Vampire lore - Carmilla/First Kill

Chapter 42

Danny walked up the stairs, her heart still pounding from the encounter with Elinor. Each step felt like it took more effort than the last, as though the weight of everything Elinor had said was dragging her down. The tension coiled tight in her chest, refusing to release. She could still hear Elinor's voice in her mind, sharp and taunting, poking at wounds Danny had thought were long healed.

The air grew cooler as she moved farther from the basement, but it didn't soothe the heat rising in her. Her hands curled into fists at her sides, her nails biting into her palms. The anger still simmered beneath the surface, but what bothered her more than Elinor's cruelty was how much truth there might have been in her words. It was infuriating.

When she reached the living room, she saw Laf on the couch, their figure slouched with exhaustion. The soft glow of the lamp illuminated their face just enough for Danny to catch the concern etched into their brow. The room was quiet, but the tension in the air was palpable.

Laf's eyes flicked up as soon as Danny entered the room. They studied her carefully, their gaze lingering on her face like they could read every worry, every doubt that was racing through her mind.

— Danny, you okay? - Laf's voice was soft, but the undercurrent of worry was unmistakable. - You look... not great.

Forcing a smile, Danny tried to brush it off.

— I'm fine. Just... Elinor being Elinor.

The words felt hollow even as she spoke them, like she was trying to convince herself more than Laf. She hated how transparent she must have seemed in that moment. Elinor had gotten under her skin more than she wanted to admit, and it was starting to show.

Laf didn't seem convinced. They tilted their head, squinting at her like they were trying to peel back the layers of her defenses.

— You sure? 'Cause you don't seem fine.

Danny let out a long sigh, rubbing the back of her neck. The tension in her shoulders refused to release, and her muscles felt tight, like they were wound too tight to ever relax.

— I don't know - she admitted, her voice quieter. - I just need some air. Or... a break.

She could feel Laf's gaze lingering on her, that quiet understanding they always seemed to carry. They stood up, crossing the room to stand next to her. Their presence was a comfort, even if Danny wasn't quite ready to admit she needed it.

— If you're not feeling up to it, I can take over watching her - Laf offered gently, their voice calm and steady. - It's not like I was getting any sleep anyway.

Danny hesitated, her mind still racing. She felt guilty for even considering it, knowing that Laf had been running on fumes just as much as she had. But the thought of going back down there, of facing Elinor again, felt like too much.

—No, I... - she started, but the words caught in her throat when she saw the look on Laf's face. They weren't going to take no for an answer, and honestly, Danny wasn't sure she had the energy to fight them on it. - Are you sure? - Danny asked, her voice faltering slightly.

She hated feeling like this, like she wasn't strong enough to handle it all.

Laf smiled softly, a reassuring warmth in their expression.

— Yeah, I'm sure. Go rest, Danny. I can handle her. You look like you're about to keel over.

The exhaustion finally caught up to her in that moment, and Danny realized just how close she was to breaking. She nodded, though a part of her still felt uneasy leaving Laf to deal with Elinor alone.

— Just... be careful - she warned, her voice laced with concern. - She's always trying to mess with your head. Don't let her get under your skin.

Laf waved her off with a casual smile, though Danny could see the glimmer of determination in their eyes.

— I know. Don't worry about me. You're the one who needs to take it easy.

With a heavy sigh, Danny gave them a small nod and turned to head upstairs. As she climbed the steps, each one felt heavier than the last, as if the weight of her thoughts was physically dragging her down. The house was quiet, the creaking of the old wooden stairs the only sound as she ascended. But her mind wasn't quiet. Elinor's voice kept playing in her head, the taunting words repeating like a broken record.

'Laura doesn't know, does she?'

Danny clenched her jaw, trying to shake off the thought. Why was she letting Elinor get to her like this? It was ridiculous. The past was in the past. She'd moved on. Laura had chosen Carmilla. They were happy, married, in love. And Danny was their friend. She had accepted that a long time ago. But the nagging thought crept back in, whispering doubts she didn't want to face.

She pushed open the door to her bedroom and locked it behind her, leaning heavily against the door as if it could keep out the memories that were flooding her mind. The familiar comfort of the room did nothing to settle her nerves.

Did she have unresolved feelings for Laura?

No, that couldn't be right.

It had been so long ago, back when everything between them was still undefined, full of possibilities that never materialized. Danny had stepped aside when Carmilla entered the picture because that's what you did for people you cared about. Laura was happy, and that was all that mattered.

So why did Elinor's words sting so much? Why did it feel like something inside her had cracked open, letting old feelings leak out? She had buried those emotions long ago, convinced herself that she was over it. But maybe she had never fully dealt with it, never truly let go of what might have been.

Her chest tightened, the old hurt resurfacing, and she pressed a hand to her forehead, trying to calm the rising storm inside her. This wasn't the time to unravel. There were bigger problems, bigger threats. Juliette needed her. The Malkia was still out there. The hunters. Oliver. Elinor. It was all so much. There was no room for this—no room for old heartbreaks or unresolved feelings.

But the more she tried to push it away, the more the room seemed to tilt. Her head spun, the dizziness overwhelming her as she struggled to catch her breath. The air felt too thick, her pulse pounding loud in her ears.

Before she could make sense of it, her legs gave out beneath her, and she collapsed to the floor. The world tilted violently before everything went dark.

Danny's body lay still.

Unconscious.

On the cold wooden floor.