Chapter 3
It was morning before the child awoke. Damon noticed a shift in her breathing, as it became shallow and panicky. She couldn't work out where she was or how she got there. In an instant, Damon was stroking her cheek gently. 'Hello, little lady' he whispered gently, so as not to frighten her. 'You're safe here. I'm not going to hurt you.' He felt her relax slightly and her large eyes seemed to lose some of their panic. 'What's your name?' he asked. She replied, too weak to speak much louder than a whisper. 'Ottilie…' He smiled. A beautiful name for a beautiful little girl. 'I'm Damon,' he said, 'and I'm going to look after you. Is that okay?' She nodded weakly. 'I'm going to go and get you some food. You don't look like you've eaten in a while. I'll be right back, okay?' She'd closed her eyes again but he just about caught it. 'Thank you, Mr Damon…'.
He sped down to the kitchen and found Stefan sitting at the table, sipping at a blood bag. 'She's awake?' he said, standing. Damon nodded.
'I need to make her some food. She's so weak.' Stefan sprung into action, mustering up pancakes with honey and fruit, and a big glass of orange juice. 'This should get her blood sugars up.' He said. Damon took the glass, and biting his wrist, let a few drops of blood fall into it. 'It's just a little,' he said. 'It should be enough just to speed up her healing.' Stefan nodded. 'Do you want to come and meet her properly?' asked Damon. Stefan looked hesitantly at him. 'As long as I don't scare her.' He said.
The brothers made their way up to the room where the girl was resting. 'Ottilie,' called Damon, wanting to alert her to his presence in case she was still frightened. 'I'm bringing you some food now. I'd also like you to meet my brother.' They walked into her room and she looked carefully at them both, her eyes round at the sight of the food. Stefan took the tray from Damon as he carefully sat the girl up, propping her up on the mountains of pillows on the bed. 'Hi, I'm Stefan.' He said. Ottilie smiled at him shyly, but didn't say anything.
'Right then, little lady' said Damon. 'We weren't sure what you'd like to eat but Stefan has made you pancakes. Is that okay?' Her mouth formed a shocked 'o' as she realised that the food was intended for her. 'I'm allowed to eat it?' she whispered. Damon frowned and she shrunk back into the pillows. 'Of course you're allowed to eat it, Ottilie. I'd like you to eat as much of it as you can please.' Ottilie nodded carefully.
'Yes, Mr Damon. Thank you' she said quietly. Stefan took a step forwards and knelt next to the bed. 'Ottilie, why do you think you're not allowed to eat it?' he asked gently. She shrugged, eyeing the enormous stack of pancakes. 'I'm not allowed to eat unless all the work is done, and only then if it's done right. I haven't been very good at it lately.' The brothers exchanged looks. 'When was the last time you ate, Ottilie?' asked Damon. She looked thoughtful. 'What day is it today?' she asked.
'It's Thursday' said Damon, through gritted teeth. This didn't sound like it was going to lead to an answer he was happy with. 'Then Monday, Mr Damon. I snuck some food from the kitchen when nobody was watching. I'm really sorry, please, please don't tell her. She'll be so angry and then she'll…' the girl trailed off, her big eyes now full of tears. Stefan pulled her into his arms, holding her close as her panic filled sobs wracked her tiny body. 'We won't tell anybody, you're safe. You're safe here' he soothed, stroking her hair gently. She began to relax. 'Right, come on. These pancakes aren't going to eat themselves!' joked Damon gently and put Ottilie back into bed, handing her the plate. She dove in, relishing every mouthful. 'Thank you, Mr Stefan and Mr Damon. They were so wonderful. I'm so sorry but I can't finish them' she said, almost sadly. Damon chuckled,
'Don't worry, I'm sure Stefan will manage them. Here's your juice. Drink up!' She took the large glass and took a sip, her nose crinkling at the unusual taste. 'It's special juice' said Damon quickly. She smiled and managed to finish the whole glass. By the time she'd finished it, Damon could already see the large cut on her head begin to heal, and the burns and scars were starting to fade slightly. She relaxed back into the pillows, full for the first time in a long time and sighed contentedly. Damon ruffled her hair gently. 'Brother,' he said, 'I think we should call Caroline. The little lady here is going to need some clothes.' Stefan smiled. 'I'll text her now!' he said.