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Once Damon finished his story of what happened with the witch he left upstairs. I still had my doubts. Something was different though. The love I saw in his eyes was more than I ever saw from him when I was his blood bank. I wasn't held up on him, but it surprised me how someone from another world could capture the heart of a deadly killer. What confused me was how she knew my name. She had never met me, yet she knew so much about us. It was weird. Stefen was staring into the fire. Then he turned to me.
"What do you think?" He asked.
"I believe him, but I don't know how to feel about Serana. How does she know my name? I've never met her before." I said.
"From what she told me, she had visions when she appeared in our world. She ended up with all of the information she needed because of it. Two years ago, when we were trying to open the tomb, she came. She revealed to Damon that Katherine wasn't in the tomb. So we never tried to have Bonnie open it. Since she prevented that from happening she saved countless lives. Mine and Damon's included. She stopped the tomb vampires from ever being released. The conclusion I came to was had those vampires been released the founding family's would've been slaughtered." I was shocked.
That by preventing one thing she had saved so many lives.
"What's her motive?" Stefen looked at me and then down at his hands.
"From what I can tell, she doesn't have one. She hasn't been here long enough. The day she arrived in our world a vampire hunter appeared at the same time. That struck as odd. However, when I learned that she had killed the vampire hunter. I didn't suspect that she had hired him. That was further confirmed when we met her doppelgänger from this world. Serana panicked. She fought to get away from her. You were there, but I remember her saying that if the two came in contact they would become one. She was so frightened. I know you were focused on Elena. Before her doppelgänger left for Serana's world she stabbed herself. Serana ended up with the exact same wound." I was speechless.
I had been there for that, but I didn't realize why she was so scared. I thought she was scared of Elena.
"That was when she lost the ability to return to her family. She lost everything in a matter of a few hours. Her family, her home, her whole world. She found herself in an unfamiliar world and an orphan all in less than a day. She is different from anyone I've ever met in this world. I don't know why she and Damon ended up having a strong bond over such a short amount of time, but I think part of it has to do with the fact she has never been selfish with him. Not even when she came back. She didn't ask for anything. She chose to support him. She left the decision up to him. I can't believe that witches forced her to tell Damon what his future could have been like had he chosen Elena. She herself is a witch. It doesn't make sense as to why they would turn their back on one of their own. Especially when she comes from a whole different world. Serana left Damon alone to think. I know she did because that's just who she is. She would let him make his choice and then deal with the outcome. That's how she had been from the start. When she came to this world she didn't know how long she would be here. Then when she found she was stuck here. She knew Damon still had to make a choice. Her or Elena. She did nothing, but be supportive as best as a 16 year old could. Serana is honestly the best thing that could happen to Damon. I don't know how she does it but she wormed her way into the hearts of many individuals in her short time here. I believe the witches when they say she is here to do great things. I say that because even when Elena poisoned her she didn't retaliate. She didn't get angry and wish her to inflict pain on her. Serana was definitely scared of Elena, but she still offered to help." Stefen said.
I was amazed by how much one teenager could affect a vampire. That didn't cover the fact that she wormed her way into the hearts of two originals. I was amazed. She did something I wasn't even able to do. That was impressive. Something in my gut told me there was something we weren't being told. I don't know why but something wasn't sitting right.
"That's amazing. However, something doesn't feel right. Like she is hiding something. I don't have anything against her. It's just her visions are so detailed. So why didn't she know about the hunter? You get what I mean? I don't doubt her intentions. It's just if her visions are so detailed, how didn't she see the Vampire Hunter?" I asked.
Stefen gazed at me and then into the fireplace.
"That is odd. I understand, in our world visions are very rarely clear and filled with so many details. She even said, 'different world, different variety of vision,' but that would be the exact opposite of something she said two years ago." Stefen looked troubled.
"What did she say two years ago?" Stefen's brows furrowed.
"That things like magic, vampires, and werewolves weren't real. That they didn't have the supernatural, only ghosts and religion. She did say when she came to our world she was plagued by headaches and visions. She was scared when she said that though. It was difficult to tell then, but it was like she was lying. I don't want to doubt her, but even tonight there was a feeling that Damon wasn't telling us something. I think we should ask." Stefen said.
I felt happy. Stefen didn't ignore what I said. He listened and thought it through. I stood up and reached for his hand.
"Let's go." I smiled down at him.
He smiled up at me and took my hand. We headed upstairs together. Just before we got to Damon's door there was a scream. Stefen didn't hesitate to open the door. Serana was sitting up in bed and Damon was waking up. Serana looked terrified. She looked up at us. So many emotions crossed over her face. It was like I was staring at an open book. Fear. Relief. Sadness. Guilt. Damon settled back down and Serana climbed out of bed. She came to us.
"Let's talk." She gave me a small smile.
I looked at Stefen. He looked surprised. Then he smiled. We both headed downstairs with Serana following behind us. I listened in on her heartbeat. She was nervous. She wasn't scared. Once we reached the living room I lunged at her. She panicked. Her put her hands up. They glowed.
Then I smelt water and dirt. I couldn't move. The scents brought back memories. Then the scents disappeared and she was sitting on the couch. I was able to move again. She smiled at me.
"Sorry if I hurt you. I'm still learning. I hope I didn't hurt you." Stefen looked at me.
"I'm okay. I didn't think your magic was real. That was amazing though. You may have made me freeze essentially but there was no malice. You used scents that brought on a bunch of good memories." She smiled at me again.
"Im still learning, but you haven't hurt me. So I had to no reason to hurt you. Even if you had, everyone has a reason. You are a wonderful person Caroline. You're only trying to protect Stefen, but making sure I'm right for Damon. I saw it the moment you opened Damon's bedroom door." I sat down next to Stefen.
"We know there is something you and Damon are hiding from us. Something you or him will tell us." She smiled and looked into the fireplace.
She took a deep breath and then she turned back to us.
"I won't hide this from you. I will tell you what I told Damon." She said.
"Please do." She nodded her head.
"Today when the witches and I were arguing. One of the witches started pushing for me to tell Damon something. I would've told Damon. I would've if what I knew wasn't so dangerous." She said.
"What do you mean dangerous?" She bit her lip.
"There is a secret of this world only I know. That only I can tell. If I were to make it public or if it got spread around that there is a witch with a secret only knew. I would be hunted. It's so dangerous because if anyone from this world knew about it, our world would cease to exist." She said.
I studied and listened for anything that would tell me if she was lying or not. The look on her face said it all. There was no guilt. There were no lies. I looked at Stefen. He was shocked.
"What is it?" I looked at Serana.
She shook her head.
"No. I can't. Damon knows there is a secret, but he doesn't know what it is. I have no idea why the witch wished me to speak of it. If even one person found out the secret, the world would start to crumble. Granted it would be slowly, but it would still start destroying itself." She said.
"Why would the witch do that?" I asked.
"It was Emily Bennett. I'm not exactly sure what her purpose was, but I think she felt that life was unfair to her. Emily made her own decisions though. She felt that she was deserved more, I think." I looked at Stefen.
He looked troubled.
"Why? Why would she want that?" Serana shook her head.
"I don't know. All that I know is that Emily's loyalty's change. As far as I know it is to her family. Back then her loyalty was to Katherine. For all we know her loyalty could be to someone we don't know yet. It's been bugging me though. I just don't know who it is, but if what I saw comes to pass we will all be in trouble. I'm positive it was only the beginning. I don't plan on telling anyone else about this secret. Originally I wasn't going to tell you because it's dangerous. Even though we are a small group who knows the secret could exist. It could trace back to the source. That source is me. No one else can know. It's too dangerous. I'm stuck in this world. It's become my home. I want to protect it no matter what." She looked into the fire.
I saw so much guilt. She knew she could destroy this world. She knew that by telling us about the secret it raised the chance of our home being destroyed.
"What would happen to you?" She looked up at me, meeting my gaze.
I saw sadness.
"I would disappear right along with it. This is my home now." She looked down at her hands.
What I didn't expect was for her to start crying. She hadn't shown anything except for with her eyes. That was what worried me. However I knew I didn't have to worry about anything. This girl was me two years ago. I felt like the whole world was against me. She was living that reality. If she ever had a vampire dig around in her head they would find out the secret. Then our world would begin to fall apart. A witch could do the same thing. Everything she had ever known had been ripped away from her. She was in an unfamiliar world with just Damon. I stood up and sat next to her. I pulled her into me. I hugged her with my chin on her head.
"Cry sweetie." She started crying.
"I'll never see them again. I'll never get to see my brother grow up. I-I'll never see him get married! I-I will never be able to apologize to my Mom! I will never get to tell them goodbye! I will never get to tell them I love them again. I'll never get to say that I'm sorry!" She yelled into my chest.
I felt my eyes start to water.
"They know, Serana. Even if your double is living your life. They know that you love them. They know that you would be there if you could. You don't need to apologize because your family already knows. They love you. They will know that the Serana that went back isn't you. I know you can't go back, but they know their daughter. Your family may never know if you're alive or not, but they loved you. They will always be with you. Even if they aren't physically with you. They are a part of you. Nothing will ever change that." Her arms wrapped around me and she continued sobbing.
I felt so heartbroken. I can't imagine losing her entire family in a few days. Not to mention she hadn't really had time to talk about it, or completely process it without being interrupted. She had been through one thing after another when she came back. I looked at Stefen. He was smiling at me.
"What do I do?" I whispered.
"Nothing. You're doing exactly what she needs. She has talked to Damon, but there is only so much men understand. She may have been through a lot but she clearly sees you as someone she can trust. A girl she can talk to about the important things with. Like an older sister." I felt warm.
I smiled. That had a nice ring to it. Serana had begun trying to dry her eyes. I placed my hands on her face. She looked up at me.
"I'm here if you need me. Night or day. If Stefen or Damon aren't who you want to talk to, call me anytime. Stefen has my number." I smiled at her.
She launched herself at me. We fell back on the couch.
"Thank you Caroline!" She whispered against my throat.
I heard a chuckle from Stefen and someone else. I looked over and saw Damon.
"Strong isn't she?" Damon chuckled.
I scowled at him. Serana pulled away. Her face turned red out of embarrassment.
"Sorry." She climbed off of me.
"It's okay. I'm serious. If you ever need me, call." She smiled at me.
"I will Caroline. Thank you." She said.
"Thank you. I knew she had cried some, but she hadn't gotten it all out. She needed a girl to talk to." Damon said loud enough for Stefen and I to hear.
I smiled. Serana was good for him. She went to him and kissed him. It was a simple kiss, but it spoke so much. I was happy for them. I was happy for Damon. I definitely never thought I would hear myself say that. Serana was as happy as she could be in her current predicament. Stefen came over to me. He held his hands out to me. I smiled. I placed my hands in his and he pulled me up off the couch. Serana was hugging Damon. He had his arms around her and his chin on her head. He had a smile on his face. A real smile. I turned and hugged Stefen. He knew what I was feeling. He hugged me back. After a while before things got awkward I spoke up.
"Why don't Serana and I go shopping? The poor girl probably needs something to wear other than your clothes, Damon." I said.