M

uddy water splashes upwards. Scattering across the bottom of Gwen’s  white dress. She watches her five year old self stand in the mud puddle laughing. While six year old Damon jumps from one puddle to the next.

His laughter mixing with Gwen’s. Water from the morning rain, still on plants and wood. The foul smell of pigs and hogs washed away. Replaced with a fresh earthy one.

This isn't a forgotten memory.

Ignoring her confusion Gwen follows her younger self and Damon. Who keep jumping in puddles until they reach the backyard  fence.

A mix of mud and brown water decorate her white dress and his shirt. A few specks on their  face and hands. They step onto the bottom fence beam. Arms across the top, elbows touching.

Eyes looking into the vast forest "You think the stories Are true?" Damon ask.

"According to mother," Gwen drops her chin onto her hands "She told me only brave adults can enter."

Damon releases a huff "I'm brave."

"But you're a child and the monsters like to eat children."

"It's all a fib, adults just want to ruin fun."

Gwen’s child voice is soft "Maybe," Damon quickly swings his legs over. Her head whips up as he stands on the other side "Damon! Get back, it's not safe."

"Stop being a baby, there is nothing around but trees," She stares at him unconvinced "We won't go far or be long," He unhooks his small hunting knife. A short but thick blade "I'll keep you safe."

"Promise?"

Damon shifts his weight "Promise, now climb over."

Gwen stares into his ice blue eyes. Finding nothing but sincerity at that moment. Her still growing  mind couldn't find a reason to doubt him. Leading Gwen to swing a leg over. Damon steps closer ready to help if needed.

Gwen gets her  other leg over when a high pitched voice freezes her  "Gwenivie May Jordan, you put your feet back inside the fence this intense."

Without a word that's what Gwen and Damon, plant their feet back on the Jordan's farm land. Innocent child eyes watching her mother's approach. This time in a floral printed dress with no collar. Hazel eyes just as stern as always and zeroed in on young Gwen.

Flickering for one second to Damon "Go home Mr Salvatore and I will keep this incident between us."

Damon eyes flicker to Gwen, a question in them. Taking his hand in hers Gwen squeezes it. Sending her  a smile Damon releases her hand and runs off. Gwen’s young head drips haze falling to the ground.

Mother slides two fingers under her chin forcing it up "Must I remind you there are monsters that eat children in those woods."

Gwen tunes  her mother’s  lecture out. Eyes falling on a tiny bronze key. Her tiny hands grab it "What is this for?"

"Not your concern," Her fingers leave  chin. Grabbing the key from Gwen. Tucking it into her corset "Tomorrow you will play with little girls not that boy," Her eyes look over Gwen's dirty dress with disapproval "Come, you need a wash."

It all dissolves away until Gwen’s eyes flutter open. She is tangled in her black sheet and comforter. Why did I just dream of a memory?

Quickly she dresses  and races downstairs. Intending to call Elijah and step up a meeting with Edith. Only to put it on hold. When her  eyes land on Damon and Trent. Both in a Hushed but civil Conversation.

"What's going on?" They spin around at Gwen’s voice.

Trent clutches a blue notebook. Black lines spreading across from bottom to top. In a organic way,a Shadow grimoire. Where Necromancers hold info on their own special curses. That take more than just a touch and thought. Most are thick but Trent's family line didn't hold a lot of Necromancers.

"Plan on sharing what you found with me?" Gwen asks, neither answer and Trent's eyes drop, his sign of guilt "Wow."

Damon speaks up first "Look nothing mind shattering just a name right now,Karayan."

"And in his little book. The symbol is in the center of a diamond," Trent adds earning a glare from Damon.

Guess he wanted to leave that part out.

"Whatever," She heads for the door.

Warm fingers wrap around her wrist. Halting her progress. Gwen turns to find Trent. Guilt all over his face "I wanted to tell you but things have been so crazy and with having to worry about attacks among other things," Elijah "We thought it would be better to spring it on you when we knew more and how to get them off you."

"That's sweet of you but I rather know even small details. Just something to remember in the future,"

Trent releases her arm and Gwen pulls him into a tight hug. His arms wrap around her. Hugging back just as tight. For a second she locks  eyes with Damon.

A spark of something Gwen can't figure out in his eyes. He drops his head and walks away. Pulling away from Trent. Gwen heads outside to her car quickly texting Elijah,

I need to speak with Edith.

In no time he responds back with a address. That turns out to be apartments. She finds number eighteen on the bottom. Unsurprised when Elijah opens the tan door. No words are exchanged as Gwen  steps inside.

Only two rockers, a TV and coffee table occupy the small living room. there's barely any space separating the plain tiny kitchen from the living room. A short hallway rest in the back. Gwen spots Edith occupying one of the rockers. Wearing a large knit sweater and jeans.

She is halted in her steps by Elijah. Vamp speeding in front of her "Shouldn't you be with Elena?"

"Look I'll start hanging around her, but in case you didn't know I still have to deal with people trying to kill me. Plus it might look suspicious if I start being around here twenty four seven."

Elijah steps closer a cold glint in his eyes, power radiating from every pour "A warning if Damon and Trent become distractions. Or another incident similar to Elena trying to hand herself over. Well then you are useless and I don't have time for useless people."

A shiver crawls through Gwen’s  body.

"Right," She says, satisfied Elijah steps aside. Gwen sits  in the free chair  twisting her body to face Edith "I dreamed of memory last night but it's one I already remembered. Is that normal?"

Edith looks Gwen me, compassion reflecting in her eyes "A tiny bit of the potion stays in your system for ten days, sometimes less. When you are sleeping your mind is free and unguarded. Allowing the magic to access the easiest memories to get to. Your happiest ones or at times your worst ones," She pats Gwen’s  hand "It's sporadic and something you have to bear through."

Mind spinning, Gwen gives her a smile and stands. Elijah holds the door open. Gwen Stops, meeting  his eyes with hers "Is there a way for all this to end without Elena's death."

He doesn't ask how she knows. Just responses with one word "Possibly."

After leaving Gwen stops at a store. Picking  up a deck of cards when she spots Bonnie. Laughing along with Jeremy who pushes a cart of food around.

Gwen speeds walk to them "Hey you two grocery shopping?"

Warmth pulses in waves off Bonnie. Both pair of eyes land on Gwen, but it's Jeremy who responds "Yeah my aunt asked me too and Bonnie."

"Wanted to help," Bonnie interrupts. Gwen raises a eyebrow "Had nothing else to do."

Both their eyes wonder. Hoping not give Gwen any reason to guess. That the two are dating without Elena's knowledge.

"Actually I'm glad we ran into each other," Their eyes stay on her face this time "I need the address for where Stefan and Elena are. I want to drop by as a surprise."

"Why?" Bonnie smacks Jeremy's arm.

"I just need some time with almost normal people. Hopefully relax."

"Jeremy can give it to you."

Jeremy's eyes flicker to Bonnie then back to Gwen  "Yeah no problem, I'll text it to you."

"Great thanks."

Gwen turns to check out when Jeremy calls out "Hey," she twirls  back around "Thank you,” He rubs his neck "For help me get out of the tomb and away from Katherine."

Gwen stands there feeling awkward and unsure what to say. Because when she thinks  back to that moment. Gwen questions  why she took the chance. So instead of saying anything.

Gwen smiles then head for the check out. By the time she  make it to her car. Jeremy has already sent her the address. Gwen forwards  it to Elijah followed by another text.

I'm heading there to check on Elena, no need for you to show up.

Really what she told Jeremy is just as true. Gwen feels the need to be around someone. Other than Damon, Trent and yes check on Elena. A good distance away from town near Dunham Lake.

Gwen pulls  in front of a long wood cabin. Poles holding up part of its green roof. Creating a covered patio. The roof sports two dormers. A wood garage sits to the left with a matching green roof and door. Birds chip away in the spaced out nearby trees.

It takes five knocks for the front door to open. Revealing Stefan in a plaid shirt and blue jeans.

Quickly he asks, "What are doing here? Is everything okay?"

"I need to get away from your brother and my friend, they are suffocating me."

"Well you were kidnapped by Jules and Brady who handed you over to someone for money. Who I think planned on killing you. Can't blame Damon and Trent for wanting to make sure it don't happen again."

"I guess, so can I come in? Just for the day."

Stefan smiles and steps to the side. It's one big open floor plan. Where the kitchen can be seen from the Living room. Minimal wood furniture compliments the place. Elena gets up from a chair. Greeting Gwen with a simple hi.

"I figured it was time to pay up on those stories I owe you," Gwen tells her.

Elena giggles taking Gwen’s hand in hers. Dragging her to a couch, sitting down Elena eagerly tells Gwen, "Now spill."

"One second," Their eyes switch to Stefan. Who sits in a chair across from them "Whose stories are you sharing?"

Gwen gives him her best innocent smile and says "Listen and you will find out."

Stefan only gets one symbol out before Elena hushes him. Her eyes looking at Gwen with encouragement.

"Okay so one day of complete boredom, Damon and I were stuck babysitting our little siblings. Decided to host a race,"

This earns a groan from Stefan.

"So we picked out some big fat pigs. Gathered a couple of Stefan's and Henry's friends. Created a finish line of sticks then tied a rope around the pig's neck but not tight. Put everyone on one and let them go at.

My brother rode the pig while Stefan pulled it along with the rope. While both were getting frustrated because it was being stubborn and slow.

My sister, who was three and we didn't let participate, decided to help by running over and giving the pigs butt two big smacks."

Elena cracks a smile.

"Squealing like crazy that pig bolted. knocking Stefan down face first it's feet running over his back. While my brother held on for dear life. Eyes as huge as saucers

But the best part was Stefan having to help chase that pig down with a dirty and dazed face."

All three  burst into unrestrained laughter. The mental image playing in their minds.

Elena eyes look to Stefan, "You let them talk you into practicality wrestling a pig."

"He almost rode it," Gwen adds, earning more laughter.

"In all fairness I was six and Henry was five. Our minds easily manipulated by older siblings," Stefan points out, a wide smile on his face.

"Got anymore to share?" Elena asks.

Stefan quickly answers for Gwen "Oh no think one was good enough."

Gwen giggles "Well in that case. Got some cards with me,” she pulls them out of her purse "Gold fish?"

They move to the ground next to the coffee table. Gwen spends the rest of her day feeling like a normal human being. They  play multiple rounds. Only stopping when Elena insist that its time to eat. Gwen’s  growling tummy quickly agreeing to the idea. Stefan decides to cook for the . While Elena drags her  to a bedroom for some girl bonding time. Elena breaks out blue nail polish.

"This will look pretty," Elena states.
Sitting on the a bed Gwen let’s Elena spread the Polish on her plain nails.
Elena immediately starts conversation "Sounds like you were really close to your siblings."

"Well mostly Henry. My sister Beth, got on my nervous at first. with her proper lady ways, but after Henry died. I don't know we just started opening up more to each other."

"Jeremy and I use to get each other, but Stefan came then Damon," Elena pauses lifting her eyes to Gwen "I didn't want him to get dragged into this. Thought I could keep him safe by lying even having Damon compel him, but it all back fired. Now we end up fighting half the time,” Elena returns to Gwen’s  nails.

"Siblings fight, in the end and when it counts they are also their for each other. Jeremy will come around."

"You are probably right. There all done," Gwen lifts  hand inspecting Elena’s  perfect job "My mom use to do it for me all the time."

Elena smiles, but it appears weighed down by memories. Something Gwen is all too familiar with. It causes an urge to wrap her arms around Elena. Before she can offer comfort Stefan calls. Done cooking the steaks and potatoes. Gwen shares Trent's discovery, worry immediately flashing in Stefan's eyes. Not just any kind of worry.

Before she can question him, Stefan speaks "A friend told me about that name. Some kind of ancient bloodline. Rumored to even be the first of your kind," Michael failed to mention anything with that name,  "Gwen they are bad news, dangerous. Please stay away from them."

Gwen doesn’t stay long  after that. She enters  the boarding house to all lights off. The quietness offering a little peace. In a relaxed mood for once Gwen starts to hum. Everything changes feet from her bedroom door. Quiet shattered by moaning and laughter.

She inches towards Damon's room. His door is cracked open. Walk away, walk away, but Gwen doesn’t. Peaking in to find topples Damon all over some girl with dirty blonde hair. Wearing only a black bra and panties.

Gwen’s mouth falls open, heart tightening and eyes glued. It shouldn't hurt. She shouldn’t care who Damon chooses to be with. He's just someone to leave behind.

Gwen listens to her inner voice. Walking away and entering her room. Putting on headphones hoping the music will drown Damon and the chick out.

Wanting more distraction Gwen grabs her family's journal. Staring at the fading symbol. Pressing down hard. Tracing it with her thumb. That's when she notices a bump in the center. It's almost flat making it easy to miss. Gwen digs through her purse pulling out her red pocket knife.

Carefully cutting a large slit then reaching her finger in. Hitting something smooth and hard. Pulling it out. Surprises slams into Gwen as she holds her mother’s bronze key.