Sorry for the lateness. There is a lot of stuff going on recently but here is the next update! Just to clarify, Damon didn't make her forget about vampires, just that he was ever kind to her. The whole conversation about how Katherine took Damon's innocence away was not talking about virginity or anything. Damon was a sweet southern boy who wanted to have fun, and we all know Katherine messed him up. Damon doesn't want to do that to Alex, because lets me honest there is a sweet Damon underneath his harsh façade. Alex just gets to see that before anyone else.
I also want to thank everyone for the reviews! You guys are so sweet and I love you all!
Season 1 Episode 7 Haunted
I wasn't ok. I was far from being ok. All of this vampire stuff was a lot to process. Damon and Stefan being vampires? I didn't think it was possible. Then again, Bonnie was a witch, so I shouldn't have been so shocked.
On top of all of this vampire stuff I was dealing with, I was also dealing with Vicki.
Vicki… she wasn't dead as I had thought she was. Which I originally thought was a good thing when I had heard it that morning. But then I realized that she was much worse off than dead. Vicki was a vampire. A blood sucking, cold hearted vampire just like Damon. Damon had turned Vicki into this creature, and he didn't seem to be apologetic what so ever. I had woken up that morning and felt so much, confusion, so much anger. I wished that I could have helped her, stopped Damon from doing this. I wished that I had never gotten involved in all of this.
I wished I had never met Damon Salvatore.
That day was Halloween. It used to be my favorite holiday, but I just wasn't up to celebrating it considering the circumstances. All the scary things I thought were fiction were now undeniably true, and that was a bit frightening to me. On Halloween, Mom and I would usually pass out candy, saving all the good ones for ourselves and then gorged on it while watching a cheesy movie. But, I couldn't bring myself to be merry in a time like this. I didn't want to, not with Vicki running amok and fighting the urge to tear into people's flesh.
So when Robert called and said that Vicki had called in sick, I assumed that she was just hiding away because now she couldn't be out into sunlight, and a shift had opened I took it. Mom was bummed, but I told her there was no getting around it, and I honestly felt bad for lying. The truth was… I just didn't want to be alone. I was afraid to be alone, because when I was alone I started thinking, and those thoughts scared me to my core.
When I went out of my room and mom saw my bandage I told her that I had a big zit on my neck and I was self-conscious. The story was flimsy, and she gave me a weird look but didn't question it. I had never been weird about crazy teenage stuff like that, so I knew that she wasn't really believing me. I knew that I would have to find a better excuse then that, people would start asking questions.
"Hey!" I heard someone say when I got to my locker that morning. I turned and there stood Caroline, peppy and smiling as normal. I felt a little fire ignite in my stomach. I ignored her and continued to get my books. "Ok? What's with the silent treatment?"
I glared at my books as I settled them in the crook of my elbow. I still hadn't forgotten how she left me there. I was trying to stop holding grudges, considering I had held one against Elena for years and now I was happy that we had worked things out. However, the anger I still felt toward the blonde had not ceased. Caroline then started poking my arm to get my attention. She definitely had received it, just not what she was hoping for. I slammed my locker shut, catching the attention of others around me. At that point I didn't really care. I was too upset and too messed up to give a shit who heard me or what they thought. Caroline flinched at the loud sound and her demeanor changed.
"Do you know what happened to me?" I asked her, malice in my voice. "Do you care to know what happened after you left me at the boarding house?"
Caroline's eyes winded and her eyes fell on my neck. Her mouth opened and a strangled sound came out. I ground my teeth, holding back all that I wanted to yell at her. I took a small breath, trying to control my temper. It was easier said than done.
"Damon…" She whispered. I let my hair fall, trying to cover the bandage. "Alex I am so-"
"Sorry?" I finished for her. I knew she felt bad, as she should. But I couldn't just forgive her. "Well, it's too late for that now."
"Alex! I didn't even think about it." Caroline explained. "So much was going on. I thought you got out!"
"Well, I didn't." I told her. "If this is what I get for saving your ass, then I won't be doing that anymore."
"Alex wait!" She called after me but I was already on the move. "Alex please!"
"Leave me alone!" I yelled at her. She froze at my loud scream and stayed where she was. I continued on my way to my first class. Since Tanner's death they hadn't hired a new history teacher, so we had had substitutes for over a week. We didn't do much, mostly watched boring documentaries and goofed off. I was ok with that, I could draw then without being distracted.
I started to draw in my notebook, noticing that Elena was not present. I was going to ignore it, but with the revelation that her boyfriend was a vampire along with his psycho brother, I decided to reach out to her. I texted her and she said that she was at Stefan's, checking on Vicki. I rushed a reply, worried about the new vampire. She told me that Vicki was ok; she was hungry which made her irritable. I shivered at the thought. She then assured me that she would fill me in if anything happened. I was about to put my phone away when I got a text from Bonnie.
Caroline's freaking out. What happened?
I ignored it, putting my phone back on my desk. I wasn't in the mood. I preferred to draw out my anger and pain. It wasn't long before my phone vibrated again. I looked down at it and it was yet another text from Bonnie.
You know I can see you ignoring me right now…
I typed back a quick response, saying I didn't want to talk about it and then shoved the phone into my bag dramatically. I could feel Bonnie's eyes on me, practically burning into the side of my head, but I chose to again ignore her again. If I talked to Bonnie I could reveal the secret, and as much as I wanted to scream vampire and warn everyone, there was something in me that wouldn't allow me to do so. There was something that told me not to tell. I think it was more Stefan than Damon. From what I could tell, Stefan meant no harm, and outing him would feel like a betrayal to me. Outing Damon… that might actually make me feel better. But with Damon comes Stefan, so I decided to keep my mouth shut for now.
I decided to focus on the blank piece of paper in front of me. It was practically calling my name and I put my pencil to paper. I got into my zone, that zone that once I'm in it's hard to get out of, and started scribbling. I didn't even realize the bell had rung until someone tapped my shoulder. I looked up and it was Bonnie. I forced a smile and then looked down at my drawing.
"That's terrifying." She told me. Looking down at the picture, it was quite scary. I had recreated the drawing I had done of Damon, but not charming and intriguing Damon. It was horrifying blood thirsty Damon, the one who haunted me. I felt a chill go through my body just looking at it. Without letting Bonnie study it too hard, I grabbed the notebook and shoved it in my bag. Bonnie was watching me carefully, like she was trying to read me. It was starting to get on my nerves.
"What is it Bonnie?" I asked her once I had my stuff packed up. She squinted and I found myself getting very annoyed at her staring. I figured the longer she focused on me the easier I would crack under the pressure.
"What the hell is going on?" She asked me. "First I can't get ahold of you or Elena, and then Caroline texts me freaking out because you are mad at her. What happened?"
"Nothing." I replied with a shrug. I was starting to feel like her, the whole brushing things off and running away. That was Bonnie's thing not mine. Now I felt what it was like when you didn't want to talk to someone and they continued to pester you. She followed me outside of the class and into the hall. I tried to lose her in the crowd but she caught up to me.
"Obviously it's not nothing." She said, still prying. I rolled my eyes. "Ok you don't have to tell me."
"I wasn't going to." I replied. I knew that I was being rude, but I thought that was the only way to get her off my back. I didn't want to lie anymore, and the more she pushed me the more I had to lie. Lying wasn't my forte, and if she kept this up I would let something slip. Bonnie was my friend, I didn't want to betray that trust. But I also couldn't bring her into this, especially since I myself didn't want to be involved. It was safer for her if she didn't know.
"Fine." Bonnie told me. "But whatever it is, you can talk to me."
I looked around to her with my mouth open but she had already turned to go. I debated on calling after her, spilling my guts. But I couldn't do that. It was way too dangerous for her and for me. If I told someone, and Damon found out I was sure that I would be dead, Bonnie included. I wanted to stay as far away from this situation as possible, pretend it never happened. But I couldn't get away.
His demonic face haunted me with every second I lived. I didn't think I would ever get over the fact that he had attacked me, more than once I might add, and then completely changed the life of someone I knew. He had changed my life as well. I also couldn't forget the fact that Katherine, both Damon and Stefan's first love, was the identical Twin of Elena.
I hadn't told her yet even though I had wanted to. I couldn't say it over text, and I hadn't seen her yet to say it in person. But how do you tell someone that they look exactly like their boyfriend's ex? That wasn't normal chit chat that you can have with someone. I had to plan it out and then say something. Unless the Salvatores leave, then I wouldn't have to worry about it. The secret would die with their departure. But I couldn't get that lucky.
According to Robert's sick and twisted rules, I had to dress up for work, something about entertaining the customers. He was hoping for something sexy I assumed, something that would arouse the male clientele. But sexy wasn't me that was proven at the sexy suds car wash where I was held captive by the psychotic vampire. I hadn't really thought about my costume this year, so I looked for something simple. I found my mom's from last year and pulled it on.
It was a long black sleeve shirt, a V cut so Robert wouldn't have a fit. It was paired with black skinny jeans and a black tail that tied around my waist. Mom had heels for it, but I chose black converse instead. I then set the fluffy cat ears on top of my head and sighed. I took a black marker and made a black nose and some whiskers. I knew that I looked cheesy, but I didn't really care. I was too focused on anything but dressing up at that point.
With barely a glance in the mirror I headed out the door. I caught the bus, not wanting to walk around dressed as a cat. I thought it would be more appropriate on the public bus then on the streets. I fiddled with my phone, hoping for a text from Elena, telling me that everything was ok. No such text arrived. The Grill was already packed when I got there. I recieved a lecture from Robert, even though I was ten minutes early. I noticed that our young bartender was wearing a toga, showing off his muscles and nice chest. A fellow waitress of mine was dressed as a sexy devil and a bus boy was dressed like a police officer with his shirt half way unbuttoned. I looked like a nun compared to these people, and it didn't go unnoticed to Robert either who grunted in disapproval at my attire. I sighed and got to work, the crowd only getting bigger.
There were people from my school milling about, dressed up as things that I didn't care to point out. There were the kids who went all out and then the ones who half assed it. But I guess it was ok because I hadn't really thought about dressing up either. I was already regretting coming in here and my shift had just started. I should have stayed home with mom watching Hocus Pocus and stuffing my face with Milky Way's.
"Well lookie here." I heard a voice behind me. I couldn't distinguish the voice over the loud crowd. I turned and sucked in a breath when I saw him. My heart was beating so loud I could hear it in my ears, and I felt like it might pop out of my chest. He slid into the bar stool, dark raven hair perfectly fallen on his brow. His eyes were just as I remembered them, blue and dangerous. He had a smirk on his face as he looked me up and down. I felt a shiver go up my spine as he inspected me.
"Meow." He purred as he looked over my tight ensemble. I immediately grabbed for my apron to tie it around my waist. "I didn't know you were so… feral."
"What do you want Damon?" I asked him with vigor. I forced myself to be tough, instead of the timid wimp I was before. I wanted to make sure that he knew I wasn't in the mood. He needed to stay away from me. He could probably tell that his presence was making me nervous, my heart beat resembled a hummingbirds. By the way he was looking at me, he could see through my tough shell. He cocked an eyebrow at my sudden anger.
"Put the claws away kitty." He said to me before ordering a drink. Ryan poured him one before moving on to other customers. "I'm not going to hurt you."
"Yeah like I can trust you." I muttered with an eye roll and a scoff. Damon licked his lips, amused at my irritated voice. It was starting to bug me, that he was finding joy in my anger, but I guessed when you were an indestructible immortal you could afford to act like a jack ass.
His eyes flickered down to my wrist. I followed his gaze to the bracelet that hung around it. I remembered that it had vervain, an herb that was toxic to vampires, and would stop a vampire from messing with my memory. I didn't, however, remember how I came across it and I also knew that I was not allowed to take it off.
"Trust me pretty girl…" He said catching my attention and then met my gaze. "That is no longer my intention."
I could hear the sincerity in his voice, but at that point I didn't know what was true and what was an act. I wanted to believe that he had no intention of hurting me or anyone I cared about, but how could I trust him? After everything he had done, how could I bring myself to even fathom giving him any kind of leeway? I guessed it was my nature, to try and fix things. I had been trying to fix my mom for years. I always tried to make her feel better about our shitty situation. I fixed things that's what I did.
"Than what is your intention?" I asked. His eyes met mine and then he shrugged. I found myself irritated that he didn't answer and when he continued to stare I just shook my head.
I took an empty tray and headed over to a table, taking their order. I noticed the Lockwoods enter and took their order as well. The Mayor seemed to be in distress, while his wife seemed perfectly at ease. Carol looked me over, again giving me that judging look like she did at the party the other night. I brushed it off, being as polite as possible. They would tip well, showing off they had the money to do so. I took Ryan their drink order, trying my best to stay as far away from Damon as possible and forcing myself not to look at him. His close proximity was giving me anxiety, but I wouldn't let him see it. I could feel him watching me though. With every move I made, the smallest twitch he watched. I felt very uneasy, the more he did it. I eventually went back behind the bar, and looked up at him.
"You know staring is considered rude in most cultures." I told him as I wiped down my tray. He was sipping his glass of bourbon, still watching me over his glass. His icy eyes were so cold and calculating, he looked like a snake. However, his cunning smirk gave him the mischievous look of a fox and I couldn't help but shiver under his gaze. I felt like a mouse compared to him.
"I can't help it." He admitted with a sly smile. "You fascinate me."
I scoffed and slapped a glass down on the counter. He seemed surprised at my reaction, but all the while still amused.
"Cut the crap." I ordered him when I looked up. His smile grew and I felt my temper flare. It was like some kind of game, and I was the pawn.
"That outfit brings out the sass in you." Damon said and leaned forward. "I like it."
"How is Vicki?" I asked him, the question ever burning my chest. "Where is Vicki?"
"So many questions." He replied, sipping his drink again. "Maybe I'll answer them if you give me something in return."
I shook my head and scoffed. I could not lie and say that his risqué comments were getting to me. Damon was attractive, but my fear of him outshined my desire. I could ask Stefan later or Elena, who I hadn't heard from in a long time and it was starting to worry me. I started to walk away, but Damon caught my arm. I couldn't deny that his grip sent a sort of fire inside of me, one that I didn't quite comprehend. He didn't hold me hard, he just held me enough to keep me where I was. I felt myself swallow hard before meeting his gaze.
"She's fine." He replied. "Or she will be."
"Will be?" I asked, eyebrows furrowed. He didn't let go of my arm, I didn't know if he even realized he was still holding on. But I didn't question it or pull myself out of his grip, which was even more alarming.
"She kind of… ran off." He admitted with a small spark of mischief. I opened my mouth with wide eyes. "Before you give me a lecture, Stefan's out looking for her."
"Ok? And shouldn't you be helping him?" I asked him finally wriggling my arm from his hand. Vicki was his responsibility, and he let her go. He should be the one trying to find her and not his brother. But I didn't peg Damon to be the responsible type anyway. I still didn't understand why he had changed Vicki in the first place.
"Want me to let you in on a little secret?" He asked, leaning forward. I swallowed, holding my ground, and not letting him get to me.
"Not really." I replied. "I've had enough secrets for one life time."
"I'm here on business. Getting to see you is just a perk. " Damon said with a wink, ignoring my previous comment. "See the Mayor over there?"
I looked over Damon's shoulder, seeing Mayor Lockwood looking very anxious, much more than when I had left. His wife had already had several drinks by now, so she was looking very relaxed and giggly. The mayor was obviously not amused.
"They have information that I need." Damon told me, causing me to furrow my brow. What on Earth could the mayor have that Damon wanted? Now that I knew about vampires, I realized that other people must too. When I had overheard the adults talking the night of the founder's party, I had concluded that they knew about their existence. That was the creature they were hunting. The mayor and his wife must know something that Damon wanted to keep quiet.
"So, what you are just going to ask them?" I asked, a little amused myself. As charming as Damon was, he couldn't get information out of those people. He shook his head, chuckling while he did so.
"Poor, naïve little Alex." He said before he shushed me. He then tapped his ear and became silent. My eyebrows furrowed, but then I realized that he was listening to their conversation. I would never get used to the fact that Damon could hear things that a normal human could not.
I waited, curious about what Damon was hearing. Although I wanted no part in Damon and Stefan's vampire world, I found myself very interested in what they were doing. Stefan was helping Vicki, therefore I was still involved. I wanted to make sure that Vicki turned out alright. Then I could be done with the Salvatores for good. Besides, I couldn't really get away. Damon seemed to follow me everywhere I went, and if he wasn't physically with me, I was dreaming about him. Sometimes I would catch myself thinking about him, and I hated it. I didn't want to, but my mind always took a different route than I planned.
"Interesting." Damon whispered. I bit my tongue so I wouldn't ask what was so interesting. He looked over his shoulder and then smirked. "I'll be back."
"What are you doing?" I asked him but he ignored me. I watched him head over to a booth. The mayor had gotten up, leaving Mrs. Lockwood to herself. I watched her look over her shoulder, right at Damon. It wasn't long after she looked away that Damon got up and sat where the mayor had just been sitting. I could see the look in Damon's eyes and knew he was flirting as he greeted Carol. I rolled my eyes and found myself a little taken aback by his forwardness.
He's just getting information. Nothing else.
But why should I care? Damon was his own person, he could flirt with whoever he wanted. Besides he was a dangerous creature that almost killed me and held me captive. He wasn't a good guy, and I shouldn't even be associating with him. But I couldn't help the feeling in my gut that popped up every time I looked over at the two.
I tried to keep myself busy, focusing on anything but them. It was easier said than done. I had no right to feel this way, and I knew deep down I shouldn't. I had to get over this… fascination. If I didn't, Damon would end up getting me killed, or be the one to do it.
And yet, there was something that told me he wouldn't. I looked down at the bracelet hanging from my wrist and back to the vampire. I didn't remember him giving it to me, but it would make sense. What if Damon had given me the bracelet? Knowing that he could no longer compel me and in turn he couldn't make me forget that he fed from me. I didn't see him as a compassionate guy, but I had to remember that Damon had loved someone once. Those kinds of feelings just didn't go away. Maybe he wasn't as bad as everyone saw him to be. Or he could be just that bad and he's playing with me. In the short time of knowing him I knew that Damon Salvatore did everything for a reason, and usually no one knew why he did things.
Suddenly I felt a vibration in my pocket. I looked around, making sure Robert wasn't in sight, and pulled out the phone. Elena showed up on the front screen and I felt my heart leap. I was hoping for information on Vicki, hoping it was a text to tell me that she was safe. I flipped open the phone and opened the text message.
SOS! Vicki is loose in the school. Got to find Jeremy. Get here fast!
I felt my heart drop to my stomach. If Vicki was at the party at school then she could hurt someone. She wasn't stable and if she bite someone they could die. The secret could be blown and Vicki could be dead. I couldn't let that happen. I sent a quick reply to Elena and shoved the phone in my pocket. I had to think of a plan. I had no way to get to the school in time and there was no way I could fight off Vicki if need be. So I went with my gut.
"Damon. I know you can hear me." I whispered, probably looking crazy for talking to myself if anyone saw. I could see Damon's head turn slightly toward me, still actively speaking to Mrs. Lockwood. I took that as my cue that he was listening.
"Vicki is at the school." I continued. "We've got to go."
He continued to sit there, not making a move to get up. At first, I thought he was just being a jerk, not making an effort to get up and help solve a problem he created. I huffed, crossing my arms over my chest.
"Are you kidding me?" I mumbled to which I saw him smirk a little. I was glaring daggers into the back of his head. I watched for about a minute until Damon finally excused himself and headed over to me.
"Let's go." He said, hand on the small of my back. I felt a shiver go up my spine at his touch and flinched a little. He didn't stop though. He started to lead me out but I stopped. He turned around and made a face, looking at me impatiently.
"I can't just leave." I told him. Robert would fire me if I just disappeared. Damon sighed and stalked off. I watched him head straight for my boss and felt a feeling of dread creep up into my gut. I watched him carefully as he spoke to Robert, ready to intervene if I had to. I then saw Robert nod and Damon smirked, coming right back to me.
"What did you say?" I asked him, his hand gripping my forearm and dragging me out the door. I followed him to his Camaro, sliding into the passenger seat when he opened it for me. He closed it behind me and with vampire speed he was in the driver seat before I could blink. I wouldn't get over that either.
"Don't worry about it." Damon replied. "What did Elena say?"
"Just to get to the school." I told him. He nodded, turning the key in the ignition. It amazed me how Damon could go from cocky and charming to all business in the blink of an eye. I wondered if it was a vampire thing or just a Damon thing. I stared out the window, knowing we were going way over the speed limit, my stomach doing flips. I didn't say anything, for fearing it would just make him go faster.
"You know I saw you watching me." Damon said suddenly. I turned my head back to look at him and he was smirking, gripping the wheel leisurely. I felt my jaw go slack.
"What?" I asked him, feeling the blush flood my cheeks. I didn't think he had seen me, but he was a vampire he probably saw me the whole time and I had no clue.
"I thought staring was considered rude?" He mocked me. I set my jaw and glared out the wind shield. "Looked to me like you were a little jealous."
"I was not jealous." I told him. I heard him chuckle. I couldn't believe he was accusing me of being jealous. But then again, I had to remember who I was dealing with. Damon was very self-assured and very much in love with himself. He also loved to bother me and make me uncomfortable. It was the way he was and I had only known him a short time.
"Don't worry pretty girl." He said to me, looking away from the road for a second. "I only have eyes for you."
I scoffed and dropped the subject there. I heard him snicker to himself before we fell silent again. I had to focus on the matter at hand. Elena was freaking out, afraid Vicki would attack Jeremy. I would be scared to. Vicki was unstable and although I don't think she would ever mean to hurt Jeremy, she couldn't control her hunger yet. If Jeremy got too close he could be one of the next headlines on the news.
We got to the school in a hurry, rushing up to where the party was. I didn't recognize many of the students, not used to all the costumes. I also didn't like all the decorations and the creepy lights. At some point someone jumped out at me and I screamed, jumping backward. I wasn't a big fan of getting scared. I landed into what felt like a wall, my back colliding with it's hard surface.
"I got you." Damon whispered in my ear as he took the lead. I couldn't help but notice the fact that his hand had encircled mine, instead of my arm. I bit my bottom lip at the gesture. He tugged me along with him, hand clutching mine. I could barely focus on the task at hand, my head getting dizzy the longer he touched me.
We made it outside, lots of decorations cluttering the school yard and the trees. There was candy everywhere and I could smell the alcohol as well. I hadn't seen Vicki, Jeremy, Elena, or Stefan and that was worrying me. I wondered where to even begin with all the people around.
"Maybe we should split up." I suggested. Damon turned around then, dropping his grip on my hand. I tried not to show my disappointment at the lack of contact.
"Bad idea." He replied. I furrowed my eyebrows.
"Why?" I asked him. He sighed, rolling his eyes like the answer was obvious.
"New vampire running around plus naïve, innocent virgin is a very bad combination." He told me taking a step closer. "I'm not letting you out of my sight."
"You don't have to protect me Damon." I told him. He stared down at me, eyes melting with my own. In that second it didn't matter what was going on or who I was with. All I knew was that I was trapped in those electric blue orbs and I couldn't get away until he allowed it.
"No splitting up." He ordered. I nodded, not questioning him any further. Damon was going to get what he wanted regardless of what I thought. Besides, I probably was safer with him by my side. If I even found Vicki, I could end up as her next meal.
The two of us stuck together, searching for any sign of Vicki. We came up with nothing, which was discouraging. I tried to call Elena but she wasn't answering, also discouraging.
"Alex?" I heard my name and turned quickly on my heel. Bonnie stood at a black caldron full of candy. She was dressed like a witch, hat and all. I smiled at her choice of costume, and if I had been in the right mind I probably would have laughed.
"Hey." I said. "Nice costume."
"Caroline's idea, not mine." She replied. "Speaking of Caroline…"
"I'm not talking to her." I told Bonnie. "Not now at least."
"Whatever she did she is sorry." Bonnie tried to reason with me. "She's having a rough time."
"Yeah so am I." I muttered. Bonnie sighed, giving me a weak smile. I knew she was just trying to fix the mold that had been broken. I just couldn't bring myself to forgive Caroline just yet. I knew I would eventually, but right now there was too much going on.
"Bonnie." A deep voice said behind me. Bonnie and I both looked to see Damon approaching. I felt my stomach lurch the closer he got. It was one thing for him to be seen with me, but I didn't know what Bonnie would say.
"So where...where'd Caroline run off to?" Damon asked, picking up a piece of candy. I felt my own stomach jump. Bonnie glared and I looked down to the ground.
"Do yourself a favor, Damon, and don't ask me about Caroline." Bonnie warned. She meant business, but Damon was not afraid of her. He didn't seem to be afraid of anything.
"Oh, Bonnie." Damon mused. "So loyal."
"Just stay away from her." Bonnie ordered. Damon smirked and I just looked away awkwardly. He was standing right behind me, and although I should have been scared of him being that close I wasn't. I felt more secure with him right there.
"Where'd you get that?" Damon asked, pointing to the necklace Bonnie was wearing. I hadn't noticed it until Damon said something. It was a yellowish color, quite sinister looking. It wasn't pretty, but went well with her costume.
"From a friend." Bonnie replied, gripping the gem hanging from the chain. She looked like she was prepared to fight for it if Damon took it. It was just costume jewelry right?
"Caroline." Damon said. "You know that's mine, don't you?"
"Not anymore." Bonnie taunted. I didn't know what to think in this situation. If Damon had willingly given it to Caroline, why should he get it back? But if it was his and he needed it back then what use was it to Bonnie?
"Funny." Damon said holding his hand out. "I'd like it back, please."
"I'm not giving it to you. I'll give it to Caroline, and she can give it to you if she feels like it." Bonnie explained. I could feel the tension in the air. It was so thick you could cut it with a knife. I knew that both of these personalities were strong, but Bonnie didn't know what Damon was capable of. He could snap her neck and not bat an eyelash.
"Or I could just take it right now." Damon said and reached forward. What happened next was something both horrifying and magical. When Damon's hand gripped the crystal you could hear his skin sizzling at the touch. He brought his hand back, as if the thing had burned him. All three of us had wide eyes, staring down at the necklace. Bonnie recovered much quicker than Damon and I did. She started running, something I was getting used to seeing her do. Honestly, with Damon I would have run too. Even not knowing he was a vampire, he was still intimidating.
"Are you ok?" I asked him, looking at his fried hand. I watched it start to heal itself, something I attributed to vampire abilities. Damon didn't answer me, he just watched after Bonnie with furrowed brows.
It wasn't long after Bonnie's outburst that Damon got a call from Stefan. I was kind of glad that it had happened when it did, or Damon might have gone after Bonnie and I knew that I couldn't stop him. Damon didn't speak as he led me away from the cauldron and to an unspecific location that Stefan told Damon to go. I had expected to find Stefan caring for Vicki, taking her back to the boarding house and watching her closely. What I walked in on was no such thing. Elena was crouched to the ground, holding her shoulder. I could see red on her white nurses outfit and knew right away she had been hurt.
"Elena!" I called out to her, running toward her. She looked up and stood upon seeing me. I gripped her arms. "Oh God what happened? Are you ok?"
"I'm fine." She replied, but I knew she wasn't. I could hear the tears in her voice and the anger laced beneath them. I stared into her eyes and watched them flicker down. I followed her gaze slowly and gasped upon seeing the sight before me.
Vicki was lying on the ground, gray and motionless. Her eyes were wide open and the veins underneath her face poked out. I could see the blood on her mouth and the wooden stake stabbed through her chest.
Vicki Donovan was dead.
I felt like I was going to throw up and I gripped Elena's arms so I wouldn't fall over. She couldn't be dead. I had just seen her the day prior. How could she be dead? Vicki and I were not close, and I would never claim we were. However, I was used to seeing her every day, alive and drugged up. I was not used to her not breathing and a stake shooting out of her heart.
"You should go. I got this." Damon said, grasping my attention. I looked up to where he stood, cooly, emotionless. Like he had seen this a million times before. It made me sick. I said nothing, about to just walk away, but Elena did not follow Damon's directions.
"You did this." Elena said angrily. "This is your fault!"
"You confuse me for someone with remorse." Damon quipped. I tried to catch Elena before she did something drastic, but I was too shaken up as I looked at the dead vampire on the ground. Elena pushed at him, but he didn't move an inch. She then tried to punch him, but with his vampire reflexes he caught her hand.
"None of this matters to me." He said, throwing Elena's hand away from him. "None of it."
"People die around you. How could it not matter?" Elena was infuriated. "It matters, and you know it."
I heard the slap before I saw it. Damon's emotionless expression melted in a second. I knew in that moment I had to intervene. I could see the look on Damon's face, a murderous and angry expression that would kill if it could. This look was directed right at Elena, who was a sitting duck bleeding and angry. I stepped between the two, more in front of Elena than anything. I knew I couldn't fight Damon off, but I could stop him from killing again tonight.
"Damon…" I warned. He didn't look at me, he continued to glare at Elena. I gently pushed my hand onto his chest. He looked down, right at my hand and back to me. I could see him visibly relax as our eyes met. We stayed like that for about a minute. I didn't know what I did, but it had worked.
"You need to leave." Damon said to Elena. "Your wounds are bleeding and you need to leave."
I felt Elena retreat after a second of her glaring at him. Damon watched her the whole way. Once she was gone, he looked back to me. My hand was still on his chest and as I made to move it he stopped me. He placed his hand over mine and held it there. I could feel his heart beating beneath my hand and let out a breath.
"So you do have one." I said before meeting his gaze again. He didn't say a word, he just stared at me. I swallowed, feeling very anxious under his gaze. He must have sensed it because he let go of my hand.
"Go." He ordered. He didn't have to tell me twice. I turned and sped away from the scene. It was too gruesome and I wasn't made to deal with that. I made my way in the direction that Elena had headed. I found her heading to her car.
"Elena!" I called to her. She didn't stop though. I had to run to catch up with her. She had tears running down her face.
"How could he do this?" She asked me. I opened my mouth but I didn't know what to say. I couldn't explain it, in fact I wondered myself. I didn't believe that Damon thought it would get this far. I didn't think he thought it through at all.
"Then he shows no remorse." Elena said to me. "He's a monster."
"Maybe that's just a façade." I suggested, hopefully. "Maybe he isn't so bad."
"Isn't so bad?" Elena asked me. "Are you hearing yourself? This is all his fault!"
"He made a mistake-" I began.
"Why are you defending him?" She asked me. I didn't understand why Elena was getting so upset with me. I hadn't done anything. I was just talking.
"I'm not!" I replied. "I'm just saying that he made a mistake."
"Yeah, a big one." She replied. "Now Vicki is dead and Jeremy is traumatized."
I bit my bottom lip. I hadn't known Jeremy was there. I wondered how he was taking it. Elena shook her head and headed toward her car.
"Why were you with him?" Elena asked me suddenly.
"He brought me here after you texted me." I answered. She shook her head.
"Seems to me like wherever you are he isn't far behind." She said suspiciously. I furrowed my brows.
"Do you think I want that?" I asked her, becoming angrier by the second. I was getting defensive I know, but Elena was pushing me to the limit. I had done nothing wrong.
"You don't seem to mind it." She replied. "Do you like him or something?"
"What? No!" I answered. Damon was the bad guy, I couldn't like him. He had attacked me and my friends. He had killed Vicki, even indirectly. I couldn't like him.
"He's dangerous Alex." She said. "You can't be friends with him."
"I'm not." I replied. She nodded before slipping into her car. "But even if I was, you can't tell me what to do."
"I'm not trying to Alex." She told me. "But you should know that nothing good will come from Damon Salvatore."
She slammed the door then, driving away without a second look to me. I stood there dumbfounded. I knew that Damon was dangerous. I knew all of that. I wasn't asking to be put in danger, I didn't want to be. Elena was over reacting, getting emotional because of what had happened tonight.
Damon eventually found me, stating that he took care of it. I shook my head when he said it. He meant he took care of Vicki's body, hiding it. It made me sick that he probably just dumped her off somewhere. He then drove me home, sitting right outside of my house. I reached for the handle but I stopped myself before I got out. I looked back to him and he was watching me. It was like he was calculating my next move.
"You don't feel bad about Vicki do you?" I asked him. He didn't answer me right away. He just held my gaze. I waited patiently for his answer.
"No." He admitted, still looking me in the eye. I didn't know what I had expected. I guess I expected him to lie to me, but I could tell this was the truth. Damon didn't care that Vicki was dead or what that would do to other people. He didn't care that Matt would have to mourn the death of his sister, or that Jeremy had lost yet another person. Damon didn't care.
"We can't be friends." I told him looking down at the floor. There was mud on my converse and suddenly it was very fascinating. I could feel his eyes burning holes into the side of my head, but I didn't dare look up.
"We shouldn't be friends." He replied. "I'm not a good guy Alex."
"I know." I nodded. I reached for the handle and began to pull but his hand shot across my chest. I looked over at him, his face so close to mine. I could see the pain behind his eyes, like he was struggling with what to say to me. He opened and closed his mouth a couple times, looking like a fish out of water.
"I'm no good for you Alex." He told me. I swallowed and nodded. He stared at me for a few more seconds before releasing my hand. I pulled on the handle and scrambled out of the car. I took my time, hoping that he would stop me and say something more.
He didn't.
I heard him drive away once my door was closed and I felt the tears prick my eyes. Vicki was dead. Vampires were real. Damon was no good for me. I couldn't handle all of these things at once. I felt myself break down. All the lies and the secrets, I didn't know if I could keep them all in. I wasn't cut out for any of this.
But I didn't have a choice. I was in it now and there was no way to get out.