The warm autumn sun was beating down on my back as I sat outside the school, hunched over a fantasy book while I watched students funnel into the busy hallways for their final class. My thoughts had remained a jumbled ball of frustration from the other night. It was impossible not to recall vivid details of the brokenness in those pools of blue that looked back at me, the loaded silence that filled the car ride home, and the disappointment that dragged my heart into the pits of my stomach.

After finding out about Caroline I had genuinely felt like there was a part of Damon that was here for me, but last night set fire to any chances of that remaining true. I've spent the last several days hating him for plotting to find Katherine while he led me on, knowing damn well how he made me feel. I loathed myself more for wanting to believe him, and underneath all of that anger… I understood him. If I could get my parents back, I'd stop at nothing… and that was exactly what he did, but the extent of my empathy ended that night. I wouldn't be lied to again.

The shrill noise of the school bell rang through the air causing my attention to snap up and catch Elena as she stood outside the doors waiting for me. I grabbed my things and tossed my bag over my shoulder before heading over to her, unable to ignore the sorrow in her eyes that she had failed to cover up, the redness highlighting the tip of her nose and the edges of her eyes. She had tried to remedy things with Stefan the other night only for him to shut her out, telling her that he'd be leaving Mystic Falls after insisting that he could no longer risk putting her in harm's way with their relationship. She had been a shell of herself since then, moping around the house while she checked her phone.

As I approached she hooked her arm through mine, her silky brunette hair flowing over my shoulder as she leaned her head against me. Without a word I tugged her along through the doors as we made our way to history class, dreading meeting our infamous new history teacher, Mr Saltzman, for the first time. Caroline had been going on and on about how attractive he was and apparently she wasn't the only one he left an impression on, inspiring Jeremy to draft up some history paper to save his grade. At least Jeremy was getting a second chance.

–

Elena and I filtered out of the classroom, exchanging laughs over the students that swooned over the new teacher. Alaric was tall and handsome, but I couldn't help but notice he had a subtle comforting charm to him. He was a stark contrast to the teaching we had before.

As we passed the double doors, my limbs froze at the sight of Stefan leaning against a table on the edge of the school grounds. I could hear Elena's breath catch as their eyes met, her fingers gripping tighter around my arm. Rolling my eyes with a sigh, I nudged her away into his direction. She looked at me with pleading eyes, "I'll only be a second."

Shaking my head I gave a half smile, "Take your time. I'm actually gonna go pick up a couple things. I'll meet you at home."

Her eyes softened as she nodded and continued towards him. Annoyance flared inside of me as the glaring reminder of the man I'd been trying so hard to forget sat before me. A sudden desire to be impulsive bubbled up inside of me, so I set off to the store to pick up some hair dye before I had time to change my mind.

–

I stood before my full-length mirror and admired my newly finished art project, ignoring the disarray of boxes and bags scattered across my bedroom floor. My wavy hair flowed healthily down my shoulders, painted an unfamiliar tone of deep crimson that I had dreamed of for years. It reminded me of the time my mother presented me with two options on my 18th birthday, a tattoo or hair dye. I obviously chose the former, but since then I had imagined a day where I'd have enough courage to say goodbye to the dark chestnut hair I'd clung to for so long. Admittedly, I was embarrassed that it took a cliché heartbreak to stoke the flame.

Having been so immersed in my own little world, I'd failed to notice the sun had set, draping the outside world in a blanket of darkness. A soft knock tapped against my door as the handle turned. Elena's head poked into my room, her eyebrows nearly touching her hairline as she took in the sight of me. She let the door swing open as she gasped, "What on Earth did I miss?"

"I guess you can say the constant barrage of bad news everyday has gotten to me! Felt like it was time for some change… Do you like it?" My joy nose crinkled and I smiled, watching her as her caramel eyes scanned over my features.

After a beat she beamed, "I love it! I always knew you'd be able to pull off red! You look hot! Are you going to show it off at career night?"

My eyes scanned the room around me, finally taking note of the mess I had made but before I could respond, Elena chimed, seemingly reading my thoughts, "We can get to that later, Jenna's waiting in the car!"

I hurriedly snatched the black high top converse that rested at the foot of my bed and slipped into an ebony bomber jacket before I flashed Elena a subtle smirk, "Well we definitely don't want to keep her waiting."

"Oh yeah, brace yourself. Logan came back last night and now she's in a mood."

–

Jenna, Elena and I walked the illuminated hallways, decorated with colorful signs covered in obligatory motivational quotes about your future. Chatter filled the school, buzzing with excitement for what was to come. We roamed the halls until another parent reached out to pull Jenna aside, leaving Elena and I alone outside of a classroom dedicated to journalism. Elena had once planned to become a journalist, but after our mother passed her passion faded with her. I watched as she cautiously entered the room and approached a table. Her fingers gently tracing the words on a pamphlet that read, Journaling 101, as her brows furrowed, "I thought you should know Stefan said there's another… you know…"

Her words trailed off but they clung to my mind, ripping me back to the harsh reality of the world we live in that no amount of hair dye and career pamphlets could change. I exhaled, "...And?"

She didn't have to answer for me to know what the news entailed… he wasn't leaving. They weren't leaving. And just like that It was only a matter of time before Stefan or Damon got us wrapped up into another one of their problems, like a ticking time bomb waiting to go off. She looked back at me, her lips curving downwards into a frown as she took in my cold tone, "I'm sorry. I know this is the last thing you want to hear."

I flicked my gaze to the gray linoleum flooring, focusing on the flecks of paint captured in their design, looking for anything to avoid her stare as I digested what she said. There was another vampire in Mystic Falls, as if two weren't enough, and she would undoubtedly get involved. My mouth was dry as I responded, "I can't do it anymore, Elena. It's gotten to be too much for me. I'd beg for you to let it go, let them handle it, but I know you better than that."

A lump formed in my throat as the weight of my words sank in, knowing all too well that stepping aside would be the last thing my father would want me to do. My eyes drifted up her frame, stopping for a moment on her fingers that nervously picked at their cuticles before lifting my eyes to meet hers. She bit her bottom lip as subtle lines formed between her brows, "I know… you shouldn't have to."

We stared at one another in silence before movement behind Elena caught my attention. Stefan stood in the doorway of the classroom, watching us, his hands tucked into his black zipped up hoodie thrown over a plain black tee. I could see a depth to the pain that twinkled in his eyes despite the rest of his features remaining stoic. I glared at him before moving to exit the classroom, my shoulder gently brushing his on the way out. His body shifted towards me for just a moment, his lips parting as if he meant to say something, before dropping his eyes to the floor and proceeding into the classroom towards Elena.

I hung my head as I walked through the school, overhearing the conversations of students eagerly telling their parents what they wanted to do after high school. Voices filled with excitement for the future, discussing pivotal choices about college or internships that would change their lives forever. A hollow numbness crept up my body as I thought of all the things I'd never get to tell my parents, the arguments I'd never be able to have. My father had spent so much time preparing me for a future that I didn't even want anymore. The pace of my steps picked up, propelling me to the exit as I pushed through the heavy double doors and trudged to the edge of the sidewalk, stopping at the edge of the street. With Jenna being my only way home, I decided to take a seat on the cold curb and wait.

Leaning back onto my hands, I tipped my head up towards the sky and admired the starry night that hung above me. As the world around me slowed, the tension in my shoulders became more noticeable, radiating through the base of my neck. The creeping realization that it was my final year in high school and I had no idea what would happen next pulled at the depths of my mind. I'd applied to my favorite colleges, but without Elena or Jeremy there I knew the weight of everything would eventually catch up to me. I'd prayed that I could learn how to heal my wounds before then, but at this rate I'd be stuck drowning my sorrows in my dorm… facing the darkness alone. Sitting up, my head fell forward into my hands as my palms pressed against my temples, I need to go home.

"Hey, you okay?"

A chill went down my spine as the all too familiar voice spoke, answering my cries. They always said be careful what you wish for… I took a moment to compose myself before looking over my shoulder, "Yes, I'm fine."

Logan stood a few feet behind me, the usual smug grin painted across his face. He took a couple steps forward, stopping uncomfortably close, "You don't look fine."

Pushing myself off the pavement I stood up and gave him a pointed glare, failing to mask the annoyance that dripped off my spiteful words, "What do you want, Logan."

My stomach tightened as he stared at me hungrily, wetting his lips before he spoke, "Want a ride home? You look like you could use it."

An uncontrollable scowl stretched across my face, "I'd rather walk."

His lips peeled up into a toothy grin as he prowled towards me. I reactively took a step back, but my foot slipped on the edge of the curb behind me, shattering my focus. In the brief moment it took for me to regain my balance, Logan had already lunged forward, grabbing me by the arm as he whipped me around and pulled me against his chest. A firm hand covered my mouth, suppressing my ability to scream while my body recoiled under the damp warmth of his breath on my ear. He sneered, "Not like you have a choice anyways."

The sound of my heartbeat thrummed in my ears as an overwhelming feeling of fear rippled through me. I knew exactly what he was and if I had listened to Elena I wouldn't be here right now. I tried to fight back as Logan dragged me around to the side of his car, tossing me inside. As I laid sprawled across the backseat, I thrashed against him, pain shooting up my leg as the heels of my feet collided with the unyielding strength of his body. I kicked through the pain until the base of my foot made contact with his nose. Blood dripped down his face as he grinned, enjoying every bit of retaliation I threw his way. Wiping his nose on his sleeve, he climbed into the car and pulled his body over mine. One of his hands took hold of my wrists and pinned my arms against my chest while his other stretched back above him, "Didn't anyone teach you not to go out alone at night?"

In one swift movement, his arm swung forward, driving my consciousness into darkness.

–

A throbbing pain billowed across my scalp as my vision returned accompanied by a hazy fog. My hand quietly reached up to touch the sensitive skin that radiated on the side of my head, wincing at the pain that panged across my nerves. I slowly pushed myself up on my elbows, fighting through the dizziness to make sense of what happened and where I was. Weakly, I fell against the backing of the seat letting my head hang over the edge as I waited to regain my strength. A low chuckle vibrated through the air, "I guess I got you pretty good, didn't I?"

With everything I had, I pulled my head forward and buckled myself into the seat, determined to use it as a harness to help keep me upright. I muttered feebly, "Where are you taking me?"

He cackled again, "Far enough away that no one can find you, and then? Maybe turn you into a vampire depending on how I'm feeling."

A wave of trepidation sent a shudder down my spine, rippling through my limbs over the possibility of being turned. The last thing I'd ever want is to become the thing my father aimed to raise me to hate. Maybe I didn't want to follow in his footsteps, but this was way too far. My hands firmly gripped the seatbelt around me, pulling the material out slowly, trying not to make a sound. Knowing his senses were amplified, I attempted to cover up the sounds I made. Letting out a soft cough I asked, "Why are you doing this? Why me?"

"Why wouldn't I?" His eyes peered up at me through the rearview mirror, "Stefan adores your little sister, doesn't he? Who better to piss him off?"

The extra material remained bundled in my hands, out of view. Taking a deep breath, I focused on steadying my trembling hands. Before I could second guess myself, I lunged forward and wrapped the seatbelt over his headrest and around his neck, pulling him back. He gasped for air as his hand fought to get between the material and his neck, but my courage was unrelenting. I hadn't thought far enough ahead to consider what I would do afterwards, but I didn't have the time. My heart stopped as I looked at the road ahead and saw a dark figure standing in the middle of the street. I screamed, "Stop the car!"

Logan swerved out of the way, but the speed of the car vaulted us into the air, sending the vehicle flipping down the road. My already sensitive head slammed against the seat, rendering my hands limp with pain. We hung upside down, secured only by the belts that strapped us in. Blood dripped down my nose, blurring my vision as I squirmed to break free from my seat. To no avail, I panicked remembering the vampire that sat before me. Logan's body hung lifeless in the air, but I knew it was a matter of time before he was awake again and punishing me for the stunt I pulled.

Tears welled in my eyes as hopelessness suffocated me, muting everything but the pain of my wounds. As I reached for the door, Logan's was ripped open. My limbs froze as terror pumped through my veins, watching as the dark figure tore his body out of the car. All I could see was Logan's feet dangling off the floor before blood began spilling down his legs. A yelp escaped my lips as his body dropped to the floor, I bit my hand trying to swallow the sounds that had betrayed me. It was too late. The figure paused for a moment, slowly turning on their heel to face the rear door. They approached slowly, dragging out each second as if enjoying the control they had over me, bleeding out all hope. I squeezed my eyes shut, unable to stomach the sight of my impending doom. All I could focus on were the shuffling sounds of their feet followed by the door groaning open, rendering me defenseless.

I held my breath but nothing came… no firm grip, no bite, no beast. Opening my eyes I saw nothing but emptiness laid out between me and the winding road. A sudden sound jarred me from my momentary relief as I noticed someone new rounding the back of the car. The smell of copper wafting through my nose as I whimpered, terrified of what I could have summoned with the thick fluid that trickled down my body, pooling on the floor below me. I was tied up like a perfectly prepared meal, powerless and exhausted. Shadows crawled across the edges of my vision as I hung there, confusion soaking into my mind while my head pounded.

As my vision dimmed the figure appeared kneeled before me, their words sounding like a distant muffled hum. Hands reached across my body, pulling at the confines that kept me restrained. Pieces of time slipped away from me as I dipped in and out of consciousness, no longer strapped to my metal prison. The warmth inside my body faded only to be replaced by the comforting figure that sat calling out to me… begging for me. I was plunged into the depths of the night Vicki died, the similar feeling of life escaping me, but this time felt different… colder… emptier. My pain faded alongside my memories, leaving me floating in a pool of nothingness. The looming silhouette above me shook my body, their cries deafened as they pulled their face closer to mine.

The last bit of light twinkled above me before a warm sensation surged throughout my body. Metallic notes danced across my tongue as the world around me was brought into focus, serenity replaced by dread as I became coherent enough to comprehend what was happening. Damon's wrist was pushed against my mouth, his eyes searching mine for signs of life while he cradled my body closer to him. Smears of red covered his cheeks and clothes, but his features remained unchanged, too focused on me to let his inner beast take over. I pushed against his arm, rejecting his offer despite knowing deep down it was too late.

I surged forward out of his lap, stumbling onto the asphalt that ripped my skin through tattered jeans. He reached to grab my arm, but I shook out of his grip, "What did you do?! You know I'd never accept that, Damon! Why couldn't you just let me go!"

My head spun as I made futile efforts to spit out his antidote. His face hardened as he stood, "Oh come on, Rhea. You'd rather die? Stop being a martyr."

Pushing myself off the floor, powered by a new wave of adrenaline I stepped forward, "Why do you always have to save me? When was this your choice to make? Maybe there's a reason I keep ending up here, have you considered that?"

A fire flared in his eyes, melting the icy blue around it as he stepped forward towards me, gripping my chin as he tilted my head up and growled, "Because I care about you, Rae! Is it that hard to believe? Do you think I'd bother helping you if I didn't? I couldn't care less about saving anyone."

His words pulled at the corners of my stomach, twisting my insides. I wouldn't let him in, not this time, "Oh come on. We both know that isn't true. What's one more lie between friends, huh? It's never been about me."

He let go of my face, a muscle feathering in his jaw as he swallowed the hurt that hid beneath his hardened mask. "This is about Katherine isn't it?"

I flinched at the sound of her name leaving his mouth, "Obviously! How am I supposed to feel after you led me to believe you wanted me, Damon? Only to be met with a painful reminder that this was all for someone else."

His jaw relaxed as he lifted his hand to touch mine, but I stepped back out of reach, refusing to let him sway me with his warmth. He sighed softly, "I don't want you to be her, Rae. When I came to Mystic Falls it was for Katherine, it was all for her, but then I met you. You don't have to believe me but she deserves to be saved. You and Katherine are different, but I like that. Just like you said the other night, it'd be easier for me to shut you out… but I can't. I don't want to."

The heaviness of my body set in as my anger subsided, waves of exhaustion ebbing and flowing within me. I couldn't trust him, as much as I wanted to, I couldn't do it. Just like Tyler, he'd choose her over me and I knew I couldn't take another heartbreak. My body swayed as I struggled to stay upright, "I don't believe you."

He leapt forward, catching me as my knees buckled. Hoisting me up, he cradled me into his arms and carried me to the car. The scent of sandalwood and citrus nipping at my heart as his aroma lulled me to sleep in the comfort of his grasp.