Chapter 6: Past Always Catches Up

"She told me everything." Damon tilted his head towards Caroline, the mug of tea in his hand, half empty.
"Everything, huh? She must have been bad." Caroline responded
"Yeah, she was bad," Clearing his throat, he rubbed his fingers against the handle of the mug, looking up at her, "Do you know more?"

"I found her. Bonnie and I," The blonde swallowed, taking a breath, "We were nearly too late, but...Elena was supposed to meet me and Bonnie at the café just two streets away from school. She never turned up and obviously we became concerned because she had been acting off lately. Anyway, that's when we got the...phone call. The terrifying, heart stopping phone call. We heard Elena screaming, and that's when we heard his voice. He was new, of course no one would suspect, especially a nice teacher like him, you know?"

Damon smiled weakly, the thought of Elena being hurt, hitting him somewhere deep inside, "Go on."

"Anyway, the phone call, we heard him saying that he loved her and that he knew, she loved him too. She was screaming at him to stop, to leave her alone. Apparently this had been going on for weeks, I don't know why she didn't tell anyone, she still doesn't answer that question today. We heard struggling and then a bang, a scream. Me and Bonnie called the police and made our way back to the School, trying our best to not think the worse. We got there, I rushed in and she was laying there, no movement, just laying. There was blood around her, I thought she was dead, I thought Bonnie and I were too late."

"She still suffers with nightmares from it, where is he?" He frowned, taking his last gulp of tea, his throat growing dry as he listened to Caroline.

"She got counselling, but it took her a while to get back to happy, cheerleader Elena. She was suffering with depression, until suddenly one day out of nowhere, a ray of sunshine and we don't know what changed, maybe we never will, but yes, she will always be haunted because it still scares her to this day. Especially, as you mentioned earlier about his whereabouts...they are unknown because...please don't tell Elena."

"Huh? Tell Elena what?"
"He's escaped."
"What!?" Damon jumped from the seat, "How long for?"
"A week. There was a call and I spoke to them. The police. They said Detective Masy who was the officer on the case, wanted to speak to Elena, but I never told her. I don't want her to go backwards instead of forwards."

"Caroline, what if he tries to find her and hurt her?" Damon furrowed his eyebrows, worry in his eyes.
"WE will protect her. I am not letting that creep touch her ever again, not if I have anything to do with it."
"She has the right to know."
"Damon, please, now is not the time. She is opening up, especially to you which means she is trying to lessen the blow of the memory, I don't want her to panic, okay? Please?"
"Fine, but I'll be telling her sooner or later. Its going to be me or you, alright?"
"Fine, but just not now."

The sun beamed bright, glowing light through the bus windows and onto Elena's face as she scrunched up her nose and moaned in response, burying her face further into her arm. After confessing to Damon about her past, he tucked her back into bed and told her that he would wake her up later on in the morning. Now it was out in the open, he knew. Now it was just seeing how he reacted around her after all of the information she decided to throw onto him. Lifting her head from her arm, she looked out the window, squinting to see the sky was a blue colour. Looking around the room, she seen that everyone else was still occupying their beds, except for Damon and Caroline's beds. Inhaling, she slowly moved to the edge and took her time, lowering herself down, careful not to wake Matt who was sleeping on the bed below hers. Grabbing her dress and flats, she went into the bathroom down the hall, as she started to brush her teeth, staring at her reflection in the mirror. Ah, she didn't look as bad as she thought that she would. Inhaling, she rinsed her mouth out, pushing her hair back as she closed her eyes, taking a deep breath.

They were in Chicago now. The travelling was going better than expected. Flicking the switch on for the shower, she stripped down and stepped under the spray, sighing in content as she let everything wash away. It had been a while since she felt happy, positive even and now that she was, she was going to try and keep the spirit. After her shower, she got out, tying her hair into a high ponytail as she pulled on her black bra and panties, with her red flats and black dress. Looking into the mirror, she took a deep breath, applying some mascara to her eyelashes as she brushed her dress down.

Moving back down the hall, she seen that everyone else was awake as all of the beds were empty and moved towards the lounge area, she stopped as she heard Damon and Caroline talking, her heart skipping a beat as a lump formed in her throat. Leaning in the doorway, she took a deep breath, not wanting to eavesdrop, but wanting to hear if they were talking about anything bad.

"Is she awake?" Caroline and Damon questioned at the same time.
"I heard the shower running, so she must be." Bonnie explained with a shrug as she took a bite of her toast, sitting back at the kitchen table with Jeremy and Matt.

Elena squeezed her hands against each other as she smiled and walked into the lounge, looking around, "Good morning everyone."

"Good morning Lena." Caroline gave her a smile, getting up as she walked to the front of the bus, sitting up front with Tyler.

"Hey." Damon tilted his head, patting the seat beside him as she slowly moved over to him.
"Hi." Elena sat next to him as he took her hand, kissing her knuckles, "Nice sleep?"
"Yeah, it wasn't too bad, how was yours?"
"Refreshing."

Bonnie and Jeremy walked in from the kitchen, looking around at everyone as Matt walked in only a few seconds later, "Are we going exploring today?"

"We my friends are going to a theme park today because we need a break from drinking, we need to be kids for a day."

"Theme park it is." Caroline agreed, grinning.

"Glad we are all in agreement."

They all went their separate ways as soon as they got into the park. Caroline dragged Tyler and Matt off with her as Bonnie and Jeremy went off together. That then left Damon and Elena together, not that any of the minded. Elena walked along, her eyes studying each ride they passed as Damon followed close behind, following her. He was cautious because she didn't seem to be with him, but in her own world. Walking closer, he curled an arm around her waist, resting his hand on her hip as he pulled her close. Looking up at him, she smiled shyly, biting down on her lip as she looked ahead again, never moving from his side.

"How are you feeling?" Damon pressed his lips against her temple
"I'm feeling better. Damon, I'm really sor-"
"Elena, listen, please don't apologise. Nothing has changed alright? You are a wonderful, strong, fighting person and I'm so happy and proud. You've been through so much and you're still here today."

"Oh Damon." Inhaling, she pressed her face into his arm as he smiled softly.
"Come on, lets go on the water rings, hmm?"

Taking hand, he laced their fingers and walked towards the ride, joining the que as she looked around, studying the crowd. Stroking his thumb across her knuckles, he followed the que as more people got onto the rings and some got off, leaving the ride. Elena followed closely as Damon wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her into his chest as his eyes scanned the crowd.

"Damon? Were up." Elena stared up at him as he smiled, stepping onto the ring with her, sitting down as she sat opposite.

The ring moved along the stream of water as Damon looked around, a grin on his face as he looked over at Elena, seeing her expression. Grinning, he watched as she laughed and was watching the water slosh. Looking around, Damon was about to call out as they went pass a deep dip, the water splashing up at them as Elena shrieked in surprise, a laugh erupting from her as she looked down to see that her dress and legs were wet.

Later on, everyone went back to the coach, getting ready for the next day to begin. Everyone went to bed except Elena who stayed up to watch the television. Grabbing the blanket from the back of the couch, she held it close to her as she switched the lamp off and hugged her knees, getting comfortable. Hearing footsteps, she jumped and looked to the side, sighing in relief as she seen Damon giving her a gentle smile.

"Only me." He made his way over, sitting next to her on the couch as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders, tugging her close into his side.
"Why are you awake?" She raised her eyebrows, leaning her head against his chest, her eyes still trained on the television as she pulled the blanket around the both of them.
"I couldn't sleep, which I'm guessing is your excuse to?"
"You got me."

Smiling, she closed her eyes, comfort spreading through her body as he stroked his fingers through the ends of her hair, knowing it was calming her. Sighing in content, she snuggled closer, her eyes growing heavy as Damon smiled, watching the television. It wasn't so bad after all, they were still the same, maybe even closer than they were before. Unfortunately, they didn't know how long it would last because the past always catches up.

A/N: Hello everyone, how are you? Its been a while, I know. I say this each time :/ Anyhow, I'm trying my best to write, but when inspiration isn't flowing, either are my writing patterns. Thank you so much, this is the first of many that I will be releasing as a thanks for sticking by me.

Shauna

xxx