Chapter 7: No Tears
Summary: Alessandra's father wreaks havoc on her room.
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Later that evening, just as Damon had promised he appeared on Alessandra's door step.
He knocked briskly on the door as rain poured down on top of his head.
Alessandra opened the door, but she didn't look herself. Her skin was pale and she had a bruise on her left cheek, just over that delicate cheek bone. Her eyes were red rimmed and she had a scowl on her face.
"Can I come in?" Damon asked.
She simply walked away, leaving the door opened for him to follow.
When he was inside Damon was shocked at what he saw.
Her room was completely destroyed. All of her nice things lay on the floor broken, or out of place.
"What happened?" Damon asked, though he knew the answer.
"My father." Was all she said.
"Why did he..." Damon trailed off.
"Because he says he will not allow his child to shame him." She replied, bitterly, "He called me a harlot and worked himself into a rage. After he hit me he took the rest of his frustrations out on my room."
Damon narrowed his obsidian eyes, "That son of a..." he stopped himself, then turned to Alessandra.
She looked sad and so small.
"Alessandra, he will not do this to you again." Damon said, making a vow of it.
"How will you stop him, Damon?" Alessandra asked, doubtfully, "He is my father." She turned her back on him and walked to the window, watching the rain slip down it's glassy surface.
"Alessandra," Damon replied, "I'm leaving tomorrow."
"What?" Alessandra turned to look at him, her blue eyes wide and hurt.
"I'm offering you a chance to come with me." Damon said, calmly, "Nothing would enthrall me more than having you with me, but you've got to trust me 100 %."
Alessandra turned away, "I can't, Damon. My father will come looking for me."
"And," Damon interrupted, "By the time he realizes we'll be long gone."
Alessandra inhaled a quivering breath, "Oh, Damon, I'm so frightened."
"What is there to be frightened of?" Damon asked, "I can supply you with everything you need."
"But..." She couldn't bring herself to speak.
"Alessandra, there is more." Damon said, kneeling and taking her hands, "There is more that I must tell you, before you make a decision."
Alessandra's lips parted in question.
"I can offer you so much, that not even your father will be able to harm you. Nothing will. Not the kiss of old age, or the cold breath of death. Nothing."
"Damon, what are you saying?" She backed away slightly.
"I'm saying, that I want to protect you." Damon smiled, "But in order to do that you will have to sacrifice your mortality."
Alessandra didn't seem afraid now, just confused.
"Have you ever heard the legends of vampires?" Damon asked, "Or read of them?"
Alessandra thought, then nodded, "I've read that they come out at night and suck the life from the living. That they're damned."
"No, not damned, Alessandra." Damon walked over and sat down on her bed.
"Well, what of them?" Alessandra asked impatiently.
"They exist." Damon replied.
Alessandra shook her head.
"Yes." Damon nodded, "Now I am going to attempt to break this to you as gently as possible. And I am hoping that you will not over react. I will not hurt you."
Alessandra just looked bewildered.
"Alessandra, I am a vampire." Damon looked into her blue eyes, willing her to understand.
"Damon, they are creatures of legend." Alessandra replied, "How could you possibly tell me such an outrageous thing?"
"I didn't want to do this, but you leave me no choice." Damon stared at her neck, he could feel his canines lengthening into delicate points. He bared his teeth.
Alessandra's eyes widened, "Oh, Damon." she sighed.
Damon closed his mouth, it was obvious that was enough to convince her.
"What happened?" She asked.
"A long story." Damon replied, "One I will share with you someday, but not now."
Alessandra looked down, not able to look into his eyes.
"I want you to go with me, but you have to make the decision now." Damon said.
Alessandra twisted her long brown hair, "I'm afraid. Part of me says that he'll find me and the other half says that if I let you walk out of my life I'll regret it forever. "
"If you're really afraid of him I can take care of it right now." Damon said, smiling to reveal pearly white fangs.
Alessandra shook her head furiously, "No, Damon, that's an awful thing to say."
"No," Damon countered, "What's terrible is hitting a lady. I may not be the most moralistic man on earth, but I would never hit a woman."
"He was just angry." Alessandra replied.
"Well, maybe I'm just angry." Damon narrowed his eyes, "Maybe I'll just tear out his throat."
"No, Damon, please. I may hate him, but he doesn't' deserve to die." Alessandra took his hand.
"If you hate him why would you stay here to endure this abuse another second. I know I wouldn't." Damon's normally smiling lips were drawn in a tight line.
"I am not a strong, nor as brave as you." Alessandra replied, "I haven't the courage."
"Enough of this arguing. Will you come?" He asked, demanding an answer.
Alessandra's blue eyes looked into his, "Give me until dawn to think. Come in the morning and I will give you my decision."
Damon nodded, accepting this.
He kissed her lips and she walked him to the door.
"Goodnight." She smiled to reassure him.
"No, Alessandra, for me good morning." And then he retreated into the rain, shielded by the darkness.
