"I hated my parents. When I was eight years old, they sold me to a merchant ship, so every port they docked at I ran away from the crew. They always found me again. They devised very special punishments for me..this is a cruel world Landon and I expect very little from it..." "mama...!" The tears ran silently down my checks as I watched the young man take a seat in the dirty old wear House. "Elizabeth wants me and I want her, but it doesn't matter now that I've failed your test." He shakes his head as he fights the tears while he faces the disgruntled dark haired teen in front of him. I take a few cautious steps listening as my bare feet make soft slapping noises as I near the young mans face. I bring my hand up slowly as I reach for the beautiful boys face, my hand swiftly caresses the cheek that faces me. My eyebrows furrow, "why do you feel so familiar?" I whisper as I bring my unoccupied hand and place it on one of the hands placed in his lap. "Sebastian..!" 

I jump quickly as I turn to face the boy that I had presumed was named 'Landon' I watch in curiosity as the boy turned his eyes towards me as his eyes shoot up in shock and even a little surprise. "Not to alarm you dude or anything but I  swear I'm seeing Kathrine pierce right in front of you." He says slowly as he raises his arms and points his finger at me. "Anyone ever tell you its rude to point?" I ask sarcastically back as I watch the boy close his mouth to keep a scream from making its way out. I shake my head disappointingly at the boy before turning to face the 'Sebastian' boy in the room as he looks around in confusion around him. "Everyone always mistakes me for Kathrine, quiet disappointing actually." I say softly as I sit right next to the boy and watch as he turns his head back to 'Landon' "where is she? What is she doing right now?" He asks expectantly as he looks to Landon for answers. 

"She ugh.. just said everyone thinks she's Kathrine. She's sitting right next to you, and she flicking me off." I snicker out a laugh as I watch the Sebastian boy smirk as he turns his face to face me, but I watch in disappointment as his eyes scatter everywhere, indicating he can't see me. "Ask her what her name is." Sebastian whispered out to Landon as if I can't hear him. "Hi, um my friend wants to know what your name is." I nod my head as I peel my eyes away from Sebastian and face Landon once again. "Eliza." I answer back softly as the boys eyes widen in surprise. "What's the surprised look for?" Sebastian asks quickly as he sees landon's face after my answer. "She...she says her names Eliza." Sebastian's head tilts in confusion as he faces me once again. 

"Well Hello Eliza." Landon shakes his head back and forth quickly before he takes a step towards me, "no man you don't get it." He sighs out before facing me again, "there's only one woman that name belongs too. Eliza Salvatore. Alaric mentions her all the time says she was his daughter."My eyes widen at the information that leaked out of the mans mouth. " Aww did Ricky finally give in to my charm?" I chuckle out as Landon comes closer to me. "Ricky? That's what you call the old man?" I gasps out in shock as I look at the boy, "Rick isn't an old man yet. Can't wait to tease him about that now." I shake my head as a diabolical plan starts to from in my head as I cross my arms over my chest. "You're..you're really Eliza Salvatore." The guy states in astonishment as he sits down on the ground facing me while crossing his legs. 

"We'll Sorry to disappoint but it's Gilbert I don't have that rock yet, but makes me feel better that I won't be an old dog lady the rest of my life." My eyes widen in alarm as I slip from the crate and sit down in front of the boy, "please tell me I don't marry Stefan!" I beg out as I clasp my hands together trying not to puke. The boys brown eyes nit in confusion before he shakes his head. "What's she saying? What does she sound like? Look like?" Sebastian mumbles out at a fast speed as he takes a hint and starts to sit on the ground next to us. "Well she looks exactly the same except a little younger 17? 18? Looks like she was sleeping." I look down at Damon's large shirt that thankfully goes down to my knees. "Why do you think you can see her?" Sebastian asks quietly as his British accent stars to show through. 

"I don't know there's not a lot of stuff on Phoenixes." My eyebrow raises in question, 'did he just call himself a mystical bird?' "She looks confused. They must not know about us yet." Sebastian nods as he turns his head where Landon was looking at me. "Why do you think she appeared now?" Landon shakes his head at the question. "Weird she appeared when you finally start opening up about your family." "Landon! Sebastian!" My eyes widen as I hear the familiar sound of a voice. I jump up from the ground as Alaric makes his way into our space, Rick appears to have aged about ten, fifteen years with the apparent wrinkles starting to appear next to his eyes and a speck of white hair in his beard. "Rick." I whisper out softly as I go to reach my hand up to his cheek.

 "He can't hear or see you. I don't think he can feel you." Landon answers back softly as my hand makes contact with Alaric's cheek. Ricks face scrunches up in confusion as he looks towards Landon, "who are you talking too?" "An old friend." He answers back swiftly as I take a step back and look down at his hands. "Rick where's the wedding band? Surely you married Jenna by now." I chuckle out as I look expectantly behind him, "and where's Damon? You guys are always together?" I ask as if Alaric can hear me. I hear a sudden gasp as I turn to face Landon as the smile starts to slip from his face. My eyes widen at the reaction, "what happened?" Sebastian asks quietly behind me, "she asked about a woman named Jenna. Then she asked about Damon." He answers softly back as I look at Sebastian's face as it starts to gradually fall too. "No..no.." I whisper out as my throat starts to tighten as the tears start to stain the rims of my eyes.

 "Rick where's Damon?" I question again as I watch his face slowly face the ground. "Jenna?" I question softly again as my knees give out and they hit the ground hard. Landon rushes to catch me but soon realizes he can't touch me either. "Who's the friend Landon?" Rick questions softly as he looks back up for his answer. "E..Eliza." He stutters out as Alaric's eyes widen as tears start to fill his eyes. "No! No! Please!" I scream out as I clutch my heart starting to scratch at the skin beneath the shirt. "No!" I yell out as I shove myself off the ground and go through the doorway Rick came from, I ran as if I knew the way out of this dark place. I could hear the sounds of heavy boots follow behind me as I slammed open the door and rushed out. 

My eyes widen as the sun starts to set and I could see the boarding house in the distance. As soon as I saw the familiar house I took off running again as if my life depended on it. "She's going to the school!" I hear Landon yell out but block out the noise as tears start to cascade down my cheeks. My eyes widen as I push through the people that came out of the door. My heart beat sped up as I look around in horror at the hundreds of teens gathered around the place. I shook my head as I turn to the left and raced up the stairs following the familiar route I knew by heart. My breath left my body as I slammed back onto the ground as I come to face the empty bedroom. "No.." I whisper out softly as my shaking legs helped me stand after a brief moment before I made my way to his dresser, opening the doors and feeling my eyes and heart harden and sink when I see nothing in them. 

I frantically start pulling out the doors until I turned and faced his night stand noticing the emptiness and light dust that sprayed across it. My knees sink to the ground in front of the side table as I see the little glass case left for the world to see. 'Damon and Eliza.' The gold print on the glass spelled out as I blink away the tears as a whimper forces itself from my throat as I catch a glimpse of Damon's Salvatore ring as well as my necklace.

A scream left my body as I bolted from the room running around the kids as I run past Alaric, Landon and Sebastian who turn their course to follow me. My heartbeat starts to thump painfully in my ears as I round the corner to the base of the woods. My breaths tumbled out unevenly as I spotted the crypts in Front of me. I shaky breath left me as I paused before I entered. I closed my eyes praying quietly as I rounded the corner and my eyes open to face the wall of names. My mouth hangs open as all air is sucked from me as I take a step back losing my balance and falling on the ground in front of the words etched into the stone. 'Damon Salvatore, husband, friend, brother. Come home.' I didn't know I was screaming till Landon sat in front of me, I could see his lips moving but I couldn't hear a thing come from them.

"Eliza.." "Eliza!" "Eliza!" I shake my head as i turn my my body towards the source that was calling my name. "Damon?" "Why are you down here?" My eyebrow lifts In confusion as I break the stare we share and look around my surroundings. "Am I.. am I in the basement?" I whisper out as I spot the familiar dirt ground and long hallways. "We woke up and couldn't find you. You were screaming." My eyes shoot up to the bitch that walked in. I gritted my teeth in annoyance as she finishes her descent into the basement and wraps her arms around Damon. "Thank you so much Star."

 "It's Andie." I roll my eyes as I shove passed them and up the stairs. I was beyond livid I had thought me and Damon had made progress over the past few months but just like how he always is we took ten steps back. He brought her home the other night and I wish I could let the tears fall, it broke my heart to come home and see her in his bed, our bed. I walk into the master bedroom with Damon and Andie following close behind. I reach over the right side of the bed and grab my duffel bag. I don't have to be subjected to this painful reminder that I'll never have Damon, no matter how much I beg, Damon would not chose to love me. The only person I could blame was myself, I knew what I was getting into, but I had to help him, I wanted to heal his broken heart,I wanted him to love me back. 

I sigh out as I open the dresser doors and start pulling out everything I've stored in here for the past few months. Then again you never told him, how could he know? Suddenly the shirts that I was holding in my hands are aggressively taken from me. I turn around to see Damon hang them up again. "What are you doing?" I push my shoulders up and then down, "you don't need me here anymore Damon. I'm just going to go back to living with Jermey and Elena." I answer quietly as I go and take the photos off the dresser and shove them between the clothes. "But.." I look up at Damon as I zip up the bag. "It's all good Damon. Enjoy yourself but I can't be here, it hurts too much." I whisper the last part as I slowly make my way to the door. I turn briefly to get one final look at the room we had shared for the last month or so, I swing my duffel bag on my shoulder, "goodbye." I whisper sadly as I rush through the hallways and down the stairs before making my way out of the house as the tears started to roll down and stain my cheeks. Why does it hurt so much? Because you left your heart with Damon and he's slowly crushing it.

"Boyfriend cheat on you?" I slowly raise my eyes from my glass to meet Jared's green eyes filled with confusion. I shake my head as I lean my hand against my cheek and opened my mouth slowly, "ever love someone so much that as soon as they hurt you it's like this constant pain that consumes you? Like when you breath you wonder why it physically hurts to push air in your body, even though you know you need it?" I pause as I take another drink from the glass and look back up to Jared, "I thought.....I thought that if I loved him enough he..." I stutter out as my eyebrows crease trying to put my thoughts into words, "if I loved him enough he wouldn't need to find it anywhere else. I knew he needed more love than an average man, he needed love from his brother, from his mother and father, and from a woman and when he didn't get that Jared..I gave him all I..h..ad." I gasp out as the tears started to slide down my cheeks again, "a..and I can..can't tell anyone because they warned me about him. 

They told me he wasn't good for me. But...but I saw this beautiful broken man in front of me begging to be loved and I couldn't say..n..o." Jared quietly shushes me as he grabs my hands in his and starts to calmly run his thumb over them. "Why..why didn't I say no?" I sob out as Jared leans further against the other side of the bar to get closer to me. "Some people...some people  love with everything they have and they can't help it. You saw him and knew he needed that love and because you're such a good person you were the only one willing to give it to him. That shows just how strong you are. Is he happy now?" My eyes shoot back up to Jared's at the question, "honestly? I like to think when he laughs or smiles around me that he's truly doing that because he's happy, but I know he's hurting, I know being rejected by someone you love really hurts but.. I don't think he's happy. And I don't think someone could bring him that kind of happiness unlike her." I whisper out as Jared nods his head and gives my hands a quick squeeze, "I'll be back sweetheart I need to get these cougars their drinks." I nod my head slowly as I watch Jared make his way down the bar. I slowly pull my phone from my back pocket before unlocking it and finding the name that I needed and quickly press call while wiping the tears from my eyes.

"Eliza...not the twin I was expecting to see." I nod my head as I grab a glass of champagne from one of the servers trays, "why else would I be here? I have no interest in the historical society." Elijah nods his head as I approach, "I need to talk to you and it's not going to take up too much of your time." Elijah gives a curt nod and smile extending his arm out, "after you." I nod my head as I lead us to a secluded servants corner down the hall. "I know that you know none of us really trust you." I start off making my point clear. "Understandable." Elijah says back as he sets his cup on a near by side table. "I want you to know I would do anything for my family... so that being said I want to make a deal of our own and no one else needs to know." Elijah contemplates it for a minute before nodding his head. 

"When the time comes and your brother Klaus reaches us I want it to be clear that I am the twin you're going to use in the sacrifice." Elijah's eyes widen a fraction of a second before he once again scolds his features. "Why?" I shake my head softly as I look down to my hands, "I've always been the trouble maker, Elena was always the twin everyone flocked around and wanted to be friends with. I gave my family hell when I was little, I wasn't always the nicest and I didn't really listen." I chuckle out bitterly as a sigh escapes me , "Bonnie and Caroline are attached to Elena. They've always been the three musketeers even though they'll deny it. They'd do anything for each other and I envied that about them, how could they have such a close bond? Don't people get hurt with bonds like that? I guess that's why I don't have many friends when I think like that, although it's understandable." Tears start to cloud my vision as I try and blink them away. " Stefan loves Elena greatly, she's his rock and humanity.  I could never ask him to sacrifice what has finally brought him peace, I couldn't be that selfish. He's been through a lot and I hope by doing this he'll appreciate Elena more and never let her go.." 

I take another painful breath into my lungs once again, "Matt... Matt is that one person who understands you perfectly and that's why you always end up fighting or bickering because you're always so much alike. He's the real comedian of the group even though he'll say it's because I make it too easy for him. He's lost Vicky and his mom? No one really knows but he loved Elena deeply and maybe even still does. She could be there for him more than I ever could. I wasn't one to talk about feelings that's why he needs Elena, not me. My little comedian needs to live on." I set my eyes on the ground as I watch my heels dig gently into the wooden flooring. "Jer... he's been through a lot. More than any kid his age should go through and I never wanted him involved in any of this...it isn't fair to him but he's always admired Elena, he used to look up to her while he'll push me in the mud every chance he could get." I let out a little laugh, "I would always play his video games with him, or try and force a laugh out of him when he was down but....he's the one that would want Lena to hold his hand across the street or read him bedtime stories so he could sleep at night. At first I was bitter, why doesn't he like me as much as Lena? Why can't I read him bedtime stories? Why won't he let me hold his hand across the street? But I just knew...Elena was the better choice, he would feel stable and comfortable with her, something I could never achieve and I had to face up to that." I dug my nails into the skin of my arm as I fold them behind me, "Jenna has Rick now. She's been alone for a while now and so has Rick, they're like the parents you wish you had. Rick will protect my family and I know that, I believe in him. So why not make his burden a little less and eliminate the troublemaker? The outlier." I shutter out a breath before continuing. 

"Damon... Damon was unexpected. I had never been the one that wanted to impress someone or look cool in front of but he made me want to be that pretty girly cheerleader that my sister was. He.. He needs lots of love and I know him and Stefan still have a long way to go but their brothers..they might fight like animals but they'd die for each other if they could. Stefan is Damon's last Family member, he might just be the one that will cure Damon's dying heart, make him be the man I know is in there hiding away. My love... it'll never be enough for him and although it physically pains me to say it I know it's the truth. I'll do anything for him, I'll take a bullet for him or face down the deadliest and oldest vampire in history if I could guarantee his safety. He's the only man that has brought me such happiness and love in such a long time. He is the man that will haunt me in my dreams at night and he'll be the person I'll always compare everyone too. His eyes are the one thing I'll never forget, those eyes would make me do anything for him...but I'm not Elena I can't guarantee security or comfort and I can't bring passion or desire out like Kathrine. I'm not the woman he needs and I've accepted that I may never be...I've given him my whole heart in the hopes that one day his smile will be genuine.." I finish out as I connect my eyes with Elijah for a final time.

 "promise me that I'll be the one he takes. When the time comes and our plans fail I'll be the one sacrificed, make it known there's only one doppelgänger and her name is Eliza Gilbert." I tell him as I uncross my arms from behind me and make my way past Elijah, "I seldom Admire you Eliza, fighting for your family, yet You seem so set on ending your life young.." "death is my greatest fear, but I'll face it with a smile on my face like I always do but.." I stop in my tacks a few feet away from the dark haired original. "I may not have been on this planet as long as you but...I've fought a lot of battles physically and mentally, I'm tired Elijah." I take a breath, "make it known the doppelgänger has given up...she is awaiting her death." I say bitterly before making my way down the halls wiping my tears with the back of my hand before putting on a fake smile in the crowed of people. My eyes catch those very same orbs that will haunt me for the rest of the days I have left to live.

"Eliza?" I look up to Jenna and give her a small smile as I turn and watch Andie kiss Damon in front of me. I close my eyes quickly and turn away anymore of that and I'd die right here of heartbreak. "Hey Jen. I'm going to head out it's getting pretty late and I need to write some letters." Jenna blinks her eyes a few times before answering, "letters? What kind of letters?" Goodbye letters. "O.. we have this assignment in English and it's due soon so I should get started." I try and make the lie as good as I could in the state I am in. Jenna starts breaking out in laughter like a maniac Turing some people to look at the crazy lady laughing. My hand grabs my neck awkwardly as Jenna wipes her eyes from her tears. 

"Alright whats the real reason?" I shrug, "go smoke some weed with Matt?" Jenna gasps out as our eyes meet before she shakes her head quickly ,"you know what? That doesn't surprise me." I give her a small smile before pulling her into a hug, "hey jen?" I question softly in her ear and she gives a hum in return. "Marry Rick for me. Pick whatever dress your heart desires, go all out and look really pretty for me?" I question softly as the tears start to wet my eyes again as Jenna nods her head. "I..Rick should come stay in the Gilbert house...you can always knock down my wall and make the biggest master bedroom, have mini Ricks for me too ya?" Jenna gives a small laugh, "where would you sleep silly?" Six feet under. "Maybe Matt will finally let me stay with him." Jenna laughs at the idea. 

"I don't think I'll stick around town much longer, at least until i graduate then you can have all the privacy in the world." I'll never graduate. Jenna nods, "where will you go?"  I pause for a second before answering, "I don't know maybe Europe? Germany sounds nice." My eyes make contact with Damon's and I know he can hear everything I'm saying. "Why does this sound like a goodbye?" Jenna's voice gets softer as she asks the most important question. "It's..not I just want you to get everything you deserve in life. You're the best fill in mom and I'm sorry if I've caused you trouble I don't mean it." I whisper the last part as I blink to try and rid of the tears before turning to Andie. "I'm sorry we got off on the wrong foot. You were a surprise I never expected and I'm sorry if I've taken my anger out on you or made you feel uncomfortable, it wasn't my intention." Andie nods her head as I stick my hand out for her to shake, she slowly grabs my hand and shakes it. "Take care of him for me? He tends to do reckless things and bottles up his emotions. I don't know why he chose you but he has his reasons and I'm happy that he's happy." 

I let go of her hand quickly before turning my head ever so slightly to catch Carol Lockwood chatting up Elijah. Alaric appears through the entrance and makes his way to us. "Liz?" He questions as I run up and hug him tightly. "M'sorry Rick." I mutter out in his chest and he squeezes me just as much, "for what?" "For being...tired." He gives a small chuckle, not knowing the secret meaning behind my words, he may never know, before I release him and wave at Jenna before I make my way through the parlor and out of the Mansion. I watch as my breaths come out unevenly as I try and bottle my emotions before I make my intent to obvious. "Eliza!" I freeze on instinct as soon as I hear my name from his voice. "What was that!?" He yells out In question as he grabs my arms and forces me to face his hauntingly beautiful face. "What have you done?" He asks quietly as he searches my eyes for an answer. "It's nothing Damon...I just really need to get home." 

I answer back softly before pulling my arm out of his hand. "You hardly call me Damon why so formal now?" My eyes squeeze shut as my heart starts to painfully beat against my ribs. "I..I think it's best if I keep some distance.. promise me something?" I whisper out as I watch his face drop as if he was realizing this was the end for us. He nods his head slowly before I open my mouth, "one day...I want you to smile. Not like any of the smiles I've seen before but a real and true genuine smile. I want you to be able to joke around and laugh with your brother. I want you to be happy that you're still alive, promise me?" Damon slowly nods his head, "you're leaving me? You promised you wouldn't leave me!" I flinched back at his accusing tone before bringing my hand up to caress his check softly, my eyes started to water as I watch him lean into my palm. 

"You don't need me anymore Day...just be happy with the decisions you make. I...I can't leave something I never had." I whisper the last part as I pull my hand away from his face before he could grab it and take off into the night. Damon would have to stay if he wanted to meet Elijah, he would stay.

My hands shake silently as I write the last of the letters. My eyes fall on the grave in front of me. I look around the sides of it, "looks like I won't be buried next to you mom and dad." I say softly as I fold the paper and shove it into the envelope before licking the edges and locking it in place. I shakily take my pen and write Damon in the front before placing it in the pile of envelops scattered next to me. I carefully slide them into my purse under my scarf hiding them in plain sight. "What does it look like? The other side?" I question as I scoot closer to their grave knowing I'll never get a solid answer. "Is it cold? Dark?" I ask as I lay down on the grass next to the headstone. "I don't want to die mommy but I don't know what else to do." I whisper softly towards the ground as I wrap the mini blanket over my body.

 "I can't sleep anymore...I have these vivid dreams of my family being killed over and over. My children being murdered right in front of me...I think I saw the future last night....but if that's our future then I'm glad my stop is just ahead." I sigh as I pick the weeds from the ground as the lights of the lamppost illuminate a small halo around the grave yard. "Why...why doesn't he love me back?" I question barley above a whisper as I'm lulled into a dreamless sleep.

"She made a deal Stefan, she's going to die." Damon rushes out as he quickly grabs his leather jacket from the couch and races out of the door ignoring the blood that coats his throat and chest from the torture device he just fell victim too. "What do you mean?" Stefan questions back as Damon throws open his Camaro's door before quickly shoving the keys in the ignition. "It didn't make any sense to me she was acting as if she was going to leave town as soon as she walked out of that door. She..she made me promise some shit as if she wasn't going to be around to see it. Stef... Eliza knows one of them has to die and she chose herself! Eliza made a deal with Elijah... Eliza's the one that's going to die in the sacrifice Stef.." 

Damon chokes out as he slams on the breaks of the car before throwing open the door and rushing up to the Gilbert's door. "But.. that doesn't make any sense she was the one that said she didn't want to die. How could that turn around so quickly?" Damon looks around the empty room in panic before speeding out the door and into his Camaro in seconds. "She made it a point to put the target on her, now they know there's a doppelgänger, but they think she's the only one Stef... I..Can't lose her too. I won't!" Damon yells out in frustration before he rushes through the town combing the sidewalks of any brown curls in the dark. "Stefan she not home I can't find her!" He yells out into the phone in panic before he stops the car and grips the steering wheel in a death grip.

 "Okay hold on...Elena said the only other place is the cemetery." Damon quickly slams the phone shut before flipping the car around to make his way to the grave yard. Panic seized Damon's chest as he spots a familiar head of curls lying on the ground. "Eliza!"

Alright bitches probably my longest chapter ever can't wait for the action to pick up and the big reveal!! We just hit 27 thousands reads and I would toast to you guys but I still can't buy alcohol yet but cheers 🥂 can anyone guess what the major turn of events will be? I smell a Winchester.....or is it pie??? O and ladies and gents college isn't worth the depression it hit me hard. 👏👏