Mystic Falls-1864
"Damon, Stefan, where in gods name is you sister?" Madeline smiled mischievously at the sound of her father, Giuseppe Salvatore's frustration.
"I haven't a clue father" Damon's voice admitted.
"Stefan?" Giuseppe asked. Madeline could hear the glare in his voice. She also could hear Stefan swallow nervously.
"Not a clue father" he finally said. Madeline peered down though the cracks in the floor boards. She was directly above her two older brothers and her father. She was hiding in the one place she knew they wouldn't look, there mothers drawing room. The drawing room was on the third floor, and was where their mother had spent most of her time, when she wasn't with the family. But then she had died, when giving birth to Madeline, and neither Madeline's father or her brother entered the room.
Madeline, had been going in this room since she could walk. Growing up she had asked about it, her father told her it was her mothers favourite room and that she could never enter it. Madeline didn't feel much compassion towards her mother, she didn't even know her. She'd seen photograph's, heard the occasional story, but that was it. Madeline had spent all sixteen (almost seventeen) years of her life though, trying to feel something for her mother.
She often tried to mimic how her brothers talked about their mother, with love and compassion. It didn't make a difference. It was like trying to love a stranger. No, it was trying to love a stranger. And she couldn't do it.
"Are you sure you don't know?" Giuseppe asked impatiently.
"Yes father" Stefan and Damon replied in unison.
"Well, I want you to check every room in the house. We have guests and i won't let her embarrass this family, again." Madeline scowled down at her father. She hated him, she may not know her mother, may not love her, but she knew she would've preferred her to be alive than Giuseppe. He was abusive, obnoxious, rude, self centred, and as Madeline was concerned, empty inside.
Madeline watched her brothers exit the room and could hear their brisk footsteps echo around below. Giuseppe let out a frustrated sigh and stormed off. Madeline smiled and stood up, straightening her skirts. She walked over to the single window in the room and unhooked its lock, letting it swing open. The window faced the back of the property, and let in a cool breeze.
Leaning against the house, just below was a tall wooden ladder. Madeline swung down from the window, her feet landing gracefully on the ladder. She quickly descended, glad to be back on solid ground. The grass was dewy, and made Madeline's boots thoroughly soaked by the time she reached the forest at the edge of the property. Her and Damon some times went on rides in the forest, with out Stefan and Father knowing. They believed Damon was too reckless for a lady to be riding with.
Whenever they said that Madeline would always have to stop herself from laughing. Giuseppe and Stefan really were oblivious to what kind of person Madeline was sometimes. Madeline walked through the forest, following the trail that had been made from countless rides through here. But then again, Madeline's whole family was oblivious to at least one thing about her.
They were completely unknowing of what she was, just like they were unaware of what her mother was-a witch. But of course they could never know, not ever. If they did Madeline's fate was obvious, death. Suddenly Madeline made a sharp left, going even further away from the property. She walked for about another 500 meters before she stopped in a small clearing, sitting down on a fallen over tree.
The moon shone down through the leaves above, casting strange patterns across the ground. Madeline sat, staring around the clearing, until she felt a hand settle on her shoulder. She jumped up and spun around to face who was behind her. He face split into a huge smile when she saw who it was.
"Zachary" she beamed, wrapping her arms around him.
"Hey" Zac said. He wrapped his strong arms around her. Zac was at least a head taller than her, his chin resting on top of her head. He had beautiful olive skin and dark, chestnut brown curls. His eyes were a whisky brown and he had a chiselled jaw and very inviting arched lips.
"You okay?" Zac asked. He rarely talked 'proper' around her, it's what she loved about him-he was so real.
"I don't know" Madeline confessed. Zac frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"I'm just- ugh, i don't know..." Madeline paused "not comfortable." Zac raised an eyebrow at her.
"Not comfortable?"
"I don't like not being me all the time" Madeline said with a frown. Zac looked at her with a sad smile. She smiled back at him. He stared at her deep blue eyes, hidden under bashful black lashes. Light brown curls swirled around her heart shaped face and her two slightly crooked front teeth bit her bottom lip. Zac reached down and brushed a loose curl from her face, letting his hand linger on her cheek. Madeline felt herself blush.
"Well, you can be you with me, you know that" Zac said softly. God he wanted to kiss her, he hadn't seen her all week, and he just wanted her to not worry. Madeline nodded at him and her smile broadened.
"Let me show you something" she said, stepping away from Zac. She walked into the middle of the clearing and crossed her legs and sat down. She patted the ground in front of her, beckoning him over. Zac walked over and sat down in front of her. She cupped her hands into a bowel shape, her crystal blue eyes staring intently into his. Suddenly a small flame appeared in the curve of her hands. Zac smiled. She had showed him this plenty of times, but it never failed to surprise him. Zac's eyes flickered from hers to the flame. The flame didn't seem to burn her as is burned away. It flickered changing colour and shape.
"Beautiful" Zac said, but he wasn't exactly talking about the flame. Madeline beamed proudly.
"Emily showed me, she's a very god teacher." Madeline blinked and suddenly the flame was gone.
"You should be careful around Miss Emily, she is Katherine's maid" Zac said cautiously. Madeline scowled, but not at Zac.
"The demon" she muttered. Madeline didn't like Katherine to say the least. She was a manipulative monster. She played with her brothers emotions, compelling them to love her and to keep her secret. It was disgusting watching them chase after her, like loyal pets. Loyal pets whom at night she would make love to. Madeline cringed. Zac moved and sat next to her, wrapping his arm around her waist. She rested her head on his shoulder gratefully.
"How are things with you?" she asked him. Zac shrugged. "Fine. Mother is feeling a lot better, which is good." Madeline smiled encouragingly at Zac.
"She's well enough that i can go back to work and not have to worry that i'll come home to a dead body." Madeline didn't know what to say to that so she just wrapped her arms around Zac's lean torso. They were silent for a while,just sitting there, listening. It was peaceful and Madeline felt herself finally relax. She looked up a Zac shyly. He was so beautiful, his smile glowing in the moon light.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Zac asked grinned cheekily.
"I'm swooning over your good looks obviously" she said, laughing a little. Zac grinned at her.
"Funny, i was just doing the same thing."
"Hmm" Madeline had mumbled distractedly. She moved herself into Zac lap, resting her head against his muscled fingers played with the ends of her hair, twirling them over and over. Zac kissed the top of her head, mumbling something into her hair.
"What?" Madeline asked.
"I said, I think I'm in love with you Madeline Salvatore." Madeline felt her heart beat quicken.
"You think you are?"she said shakily. Zac shook his head.
"I know I'm in love with you Madeline."
"I know I'm in love with you Zachary." Madeline stared intently into Zac's eyes, grinning goofily. Zac smiled stupidly back at her. And the she kissed him, and he kissed her. Madeline's hand wrapped around Zac's neck, her hands grabbing his hair. She pulled him closer to her greedily. Zac's hands were on her waist, holding her against him firmly. She twisted around and wrapped her legs around him.
She pulled away to catch her breath, and when she caught him staring at her she laughed. The sound echoed all around them and Madeline threw a hand over her mouth, trying to smuggle the sound. Madeline buried her face in Zac's chest.
They stayed like that for at least half an hour, silently enjoying each others company, until they heard the sound of gun fire. Madeline sat up immediately. The sound had come from somewhere near by, very near by. Wide eyed she stared at Zac. His face looked worried.
"Do you think-?"
"I don't know."
"Is it possible Emily told Katherine? You know she doesn't particularly like you." Zac asked.
"Yes"
"Would your father, act so quickly if he found out"
"Yes"
"Oh God." Madeline felt sick with the realisation. She knew what was going to happen. She didn't want to die. That's why her and Zac had a plan. Madeline reached into her pocket, pulling out a small vial, filled with blood. Demon blood. Vampire blood. She pulled off the lid and sculled the blood quickly, trying not to gag as she swallowed. Then she reached into her pocket and grabbed another vial filled with another liquid and she sculled that too. All the while Zac just stared at her hopelessly.
Madeline wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and pressed her lips to Zac's. They kissed intensely, desperately. When they pulled away Madeline's cheeks were wet with silent tears. Zac's eyes were glassy when they heard another gun shot. Madeline closed her eyes tightly as she heard footsteps thunder into the clearing. She silently counted, three men.
"Madeline" Giuseppe said, his voice flat and empty of emotion.
"NO!" Zac shouted jumping up, causing Madeline to flop down onto the ground. He stood in front of her, guarding her from her cruel father. That wasn't a part of the plan.
"Zac!" Madeline hissed. He just ignored her.
"Zachary, step away from it."
It? IT! Madeline's gut clenched with anger. She squeezed her eyes shut again. She heard another man.
"Zachary, i know your mother. She wouldn't want you to be hurt by this, this witch. Please just step away." Mr Lockwood, of course.
"No" Zac said sharply.
"She has used her magic on you boy, she's messing with you mind. Just as bad as demons."
"No" Madeline's eye flew open.
"Zac stop" she hissed. He didn't even turn to look at her. Madeline bit her lip angrily. her eyes look across to her father, glaring at him with all the hate she could muster, the she let her cold stare slide over Mr Lockwood who cringed. And then she looked to the third man and her stomach dropped. Stefan. Madeline thought she might vomit. She stared at him, but instead of glaring she just stared. Letting her shocked show.
"Stefan..." Madeline started but then she stopped. She didn't know what to say. He had come to kill her, with their father and Mr Lockwood.
"You're not my sister" is all he said. Giuseppe nodded approvingly.
"What?" Madeline gasped. "You can't be serious?"
She wanted to say, i'm a witch who has never done anything to harm you ever and you want to kill me, you're own sister, but you'll gladly put your life on the line for a vampire? But she didn't, because even now she couldn't wish pain upon her brother.
"You disgust me, using your witch magic on poor Zachary" Stefan scolded, and then he was silent.
"She didn't use any magic on me you cruel, unfaithful bastard" Zac snapped. Stefan ignored him and just stared at me with a look of disgust. Giuseppe's cold eyes slid over Madeline.
"My boy Stefan came out here looking for you when he saw you summon fire, right there in your hands. That's when he knew. And like the noble man he is he came and found me." Madeline stared angrily at the ground.
"And now we're here to clean our family, remove the filth" Giuseppe snarled.
"What are you going to do, burn me a the stake, in front of the town?" Madeline snapped. Mr Lockwood spoke now.
"Not likely Miss Salvat-. Madeline. Your father has asked that no one find out of this disgrace upon the Salvatore name. You will however be killed tonight and people will be told it was a murder, a tragic accident."
"This disgrace upon the Salvatore name? If a witch is such a disgrace to the Salvatore name, then how disgraceful is marrying a witch into the family? How disgraceful is it to breed with one?" Madeline hissed "My mother was a witch. That's why i am the way i am. And for all we know Stefan and Damon are witches as well."
Madeline glared at the three men, letting the question hang in the air. Suddenly she noticed Damon wasn't there. Did he know she was a witch and choose not to come? Madeline wasn't sure if she was glad or not. Giuseppe finally spoke, his voice thick with impatience and anger.
"No more talking with this monster. Zachary, move now, or else you to, may be apart of Madeline's tragic murder." When Zac didn't move Madeline stood up and moved out from behind him. He shot her a desperate look but this time she ignored him.
"That's much better, Madeline, continue to co operate and this will be quick and painless" Mr Lockwood said.
Madeline dropped her eyes to the ground as she heard another person enter the clearing. "Father, Mr Gilbert just told me to get you. There has been a-" Damon's voice trailed off. Madeline's eyes shot up and she glanced around searching for her brother. Damon's dark, almost black curls, were messy and his blue eyes were wild.
"What is going on here?" Damon demanded.
"Damon, don't do anything stupid" Stefan said immediately.
"Damon, this isn't your sister" Mr Lockwood then said.
"What on earth is that supposed to mean? Because that sure as hell looks like my sister, and it looks like my father is pointing a gun at her."
"She isn't human Damon"Giuseppe snapped.
"What?" Damon said, his eyes looking across the space to Madeline. He looked so confused.
"She's a witch, boy. She's an abomination." Mr Lockwood said.
"No"
"Yes she is. Do you think i'd have her at gun point if she wasn't?" Giuseppe growled. Damon stared desperately at Madeline.
"Is this true?"he asked weakly. Madeline nodded. His expression was contorted with confusion, betrayal and anger. Madeline's heart sank. He wasn't on her side, he thought she was a monster.
"That's my sister" Damon said desperately. He shot a look at Stefan.
"That's our sister." Stefan just shook his head and looked at the ground.
"Yes it is! Stefan for the love of god, that's your baby sister you're about to watch die!" Damon shouted. Stefan cringed and didn't say anything.
"Enough of this!" Giuseppe shouted."The witch will die. Whether you think she is your sister or not Damon. She must die because she is dangerous and an abomination." Then Giuseppe pulled the trigger. Zac shouted and lunged for Madeline, throwing her to the ground. The bullet missed her by seconds. Mr Lockwood swore violently and ran over to Zac, pulling him away from Madeline.
"Let go of me" Zac shouted. Madeline shouted at him to let her go. But he wouldn't and soon he and Mr Lockwood were on the ground, Zac's hand around his throat. Giuseppe dropped his gun and rushed over to help Mr Lockwood. That left the three Salvatore children. From there things seemed to go in slow motion. Stefan lunged for Giuseppe's gun at the same time as Damon.
Stefan snatched up the gun first and spun around to face Madeline. Damon landed on him knocking him over and onto the ground. Madeline scrambled to her feet and rushed towards Zac, who was now pinned down by Mr Lockwood and her father. She lunged for Giuseppe, summoning small flames into her hands, and she pressed them against his back. He cried out in pain, falling away from Zac. Madeline felt an undeniable fury burn through her which seem to make the flames in her hands burn hotter. Her father swore and tried to roll away from her. But a new feeling had taken over, revenge. Revenge for his abusive behaviour towards Damon, revenge for letting a vampire in the house, revenge for years of rejection.
But then she felt the cool metal from the barrel of a gun against her temple. "Let go of my father you monster" Stefan shouted. Madeline spun around, looking Stefan in the eye as he pulled the trigger, and blew her brains out.
