"It's the last day before the new year." Enzo announces.
Damon shifts to see Enzo's foot, "How do you know?"
Enzo tilts his head in Damon's direction, not that Damon can see him, "They, Whitmore and Paul, are talking about tonight's plans."
Damon pushes his brows together, "How do you hear that? I can barely hear Robert's snores from the other side of the door."
Enzo shrugs, turning to the door, "Years of practice."
"You're going to have to show me your secrets later," Enzo lets out a soft chuckle, "but right now, can you walk me through tonight one more time." Damon says as he stands, leaning against the bars.
Enzo nods, "They are going to pump us with enough vervain that we'll be docile, but not so much that we pass out. The burning will be worse than you've ever experienced, which will keep your attention divided, decreasing the chance of escape. Then they will drag you up to the third floor, where you will be placed in a small cell that is drenched in vervain. The guest will mingle, and before the clock strikes midnight, Whitmore will take the vampire out to show everyone." Enzo explains.
"There's got to be a way to escape." Damon says.
"Trust me, I've tried. We're to weak from the combination vervain and lack of blood. Not to mention, everyone in that room will know our weaknesses." Enzo sighs.
Damon shakes his head, "You said the founding families will be there, maybe Stefan will show up." Damon's voice is full of so much hope, it almost makes Enzo hope too, but he can't. Stefan won't be there.
"You should get some rest." Enzo advises, before laying down himself. He doesn't want to argue with Damon, even though he suspects Stefan doesn't notice his brother's absence.
Hours later Billy and Paul walk in, with the restraints and vervain.
"I don't think this is a good idea." Billy says, "Having two just increases the odds of something bad happening."
Paul shrugs as he loads his gun, "It's what Dr. Whitmore wants. Plus they will be so full of vervain they won't know what's happening."
"Let's move him first, he has a lower tolerance to vervain." Billy suggests.
Paul nods, and soon Damon is on the ground, unconscious. "Whitmore is going to kill us." Billy says, panic filling his voice.
Paul kicks Damon, "He'll probably wake up before the guest arrive."
"He better, Whitmore wants to show his new toy around." Billy says.
The men make quick work of the restrains and soon Enzo is alone. He listens for as long as he can, making a mental map of where they are going. He loses them, but not for long. They are back, and get him ready. He doesn't make a noise as the vervain enters his blood stream, nor when it moves as his heart beats. Billy doesn't seem to be happy by this, and gives him another does for good measure. This time a hiss escapes his lips before he could stop it.
Enzo is slightly surprised that he and Damon will get to share a cell, and how they made it slightly bigger. But this is the first time they get to see each other without restraints. Paul and Billy leave them to get ready for the party.
Enzo kneels next to Damon and pokes his shoulder, he's still out from the vervain. Enzo watches the clock, and about twenty minutes later Damon wakes up.
"Good, I thought you would miss all the fun." Enzo says.
Damon sits up, "I wish I would." He grumbles. "I thought you said we wouldn't be knocked unconscious." As he tries to rub the pain from his head.
Billy walks in before Enzo can respond. The moment his eyes land on Damon he lets out a sigh of relief, "He's awake!"
"Shut up, the guests will be here soon." Paul warns.
The guests arrive moments later, and Enzo can't help but search everyone that walks in, but she doesn't show. Which is good, she isn't stuck anymore, but he's still disappointed. James doesn't show either, Enzo notes. Enzo's not the only one searching the crowd, Damon looks at everyone, hoping his brother will walk in.
Damon's mood worsens throughout the night, Enzo assumes that means Stefan didn't show. The guest's on the other hand, are thrilled, there are now two vampires to research. The anticipation in the room builds as the clock ticks, even Whitmore seems excited.
He must be, Enzo concludes, because he starts his speech about the future of humanity, and how they will bring a new medical era, all things Enzo's heard before. Damon on the other hand, listens to every word, and becomes angrier as the speech drones on. Enzo wants to warn Damon, to stop him, but he can't as Whitmore takes Damon out and shuts the door behind him.
Whitmore continues his speech, completely oblivious to the anger Damon is feeling. Enzo sees what's about to happen. Damon's leaning close to Whitmore, while Whitmore faces the audience, Paul and Billy seem to pick up on it, and quickly alert Whitmore, while leaving the audience none the wiser. Damon sees what's happening as Whitmore moves toward the cage, but he can't do anything, knowing that Whitmore has the upper hand. Damon sighs as he is placed in the cage, his opportunity gone as the clock strikes midnight. Both of them know this will lead to repercussions tomorrow, which happens to be Enzo's turn. Enzo can see the apology in Damon's eyes, but he waves him off, not wanting him to feel guilty.
"Welcome to 1954." Enzo mumbles.
A/N I hope you guys enjoyed this. Please let me know if there is anything you would like to see!