TRUST, the vampire diaries

e i g h t

A strangled gasp cut through through the air of the Salvatore Boarding House. Avery's heart was beating like a hummingbird as she raced to Stefan's room where she was sure she heard him shout. Stumbling through the doorway she was met with the sight of Damon nonchalantly pulling a knife out of his stomach.

"Alright, I deserved that," He grumbled, seeming unfazed as he pulled the knife from his abdomen , "But I just wanted to let you know they caught the culprit. The animal responsible for killing coach Tanner and all those people."

"What are you talking about?" Stefan questioned. His tone was understandable. Clearly, the animal responsible for the murders had not been caught as he was standing in front of them.

"It was a mountain lion," Damon stated, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "A really big one."

He turned to face Avery who was still hovering at the doorframe, "It attacked a hunter this morning. It's all over the news."

Turning back to face his brother, Damon continued, emphasising his next words dramatically with his hands, "'Deadly beast captured. All's well in Mystic Falls'."

Stefan's brow furrowed and he eyed Damon with suspicion, "Why would you cover your tracks?"

Damon shrugged, an arrogant smirk on his face, "I've decided to stay a while." He smiled cruelly at the pair, "I'm just having way too much fun here with you and Elena."

Avery wanted to be sick, she thought he'd just get bored and leave town. He'd promised Stefan an eternity of misery and Avery supposed having a human girl who looked exactly like the vampire woman who they loved and turned them was too good an opportunity to let pass.

"And let's not forget Avery! What kind of family would we be if we left her in her time of need?" Damon turned his icy gaze to her, and she wanted to disappear. There was just something about him that struck pure fear into her very being.

"You can't touch Elena now," Stefan stated, bringing the attention of the human Salvatore.

Damon hummed, but not quite in agreement, "Well, the vervain keeps me out of her head, but maybe that's not my target. Believe it or not, Stefan, some girls don't need my persuasion. Some girls just can't resist my good looks, my style and my charm and my unflinching ability to listen to Taylor Swift."

Avery jumped in surprise, eyes widening as Damon stabbed Stefan in the stomach with the same knife he'd been holding in his hands. Stefan groaned and it was clear that it hurt Stefan more than it did Damon as his knees buckled and he fell to the floor.

"This is John Varvatos, dude," Damon grunted, smoothing out his shirt. "Dick move."

Damon breezed past Avery who hadn't moved from the doorway, eyes locked on Stefan as he removed the knife from his abdomen lifting his shirt to check his wound healed correctly. He locked eyes with her at the doorway, but neither said a word.

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