Disclaimer: This story is based on characters created by L.J. Smith, as portrayed in the TV series created by Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec. All rights to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.

Author's Note: I couldn't help myself. This is one of two story ideas I've had sloshing around in my head for awhile now. I wanted to complete my other stories before starting this, but I just couldn't wait.

This is an AU/AH story based on the 1991 film "Sleeping With the Enemy" (no copyright infringement intended). If you haven't seen it, I definitely recommend it (if you're old enough, that is). This story may seem a bit like my story "A Stranger In My Home", but I have a completely different storyline in mind. It will follow the premise of the movie, but as per usual, I'm putting a different spin on things. If you've seen the movie, you'll recognize some of the scenes, but I'm starting the story from when she's on the bus.

As for the characters… well, I guess you'll just have to read and see what happens and who shows up, won't you? ; ) Enjoy!

ELENA'S ESCAPE

~ PROLOGUE ~

Elena sat by the window, her forehead resting against the cool glass. The patter of rain was soothing to her frazzled nerves, and she found comfort in the darkness of the night. Under the cloak of darkness, she could disappear. The Greyhound bus travelled along roads she had never seen before, passed state lines without hesitation. The further away she got, the better. The less likely he was to find her.

Elena glanced around the bus, watching the other passengers sleeping. She wondered what their story was – and if they would believe hers. If she told them she had died yesterday, would they have recommended she seek counseling? But it was true. Elena Gilbert had died yesterday, as far as the world was concerned. The body would never be found – obviously - and she was believed to have drowned. To everyone who knew her, Elena Gilbert couldn't swim. Only her aunt Jenna knew the truth – that Elena had spent hours training so that one day, when he wasn't looking, she could get away.

The moment she met Thomas Wilkins, she knew he would be her ticket out of her abusive marriage. He and his wife Marilyn owned a yacht and offered to take her and Kyle out sailing. Kyle had punished Elena for even speaking to Thomas in the first place, but he couldn't say no to the invitation. The Wilkins' were prominent people, and the connection would serve Kyle's business purposes well.

Elena couldn't believe her luck when a storm came upon them while they were out in the bay, and in a moment of confusion, Elena went overboard, leaving her life jacket behind. She clung to a buoy, listening to their frantic voices as they searched for her. She waited until she heard voices no more and then she swam. She made it to her Aunt Jenna's house, got a bag of clothes, put on her disguise and jumped on the first bus out of town. She and Jenna said their tear-filled goodbyes, not knowing if they would ever see each other again. Elena Gilbert died that day.

Morning light shone through the window and Elena stirred in her seat. Looking out, she saw only woods. After a while, the bus drove through a small town and came to a stop. A sign said Mystic Falls, Virginia. It sounded like a place as good as any to start a new life, Elena thought to herself and grabbed her bag.

Author's Note: There you have it – a very short prologue. Chapter one is already written and will be published shortly.