Almost There

(I pick up the pen and grab my journal to enter yet another daily log.) "Someday someone will find these and realize that I wasn't as evil as people have portrayed my name to be." (I sit on the bench near the fireplace and put pen to paper)

.

..I don't now how long it has been, but I do know that I haven't seen my sister in what feels like eternity. Jazi and her kids were all I had left in this world and I feel like I abandoned them. Did I? Was this all my fault? Was I the reason all this was happening to begin with? I left to find her, and all I found was my own death sentence. I suppose I deserve it. I have taken so many lives over the years, maybe it just finally caught up with me. Should I be punished for living a life I never really wanted to? I didn't ask to be a hunter. That was dads bright idea and I wouldn't have to be one if Maddox had just came back after military school. Do I blame him? Maybe. Or maybe I am jealous at the fact that he got out of this crazy life and I didn't.

I use to think this was all a dream and that all I needed to do was wakeup. Wakeup and I would be back home with mom hanging the clothes out to dry. You could smell the detergent in the cool breeze. Dad would be sitting on the deck with his ice cold sweet tea, reading the paper with a cigar clenched in his mouth. Jazi being the littlest one would be on a blanket under the shade of the tree on the grass, giggling at some unforeseen spirit or something. You know, they say that babies can do that. See spirits and whatnot, crazy. Maddox and I would be running around the yard with our wood guns pretending to shoot each other. We always played bad guy versus bad guy because we never wanted to turn on each other. I guess some things change in life. Things I never thought were ever possible, became possible.

I'm not quite sure exactly how I am surviving. Purely off the memories of my family, of my life, and those who ever meant something to me, I suppose. There aren't that many people who have made an impact on my life. But the ones who have, always hold a special place in this torn up heart of mine. I failed at protecting them, keeping them safe should have been easy. If only I had ignored the urge to be this hunter, or at least had the will to put my foot down and tell father no once I realized just what I was getting myself into. Getting my family into. In a sense, I am to blame for the way things have gone, the fallout of our family, destruction.

I knew that once I stepped foot back on the property of that damn lake house things were going to change, but I had no idea I was about to meet my fate. That fate being someone I once trusted as a child. Uncle John was someone I looked up to, someone I thought was amazing. As a child you don't really understand what goes on around you. That being what Uncle John and Daddy were doing. Seeing him at the lake house was like seeing a ghost, literally. I was at his funeral, I watched as they sealed his casket and lowered him 6 feet down into the ground. It was a lie, all of it. Everything I had ever believed about him was a god damn lie. What else could I possibly believe was real about my childhood? Who could I trust? Myself, maybe. There have been times I had to second guess myself. I know I shouldn't but you can't blame a girl.

All I ever wanted was to be loved. I thought I had that when things were going good with Elijah. His smile, the way he carried himself; who wouldn't love that? Happiness always comes with a price though, always. The price wasn't always on my end either. Watching Jazi create this life for herself, a happy life; is what made me leave. I knew that if I stayed there would be chaos and destruction, because once again the life of a hunter is not for someone who has dreams, aspirations, or family. It belongs to the loveless, evil, loner types. Me. Or so I have been told.

I tried to stop this life once, obviously it didn't work out in my favor. People just got killed and kidnapped. My bad. Who knew betraying vampire hunters was worst than betraying family? Speaking of family, I hope my sister can forgive me. Forgive me for hunting her husband, forgive me for betraying her trust and her love. Forgive me for leaving her, for giving up on her and her family. I hope she can forgive me for everything I have ever done that has harmed her. I hope she understands how much I love her, and just how much she has made me proud... I hope I get out of here soon so I can find her and tell her this. All of this...

(I close my journal and wipe a tear from my eye. Staring into the fire, I pull blanket up over me and just watch the flames dance. A slight smile comes over my lips as I remember the time Elijah tried to get me to dance in my living room. His smile, the softness of his eyes under the light of the fire, I miss that. I quickly snap out of whatever state my  mind was just in, "Fuck this." I get up off the bench and put my journal away, hoping uncle John and his demented minions haven't yet found it. I place the pen back in the drawer of the bedside table and close the drawer.

I walk over to the closet, pull out a soft black sweater and pull it on over my shirt. Slipping my shoes on I quietly open the door and begin tiptoeing down the hall. The walls lined with huge paintings of what seemed like 19th century art. The light bounces off one of the paintings and it automatically catches my eye. I stop and turn "Woah, I didn't think this still existed." The dark painting was The Death of Sardanapalus, by Eugene Delacroix. An 1927 romanticism painting. I remember seeing this in a book I studied. It was believed to have disappeared in a house fire. Now I know who must have started the fire.

Shaking it off I continue down the hall and make my way up the staircase, past a linen room, and into the grand foyer. It's so dark and cold I pull my sweater closer to my neck. There is such a weird feeling in here, it's hard to describe. Books line the wall from ceiling to floor. The chandelier I could only imagine being beautiful. The amount of light that would bounce off the crystal would dazzle anyone. Sculptures of men who I had never seen before, Paintings big and small painted in red and black tones. Probably the blood of those who have tried to escape this hell hole. The door, I see it clear as day. I look around as I slowly, quietly make my way to it trying not to make any sound that could send Uncle John in here.

I place my hand on the handle and turn it, pulling the heavy wood door open. I get a quick smell of fresh air as I pull harder giving myself enough room to slip out. I can see the driveway lined with black vehicles. Too many to count.

"Hmm." I say just before taking off out the door. As soon as I lunge forward, BAM! I am knocked across the room and onto my ass, sliding against the floor until I come to a dramatic stop against the rock wall. I reach for my head and realize I am bleeding from the side. Trying to sit up, I pull my knees up but I am instantly pushed back down in agonizing pain.

"Stop!" I hear my uncles voice say as he enters the room. "What is this? What are you doing?" He glances over to me and shakes his head.

"Get up, Paris. Compose yourself and get back to your room. And Raquel, if you hurt her again you will answer to me." He says as I hear laughter coming from the corner of the room. She was there the whole time, that witch bitch.

"Oh John, you're no fun. I was just merely playing with her."

"Now is not the time!" He rages at her in a tone I'm all too familiar with. He's pissed. "I have company and you two are in here acting like a bunch of delinquints, now go on. Get her out of here. I will deal with you both later." He rushes out of the room and I can hear the laughter inside that head of hers.

"You heard the man, let's get you back to your room." She says with an evil look. Just as I go to stand I feel this unbearable pressure piercing through my body as I'm forced to the ground once more. 

"I told you not to try to escape, you really need to start listening, Paris." That's the last thing I hear before feeling a sharp pain in the back of my skull. Someone or something hit me.

"Next time you WILL listen." I hear her say just before everything goes black...

Uncle John

Just as I pass the Mystic Falls sign, I take a deep breath. So many thoughts going through my head, so many thoughts that I wish would go away. Jazis face is there every time I close my eyes, and I can't help but be pissed. The more I think about what happened, the more I want to kill my father. And Maddox.

I shake off the thought of murdering my own family just as I come to the side road that is barely visible to the passers eyes unless they know it's there. I slow to almost a stop and turn down the dirt road. I flip my lights off and go by memory, hoping nothing has changed over the many years that have passed. On the right hand side there is a boulder that Jazi and I use to sit on and wait for dad to come back from the farm down the road, he would have wooden boxes full of fruit and fresh vegetables. It was one of our favorite things about spending summer at the lake house.

I pull in just past the boulder and park my car. I step out into the fog and realize it's way too dark out here, and quiet. I have never hear it this quiet before. Reaching into the car I pull my hunters bag from the passengers seat and unzip it. I grab the stake and place it between my belt and the back of my pants. The blades, I stick one into my boot and the other into my sleeve. Quietly shutting the door, I make my way from the where I parked to the front of the house.

My boots slightly making a noise as I slowly creep up the wooden stairs. Looking around as I realize something is wrong. It is way to quiet around here. There aren't even animals around making noises. I push the door open as it's already cracked a bit. I pull the pistol from my back and prepare myself for whatever may be behind the door, in the dark

I cringe at the smell as I take a few steps in. "What the hell IS that?" I whisper to myself as I try to focus on the objects in the dark. Bodies. There are bodies every where. I gag and shake my head, the smell is so fowl it burns my nostrils. Causing an acidic reaction. I make my way through the mangled mess of bodies and into the study. I can see the layout of the room from the light of the moon peering through the window. It's thrashed. There are books everywhere, his shelves are shattered as if a body were thrown into it, and his desk has been flipped. The drawers pulled and tossed. Someone was looking for something, but what?

With no sight of anyone living, I stick the gun back between my pants and belt. As I begin to leave the study I spot a glimpse of something shiny, glistening as I pass it. I move towards the bookshelf and notice something hiding behind the books. I pull the books one by one until I see it. There it is, the thing dad told me I had mistaken in seeing once. But I knew it existed. I knew I wasn't imagining things.

I lift it carefully from the handles on the wall. The handle handcrafted from what looks like pieces of Aventurine or even Cabochon stone. I pull the dagger from the casing expecting a shiny metal blade, but instead it's a wooden dagger. I run my finger over the blade, it's so sharp and polished. But, wood? Why would my father have a wooden dagger hidden? I study the blade and quickly realize what it is. I slip the casing back on it and slide it into my boot. I look around in a panic to make sure there is no one watching me.

If this is what they were looking for, I need to hide it. I take off running to the back shed, my father always kept extra gas out there. I rummage through, pushing some boxes out of the way to get to the back. I pluck the empty gas cans one by one until I find one with a decent amount of gas in it. I take in a deep breath and head back into the house. One step in and I know something is wrong. I turn to the living room and upon finding all the bodies gone, I drop the gas can. "What the hell?" I look around pushing things over. "I know they didn't just get up and walk out, where the hell did they go?" I run to the study and stop just before a dark silhouette.

"Where is it Paris?" That voice, I've heard it before.
"Where is what?" I say, trying to find an escape.
"I didn't want to do this, this wasn't how it was supposed to be." The silhouette fades and all is quiet again. I spin myself on my heels to go fetch the can of gas before anything else crazy happens. Just as I turn, my eyes meet his and that's when I know I screwed up.
"Uncle John.."
"I'm sorry, your father left me choice in the matter. I have been trying to find him. Paris, a lot of people have been trying to find him. Some of those people, aren't too friendly either. So tell me. Where is he?"

Shaking my head in disbelief, I try to think before I speak. I know something is wrong. Uncle John shouldn't be here. Father and him haven't talked in years. With a light shoulder shrug, I answer his question. "I don't know where he is, that's why I'm here. The last time I saw him, I was practically dying, and he was kidnapping Jazi. But, if you happen to find him first, let him know I'm looking for him." I say as I take a step left.

"Stop, Paris. I know that you're not telling me the truth. Stop lying and tell me where he is!"
I let out a laugh and shake my head. "You know, Uncle John.. if you knew anything about me, you would know that I am telling you the truth. Oh, but wait.. that's right. You haven't been around in the last 10 years. You died, I went to your funeral! You lied to your whole family. So how would you know anything about me? About dad, about anything that's going on right now? You need to leave. You're good at that." Pushing him away from me I head out of the study and back into the living room. I grab the gas can and begin dousing everything I can. He just stands there and watches me. Kind of creepy really, but it is what it is. John has always had the knack for betraying family. I wouldn't be surprised if this was all his doing.

"I have my reasons for leaving, as did you. We aren't all that different you and I. You would be surprised just how alike we are." Slowly walking the room, creating less space around us, I sense he's up to no good.

"I'm done talking to you. I have nothing more to say." I pull out my fathers lighter and grab a stack of mail, lighting them and tossing them onto the gas soaked carpet. The heat from the flames are almost calming. "You mean nothing to me, and you will always be dead to me. You betrayed your brother."

"Oh, like the way you betrayed your family? Don't think I don't know what has been going on Paris. I may have been gone, but I never left." He says as he takes a step back. "I'm sorry for this.. I really am." Just then, at that moment I feel a blow to the back of my head. I can feel my uncle John catching me as I fall.

I let my guard down.. and now I'm paying for it.

From Then to Now

"Keep running Jazi!!..." I scream as she stops to help me. My
foot stuck between blackberry bush vines.

"I'm not leaving you! Hurry pull your leg, I'll lift the vine."
She says as we hear a rustle in the leaves coming fast.

"I can't, Just go!!

"I said I'm not leaving you Paris. Now pull!" She yanks the vines one way and I pull my leg, freeing my ankle from the vines. She helps me to my feet and we take of running through the forest once more.

Grabbing each others hands, we leap over a busted old tree stump and make our way to the fence. "You first, slide under and run. Do you hear me?" I say as she begins to climb under the wooden fence. We always made sure we had a hole we could get back through. Seeing as how this wasn't our first run through the woods.

"But.."

"No buts, run Jazi.. I'll be right behind you. okay?" She does exactly what I say, she slips under the fence and starts running towards the house. Just as I kneel to crawl under I feel a hand grip the back of my shirt, pulling me up from the ground. Before I could even turn my head I am thrown from the fence back to the woods, slamming hard against a tree. My body bouncing off the tree and landing in the undergrowth of leaves and branches.

"Well well well, if it isn't the nosy little girl." A deep male voice says as I try to compose myself, turning myself so my back is against the tree. "When will you learn that the woods aren't made for you?" He says as he circles me. " Go ahead, try to run. It's more fun that way."

Pressing up against the tree as I stand, I shake my head. "What do you want?" I ask.

"Oh you know, I just want to show you that it's not okay to meddle in other peoples business. You and that lovely sister of yours have no right to be in these woods. THIS isn't your property, your father knows that, he's been told before." He says as he glares at me.

"I'm not my father, and I have no idea what you are talking about." Stepping away from the tree, only to be pushed back against it.

"Doesn't matter, he was warned. Now it's time for him to suffer the consequences." His eyes darken and sharp teeth appear beyond his lips. "It's party time." He says as his mouth opens and he leans in towards my neck. I close my eyes and wait.. but nothing. Upon hearing a snap and then a thud I open my left eye to take a peak, and then my other. Nothing. He was gone.

"I do believe this is your chance to run, Paris." That voice, I've heard it before.

"Who's there?"

"You won't get any more chances, make your way home. Now." His voice gets firmer and darker. So I do as I'm told, I take off through the woods and to the fence. Never looking back, I Meet Jazi at the house.

"Where in the hell have you been? You said you were going

 to be right behind me. DON'T EVER DO THAT AGAIN PARIS!" She wraps her arms around me in a tight hug. "Don't ever leave me like that." I hug her back tightly and peak over into the woods.

There he stands, lurking, watching. That dark mysterious side grin. Who is he and why did he save me?

Taking a deep breath, I turn over and pull back the sheet. "Fucking dreams."

Stepping out of my bed I go for a quick shower. so much has to be done today. After changing into my jean and loose tank top, I secure my knives to my thigh and place my bow over my shoulder. I grab my pack and begin shoving important things into it. DejaVu all over again. Making my way downstairs all I can do is shake my head.

Walking over a body and next to another, I pluck a few photos off of my mantle, and stick them into my bag. I head for the kitchen, stopping above a body. My eyes canvasing the body. Anger takes over and I kick the limp body.

"Now, now. It's not fair to kick someone when they are already down, in this manner, already dead. Is it now?" The hairs on the back of my neck stand and I take in a deep breath. My hand moves towards my knife slowly. "Don't do that, Paris." I turn quickly, flinging the knife towards him, I should have known better. He slams me against the wall. "I said, NOT to do that."

"What do you want, Elijah? You shouldn't be here." I wiggle my arms lose and he takes a step back. "Take a look around, this.. this is my life, and you aren't welcomed in it anymore." I saunter across the room to retrieve my blade from the wall.  "Our worlds aren't the same." Making my way to the kitchen, I pull a bottle of Bourbon and a bottle of vodka from the bar, a long with some shitty snack foods.

I slip out the back door to find him standing by my car. "Move, Elijah." He strides sideways and opens my door for me. "Would you just stop. What do you want?"

"Where are you going Paris?" He asks as he folds his arms. I raise a brow and continue to the garage. Pulling out a gas can and shaking it. "What? Are you going to just burn it all away? The memories? I remember there being a few memories of us in this house." He says with that damn smirk.

"It's my house, I'll do what I want with it, thank you very much." Trailing the gas can behind me as I finish walking through the house, dousing the dead bodies and the dead memories. I take in a deep breath and toss the can. "Last time I checked there wasn't anything worth remembering. Is there now?"

"You always had a thing for running, didn't you Paris? Even as a child. Always running, getting into trouble." I slam him against the wall. "Did I hit a soft spot?" He says with an arched brow.

"YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN HERE!" I scream at him, punching him in the arm. "You should have been here to help her Elijah! Where the fuck were you?" I shake my head and let him go, taking a step back I breath in. "What happened to the all mighty powerful Elijah, protector and warrior? Huh? So much for that."

"Paris.."

"No, stop. I don't even want to hear it anymore. I'm so tired of always being the one to pick up the damn pieces. Always trying to decide whos side I'm on. If what I am doing is the right thing, or if it's going to get someone killed. I'm done with this, Elijah." I take out a box of matches and open the front door. "I'm going to find him, and then I'm going to kill him. And then when I'm done with that.. There's someone else on my list that needs to be taken care of. and DON'T try to stop me. Or you'll be part of that list.

I slide the match against the side of the box and toss it into the living room, watching as the flames hit the blood stained carpet and engulf the ground. I turn to face Elijah with so much hatred in my eyes, he turns and allows me to walk past him. "Be careful Paris." Trying to ignore his words I get in my car and peel out of my driveway, I get onto the main road and begin heading east of Mystic Falls. Straight to daddys cabin.

Pissed Off

After picking myself up off the floor, I pull my hair back and walk to the sink. Grabbing a bottle of water sitting on the counter. I splash some cold water on my face, drying it with a towel. Tossing it on the counter. "Fucking Mess." I pull out a plastic bag and make my way to the freezer, placing some ice in the bag, I close it. Reach for the bourbon and some Tylenol. Twisting the cap off of the bottle I take back the bills and the amber liquid. Probably more than I should have at that moment.

"Fuck it." I say as I toss the bottle of water back onto the counter and head through the house with the bourbon in hand. My eyes catching every thing that reminds me of Jazi. I walk past the mantle and flip the pictures one by one. Then continue to do so throughout the living room.

I plop down onto the sofa. And stare at the mess. " I'm totally not cleaning this shit up." I take back some more of the bourbon, which I haven't had since the last time we were all in my house. Me, Jazi, Damon, and Elijah. I let out a long sigh, shake my head and stand up. Causing myself to close my eyes and focus.

I look around and try to remember where my phone is. I have to call Travis. He should have came with me. At least I wouldn't have been in this mess alone. He's probably already tried calling me a billion times. He's going to be so pissed when he finds out what happened. I swear he worries too damn much for a partner. I told his ass not to get attached.

I head upstairs, flipping the photos on the wall until I come to one. The one of me, Jazi, Maddox, mother and father. Jazi was just a baby in this photo but the day was such a vivid memory. I clench my fist and a tear falls down my cheek. Slamming my hand into the photo I let out a scream. So much anger, so much sadness balled up inside.

I step into my room and slam the door behind me. Sliding down the back of the door I let out a cry, just enough to make me feel a little bit better. I lift the bottle and laugh. "Look who turned out a lone in the end.." I take a hefty swig and make my way to my feet. Locking the door behind me, I slip into bed, pulling the down to my face; burying myself into a silent slumber.

Tomorrow I will take care of the house, and then it's hell to pay. "I'll find you, father.. If it's the last thing I do.."

Family Ties

My eyes flutter as my head jolts to a twist, looking around I can see three bodies pacing. And then I spot him. The man who gave up on his family to pursue being a Hunter. The man I once loved and cared bout. The man I call father.

"Dad?"
"Paris! I am so sorry, I never intended for this to happen. Not to you." He says as he wiggles in his chair.

I try to remember how I got here, but I can't. The last thing I remember was answering my door. The rope tightly knotted against my wrists, I look around and realize the men holding us captive, are none the less blood suckers themselves. One looking a bit familiar, I cock my head and stare at him.
"Stop Staring Paris, it's not polite." He says. With those words he turns his back to me. "You, your father, even that pesky brother of yours have a problem with meddling into other peoples business. This is what happens when you are warned and refuse to do as you are told. Hunters are not allowed here in Mystic Falls. So, it is our duty to make sure you are no longer a threat."

He paces through out my living room, fingers gliding across photos. "Martin, buddy, dear old friend. How is that loving little girl of yours? Jazmine, is it?"

"Keep my sisters name out of your mouth. Or else." I say as I try harder to slip my wrists out of the rope.
"Or else? Paris, my dear. Please tell me that you know who I am, and that you do know better than to talk to me in that tone." He turns around and I just glare at him. "Well now, that IS a bit disappointing. You see, I... well, WE all use to be friends back in the day, Your dear old daddy was once a great man. Until one day he realized he was better than us. Leaving us to defend ourselves from those so called monsters. You know, the ones he trained you to hunt. We were all there that day, and he ran, ran so far that he missed out on the lovely opportunity to be one of us. He didn't so much as look back to see if we were going to be okay. Over time I guess you can say his guilt got the best of him. Because that's when he decided to start training. That is why he took pride in his children, he wanted to create an army of hunters. Why do you think he wanted you and Maddox to hunt with him all the time? It surely wasn't because he was a mere animal hunter. Face it Paris, YOU were created just for this purpose.

My head turns and my eyes meet his "Paris.. don't listen to him."

"Stop, you aren't allowed to talk. Not here, not anymore. No more bullshit dad. Wait until Maddox finds out what you did." I pull my teary eyes away from his gaze and close them. Wishing and praying that he will just walk through the door this very minute.

"Maddox? You think Maddox cares about you?" He says with a laugh. "Who do you think gave me your address? He is still one of us, as are you. You can't deny that. I know what you did back in Montana and New York. You are a hunter, you had a duty to this family, and you betrayed us. You and that sister of yours. You should have taken care of her when you had the chance to Paris." He shakes his head and lets out a disappointed sigh. "I didn't think they would follow me here, I'm sorry. None of this would be happening if your mother would have  just allowed her to hunt. She should have learned the ways of this life."

"Enough already, this isn't some family bonding time. I have business to attend to. And you two are screwing up my plans. As I already mentioned, I don't take hunters here in Mystic Falls lightly, as a matter of fact, I don't take them at all." He flicks his wrist, and a sudden burst of heat shoots trough me. Standing before me with a shit eating grin on him, is one of the three vampires. I let out a cough, sputtering out a few drops of crimson blood. One more sharp pain and I soon realize I have a knife peering out of my abdomen.

"NO!!!" My father yells as the vampire takes one last stab at me. My head limps as I hear the elder vampires voice. "Oh, this is on you Martin, this.. is all your doing. You were told to stay away, but you just had to come back, didn't you?" I feel my hair being yanked and then a sharp pain through my neck. I scream out in agony as I feel his teeth rip through my skin.

Then, nothing. My surroundings go black and all I hear is a few thuds and what sounds like Jazis voice.
"What the hell?" Feeling my life beginning to slip away I hear her, loud and clear and I know that I have no choice. "Drink sissy." So I do. The taste of iron slipping down my tongue. I never imagined my life at this point. My sister, the vampire who I had an obligation to kill, is now saving my life.

She unties me, and I begin to feel the life return to my body, slowly.. but surely. Looking up I see her walking away from us, I try to call out to her to not turn her back, but it's too late. Just as she enters the kitchen he follows her. "Daddy... NO!"

I sprint towards the kitchen, grabbing his arm, "Dad STOP! You can't do this!" I yell as he pushes me back, causing me to lose my balance.

"I said I was sorry Paris, but you will never be safe with her around." He says as he enters the kitchen. I get back to a full stand and stamper to the kitchen, just in time to catch him staking her.
"NOOOO!!" I scream as I lunge forward, jumping like a little kid onto his back. With his full force he swings me around, throwing me off of him, My head slamming against the marble counter. I instantly drop to the cold floor. I can feel the blood running down my neck. "Jazi...." I whisper as I fade in and out of consciousness. My eyes flutter to the site of my own flesh and blood, my father pushing the stake farther into my only sister. I try to move but I fade back out again. Coming around once more I see the face of my father, with Jazi in his arms. A single tear forms at the corner of my eye as he walks out through the back door.

Feeling a hand on me, shaking me about like a rag doll, I peer up to see Damon staring down at me. "PARIS! What happened? Where is she, where is Jazi?" I look around as I make my way to my feet, unsure of how long I have been out. It couldn't have been that long, or has it? Bringing my hand to touch the wound, I wince at the pain ripping through the back of my head.

"How long was I out?" I ask Damon, a bit confused, but he ignores me.
"Paris I know she was here, where is she?

I glance around at the massive mess in my house. Blood, Everywhere. I shake my head in disbelief that what had just happened wasn't a dream. "My father, he staked her. I watched him Damon.. and I couldn't even help her." I place my head in my hands an close my eyes.

"Where is he Paris, the address... NOW!" He demands.

"I don't know. I didn't even know he was here. I didn't know he knew we were here." He grabs my arm and I quickly snatch it from him. "Don't touch me, Damon... ever." I walk across the kitchen trying not to step in my sisters blood. "This is all your fault.." I mumble as I fold my arms to comfort myself "He has a cabin in the woods heading out East from Mystic Falls. I don't know if he still lives there or not.." I turn around to see Damon gone. The door is open and a clear crisp breeze make its way through the house, releasing an aroma of blood. "Fuck"

I drop to the ground, knees hitting the concrete ground. My eyes make their way to a photo of Jazi and I on the kitchen wall. My face pale, my heart full of pain, and hatred. I sit there and stare.  Staring beyond the photo, visions of Jazi and I running through the woods at a young age pop into my head and a trail of tears make their way down my cheek. "What have I done?.."

Mystic Falls

After the arrival of Liliana I decided to distance myself. When Damon made the choice to leave my sister, it completely turned her world upside down. With no knowledge of his where abouts, or any reasoning behind him abandoning his family Jazi became a home body, locked herself away in that house. That dark, cold house. She excluded the outside world, including me. I wasn't sure what to do. How was I supposed to tell her that life would be okay? That she can continue to lead a loving life without Damon? I couldn't. I was left in the dark, and there was nothing I could do or say to my sister to make her come out of her stage of mourning.

Damon might as well be dead. Or so, you would think by the way things were unraveling in life. But the thing was, we didn't know what happened to him. No one seemed to know.
Elijah was making more and more appearances at the house. He was quite the helper around there, taking on almost an uncle role to those kids. Seeing as how our feelings strayed from one another, I couldn't bare to hang around the house much. Allowing myself to let go of the family I so longed to have back in my life, my sister; I left. Leaving my home just the way I had left it before, I ventured out into the open world.

Taking just a few essential things a long with me. Making sure I grab my photos of both Dante and Lilianna. The only children I know that will ever be a part of my heart.

Jumping with a gasp of air as I wake to the sound of my phone going off, I look at it and see an unknown number. Not many people have this number, so in curiosity, I answer.
"Miss Rayne?"

"Depends on who is asking., What can I do for you?"

"Sorry to bother you, but it's Emma, the witch you contacted before leaving town... Um, I have some information you might want to hear about."

Pulling my robe around me and tying it at the waist, I look over my shoulder to see that Travis is still passed out in bed. I pad my bare feet across the bedroom and shut the door behind me; making my way to the kitchen. Listening to Emma, I pour myself a cup of coffee. Just as I am lifting it to take a sip I hear the words com out of her mouth. Dropping my cup, my eyes shut in slow motion as I hear the glass smash against the rock tile. Waiting to open them until I have composed myself. I take a deep breath and ask her if she is sure of what she is telling me.

"I'm sure of it. I can do the spell again if you would like, just to be sure?"

"No. That's quite alright Emma. I will be there as soon as I can. We can discuss the details when I get there."

"Yes ma'am." She says with such a clear tone.

"Oh Emma, one more thing before I get off the phone. You can't let anyone know I am coming back. I mean No one.. is that understood?"

"Yes Ma'am, I understand."

Tossing the phone onto the counter I pull the paper towels from their holder and begin to unravel them. I lean down to clean up my mess just as Travis comes walking in to see if everything is alright.

"Paris, are you okay? I heard glass."

"Yeah, I'm okay. I just dropped my coffee cup is all."
Cleaning up my mess, I can't help but run things through my head. Knowing I need to get back to Jazi, I rush off to the bedroom and pull my robe off. I grab my jeans and slip them over my bare ass. I grab a pink tank top and pull it over my head, followed by an over sized cream covered sweater. I lace up my black boots and stick my dagger in my right one. I pull my pack from the back of the closet and grab my car keys.

Kissing Travis on the cheek, I grab my phone off the counter. "When are you coming back?"

I shrug and smile. "I'm not sure. I promise I will text you or call you though, okay?" Smiling as he walks over to me, placing his hands around my waist. "Please be careful. I can go with you, just so you are safe."

"No, she's my sister. Damon is her husband. I have to do this myself. I need to know." Leaning up into a kiss, I step back down onto my heels. "Don't be too far from your phone Travis. If i do decide I need my partner, I want to know he'll be there when the time comes. Got it?"

"Yes ma'am. I have a mission though that I need to get ready for. I leave tonight. I will send you all the details once I am on the move."

"Please be careful. I don't want to have to come and save you all over again." Laughing as I start to walk away. I stop in my tracks. Purse my lips and raise a brow. "Oh, and Travis... Stop staring at my ass." Hearing him laugh as I walk away and exit the house.

After a few long hours on the road, I finally make it to where I was headed. I slowly pull into the drive, and shut off my lights. Hopefully no one seen me pull in. I hit the button for the garage and pull my car in, shutting the door behind me. I make my way out of my car and into the house.

"Damn, I missed being here." Flicking the lights on, I make my way through the living room to start a fire.  I rummage through the mail that has been piling up by the front door, taking it back with me and tossing it in the flames. Upon looking at the family portrait of my sister and I, I wonder if I am doing the right thing? Am I safe being back here? Should I call Jazi? I shake it off and twist the cap of my bottle of rum. Seems to be the only thing that works to calm my nerves.

I open the drawer under my desk and pulls out a red felt pack. Laying it out before me, I unroll it. Revealing a few blades and a stake. Stained in blood I pick up the stake and examine it. "Poor lost soul." I say placing it back down. I glance around the room, at the darkness in which it has become. Nothing here is the same as it has once been. I am not the same Paris as Jazi once knew. The hunter in me will find a way to fix this. To fix her. She is all I have and I won't let the likes of the Vampires destroy her. Mystic Falls will fall, and Damon will fall with it. Now that I know he is alive and back here, I will find him. And I will make him pay for the damage he has done upon my sister.