On My Own (TVD Series)

Brotherly Sire-Bond

Taking in the smell of bacon grease and fresh-brewed coffee, the sizzling sound from the hot grill in the back of the diner continued to fill the building with a hickory scent. Scanning the sections on the menu, I ran my finger on the edge of my coffee cup as one of the waitresses passed our table with an extra menu for Enzo.

We had been silent the entire drive back to Atlanta, casually sleeping in the ride to ignore any more of his questions. But with his constant brooding and wandering around the city, we had sat near the back of the diner where he could see everything from the inside. From the busy traffic to the unbothered townies as they walked their way to their work or into a store.

The silence between us was much needed after the little stunt that Sloan pulled last night, I was still a little lightheaded from the effect of the link between me and Stefan's doppelganger. Flashing through my head like a movie reel, I could make out small bits and pieces of who the doppelganger was. His desperate need to save a single life and the desire to be able to help her began to run through my veins like anxiety. But with my thoughts being the only thing keeping me from speaking to Enzo, his phone suddenly vibrates on the table, quickly answering.

"Atlanta Assassination Squad." He chuckled, as I gazed up at him worried about other people listening in.

"How may we be of service?"

'I take it you haven't located the Doppelganger yet?'

"You told us to find a nameless paramedic at the scene of a car accident in a city full of freeways, fried green tomatoes, and terrible drivers. It's not exactly as easy as it sounds."

'Which is why I'm calling...Lauren still has a link on the doppelganger, recite the incantation and she'll figure out the rest.' Sloan said through the phone.

"She says it like it's easy." I hissed, taking a sip of my coffee.

'Odka Na Vonas Czech Nat Misteni.'

"Ugh!"

Slamming my cup on the table, I curled over to the side as the pain immediately shot up my spine.

"Lauren?"

"Ahh...I..."

Staring down at the table, I glanced everywhere but could only make out white figures in the doppelgangers' vision. Voices echoed in my head as the same scenes rolled through my mind, focusing on the small parts that I hadn't noticed before. Signs and random words plastered on a whiteboard, bright lights shining down on me and before I knew it I was staring at Stefan's own reflection. His hair brushed to the side, skin still pale as ice and his voice still warm to the ear, all except his name.

"Thomas..." I blurted out, bringing myself back from the vision and staring back at Enzo.

"Tom Avery..he just delivered a patient at...um...Atlanta Metro?"

'There...now was that so hard.' Sloan hissed.

Holding the side of my head, I let out long deep breaths as Enzo slid my coffee over, still talking to Sloan. With the throbbing pain fading away, I could barely overhear their conversation until her screams suddenly fill the air.

"Sloan? Sloan, what's happening?"

'AAHHH!!!!'

"Sloan!" Enzo blurted out.

Taking a sip of my coffee, I leaned back on the chair as the phone suddenly become static.

"Are you doing something?"

"Payback..." I sighed.

'Make it stop!' Sloan screeched on the phone

Slowly setting my cup on the table, Sloan's scream begins to silence just before she gasps out a breath of air.