The Chosen One

Sixteen: The Cave

Jessica

             From my place in the middle of the backseat, I happily watched the estate with its mansion and iron gates vanish from view. Already I could feel whatever effect Klaus had been having on me diminish and quickly fade letting me feel more like my usual self. My resolve against him was strongly renewed, shoving that alarming, slight weakness for Klaus far back into the corners of my heart. When I turned back around to face forward, I sighed and leaned back in the seat. "Damn it feels good to be out of there."

             "Yeah I bet it does. If you think that was something try being around him for several years." Stefan remarked as he broodingly watched the scenery flash by his window. He turned his head to look over at his brother. "Which she might be if that coffin isn't unlocked. I thought you said that all we had to do was buy some time. Has Bonnie got it open yet?"

              "Earlier she sent me a text saying that they were close but needed more time. That was about ten minutes ago. She hasn't replied since." Speeding down the highway, Damon darted a glance over at his brother. "So we are going to see for ourselves."

               "And," Damon returned his attention back to the road after catching my gaze for a moment in the rear view mirror. "Klaus is not getting Jessica."

                "Well I don't know Damon he might. After all you are trusting in Elijah and now instead of two Originals to take out, thanks to you and him we now have five. Some plan brother." Stefan mocked.

                  I shook my head. "There at first I thought Elijah had betrayed us but he didn't. I trust him. He has more honor than the others seem to. If I want any of the Originals on our side I want it to be him. I know nothing about the others."

                   "That is not entirely a bad thing. Rebecca, for example, is a petty thing with attention issues." Damon grinned wryly.

                  "So you two are trusting that Elijah will reign in his family and help us destroy Klaus?" Stefan slightly scoffed.

                 "I'd like to believe he will. Yes." I nodded. "Besides once we have whatever weapon is in that coffin, it won't really matter so much now will it?"

                   Damon had turned off the highway and drove down an overgrown gravel road that wound through the trees of the woods. Coming upon a small clearing only a couple yards wide, Damon stopped the car. Getting out, he let me out of the backseat. Standing there I scanned the woods, listening to the hushed noises and quiet sounds of the woods as evening began to slightly give way to the night. Looking up through the tree boughs above, I could see that the sky here looked more like a deep dark blue that was turning black as night crept in. Here and there I could see the faint twinkling of a few scattered stars above. I noticed, with a sense of dread and apprehension that the moon was closer to being full. It was a waxing first quarter moon that in two more days would become a full moon.

                   "Jess." Damon said to get my attention. He indicated his head in the direction that Stefan was going, implying that was where we should go.

                    As I walked alongside Damon, I drew comfort in his presence and Stefan's presence too. These woods were growing darker by the minute and giving me an eerie sort of feeling. It didn't get much better when we went through the entrance to get down into the tunnels and caves. Since Stefan and Damon apparently had no problem seeing where they were going, Damon motioned for me to go before him. It was incredibly dark and thankfully Damon pulled out his cell phone so I could use the light it gave off to help illuminate my way. This effectively reduced my chance of getting lost or running into something or a tunnel wall with Stefan leading the way and Damon closely following me.