If only | Damon Salvatore

010. WITCHY WOMAN

Chapter ten

"Witchy woman."

The sun rose as they continued down the highway, casting a bright morning light over the passing trees. Damon reached over and switched on the radio to a low hum. They hadn't made a single pit stop since leaving Virginia.

In the back, Elena groaned, shifting awake and sitting up straight.

"Morning," Damon greeted her casually, glancing at the rearview mirror.

Elena blinked against the sunlight, looking from him to Beatrix, and then out the window. "Where are we?"

"Georgia," Damon told her flatly.

Elena shook her head, a nervous laugh escaping her lips. "Georgia? No, no, no, we're not. Seriously, Damon. Where are we?"

"He's not joking, Elena," Beatrix shared, turning around in her seat. "We really are in Georgia. We left Mystic Falls hours ago."

Elena let out a heavy sigh, processing the reality.

"How are you feeling?" Damon asked.

"I... I don't know," Elena stammered, rubbing her head.

"There are no broken bones. I checked," Damon assured her.

"My car... there was a man," Elena frantically recalled, leaning forward. "I hit a man. But then he just got up. Who was that?"

"That's exactly what I'd like to know," Damon shared.

"Where's my phone?" Elena asked, frantically searching the floorboards of the backseat. When she couldn't find it, panic took over. "Okay, we really need to go back. Nobody knows where I am. Pull over. I mean it, Damon. Pull over! Stop the car right now!"

Damon groaned, shaking his head. "Ugh. You were much more fun when you were asleep."

Beatrix let out a quiet chuckle as Damon finally sighed and pulled the car onto the gravel shoulder.

Beatrix opened her door and stepped out into the crisp morning air. Elena scrambled out of the back right behind her, but the moment her feet hit the ground, she stumbled, her balance failing her. Beatrix instinctively caught her, placing her hands firmly on Elena's shoulders.

"Whoa, easy there," Beatrix told her gently.

Damon blurred out of the driver's seat, appearing right beside them in an instant.

"I'm fine," Elena insisted, pulling away.

Beatrix dropped her hands and took a step back, giving her space. Elena marched a few paces forward, turning around to face them both. "We have to go back. Now."

"Oh, come on. Look, we've already come this far," Damon reasoned, leaning against the hood of the car."

"Why are you doing this?!" Elena demanded, her voice cracking as she looked between Damon and her former best friend. "I can't be in Georgia. I wrecked my car, and I have to go home. This is kidnapping, Damon!"

"That's a little melodramatic, don't you think?" Damon asked, rolling his eyes.

Beatrix sharply elbowed him in the ribs. "Stop it," she ordered under her breath.

Damon furrowed his brows, playfully nudging her back. "You stop it."

Elena looked between the two of them, her frustration boiling over as she turned to her former best friend. "Beatrix, why aren't you freaking out about this? We physically cannot go to Georgia right now!"