Elizabeth's POV

It felt wrong being back in Mystic Falls.

I was born here. Raised here. But nothing about this place felt like home. Just pain. Ghosts. Our mother is walking out. My brothers and I are being turned. Everything I left behind had teeth.

The whole drive, Highway to Hell played on repeat. Fitting.

The Salvatore Boarding House loomed ahead, still the same. Big. Boring. Pretentious. It never felt like ours, no matter how many times we came back. I'd seen better homes—homes with soul.

I parked, grabbed my bag, and stepped inside. No need to be invited. I'd been here before. This house reminded me.

What I didn't expect was to be slammed into the wall with inhuman speed.

"Who the hell are you and why are you in my house?" a familiar voice growled in my ear.

I didn't flinch.

"Damon? You're still pulling the dramatics?" I smirked. "Is that any way to greet your twin? I thought you liked me more than Stefan."

His grip loosened instantly, and his expression shifted from deadly to stunned.

"Elizabeth?" His eyes widened. "Well, damn. You're supposed to be dead or in Europe. Or, you know, not slamming open doors like you own the place."

I grinned. "I did own it once. You boys were just borrowing."

Without another word, he pulled me into a hug. Damon Salvatore—hugging. Never for anyone but me.

"You're lucky I like you," he muttered. "Otherwise, I'd have broken your neck out of habit."

"Charming, as always."

We walked into the living room like no time had passed. He poured himself a drink, then handed one to me like he never stopped being my overprotective twin.

"Where's Stefan?" I asked, sipping.

Damon scoffed. "Out playing house with his little human girlfriend. Elena."

I raised an eyebrow. "Elena?"

He gave me a look. "You know—the girl with the face that ruins lives. Big brown eyes. Good grades. Whole lot of drama. Lives with her aunt. Baby brother. Whole tragic package."

"Sounds like Mystic Falls hasn't changed."

"Oh, it hasn't. Still full of teenagers with hero complexes and supernatural death wishes." He drained his glass. "But Elena? She's something else."

There was something bitter in his tone, but something... softer, too. I didn't like it.

He eyed me. "So. Spill it. Why are you here?"

"Do I need a reason to visit my brothers?"

Damon leaned back on the couch, still watching me like I was a puzzle. "You usually send cryptic postcards or disappear for decades. Showing up unannounced? That's new."

"Maybe I missed your warm personality."

"Sure. And maybe Stefan's dating Katherine again."

I didn't answer.

He narrowed his eyes. "You're hiding something."

I gave him a smile that wasn't a smile. "A girl's allowed her secrets."

"Not when the girl's my twin and last time she kept secrets, we ended up turned into vampires."

I raised my glass. "Cheers to that."

He studied me for another second, then sighed. "Whatever it is... I'll find out."

"You always try."

Damon stood up. "Okay, enough with the haunted-house vibe. Come on. Let's get you set up."

He grabbed my bag and headed upstairs before I could argue.

I followed, slower. The house felt cold. Heavy. Not mine.

My room wasn't here anymore. My room was somewhere else... with someone else. Someone who made me forget that I'd once lived in darkness.

Damon dropped the bag on the bed and turned. "Welcome back, Liz. Try not to get killed while I'm gone. You know how Mystic Falls gets."

I smirked. "Have fun, brother."

He vamped off with a flash of teeth and sarcasm.

Once alone, I unpacked slowly. Sent a quick text:

"I've arrived. Nothing new yet."

No names. Not even a hint. Damon might be watching.

I headed downstairs, grabbed a blood bag, added some sugar, and just a drop of vervain. I could handle it now. Built up resistance. Pain wasn't the enemy—it was the reminder.

Then I heard it.

The front door creaked open.

Someone entered. Calm. Too calm.

Not a vampire.
Not Stefan.
Not Damon.

Human.

I bolted to the hallway in a breath and slammed the intruder against the wall, hand around their throat.

My voice came out cold. Deadly. "You've got five seconds to explain who you are before I hand you over to the Brotherhood of the Five."

"LIZ, don't hurt her!"

Damon's voice—behind me. Rushed. Sharp.

"Why shouldn't I?" I hissed, turning my full gaze on the girl in front of me. I flashed my fangs and eyes, just enough to make her heart stutter in terror.

I smiled.

Let her feel it.

Let her remember it.

Author's Note

Hey readers—

Yeah, I know. It's been a while. Life hit hard, but I haven't forgotten about this story or The Vampire Diaries/The Originals universe—and dot Fast & Furious either (those are in the works too).

Quick heads-up:
If you're an Elena Gilbert fan... You might want to skip this one. Elizabeth doesn't play nice with people who manipulate or hurt others. She sees straight through Elena's mess—and she doesn't let it slide.

This version of Elizabeth is unapologetically blunt, fiercely protective, and done letting the past repeat itself.

If that's your vibe? You're in the right place.

💬 Comment. 🖤 Vote. I love hearing your thoughts and ideas—don't be shy!