Chapter 4: Lost

Nicholas Age 10

Nicholas glared at the sign, looked at the very colorful orange map that screamed tourist. He would have called his brothers, but he hadn't listened to Damon the night before and forgot to charge his phone. So, here he was lost in Germany, not able to speak the native language though some spoke English. A man took pitty on him and taught him a few words like "Ich habe mich verlaufen" which mainly translated to I am lost, and also the nice phrase of "Ich spreche kein deutsch" which is I don't speak German." Nicholas knew some words like Rosine, and he found good morning and any work that sounded English with a German accent. Rosine just stuck and that is great an all if he liked raisins. Though no, he is lost and the mice man with his lovely wife were going to show him to the police station, but their bus had arrived, and he got this map.

Matching letter by letter the sign he turned left; his brothers were going to be at the water fountain. His feet hurt so much, signing again. Walking straight he wasn't sure how far he walked though he looked at the large clock again. Saying three in the afternoon. He sighed two hours he walked. His stomach growled it's want of food, he should have drank the blood when told he thought. Remembering the morning he sighed, tired he sat on the bench and looked at the grey sky. It was going to rain soon.

That morning:

"Nicky," Stefan woke him up, "time to wake up, we are going to be in Germany for two weeks, you need to wake up and get ready for the day."

They had flown in the night before on a plane, it had been late in Germany but in American time it was one in the afternoon. So, Stefan had given melatonin to help him sleep. And get to German time. This meant the first day was going to be hard. Tired and only ten was going to test Damon's patients with him.

So, he dressed and headed to the kitchen, they didn't like to get hotel rooms. Damon doesn't like people much, so he got a condo which Nicholas liked. The condo apartments were owned by a supernatural party, Nicholas didn't ask for details. In the kitchen Damon was reading something and saw Nicholas. Smiling at him.

"Morning, Nicky."

Rubbing his eyes, he gave his eldest brother a sleepy smile and yawned "Morning, Damy."

Sitting at the table, Stefan put a plate of pancakes infront of him, the pancakes were normal, everything was. Milk and Nicholas sighed. He didn't really like the taste of blood. It wasn't terrible, to him he just thought it was gross. Though he needed it to live, so it was medicine in his mind and like any sane child. Medicine doesn't always taste good. He had tried everything to make it tate better, hot sauce, sugar other things. It worked a little, but he would have to make more later because he aparent'y did something to the blood. What it was he didn't know, but Damon and Stefan saw a difference in him when it was just regular blood vs tampered. So he was forbade to put anything in it.

After breakfast, he was staring at the cup, it seemed larger than usual. Damon peaked up from his book. Sighing he said nothing, though if he waited too long he Nicholas knew the outcome of not doing as told especially when it came to his health and safety. After five minutes of staring, Damon sighed.

"You can drink it at lumch time, you will be drinking blood while we are here. You just have to drink half in the morning and the other half at night, Nicky. It's not that bad."

"Taste is gross."

"I'm not you so I am not sure what it tastes like."

Nicholas paused, he didn't know how to describe it, "Well it isn't super terrible, but it's…it's like…" he started to get frustrated and upset at himself. Nicholas found himself wanted to cry. He rubbed his tired eyes. He groaned and slapped his head on the table, knocking the glass over.

"Nicholas," Damon said.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it." Nicholas busted into tears. Stefan walked in, he didn't say anything as Damon picked Nicholas up in his arms. Holding him tight, he sat on the large seat in the lounge and just rubbed his back.

"Shhh, you are nor in trouble, Nicky, I know it was an accident."

"How about a nap? I know he just woke up but."

"That would be best, we will be here for two weeks, we will go out at 11 for lunch. How does that sound?"

Sniffling, Nicholas nodded his sleepy head, he didn't realize his thumb was by his lips until Damon put a hand to it and gently brought it back down.

After the morning they had gone out to a restaurant with outside seating, Damon and Stefan spoke fluent German. Stefan was teaching Nicholas a few words, after lunch they had went to a few sight seeing areas which was great, Nicholas enjoyed himself immensely. Then he had needed to use the toilet and made a wrong turn to get back to his brothers who were talking to friends, vampires. They were new to him so he didn't know who they were but they were native to Germany. In that wrong turn he hadn't realize it was the wrong way until it was too late.

Present time:

"Nicholas Valentino Salvatore," Damon was walking toward him quickly, not vampire speed that would draw to much attention. Nicholas didn't care he was upset at him and booked it toward his brother arms wide as he crashed into him hugging him tight. He hiccupped his throat hurt.

"Where did you go?!" He asked sternly but he had hugged his brother back, Nicholas didn't answer him. Though he hadn't heard him either, he was to tired to think or respond. Damon sighed, "Let's head back to the condo."

Nicholas nodded in his brother's chest; Stefan was by their side. Walking hand in hand