Chapter 1

"I don't want to die".

That was the only thought in my mind before i started to feel myself drowning, quite literally, into oblivion.

I have always seen in movies and read in books that when someone dies they see a flash forward play of past, present and sometimes the possible future one could have had. In my case the only thing I saw was my past, the past which I always wished to remember but also dreaded it, the day when I lost my parents and almost lost my life too. I don't remember my parents. I lost them when I was only 2 years old. I don't even remember their faces. I always wished to remember them but not like this, never like this.

I can't believe the irony though the lake which failed to take my life last time, is going to finally claim my death after 21 years. Atleast I will finally meet my parents.

A deep pain in my chest brought me back from my thoughts. I was coughing and each cough felt like a stab from a very hot knife. The pain was too much. There were hands holding me down, I heard voices but couldn't understand what they were saying. Someone moved me and I felt a new pain altogether, this time from the back of my head, I heard more urgent shouts. I wanted to scream and tell them to shut up because they only made my head hurt more. Fortunately I lost my consciousness after that.

I was standing on a road with thick woods covering both sides of the road.

I turned around and saw the other end of the road going making a way to an open field. I started to walk aiming the field. As I started to get closer I saw a name board on the roadside, the ones which welcome the travellers to their town. I tried to read where I was but for some reason the words were blurry.

"You are finally here"

I turned my head towards the voice and saw a woman in a beautiful white dress, few feets away from the board, walking towards me. As she got closer I felt my breath hitch. My memory of her never did any justice.

She looked beautiful with her high cheek bones, blue-gray eyes, long black hair in a small heart-shaped face. As she stood in front of me, I wanted to say so many things but all I could manage to say was,

"Mom"

I felt my eyes moisten and my hands start to tremble.

"My baby girl is all grown up", she said in a shaky voice, as she gently touched my left cheek. I savoured her touch as I leaned into her cupped hands. I saw her eyes start to water and a single tear roll down from her right eye.

"I have been waiting for this day for so long", she said to herself.

For a second she seemed to be lost in her thoughts and I saw different emotions play on her face from happiness, sadness, relief, worry, fear, determination, and then sadness mixed with resignation.

"There is so much I want to tell you, but not enough time".

"Just know this sweetie that I did what I did to protect you and give you a chance in life" "But now everything is unfolding itself ", she said the last part to herself.

"You have to stay strong baby girl" "This world is a very dangerous place"

I couldn't understand what she was trying to say; what had she done?.

As I was about to open my mouth and ask what she meant, I felt a shift in the air and felt mom's presence start to fade. I desperately took both her but could still feel her fading.

"No" " Mom, don't go"

"Be strong,baby girl" "I love you and I'm so proud o.."

"Mom"

I shouted as I saw her vanish into thin air.

I turned hearing a creaking noise from the board. It had turned slightly towards the direction in which where I was standing. The board still looked the same but this time there was a slight difference, now I can clearly see what was written on the board. And as I read it, I felt icy feeling of dread run down the length of my spine and a pit formed within my stomach.

The board read:

Welcome To

Mystic Falls

Virginia