Crumbling Hearts and Shattered Minds

Chapter 10: Where Are We Going, Stefan?

Alaric POV

It was strange watching the two Salvatore brothers interact.

One moment the could be ready to kill each other, the next they were smiling and reminiscing in the days when they were close.

This just confused the hell outta me.

I sighed and rolled my eyes, then continued to pack.

It's been 12 hours since Damon's last scare. 12 hours that we all gladly spent sleeping.

Stefan woke Damon and I up at the crack of dawn and told us to get packing. Stefan insisted we brought enough for a day outside, but refused to tell Damon and I where we were going and what the hell we were going to do.

I pushed myself off the couch and walked to the kitchen for some water bottles. Once I found a few, I filled them to the brim with cold water. When all the bottles were filled, I went back to the parlor and placed them in the bag Stefan had lent me for this little adventure of ours.

I shook my head at how ridiculous this all was.

My best friend is going crazy and his brother wants to go on a hike.

I shook that thought out of my head.

Stefan cared deeply for Damon, even if it isn't always evident. I just needed to have faith in Stefan.

I heard two pairs of foot steps and looked up to see Stefan and Damon com into the parlor with the other two backpacks they had been searching for.

"Care to tell us where the hell you're taking us, Stefan?" I asked while zipping the pack I had been working on filling.

"Nope. You'll both see soon enough. And I promise no murdering or maiming will be involved." Stefan said while giving a mock grin.

"Yes, because that's so reassuring, brother." Damon said while giving Stefan a mocking, but fond, look.

I rolled my eyes.

"Well. Are you two old ladies ready yet?" I asked, putting on the pack and resting the straps on my shoulders.

"Give us a sec." Stefan said before giving a shit eating grin and running of at vampire speed. Within minutes both packs were filled and ready.

Stefan held his arms spread on either side of him, with a triumphant grin plastered on his face.

"Cheater." I said. Damon was just grinning at the exchange.

"Whose the old lady now?" Stefan asked, smirking as he picked up the backpacks and ran them outside to Damon's car.

"I'm not an old lady" I grumbled as Damon laughed, clapped a hand on my shoulder and began steering me outside. We came out to see that Stefan already had everything, except my bag, packed.

"I get the back." Damon said as we approached the blue Camaro. I shrugged, opened the passenger side door and got in. Stefan pulled out of the drive way and sped towards our unknown destination. We spent a half hour in a comfortable silence where Damon and I just stared out the window. Stefan took one last turn before pulling off to the side of the road.

"We're here." He stated simply before getting out of the car, Damon following soon after.

I sighed, rethinking following an insane vampire and his brother into the woods

I shook my head. What was I thinking? I knew I could trust Damon and Stefan, with my life even, it was just the endless woods that unnerved me.

I shook my head again and got out of the car.

"What took you, Rick? I was concerned that you got lost. Even if you're not drunk, its still a big possibility" Damon said playfully as I stepped out of the car.

I rolled my eyes.

"I won't justify that question with an answer." I said while walking around the car to join the two brothers.

"Now can we know what we're doing our here?" I asked irritably.

"Not till we're there" Stefan replied.

I shook my head, then glanced at Damon. He was studying our surroundings and had turned an unnaturally pale. Even for a vampire.

"Why are we here of all places, Stefan?" Damon said once he returned his gaze towards his brother.

"Don't worry, we won't be here long. Just passing though." Stefan said while placing a reassuring hand on Damon's shoulder. Damon still looked troubled, but nodded reluctantly.

"Umm... Where exactly is 'here'?" I asked as I held my arms out and turned. Stefan and Damon laughed. Though Damon's sound forced. I looked back to them and raised my eyebrows questionably.

"Rick, welcome to the old Salvatore estate!" Stefan exclaimed while stretching his arms on either side of him.

I was starting to think that Damon's insanity was effecting both of the brothers.

"More like 'welcome to hell on earth'. I seriously do not want to be here. Can we start walking now?" Damon asked whilst looking extremely uneasy.

Stefan motioned for Damon to lead the way.

"I'm sure you have already guessed where we're heading to." Stefan said.

"Where are we going!?" I asked loudly.

Damon laughed and shook his head, then started walking in the direction that Stefan was motioning towards a moment ago.

Stefan grinned at me before turning to follow his older brother.

I sighed and started questioning this whole thing again while walking towards the Salvatore's.

it was going to be another long day.