The Vampire Who Loved Me

Chapter 17: Support

A sudden noise caused me to bolt upright. I scanned the scene and found nothing but a small animal scurrying past. I sighted, stretched then gasped, my heart ripped as I remembered what happened. I froze staring into mid air tears streaming down my scarred cheeks. I didn't know what to do, I thought about the scars on my cheeks and wondered about the circumstances in which they were carved into my face.

Using the cove wall I pulled myself to my feet but found I had no support from my legs and crashed back down to the floor in a state of panic. Damien must have picked me up and carried me here... Wait! Damien!

I pulled my knees up and cried, I felt so alone. So, Luke has gone? Yes. Damien is here? Yes. Michael and Luke will come to get me? Yes. I'm alone? Yes.

I sobbed uncontrollably. The cove was so silent and all that was to be heard was me. I wiped the tears back as I laid down. Sleep may help take reality away. The next time I woke I noticed something I had not realised was there. Damien was with me in the cove. Was he there all along?

I stared at him as he slowly woke up then sat up facing the trees. His naked back facing me, I watched him clutching the blanket which covered me.

He turned around slowly and I drew back slightly. He looked shocked when he saw me and had an upset look in his eyes. He moved towards me but I found myself automatically drawing back against the cove wall bringing the blanket with me.

"Lizz... Lizzie, are you alright?" His soft concerned voice sounding like music to my ears. I shunned the comfort in his deep sultry tones and looked away from his swirling eyes. "I... I'm sorry Lizzie, I know you probably feel that I'm that last person you want to be around but... well, I'm here for you, just take your time..." He smiled, I found myself returning the smile slightly then immediately mentally telling myself off.

He sighed then stood up, his blanket slipping from his muscly body neatly to the ground. He walked to the end of the cove with only his pj bottoms on hanging from his hips. Flexing his muscles he turned to face me as I glanced away blushing. He shifted about the cove then a concerned look in my direction, he strolled away out of view.

I slunked back against the cove wall and reminsced. Tears streaming down my face again as I opened my eyes, I must have drifted off. I sighed then once again tried to stand up. I was more successful this time though and managed to carry myself far enough to feed.

I got back to the cove and fell asleep crying. I couldn't control my emotions anymore, I spent much of the next few weeks doing pretty much that, not controlling myself. Damien stayed with me, making sure I was alright and never leaving my side for too long. He found me a book which I began to read but every so often I would throw it away crying again.

I longed for release but I knew it would not come soon. I found wandering the forest helped slightly for I could slip away into day dreams and a world of my own. Damien would often run after me desperate not to let me wonder too far.

I remember only a few perfect moments then nothing for days on end. I noticed Damien would be almost in tears when I broke down again. He would cautiously rub my back and talk to me whether I listened or not.

He comforted me but more often than not, I would push him away. He wouldn't get angry or leave, just sit out of the cove staring into the woods.

One particular night, Damien came in and sat in front of me. I looked into his strangely beautiful eyes, but an unwanted flashback ruined the moment and I pushed him away, breaking down again. He came over to me, desperate to make me understand his intentions. I glanced slowly into his eyes and saw all my hurt and longing reflected in his eyes. It must have been intense for a single sorrowful tear escaped down his cheek, the heart break hurting him too. He felt as though he was the sole cause of my misery and therefore it was his duty to make things right again.

Seeing, the way I was hurting him affect me and I shifted forward slightly and cautiously rubbed his arm to show I understood. I stared into his eyes in mutual wordless understanding then looked away before I was dragged back into that horrid place again. I held the tears back for as long as possible but when I turned back to face him, he was crying soundlessly and really hurt him. The tears fell without my permission and I desperately wiped them away throwing my arms around his neck. I nuzzled my face into his neck. He moved slightly and wrapped his arms around me.

I hugged him for a while until I realised what I was doing then pushed away back against the cove wall. He stared after me not sure of my reasons but then he realised and nodded, standing up he looked at me one last time then took of at great speed into the forest depths. Alone and confused I cried myself to sleep.

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"Lizzie." Damien whispered. Rubbing my arm slightly. "Tell me what to do, how can I take it away, let me help you." I shook my head.

"I... I don't know." I looked away. He lifted my chin but I shrugged it off. He offered me his hand, I took it cautiously. He helped me up then lifted me into a hug. Instead of pushing him away I held him close. The exchange of emotions and feelings took my breath away as I realised. Damien felt something for me otherwise he wouldn't be like this. "Don't... Don't leave me here alone..." I whispered burying my head in his chest.

"I'll never let you go... Lizzie, not as long as I live. I can't keep away from you and after all the pain I've caused, I owe you so much and I'll stay and make things better if you'll let me. I know trust is a serious issue now but... I want to earn your trust Lizzie. I know you don't want to hear this but, Michael, he gave me no choice and made me treat you the way, I did, I'm so sorry, it was out of my control and I was been threatened. I hate seeing you vulnerable like this, its killing me and killing you to be like this..." His voice failed him as he broke down.

I steppped back slightly and looked solemnly into his sincere eyes. I placed my hand on his heart. The pulse rocketed as he glanced into my eyes. I knew he wasn't lying to me but I had to be sure before I could trust him. It would take time and time is what I've got.

Still with my hand on his heart, he placed his on top of mine then we simultaneously lowered to sit on our knees, staring into each others eyes the whole time. After a few minutes I moved my hand and he released it. I sat down and lent against the cove wall staring up into the trees. He joined me and took my hand in his as we remained in silence deep in thought.