Chapter 6: Unspoken Promise
Caroline sat on the cold stone floor of the Boarding House basement, staring at the thick iron door that separated her from Stefan. She couldn't see him from this position, but she could feel his presence, silent and unmoving. His retreat was palpable and the air was thick with guilt and shame.
Bonnie had been the first to leave, but not before locking the door with a powerful spell. No one would open it now, not without her say so. Stefan was a danger to himself and everyone with a pulse. Bonnie made it clear that Elena was the one who needed them right now. But Caroline stayed, here, with Stefan, even though she knew it didn't make sense.
She pulled her knees to her chest, her fingers gripping the fabric of her jeans. The silence in the basement pressed down on her, heavy and suffocating. Caroline had always hated silence. Her whole life, she had filled empty spaces with chatter, bright smiles, and perfectly placed comments. But now, it was as if Stefan's pain had swallowed the air in the room, leaving nothing but a void.
"I wish you'd say something," she said softly, trying to keep her voice steady. She hated seeing him like this—so far away, even when he was right in front of her. "You can yell if you want. Anything. Just… talk to me."
Nothing.
Caroline leaned her head back against the wall, closing her eyes briefly. She felt the weight of the day pressing down on her, the enormity of it all—Elena's unraveling, Bonnie's anger, and now Stefan's slow collapse. None of them were okay, but somehow, it was Stefan's pain that tugged at her the most.
"Bonnie thinks I'm crazy for staying," she murmured, more to herself than to Stefan. "She said Elena needs us more. And I get that—I do. But…" Her voice trailed off. She couldn't explain it, not even to herself. There was just something about seeing Stefan like this, broken and lost, that she couldn't walk away from.
Caroline listened carefully for a sign of movement, no matter how small, just hoping he was listening, but Stefan didn't move. He remained curled in the far corner, his face hidden in shadow.
Her chest tightened. This wasn't the Stefan she knew, the one who had taught her how to manage and even enjoy her vampirism, the Stefan who had been there for her when she felt like everything was spiraling out of control. He had been her anchor, and now… he was lost.
"Stefan, please," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "I know you're in pain, but shutting me out isn't going to help."
More silence.
Caroline bit her lip, frustrated. She wasn't used to this—being ignored, being powerless. She was used to taking charge, fixing things, but here, with Stefan, she felt helpless. "I hate this, you know? Not being able to help you." She let out a bitter laugh. "Now, I don't even know what to say to you."
She rested her forehead against her knees, closing her eyes. The minutes dragged on, the only sound the faint drip of water somewhere in the basement. Caroline stayed like that for a while, her mind swirling with everything that had happened. She couldn't abandon Stefan, but she also couldn't ignore Bonnie's words. Elena was her best friend, and she was hurting too. Everyone was falling apart, and no matter what Caroline did, it felt like it wasn't enough.
Eventually, the sound of footsteps pulled her out of her thoughts. Damon's boots echoed off the stone walls as he descended the stairs, his presence filling the room before he even spoke. Caroline didn't bother looking up. She knew what was coming.
"Caroline," Damon said, his voice flat, "go home."
She kept her gaze fixed on the door, refusing to move. "I'm not leaving him."
Damon stopped beside her, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. "Elena needs you." His voice faltered, the weight of his brother's name hanging between them. "Stefan's not going anywhere."
Caroline clenched her jaw, fighting back the tears that threatened to surface. "He's my friend, Damon. I'm won't just abandon him. Not when he's like this."
Damon's eyes softened for a moment, but then his resolve hardened again. "You're no good to him sitting down here all night, torturing yourself. Go home, get some rest. You can come back tomorrow."
"No," Caroline repeated, her voice more forceful this time.
Damon's patience snapped. "He doesn't need you right now, Caroline! What he needs is time, space—anything but you sitting here, pretending this is helping." He gestured toward the cell. "Do you think he wants you here, watching him like this? You think this is what's going to bring him back?"
Caroline stood up, her heart pounding. "I don't care if it's what he wants! He was there for me, Damon. He's always been there for me. I'm not turning my back on him now."
Damon's expression tightened, his frustration evident. He let out a long breath, running a hand through his hair. "Whatever Caroline. Stay here all night for all I care"
"I need a drink," Damon muttered, moving to walk away.
Caroline opened her mouth to argue, but the exhaustion in Damon's voice stopped her. He was just as drained as she was, maybe even more so. "I'll come back tomorrow," she said, her voice quieter now.
Damon gave a slight nod, his shoulders relaxing just a little. "Good."
With one last glance at the cell door, Caroline reluctantly turned toward the stairs. "Stefan," she said softly, her hand resting on the cold metal for just a moment, "I'll see you tomorrow."
She didn't expect a response, and she didn't get one. But as she walked up the stairs, she promised herself that she would keep coming back. Stefan wasn't beyond saving. Not yet.
