Here's the second chapter of this one time 'double update' day. Please be kind enough to review.
"Get in."
"Kol?"
"Are you just going to stand there getting soaked or are you going to get in?"
Without wasting another second, I jump in, wrapping my arms around myself when I start to shiver. Seeing the state I'm in, he turns the heater on high before putting his foot back on the gas.
"There's a blanket behind you," he says, pointing towards the backseat. Turning in my seat, I reach for it, immediately recoiling when I see what's also lurking back there.
"Y..y.. you have a snake back there," I blurt out, my voice shaky.
"That's just Ulysses, grow a backbone would you?"
"I hate snakes, Kol. I hate them."
"He's not going to hurt you. Just pick up the blanket, you're shivering."
"Kol, I. Hate. Snakes."
"Yes, you've made that perfectly clear," he adds, shaking his head.
"If my teeth weren't chattering, I'd jump out of this car."
"Don't be such a baby, Damon. For heaven's sakes, Elena isn't afraid of a little reptile. Why are you?"
"I have my reasons," I tell him. My eyes widen when he slows down. Reaching into the back seat himself, he tosses the blanket on me.
"Thanks," I mumble, feeling a little sheepish for being afraid of snakes.
"So Damon, I'm not an idiot. I've seen you looking at Elena. What are your intentions?"
Speechless, I stare at him for a few moments. Realizing that he'll see right through me if I try to lie my way out of it, I come right out and tell him that I'm very attracted to her.
"So you're not playing her just to get in her panties?"
"No, I'm not Kol. I'm genuinely interested in her. I want nothing more than to get to know her better. But I know that I need to earn her trust first."
"I believe you, Damon. Elena is my best friend. I can see that you care but if you hurt her again, you'll have me to answer to. Do you understand?"
"I actually envy the relationship you have with her."
"We're just friends, Damon. We've never had anything romantic nor will we. If you tell her this, I'll deny it till I'm blue in the face but I think she is confused about her feelings for you too. Now I'll be your biggest cheerleader if you make her happy. That's all I want for her."
"Thanks, Kol. I appreciate it. I'm trying but she doesn't make it easy. But that's okay because she's worth the extra effort. I have a lot to make up for."
"You do indeed. Why were you such a little shit when you were young anyway?"
"I don't honestly know, Kol. But you know what they say about hurting the ones you love the most. I think a part of me has always felt something for her but instead of facing it, I lashed out, tormenting her instead. More than anything, I wish I could take a mulligan," I start to say when suddenly I feel something cold on my arm. Looking over, my eyes widen at the same time I stiffen like a statue.
"K..K..Kol, stop the car," I scream, my voice high pitched and frantic.
Looking over he sees my posture, my jaw drawn tight and my eyes full of fear. Rolling his eyes, he pulls the car to the side of the road, puts it in park. Quickly he jumps out and runs around to my side of the car, taking the snake off of me. Shaking his head, he gives it a peck before putting it in a large dog carrier. After which, he jumps back into the driver's seat. As soon as he pulls back into traffic, I breathe a sigh of relief knowing that the snake is contained for now.
"What do you do at home? I mean, it's still a wild creature, Kol. What would you do if it started to constrict you?"
"I don't let him loose at night, Damon."
"It could attack you when you were dozing on the couch. It would kill Elena if anything happened to you not to mention your family."
"I know. I don't let him out all that often. I have a big pen for him at home and I only leave him out when I'm awake."
"But Kol, even if you were just watching TV, it could slither up, wrap itself around you and squeeze the life out of you. Don't you think it would be better if it were in a zoo? And yes, I hate spiders too but at least your tarantula can't literally hug you to death. What if it started to swallow you, Kol? Can you imagine the image your family would have were one of them to find you half eaten by your pet? They'd live with that for the rest of their lives."
He stares at me as if he knows I'm right. I really hope he'll consider it. I mean, a small constrictor is one thing but his is easily big enough to kill someone.
"Honestly, Damon, I never thought about that. I'll give a zoo some thought."
"I'm glad. I don't want Elena to have to hurt like that again. She lost so much when her parents and brother died in that wreck. I don't want her to lose anyone else that she loves."
"You do have it bad," he laughs as he takes the right turn into dad's driveway.
"Thanks for the ride, Kol. I really appreciate it," I say. Opening the car door, I step outside. When I get to my door, I turn around just in time to see him drive away. Once inside the house, I peak in on my dad. Seeing that he's asleep, I retire to my room, strip out of my clothes and hop into the shower, my thoughts all over the place about everything that happened tonight.
"We've had so many positive emails and calls and requests to continue our series on cryptozoology, that we've decided to give you one more entry into the series before moving on to other things next week. Now that's not to say we won't revisit this topic because clearly it's a favorite but we have other mysteries to solve as well. Tonight we have another fan favorite, Mrs. Esther Mikaelson is in the studio with Elena and I. And her topic tonight is 'Champ'. What can you tell us about the legend of Champ, Esther?"
"Hi Damon and thank you to you too, Elena for recommending me for this slot on your TV show. And thanks to both of you for having me again. I have to say that I enjoy this as much as you all do."
"It was our pleasure, Esther," Turning to the TV audience, Elena points out the images that are supposed to be Champ on our giant screen.
"There are many lakes around the world reputed to hold monsters. The cold, deep waters of Loch Ness in Scotland are home to the world-famous Nessie. Canada is said to be home to several lake monsters including Ogopogo in British Columbia's Lake Okanagan, and Cressie in Newfoundland's Crescent Lake. The American counterpart to Nessie and Cressie is said to lurk in Lake Champlain, on the border between Vermont and New York. 'Champ,' as the creature is affectionately called, has allegedly been seen by hundreds of witnesses over the years. Descriptions of Champ vary, but most suggest a creature between twenty and eighty feet long, with a series of distinct humps and a serpentine body. Some say the head looks like a snake or a dog. The lake and therefore the monster are named for French explorer Samuel de Champlain, who is often, but erroneously, said to have been the first to see the creature. Sought after by famous showman P.T. Barnum, featured on the "Unsolved Mysteries" TV show and quasi-officially protected by both the New York State Assembly and the Vermont Legislature, Champ remains a modern mystery."
"That's really interesting Esther. I did not realize that there were so many 'monsters' supposedly lurking in our present day world," Elena remarks, smiling for the audience.
"You would be surprised, Elena. The best photographic evidence for Champ is a single snapshot taken in 1977. A woman named Sandra Mansi photographed something dark in the lake one summer day that seemed to form a mysterious dark head and hump. Mansi estimated that the creature's neck stuck about six feet out of the water and the whole object was about twelve feet long. The object floated motionlessly for between four and seven minutes before sinking slowly straight down. She also reported that the object's surface looked like tree bark. A field investigation conducted for a Discovery Channel documentary show revealed that Mansi overestimated the object's size. The neck of the object sticks about three feet out of the water, and both segments together are about seven feet across. The dark, humped creature was revealed to be a submerged tree trunk briefly brought to the surface by buoyant gases created during decomposition. This is a well-known hydrological phenomenon that has created false lake monster sightings before. The process is similar to why plastic drinking straws rise in carbonated drinks. The only thing that made the Mansi photo unique, mysterious and famous was that it resembled a dinosaur-like head and hump from one angle."
"It would really be phenomenal if such a creature existed," I add, staring at the screen behind us too.
"Well, Damon, with the best evidence for Champ debunked and no hard evidence such as bones or dead bodies ever recovered, this leaves eyewitnesses to provide the bulk of the proof for the aquatic creature's existence. If the lake monster has been around for hundreds or thousands of years, surely there would be records of it. Indeed, some people believe that early Americans have reported seeing Champ or its ancestors. In the book, "The Untold Story of Champ: A Social History of America's Loch Ness Monster," sociologist Robert Bartholomew notes that Native Americans living along Lake Champlain told stories of a mysterious 'horned serpent' that was said to reside in the lake. In the early seventeenth century, Abenaki guides told French captains to be careful not to disturb the monsters that live in the waters of Lake Champlain. Though this sort of historical account is offered as evidence for Champ, Bartholomew cautions that it's important to not take these claims at face value. He points out that the Native peoples may have misidentified large fish such as the sturgeon and gar, both of them large, snakelike fish that exist in Lake Champlain and might be described as a horned serpent. Many Native stories and legends described water spirits in lakes and rivers, but they were spiritual entities with supernatural powers, not large unknown animals literally swimming in lakes."
"Wow, Esther. It's truly an amazing story," Elena muses, paging through the book that Esther has just mentioned. "What else can you tell us, Esther?"
"Though Champ reports have dropped dramatically since their heyday in the 1980s, they have not entirely vanished. Every few years, an eyewitness or video surfaces of something in the lake. In late May 2009, new footage of Champ was released on YouTube, a two-minute cell phone video showing the silhouette of some object, probably an animal, trying to keep its head above water and swimming toward the shore. The video created a buzz among monster enthusiasts, some proclaiming it was the best evidence for the creature in decades. Unfortunately and suspiciously to many people, the video stops just seconds before the animal nears the shore so that what climbed ashore could be revealed. There are other clues as to the animal's identity, including that the form resembles a swimming deer or elk, and that it was strange that Champ, an aquatic animal after all, would make such an obvious effort to keep its head above water as seen in the video. In 2005, a fisherman named Peter Bodette recorded a very short video of what appears to be a large fish under the surface of the water. The video, however, is inconclusive; what some people see as a glimpse of Champ, others see as merely an otter or large fish. And whether or not a monster exists in the lake, it has been embraced by several towns along the lake such as Port Henry, New York, which has a large billboard in town listing famous sightings, and has held parades in honor of Champ. Even the Minor League Baseball team is called The Vermont Lake Monsters. As at Loch Ness, there's a cottage industry with a financial incentive to keep the story alive and just enough random, ambiguous sightings and photographs to keep the legend alive."
"And that ladies and gentleman is the story of Champ. Esther is also an expert in Cryptozoology so she will continue to be a regular guest on our show. Thank you so much for being so generous with your time, Esther."
"You're welcome. I enjoy being here with you and sharing my expertise."
"We'll see you next week right here on our show. Elena and I want to thank you all for making this show a success. Elena has now joined my show full time and I want her to consider this her show too. Have a great weekend everyone. Until next time," I say, smiling at the camera till it pans over to Elena and Esther.
Elena:
"I'm not ready to go home yet, Kol. I'm going to stay and get caught up on some of my correspondence."
"I'll stay and keep you company then. I'm just going to walk mom outside to her car and then I'll run across the street to get us each a cup of coffee."
"That will be great, Kol. And Esther, thank you again for joining me and Damon on set tonight," I tell her, giving her a hug.
"I loved it, Elena. You just let me know when you want me."
"I'll definitely do that. I'm sure you have lots of other myths and legends that you can share with us."
"Indeed, I do. Goodnight now, sweetheart."
"Goodnight," I reply, giving her one more hug before watching her and Kol leave the building. I don't know where Damon went. He disappeared as soon as the cameras went dark. Shrugging my shoulders, I go back to my office and start answering some of my mail.
Damon:
Despite my longings, tonight's show was the first time I've gotten to anywhere near Elena for a few days. Every time I try to talk to her, she has some excuse that she's either busy or has to use the ladies room or needs to speak with Kol or Elijah. I really want to tell her that I felt so much when I kissed her. My mind is everywhere but on what I'm doing and the next thing I know, I'm sitting on my ass on the floor having bumped into someone. When I look up, I skitter back when I see that it's Mayor Lockwood himself with Tobias Fell standing just to his left. As soon as I stand up, I apologize for my lack of concentration.
"Hello, Damon," he says.. "Next time you need to pay attention to what you're doing."
"I'm so sorry, Mayor, my mind was elsewhere and I didn't think anyone of your stature or Mr. Fell's for that matter would be here this time of night."
"Well, watch it next time," he says rather gruffly. "And it's none of your concern as to why I'm here at this hour."
"Yes, I will. If you'll excuse me, I have some things to research for our show this week."
"Our show?" Tobias asks, looking a little perplexed.
"Yes, mine and Elena's. She's an integral part of it now. I want her to receive full credit too."
"Of course, Damon. Whatever you want," he agrees, looking at me for a moment before looking at the mayor.
"Are you ready to go, Richard?"
"Yes, Tobias. Let's go."
I watch the two of them for millisecond before picking up my stuff. Before I can even take one step forward, Mayor Lockwood approaches me again.
"Mason happened to mention that you were taking a look at the circumstances surrounding Amber Bradley's suicide. She did work for me and if I can be of any assistance, please give me a call."
"I will, Mr. Mayor, thank you," I tell him, a little stunned at his offer to help.
"Are you ready, Richard?"
"Yes, Tobias. Goodbye, Damon."
Rendered speechless, I just watch the two of them disappear through the door, before blowing out a breath and finally finding my way into my office. The next time I look at the clock, it's nearly ten in the evening. When I suddenly hear footsteps, my skin prickles a bit. Wondering if someone is breaking in, I cautiously get up, grab the paperweight off of my desk and ever so quietly step out of my office. Hearing a rustling sound, I follow it, raising my arm to strike when I see a shadow. Next thing I know, I'm face to face with Elena, her arm raised in self defense too.
"Damon!?"
"Elena, you scared the crap out of me. I thought someone had broken in the studio."
"The feeling is mutual," she snaps, pressing her palm over her heart. There's no doubt in my mind that it's thundering as hard as mine is.
"Why are you still here?"
"Why are you still here?" she repeats, furrowing her brows.
"I was working on the show. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."
"Well, I didn't mean to scare you either."
"Elena, can we talk?"
"What do you and I have to talk about?"
"About Amber and other things..."
"What about Amber?"
"I ran into Richard Lockwood earlier. He told me that she worked for him and if there's anything he can do to help I should ask but he was still brusque."
"Where did you run into him?"
"He was right here in the studio with Tobias Fell."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"I think I'm going to go home now. Do you need a lift?"
"Elena, about the kiss..." I watch as a mixture of a whole plethora of emotions pass through her eyes before the final one, uncertainty, takes root.
"Damon.. I.. I."
"Elena, I know I've never given you any reason to trust me, but believe me when I tell you that I care about you. You bring out so many feelings in me that are new and wonderful. I just want a chance, Elena."
"I don't know what to say, Damon. What do you want me to say?"
"Go out with me, let me take you out on a date?"
I can't help but smile at the look on her face. She looks utterly torn, not knowing whether to trust what she knows about me or trust who she hopes that I am.
"Please Elena, I promise I'll be on my best behavior."
She takes a deep breath, fists her hands at her sides and stares for a moment. The next thing I know, she's fisting her hands in my shirt. Using them for leverage, she pulls my body flush against hers and joins our lips in a smoldering kiss. Reaching up, I cup her face and tilt her head so I can deepen the kiss. Just as I'm about to tease the seam of her lips with my tongue, I hear my phone ring. Recognizing the tone as my dad's I break the kiss.
"I'm sorry but that's my dad. Hold that thought," I tell her, my chest still heaving with desire.
"Damon, it finally happened. They have a heart for me. I need to get to the hospital in Richmond as soon as possible."
"Oh my God, dad. I'll be there as quickly as I can. Get your things together, I'm on my way."
"It's happened, Elena. They have a heart for my dad. I have to go," I explain, stealing one more ardent kiss from her before running out of the station, feeling hopeful about her and my dad for the first time ever.
Elena:
Stunned at myself for actually initiating a kiss with him, I absent-mindedly walk back to my office. Kol is waiting for me with a fresh cup of coffee. Even though it's late, I have a lot on my mind so I take a big swallow of it as soon as I sit down.
"What's with you?"
"I just kissed him, Kol. I can't believe I did that."
"Despite everything, you like him too, don't you?"
"I don't want to like him. But it's like there's a magnet inside that draws me to him. I need my head examined," I add, dropping my head into my hand, lacing my fingers into my hair.
"You have it as bad as he does," he says, laughing when I raise my eyes to meet his. "Where is he anyway?"
"He just ran out of here as fast as he could."
"What?"
"He wasn't running away from me. He needs to get his dad to the Richmond hospital. Apparently they found a donor heart for his father."
"Wow, I hope Joe comes through surgery alright."
"Me too, Kol. As soon as we finish our coffee, we'll go okay?"
"Yeah," he adds, finishing his off in a couple of big gulps. Shaking my head, I quickly take a couple swallows before tossing what's left in the waste basket.
Seeing that I'm done with mine, he remarks, "Let's get out of here. Do you want to stay over tonight. We could talk if you want?"
"I'd like that, Kol. What would I do without you?"
"You'll never have to find out if I have anything to say about it," he laughs. Standing up, he waits for me to power down my computer and grab my bag. After locking my office door, we go outside and start to walk across the street to the station's parking lot. Just after we step onto the street, I hear the squeal of tires at the same time its headlights blind me. Frozen by fear all I can do is watch as it speeds up, closing the distance between us. A millisecond later, I feel a shove strong enough to send me sprawling onto the pavement, the friction of the cement against my skin tearing it open. Shaking off my stupor, I look up to see Kol's bloodied body laying in heap on the side of the road. Jumping up, I run over to him.
"Kol, Kol?" I scream. He doesn't open his eyes or respond at all. My heart is jackhammering against my chest as fear fills every space in between.
"Help, I need help. Somebody help me, please," I scream aloud frantically, staring through my tears at his broken body lying deathly still in my lap.
Thank you so much, Eva. I appreciate you so very, very much. I can't even verbalize it.
Thank so much to all of you as well. Your reviews mean a lot to me.
Chapter title: 'Bare Trees' by Fleetwood Mac
'Nothing Left to Fear' is nearly done. I updated it on Thursday evening. 'The Game of Life' was updated on Wednesday.
The story 'Arms of the Ocean' by insightfuldamon is worth a read. It's very good. And don't forget Florencia7's 'Let There Be Light'.
Be safe and have a wonderful day.
