Chapter 10 – Try

by Pink

Ever worry that it might be ruined

And does it make you wanna cry

When you're out there doing what you're doing

Are you just getting by

Tell me are you just getting by, by, by

Where there is desire, there is gonna be a flame

Where there is a flame, someone's bound to get burned

But just because it burns, doesn't mean you're gonna die

You gotta get up and try, and try, and try

Gotta get up and try, and try, and try

You gotta get up and try, and try, and try

Sunday afternoon

I sat in the back of the police car and even though I wasn't under arrest, I still felt like my whole life was flashing before my eyes. Sheriff Forbs had been trying to calm my nervous all morning when she came to collect me after being discharged from the hospitals. I was still sore all over and the bruises still visible, but I could function again at least. The bandages on my arm were gone, leaving me with faded cuts.

The ride to the Boarding House was generally silent, which didn't seem to bother anyone enough to strike up a conversation. Then again, was there anything we could talk about? I had already grilled the sheriff on Zach and didn't really get much. All I knew was that he lived in Mystic Falls all his life and was one of the most trusted members of the council. Great.

My eyes widened when we pulled up outside a massive manor.

"Wait, this is the place?" It really was beautiful, but I could tell this house was old, by the looks of the grand widows and carvings in the dark wooden pillars.

The sheriff led me towards the large front door where she tugged on the string hanging from a bell, presumably an ancient doorbell. A man, probably in his mid to late thirties answered the door with a smile.

"Sheriff Forbs, always a pleasure." he said, welcoming her inside first. He then turned to me and flinched slightly, probably because of my gruesome injuries. He held out his hand. "You must be Alice. I'm Zach and welcome to the Boarding House." I took his hand but not as firmly as I would normally.

Whilst the sheriff looked through some paper work; I took the opportunity to look around at the exterior of the house, which was far grander than I would have ever expected. The fire place in the living room was absolutely magnificent and the walls lined with shelves and shelves of books. There was no denying that this was a beautiful home, with warm and homey looking rooms.

I started to think that moving here wasn't such a bad thing after all.

"Well, I think that's done now. Thank you very much Zach for your help." Sheriff Forbs went for the door, stopping briefly giving me the same look that everyone else messed to be giving me. "Again Alice, I am sorry that this happened but I know that this is what is best for you." With that she was gone, leaving me alone in the foyer with Zach.

"I suppose I should show you to your new room then." I gestured me to follow him as we made our way up the large oak stair case. "As you've seen already the first floor has a parlour, kitchen and library, so feel free to use any of these rooms. The second floor has quite a few bedrooms and where your room will be. Then all that's left is the third floor, but that's just my room and storage. We have a basement as well, but there's nothing really down there."

I looked up at him, confused. "We?" I knew the sheriff had mentioned that Zach had other guests staying in the house, but she didn't offer any more information on the matter.

Zach seemed to stiffen under the question, stumbling over his words.

"Um, yes, well…my…nephews have been staying with me for a while." We came to a stop outside the door at the end of the corridor. "But I'm sure that they can introduce themselves, so I'll leave that to them. Anyway, here we are."

He opened the door and stepped aside, allowing me to get through. Stepping into the – I mean my -bedroom I felt as if I had stepped into another world entirely.

My eyes widen in awe, looking up at my walls, ceiling and floor which were all covered in the same dark wooden finish. On the far wall large French doors and windows, draped with soft white curtains opened out on to a balcony, letting natural light touch every corner of the room. Located at to the side left of the main door was a huge walk-in closet, attached to bathroom, complete with walk-in shower. Then, to top it all off, to the right of the door was a solid, wooden queen sized bed with down comforter and crisp clean linens. It was large enough not to feel cramped, but not so big it's a waste of space.

It was incredible and it was mine.

"Wow…"

"I hope the room is to your liking. All your clothes are in the closet already, but if there is anything else that you need then please let me know."

I tried to smile as much as I could, without tearing the small stitches in my cheek. "This is perfect. Thank you so much."

"I'm glad you like it. Anyway, I have a council meeting to be getting to and won't be back till late. You don't mind staying here for a while, do you? Might give you chance to have a proper look around the house."

"Sure, that's fine."

He gave me a quick smile and nodded. "Good, well I best be off." He started to leave the room, but stopped in the door way. "Oh and I am expecting my nephews back later on, so don't be startled if some strangers walk in." He grinned at me, before leaving me with my thoughts as I collapsed on the bed.

The last few days had been so rushed, seeming to blur in to one and I wasn't quite sure how it had all happened. The best thing for me right now was to shut the pain out, just turn off any type of emotions that I had because that was the only way I was going to get through this. I had suffered too much in my life to want to care anymore. But then again, I had to try. I had to try and keep going because no matter how horrible my life was getting, I still had a small amount of hope.

I let out a yawn, as I felt my consciousness ebbing away, and then all my thoughts ended.

I was running, I wasn't sure why but I knew I had to get away. He was coming for me and I couldn't stop him. There were corridors everywhere, leading in to all different directions. Which way?!

I bolted to my right, seeing the window at the far end. I pounded against the glass until my fingers scraped on the window latches. I pulled with all the strength that I had left in my body, but it just wouldn't budge.

He was going to find me!

I turned to run back the way I had come, but ended up slamming into his hard chest, locking his arms around me.

He pulled my head to the side, his teeth grazing my ear. "I win."

I shot straight up, covered in sweat and breathing heavily. I looked all around me feeling completely disorientated. I let out a ragged sigh when I realised I was in the Boarding House. Thank God. That was a terrible nightmare. Images flashed through my head all at once. How would I be able to sleep after that? I thought as I lowered my body back on to the bed and stared at the ceiling. What the hell?

I looked at the clock on my bedside table. 10:23 p.m. I felt like I should try to get some more sleep, but my body was to on edge and afraid to return back into that nightmare. Plus, my head was killing me. I needed to take a walk.

As I stepped out of the comfort of my room, I stood in the corridor, trying to make out any sounds to tell me Zach might be home. I assumed not, seeing as when my father went to council meetings, they seemed to last until midnight. Guess I was going to have to entertain myself.

I made my way to the living room and found a lit fire, making the room feel warm and welcoming. I grabbed a book from the shelf with the intention of reading it, but when I settled down in the large lounge chair, my gaze was captivated by the fire.

The fire's flames were as fingers of death, reaching up to claim a victim as they danced across the charred wood. They were so beautiful, yet there was something menacing behind them as if you turned your back for a moment, they would swallow you in to the scotching bliss of hell. The fire slowly died down, plunging the room in to a dim light.

I shook my head, feeling light headed. How long had I been here…?

I had to stop this! As of lately, I couldn't get these dark thoughts out of my head of death, pain and struggle. Not only this, but my emotions seemed to become uncontrollable, many of which had started to blur into one. Grief, happiness, passion, fear, love, pride, rage, sorrow, lust… It was becoming too much.

I was jerked from my thoughts when I heard the front door slam shut, unexpectedly, and the sound of cheerful whistling. I turned around in the chair, letting my hair wipe round and surround my face, to see who it was and felt my jaw fall open.

"Damon?! What the hell are you doing here?"

He looked back, mirroring my expression. "What am I doing here? What are you doing here? I live here!"

My heart was caught in my throat as I tried to process what I had just heard.

"Wait, so you're Zach nephew…and Stefan…" He nodded, smirking slightly at how slow I was putting this all together. "Oh God, no!" I sank back in my seat covering my face with my hands. This was just typical!

I met his gaze when I heard him chuckle as he moved in my direction, his eyes piercing deep into mine and his smirk never leaving his face. As he neared, I moved backwards on the seat until I was pressed up against the arm of the chair. He lowered himself onto the chair next to me, my body tensing.

But his face change insanity. I realised that this was the first time he had seen my injuries I felt the tears prick the corners of my eyes. He lent forward, locking his gaze with mine as his fingers rested on my shoulders, asking my permission without using any words. I gave him a small nod as his fingers brushed the bruises on my neck leading up to my face.

He pulled back when I let out a hushed whimper. It wasn't because it was painfully, but everything ache or felt strained. His cold eyes were locked to mine with clenched shut jaw, clearly trying to hold back his inner anger. But there was something else behind them and I wasn't sure whether it was light or dark, but I saw desire.

Just then the door flew open, with Stefan and Zach entering the house. They both stopped short of the living room, eyes shifting back and forth between me and Damon. I couldn't stand it anymore, so I jumped from my seat and headed for the stairs, struggling up them as fast as I could without tripping or making more of a scene.

I ran straight for my room, slamming the door behind me and locking it. I slumped to the floor with my back against the door, a limp puddle of quivering, quaking fear, anger and adrenaline. I cupped my face in my hands and just sobbed.

I could hear them arguing from my room, making me heave at the thought that I had caused this family fall out in their own home. I couldn't stand it anymore.

I felt something surge from my gut and into my throat as I ran to the bathroom, collapsing on the floor by the toilet. I chocked as it left my mouth, expected the crude after taste of stomach acid, but it tasted different, more metallic. I looked into the murky water and gasped at the horror sense in front of me.

I had vomited blood.

Well this was a really fun chapter to write for me! The story is picking up some pace and some interesting stuff is going to be happening soon. I love writing Zach's character because it's nice to write him as a happy person rather than the sad personality that he had in the short time he was on the show.

Let me know what you guys think and stay tuned for more as I will be updating again at some point today! :)