had happened. Carol was dead the moment I saw her. If he was hurt...Oh Goddess, if he was hurt! I forced myself to breathe, I couldn't crash, I couldn't risk being unable to find him, to help him.

"DAMON OPEN THE DAMNED DOOR!" My fist sparked with magic, charring the door as I hammered down on the frame. The Salvatore's drive was marred by skid marks where the Mustang had torn at the gravel. I was lucky not to have been pulled over, but I did not care. "OPEN THE DAMNED DOOR N-"

"What the hell is wrong Alex?!" Damon appeared and I nearly fell on top of him.

For a moment shock faltered my fury, but it returned a moment later as I jabbed at his chest. "WHERE THE HELL IS MY FATHER?!" I demanded, "WHERE THE HELL DID YOUR DAMNED COUNCIL TAKE HIM!?"

"Alex, calm down. He's with Carol, they're coming back. They'll be back in minutes, I talked to her before they left the mountains a few hours." Damon assured quietly,reaching to catch my wrist.

A few hours ago?! When had I entered the Sight?! When had I left it?! "That's NOT what I asked." I snapped.

Damon stared at me, eyes wide. "It was just a nest, Alex."

My eye twitched. "JUST A NEST?! He found out about YOUR kind DAYS AGO and you let them take him to a NEST?! Are you STUPID?!" I demanded, sparks flying from my skin.

"I didn't have a choice! I couldn't stop him from going, or Carol! I doubt there was even a nest there. There haven't been any signs, any hints that any vampires were around. I watch for that, Alexandria." He finally caught my wrists, holding me fast. "Would you take a damned breath!?"

I faltered. No signs of vampires? Would Carol really take my father to a nest, so early, so soon? Was she stupid?! What if...Had I messed up the spell? What had I seen? Da hadn't been in the vision, hell, I didn't know what that was. "Damon...I'm scared." I whispered,looking away from him. I knew something I had happened. I knew.

"Nothing is going to happen, Alex." Damon squeezed my wrists. "I-"

His phone rang, cutting off his words. My heart thumped as he released a wrist, taking the slim device from his pocket and answering. "What's up Carol?"

I didn't have to hear it. I could see it in his eyes. The glass green shimmered and flashed,suddenly dark, suddenly worried as they flickered to me. I didn't hear him when he said my name, I saw his lips move, and that was it, before the world swam black and my knees gave way. Michael, he's-. I could hear the buzz from the cell phone, hear Carol's voice as clear as if she were standing beside me, giving the news, and then the call died. I couldn't breathe, my lungs filled and held, unable to exhale, unable to draw breath. Da, hurt? Da, dead?! Oh Goddess, please, not dead! "Alex?!" Damon's voice reached my ears, anxious as his hands framed my face. "ALEX?!"

The tears fell, swift and fast as my chest rose and fell, unable to slow my breathing as it sped, pulse jumping. Smoke and blood. I could smell it again, I could taste the blood on my lips. The pain at my throat. Vampires. "THIS IS YOUR FAULT!" I screamed at Damon, clawing at the hands framing my face, "YOU LET HIM GO!" I screamed, I screamed and ran my throat raw, I screamed and tore at Damon's grasp, but he only remained silent, his gaze flickering. "HOW COULD YOU LET HIM GO!?" I demanded, words thickened by remorse. My voice failed, and I collapsed against him, the sobs wracking my frame. It wasn't true, it couldn't be true! Strong arms wrapped around me, and I could only cry, the vision of scarlet blindness behind my eyes. I should have known. I should have stopped him. I curled into a ball, oblivious to the world as the grief took me. What if he was dead? What if he was dead?!

Damon

"Damon...It's Michael. We thought we had them...We thought they were dealt with. But they found us, we didn't know there were any left...Michael's-" the call cut off, only static coming through the speakers. "Carol?! CAROL?!" There was no answer.

Alex made a sound, almost a squeak, her body shaking. She collapsed, pale as a ghost. "Alex?!" I caught her before she collided with the porch, catching her face. God freaking damnit. "Alex?! Breathe, just breathe!" She couldn't hear me. Her words rent at my heart, tearing apart the stoicism I fought to bear. Something had happened to her father. Hurt? Dead? Pain sharpened my gaze as her nails cut through my skin, the grief pulling her farther and farther away. I had let Carol take Michael. I hadn't known. Alex fell into my arms, hot tears staining my shirt. She was shaking, oblivious to words. I held her, gaze on the trees, hardened. "I'm sorry." I whispered, and she shook still, cold even against my chilled frame. "I'm sorry."

Yes, it's a cliffhanger! Got any suggestions on what actually happens to Michael? Shoot 'em too me! As always, constructive criticism welcome, and reviews are LOVED!

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