𝐀𝐒 𝐈𝐓 𝐖𝐀𝐒 ༄ 𝗦. 𝗦𝗔𝗟𝗩𝗔𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗘 ²︎

𝘴𝘪𝘹

⁶︎

[season four || episode six]
we all go a little mad sometimes

↓︎

redamancy:
(n.) the act of loving the one
who loves you; a love returned
in full

↓︎

Despite her repeated protests, Stefan stayed in her living room with her brother on the lookout for Conner. They prayed it was just a one-time thing, seeing a ghost, but their wishes would not be answered.

Madeline couldn't sleep, isolating herself in her room. Family was no longer a priority for her, so she refused to hang around with Stefan and Pietro.

"Do you think she's alright?" Pietro questioned, looking at her bedroom door anxiously. Both males were contemplating if they should enter or not. Outbursts of turmoil became a continuous cycle for the redhead, her lack of humanity provoking each one without explanation.

Stefan sighed. "I don't know. I've never heard of a vampire experiencing hallucinations with their humanity switch off."

Observing the room, Pietro pursed his lips. Framed photos of Madeline's family had been taken down and tossed aside on a table as if they were nothing. It appeared like she started redecorating but never finished. "She was planning to leave, wasn't she?"

Stefan bit the inside of his cheek, unsure how to break the news to the twin brother lightly. "Yeah. Yeah, she was."

"I miss her," Pietro whispered, not needing to say any more words to express his grief. He knew why Madeline flipped the switch.

Feeling nothing was better than the grief.

Feeling nothing was better than the constant tears.

Feeling nothing was better than ever experiencing the pain of losing someone ever again.

Such a powerful desire to not care seeped into her bones, becoming a part of her. She learned to survive in chaos, but she finally had enough.

Stefan smiled sadly. "Me too."

Alerted, Stefan heard the windows in her bedroom open. Conflicted with concern, Stefan bolted into the room. Sage green curtains were flowing due to the infiltrating wind, almost as if they were pointing at where she left. "Shit."

Pietro was the second to realize. The redhead's absence was impossible to ignore. "She's gone."

✧

Investigating Conner's death, Madeline found herself back inside the tunnels. Drops of blood blotted the ground, proving that his death did, in fact, transpire. She could recall every detail.

The sound of his neck snapping. The way his blood tasted. The fervent euphoria she felt as she relished the kill.

Every. Little. Detail.

"Trying to see if you're going insane or not?" Conner declared from behind. Collected, Madeline turned around, prepared to face him.

Madeline muttered, "Just making sure you stay dead this time. What's the secret?"

"Oh no. You got it all wrong. I am dead." Conner said. In one blink, the injuries he gained at the hands of the female hybrid emerged.

Madeline creased her brows slightly. "So what? You're a ghost?" His injuries did not phase her. In fact, she felt proud.

"Did you know I had a family? A brother?" Conner said, attempting to discover Madeline's weak spots. He had been given the opportunity to torment his killer, and he certainly was going to enjoy every moment.