Elena returned to her room, dressed in her pajamas, hair still moist from the shower. She froze in the doorway. Elijah was perched on the corner of her bed, smiling slightly. "But, you're dead." Elena whispered. "Technically, yes. For years now." Elijah said, tilting his head to the side. He stood in one swift motion and blurred across the room. Elijah looked Elena over once before circling her the way a shark circles a boat. Stepping behind Elena he whispered "You killed me. You lied to me. Now you have to pay." "I've changed since the last time you've seen me, Elijah." Elena said, softly. Elijah gripped her elbow, tightly "Really? How so?" She grabbed a pair of scissors and stabbed him in the stomach. Surprising him. Elijah relinquished his grip on her. Elena ran from the room. Pulling the scissors from his abdomen, Elijah smiled "Oh, good. I need to work up an appetite first."

Elena ran into the kitchen, and towards the double doors. Before she took two steps, Elijah flickered into the room, blocking her. He tsk-tsked, scolding her the way a kindergarten teacher would scold an impudent child "That hurt." he said with a smile. Elena backed away slowly, shuddering and gasping in fear. "No. No." she whispered. Elijah disappeared. Elena looked around the room, confused. Where'd he go? she thought. He left. Then hand gripped her waist, tightly. Elijah shook back the sleeve of his shirt and bit his wrist. Elena thrashed and squirmed, trying to free herself. Elijah forced his blood down her throat. Elena considered letting herself drown on it, but her survival instincts kicked in and she began to swallow. When he felt she'd had enough, Elijah pulled his wrist away and gripped her chin and the back of her head - Elena bolted upright, soaked with cold sweat. Her heart pounded in her chest.

She gasped for sweet oxygen. Someone else shifted slightly on the bed. And arm wrapped around her waist. Another stroked her hair. The touch was warm and comforting. "It's okay. Shh. It was just a dream." Elena stiffened when she realized who's voice it was, who held her. Elijah. Elena jumped and screamed sitting upright. "Elena!" A boy's voice cried, concerned. In the dim light, she could barely make out her brother's features. "Jeremy." She whispered. "Are you okay?" he asked. Jeremy looked as though she'd awakened him from a dead-sleep. And he's worried about me! Elena thought, before shrugging "I'm fine." Jeremy snorted "Really? Because you're trembling." And she was. Her body was taken over by a fine trembling. Elena shook her head "It was nothing. A bad dream is all." Jeremy nodded but still looked uncertain. Elena's phone buzzed. It was a text. From Damon.

The message made Elena's heart stop and her blood freeze.

Just checked the cellar. Elijah's gone.