Chapter 12: Oh shit
Damon POV
I was once again perched up on a low branch of the tree I favored so much in my childhoods. Both the natural one and the vampire one. It was an old tree, with big old branches that overlooked the river. I was thinking of my choices and everything that happened since the last time I was here. I had sat on the same branch only three months ago when I realized I had been used by Katherine and decided that enough was enough. It was ironic how it only took me three months to make a full circle and return to where I started. The only difference was that this time it was not only my own heart that had been broken; I had taken Bella down with me. I overheard a few days ago that she got so sad and angry by me that she left to go to her mother. I wouldn't follow her I decided. I had harmed her enough; my only goal was to make her better and not sad and bitter like me when her boyfriend broke up with her. It seemed it was my place to make her sad and bitter instead.
I thought of how Bella changed me for the better. I had begun to dream once again. I was so sure she was my forever. I only wanted to be loved for what and who I am. Bella did that for me and look at what happened. I spent three happy months building a relationship, having what I wanted but like an idiot I wanted to bring her here and introduce her to my brother. At first everything was great. She hit it off with Elena and made enough friends for me to plan to move us here both after school to start a new life together. We could even visit Charlie and her mother who actually seemed a nice woman.
I remembered how sad I was while we planned out our winter break late at night in our bed, so it wouldn't be too obvious what we were doing. Bella left to visit her mother right as the school ended and I stayed in Forks for two whole days without her. I was so miserable I even stole a small teddy bear from her room and a moonstone ring she had to remind me of her. I bid Charlie goodbye and flew here to see my brother and let him update me on what was going on. He told me that he and Elena had finally come clean to Caroline and Matt about what he was because his compulsion wasn't working on Caroline anymore and after what happened Elena and Bonnie were not as close as before. I admit that only one day here I cracked and flew to Jacksonville where I all but stalked her or her daily routine with her mother. A part of me wanted to tell her I was there so she'd spend time with me but I understood her need to be with her mother and step dad. That didn't mean I liked it of course. Only the feeling of her ring on my chest, where I'd put in on a chain around my neck, made me feel warm. I appeared to her right after Christmas dinner instead of the following morning as planned because frankly I couldn't wait anymore and if her impatient hug and heated kiss was anything to judge by she felt the same way. That night was great, her mom and step dad took us on a night in town and I had the pleasure of holding Bella again as we danced. I was hurt when she didn't invite me in, instead leaving me with a goodnight kiss that night but I have to admit she had a point on not wanting me in her mom's house.
I am fully aware I sound like a pussy, the one thing I hate more than animal blood but for some insane reason that's the way I feel around her.
In a flash I remembered her expression of absolute pain when I found her loose floorboard and the hidden room underneath. She looked completely shaken, frightened and angry, at the same time. Quite the sexy combination if you ask me. She was ready to break and enter her former boyfriends house and set it on fire. I'd help of course. I hadn't done anything so fun in years! Unfortunately or fortunately, depends on how you see it, an invitation for the winter break from her mom came and stopped her. She was content with burying the box in her backyard afterwards.
Anyway, after I picked her up from her mom's we drove here in my car. She was nervous about meeting Stefan but tried not to show it and respecting that I told her about the town. She was practically shaking when she met Stefan but held her head high and let her inner bitch show her head when she met Elena, Bonnie and Caroline that I had to admit I really liked. That night and all the others after I held her in my arms every night and felt complete. Not even Katherine made me feel that way. So light, so carefree, like everything was ok in the world just because she was there. I didn't even give a damn about her one and only condition in my hunting. No deaths. She had said and I quote "It's none of my business how and what you eat. I just want to ask you if you could not kill them afterwards. You said you can eat without the kill"
But I fucked up. I wanted a breath and a snack so I went outside on our triple date and found a tasty male to drink from. Keeping my promise I didn't kill him afterwards and compelled him to think he cut himself while shaving. The soft laughter behind me had me turning around in a flash. There in a tiny leather skirt and even tinier also leather vest top stood Elena. After remembering what Elena wore and how much she liked her hair straight I realized it was Katherine who stood in front of me. She smiled me the smile I loved, her slightly ironic smirk she used when she knew something you didn't. Slowly she moved to me and stood right in front of me. I couldn't believe she was here. Modern dressing definitely suited her I thought her as I looked her up and down. Without thinking I closed the space between us and she reached up and kissed me. Still trying to understand what was happening exactly I kissed her back and lost myself in sensation. I heard a small gasp in the background but I didn't care. After all these years Katherine was here, in my arms, willingly and showing me herself this time. That was exactly what I wanted wasn't it? I heard Stefan in the background calling Katherine's name and I hugged her closer, he wouldn't take her this time, I felt her smile against my lips but what I heard afterwards made my blood run cold and left me immobile like a statue.
"Bella, take my car and go to my house, now"
Then the unsteady heartbeat moved away and less than a minute later I heard a car pulling away. Only then what was happening registered in my brain and I could think rationally again. I pulled away while pushing Katherine away from me and I raised my head to see a shocked and angry Stefan and an equally shocked Elena who also seemed to pity me. Katherine had the nerve to actually laugh at me and tell me to let the human bitch leave.
"Humans are so clingy, don't you think?"
was her actual words. I wanted to hit her so badly and I did it. I felt Stefan pulling me away from her and grabbing me with one arm and Katherine with the other he dragged us to the boarding house after ordering Elena to go to her house and try to calm Bella down.
Bella? What had I done?
At the house Stefan threw us both on the ground by the steps and glared at us both. Thankfully he had the sense to not invite her in. I was angry and ashamed under his glare so I lowered my head. Katherine seemed completely at ease and had the nerve to make small talk. I wanted to strangle her and only the presence of Stefan held me back. When however she said she was looking for us to join her and make our coven just the three of us as she wanted all along it was Stefan who lost in and broke a branch and stabbed her straight in the heart. I joined him and pushed the makeshift stake in deeper. I took a perverse pleasure in watching her die and we removed her crafted ring that protected her body from the sun. We decided we'd stay here with her while she died to make sure no one would save her this time.
It wasn't long until the sun came up and it was a new day. By that time Katherine's body was completely dead and just to be sure we sat there watching it turn into ashes by the sun. I was almost ready to go and try to explain to Bella when Stefan spoke on the phone with Elena who told him that Bella texted her a few hours ago telling her she left for Jacksonville. Hearing that I run away and for the last 3 days I've been here on that branch thinking.
Should I go to Forks and beg? Should I stay here and leave her in peace?
A/N: Should I leave it here? You tell me peopleā¦.
