Chapter 16: Most Powerful

The storm was loud, rough, demonic. It had a mind of its own. The tree branches banged and scratched against the window, causing a scraping noise to echo through the little girl's bedroom. Opening her eyes, the chocolate was dark as tears glazed her eyes, staring at the branch shadows through her bedroom curtains. In those old films, children would always be afraid of the outside world, seeing it through the curtains. It looked worse than it was, more frightening. Pulling the curtains back just faced you with reality. Pulling the covers back, the little girl climbed down from her bed and looked around as if there were people around her. Tip toeing at a speed of lightning, she moved over to the door, pulling it open.

A struck of thunder erupted through the sky as the little girl bolted down the hall, looking around as if she were in a maze. She knew where she was heading too. Pushing her parents door open, she ran in, her eyes wide as she seen her mom and dad up with Mike. Looking up, Ella gave her daughter a smile and patted the bed, ushering her over. Going over, she climbed up onto the bed, crawling onto her mom's lap as she sucked her thumb into her mouth.

"It's okay honey, it's just the storm. Your safe." Ella stroked Aria's hair, pulling the covers over them as she looked over at Byron with Mike.

"I seen shadows." The little girl uttered scared as Mike made a noise, closing his eyes.
"I know sweetie, but they won't harm you. It's just nature taking it's course." Continuing to stroke her hair, she rocked her.
"One day sweetheart, when your older, you'll hear the storm and understand." Byron told her, a smile on his face as he rocked Mike.
"Your father is right. You'll live to enjoy the storm when your older, you'll appreciate it a lot more."

"I don't think so." The little girl smoke, furrowing her eyebrows.
"You'll see."

Staring at the ceiling, she listened as the thunder struck the ground near by. Her usual chocolate eyes were a near black as she rolled onto her side and stared at the man sleeping across from her. What was she going to do? Watching him sleep, she narrowed her eyes, thinking about the past few days and what had happened. Was this really happening to her? Of all people? It just wasn't right. Sure, it explained a lot about everything she was seeing with Damon, but she still felt herself. Sitting up, she ran a hand through her hair as the branches scratched at the window, begging to be let in.

"One day." Aria murmured to herself, pushing herself up from the bed as she tip toed in a hurry to the bathroom. Why did he have to have a joined bathroom? Shaking her head of the thoughts, she looked into the mirror, not recognizing the person staring back at her. Was she really changing that much?

"Aria." The voice from the shadows whispered as it echoed throughout the bathroom.

Looking around, she narrowed her eyes hoping to see something, anything. No such luck. Licking her lips, she stepped back into the bedroom, looking over at Damon as she slipped her pair of uggs on and her jacket, walking out of the bedroom as she made her way downstairs.

"Come to us." The voice spoke again as Aria took a deep breath and grabbed her car keys, making her way out of the house. Where was she going? She didn't even know. Getting into her car, she started the engine up and reversed out of the drive, speeding away towards the one behind the voice.

Stopping at the falls, she stared out of the window, the thunder growing worse as she opened the door, slowly stepping out of the car as the wind blew her back against it. It just got much worse. Looking at the waterfall, she covered her face, feeling water being blew against her as she looked around in confusion. Why was she here? Moving away from the car, she pushed her way through the wind, closing her eyes.

"Aria."

Opening her eyes, she looked ahead and went wide-eyed as she seen someone standing there. It looked like a women. Moving forward, she bit her lip, going towards her. Was this a good idea? Rubbing her neck, she moved quicker against the wind, as she stood still in front of her.

"Who are you?" Aria asked, her eyes narrowing.
"I am Lilly."
"Lilly...that's suppose to help me how?"
"I'm a witch."
"That helps a little more." She replied, swallowing.
"You are the next in line."
"Uh, sorry for what?"
"Aria, after I'm finished with you, you are going to be the most powerful witch alive.

Aria just stared at her, having that feeling to burst out laughing in her face, but knew it wasn't the time. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she looked around and then back at Lilly. The most powerful witch? Ha, she couldn't be the MOST powerful witch. She was Aria Montgomery and she was a teenage girl, just wanting to live her life with her...vampire boyfriend. Yeah, she was stupid, how did she not see this coming to her?

"I'm...I need to go." Aria told her, nodding at her as she turned around, walking.
"Aria!" Lilly called out as she turned back around, "Whenever I call, you must come, you understand?"
"I understand, I guess." Shaking her head at her, she ran over to the car and got into it, rubbing her nose.

Reversing back out of the Falls, she turned around, driving forward and didn't look back. The most powerful witch? What would she say to Damon? Would she say anything? Was she going to tell him? Letting out a breath, she just focused on getting back to the boarding house.

Walking back inside the Boarding House, the brunette placed her keys on the table and hung her jacket up, closing the door as quietly as she could. She felt drained. Physically and emotionally. What was she supposed to do? Take it on her shoulders and walk on with life? Easier than it sounded. Taking her uggs off, she put them by the door and moved up the hall, taking the stairs quietly, trying not to hitting the creaking spots. Going up the hall, she opened the door to Damon's bedroom and walked inside, closing the door behind her as she rushed over to the bed and climbed in beside him. The thunder was calmer now, almost the aftermath.

"Aria?" Damon's voice soothed through her ears as she rolled onto her side, looking over at him.
"I'm here." She told him softly, moving closer as she kissed his lips and watched him.
"Mmhm." He moaned with a soft smile, opening his eyes, "Are you okay?"
"Yeah. Yeah I'm okay. Just went down to get a drink." Looking into his eyes, she buried her face into his neck.
"We'll go back to sleep, mhm? We got a busy day tomorrow." Stroking her hair, he rubbed his hand over her back.

"Sleeping is the first thing on my mind." She answered with a smile as he fell asleep.

Another lie. One, she wasn't okay, she was terrified. Two, sleeping? The first thing on her mind? Lie. It was the last. The first was figuring out how she told everyone she was to become the most powerful witch.

A/N: Hey everyone, hope it was to your enjoyment :D Trying to get my inspiration back :)

Shauna
xxx