Chapter One: Downhill From Here

Caroline breathed a sigh of relief when the carriage finally stopped in front of the small town of Mystic Falls. She had heard from the rumor mill that Mystic Falls was one of the most populated small towns in California.

Caroline frowned, but from the looks of it, it didn't look very populated. But then again it was a small town. Caroline saw a few buildings and a few small claims surrounding it and a small church house.

She smiled when they passed the church house. Maybe she and Matt would get married there in a few days. There was no way that Caroline would be able to afford a wedding dress, but maybe Matt Could-She shook her head. No, she didn't want to burden Matt from the start. Besides what if they had a baby, they would need baby clothes and diapers, though Caroline could probably sew those up herself.

"Last stop." The driver said breaking Caroline up from her daydream. "Everyone out." Caroline did as she was told as she grabbed her small satchel. She had a few dollars hidden there, the only money that she had.

She grabbed the last letter that Matt had given her and bravely hurried to the general store. Matt had instructed her to wait in front of Saltzman's General store and that he would be there at noon to pick her up.

It was only eleven, she still had one hour. Caroline sat in a small corner so that the shade would fan her face. She wanted some sweet lemonade, but it would be foolish to spend that kind of money when Matt would be coming soon.

Caroline tried not to appear too eager, but she was happy. She was going to be married and have the life she always wanted. But noon passed and quickly the rest of the afternoon, by five o'clock Caroline was in near tears and hungry.

"Miss?" she turned around a saw a tall man with chocolate brown hair. "Can I help you? I'm Mr. Saltzman the owner of the store."

"I'm sorry," Caroline squealed. "I know it shouldn't be sitting here, but I thought my fiancé would be here by now." She felt her cheeks flushed. "But he hasn't come here."

Alaric raised an eyebrow. "Just who is your fiancé, young lady?"

"He's from this town," she fumbled into her purse. "Here's his picture. I'm his mail order bride. I'm Caroline Forbes, I'm looking for Matt Donovan."

Alaric frowned slightly and scratched the back of his head. "Oh, sweetheart. I really don't know how to tell you this, but Matt Donovan passed away a week ago, He had consumption and he died in his sleep. I'm sorry, I thought someone would have wrote to you."

Caroline let out a wail, nearly freaking Alaric out. "What am I supposed to do now? I can't go back home; my own mother is dead and I have no money. I was supposed to get married, Matt was supposed to be my only chance. My chance of happiness."

It was clear that she was freaking out and Alaric bit his lip nervously, he obviously had no idea how to deal with hysterical females because he led her to an old boarding house that was owned by an elderly couple.

The woman took one look at Caroline and immediately began clucking over her like a mother hen as she led her towards one of the rooms. "Now you rest, dear." Mrs. Simon said. "Everything will look better in the morning."

Caroline brushed away a couple of tears. "Thank you, Mrs. Simon but I somehow doubt it. Matt was my only chance."

"You're a pretty girl." Mrs. Simon said. "You will find a nice man to marry you I can assure you."

Caroline wanted to burst into tears all over again. She only had fifteen dollars in her little suitcase. That would probably only last a week or two at the boardinghouse and what then, what was she supposed to do? She didn't have anyone else.

"Go to sleep, dear." Mrs. Simon said. "You look exhausted, everything will look better in the morning."

Elena's feet ached. She felt tired, hot, and dusty and she wished that she would get run over by a horse right about now. After getting fired from her job she had gone door to door asking for a job any job. She wasn't proud, she told them. She could work in the laundromat, as a governess, and a maid. Anything.

But this was poor country with no need for maids and very few work opportunities available. Nobody was hiring and Elena had blown her last chance. No Jeremy. No work. No nothing.

Elena fixed her dusty braids as she put them up neatly in a bun and headed towards the Sherriff's office. The sheriff of the town of Mystic Falls was Klaus Mikaelson. Elena had meet him once when she had asked him to help her search for her brother.

And while Sherriff Mikaelson was a good man he was also kind of scary for lack of a better word. He was stubborn and stern and hardly ever smiled, but then again neither did his brother Dr. Elijah Mikaelson. They were both kind of quiet and serious.

Elena came in and saw Klaus busy at his desk. She flushed and cleared her throat. "Miss Gilbert, how can I help you?"

"Good afternoon, Sheriff," Elena twisted her handkerchief in her hand. "I'm sorry to bother you, but I need to know is there any word on my brother?"

Klaus shook his head. "I'm sorry, Miss Gilbert, but there isn't. I asked everywhere, I've sent deputies. Your brother could be anywhere in California, as far as San Francisco, there is a good chance that the boy- "

Elena gulped. "That he may be dead. I know."

Klaus looked uncomfortable. "I'm sorry Miss Gilbert, but I can't lie to you. You're young and I'm afraid these things happen. My advice? Leave Mystic Falls, it's not a place for a lady. Perhaps go back to your people to a more civilized place. Surely you have money to leave."

Elena stiffened. She had a few dollars, but not much. She had used most of her money to search for Jeremy and her pay had been terrible. "I'll think about it, thanks Sherriff."

"Are you all right?" Klaus studied her face. "You look like you've been crying."

"I- "Elena straightened up. There was no way in hell that she was going to admit to Klaus that she had been an uncontrollable tearful mess all day. "I'm fine, I think I am just getting sick. There is too much dust everywhere."

Klaus nodded. "I'm sorry Miss Gilbert, I wished there was more I can do, but finding a kid in the middle of nowhere isn't easy."

Elena bit her lip. "I understand, Sherriff. Thank you."

-End of Chapter One-

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