PLEASE READ
So, I just wanted to explain the reason for why this story took so incredibly long to be updated.

I start stories and continue them based on the response I get, so if I don't get many reviews I tend to forget all about them and start on others thinking that people aren't reading it. Well, I wasn't getting notified that I had any reviews or anyone was following the story so I stopped.

Realizing tonight, that fanfiction had just stopped emailing me when I got reviews/alerts/etc. I had no idea people were enjoying this so much so, here a chapter I hope is worth that massive wait you all had to endure. I hope I made it long enough.

I am SORRY! Keep reviewing and letting me know If you still like it and want more.

It had been 2 weeks since Stefan or any of the others had seen Salette. She had disappeared only an hour or so after she had arrived looking for Damon. Stefan was certain she was looking hard for Damon but he did feel useless and had felt that way since the very moment she left. Though she was also worried and feeling just as useless, Elena tried to help ease his stress and it was hardly working at all.

Stefan sat on Elena's bed while she closed the bedroom door. 'It's been two weeks. Where could she be?' Stefan asked in frustration.

'I'm guessing she's looking for Damon. When she finds him, and she will, she'll contact us and we'll take it from there.'

'I know but I just feel helpless. I want to help find him. He's my brother and I know we've had our differences but he's saved my life once before and I want to help save his.'

'She'll come back. She taught Bonnie those spells and Bonnie's been working really hard to perfect them. When she comes back we'll all be ready for what we have to do.'

'And what's that?'

'Fight! We'll fight our asses off until we get Damon out of where ever the hell he is.'

Stefan half smiled. 'I love that about you.'

Elena blushed slightly. 'What?'

'Your passion. You set your mind to something and you won't back down. I love it.' He stood up and wrapped his arms around her tiny frame. 'I love you.' He kissed her lightly.

'I love you too.' She smiled.

.

There was a knock on her bedroom door and they broke eye contact. 'Come in.' Elena called.

The door opened and Jeremy took a small step inside. 'Hey, sorry…'

'It's alright, what's up?'

'Um, Bonnie's here, Should I send her up?'

'Of course, thanks.'

'No problem.' He walked from the room and Bonnie soon emerged.

'Hey, what up?' Elena asked as her best friend stepped into the room.

'Hey, not much. Hi Stefan.'

'Hello Bonnie.' He answered.

'I actually came here to tell you I'm really progressing with these spells.' She smiled. 'I've been really practicing and I think I got the hang of almost all of them.'

'Good, I'm glad to hear it. See Stefan, things are going to work out.'

'Have you heard from that Salette lately?' Bonnie asked sheepishly.

Stefan pressed his lips together.

'No, we haven't.' Elena answered.

'Damn, it would be good to get some feedback, maybe some tips.' She sighed. 'I hope she finds Damon soon, every day that passes is another day that he suffers…' She bit her tongue. 'Sorry Stefan.'

He sighed also. 'It's okay. I know very well what's happening to him and I also know there's not a damn thing I can do about it.'

Elena lowered her eyes. 'All we can do is wait and hope she finds him soon.'

TVD

TVD

Damon kept his eyes to the ceiling. He wasn't entirely sure how much time had passed since he first arrived here, but he was sure it was weighing him down. He was alone at this point, finally able to rest his body. Though it was covered in fresh bite marks, cuts, bruises and dry blood. He sighed, knowing he would only have a minute to himself until someone came back, but the worst part was that he couldn't move from his back. The Alcovine in his system tingled through his veins to the point where he couldn't block it out. The irritation it caused was far worse. He wriggled his torso slightly, attempting to get into a more comfortable position. His body felt so weak from all the blood loss that he could barely move his fingers, let alone his arms. He stretched out his jaw and yawned.

'I'm hungry' A male voice called from the other room.

Damon's muscles tensed at the voice. He closed his eyes tight and hoped he would disappear but there was no such luck. Footsteps headed towards him and when he opened his eyes Luke stood above him.

'Well, look at you.' He smiled. Do you mind if I have a bite?' His voice was sarcastic of course. I would do what he liked, no matter what Damon answered with.

He crouched down next to his victim and bit into the already sore flesh of his arm. Damon moaned a bit, letting his fingers crawl into a weak fist. His eyes rolled back into his head, the familiar pain returning to his body.

'You're running a bit dry.' Luke frowned. Well, if I can't drink you, I can still torture you.' His frown quickly turned into a smile. Grabbing hold of his biceps, Luke forced Damon into a sitting position. The sudden jolt gave Damon a head spin to the point where he thought he might throw up.

'Tell me you want me to fuck you.' Luke smiled. He was pressing his nails into his flesh.

Damon frowned. He wouldn't say that. He didn't care how bad it hurt. 'Fuck you.' He finally hissed.

Luke was quick to assert his authority by punching Damon in the jaw. 'Do what you're told.' He growled.

'Or what?'

'Or, I'll make you wish you had.'

Damon chuckled. He already wished he had never met these people. There wasn't much more he could do.

'Don't laugh at me!' He punched Damon again, knocking his head to the side. He then let him fall heavily to the floor. He followed that with another jab to his ribs. Damon coughed hard after that blow. It was hard enough to breath before being punched.

Luke got to his feet, kicking Damon in the thighs. Every part of him hurt. With the blood loss he had experienced, all his sensations were magnified. Every touch or even a small breeze caused him pain. So being beaten was agonizing.

'You need to learn to do what you're told.' Luke's voice was softer now. He smiled as he crouched back down. Damon was lying on his side, panting. He winced and whimpered at the feather touches that Luke torturing him with.

Luke ran the tip of his index finger down Damon's spine, downing full well that any bit of contact caused him severe pain. This torture went on for what seemed like hours for Damon before Flick entered the room.

'Leave him alone, I have to feed him.' She spoke roughly.

The smile didn't leave Luke's face. 'Fine.' He stood and pushed Damon with his foot so that he was lying on his back. 'We'll play later.' He walked out of the room, leaving Flick to her duties.

She made her way towards him, kneeling by his side. Damon didn't even bother trying to talk. His throat was too dry. He felt like he was dying, though he knew that wasn't possible.

'Here.' She held out the blood bag for him to drink, but he couldn't lift his head high enough. She placed the nozzle into his mouth aided him by squeezing the thick liquid into his mouth for him. The moment the blood hit his tongue, Damon felt slightly better. It slid down his throat easily.

When he finished he looked over at the redhead. 'Thank you…' His voice was rough and laboured.

'That's alright.' She answered while she eased the wounds on his body with cool water. This was the only bit of relaxation he could enjoy. He knew that as long as she washing his wounds, he was safe enough to even have s short sleep. She even seemed to drag out the procedure longer than it needed, just so he could sleep enough to recharge.

He opened his eyes and she was still cleaning his arms. 'How long did I sleep for?'

'About half an hour.' She smiled at him.

He closed his eyes, felt more like 5 minutes. He did feel a bit better though, and even the water lingered on his skin, the breeze didn't hurt. He looked at her for a moment. 'You never told me why you do this…'

She stayed silent for a moment, as if she was thinking about what to say. 'I do it because I have too.' She answered evenly.

'Why do you have too?'

'I've made a lot of mistakes in my life, and one of them was my sister.' She looked up at Damon who was staring at her. 'Kala is my sister and I turned her into the monster she is today.' Her eyes narrowed. 'When I was turned, Karla begged me to turn her. She wanted to be like me. I caved in and I did it. Ever since she has been cruel and ruthless. Since I could never bring myself to actually stake her, I made it my mission to stay with her and make sure she didn't do anything stupid.'

'Like kidnap someone and torture them?' Damon's voice was s, but it was weak enough for Flick to ignore it.

'As long as I'm here, you'll always he fed, you'll always be clean and I'll always know she's not bringing humans home to eat.' She looked at her knees. The same look of sorrow etched on her face as the first time he had asked. 'I know it sounds wrong, but I always thought as long as she wasn't hurting humans, I could tolerate it.' She looked down at Damon who was covered in bruises and bites. He was clearly in pain, unable to move or hardly talk. 'I mean, torturing a human is worse than torturing a vampire…' She paused, doubt in her voice.' 'Cause vampires don't count…'

Damon could tell she was doubting her own logic and actually listening to her own words as she said them. 'Doesn't my pain count?' He asked softly, sadness in his eyes.

Flick stared at him, her eyes fluttering. 'I… don't know.' She got up from her knees and walked from the room. Before she closed the door, she took another look at the helpless vampire on the floor. Did his pain count?

TVD

TVD

Stefan let his eyes close finally, after not being able to sleep for weeks when Elena shoved him. He opened his eyes quickly. 'What?' He frowned, clearly tired.

'Salette is here!' A smile plastered on her face.

Stefan jumped up at those words. 'Where?'

She's in the lounge room. The both walked downstairs to Elena's living room where Salette sat patiently with her legs crossed. 'Stefan.' Her voice was solid, her face was like stone.

'Did you find him?' Stefan asked.

'Yes. It took some time, but I found where they're keeping him. Where's Bonnie?'

'She's on her way.' Elena insisted. 'So is Caroline.'

Salette nodded.

.

When Bonnie and Caroline arrived they all sat in the living room.

'We have a lot to talk about.' Salette addressed. 'And, I have a plan.'