Chapter 45

I hope that I'll be given some peace

I felt very dizzy when I opened my eyes. The first thing I saw was a cracked ceiling. Where was I? I turned on my side and noticed that I was lying on some kind of bunk bed under a big blanket. I was about to lift it, when I realized that I was naked. Great. I covered myself with the blanket before I got up. The room looked small and dirty.

There was just one tiny window but it was so dirty that I couldn't see through it. The room was furnished with the bunk bed, a wooden chair and a small dresser. I tried to remember how I had ended up here. The river… Someone had saved me. But who? I opened the door as silently as I could. I saw a living room. It wasn't much tidier than the small bedroom. Who ever lived here didn't seem to be much of a housekeeper.

"You're up. Good", someone said.

I startled when there was suddenly a man standing in front of me. His dark hair was messy and he was looking at me emotionlessly with his pale blue eyes. It looked like he hadn't shaved for few days. There was a bottle of scotch on his hand. Apparently he didn't care about the whole prohibition thing.

"What's your name, missy?" he asked.

I looked at him cautiously before I touched my throat and shook my head.

"You're a mute?"

I nodded. He looked at me curiously.

"Well, that's not a bad thing. If you ask me, the whole speaking thing is overrated anyway."

He walked to the couch and sat down. I wrapped the blanket tighter around me. I felt very uncomfortable. He opened his bottle and took a long sup.

"Drink?" he asked holding out the bottle.

I shook my head. He shrugged.

"Suit yourself. More for me."

I wasn't sure what to do. I needed my clothes.

"Come here", he said. "Sit with me."

I hesitated but I needed to ask him where my clothes were. I moved in front of him and pointed at the blanket. He rolled his eyes.

"I didn't touch you. I mean, of course I touched you but not like that. You were hypothermic so I had to remove your wet clothes. But I tried not to peek."

I stared at him. I hadn't even thought about that. I felt myself blushing.

"Hey, you have nothing to be ashamed of, you have gorgeous… I mean, I would imagine that you have."

I felt completely embarrassed. I had to get home. Klaus was probably worried sick. I tried to sign to this man that I needed my clothes. He didn't seem to care.

"Sit", he said emotionlessly.

I started to back away. He slammed his fist on the small table so hard that it shattered.

"I said sit!"

I shivered but I thought that it was best to do as he said. He calmed down as soon as I sat down, although I tried to stay as far away from his as possible.

"Sorry about that, I'm having a bad day. Or year. Hell, let's just make that a century."

Apparently he wasn't a human. This was just perfect.

"I think I'm going to call you River", he said thoughtfully. "It's fitting, don't you think?"

I couldn't understand why he wanted to call me anything. I wasn't staying here. At least I hoped so.

"Do you want to hear a secret, River?" he asked staring at his bottle. "I'm a monster. A real monster."

He started to laugh.

"I have killed people. I can't even remember how many. I used to try to remember but now I don't want to."

I didn't know what kind of reaction he was expecting but apparently my calmness amused him.

"Aren't you afraid?"

I shrugged and pointed at him and myself.

"You mean am I going to kill you? To be honest, I haven't decided yet. Somehow I would like to think that saving you meant something. But then again, what is one saved life comparing to all of those I have taken?"

He took another sup and sighed.

"I never wanted this", he mumbled. "If my brother would have just let me die…"

It was strange but I couldn't help but feel sorry for him. There was so much pain in his eyes. As stupid as it probably was, I moved a little closer and touched his shoulder. He looked surprised.

"You are a strange girl, River. But that's ok, I'm not exactly normal myself. You see, there was this girl who I loved more than anything in this world. I would have done anything for her. I would have died for her. Well, I did die for her. But none of that matters now. She's gone."

I startled when he suddenly pulled me closer and wrapped his arm around me.

"My darling Katherine…"

He played with my hair and inhaled my scent.

"You smell very good, you know."

I swallowed. Of course he had to be a vampire. I tapped his back few times hoping that would offer him enough consolation. I really didn't want to be his next drink.

"And you want to know what else? I came here trying to find my brother, my only family. And what did I find, a soulless, sadistic monster that enjoys killing. That's not my little brother. I was hoping that I could speak with him tonight, but instead I found you. What do you think that means?"

I had no idea what kind of answer he was looking for so I just shrugged. He pulled away and started to laugh.

"You know what River; I think that I like you. There's something about you…I just can't put my finger on it."

I wasn't sure was that a good or a bad thing. He didn't seem to be exactly stable and I didn't think that he knew what he was going to do to me. I was just praying that he wouldn't taste my blood. And I would have been more comfortable if I would have had my clothes. I tried again to ask him about my clothes. I tried to mimic getting dressed.

"Oh right, your dress. I'm afraid I don't have it anymore."

I stared at him. What did he mean he didn't have it?

"There was this little accident; it was soaking wet and I hung it too close to the stove…well, never mind, I'll get you some clothes later."

Later? That didn't sound good. I tried my best to look calm and pointed myself and the door. He didn't look happy.

"Seriously? I saved your life and you're just going to leave?"

I signed to him that I was grateful, although I knew that he wouldn't understand. He looked into my eyes. I saw his pupils dilating. He was trying to compel me.

"You don't want to leave."

I was immune to his compulsion, not even Klaus could compel me but I thought it would be best not to show it. I held still. He looked tired.

"I'm sorry River but I just can't be alone tonight."

He held me tightly and leaned his head on mine. I was afraid but he didn't do anything else. He was just…lonely. He lied down on the couch pulling me with him. My back was against his chest. I didn't fight. That would have been useless.

"Only an idiot wants this life", he murmured. "Eternal life…right. Eternal loneliness is more like it."

I felt sorry for him so I touched his hand.

"Thank you River. I really am sorry about all of this. I need someone… I'm pathetic. If my brother would see me now…"

He almost dropped his bottle so I took it and placed it on the floor.

"By the way…My name is…Damon", he murmured before he fell asleep.

His arms were around me so I didn't think that I could get up without waking him. This was great. I couldn't do anything but wait.