Elizabeth's POV

Running.
Screaming.
Blood everywhere.

A gunshot—then silence.

I died trying to save my brothers' girlfriend.
And when I woke up... I was soaked in blood that wasn't mine.

My chest tightened, panic strangling me as shadows from the past dragged their claws through my mind. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't think—until I heard him.

"Elizabeth, wake up. You're safe."

My eyes snapped open. Elijah was there, his hand wrapped around mine, grounding me like he always did. His face was drawn tight with worry.

"Just a memory," I murmured, forcing the words out even as the echoes still screamed in my head.

Elijah didn't flinch. He pulled me into his arms, his breath warm against my ear. "You ready for tonight?"

I looked at him—this man I trusted with every shattered part of myself—and nodded. "If we're doing this, then I have to be there."

He gave me a small, thoughtful smile. "Think your brothers will welcome you back with open arms?"

I let out a dry laugh. "There's only one way to find out. Let's go to Mystic Falls." My voice hardened. "I need to see what this new doppelgänger's dragged them into."

I paused, eyes narrowing as a chill crept down my spine. "Something tells me she's just as dangerous as the last one... if not worse."

Elijah caught the shift in my tone, the way the air turned colder. He moved closer, his voice a low promise. "My darling, whatever darkness comes, we face it together. I won't let it break you again."

I nodded, but there was still weight in my chest that no words could shake.

He kissed my forehead gently. "Don't forget your daylight ring."

I slid it onto my finger, slipping my wedding band onto the chain around my neck. It rested just above my heart—a reminder that even in the darkest hours, Elijah was mine.

I glanced back at him one last time. "See you soon, my love. Always and forever."

He smiled, but even that felt laced with the storm brewing ahead. "Always and forever. Come back to me."

I threw my bag into the car and climbed in, my fingers tightening around the steering wheel.

God, I hoped this doppelgänger wasn't another Katherine Pierce.
But deep down, I already knew...

She wasn't.
She was worse.