Well helloooo! It's been a few years! I realize most of my followers are probably gone but, eh, what the hell, right? Nothing like a pandemic to get you to finish old projects!
I kept this chapter relatively short because it was pretty heavy. This is the scene I've been dreading since I began, which might have something to do with why I quit right before I got here, years ago. I may have rushed this scene a bit. Definitely welcoming criticism here, I really struggled to write it so I'm not sure how it came out.
Anyway, we should be wrapped up in the next few chapters here. As always, thanks to anyone who takes the time to read. Much love!
CHAPTER 8
Text to: D$
Damon? I hope this is still your number. It's E
Gilbert? It's been years. What's up gorgeous? Always good to hear from my favourite girl
I broke up with him
Oh. I would say I'm sorry but I'm not. How u holding up? Need to talk?
I'm scared Damon.
WTF DID HE DO
He was so mad. I waited until he was sober. He didn't touch me this time but his face...
He told me he'd stay with a friend while I pack up but I'm so terrified he'll come home
Elena. Get out of the house. I'll catch the next flight to Philly. I'll help u through this.
Don't bother. I'm already packed and loaded into my car. I'm leaving first thing in the AM. You wouldn't be here in time anyway
Can't u leave right now? Stay w someone for tonite?
I think it will be fine. I'm probably worried for no reason. If he was going to show up he would've already. Thanks for answering though. I miss you
I miss u too. Stay safe or I'll kill u, alright Gilbert? Call me tomorrow?
Yeah, sure
Just as I put my phone down on the bed, I hear the back door crash open. Loud thumping footsteps. I leap up to lock the bedroom door, my fingers doing their best aging, drunken gambler impression. Thump. Thump. Thump. Closer and closer. A cacophonous crash of what sounds like dishes hitting the floor. The sound of his footsteps is mirroring the noise coming from my chest now. This moment reminds me of a recurring dream I had as a child, where I could hear footsteps coming up the stairs, ever closer to my door. A witch, hell bent on devouring me. Always the footsteps. Thump. Thump. Thump.
The door knob jiggles. Bang. Bang. Bang. "Elena! Open the fucking door sweetheart" swoons the last voice on earth I want to hear right now. Bang. Bang. Bang. Louder this time. Why didn't I leave? What made me think I'd be safe here? What happened to the strong girl I used to be? Where did this scared, frail woman come from? Did I do this? Have I made him this way? Was this my choice?
"Go away Stefan! You promised!" My voice shakes almost as much as my hands do. I'm wishing I had a weapon. I remember the hunting knife in the closet and jump up to get it, clutching it to my chest before sitting back on the bed. Not sure if I could actually use it but I feel slightly more secure. I briefly wonder if my violent shaking will cause me to accidentally stab myself and whether or not maybe it should be on purpose, when considering the alternative that stands on the other side of my bedroom door. A beast, a monster, perhaps of my own making. Maybe I deserve this.
CRASH.
He's broken the door down. It's hanging by one hinge. I consider the metaphor momentarily until he takes one step into the room and pauses to look down at me, huddled against the headboard with my knees to my chest. I'm silently hoping that there is some small vestige of humanity left in him; that he'll see how scared I am and realize what he's doing and what he has become. His beady, evil little eyes are nothing but slits; a look I'm used to when he gets into one of his rages. But... wait. He's crying. His cheeks are glistening with tears and his eyes are bloodshot. Is it really him who is the monster? Monsters don't cry. Maybe it has been me this whole time. No. Oh gods, please just get me out of this. Make him go away. Please, please, please.
"Baby. God, Elena, I love you so much. I KNOW I fucked up and I know that you're leaving. It's ok. I deserve it". He looks down at his shoes and there it is again. I'm feeling for him and part of me wants to hug him and tell him it will all be ok. "Just... can't I just hold you one last time? Please? I fucking love you!" He's almost full on sobbing now. I used to think his angry face was ugly and terrifying. This face scares me more than anything I've ever seen in my life. This is a whole new level of dangerous. I can't be sympathetic right now. Every one of my instincts is telling me I am in danger in his presence.
"No". I glance at my phone that's on the other side of the bed, wishing it was in my hand so I could call for help. He's unhinged (see?) and I have no idea what he's capable of in this moment. "I want you to leave. Please, Stefan. Please just go". I'm trying my best to use a calm and soothing tone.
He must have noticed me glance at the phone because he lunges forward and grabs it, opens it up and freezes. He slowly turns his head to look at me. Gods, I'm shaking like a leaf.
"I should've known. Damon. How long has this been going on behind my back, you little fucking WHORE?!" He screams that last word so loud I swear I can hear his voice echoing off the walls of the small room.
He throws my phone against the wall, hard. I watch in horror as the pieces fall clumsily to the floor. Clink. Clink. Clink. That was my only lifeline. I should've left. How could I be so stupid? He jumps onto the bed and lands on his knees, inches from my face, and grabs my wrists, yanking me towards him. This is when he discovers the knife I've been white-knuckling since he arrived. Talk about a plan backfiring. To my surprise, he laughs. I do nothing but shake and stifle a sob. Seriously, who is this girl?
"What did you think you were going to do with this?" He asks as he rips the knife from my hands and tosses it across the room. I have no control of my bodily functions anymore. My breathing is rapid, I'm shaking worse then ever, I might be peeing, I have no idea. All I'm focused on are those hateful eyes boring into mine. I say nothing. I'm frozen. Utterly broken and terrified.
My heart is trying its hardest to beat itself right out of its cage. There's another metaphor, I manage to muse sardonically. My heart and I are chained maidens, desperately trying to escape our fates. We are Andromeda, yearning for our Perseus. Once upon a time, I was my own Perseus, my own saviour. I was fucking Beowulf. Give me any monster and I'd slay it. If I met this version of me 4 years ago I would've thought I was a pathetic excuse of a woman. Who lets these things happen to them?
"Don't worry sweetheart, it'll all be over soon" he whispers as he leans in to me. Before I know what's happening, he's grabbed me and flipped me over onto my stomach. His full weight is on my back, his left hand covering my nose and mouth and his right arm cinched around my throat. I'm fighting with everything I have but I know this is probably it. I can't breathe.
"You're a little fucking slut and I won't watch you run off with my brother". All I can think about is his hot, wet breath on my ear and how much I wish I could breathe too, as everything fades to black.
Fun stuff, eh? Hopefully I'll have some more ready by next week, if people are still here and still reading TVD fics that is lol.
