Aria Gilbert (The Other Gilbert Girl)*HOLD*

Chapter 10

. Aria's P.0.V

I want to talk to Elena, but Damon insisted that I stay here until he caught Katherine. But I wanted to go now. I wanted to have the comfort of my only family. But apparently that wouldn't be happening anytime soon. I had my phone but I found it was no use when you don't have service. "Damon can we please go somewhere else. If we stay in one place for too long someone is bound to find us." He looked  genuinely concerned. "Ok but I want you to know I am just trying to protect you. I really care for you, and don't want you to get hurt." I shook my head. "Since when do you start to care?" He smiled. "I realized when Katherine wanted to hurt you, that I could never let that happen." I walked up to him. Granted he was being nice, I still had one question, and it was clear he knew the answer. "Were you behind the animal attacks?" He looked taken back by this. He bowed his head in defeat. "Look, I wasn't myself. I was trying to bring back someone who didn't love me, like I loved her. It made me realize that what I already have is good enough." So that' what I'll always be. Good enough. 

When Damon announced he had found a safer place, I got excited. He said it was in the town, so we had to leave at night. The church, he was going to keep me in the attic. At least there I would have some cellphone signal. I wanted to call Elena, and Stefan and Aunt Jenna. I was going to say Jeremy but then I remembered he was dead. I can't wait up for him any longer. I need him back. I wasn't about to let Jeremy die, because of me. Yet another death to add to my list of things that are my fault.

We moved silently through the night. I let Damon carry me because it was faster. We were there in minutes, what would have been at least a days hike on foot. When we got there Damon laid me down on a bed. "Get some sleep, things will only get worse." When I was sure Damon wasn't still watching me I texted Elena. Elena, I am fine. Don't worry about me. I am sorry to tell you this over a text but, something happened to Jer. I am so sorry. I'll explain more on Sunday. Come to the church. I wasn't trying to get away from Damon, but I wasn't exactly running into his arms either. I knew he was trying to do the right thing for once.

Stefan's P.0.V

I killed Jeremy. It was my fault, or so I thought it was. There was no way I could be certain. I had a huge gap in my memory that wouldn't come back. Today I was going to check on Aria. Try and explain what she saw, or apologize for Jeremy. I walked briskly through the town. I couldn't remember what day it was but either way, I hoped that Aria was going to be there and willing to talk to me. I walked up to her house and knocked on the door. When the door opened I was expecting Aria, but it was Elena. Tears were streaming down her face and she jumped out and hugged me. "Oh my God! Do you know were Aria is?" This question and everything about this screamed Katherine. "Give it up Katherine were is Elena, or how about Aria?" She looked at me worried and scarred. "Does this Katherine know were Aria is?" Then her phone went off. I heard her whisper. "That's Aria's ringtone." So quietly that no human could have heard. She rushed inside and grabbed her phone. "It's Aria, what does she mean something happened to Jer?"

I snatched the phone from her and with shaky fingers I scrolled through the message. The church. She was going to be there tomorrow. Either she was escaping or hiding. I wanted know, from what or who? I wanted to protect her from Damon and Katherine. I wanted to save her from herself and give her something to live for again. She has lost so much already. Damon... The last time I saw her she was with Damon. She must be hiding with him or he was holding her. I had to find out. I made a quick excuse and ran to my house. I went to the clearing and I followed the smell of Aria's blood to the old barn. I walked in steadily. There was no one here. I went straight to the attic. I saw her blood and her old clothes. I saw one of Damon's coats. They were defiantly here. I would have to go to that church tomorrow.

Damon's P.0.V

I made it my job, that anytime Aria needed something that I had it for her. I knew she wanted to see her family, and friends. But then Katherine could find us easier. I knew she wouldn't just give up that easily. I was going to let her stay in the attic during church service today. But she would be close enough to hear any news. I heard sermon begin and everyone get quiet. The priest started to pray with everyone for the safe return of Aria and Jeremy. I knew they were loved by there community, but if this got too out of hand everyone would be barking up the wrond tree. I heard silent cries and desperate pleads to God. Everyone wanting things to be normal, sane. I heard Aria in her bed. She was praying, "Dear God, our savior to everything holy, why did you create vampires? They are murderers and evil. But everyone is different. Even if these things aren't human, I hope you can show forgiveness when they die. For they will die at the hands of what's good and true."  It pained me that I couldn't let her pray with her family. I couldn't even let her mourn peacefully. Maybe it was time to let her go and watch from a safe distance. But just this distance is all I can seem to bare.

I am not attached to her or own her by any means, but I do feel responsible for her. And that seemed enough to make every wrong thing I did not matter. But I had a feeling she made everyone who was with her feel like that. I didn't want to leave her alone but I had to feed and she insisted it not be in town anymore. And I was so not going to be eating rabbits like Stefan. I went and promised I'd be back soon. I didn't want her to run away, I knew she wasn't liking that I had to keep her. But I did what I had too to keep her safe.

Aria's P.0.V

I waited Damon left. I wasn't going to leave I knew he wanted to keep me safe. I was just going to see Elena. After the service ended I waited in the raised choir balcony. I saw Elena with tears in her eyes. She saw me and ran up the stairs to me. "Oh my god, Aria." She hugged me and I started to cry. Stefan was behind her. I backed away. If Damon was a vampire so was he. I reached for my necklace and found comfort knowing it would protect me.

"Aria, are you ok." Stefan asked walking slowly towards me. "Stay away I know what you did." Quietly I whispered. "I know what you are." He looked at me with wide eyes. "Elena I need to talk to Aria. Alone." She was getting mad. "No last time that happened she was kidnapped. He spun around and made her leave. He came back, "Aria what do you know?" I was getting mad. It was my turn to have power. "I know enough. You killed Jeremy, but it might as well been my fault. I know you are a vampire. I know Damon is one too." I was clutching the necklace. "I know you gave me something to make me better." That was an assumption, but he didn't deny it. "Damon will be back soon I have to go." I tried to walk away and Stefan picked me up and sped away.