Originally: 'All In My Head?'
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WARNING: POINTS OF THIS BOOK WILL DISCUSS ISSUES OF EATING DISORDERS, SUICIDAL THOUGHTS/ATTEMPTS, DEPRESSION, AND DEATH. IF YOU ARE SENSITIVE TO THESE ISSUES THEN PROCEED WITH CAUTION IF YOU ARE TO CONTINUE READIN...
Three successful massacres lay heavy on my conscience as Bonnie and I descended further into the belly of the beast. Similar to the show's portrayal, a raging storm was the result of charging each arena that held twelve deaths. Now we were finally winding through the hallways of Mystic Falls High, trekking toward the boiler room so we could finally enact the 'perfect' plan.
"You sure you're ready for this?" Bonnie's question made me pause once we'd finally reached our desired destination.
"Bit late to back out, don't ya' think(?)" My chuckle was forced as I dropped my backpack, crouching beside it to collect the candles we'd brought to aid our strength.
"You know what I mean," I continued moving forward, placing the candles in the right areas, "James?" I refused to glance back at her, focusing on my actions until a hand caught my arm with the placement of our final stick of wax-- "James!"
"What?!" I couldn't stop myself from snapping, the surge of energy lighting the room and forcing me to pull my head out of my ass. "I-I'm sorry, I'm being a dick."
"I'm not gonna disagree," the curve of her lips made me sigh in relief, rubbing a hand over my face to ease the tension in my muscles.
"I'm just scared of screwing this up," I admitted. "The success of all this has annoyingly been solely placed on our shoulders, magic being the core of fixing what's needed. It's just making me feel a little out of control..." my gaze dropped with the whisper, breath hitching when her gentle touch moved from my forearm as both her hands captured my own.
"Hey?" Our gazes met, "You once promised me that you wouldn't allow me to be consumed by the darkness inside of me. And while I know yours has been a struggle spanning years, right here and now I'm promising you the same. It won't consume you, James. I'll do everything in my power to make sure of that..."
My lips twitched and eyes stung, and while all I wanted to do was confess the extent of my love and gratitude to the Bennett, I knew the timing just wasn't right... "Thanks, Bonnie."
"Anytime," her smile calmed me, soothing grip tightening momentarily before she turned away to dig through her own backpack. Silas's tombstone filled her hands when she faced me again. "Now, I'll say it again: Are you sure you're ready for this?"
"I'm with you all the way, Bennett," I forced a smile, watching with shivering nerves as her concentration focused, the lump of rock oozing with blood as she channeled 36 deaths in an attempt to tear the veil down.
My skin warmed as the fire flared, the look in her eyes as she released a deep breath telling me all I needed to know. It was finally time to take on the Devil.
