Humanity 5 "The Beginning"

Chapter 22

ASHLEY'S POV

My heart is pounding as I run into the lobby of Whitmore. Damon is close behind me, and as I step into the room, I break down.

"Oh my god. Stefan!" I yell, rushing over to the couch where Elena is sobbing next to Stefan's desiccated body. This cannot be happening.

"I didn't know where to bring him, and I...I just couldn't leave him outside." Elena cries.

I glance up at Damon who's just standing off to the side. His face is emotionless. I know that he has no clue how to react right now.

"Bonnie has a plan, right? She...she said that she could bring people back." I mumble to myself, looking at Elena. She doesn't say anything as tears start pouring from my eyes. "Tell me that she can bring him back!" I yell.

"We'll bring him back." Damon speaks up from behind me.

I take short ragged breaths as I try to calm myself down. Stefan is dead. How is this even a possibility right now?

"Come on. Let's get him out of here." Damon says calmly, walking over and lifting Stefan's body from the couch.

DAMON'S POV

Now that Ashley is in the other room with Elena and Caroline, it's my turn to break down.

I kick a wooden chair in the dorm room and it breaks into tiny little pieces, causing Bonnie to jump.

"Damon, stop." She scolds as I pick up a piece of the wood and use it to smash a flower vase on the table.

"You said you had a plan, Bonnie." I growl.

"I did. I have a traveler who knew the right spell." She explains.

"And you lost her." I raise my voice.

"I didn't lose her. She was sucked into oblivion like everyone else on the other side."

"Then find another one." I snap. I want to keep my voice down for Ashley's sake. She's already way too upset about this. I don't wanna make it worse.

"It's more than just knowing the spell." Bonnie tells me. "Makos was able to come back because dozens of travelers were willing to sacrifice themselves in order to overwhelm me. I doubt they'll be willing to do that for a bunch of supernatural strangers."

"You know what you need?" I growl, pointing the plank of wood at her and walking closer. "You need motivation because if the other side goes away, everyone we know there, including you, goes away with it."

"I know that. Do you think I want to die?" She raises her voice strongly.

"My brother is over there." I say through gritted teeth.

"I know."

I sigh in frustration and throw the wood against the wall behind her. "So is Alaric, and so is your Grams." I say softly.

"I know that, Damon." She says gently before glancing behind her. "Enzo is here." She informs me.

"Well, if it isn't Mr. Butterfingers himself." I say with a sarcastic laugh. I look around the room, even though I know I won't be able to see him. "How'd it feel to have your only hope of coming back literally slip through your fingers?"

Bonnie pauses. She must be listening to Enzo.

"Are you serious?" She asks. "You found another traveler?"

"Well, then get on it." I say to Enzo...wherever he is.

ASHLEY'S POV

I see Liv and Luke's car cruising down the street. This is my chance. I rush into the road and appear in front of their car.