Crumbling Hearts and Shattered Minds

Chapter 12: Broken And Too Close To Shattering

Stefan POV

I felt like I was dying for the tenth time in the past two days.

I was sitting on the ground with a very broken Damon, I sent Alaric to move the stuff that cluttered the back seat so Damon would have room to lay down.

Damon had stopped being responsive a few minutes ago. I mumbled old memories in his ear as I he lay unconscious against me.

I absently ran my hand through his raven hair, that stood out on all too pale skin, even for the vampire.

I let my gaze wander to our surroundings.

The lake is the most beautiful place I have ever known. It made it that much more beautiful that it was mine and Damon's.

no one else's.

it's the one thing that had stayed the same through out all these years in hell.

It shouldn't be this beautiful.

Not when Damon is in so much pain.

Not when he's losing the fight against himself.

Not being able to take in the deceptive scenery anymore, I carefully laid Damon fully onto the ground and moved to kneel next to him.

I still couldn't process what was going on. I lifted Damon's shirt to see his dark bruised abdomen. Then, I slowly lifted his left arm. There was a big angry looking bruise on his forearm. I knew what these injuries were from, I just am not sure how they could be. How can injuries from over a century ago, suddenly show up again? I rested his arm across his chest and shook my head.

This was far out of my hands.

I didn't even know how to begin to help my brother. I looked up and glared at the sky, having no place else to direct my anger and pain.

I couldn't believe I had let this happen. Damon wouldn't be in this situation if I hadn't been selfish, if I hadn't made him turn, just to walk away from him afterwards.

"I'm sorry Damon. I'm so so sorry. If I hadn't- why would you take these beatings for me? Whenever I got in trouble- why'd you even agree to take me to the lake? You knew... You knew what would happen if we were caught. Why? Why would you put yourself in harms way for me? When all I've ever done for you is get you into these messes? Damn it Damon!" I said while leaning forward and resting my head lightly on my big brothers bruised chest. I didn't know I was crying till I sat up and saw Damon's damp shirt.

I uselessly tried wiping the tears away with no avail.

I nearly jumped out of my skin when my phone started vibrating in my jacket that lay next to Rick's blanket. I crawled over and dug it out. I absently answered it, feeling strangely numb.

"Stefan? The back seat is clear. You can bring Damon over, the car is running and ready to go." I huffed out a breath.

I just couldn't bring myself to talk.

"... Stefan. It'll be okay. Just bring Damon and we'll go talk with the others. I'm sure Bonnie will find something. Just- just hang in there, 'Kay?" Rick said.

I squeezed my eyes shut, silently thanking Rick for understanding my silence.

"I'll see you in a few." Rick said before hanging up.

I let the phone drop and grabbed my discarded shirt and put it on.

Was it really less than ten minutes ago the three of us were laughing and having fun?

I let out a long breath through my nose and grabbed my jacket and phone.

I stood slowly and picked up the blanket.

I walked over to Damon and gently rapped him in its welcoming warmth that it had gathered from the midday sun.

I picked up my limp brother with arms under his knees and an arm around his shoulder blades.

I switched into auto pilot and ran full speed to the car, being cautious of every part of Damon.

I stopped at the car a minute after leaving the lake.

Rick was leaning on the drivers side door and moved to open the backseat door as soon as he saw me.

I nodded and climbed in.

I ended up leaning against the door on the opposite side, with Damon laying between my legs with his back to me.

Rick carefully bent Damon's legs up and closed the door, then, without a word, got in the front seat and started driving back to the boarding house.

I stared off into space the whole way to the boarding house.

Rick pulled up into the driveway and turned to face Damon and I.

He looked like he wanted to say something, but taking in the sight of Damon, shoved the words back down his throat. He turned back around and got out of the car.

I pushed Damon up lightly and sat up against the back seat while opening the door closest to me. I swiftly got out and pulled Damon back into my arms.

Still on auto pilot, I walked up to the boarding house and walked through the door that Alaric was holding open. I nodded my thanks and went to the couch that Damon had been laying on not too long ago. I placed him gently down and made him comfortable, then spread a blanket across his motionless form.

I straitened up and stared at my comatose brother.

I took out my phone and sent a text out to everyone.

Once I got all their replies I sat by Damon's legs.

I leaned forward and rested my elbows on my knees. I sat like that for a few minutes before dropped my head into my hands.

Sobs wracked my body and I could no longer hold myself together.

I knew Damon was close to not being just broken.

He was close to being shattered.

And I knew if he doesn't make it through this, neither would I.