Night had once again settled over Mystic Falls.
The quiet streets were empty, illuminated only by the soft glow of street lamps and the pale moon above.
Inside her bedroom, Elena Gilbert lay awake on her bed.
She stared at the ceiling.
Her mind was restless.
Normally, Elena slept easily.
But tonight…
Her thoughts refused to settle.
She kept remembering the scene from earlier at Mystic Falls High School.
Katherine standing close to Alexander.
Holding his arm.
Smiling at him.
Elena turned onto her side and buried her face into the pillow.
"'Why do I even care?'" she whispered to herself.
She barely knew Alexander.
And yet…
Seeing another woman so close to him had bothered her more than she expected.
Especially that woman.
Katherine Pierce.
Elena still didn't understand why Katherine looked exactly like her.
Everything about the situation felt strange.
Confusing.
And frustrating.
After several minutes of thinking…
Elena suddenly sat up.
"I'm being ridiculous," she said softly.
She grabbed her jacket.
If she wanted answers…
There was only one person who might give them.
Meanwhile, across town…
Inside his quiet house, Alexander Nightshade stood near the window once again.
The night air flowed gently through the open glass.
His golden eyes calmly observed the sleeping town.
Mystic Falls was peaceful.
But beneath that peace…
So many supernatural forces were already moving.
Vampires.
Witches.
Werewolves.
And curious humans.
Alexander could sense them all.
Then suddenly…
He sensed something else.
Footsteps approaching his house.
Human.
Familiar.
Alexander smiled faintly.
'Elena.'
A moment later…
A soft knock echoed at his door.
He walked over and opened it.
Standing outside was Elena Gilbert.
She looked slightly nervous.
But determined.
Alexander tilted his head slightly.
"Good evening, Elena."
Elena hesitated.
"I hope I'm not disturbing you."
Alexander stepped aside.
"Not at all."
She entered slowly.
Her eyes quickly scanned the room.
It was simple.
Quiet.
Almost empty.
"You live alone?" she asked.
"Yes."
Elena turned toward him again.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Finally Elena asked the question that had been bothering her all evening.
"That woman today…"
Alexander raised an eyebrow.
"Katherine?"
Elena nodded.
"She looks exactly like me."
Alexander studied her expression carefully.
"You noticed."
Elena crossed her arms.
"Of course I noticed."
She hesitated.
"Who is she?"
Alexander remained silent for a moment.
Then he answered calmly.
"She's complicated."
Elena sighed.
"That's not very helpful."
Alexander smiled slightly.
"She's someone who enjoys causing problems."
Elena thought about the way Katherine behaved earlier.
"That sounds accurate."
Alexander walked toward the window again.
Elena followed his movement with her eyes.
"You didn't seem surprised when she showed up," she said.
"I wasn't."
Elena frowned slightly.
"So you already knew her?"
Alexander nodded.
"Yes."
Elena looked away for a moment.
Then she asked quietly:
"Do you… like her?"
Alexander noticed the hesitation in her voice.
'Interesting.'
He replied calmly.
"You're asking a lot of personal questions tonight."
Elena looked slightly embarrassed.
"I'm just curious."
Alexander considered her words.
Then he answered honestly.
"Katherine is interesting."
Elena felt something strange twist inside her chest.
"Interesting?"
Alexander nodded.
"She's intelligent."
Elena crossed her arms again.
"So that means yes."
Alexander chuckled softly.
"That's not what I said."
Elena looked away toward the window.
The moonlight illuminated her face.
"You know… she was flirting with you."
Alexander didn't deny it.
"Yes."
Elena glanced at him again.
"And you didn't seem bothered."
Alexander tilted his head.
"Should I have been?"
Elena opened her mouth to respond…
But stopped.
'Why do I sound jealous?'
Alexander noticed her expression.
"You're thinking too much."
Elena sighed.
"That seems to be happening a lot lately."
Alexander smiled faintly.
"Maybe Mystic Falls is influencing you."
Elena laughed quietly.
"Maybe."
For a moment the two simply stood near the window.
Looking out at the peaceful town.
Finally Elena spoke again.
"There's something strange about you."
Alexander raised an eyebrow.
"That sounds ominous."
Elena smiled slightly.
"You always seem calm."
Alexander shrugged.
"I've had a lot of practice."
Elena studied his face carefully.
"And I feel like you're hiding something."
Alexander didn't deny it.
"Everyone hides something."
Elena nodded slowly.
"That's true."
But somehow…
She felt that Alexander's secrets were much bigger than most.
After a few seconds, Elena stepped toward the door.
"I should go."
Alexander walked with her.
When she reached the doorway, she turned back.
"Thanks for answering my questions."
Alexander smiled.
"You're welcome."
Elena hesitated briefly.
Then she said softly.
"Goodnight, Alexander."
"Goodnight, Elena."
She walked away down the quiet street.
Alexander watched her until she disappeared into the darkness.
Then he closed the door.
'Elena Gilbert…'
'You are far more important than you realize.'
Meanwhile, several streets away…
Standing on a rooftop once again…
Katherine Pierce watched Elena walking home.
A playful smile appeared on her lips.
"'Well…'"
she whispered to herself.
"'This is getting interesting.'"
Because now…
It seemed like Elena Gilbert might be developing feelings for Alexander Nightshade.
And Katherine Pierce had no intention of letting that situation stay simple.