The Sensitive

Chapter 19 : Saving Stefan

"It's where I first met you."

That stopped me in my tracks. What did he just say? I turned around to face him. "We did? I'm sorry, but I don't remember that."

Stefan sadly shook his head and moved to stand in front of me. "I would imagine not. The first time I saw you was the night your parents died."

Oh right, Marilyn had been in the car that night too. She, like Elena, had miraculously survived the crash but had no memory as to how."Y-you saved Elena and I, didn't you?"

Stefan nodded his head, turning to look out over the edge of the bridge. Preparing himself to share the story with me. "I was visiting my nephew Zac that weekend. I was out hunting when I heard the screams. By the time I got to here, the car was already submerged. I dove in after, with the intent of helping who I could. Your father was still conscious. I went to try and help him, but he wouldn't let me help him but he wouldn't let me until I helped whoever was in the back."

As he spoke, memories filled with panic filled my mind as he recounted the story, illustrating the events. The memories weren't mine but felt very real to me. "I looked in the back and saw two girls, one was unconscious, Elena. The other was violently yanking at who I assumed was her sister's seatbelt-"

"Me. I-I tried to save her." I say out loud in awe and shock.

Stefan nodded his head and began to run his fingers up and down my bare arms in a soothing manner. "Yes, you did. But you were losing air and consciousness. The passenger side of the car had taken the brunt of the collision. Your head had been bashed into the car window when the car crashed. You were fading fast, but it seems that you didn't want to go. Not without knowing your sister was safe."

"You were barely conscious when I pulled you and Elena from the car and unconscious by the time we reached the surface. I was worried that you wouldn't make it, but against all odds you did."

"I am a stubborn little thing." Stefan chuckled at my comment.

"That you are."

Without thinking, I wrapped my arms around his neck pulling him into a hug. "Thank you, for telling me that."

Stefan didn't answer me. He didn't need to. He just held me, letting me soak in all the details of the story he just shared with me. We stayed like that for a while, just basking in the comfort of our hug.

After a while, I pulled back from him. Enough so I could look him in the eyes. "Why did that memory calm you down? It wasn't a very calm and happy situation."

Stefan nodded. "No, it wasn't. And to be honest it wasn't a memory I was thinking of."

I furrowed my brows slightly in confusion. "Then what were you thinking of? And why bring us here? You don't have to tell me though if you don't want to, Stefan."

Stefan shook his head at me, letting out a shaky breath. "I wasn't thinking of this place or that time. I was thinking about you."

If I had been drinking a glass of water or something I surely would have spit it out. I stared at Stefan wide eyed, gaping at him. Slowly creating space between us, hoping I hadn't given him the wrong idea.

"Oh god. T-that didn't sound right." Stefan stuttered out nervously. "Wh-hat I mean is that I was thinking about how much you've done to help me and changed me since I met you."

Stefan takes a step towards me. "Before I met you, I was drowning in a sea of blood and guilt. I struggled to control my vampire nature and was constantly teetering into insanity."

Stefan takes another step. "But you, a stubborn little human who's too smart and too curious for her own good, pulled me from the brink of insanity. You heard of the atrocities I have commited in the 140 years of being a vampire but you never once batted an eyelash at me. Never saw me as a man. You showed me kindness, compassion, patience, and trust, the last one being something no one has ever shown me when it came to blood. You taught me more about myself than anyone ever has.