It came like it always did, jarring her awake in the middle of night. The sudden shock of pain surged through her body, her back arched, fists tightly clutching her sheets. Her throat felt constricted. Choking out small breaths, the overwhelming pain escalated, undulating in her veins. Fighting wasn't going to work this time. Struggling to breathe, she used her entire will to calm herself down, attempting to reduce her panicked heartbeats. Slow deep breaths. The pain briefly subsided but was not sated. She crawled down from her bed and slowly stood. Losing her balance she slammed against her dresser, gripping it for support. Almost, Bonnie. She clasped a green pea coat, hanging on the back of her door. Managing, somehow, to get down the stairs, she stumbled into the foyer. For a moment, she rested against the front door, almost lost in a sea of throbbing pain. I've got to get outside. Urging herself forward, fumbling with the lock, she let herself out.
The fall air was still damp from early evening rain. The feeling of wet leaves, mud, and softened shards of wood molded underneath her toes. She had to hurry and get to a safe place. The second major wave of pain coursed through her body again. She fell to her knees groaning in pain, clawing at the ground. A spark in a nearby tree. It was too hard, she didn't want this, she dreaded it, she hated it, but it had to be done. A forceful gust of fire engulfed the nearest tree in flames. She begrudgingly relinquished this force. Another sudden burst, and another. She was barely cognizant enough to keep track. The soft heat became comforting and waves of adrenaline gradually washed away the constricting pain. Her cheek lay against the cool wet ground; among the crackling flames she could hear her quick deep breaths. She squeezed her eyes tightly, holding back the tears.
Soft sounds of birds accompanied the gentle rustle of leaves; Bonnie awoke lying in the murmuring forest. Her eyes fluttered open and her senses slowly came back. She pushed herself up off of the ground, her body aching. She sighed. Bonnie began to wipe the dirt off her hands and face, combing her fingers thorough her curly brown hair, checking for any stray leaves or twigs. Catching sight of her surroundings, guilt settled in quickly, charred skeletons of nearby trees surrounded her, standing ominously against the entirely grey sky. At least this time the damage wasn't so bad, and she was sure she was shivering because of the cold. She stood and brushed herself off.
"I see that you're awake."
Startled, her curls bounced as she turned to face the voice. And immediately her expression darkened.
"About time," Damon sauntered slowly towards Bonnie.
"What are you doing here?" She demanded. He stepped closer; chills of discomfort ran through her as Damon closed in.
"I could ask you the same question." He cocked his head to the side and thumbed opened her pea coat, revealing a white cami with snowflake patterned flannel pants. "Perhaps a pyjama party gone awry?"
She snatched the collar of her coat from his grasp, turning to leave, only to be faced with Damon again. She stepped back.
He smirked, "Must have been quite the barn burner."
"Go away Damon." She walked around him, crossing her arms tightly around her chest.
Storming off in annoyance, Bonnie began walking towards a nearby hill
"You're losing control, Bonnie." Jarred by his clear voice; she nearly slipped.
Maybe I could lie? Hesitantly looking over her shoulder, Bonnie responded tersely, "You don't know anything about it."
"I know that this is the fourth mysterious forest fire in the last two months."
Bonnie turned away and closed her eyes.
Damon continued, "I also remember reading about this family that was camping in the woods." She could feel him drawing closer.
"Did you hear about them?" the whispered question tickling her ear. She looked to the other side. "Third degree burns, such a tragedy," macabre delight dripped from his tone. He brushed past her shoulder, and stood in front of her.
Bonnie held herself tighter, looking to the ground, "I'm sure it was an accident." The uncertainty easily detected in her voice.
He bowed his head to gain eye level, ice blue eyes bore into hers, lips curled in a sinister smile, "I'm sure it was. But all the same Bonnie, you should be careful."
The fear flickering in her eyes probably amused him; she refused to give him the satisfaction. Raising her chin, gathering her composure, Bonnie pushed past him and started to find her way home, closing her jacket tightly over her small frame. It really must have been the cold.
A/N – This is my first fan fiction ever, so be gentle! And sorry if there is a weird mix of Canadian and American spelling.