Author's Note: I recently rewatched The Vampire Diaries and realized that, even after watching this series about 5 times now, I still am not a fan of the horrible way Damen treats Caroline in the first season. Yes, he gets better, but I wanted to explore Caroline's feelings about it all once his compulsion over her is broken in her transition in becoming a vampire. I only wish that her steadfast dislike of Damon was fueled by this and remained consistent from beginning to end, but the show unfortunately brushes off a lot of things that really shouldn't be. I guess that is what Fanfiction is for, right? ;)
Legal Disclaimer: My work is my own creative intelligence and property, but I do not own the original source material it stems from (I wouldn't be writing fanfiction if it was). The opinions and interpretations of characters reflected in my stories may not follow what is portrayed from the source material. Please don't sue me, I'm a stay at home mom.
Warning Tag: Implied References to R*pe; Mentions of Blood
The War Inside
Caroline shot straight up in the hospital bed, the pillow that had suffocated her flew across the room from the sudden movement. The first thing she felt was an intense burning in her throat, a gravely dryness she couldn't explain or be soothed with the water she lunged for sitting beside her. The second thing she felt was a sharp, stabbing headache shooting through her head. An agonizing cry escaped her as she dropped the drained water bottle to the floor and held her head in her hands.
The pain was excruciating, but soon Caroline was able to focus on the flood of memories that crowded to the front of her mind. Memories that she didn't even know happened until now. They could be slotted into other parts of her spotty consciousness perfectly, like her sudden decision to take Damon to the Lockwood's party and not someone else, or why she thought wearing those ghastly scarves out in public was a good fashion choice.
Even more things raced through her mind, and with each one, she felt herself start to shake in horror. Wrapping her arms around her midsection, she let out a loud sob at the realization of just how far Damon went in manipulating her to do his bidding and be his little plaything. Knowing that he violated her more than once was enough to make her throw up the water she drank seconds before. She could barely keep herself together, with the lost memories flooding back in mixed with the insatiable thirst was too much.
That was when her senses kicked in, heightened and amplifying the blood bags that were left behind for her transfusions. Caroline grabbed one and sucked it down before she fully grasped what she was doing, almost repulsed at the action she just committed, but relieved it helped soothe the painful dryness in her throat.
Thirst finally quenched, her emotions dialed up once more. She found herself in the small bathroom off her room in an attempt to clean off the blood streaks dripping down her neck only to see that her sloppiness had it stain her hospital gown. Caroline forced herself to look in the mirror then, taking in the horror that reflected in her eyes. She couldn't shake the thoughts of Damen away, and in some disgusting way, she could feel him coursing through her veins.
Gripping the edges of the sink, she saw her eyes and face contort and her canines sharpen and point. She no longer felt all the emotions that were attached to being used and violated. Instead, it molded into pure rage.
"I'll never forgive you for this, Damon," Caroline hissed, feeling her fingers start to crack the porcelain sinks sides. "You're not going to get away with this. I swear it."
Originally Written For:
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (Challenges & Assignments)
Monthly Challenges for All
Word Count: 465