Inside the heart of every hospital is an abyss of memories, ranging from the pure joy a mother feels when she holds her newborn baby for the first time, to the heart-shattering moment when a man holds his soulmates hand as they pass from a tragic accident.
One memory has stayed on the surface for some time, still fresh in everyone's mind. A heartbreaking tale of how a five-year-old girl lost her mother, and the whole town lost a woman they adored, Veronica Koyne.
Veronica, Lia's mother, was barely coherent most of the time she spent in the hospital. However, in her final hours, she was lucid enough to realize she didn't have much time left. Veronica Koyne hugged her little girl tight, telling her to be strong.
And Lia held on to every word spoken by her mom that day. The five-year-old laid next to her mother, who was combing through her long ash-blonde, wavy hair, and listened to her speak her last work,'Erela'.
For years, that strange word haunted her. No matter where she went to find information on the word, the dictionary, people her mom knew, and her family tree, nothing ever came up. Eventually, Lia convinced herself she misunderstood what her mother said,
and moved on. But, occasionally the recollection will seep out of the shadows, haunting her for closure.
Crinkling her nose at the smell of antiseptic blended with men's cologne, Lia's eyes flutter open. Recognizing her surroundings, she frowns. Mystic Falls Hospital, the one place she would avoid, even if she got the plague.
Hearing her fidget around, Lucas puts down the homework he is working on. His mind had gone to a dark place when the doctors told him they weren't sure if she would wake, and here she is now, awake, and pulling him back into the light. "You're awake.
Babygirl, how do you feel?"
The jock scoots his chair closer, resting one of his hand on top of hers, making sure not to touch her IV. All the nights he slept in that uncomfortable chair have become worth it, now that he is staring into the vibrant blue eyes of the girl he loves.
Lia's inner anguish subsides as she laces her fingers with his. He keeps her emotions grounded, never letting her fall off the edge.
"I don't feel like I rolled down a hill and smacked my head against a rock." Lia's fingers skim her bandage on her forehead as she tries to recall her accident. Bit and pieces surface but were they memories, or fragments of dreams while she slipped into
unconsciousness?
"How are Caroline and Liz? I know they must be upset about what happened to me last night."
One night of oblivion would have been bearable for the people concerned about Lia, but she had been in a coma-like state for several days. Although she appeared to be in a peaceful dream-like sleep, inside her body was at war.
A person's head is a delicate thing when struck in particular areas, such as the temple. Until a certain vampire feed Lia his blood, her likelihood of survival was bleak. However, Lia's memory doesn't recall the metallic tasting liquid dripping down her
throat, curing her ailments.
"Lia, you have been out of it for a couple of days," Lucas rubs his thumb over the back of her hand, trying to give her some sense of peace.
Lucas continues to explain the severeness of her head injury, and Lia's eyes swell with tears when he explains the doctors told everyone they weren't sure she would wake up. And if she woke, the possibility of permanent damage was likely.
Calmness alludes Lia as she swallows the lump in her throat from the news that was just told to her. It hurts Lia to imagine how much distress her injury caused Sheriff Forbes and Caroline. They were her family, and they almost lost her in the exact hospital
her mother had passed in.
"No need to worry any further, Camellia, I called Sheriff Forbes and Caroline moments ago," a man's voice cuts into the lovebird's conversation. Standing in the doorway is the last blood-related family who stays in contact with Lia, Uncle Gabe.
"Uncle Gabe," Lia opens her arms for a hug, "it's good to see you!"
He only checks in around holidays and birthdays. However, when he got the call from Sheriff about Lia being in the hospital, Gabe dropped everything and caught the first available flight to Virgina.
Lucas is quick to get to his feet, turning to facing the tall, muscular guy. They have never met before, but instantly Lucas sees the resemblance between his girlfriend and her uncle. Gabe and Lia share similar features: lively blue eyes, warm smiles,
and an aura that draws people in.
Smiling at the hospitalized girl, Gabe carefully envelops her in an embrace. "It's good to see you too, Camellia. You have more color in your cheeks now than you did when I came by a couple of days ago."
"I feel pretty great too. Surprisingly, I don't have a headache," Lia gestures towards Lucas, "Lucas, this is my Uncle Gabe, my mom's brother. Uncle Gabe, this is Lucas, my boyfriend."
Gabe shakes Lucas's hand, complimenting his firm handshake. Sizing up the young man, Gabe doesn't sense anything suspicious. The boy is rather mundane compared to what Gabe has come across in his many years. It's a relief knowing Lia's isn't smitten with
someone who is supernatural. Once you meet an individual part of that world, it busts open like a pinata.
"You seem like a nice, young man. I hope you treat her right," Gabe affirms, giving an approving nod.
"Yes, sir. A smart, beautiful girl like Lia deserves the best." Lucas is calm and confident when he talks to his elders. Parents find themselves doting over the star quarterback; he is the guy dads have a hard time not approving of.
A yawn escapes Lia's lips as she watches them interact. For having slept the last couple days away, she's exhausted. Gabe notices this and suggests he walks Lucas out, considering it's about the time school starts.
Taking a glimpse over his shoulder at Lia, guilt gnaws at Gabe's heart. This incident will be minuscule compared to what her life will bring. Sooner or later Lia will realize her life is not normal; she is no ordinary human. The doppelgängers presence
has a way of roping in other supernaturals. And when that world opens up to her, all will change.
Milkshake Palace doesn't sound like a diner that serves delicious breakfast, but for Gabe and Lia, it's the only place to get breakfast at any time during the day. The mom and pop diner is a getaway for the two. All the issues outside of those four walls
are muted, the wall unpenetrable to their problems.
Finishing up the last of her Belgium waffle, Lia wipes her face clean of syrup. "How long are you in town for?"
Three or fours days is the average time he stays in Mystic Falls. Gabe's job leaves him in charge of managing a significant number of people, making it hard for him to be gone too long.
"Once they discharge you from the hospital, I must go back." While they were eating, a nurse came by to read Lia's test results. All of the tests came back negative or clean, but they wanted to keep her one more night, just in case. Even though this new
information alleviated all Gabe's concern for his niece's physical health, this town didn't sit right with him. Mystic Falls has a reputation for being home to mythical like individuals, at least in the past, so he figured precautions should be made
now rather than later.
Reaching into his pants pocket, Lia's uncle pulls out a little velvet box. "Before I forget, I have a gift for you."
Taking the small box into her hands, his niece insists he shouldn't have gotten her anything. However, she finds herself without words when the alexandrite ring, from within the black box, gleams in the presence of the bright hospital lights. The band
is white gold and in the form of a Claddagh Trinity Knot, with the alexandrite gem shaped in a heart.
Covering her mouth with her delicate hand, she gasps. The ring is the most captivating piece of jewelry Lia's ever perceived with her eyes. And the founders love to flaunt their family heirlooms.
Shaking her head, Lia starts to declining the gift once again, "Uncle Gab, this is too much-"
"No, do not worry about the cost. I simply repurposed the gem; it has been in our family for ages. Your birthday is approaching, and I am not certain I will be able to visit that day, so happy early birthday, Camellia. Almost seventeen, and already a
lovely girl." Gabe eyes the ring as Lia slips it on her right, index finger. "There is an old wise tale about alexandrite rings; they are said to be magical because they turn colors depending on your setting. Outside, when there is sunshine, the gem
is a greenish-blue. Indoors the rock's color is red-blue."
A family heirloom with a tale tall associated with magic. Suspicion tickles Lia's skin causing the girl to shiver. Is there a double meaning hidden behind this statement? Raising her gaze slowly from the new ring, Lia's eyes meet Gabe's. Answers that
evade her could be inside her uncle's mind.
"Oh thank god, Lia, I am so glad you are up." Caroline barges into the room, running over to Lia so she can embrace her. Thankfully, her best friend is completely healed, because Carolie did not hold back.
Stifling a giggle, Lia holds onto Caroline's forearms as she pulls away. "I am sure you survived fine without me. No one keeps life more in order than THE Caroline Forbes."
Caroline playfully rolls her eyes while taking a seat next on her best friend's hospital bed. "Are you kidding? The set up for the comet tonight is a disaster."
"That's tonight?" Lia's face falls. It's a rarity to see a celestial event such as this one. Some people don't in their entire lifetime, and now she too is going to miss out. Or have to observe it from this place.
"Right?! If only you would have woken up one day earlier, putting stuff together would have been way easier. Bonnie and Elena don't get me like you do," Caroline places her hand on the side of her head, letting out an over the top sigh, "By the way, Mr.
Koyne, it's good to see you!"
Gabes chuckles at Lia's bubbly best friend. He finds amusement in the two girls close bond. Caroline and Camellia are far from the same person, yet they understand each other better than most other people do. In the almost twelve years the girls have
lived together, they rarely argue, and if they do, it's short lived. Camellia being placed with the Forbes saved the young lady from caving into herself and shutting everyone else out, all because Caroline refused to let that happen.
"Always a pleasure Caroline, and you may call me Gabe," Gabe picks up Lia's clipboard off the end of her bed, "Camellia, I do not see a reason you have to miss this comet, Caroline, speaks of. The extra night here is just precautionary, and I may be able
to get the doctors to agree to you leaving early."
Caroline squeals in excitement as Lia's face beams with happiness. The sooner she can exit the hospital, the better. Death curses these walls, and every second she stays, the more a haunting premonition digs deeper into her mind: this place isn't done
taking the lives of the people she loves.
Small towns have the advantage of being able to come together when a big event happens. Shop owners close their door temporarily, teachers agree not to give out homework, and parents come home early to accompany their children. For a couple of hours,
all that matters is everyone enjoying the time they have together.
Lia's smile stretches as she sneaks up behind her friends. All of them are staring at the sky, waiting for the comet. Bonnie, Matt, and Tyler are sitting on the table part, using the bench as a foot rest, Elena and Stefan are off having a conversation,
and Caroline is off passing out the rest of the candles. Lucas is the only one of friend group who is missing; only because he is at the Grill, holding down the fort, tending to people who ask for water and need to use the bathroom.
Quitely, Lia makes it to the side of the table without any of them noticing. Staying silent, she breathes in the night, gazing at the many stars speckled across the night's sky. "Did you know the tail of the comet is dust particles and gas?"
Her voice turns the heads of her friends, all of them shocked. They had yet to be told Lia woke up; the girl asked Caroline not to say anything because she wanted to surprise them. Matt, who had been sitting on the end right by where she stood, jumps
off the table and sweeps Lia off her feet into a bear hug. "Lia, I didn't know you had been released!"
Lia laughs into Matt's shoulder blade, hugging the town's boy next door. "Yup! My uncle convinced the doctors to let me go early; he has a way with people," Feet firmly back on the ground, she concentrates on Matt's worries, "How's Vicki? I tried to visit
her before I left, but she was gone."
"Vicki was released earlier too. She's good now that the painkillers are out of her system. In the hospital she was going on about how a vampire attacked her," Matt shakes his head, letting his eyes roll.
"Hey, you can't blame people for what they say on painkillers," Lia laughs, turning to hug Bonnie.
Bonnie pulls her into an embrace, squeezing her tight, "We were all so worried about you. I am glad you're okay."
"Honestly, I feel great, even better than before I hit my head," Lia insists, taking a seat between Bonnie and Tyler, "I should be thanking you guys for helping Caroline set this up tonight. She seemed stressed when she came to the hospital."
"Crazy is a better word," Tyler mutters under his breath, earning a punch on the arm from Matt.
Minutes after settling in, Caroline finishes passing out the candles and comes to join the group. Together they watched the comet fly across the sky. And from feet away, Damon Salvatore is regarding them, keeping a close eye on the glass shattering girl.
For only spying on her for a couple of days, he's learned quite a lot about the girl. Around her friends, she's radiant, with a full smile, a contagious laugh, and a personality that has her friends continuously adoring her. Even when she's withdrawn
from the people she knows, people eyes are drawn to her. All it takes is for her to give them one small smile, a glimpse at her impossibletomiss ice-blue eyes, and she's left an everlasting impression.
But those aren't the traits Damon plan on using against her. Lia has the belief of people being inherently good, no matter the damage they carry with them. Her heart is huge, and she would exhaust herself in every way possible if it meant keeping the
ones she cares about happy. Even after her mother's passing, she holds her innocence in tact and is naive to how cruel the world can be.
And Damon plans on using her caring heart against her, in more than one way.
Slipping onto the only open stool, Lia waves at Lucas from the other side of the bar. Once the comet passing was over, the townspeople flocked to the Mystic Grill. Apparently, comets traveling through the infinite space above causes hunger.
"Aren't you a little young to be drinking?"
Lia's head turns towards the voice of a stranger. First Stefan, and now this bright, blue-eyed man. Two new people in less than a month must be a record here in Mystic Falls.
Damon's lips are pulled into a mischievous smirk, and his cocky vibe is suffocating, but Lia gives the man the of benefit doubt as she does with every person she meets. His demeanor could very well be a facade to cover up what he believes are unappealing
emotions. Who is she to judge?
"I'm, uh, not here to drink. My boyfriend is the bartender," Lia wraps her hand around the soda Lucas slides towards her, "Are you new in town?"
"Returning actually, used to live here back in the day." Damon surveys Lia up close, she has identical features to the one before her, yet you can tell she's not Aurora; at least Damon can. Aurora was calm in every situation, motherly to all persons she
cared about, and her confidence is unmatchable. That description does not exactly match Camellia.
When Lucas goes to the back to start collecting his stuff, Damon turns his body towards Lia. "Tell me, Lia, does your little boyfriend know what you are capable of?"
Lia's throat dries up, and she finds it hard to speak. It's not possible this unknown person knows about her mysterious gifts, is it? "I'm sorry, I don't know what you are talking about," Lia mutters, barely above a whisper.
The terrified girl stares straight ahead, not wanting her eyes to meet Damon's; Lia is not the best liar, people tend to see right through her.
Damon chuckles at this answering, knowing to get her to fess up it might take a threat. "Little flower, you are a terrible liar. Has anyone told you that?"
Little flower?She faintly recalls being called that before, but when is a mystery to her. Now is not the time to worry about a familiar sounding nickname. Her mind is running rampant with the idea of this stranger possibly knowing her secret. All
those times she thought everyone believed her excuses for her odd behavior, but now she wonders if other people have been catching on. And if they are, what do they think of her?
"Um, I, uh, have to go. Welcome back..." Anxiousness gets the best of Lia, and she quickly leaps off the stool, needing an out from this conversation. Excusing herself to the bathroom, she feels Damon's eyes follow her.
Holding on to the sink, her breaths become longer as she tries to keep her nerves maintained. There is no one she can turn to about this stuff. What is she supposed to do, randomly go up to Caroline and tell her she has some special gift? And some handsome
stranger knows about it, and he seems dangerous?
The sound of the bathroom dooring swinging open causes her to jump out of her skin, and Lia's hands start to tremble when those piercing blue eyes from moments before bore into her. Dangerous now appears to be an understatement; he followed her into the
girl's bathroom!
"What are you doing in here," Lia squeaks, almost tripping over her own feet as she slowly backs away.
Damon nonchalantly walks closer to his terrified prey, his smirk growing. He has her right where he needs her. "Don't worry, I compelled someone to watch the door for us."
"Compel-?"
"Ah, ah, ah my turn to talk," Damon holds his finger to her lips, "There is no use in lying to me, I know what you are capable. Now, I need your help, and it can happen one of two ways."
Damon tilts Lia's head up, making her look straight into his eyes, "You can give me a hand willingly, or I can make you help me. And before you even consider telling someone about this, think about what happened in Salem all those years ago. People don't
react well to what they don't understand. One slip up and I will ensure the whole town knows."
Nodding her head, Lia contemplates how to get past this guy. If she can get out of here, she's safe. He wouldn't dare harm her with witnesses around. "Okay, what do you need from me?"
Doing his eye thing, Damon backs off a little, believing she's already caved into his demands. Taking that moment to her advantage she knees him in a not-so-great area, and sprints towards the door. A second before she can turn the knob, Damon appears
his eyes a dark red, purple veins come from them. He bears his fangs at her for extra effect.
Covering her mouth, Lia holds in a scream. This isn't real, no she must be hallucinating. Finding herself once again pressed against the wall, Lia hugs her arms close to her. "How...I don't...Vampires aren't real!"
"Rude, I am standing right here." Fangs retract into his gums, and he reaches for Lia's gauze taped on her forehead. "Ready for another surprise?"
Ripping the wrapping off with no warning, Lia grabs his arms, determined to fight back. Though her attempt is useless; in a flash, Damon turns her so that he is holding her arms pinned to her side, while making her look at herself in the mirror.
"Now explain to me how your head wound is healed, not even a measly scratch left." Damon holds her tight, fighting off her trying to wiggle away from him.
"I don't understand...how is all of the possible?" Lia stops fighting him. Truly there is no use, he's stronger than her, faster, and obviously knows more than she does.
"Vampire blood is the only reason you are alive," Damon releases her, "As for how vampires exist, I don't have that answer, and I don't care."
Standing slightly behind her, Damon see's the spark in her eyes, the realization of how real the supernatural is. He opened a door she will never be able to close. Nothing made sense right now, and Lia suddenly felt lost.
"I will take your silence as a yes to helping me. Who knows, maybe in helping me you will learn more about yourself." Damon leaves Lia standing at the mirror, staring at herself. It reminded him of a time when he too realized vampires, witches, and other
tall tales walked the earth.
The world is hardly boring, Damon Salvatore. You are simply unaware of all the wonder it holds. I could show you, but once you have seen all it has to offer you can not close your eyes to it. For some, it's a gift, for others a curse. What do you say, darling? Are you ready for the world, for all of it?
Shaking Aurora's words out of his mind his eyes comb through the restaurant, looking for Lucas Fell. Finding him, Damon pulls him aside. "Your girlfriend isn't feeling too good. You might want to get her out of here; she's in the bathroom."
"Thanks for letting me know," Lucas narrows his eyes at Damon, "I don't believe we have met. Who are you? How do you know Lia?"
"I am Stefan's older brother." Damon pats Lucas on the back, grinning. Everything was starting to fall into place. Now to court a blonde close to Camellia Koyne, a way to ensure Lia stays right where he wants her.
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