━━━━
𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕
━━━━

Arabella had made it home just before the clock struck twelve. Throwing on her nightgown, she prepared Cora's tea. The girl grabbed the cup of tea in her hands and made way to the foyer, awaiting their return. The sound of a carriage approaching the home caused her to straighten her back and rid her face of any facial expression.

Cora came walking into the home first, "I am pleased to see you did what I asked of you." The woman strolled over to Arabella, taking the teacup from her hands. She raised one hand, patting Arabella on the cheek, "I am off to sleep. I expect my breakfast in the morning as usual."

Arabella made no attempt to speak, instead just nodding. Fannie and Lottie came into the home at the same time, arguing amongst themselves. Fannie groaned, stomping away and heading upstairs. Lottie rolled her eyes and came walking over to Arabella, "Why was I given such a wretched sister?"

"Lottie, you mustn't speak such a way of your own sister."

Lottie narrowed her eyes at Arabella. "Why must you always be so kind? My sister torments you and her you still refuse to let me speak of her in a negative way."

Arabella shrugged, "Something I got from my parents I presume."

Lottie's eyes scanned over Arabella, a curious look bestowed in them as she gazed at Arabella's neck, "Ella, where is your necklace?"

Arabella's brows furrowed as her hand trailed up to her neck. She pressed the palm of her hand flat against the skin. Chills ran through her body as she realized something, her mother's necklace was no longer clasped on her neck.

━━━━

Stefan sat in his father's study, holding Arabella's necklace between his hands. His fingers moved gently as they toyed with the chain. He could so vividly remember the girl who wore the necklace, her grace, and beauty embedded deep within his mind. He recalled how lively she was, how bright and enchanting her presence was. He had never met a girl so willing to let loose and enjoy life. It was something so new yet addictive.

Giuseppe Salvatore came striding into his study, surprised to find his youngest son already occupying the room. "Son, may I help you with something?"

Stefan stood up from the chair he was seated in, clasping his hands behind his back. "I wanted to ask you if there was a guest list from our celebration last night?"

Giuseppe pursed his lips as he took a seat at his desk, "Unfortunately not, I sent out invitations to the whole town and some families of neighboring towns."

Stefan sighed, disappointment evident on his face. "It's alright. Makes my task a bit more adventurous I suppose."

Stefan exited the study, placing the necklace in his coat pocket for safekeeping. Damon came walking out his bedroom, greeting Stefan. "Good afternoon brother, where are you off too?"

Stefan clasped his hand on Damon's shoulder, "I need to find the girl from father's ball last night."

"What was her name?"

"Ella,"

"Ella?"

Stefan glared down again the ground, realizing he had very little information on the girl he was infatuated with. "I didn't ask her of her last name."

Damon sighed, rubbing his forehead with his fingers, "Come on,"

"Where are we going?"

"To find your girl."

━━━━

Arabella strolled into the stables. Her eyes darted about in search of Gus. She spotted the man grooming one of his favorite horses, equipping the horse for a ride.

"Gus!"

Gus looked around the stables before his eyes laid on Arabella. A smile broke out on his face. "Ella! Good afternoon."

"Good afternoon to you too,"

When Arabella got close enough, Gus was able to make out markings on her face and arms. His hand grasped her wrist, pulling her closer for further inspection. "Ella, what are these marks on your skin?"

Arabella quickly removed her arm from Gus' hold. "They are merely nothing, do not fret Gus."

The corners of his lips turned down as he realized a bruise was forming around her eye, matching the ones that adorned her arms, "That woman is an evil witch, I swear of it."

Arabella looked around frantically, slapping her hand over Gus' mouth, "She will have you punished if she hears you speaking such words."

"You do not deserve what you have been given,"

"I have it better than some."

Gus sighed. "You never fail to do that,"

"Do what?"

"Find something positive in such a terrible situation,"

Arabella shrugged, turning around as she heard someone approaching the stables. Clara Gilbert was quick on her feet as she moved towards the building. One hand held up her skirt while the other fanned her in an attempt to keep cool in the southern heat. "Arabella Smith!"

"Clara, what're you doing here?"

Once Clara was in front of Arabella she scowled, taking notice of the bruises on her skin. "That wretched woman is just asking for it now,"

"Clara,"

"Do not try to justify or make her actions out to be okay. It is not."

"I know that. But to yell at her will not ease the suffering, it'll only intensify her actions."

Clara groaned. "You're lucky that I care for you. Otherwise, I would stomp into your home and pull her out here by her ringlets."

Arabella giggled to herself. "That would indeed be a sight."

Clara too chuckled, "It would be the highlight of my life."

━━━━

Stefan climbed out of the carriage, leaving Damon behind. His optimistic demeanor was beginning to chip away. He had gone to all homes leading up to the shops within the town. He had no new leads and very little to go off of. He glanced up at the fabric store that he was entering, secretly crossing his fingers.

He entered the shop, his eyes searching for someone whom he could speak to, "Hello?"

An older man came walking out of the back, "Good evening, may I help you?"

"I am actually in search of a girl. Her name is Ella."

The man placed his hand on his face, trying to recall if he knew anyone by the name. "My apologies but I don't believe I know anyone of that name."

Stefan fumbled with Arabella's necklace in his hands, "Thank you for your help, I must be going."

The man walked over and stopped Stefan in his tracks, glancing down at the necklace in Stefan's hands. He had seen that necklace before, but not in the hands of a man but instead clasped tightly around the neck of a woman he knew very well.

━━━━

Stefan approached the estate timidly, wiping his hands on his coat. He drew in a deep breath, his heart beating rapidly in his chest. He was so close to giving up before receiving information about this home. As he made way to knock on the front door, he heard rustling on the side of the house.

He pursed his lips, trying to decide which path he should take. He decided on walking around the home. As he turned the corner, he noticed the girl who had become someone who so constantly thought of in the distance. She was wearing a blue work dress, coated in a layer of dirt. Her hair was pulled out of her face, exposing a dark secret to him. "Ella?"

Arabella looked up from her garden. Her eyes widening as she realized who stood before her, "Stefan?"

Stefan stepped forward, his hands reaching out to touch Arabella's face, "Who did this to you?"

━━━━

Word count: 1295

The next chapter will be the last!

I do not own The Vampire Diaries.
All rights go to Julie Plec and Warner
Bro's. I only own any original
plot and characters.