A/N: Happy Halloween everyone! ;) Enjoy this next chapter!
Past Requiem
Chapter IV
"A Night Out"
…
The birds chirped throughout the forest and an early mist shrouded her surroundings as Elena stood within the doorway and tried to peer through the fog. It had rained the night prior and had settled to only sparse drops within the first hours of light. She sighed and her exhale was emitted within a discernible cloud before it altogether dissipated.
Damon and the others were due to arrive sometime that day. Depending on their pace though, it was impossible to predict when. As Elena felt the remnants of sleep clouding her mind, she wished above all things for a cup of coffee. She desperately needed the caffeine source.
She only hoped her boyfriend would actually agree to venture into town at nightfall. There was no foreseeable reason for him to refuse. There was only so much at her disposal within the limitations of her current setting.
Within the next instant though, her eyes instinctively shifted as she heard a distant shriek. It reverberated off the wood of the trees and Elena's mouth parted as her brows creased in worry. It had been a woman's voice and it had sounded panicked.
Deliberating a moment, the girl considered Damon's warning before hearing another scream and feeling her innate, empathetic nature overpower her reasoning. She had to help. Besides, it had come from within the forest and was still technically within the restrictions her vampire had set.
Mind made up, Elena took off at a swift speed through the deep foliage and followed the sounds of distress. As she neared, she could hear words of desperation and detected the thundering of a frightened heart. Rounding the bend, she halted and observed the horse that was staring out over the precipice.
Venturing forward, the girl lowered her gaze and observed the young woman who appeared as if she had slipped. Her fragile hands clung to the rocky surface and her eyes were shut tight in dread. It was a precarious slope that steeply descended into the awaiting and rigorous river below.
"Hold on, okay?"
The woman lifted her head as Elena's voice reached her, eyes wide and concerned before she slowly nodded.
Acting quickly, the girl easily detached an overhanging vine before lowering it to the woman, "here, grab on. I'll pull you up."
Doubt crossed the victim's face as well as confusion as she appeared to take note of her rescuer's garb. However, she complied nonetheless and gingerly reached up to take hold of the offered vine. She clung to it desperately as Elena proceeded to effortlessly and smoothly pull her over the ledge and onto the safety of the forest floor.
The woman collapsed for a moment, trembling and attempting to ease herself before looking up to Elena and furrowing her brows. Her eyes again observed her strange appearance before she relented and smiled in relief. "Thank you."
The girl returned her smile before lowering herself to face her and catching her eyes. "What were you doing out here?"
"I often like to ride through these woods in the early morn'. I strayed a little further than usual and my horse was spooked. He threw me off and I lost my footing as I attempted to calm him."
Elena nodded before intensifying her stare, "you're going to be fine. You'll go home and you won't speak a word of this to anyone. You're going to forget it ever happened. You won't remember you met me and you won't remember the fall. You're going to stay out of these woods for awhile."
A familiar, despondent look overcame the face of the woman and she automatically nodded before Elena took her cue and swiftly fled, leaving her rescued victim to the state of confusion the compulsion would inflict her with.
Upon arriving at the cabin, the girl again smiled as she felt a sense of peace formulate at the prospect of having potentially saved a life. There were certain times where she was grateful for the added capabilities of vampirism. There were things she was now able to do and achieve for good and it made her feel immense pleasure.
Eyes lifting, she squinted a moment before her pleasure transitioned into relief as she spotted three figures emerging from the mist. A small smile formed and she crossed her arms before descending the porch step and merely awaiting the trio with a stilled regard.
She observed that Jeremy seemed alright and looked appreciatively to her boyfriend before her brows momentarily furrowed. However, upon recognizing his confidant stride, she surmised that she had directed her attention to the right double. He met her gaze and a beloved smirk spread as she answered him with a widening of her smile.
It was then that she noted their attire and the weapons they carried. They didn't actually intend to use them, did they? She mentally prepared a protest before then scrutinizing the past self of the vampire she had come to know.
Alternatively, his stride was not so assured, though she reasoned it could've merely been due to the lethargy inflicted over his mortal body. His hair was longer and wavier and his expression was unassuming. What struck her most prominently though, was the look in his eyes. They were innocent, naïve and filled with a brightness that could only be associated with the hope one experienced in anticipation of the future. Evident confusion aside, he looked unbothered and at ease. It was strange to see such a thing upon his familiar face.
The face that was always troubled, haunted and frustratingly complex.
Looking again to the subject of her averted thoughts, Elena stepped forward as he stopped and extended his arms. She embraced him tightly and again smiled at the returned scent and feel of him. More than anything, she had missed his presence and instantly felt secure in the fact that she would not have to wake up alone again.
Damon sighed as he held Elena, leaning his head against hers and instantly feeling himself relax. She was safe and seemed to have taken heed of his advice. His anxiety finally dissipated and he ran a soothing hand along her back.
Upon having seen the woman on the porch, Damion had been induced to a state of silent astonishment. It was Katherine. She was here. He had been perplexed by the direction of their journey and, upon arrival at his family's hunting lodge, the confusion grew. However, he was momentarily released from that mindset as he observed the object of his amorous affection. She was embracing his double but he reasoned she might've assumed it to be him. Did she know something about this ordeal?
As she pulled away, he took it upon himself to step forward with a slight grin and removed his hat before extending his hand in a signature greeting. "Miss Katherine, I did not expect to find you here."
Elena, whom had looked briefly to her brother and exchanged a smile with him, lowered her gaze to the replica and sighed. "You're mistaking me for somebody else. My name's Elena." She had been expecting the mix-up and so her response was almost mechanical.
The name struck him as the same that had been mentioned on their journey upon several occasions and he blinked before straightening and lowering his hand. Disappointment was evident and he scrutinized her face closely before detecting the softened hue of her gaze and absence of the typical mirth he had always found within Katherine's.
He nodded, "yes, I see it now. Forgive me." Damion bowed his head before again offering a smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you then." How was it that both he and Katherine had been impersonated? What did any of it mean?
At the formality in his voice, Elena offered a returned and approving smile. She then looked to Damon with a taunting tilt of her head, "wow. Your past self is actually polite."
Jeremy chuckled at that as he continued to merely observe them.
Damon rolled his eyes before nudging Elena towards the cabin, "yeah, yeah. He's a real charmer." He glanced back and then motioned to the pair behind him.
Elena grinned before securing a strand of hair behind her ear as she opened the door and stepped aside for the others to observe her handiwork.
"Whoa," Jeremy glanced about the room. "The place looks great!"
Damon also nodded before smirking as he again looked to her but withheld a comment. The girl certainly hated to leave a mess. He was the same way though and so it was a nice similarity; especially after pack-rat Stefan and with her slob of a brother.
"Thanks," Elena responded in answer before meeting Damon's gaze. "Uhm, I actually wanted to ask you something."
"Don't be bashful, Elena," he responded as his smirk widened and he stepped towards her with a wink. "Yes, we'll share the bedroom. You want some privacy and all that. I get it."
Jeremy instantly made a face of disgust before recognizing an opportunity and walking over to the couch, where he fell atop it with a contented sigh. He was finally able to rest.
Damon cast the boy a swift, condescending glance before returning his attention to Elena. Damion simply looked on in slight surprise as he grasped what had just been implied between the pair. These people were so…forward.
Elena rolled her eyes and ignored the vampire's remark. "Do you think we can go into town after nightfall and pick up some things?"
"What sort of things?"
"I don't know," she shrugged. "Blankets, some candles since we can't use the fireplace, food, clothing and," her gaze turned hopeful. "Maybe some coffee?"
Damon considered as he held the girl's imploring stare. She had a point; they did need a few things. However, he was reluctant to risk Katherine spotting her. To his knowledge, she didn't feed in town, but he could hardly be sure. Elena was probably desperate to get out of the house though and he unwillingly found himself wanting to grant her that opportunity.
With a resigned sigh, he nodded. "Fine." He lifted a finger, "but we're coming straight back if I pick up on anything."
Elena nodded eagerly and smiled, "thank you, Damon."
He returned her smile somewhat unenthusiastically before deciding to change the subject. "How'd everything go while we were gone?"
"It was fine," she nodded. "I did what you said and stayed near the house."
"Good," he replied before narrowing his eyes then as hers lowered. Something was off. "…anything else?"
The girl looked to him, his sharp focus claiming her and her mind returning to the rescue from a few moments ago. It was as if he could see right through her. She hadn't done anything wrong. Why shouldn't she admit it?
"Well…" she again lowered her gaze. "Something did happen this morning."
He remained silent as he awaited her explanation.
"I heard a scream in the forest and found a woman clinging to a ledge. I…helped her."
"Elena," Damon strode forward, "the whole point was so that no one would see y-"
"I know." She nodded, "I made her forget. She doesn't remember anything."
The vampire sighed before shaking his head. He glanced back at her, "and how is that any different from taking a life? Last I checked, saving people alters history too. That is, if all those time travelling books are any indication."
Elena's mouth set in a hard line, "I did what I felt was right."
He surveyed her wordlessly before narrowing his eyes, "so did I."
Jeremy looked over then, "hey, I thought w-"
"Apparently concerns for future outcomes are off," the Salvatore responded.
"What are you talking about?" Elena asked, brows furrowing.
"Met up with a lovely little ambush in the woods, one thing led to another and by the end of it," he held her stare. "Twenty men were dead and the three of us were able to arrive back to you, safe and sound."
"But, Damon, y-"
"I told you before we left," he reminded her. "I don't care about the consequences if we're in danger."
"Are you saying I should've just let that woman die?"
"I'm not saying anything," he replied. "This whole future thing was your concern." He then patted her on the shoulder, "let's just stop worrying about it. 'Kay?"
Elena sighed deeply before slowly nodding, though the worry in regards to what their actions would cause remained prominent.
Damion listened silently and withheld a reaction. They were speaking of the past and the future. They had also mentioned time travel. Such a thing couldn't be possible though. If it was...were they he and Katherine's future aliases? His mind tried to grasp such a concept but it continued elude him. He relented to simply continue in trying to unravel the perplexing mystery.
"You," Damon snapped his fingers at his replica, who immediately looked to him expectantly. "Make yourself useful and hunt down something for you and baby Jer over there to eat. Stay near the cabin and don't talk to anyone."
After obediently nodding, the human turned and proceeded to follow the instructions of his frustrating alter ego.
Elena shook her head, "don't you think you're being kind of hard on him? I mean, I'm sure he needs a rest after travelling like that."
An indignant look crossed Damon's face, "I know what my own limits are." He patted her on the shoulder, "he'll be fine."
Thus saying, he strode past her and proceeded to the bedroom, where he slung the guns onto the weapon rack and then sighed as he looked to the window and at the form of his past self disappearing into the foliage. It seemed Elena really did worry about everyone.
He heard her enter the room behind him and a slight smile crossed his face as she again wrapped her arms around him and reached up to place a soft kiss on his lips. Damon pulled her closer and merely relented to hold her, all of his thoughts momentarily stilled within the encirclement of her arms.
It was a damn weird situation.
…
"Alright," Damon clapped his hands together as he directed his attention to Jeremy, "you're on watch duty. Make sure my human counterpart doesn't try anything stupid."
Damion merely glared as Jeremy rolled his eyes and nodded.
The vampire looked to Elena and handed her the cloak he had retrieved from his double's knapsack. "Wear that, make sure you keep the hood on. Don't wanna take any risks."
She nodded before slipping it on and concealing her face, breathing slowly in silent excitement. It was going to be so nice to actually go out for a change. It had been so frustrating to have to remain in one place for so long.
"You ready?" Damon asked her.
Elena again nodded before grasping his hand as he strode forward and opened the door, revealing the black and fog-ridden darkness beyond. There was a distant howl, and the girl instinctively stepped closer to the man beside her. However, she reasoned that she and Damon were perhaps the most frightening creatures within the vicinity and so felt a little foolish for indulging such a human reaction.
They swiftly swept through the forest, their forms akin to specters as they joined the ranks of all the rest of the predatory prowlers whom emerged at the setting of the sun. Small critters scurried hastily out of their path and the branches of the overhanging trees stood ominously against the sky above and the cutting edge of the crescent moon.
Elena felt at once exhilarated as she ran alongside her partner. It was a primitive, natural feeling. The thrill of the chase, of the responses her vampiric nature thrived in. Damon glanced to her and his mouth parted as he watched her eyes ignite and her expression shift into absolute stimulation. He loved seeing this rare side of her; the side that had been awakened and collaborated with his own.
Grasping her hand tighter, he picked up his pace, grateful to finally be able to grant free reign to the suppression his speed had maintained over the days prior. Traveling with Elena for a companion was a thousand times more pleasing than the accompaniment of his human mirror and new, semi-human sort-of-brother.
Entering the town, which was set in a dark mist and appearing almost ethereal to the pair, Elena ducked her head, allowing the cloak to cover her raised face. Damon guided her through the cobblestone streets and then immediately pulled her into an alley as the town crier passed with a lamp raised and eyes searching the perimeter.
They waited patiently for several moments before approaching a clothing store and effortlessly breaking in, the handle coming apart instantly. Elena observed the available clothing and frowned as she observed the array of corsets. There was no way she was going to try and wear one of them. She decided on a simpler, lower-class dress that didn't appear as constricting, reasoning that she wasn't actually going to be venturing out into public any time soon.
"Ooh," Damon commented with playful smirk as he observed her selection.
After rolling her eyes, Elena merely relented to bypass his comment, though a small smile remained on her face.
Moving to the next few stores, they proceeded to gather the rest of the supplies within Damion's bag. A small smile crossed Elena's face as she inhaled the beloved scent of the coffee grounds before packaging them and then looking to the vampire beside her.
"I think we have everything."
He opened his mouth to respond before his eyes widened and he hastily grabbed her arm and pulled her behind an arrangement of shelves, a shadow crossing the floor as someone walked into the room. Peering carefully through the slit before him, Damon observed the individual as one of the patrolmen. He concluded that the crier must have discovered the break-ins and notified the authorities.
Holding a finger to his lips, Damon slowly moved around the girl and waited in practiced patience for the man to near his location before immediately proceeding to lift a hand over the mouth of the officer and then compelling him into silence before instructing him to leave and forget everything he had just witnessed.
The man dutifully followed instruction and the vampire reached back to grasp Elena's hand as she rounded the corner. He then led her out the door and expertly avoided further detection. They breached the outskirts of the town and slowed their pace as they entered the enclosure of the forest.
Elena grinned then, "That was definitely the highlight of my week."
"Being cooped up in a house and acting all domestic-like isn't really your thing, I take it?"
Shaking her head, the girl then looped an arm through his and leaned her head on his shoulder. "Thanks for looking out for Jeremy."
Damon merely nodded and offered a small smile.
"Do you think we'll be able to find a way out of here?" she continued, her thoughts claiming a more desperate undertone.
After a sigh, the vampire looked to her sincerely. "I don't know. I won't stop though, until I've found one."
She returned his smile but the underlying doubt remained.
"Jer and I will head up to the estate in a couple of days. We'll try and find out what we can."
"Be careful," Elena's brows creased. She didn't trust Katherine. Not one bit.
He nodded, "Don't worry. I'm one step ahead of Katherine this time. For once, I've got the upper hand here."
"Alright," she relented with a sigh.
"Make sure you keep my double hidden though. This whole thing falls apart if someone discovers there's two of me."
"I will."
"Hey." When she looked to him, Damon tapped her nose. "Everything's gonna be fine. We're gonna get through this."
She slowly nodded before closing her eyes and deciding to simply enjoy the rest of her stroll through the forest with the man she loved.
Damon looked above to the sky that had remained unchanged over the passing decades and then redirected his attention ahead. He had to find a way out. There had to be something they could do. He couldn't let either Elena or Jeremy down.
…
Lifting his eyes cautiously, Damion observed the boy across from him a wordless moment before deciding to try and acquire some information. "What…are you people planning to do with me?"
Jeremy looked up and then sighed, "Look, I get that you're confused and all, but trust me. You have nothing to worry about. You're safe with us."
The man fought the urge to glare in reaction to the vague statement. "I heard that man mention time traveling. Are you able to offer any enlightenment there?"
The boy remained silent.
"And what of the matter of him feeding on those soldiers. What was he speaking of?"
"I can't tell you anything," Jeremy responded as he rose from the table. "You should just stop while you're ahead."
Damion relented to allow the matter to rest for the time being as his thoughts turned to the girl whom had resembled his beloved Katherine in almost every way. Would it perhaps prove more beneficial to try and question her? He did not generally stoop to manipulating women but he reasoned that his situation was rather dire and that he needed to try and get away from the strange individuals as soon as possible. Their presence in his town was extremely unnerving.
Jeremy sighed as he slumped onto the couch before drumming his fingers on his leg in boredom. The time period was cool and all but it was also severely lacking in entertainment. What did people do for fun?
The door burst open then and the boy jumped slightly before relaxing as he saw that it was only Damon and Elena. He received the bag as it was handed to him before proceeding to unload its contents.
"Alright crew, it's planning time," the older Salvatore stated then as all eyes in the room shifted towards him.
To be continued…
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