Gabriella Gilbert || Vampire Diaries

Chapter Twenty - One

Edited

    "It's been, what, three weeks and you're still 'traumatized' by it?"

No. Not here, not now. He isn't real, Gabby, he's gone.

"Are you sure about that?" He asks, making me open my eyes. I'm strapped to a chair, my wrists and ankles bounded. I'm in a basement, Stefan hanging only a few feet from me.

    My thigh, suddenly stinging with a familiar pain, makes me look down at it. I bite my lip at the sight of the stab wound, blood slowly spilling out of it. Oh god.

Frederick steps into view, making jump a little at his sudden appearance. He leans forward, his hands resting on my wrists. I wince a little at his weight on my wrists. "You know, no one told you to dream about this. This is all on you."

    "Shut up," I seethe.

    And suddenly, he's beside Stefan, creating a large gash across his chest. Stefan cries out, making tears fall down my cheeks.

The familiar scene began again, every word and feeling remembered.

"Stop it!" I suddenly beg, "You've gotten your revenge, you've had your fun. Now stop and let us go!"

He walks toward me before bending down beside me. "I'm far from done with my revenge. The fun hasn't even started yet," he whispers in my ear. I shiver from his voice. I close my eyes, waiting for him to bite.

Open your eyes! I think to myself, show him you aren't scared!

But I can't. Because that's not how that day went. I didn't open my eyes, I sat there scared for my life.

He surprises me instead by saying, "I'll make sure you're still recognizable when they find your body."

    And like that, I'm up. Sitting up, if we want to be more specific. I had unconsciously reached for my chest, trying to slow my heart rate with my pajama shirt bunched in my grip.

I look over, Elena sleeping soundly beside me, not at all disturbed. Good. I slide out of the bed, taking hopefully soft steps to the bathroom before flipping on the switch.

The large mirror gives me a good view of myself. My curly hair is either tangled, frizzy, or both. I lean closer, noticing the trail of tears I had formed in my sleep. I quickly wipe them away.

Pull it together, Gabby! You're tougher than this.

My phone on the bathroom counter starts buzzing, making me frown. I pick it up so it won't be too loud and wake Elena up. Damon flashes across the screen.

We hadn't spoken about the kiss we almost shared. Neither of us wanted to, I suppose. It was an in-the-moment type thing, nothing more should be said. Right?

I answer it before placing it to my ear. "Hello?" I greet softly.

"Did you know you're a loud sleeper?" He greets. So he heard. Well duh, of course he did. I probably woke him up.