Deadly but Silent

44

My eyes slowly open, and I look at the snoring figure on the other couch. I take the pillow out from under my head, and throw it at Beth. She jolts up, and I laugh. "Oh, well, good morning, Jen." She says, and I roll my eyes then slide down the couch. "Why are you always so fancy? I get enough of that from Elijah." I say, and she looks at me confused. "He's an old friend of mine." I say, and she nods.

I hear footsteps, so I look up and see an unfamiliar woman walk towards us. "Melissa?!" Beth gasps. "I'll give y'all some privacy." I say, then walk upstairs. There I see the face of a man I though long gone. "Hello, daughter." He says with much distain. "Father." I whisper.

The star of my nightmares looks at me, and I gulp. "I see your still a little coward." He says, with his booming, powerful voice. I look at him, and feel hot tears begin to trickle down my cheeks. "Dry it up!" He says. I look at him with fear plain in my eyes, and wipe the tears. "What-what are you doing here?" I ask. "I wanted to see if you were still the coward, as you were once upon a time." He responds, and I take a shaky breath.

I watch as father walks around my room, inspecting all of my stuff. I take a deep breath, and swallow the lump in my throat. "Please leave." I whisper, but he turns on his heel and faces me. "You do not order me!" He yells. "Father-" I start, but he cuts me off. "You are just a child! You do not order your father around!" He yells, stalking closer to me.

I was a child to him, and an adult to my mother. In truth, I was never a kid. I was the real mother for Damon and Stefan. When mother was 'alive', she was never home appropriately.

I look Father in the eyes, and stand up. He looks at me shocked, and furious tears start falling. I put my face in his, and his eyes go wide. "That is enough! You bullied me my whole life! I am not a child! I never was! I am a 178 year old  woman! I am not a child! I am a mother!" I yell at him. I then push him, but he only stumbles back. "You aren't even real!" I yell, then push again. "You aren't here!" I yell, then push him again.

I hear footsteps running up the stairs, but I ignore them. I push Father one last time, and he disappears. I fall to my knees in his place, and my door opens. "Jen!" A voice gasps. I look up, and Beth runs over to me. She squats and hugs me. I don't push her away, but accept her embrace.