'Vampire Diaries' Season 4 premiere image: Vamp Elena is not having a good day

"Vampire Diaries" fans were shocked that Elena turned into a vampire in the Season 3 finale... but not as shocked as Elena's going to be when she wakes up feeling very thirsty when Season 4's premiere, "Growing Pains," debuts on Oct. 11.

This new image reveals a not-so-pleased-looking Nina Dobrev as she peers out of what appears to be a jail cell of some kind. Who could have locked Elena up? Is it the newly enlightened Founder's Council? Is it the intimidating new hunter in Mystic Falls? Or is it her own friends, who are desperately trying to find a cure for her condition before she's forced to feed?

In the recent promo, which we only watched about a zillion times, we see her and Stefan confronted by vampire hunters and/or the Founder's Council (who fancy themselves to be vampire hunters, in a way!). We have to admit, we weren't too worried about the nameless, faceless Council when Evil Alaric first let them in on the vampires' secret last season. After all, the vamps have been living under their noses for years.

Plus, how threatening could the council be? These people have their top-secret meetings during garden parties at mansions.

Turns out, they are pretty threatening, and our favorites should definitely be worried.

Don't forget to tune in on Thursday, Oct. 11 at 8 p.m. EST!