A life in the shadows

16

"Hey, man." Matteo walked over to a bored Jeremy.
"Hi."
"You doing okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. Why?"
"You don't look so good. And I heard you died, and came back."
"Half the people in Mystic Falls have. No biggie." Jeremy shrugged. He didn't know why the eldest Salvatore would be talking to him. It's not like they'd even met before. Siobhan was talking to Caroline and Elena, and Damon and the sheriff seemed to be in the midst of a heated conversation.
"It's a biggie. Let me guess. You're seeing things?" Jeremy turned to him in surprise.
"How'd you know?"
"I had a friend who went through something similar."
"Did they get rid of it?"
"Eventually, yes. But your situations are kind of different. You'll have to approach it differently. What are you seeing."
"My dead girlfriends. Vicki and Anna. I don't know what's going on. Can you help me?"
"I can try. Thing is, when you came back, you left a door open."
"A door to where?"
"A door in your head. It makes you more susceptible to see things no one else can. In your case, a door to the other side. Your consciousness traveled from there to you. Now, there's another door, to the other side that is always open. It's how the dead can look over us. When you came back, the door in your head wasn't closed, giving you the capabilities to see the other side."
"How do you know all this?"
"I know a lot about the supernatural. I spent a lot of time studying it, encountering it. I've met different kinds of people- witches, humans, vampires, werewolves, originals."
"So you're well connected?"
"I suppose you could say that. Look Jeremy, I get you don't know me, but if ever what you're seeing scares you or freaks you out, I'm here."
"Did your friend get rid of what he was seeing?"
"Eventually, yeah, he did."
"Is he dead?"
"No, he's still around. Last I heard, he was in London."
"How did he die, before he came back to life?"
"He was drained by a vampire. His twin sister couldn't bear his death and set to bring him back."
"She was a witch?"
"Yeah. He didn't have his powers, but she did."
"Elena said you knew our ancestors?"
"Will and Eliza, yeah."
"What were they like?"
"Will was smart. He was borderline genius. He was supposed to grow up and be whatever he wanted to be, you know? All he ever wanted to do was sing. And his twin Eliza, she's the one you're descended from. She was an artist."
"Really?" He asked, intrigued.
"Her husband Carl was a doctor, and she wasn't required to have a job, back then, so most of her time was spent drawing and painting. I think I have one of her drawings somewhere. I kept a few, ones she'd given me, ones she'd given Will, to remember them both. I'll find it for you if you want."
"I'd love that. The most I know about my family history is the original John Gilbert, one of the founding fathers. Our parents never really told us much else."
"Hey, if ever you want to know things about your ancestor or about my time period, I'm here to talk to."
"Thanks, man." Jeremy smiled with a nod. Matteo clapped the kid on the back once more before moving to join the conversation between his brother and the sheriff.
"Damon, I hope your not being rude or annoying to our guest." Matteo smiled pleasantly, as he saw the two arguing in hushed whispers.
"Of course not, Matteo."
"I do sincerely apologise if my brother has acted in any way despicably towards you, sheriff."
"Thank you. I appreciate that."
"I'm aware you're not entirely comfortable with my family, with us not being human, but we're not here to harm you."
"You can trust Matteo. He's practically a saint."
"No I'm not, Damon."
"Yeah right, Mr I've never killed anyone because it's wrong."
"Killing is wrong, Damon. Doesn't make me a saint."
"You befriend practically anyone and everyone."
"So I'm friendly?"
"You're always there for everyone else."
"Are you forgetting about the century and half I spent away from you?"
"You couldn't be there. I don't blame you. What's the worst thing you've ever done?"
"So, sheriff, have you always lived in Mystic Falls?" Matteo blatantly ignored his brother.
"Yeah, born and raised. Have you really never killed before?"
"No."
"Not even when you were first turned."
"Never in my life have I killed anyone, human, vampire, or other."
"Matteo also never lies, sheriff. He was like that as a human, and I guess he's still like that as a vampire."
"What makes you so different?"
"I've seen what lying does to people, from a young age, and I made a vow never to lie, not even a simple one. I know it's a little over the top, but I promised myself. As for the killing, I have the same values I've always had. It's not my place to take a life. I'm not god, I don't have the authority to decide who lives and who dies. No matter what."
"What do you mean you've seen what happens with lies? We grew up together, Matteo. We've had the same experiences."
"You were but a child, Damon. You wouldn't remember."
"What happened?"
"I'm not going to ruin your childhood memories, Damon."
"Another secret." Damon rolled his eyes.
"So what is it you wanted to talk to me about earlier?" The sheriff asked.
"I'd rather it be in private."
"Are you determined to keep everything from me?" Damon frowned, exasperated.
"Damon, some things I can't talk to you about. You know that."
"Cos you're the supernatural CIA."
"I'm not supernatural CIA."
"Fine, Volturi gone good."
"What the hell is a Volturi?" Matteo frowned.
"It's a twilight reference, love." Siobhan walked up to her boyfriend.
"The really bad vampire movies and novels?"
"Yeah, exactly."
"Damon, do you make a point to watch all vampire movies or something?"
"Isn't omitting the truth lying?"
"No. Because you know that I have secrets, that I'm not telling you things. But I won't lie to you and break your trust."