Silence that is never ending, darkness that expands farther than the eye can see, nothingness. I am nothing, surrounded by nothing, lost in oblivion.

  "It's okay amore" A soft comforting voice pierces the silence.

  The voice isn't familiar, and yet I feel an instant connection with her. She soothes me, making me feel as though being lost in the dark isn't so dreadful. I let go, allowing myself to float away into unconsciousness. As soon as I begin to relax I feel a pulse cut through me.

  "You have to wake up now." the woman's voice is still kind, but a hint of urgency pulls me back. A second pulse jolts threw me, all sense of calm now lost. What is going on?

  "Wake up!" Panic now evident in her voice, infecting me with the need to run. But to where?

  A third pulse, so violent that I shoot up from my deep sleep. Gulping for breath, I can't shake the feeling that I was just drowning. My heart races, pounding so loud it's all I can here. Instinctively my hand push against my chest, feeling the fierce beats vibrating threw my body. Closing my eyes I force myself to breathe slowly, doing anything I can think of to calm myself. What is wrong with me? What a weird dream!

  "You okay over there?" Dads voice from behind me jumpstarts my panic all over. Twisting my body to see him I can't help but glare in his direction.

  "You scared me!" My voice is shrill, I have to concentrate once again to try to slow my thumping heart.

  "I think you were scared before I even came into the picture." Dad's mouth twitches up at the corners even as he tries to hide his amusement.

  "Crazy dream."

  I sigh and run my hand through my hair, pushing it back out of my face. I grunt as my fingers catch a snarl, only getting worse by my impatient tugging

  "Want to talk about it?" He grabs his cup of coffee off the counter and comes toward me.

  Scrambling I move to make room for him on the couch. Pulling my legs closer to me, I am shocked at the realization that I am still wearing my dress. How did I sleep through the night like this? Man, I don't even remember falling asleep! Moving the soft knit blanket so that it covers my legs, I sit cross-legged, making plenty of room for Dad.

  "I don't know. Don't really know how to describe it" I shrug.

  He drops in beside me and pats my knee in an attempt to comfort me. He glances around at Moms stuff, still scattered around the coffee table, and stiffens slightly. I know seeing this stuff must make him sad, make him miss Mom more, yet I hate the idea of packing it all away again. Biting my lower lip I push past my uncertainty and clutch the blanket as if in fear that it will be ripped away.

  "So, I see you found your blanket." He smiles at me, his eye glistening as he runs a hand over the soft yarn.

  "Mine?" I ask, not sure I heard him correctly.

  "Aye, Ally made that for you when she found out she was carrying." He answers, nodding his head with his words.

  "Really?" I sit up, a new surge of excitement washing through me as I pull the blanket tighter around me. For a moment I can almost imagine it's like being hugged by my mom.

  "I told her you would be a girl, with beautiful eyes just like her." He grins, putting a hand on my cheek. I lean into his touch even as I feel the blush rise in me. "She wasn't so sure though, decided to go with gray so no matter what it would be fitting"

  "I love it" I breathe, completely at ease in this moment.

  "I am glad" He beams at me for a moment before turning back to the rest of the trunks contents.

  He carefully tucks away the photographs and the candles. When he grabs for the journal however, I unexpectedly lunge for it. Without thinking I pull it close to my chest, clinging to it as if my life depended on it. Empty or not I just know that somehow it's the best way to connect to her. Having her journal in my lap, and her crocheted blanket wrapped around me, I feel immersed in my mothers world.

  "Sorry" I mumble lamely as I finally notice Dad looking at me with raised eyebrows, unsure how to respond to my sudden greediness.

  "No, if you not done looking through her things I understand." He smiles sadly at me before grabbing for the white linen.

  "What is that?" I ask, cringing at the sound of the dried herbs crumbling in Dad's hand.

  "Oh a couple different things. Let's see," he carefully unwraps the bundle taking a peak. "If memory serves this is a bit of lavender, some mandrake, wormwood, and maybe a bit of cedar needles"

   "What's it for?" I ask, peering at the bundle in awe. How could he tell what they were? Everything just looks dried and crunchy to me.

  "I couldn't tell ya" He shrugs wrapping them back up. "Ally used to have these things hanging all over the kitchen, dryin out. When I asked what for she would give different answers." He held the bundle out to me, which I carefully accepted. "Some she would say is for incense, some for tea-"

  He gets interrupted by a buzzing from the side table. He glances at the noise before sighing in annoyance. Grabbing his phone he glares at the text message he received, finishing reading it with a huff.

  "Everything okay?" I ask cautiously.

  "Oh yea" He rolls his eyes as he shoves his phone in his pocket. "Boss wants me to stop in and take care of a few things. Would that bother you?"

  "No, go ahead!" I relax back into the couch, not even realizing I was so tense.

  "I was hoping to hear all about your night" He sighs and pulls himself up from the couch.

  "Just a typical dance, you know" I shrug, keeping my head down to hide the blush that instantly returns at the thought of Damon.

  "And your date?" He eyes me before making his way to the kitchen.

  "Oh, uh" I stumble over my words, grateful when I hear the faucet turn on for I know he can no longer hear me.

  "You should invite him to dinner sometime" He suggests as he walks back into the living room and steps into his shoes.

  "Oh I don't-" I start but Dad interrupts.

  "If he is going to be dating-"

  "We aren't dating" I blurt out, my cheeks burning at the mere thought.

  "Uh huh" He smirks, eyeing me as he grabs for his jacket. "Still!" He insists. "You going to be staying here today?" he asks as he slides into his jacket, checking to make sure he has everything he needs.

  "Probably" I shrug not having anything better planned. Glancing back at Mom's things an idea occurs to me. " Actually," I spin back to face Dad, "maybe I'll head over to the cemetery. Visit Mom" I shrug again, suddenly feeling embarrassed of my spur of the moment plan.

  "That's a great idea" He agrees. "You know," he stops considering something, slowly nodding as he forms an idea, " you should bring her plants. Those would honor her more than any store bought flowers would."

  "That would be okay?" I ask, gaping at him in surprise. I figured Dad would treasure these things.

  "Yea, I think she would like that."

  "I will then" I agree, a small smile tugging at my lips.

 "Okay, I'll see ya tonight Kiddo." He pauses with his hand on the door knob and glances back to me. "It's a pretty far walk from here. Do you have a friend who could drive you?"

  "Oh," I instantly think of Damon and my heart skips a beat, "I'm sure I can find someone"

  "Good, don't stay out too late!"

  I stare at my phone, nibbling my lip as I continue to debate what I should do. Maybe Zeke's mom would be able to give me a ride? Then again, I wouldn't want to make her wait around for me. Does Leo have a car? He had to get to and from the dance some way, I know he didn't come with us. I don't know though, it's a little too personal of a trip to invite him.

  There is always Damon.

   My cheeks burn and my stomach clenches at even the notion of calling him. If this is too personal to bring Leo, then it should definitely be too personal to include him as well. Yet, I can't stop the nagging urge to spend more time with him.

  Ugh, come Reza! This is supposed to be about visiting Mom, not going on some Date.

  Not that this would be a date. Still....

  Its not like he would want to go anyways. I am sure he has plenty of other things he would rather be doing today. If I don't ask him though, who will I ask? I know Dad will be irritated if he finds out I walked all that way without at least trying. Right?

  Okay, compromise. I won't call, but I'll send him a text. If he doesn't answer right away, or if he is busy, then Ill just walk. That way I can at least say I tried!

  Taking a deep breath I type out a quick message on my phone. My thumb hesitating for just an instant above the send button. I bite my lip again, unsure at this point if I'm hoping for him to be available or not. Scanning my words one last time, inuring there are no weird autocorrects, I nod my head in determination. Closing my eyes, unable to watch, I force my thumb to press the button.

-------------------Damon's POV-------------------

  "Are you even paying attention?" Elena scolds, her hands on her hips as she glares down at me.

  "Who could ignore such a well thought out lecture" I drawl, stretching out on the couch to get more comfortable.

  "This isn't a joke" Stefan interjects, still leaning against the door frame as he was when they began this little intervention.

  "So you keep telling me" I lazily roll my eyes in response.

  "Ugh!" Elena huffs in annoyance before beginning to pace once more. "You can't just announce that your out!"

  "I'm pretty sure I just did" I argue, raising an eyebrow at her defiantly.

  "You know we need you!" She counters, on the verge of whining.

  "Why? So we can waste another year sight seeing?" I sit up, no longer able to lounge in comfort with their insistent nagging. "Thanks, but I'm over the family road trip"

  "She said the Salvatore brothers" Stefan reminds me, finally entering the room to take his place beside Elena. "That means the two of us"

  "Oh good job Stefan," I mock, "you have really mastered your counting!" I clap my hands in false praise, only earning myself another glare from the couple.

  "You were there Damon" Elena continues, completely ignoring me "You heard what the seer had to say"

  "The old bat" I mumble, becoming more convinced by the day that she was nothing more than smoke and mirrors.

  "The most powerful seer of her time" Elena object, annoyance raising in her voice at the repeated argument.

  "If she was oh so powerful, then why all the mystery?" I challenge.

  "I'm sure it's not the way she wanted it" Stefan grumbles, sticking up for her once more.

  "Yea, it's not like she had a lot of time" Elena agrees, latching onto the excuse. The two of them tower over me, both standing their ground against my arguments.

  "So what's the plan? Continue to aimlessly roam? Check under big rocks for things that go boo?" I mock, enjoying the twitch of annoyance that flashes in Stefan's eyes.

  "You know we are doing more than that!" Elena raises her voice in defense, crossing her arms over her chest as her anger begins to show.

  "Oh yes, your witchy friends." I sneer, hating the reminder of the pain that always seems to come along when dealing with witches. "How well is that going for you?"

  "We are making progress" Stefan tries to sound optimistic, but I can only roll my eyes.

  "I wouldn't say knowing we aren't the only one looking is making progress" I disagree, stretching my arms above my head lazily.

  "Its more than we knew a few months ago. Besides, we can't just give up!" She declares, not seeming impressed with my indifference.

  "Well if you're so sure that the end is imminent, then please, continue with your search." I wave them off as I stand, giving up on any attempt to nap. "I on the other hand, would rather get a drink. Who knows, maybe I'll even work on making a bucket list" I saunter away from them, only to have Stefan appear in my way.

  "Damon-" He warns, but I chose to ignore him.

  "Item one, visit Disney World." I begin to list, making Elena roll her eyes at me. "You know, they say it's where dreams come true"

  "That isn't-" Stefan starts, but I interrupt him.

  "Oh your right" I smirk as Elena eyes widen in surprise for an instant, before she realizes that I truly have not come to my senses. "Disney World isn't the place for me. Definitely Disney Land! It's closer, and really what's the difference?"

  "Will you please be serious, just this-" Stefan begins but stops at the jingle of a chime.

  "Oh, one moment please" I smile mockingly at him, holding my finger up for him to pause. Digging my phone out of my pocket I have to force down the smile I feel inside.

  Nereza: Hey, you busy today? Don't want to bother ya, but if your free want to go somewhere with me?

  I quickly read her message, ignoring the scowls that are being sent in my direction.

  "Damon-" Stefan sighs

   "Uh uh" I mutter, holding up my finger for silence once more, earning me yet another sigh.

  Damon: Yea, I can be there in 10.

  I quickly respond, jumping at the excuse to get out of here.

  "We really need to discuss this" Elena huffs.

  "Nope" I simply say, pocketing my phone and moving around Stefan.

  "What do you mean nope?" She calls after me exasperated.

 "Nope," I repeat, turning back to her briefly with a smirk. "A informal variant of no. Do you need that explained as well Elena?"

  "Where are you going?" She demands, ignoring my question.

  "Out" I call back before pushing my way through the front door.

-------------------Nereza's POV-------------------

  I stare at his quick response, my mouth going dry as I struggle to read it. Wow, there was no hesitation there. 10... he means 10 minutes! I glance at my state of dress in horror. My wrinkled dress from the night before, hair in a mass of tangled curls, and undoubtedly smeared makeup all over my face. I can not be seen like this!

  Nereza: Make that 20?

  My fingers shake with nerves as I rapidly type out my response. Not waiting for him to answer I bound into motion. Moving as swiftly as I am possibly able to I shower and change, only pausing for a moment to spread my new blanket out on my bed. I cringe as I hear his car pull up outside while I am still doing the last touches of my eyeliner.

  Feeling pressure to get out as soon as possible I rip a brush through my hair, whimpering softly as it catches on a few snarls. Not taking the time to do anything more with it I run my hands through my still damp hair, flipping to one side so its out of my way. Why am I so nervous?

  I run from the bathroom, throwing a black zip-up hoodie on as I step into my shoes. I sigh in annoyance as my jeans, having shrunk in the dryer, hugs my legs a bit too tight making it uncomfortable to move. No time to change, hopefully they will stretch. I urgently grab my over the shoulder bag, hoping to get outside before he decides to come to the door. I glance back at my mothers things and hesitate for a moment more. Can't forget her herbs!

  I go to grab the bundle when her journal catches my eyes. For whatever reason the urge to keep it close overwhelms me. Deciding not to dwell on the feeling I snatch it up and shove it inside my bag. I carefully take hold of the bundle wrapped in linen and hold it close to me. Without further distractions I escape through the front door.

  "All set?" Damon's husky voice is the first thing that greats me as I step out into the cool air.

  He stands next to his car, as if he was just getting out, his hand resting on the open door. He smirks as he watches me falter, hesitating under his watchful eye.

  "Yea, sorry if I made you wait" I close the door behind me and hustle down the walk way toward him.

  "Worth it" He winks playfully at me, making a blush rush to my cheeks.

  Unsure of how to respond I duck my head down, hiding behind my fallen hair, and dive inside his car.

  "Thanks for coming with me." I grasp for a subject change, resisting the urge to distract myself with the fragile herbs in my hand.

  "Eh, it's gotta be better than watching Stefan brood all day." He snickers as he slides in behind the wheel.

  "Things not going well with your," I pause, unsure what they are calling it, "search?" I ask finally deciding to keep it vague. He grunts and shakes his head.

  "Depends who you ask" He responds, avoiding the actual question. "So where to dancing queen?" he asks as he puts the car in motion.

  "What?" I laugh out, my shyness forgotten as I turn to him for an explanation.

  "Don't look at me like that," he grins,"I saw how much fun you had on that dance floor"

  "I don't know what your talking about." I deny with another laugh.

  "Mhmm, I see right through you" he teases. I can't help but continue to giggle, not even minding as a subtle blush takes over me.

  "Anyways," I say loudly, stretching the word out to make it clear I am making a subject change, "was wondering if you would mind bringing me to the cemetery?" My voice fades the more I speak, the more I lose my nerve. Damon tenses, his smirk faltering for an instant before he regains his footing.

  "Not bringing me there to stake me I hope" He teases, raising an eyebrow at my large bag. I giggle again, shaking my head no.

  "Shouldn't I be more worried of you?" I ask, teasing him in return.

  "Your the one bringing me to some creepy cemetery." He retorts, turning his car in the right direction.

  The remaining of the car ride is spent teasing one another, throwing playful jab after sarcastic remark. When we first set out I worried that I would be poor company, but Damon managed to make the drive enjoyable. The half hour it takes to get to the outskirts of town seemed to fly by, and all to quickly he was parking on the edge of the holy ground.

  Stepping out of the car I pause as another worry forms in the back of my mind. I nibble on my lip and turn to Damon, eyeing him shyly.

  "So," I pause, grasping to try to find the words I need, "are you able to.... you know..." I stammer, trying to recall the old film I saw a while back. "Like, are you able to walk into a church?" I finally manage.

  Damon, who by this point is staring at me with a tilted head and raised eyebrow, chuckles and shakes his head.

  "You have to stop watching so much TV." He continues to laugh as he walks around the car to join me.

  "Blame Zeke," I grumble, feeling a bit stupid.

  "You don't have to worry about me being struck by lightning," he teases, smugly taking his place beside me.

  "Psh, I wasn't worried" I deny, rolling my eyes as I quicken my pace in attempt to hide my oncoming blush. I can hear him chuckling behind me and have to force myself onward.

  "So," He easily catches up to me, his long legs casually keeping pace, "who are we here to see?"

  "My mom" I answer simply. His step wavers, but is quickly recovered.

  "I'm sorry" he offers gently, but I only shrug.

  "I never actually got to meet her." I explain, feeling an overwhelming need to tell him all about her.

  So I do. My words overflowing from me as we stroll through the tombstones. I tell him about the pictures, her jewelry box, and the story of how they came to be in America. I even tell him about the blanket I found and how it was actually meant for me. I tell him how for the first time I finally feel like I am connected to her.

  "After everything I wanted to come see her." I half shrug as I finish my story.

  "Wow, you really had a busy day yesterday" He concludes making me laugh.

  "A busy week," I mumble, slowing when her resting place comes into sight.

  My hands begin to tremble, the dried herbs rattling in my grasp. Damon frowns at me, his brows furrowing in concern. Gently he places a hand on my shoulder, rubbing his thumb back and forth to comfort.

  "How long has it been since your last visit?" He asks softly.

  "Too long" I admit.

   With a deep breath I step out of Damon's sympathetic touch and kneel in the damp grass at her tombstone.

  "Hey Mom" I breathe, my voice quavering with emotion. "Thank you for the blanket" I laugh awkwardly at myself. Trying to keep my hands steady, and failing miserably, I lay out the white linen.

  "Dad and I found some of your old things, he thought you would like to have them." I whisper to her as I carefully transfer the dried flower, needles, and other peculiar herbs to the stones edge.

  I stare at her name, Alessandra Morelli, scrawled in beautiful script across the hard surface. Running my hand across the polished surface I pray, wherever she is, she knows I love her.

  Damon patiently waits behind me, never once rushing me along. Once I have said all I needed to I turn to him with a weak smile.

  "Thank you"

   "Anytime" He answers, holding his hand out to me.

  Grateful for the assistance I take his hand and am pulled to my feet. My knees buckle beneath me and I teeter, almost losing my balance. If it hadn't been for Damon, who promptly wrapped his arm around me waist, I may have actually tumbled.

  "You okay?" he asks, pulling me closer.

  "Yea," I breathe, closing my eyes to try to stop the spinning sensation that is attacking my mind. I lean against him thankful for his sturdiness. "Must have just stood up to fast."

  "Maybe" He agrees, although he doesn't sound convinced. "It has been an emotional day" He offers.

  "Are you labeling me as an emotional teenage girl who can't handle herself?" I tease, peeking at him through a half open eyelid.

  "Never" He chuckles

  "Your right though" I admit, "It has been a bit rough. Maybe I should take a nap, take it easy for the rest of the day"

  "Probably a good idea." He agrees "Come on, lets get you home." He turns to go but I hesitate, looking back at Moms tombstone one last time with a sigh.

  "I just wish I had the chance to know her, ya know? I wish that we had the chance to at least talk once. The rest of my family too. I wish I was able to meet everyone." I confide, finding comfort in the way he pulls me closer to his side.

  "Lets-" He starts but is interrupted by my weight falling against him once again.

  My traitorous legs give out on me as another wave of dizziness washes over me. My breath quickens and my body trembles, I suddenly feel so weak.

  "I'm so..." I struggle to speak but am unable to finish.

  I cling to Damon as I feel my legs begin to shake, fearing that I will fall. Wait, no, that's not me! The ground below me quivers ever so slightly, making my already spinning world turn sideways. I look to Damon only to find him watching my mothers grave intently, his head tilted as if trying to hear something better. His mouth drops open as his eyes harden in confusion. A cold sweat covers me as I slowly, even as every instincts tell me not to, turn to see what has his attention.

  I see nothing, everything is just as I left it. What then has earned Damon's scrutiny? The more I stare at her tombstone, the tighter my stomach clenches. I strain to be able to notice whatever has demanded his attention, but the more I do so the more uneasy I feel. I debate asking him when a faint rustling makes me run cold. I stare in horror as the grass above my mothers grave begins to move, slowly peeling back onto itself. Dirt tumbles away from the rip in the earth as a something white pokes from the ground.

  My breath catches in my throat, even as my mouth opens to scream. My eyes wide in terror as I watch the white thing thrust its way through the surface of the grave. Its jagged tips cracked, spinsters of wood and dirt clinging to its edges. Gray rotting flesh dangling from the wrist, as the skeletal hand jerks, waving at me.