Sorry it took a bit longer than usual. I've been so busy, from hospital, to being ill at home, to trying to take it easy and now training at a post office D: On the bright side, here you go! Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 10: Eggshells

Day 24

"Motherfuck."

The first word I uttered could have been better, but only curse words came to mind when I reached consciousness. My chest felt tight, and faintly painful. The light was a little blinding but I squinted through it, trying to sit up only to feel a stab jolt in my ribcage. I froze when the memories came crashing back and remembered that blasted vampire.

In my short stay in Mystic Falls, I've been in this hospital for a total of four times. The first, naturally was the 'accident' that landed me here. The subsequent two were follow ups to check on my brain and a bunch of other things in regard to the 'amnesia' I was diagnosed with - unsurprisingly, nothing was wrong with my brain.

And finally, this little mess.

Three cracked ribs, pulmonary contusion, stitches on my neck, cuts all over my body thanks to the shattered glass and a mild fracture in my hip, just to top things off. Not exactly a healthy prognosis for one to have, since at least two of those diagnoses were likely to have lasting effects on me until the day I die.

Not to mention a pain in the ass, since I woke up with at least three other tubes shoved inside my body thanks to my pulmonary contusion — bruised lung. Two shoved inside my nostrils to help me breath, and one inside my chest to drain my lungs of fluids to stop me from drowning in my own fluids.

And just to cap things off, I'm likely to have difficulties walking in the future, thanks to my hip.

I probably should be thankful that I'm alive after a violent encounter with a undead bloodsucking human with super strength, but really, I'm in too much pain to care.

And angry.

Asshole.

I hoped the vervain boiled his insides.

The girls that put a spin on it, I've seen and heard them exclaiming that they'd let certain vampire characters sink their fangs into their throats. After experiencing it first hand, I wanted to slap them. It wasn't pleasant at all and I wouldn't be letting it happen again, let alone on purpose. This one was extra rough, seeing as I had vervain in my veins and he violently ripped his fangs from me instead of just ordinarily detaching. To actively ask one of the vampires to bite me was like plunging a knife into my own skin.

Moronic. Suicidal. Practically self-harm.

I felt like I should have been freaking out more. But I kind of expected it, so it didn't come as much of a surprise to me. If anything, I was more furious than scared. The muscles in my body quivered a little from the aftershock of being treated like a juicebox. My fingers clenched around the thin blanket tucked around my body and I gritted my teeth. That bastard. How fucking dare he?!

Which vampire was it? Who attacked me? Was it one of the tomb vampires? At least I stabbed his hand- but I obviously I came out of the fight worse off than he did. I mean, he still managed to punt me across the street despite having ingested some vervain, and after being stabbed with wood. I was a little disappointed and surprised by the lack of Karen's presence, but then saw her bag on the chair next to me. Maybe she left to get a coffee?

"Try not to move."

The voice was unexpected, so much that I almost rolled out of my bed. When I looked up, Sheriff Forbes was standing in the doorframe. Arms crossed. Staring over at me warily. A sombre line across her mouth.

Crap.

The bite.

The bite on my neck- it pointed to vampires with a big neon sign. She probably wanted to know what I saw and remembered. She'd mention the attack to Damon and he'd look into it for the good of the town. I could play dumb, act like the vampire compelled me. The doctors would think it was my "amnesia" again and want to do more scans, poke and prod me. Karen-

Karen's car.

Frak. She was gonna be so mad.

He threw me on it, granted. There wasn't much I could do about it. Still. That was gonna cost money to get repairs. We weren't poor but we certainly weren't rich. I doubted her new job was going to cover it- I hoped she had insurance.

Then there was also Forbes, who unsurprisingly, had a few questions about what happened that night. After all, I had a vampire's bite on my neck, and I've been propelled into a car windshield with more force than a human could possibly cause, the dent on the car attested to that. I treaded carefully, like a surgeon with a scalpel- edging around the vital arteries so I didn't nip anything bad.

I made it look like I couldn't really fill in the blanks. That I had holes in my memories. She seemed a little skeptical at first but I managed to pull it off, hoping that she thought I had been compelled.

Which reminded me, the vervain in my system was probably gone by now, washed out by all the drugs and water and shit they pumped into me. I reached over to the bedside, where my bracelet and necklace were, knowing they were my back up- I quickly put them on, feeling defenceless and naked without them.

A smirk twitched on my face at the sight of my scrunchie, I picked it up and tied my hair up. I could kiss my brain. Just like with Sid's bracelet, where I opened the material and inserted the vervain inside of it- I did the same with my hair scrunchie, so it was a bit more disguised.

I was determined to be prepared, I wouldn't be caught off guard like that again. I should've known better.

To my ultimate horror- I was proved wrong just seconds after I made myself that promise.

The door opened again.

Oh fuck off.

"Hi," Damon fucking Salvatore greeted me, a friendly -yet clearly fake since I happened to know his character very well- smile stretching across his lips. "Sofia Howlett, am I right? Stefan's little science partner?"

The universe hated me today.

Kill me.

Actually, he probably would. I take that back.

My heart skipped a beat and I forced myself to calm down, knowing he could perfectly hear it. A pang of dread and fear pierced through me. My spine straightened, I could feel my muscles instinctively stiffen and my fingers twitched toward the emergency nurse button- not that they would be able to fight off this supernatural bundle of joy.

I left it to be silent for a few moments, to make sure there wouldn't be a waver in my voice when I spoke. Those icy, sharp eyes surveyed me, reminding me of a hawk before they dove down to swipe their prey. "Hi."

Clearly, despite my best attempts to hide the anxiety bubbling in my stomach and apprehension, something must have shown on my face. "Have we ever met before? You look as though you've seen a ghost, or like I've stepped on your puppy or something."

He innocently tilted his head and widened his eyes slightly as emphasis, that practised charming smile that he usually flashed the ladies to shake off that nagging voice telling them there was something wrong. But it wouldn't work on me. I could see right through his little handsome, harmless act he projected.

Especially since I watched it so many times. He was one of my favorite characters on the show, mainly because I empathised with most of the misunderstood villains. He was one of them. It didn't help he was eye candy- though most of them on the show are just automatic eye candy.

However, this wasn't a TV show.

This was real.

And I couldn't help the small feeling of terror that I tried to squish down- specifically because this was season one Damon. He didn't have any forms of redemption just yet. I had logical reason to be a little spooked.

"Stefan mentioned me?"

I smoothly changed the subject, quirking an eyebrow. I cursed the younger Salvatore, wanting to strangle him and yell. Why the hell did he do that? He put me in danger just by breathing my name. Particularly because I messed with Damon's plans to kill Lexi.

He couldn't have known that was me though. There was no way. My approach was direct to keep Lexi alive but I didn't interact with him before. There was no evidence pointing to me herding Stefan and Lexi out of town like a shepherd with her sheep. He couldn't have known how I easily manipulated the two to follow me away from Lexi's demise.

"Not really," he casually sauntered in the room, I had to stop myself from leaping to the window to escape him. Not that I could even get out of this bed in the first place, since I'm literally hooked to it thanks to all the tubes and needles stuck inside me. "Just by name and something about being paired up with some transfer for science. Damon Salvatore, yes before you ask, I'm Stefan's brother. Has he ever mentioned me?"

"Not at all. It's like you didn't exist." I sweetly responded with a little passive aggressive anger leaking into my tone, mentally kicking myself. Don't provoke him, you nut job.

That false smile seemed to spread a little, almost straining but his mask was back in place instantly- that I nearly missed the irritated flash. His eyes flickered and he nonchalantly shrugged his shoulders.

"That's not surprising, he was always jealous that I'm better than he ever will be. Siblings, ugh!" He tilted his head back, feigning irritation. He leaned back against the radiator by the wall next to me and crossed his arms.

Remains to be seen.

Of course, I didn't say this out loud- knowing he can tear out my heart with a flick of his wrist before I could even blink.

I decided to get this over with, the burning curiosity bristling under my skin.

"Is there something you want?"

He looked over at me, that familiar small smirk twitching onto his strangely angelic face- oddly hitting me with a pang of anger. Why does everyone look so damned photoshopped? He hummed in thought, wagging a finger at me. "Hm. I like you. Straight to the point, just the way I like it. Don't worry, this won't take long."

Before I could ask what he meant, he was suddenly in front of me, leaning over my body. The force of his quick movement shot a breath of air over my face. His leather jacket brushed against my arm. The material was cold and I jolted, eyes wide, pressing myself back into the bed- wishing I could vanish beneath the blankets. I was stuck between the bed and Damon.

Fu-

His voice lowered, losing the friendly tone he was using before. I noticed how his eyes dilated, pools of blue nearly overlapping the pupil. "Start talking, the truth about what happened last night. All of it."

He was trying to compel me.

Fu-

I forced myself to answer, feeling my fingers coil underneath the covers. I stayed still, worried if I moved he'd know I was bullshitting. "I can't remember anything."

A flicker of annoyance flashed across his face. "Great. Think harder, someone has to have done this. Is there anything you can tell me about him? His clothes, accessories, anything at all?"

I controlled myself, wanting nothing more than to punch him in the face but knowing it would screw me. I kept my voice even, nearly slipping up at the irked sneer building on his face. "I don't remember."

Please. Work.

Leave.

He leaned away, sighing. "What a disappointment," he said, lips twerking. "Nothing can be too easy can it? Oh well," he leaned forward again, levelling his gaze with mine. "You will not remember this little chat, I was never here, understood?"

"I will not remember. You were never here." I quietly repeated in the same dead tone. It was convincing even to me, considering I was in a daze. The room was spinning a little. This whole situation was once again, unbelievable.

His lips twitched, and I made the mistake of jumping when his hand tucked a stray flick of hair behind my ear, brushing the side of my cheek. An innocent gesture, but intimidating nonetheless. Oh no.

"You're good, I admit you even had me going for a little bit there." Shit. "Small tip, control your breathing, and your heartbeat. Granted, the latter's probably impossible, sucks to be you."

Bollocks.

No.

Shit.

Crap.

Cthulhu on a pike stick.

There was no point in playing dumb anymore. It was Damon. He had me figured out. He saw through my lies effortlessly. He knew that I knew about vampires. I fucked up. My breath hitched uncontrollably and I tensed, waiting for his next move. Then I clenched my teeth.

Wait.

Damon Salvatore. Known for his wit and his sass.

The cringe momentarily distracted me from my horror, putting a pause on it and putting a grimace on my face. "Seriously? If that's a pun, I'll kill myself for you. Sucks to be you? Seriously, surely you can do better than that."

There was a much dire situation at hand, I admit. But it took me so off guard.

"Awfully casual for someone who almost got murdered by one of my kind." He observed, mouth quirking at the corner. "Now," his finger tapped my nose, voice light hearted but an underlying tone to express his menacing threat. "What's stopping me from breaking your fingers one after the other until you tell me what I need to know?"

It took me a moment to answer. "We're in the middle of a hospital,"

"You say that as though you'll be living out the rest of your short miserable life in this disgusting place. Please, don't make me laugh." He didn't look like he'd even giggle. The lack of amusement on his face was scary.

He also had a fair point.

In actuality, there was nothing I could do to convince him. I was no one to him. A young, wounded bird with a broken wing and nowhere to run.

"Then nothing. I can't do a thing to stop you." I stated, as if it were simple science. "You don't have to threaten me to get information. A simple please would've been nice rather than you trying to violate my mind."

Don't sass him, numbnuts.

"Brave words, but like I said, your heartbeat and breathing gives it away. Almost makes you sound funny, even without the constant wheezing."

I didn't know if he would kill me anyway after getting information. Either way, I was screwed. So, I co-operated. "Dark gelled hair. Tall. Late twenties to early thirties, leather jacket. Mustache and small beard."

"Ah, that guy."

"Friend of yours?"

"He broke my window."

What-

Ah, that guy.

Fred? Frank? Frederick? Was that his name? The tomb vampire who wanted to kill the Salvatore's and kidnap Stefan? Crap. Didn't he torture the poor sod? But I weakened him with the vervain and the stake to his hand- he'd probably spend time picking out splinters from his palm, would that change anything? Maybe delay him?

"Well, he broke my ribs,"

"Pssh, ribs grow back. Windows don't." He dismissed, swatting a hand. He opened the door, then craned his head over to me, giving me another one of those smirks he was infamous for. "We'll talk more after I discuss reimbursement fees with him. Maybe you'll feel more talkative once you are out of this miserable little place."

The door shut behind him, flicker of dark hair rushing out. I watched him through the glass in the door. His head bobbed down the corridor, determined strides leading him further and further away from me. Once I was sure he was out of the hospital, I scowled and caught my breath, able to breathe a little easier with him gone from the room.

"Asshole."

I deeply inhaled, leaning back onto the bed. I put a hand against my forehead, trying to calm the hammering heartbeat against my sore ribs. There was a tremor in my aftershock, quaking my body and my clammy hands. I just stared down death, threw some quips and probably gave him an excuse to come back and snap my neck like a twig. Because I simply know what he is.

I was in trouble.

A few minutes later, my guardian rushed in and almost collapsed at the sight of me.

Karen was exhausted, as I expected.

Her hair was a mess, like she hadn't brushed it in two days- tied up without much effort. Heavy bags under her eyes, and her skin was paler than normal. She barely left my side, and fell asleep in her chair. I didn't have the heart to tell her to go home.

"I've almost lost you, twice now." She had croaked, my face in her trembling hands. I grimaced and awkwardly pulled her into a hug, unable to keep the pained grunt at bay when she squeezed tighter than I could handle. Instantly she backed off, rushing to fetch me a glass of water whilst choking on a sob.

She loved me.

She truly cared about my wellbeing, and she loved me. Like her own daughter. She felt an odd bond to me, which I had no memory of.

I felt a pang of guilt.

I didn't love her. I just felt an obligation. A role to fill as her daughter in return for taking me in.

I must have been worrying her a lot lately. Car accident. Night of rebellion (though it was to technically save a life) where I completely vanished from town without any warning messages. And now this, being stuck in hospital with almost crippling damage done to my body. I might as well have asked the hospital for a private room specially reserved to me permanently, considering how often I appeared to visit.

I received several visitors over the next few days, thankfully none of them were Damon. Sid came by, astonished at my luck. He kept me occupied, told me about his day, brought his Gameboy for me to play. Benjamin brought apple pie and sat with me for a while after I texted him why I wouldn't be going to school for the next week or so, possibly longer. He was a little awkward trying to comfort me at first, but then we just chatted. He brought me homework as I requested, seeing as the only form of keeping my mind mildly entertained was sketching in the pad Karen bought me.

I was still grounded, but she lifted a good few weeks from the punishment, limiting it quite generously- trying to cheer me up I supposed. But I wasn't complaining. Hey, more freedom- and water under the bridge.

But it wasn't over yet. I had to be cautious. Damon knew I was aware of vampires, especially his existent. I was a liability to have in this town. In his head, I could easily lift the facade he built with Liz and reveal him for what he truly was. Maybe he'd mention this to Stefan. But I knew he wouldn't deal with me yet, he would be stalled with Frederick kidnapping his baby brother. I had more time to think. I was safe, for now. But he was right, I couldn't stay in this hospital forever.

He could easily find my home. Compel Karen. Maybe rip her spine out through her skull. Threaten me. Demand what I knew and how I knew of vampires. I had to get a story straight. One that would easily block his lie detector. If I told him the truth and twisted it slightly… that was better than just telling him hey yeah so you're a character in this TV show I used to religiously watch and I know everything about you he'd assume I was terminally ill and I hit my head harder than I thought.

I could claim I was a seer. Someone clairvoyant. But either he'd think me lying, or fancy me a witch. It would be so much easier if I could spin a brilliant story about being psychic. Obviously, it didn't work that way.

The doctor mentioned I might have to use a cane to walk around, due to the mild fracture in my hip. Which was fantastic- but I merely grumbled like a grouchy old man and nearly snatched the basic supporting weight from his hands, staring down at it reluctantly. There was a twinge of cold resentment and self-depreciation, before I pushed it aside.

I wouldn't be able to walk yet, he told me. I would have to do physical therapy. Stay in the hospital for a week, at least.

On the bright side…. I'd have the time to come up with a story.

It's if Damon would believe me- is the tricky part.