As we neared the porch, a voice called my name from behind us. We span around and saw Stefan at the end of the pathway.
“Bonnie, why don’t you go inside?” I said, and she nodded in agreement. Soon I was standing with Stefan and he looked into my eyes.
“Elena, what Damon said…about not wanting to see you risking your life…I agree. I can’t watch you do that to yourself either. I love you, even though it’s clear you no longer feel the same way towards me as you did before. So, while this idea is still in your mind, I won’t be around to help out with anything. And neither will Damon. When you realise what you’ve agreed to and decide not to do it, let me know,” I opened my mouth to speak but he put his finger on my lips. “No, Elena. Nothing you can say will make me change how I feel about this situation.” And with that he was gone. A tear ran down my face. I was hurting them. Both of them. They were scared of losing me. But they didn’t understand. I HAD to do this.

I went inside and found Aunt Jenna holding a hot/cold pack on Bonnie’s injured arm. As I walked in they both looked up and smiled at me.
“My arm’s better now,” Bonnie said to me. I sat down beside her and took the hot/cold pack from Aunt Jenna. I held it firmly against her arm.
“Elena, I have to go into town for a while. I’ll be back later. I hope your arm feels better soon Bonnie,” Aunt Jenna said as she grabbed her car keys from the kitchen work top. When the door shut I searched Bonnie’s face for any inkling of her remembering what I’d told her.
“Elena, I’ll help you. I know I said I wouldn’t but I’ve…changed my mind. I see now that it’s…for the best,” she said calmly, smiling. It hurt me that this was the compulsion talking, not my best friend. If she hadn’t been compelled she would be totally against the idea.

Later that day, after Bonnie’s arm was nearly back to normal, I drove her home. As I drove away I was sure I caught sight of Katherine in the trees. When I looked back at the place I thought I’d seen her, there was no one there. She was following me. I shivered and put my foot down. When I finally got home I fell onto my bed and breathed out heavily. I opened my eyes to see Damon staring blankly at the floor. I gasped in shock. Eventually I calmed down.
“Damon….I’m sorry…” I said softly. He didn’t look at me.
“Why…why would you do this Elena…” he said quietly. I saw a tear roll down his cheek and I watched as it hit my carpet silently. I went to him and tried to hug him but he pushed me away and still didn’t look me in the eye. “What if I lose you Elena? What if it doesn’t work? What if…you die?” he choked the last two words and he wiped his eyes on his sleeve. He was truly upset.
“Damon…Damon, I’m sorry! I can’t explain it, but this is something I feel – no I KNOW – that I need to do,” I replied, tears beginning in my eyes. I crushed me to see him hurting this way, but this wasn’t to do with him. This was my problem, and I was dragging him down in it. He was hurting due to me.
“Are you willing to risk your family and your friends losing you? They may never see you again, and you may never see them. Think of how many people you could be hurting!” And he slammed his fist on my side board, causing it to crack. He didn’t seem to care. “I won’t be a part of you killing yourself, Elena. I refuse to see it. Until you come back to me and tell me that you’ve changed your mind, you won’t see me again. I can’t bear hurting any more than I already am,” I reached my hand out to him, unable to speak. He rushed out of my window and disappeared. I broke down into tears. He didn’t understand. No one did.