The Struggle Read Free Page B

It’s
dangerous.”
    Elena got up and walked to the cherry wood dresser, looking down at it without seeing it. At last she turned.
    “You’re right; it’s not a game. And I believe you about how dangerous it can be. But it’s not a game for Stefan, either. Bonnie, I think he’s out there, somewhere, terribly hurt. And there’s nobody to help him; nobody’s even looking for him, except his enemies. He may be dying rightnow. He—he may even be …” Her throat closed. She bowed her head over the dresser and made herself take a deep breath, trying to steady herself. When she looked up, she saw Meredith was looking at Bonnie.
    Bonnie straightened her shoulders, sitting up as tall as she could. Her chin lifted and her mouth set. And in her normally soft brown eyes, a grim light shone as they met Elena’s.
    “We need a candle,” was all she said.
    The match rasped and threw sparks in the darkness, and then the candle flame burned strong and bright. It lent a golden glow to Bonnie’s pale face as she bent over it.
    “I’m going to need both of you to help me focus,” she said. “Look into the flame, and think about Stefan. Picture him in your mind. No matter what happens, keep on looking at the flame. And whatever you do, don’t say anything.”
    Elena nodded, and then the only sound in the room was soft breathing. The flame flickered and danced, throwing patterns of light over the three girls sitting cross-legged around it. Bonnie, eyes closed, was breathing deeply andslowly, like someone drifting into sleep.
    Stefan, thought Elena, gazing into the flame, trying to pour all her will into the thought. She created him in her mind, using all her senses, conjuring him to her. The roughness of his woolen sweater under her cheek, the smell of his leather jacket, the strength of his arms around her. Oh, Stefan …
    Bonnie’s lashes fluttered and her breathing quickened, like a sleeper having a bad dream. Elena resolutely kept her eyes on the flame, but when Bonnie broke the silence a chill went up her spine.
    At first it was just a moan, the sound of someone in pain. Then, as Bonnie tossed her head, breath coming in short bursts, it became words.
    “Alone …” she said, and stopped. Elena’s nails bit into her hand. “Alone … in the dark,” said Bonnie. Her voice was distant and tortured.
    There was another silence, and then Bonnie began to speak quickly.
    “It’s dark and cold. And I’m alone. There’s something behind me … jagged and hard. Rocks. They used to hurt—but not now. I’m numb now, from the cold. So cold …” Bonnie twisted, asif trying to get away from something, and then she laughed, a dreadful laugh almost like a sob. “That’s … funny. I never thought I’d want to see the sun so much. But it’s always dark here. And cold. Water up to my neck, like ice. That’s funny, too. Water everywhere—and me dying of thirst. So thirsty … hurts …”
    Elena felt something tighten around her heart. Bonnie was inside Stefan’s thoughts, and who knew what she might discover there? Stefan, tell us where you are, she thought desperately. Look around; tell me what you see.
    “Thirsty. I need … life?” Bonnie’s voice was doubtful, as if not sure how to translate some concept. “I’m weak. He said I’ll always be the weak one. He’s strong … a killer. But that’s what I am, too. I killed Katherine; maybe I deserve to die. Why not just let go? …”
    “No!” said Elena before she could stop herself. In that instant, she forgot everything but Stefan’s pain. “Stefan—”
    “Elena!” Meredith cried sharply at the same time. But Bonnie’s head fell forward, the flow of words cut off. Horrified, Elena realized what she had done.
    “Bonnie, are you all right? Can you find him again? I didn’t mean to …”
    Bonnie’s head lifted. Her eyes were open now, but they looked at neither the candle nor Elena. They stared straight ahead, expressionless. When she spoke, her voice was