Disclaimer: I do not own The Vampire Diaries nor its characters. They belong to L.J. Smith, Kevin Williamson, Julie Plec, The CW Network, and whoever else.

Summary: A collection of drabbles and short ficlets pertaining to various characters' deaths. First up - Zach Salvatore.

Warning: Character death, violence.


Kill Me Now, Before I Exhale

Deep down, Zach had always known it would be like this. How he would die; a sharp intake of oxygen and then a violent twist.

The little Caroline Forbes is running, running, running fast, and Zach thinks she has a good chance of getting away.

Zach had always known that, too. Just like so many of his relatives and ancestors before him, he went down in a weak and feeble attempt to protect. He hoped he was successful. He hoped Liz's baby girl got away.

Damon's twisting, snarling in his ear as fear and panic and pain and years of bracing for impact come crashing down.

Zach had wondered if it would be bloody, or clean. He knows it will be clean. It will be ugly, but it will be clean. He doesn't know if anyone will ever find out; he thinks of the council and Liz and how vulnerable they'll all be. He thinks of Jenna Sommers, and wishes one last time for a normal life.

And then it's over. Seconds pass, and he's terrified, but behind the fear is the resignation thinking about it all as if it's normal. As if it's final instead of fatal; Salvatores are just so accostumed to death.

A sharp intake of oxygen and then a violent twist. Zach is crumpled on the ground when Stefan finds him.

But he'd always known it would come to this.