One Last Rose

Chapter 14 - Silence

Music: Sound Of Silence - Disturbed
Damon's pov

It has been a few days since our date at the cafe after school, but the seed of fear that had been planted in my stomach had only grown. 

Everytime I went from home I looked over my shoulder, fearing someone would follow me. I took different ways in a random order to walk home. But I told nobody. I wouldn't spread fear where it wasn't, not when it wasn't needed yet. 

I wanted to be sure, I waited for a sign, something that gave away that people were chasing us down, planning on hurting us. 

With the fear consuming my whole life, I knew I put Keith on the side. I told myself it was for the best, that it would be okay. He wouldn't get hurt, I wouldn't let him experience the same shit I had. I couldn't. 

Fear mixed with guilt. Keith had no idea why I didn't pay attention, and I was only thinking about myself, my own fears, confusions, guilt, pain, memories...

It was in the middle of the night and I looked through my window. The sky was clear and the stars graced the dark night. I bathed in the moonlight and it brought back memories of me and Keith, standing for this window a little more than two weeks ago. 

I missed him, a lot. You shouldn't be missing your boyfriend when you saw him everyday at school. But I felt distanced from him and that was my own fault. It was wrong, but I didn't know how to stop myself. I didn't know how. 

My nights were short with maybe a few hours sleep. Drake's injuries were mostly healed, with just a few ugly bruises left. The little bit of furniture, clothes and other stuff were already in his new apartment, in the morning he would eat breakfast with us, say goodbye and take his leave. 

I yawned and felt how my eyelids became heavier, it was time to lay down and get some more sleep. 

"Damon, Damon, Damon, wake up, wake up, wake up!" I opened my eyes in annoyance and groaned when Sam and Lucy started jumping up and down on my bed, bouncing on my legs as well. 

"Get off me guys." "You gotta get up, Damon, Drake is leaving today and breakfast is ready." Lucy chattered cheerful in my ear. I let out a moan and rolled out of bed. 

"Go downstairs, I'll be there in a minute." The two devils ran downstairs and left me to get dressed. I changed my underwear and put on jeans, a sweater and socks before I followed them down. 

When I entered the room, Drake grabbed my shoulders from behind and shook them hard. "Are you finally awake, sleeping beauty?" He yelled and I yanked his hands off me. "Yes prince charming." I said sarcastic and sat down. 

"Haven't slept well, Damon?" My mother asked, I just shook my head and filled my plate with things I barely noticed. While everyone else was having the usual conversation, I ate my breakfast without talking or even tasting what I was eating. 

I was more than happy that breakfast was over before anyone thought about asking me what was going on. My parents cleaned everything and soon it was time for Drake to say goodbye.

I was last in line and he took me in his arms with a smile. "Don't worry little brother, it had nothing to do with that, I swear. Don't lose yourself in fear all over again okay? Just enjoy being with Keith." He whispered in my ear. His words took me by suprise. 

He patted my back and let go. "I'll be back in a few weeks for the Holidays." He said and went outside, to his car. We followed him and waved him goodbye until he was out of sight. 

Somehow the tension had left my body. Drake's beating had not been a warning for me. I trusted him fully now. I was being foolish. That guy I had seen outside the cafe, was not following us, he hadn't seen our hands, he just smiled that way because he recognized me as the guy that helped Keith the day we met.