Chapter 9 (Enjoy!)
They pull up to the house again and this time there's an older man waiting outside. He has brown hair with salt and pepper patches. He looked good for his age but still walked with a crutch.
They get out and Abby hugs the butler before hugging the old man.
"Declan this is Mr. Donovan, Nicole's father."
They shake hands.
"Nice to meet your sir."
He yanks him in for a hard,stern handshake. "Pleasures all mine Declan. Come on in."
They come into a hall were Nicole and her brother were waiting..
"This is my daughter Victoria and my son Matthew or as everyone calls him Jr."
"We've meet."
Jr. Has his headphones in, he's barely paying attention.
Mr. Donovan yanks on the headphones, making his phone crash on the floor.
"Dad!" He complains.
"Matthew we have company, pay him some respect," he narrows his eyes, "Now."
"Hey man, sorry about last night. I was drunk."
He shrugs and turns away again.
Mr. Donovan grabs his son's phone and Jr. folds his arms.
"And what else Matthew?"
Jr. sighs, "It won't happen again Declan," he turns to his father,"can I go up to my room now?"
He hands him back the phone, "You sure can."
"This is Victoria, have you met her?"
"Nicole?" Declan asked confused.
Mr. Donovan heavily sighs, "What did I tell you about saying that was your name?"
"It is my name." She protest.
"Sweetie it's your middle name."
She folds her arms.
He takes a step back to look at his daughter."And what on gods green earth are you wearing Vicky? We discussed This! Arms length only."
"Dad! Please don't start and I hate that nickname."
"Go get dressed! Now!"
"I am dressed."
"Victoria Nicole Kelly Donovan."
"Alright! Alright! Come on Abby!" She stomps to her room and Abby follows.
"Kids." He scoffed.
"Right."
He leads Declan into the kitchen area where the butler pours two drinks, leaving them on the island.
"Do you have any?"
"Huh?" He was confused.
"Kids, son?"
Declan chuckles, "Seriously?"
"Yea, I wouldn't know if you did or if you didn't. In fact there's a lot I don't know about you son."
Declan slowly nods, taking a sip from his cup.
"So I'll get straight to it. What happened down there, what did you see after you and Jr. fell?"
"Darkness, I passed out." Declan's eyes shift to the floor and come back up to meet his.
"Some people said they thought they could hear you screaming, is that true?"
Declan rubs his hands together,"I honestly don't remember sir."
"How'd you get that?" He points to his neck bandage, "how'd that happen?" He was so intrigued.
"I honestly don't know, I just woke up and there it was."
"Seems strange. Where'd you go afterwards?"
"Hospital." He quickly says.
"That's odd, no one said they seen you check in there. In fact Donovan's general has no record of you."
He had to come up with a lie quick, "Oh," his hand comes around to rub his neck, " I must have been dreaming. Now that I remember, I woke up in Abby's house."
"Mmmhhhmmm. Well I do hope you feel better and in the meantime my best officers and deputies are on the case. Whoever did this won't go unpunished."
"Good."
Declan nervously follows him over to the couch.
"Where ya from?" Mr. Donovan switches the topic.
"Chicago."
"Hmmm. Nice city. Why come here?"
"Research, I'm a college student."
"Research on what? If I may ask?"
"Just stuff, your town is full of artifacts and history."
He eyes Declan from over the rim of his cup,
"Sure does." He takes a big gulp and swallows.
"Anything specific you're studying on?"
Declan shrugs, "Nothing specific."
"It's gotta be."
"Oh I don't know."
"Wow so you drive miles and miles. Eleven hours to be specific, just to write on a topic you know nothing about."
"I guess so… guess you can say I like the thrill."
"You kids are so crazy." Mr. Donovan chuckles.
He opens up a bottle of wine from the cabinet. He slightly raises it high as an offer to Declan.
"No thank you I don't drink."
"Oh come on I won't tell your parents."
"No thanks, I just don't drink."
"Suit yourself." He pops it open and pours himself a glass, then he points to Declan,"You know what kid, I like you."
Declan's taken back a bit, they had just met. "Thanks." He says awkwardly.
"And I want you to know you can come and talk to me about anything."
"Thanks." He nods.
"Listen, I'm going to write you a check." Where can I mail it to? I want to pay for your hospital bills."
"Mr. Donovan that's not necessary sir." Declan interrupts him.
"Sure it is. Please."
"No it's fine."
"Well at least let me give you a ride home it's the least I can do."
"NO." Declan response is cold and a little harsh, he didn't intend for it to come out that way, it just did. Alaric's warning came clear into his head.
"Alright then. I think it's time for you to go." He folds his arms.
"Sorry sir I didn't mean to-"
"Just get out."
He starts to walk to the door.
When he opens it, it slams back immediately.
He turns around to see Mr. Donovan with his hand above his.
"You're a bad liar."
"Mr Donovan I-"
"Just stop. You know I used to be a cop, a sheriff to be exact. I know when a person's story is off."
"I didn't li-"
"Do not insult my intelligence. Whatever you saw, whoever you talk too and for whatever reason you're here. I'm going to find out. Nothing stays hidden from me in my own town," he slowly opens up the door for him, "Nothing."
He starts his walk back to Alaric's when his phone rings.
"Hello."
"Hey Declan listen-"
"Oh hey Alaric, I just wanted to let you know, you were right."
"I know but I need you to listen-"
"Nicole's dad is nuts, He wanted to know everything!"
"I get that but Declan I need-"
"Did you need me to come back? I'm already on my way."
"No," he sighs, "I need you to leave."
"I am now, I don't think I had much of a choice!"
"No! Leave the town. Leave Donovans landing. Forever . Put it in your rearview and keep on driving. As fast as you possibly can."
"Wait, why?"
"There's a lot of things going on that you don't understand."
"I'm tired of hearing that. I want answers, like you promised."
"I know but I'm not willing to risk your life on a promise."
"My life?"
"Yes. Listen Declan,you're the missing piece to a very complex puzzle."
"What puzzle?"
"It doesn't matter."
"Does it have something to do with my bite?"
"Look, the people who formed this puzzle don't care how they solve it. To them its by any means necessary. Even if that means going through you. Elena and Damon were right. You should've never came back here. I and Bonnie should have never-"
Declan hears something heavy being thrown across the room in the background.
"Alaric!"
There's silence.
"Alaric!" He tries again. "Why me? Why didn't my parents want me coming back here?"
"Ask the great mayor of Donovans landing, Matt Donovan. You're his missing piece. He just doesn't know it yet."
(DID YOU GUYS ENJOY IT? LET US KNOW!)
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