You had always been Elena’s protector, long before Mystic Falls became a battleground for the supernatural. Before the bloodshed, the betrayals, and the monsters lurking behind familiar faces, it had just been the two of you—siblings, bound by something stronger than blood.

Growing up, you were the one who ran to her when she scraped her knees, the one who held her hand during thunderstorms, whispering stories to keep the fear away. You fought off playground bullies and talked her through late-night worries, always putting her first. Even when your parents were still alive, even when the world was whole, you had taken it upon yourself to be her shield.

Then the accident happened.

The bridge. The icy water. The night everything shattered.

You lost them that night—your parents, your sense of normalcy. But you didn’t lose her.

From that moment on, your role in her life became even clearer. It wasn’t just about looking out for her at school or chasing away childhood fears. It was about survival.

And now, standing in the woods with danger circling like a predator in the dark, you knew nothing had changed.

The air was thick with the scent of damp earth, the trees casting long shadows in the moonlight. Elena stood behind you, breath shallow, fingers trembling at her sides. There was something out there, lurking just beyond the treeline, something watching.

“Get behind me,” you said, your voice calm but firm.

Elena hesitated. “I can handle myself.”