Midnight Rising

Breaking Points

Jeremy stumbles through the backyard, followed closely behind by Matt Donavan. They laugh as they converse, each shushing the other as if their parents are going to jump out and catch them leaving Elena's party. Jeremy digs his keys out of his pocket, unlocking the car. Matt tugs the passenger door open, slouching in the seat. As Jeremy shuts his friend's door, walking around the back of the car, I step out from my hiding place.

Elena's brother jumps back, steadying himself against a nearby tree as he rubs at his eyes. Jeremy blinks a few times, screwing his eyebrows together as his intoxicated mind tries to figure out if I'm real. "What the hell are you doing?"

"Hi, Diana, nice to see you. How've you been? Great Jeremy, thanks for asking," I joke back, giving the boy a warm smile.

Jeremy frowns, crossing his arms over his chest. He shakes his head defiantly, "No. You left. You don't get to do that."

"Oh come on," I take a step towards Jeremy, pouting, "Aren't you even a little glad to see me?"

He holds a stony, expressionless face for a few seconds before the grin comes through. I'm pulled into a hug, "Maybe a little."

We stand, holding each other for a few seconds. Jeremy lets me go, his hand lingering on my arm just above the elbow. There's worry there, his teeth working at his lip. If he lets me go I may disappear again. The feeling of my skin against his ensures I'm not leaving just yet.

"I did a little more research on your problem. It looks to me that maybe a part of you is left in the afterlife. Uh, it could be pulling spirits to you."

Jeremy's grip tightens, slowly relaxing, "Is it dangerous?"

"I don't know," I answer with a shrug. The research I've done has all been conflicting. I don't even know the real reason it's happening, but the one I gave him seems the most correct. You can't die and come back without some kind of consequence. "I've been doing research on library computers. I can't use my phone. Most of the sources say that we won't know if it's dangerous unless you talk to them. Um, personal items...a family member...that seems to be what works best to connect with whatever spirits are trying to get through."

Jeremy can sense my time is coming to an end. He isn't the only person I'm here to see on my short trip. Once again his grip tightens, this time not relaxing. "Stay."

"I can't, Jeremy," My heart breaks at the disappointed look that fills his soft eyes. Being away is hurting them just as much as it's hurting me. "Not right now."

The disappointment switches over to anger, Jeremy spitting his bitter words at me, "Do you even want to?"

"Being away is killing me, Jeremy," I try to keep the hurt and frustration out of my voice. I'm doing this to keep them all safe. If Klaus had staid around he would have figured out Elena isn't dead. He'd tear this town apart, leaving behind pain and decay. "Everyone I love is here."

"Everyone but Stefan."

His words cut. Stefan can't stand on his own right now. He needs someone to help him bear the burden Klaus has put on him. Stefan is close to his breaking point. I need to be there to pick up the pieces and help him put his life back together. "But Stefan. Right now he needs me most."

"Are you safe?" Jeremy can see he's hurt me. He's trying to make up for it. Jeremy has a tender heart; he never means to hurt those close to him.

I shrug, "Safe is a relative term. I've still got the upper hand, so there's that." Fearing Jeremy will start asking questions I don't have the answers to, I change the subject, pointing down at the keys hooked around his finger. "You sure you're okay to drive?"

"I didn't drink."

Rolling my eyes, I let out a soft chuckle, "You smell like pot."

"I'm fine, mom," Jeremy chides back, giving me a lopsided grin.

I pull him into another hug, standing on my tiptoes to rest my chin on his shoulder, "One day you'll be thankful that I care."

"We all miss you," Jeremy whispers back, holding me close to his chest.

I swallow down the lump in my throat, fighting back tears, "I miss you too."

"When are you coming back?" Jeremy's voice cracks, a palm working at his eyelids. This is harder than I ever expected it to be. Getting involved in people's lives, letting them care, it was probably a mistake. When people care they can get hurt. My choices aren't my own. Whatever I decide affects everyone who is in my life. On top of that, Jeremy's one rock, Bonnie, is gone for the summer. He's alone, left to deal with the loss of Jenna. I'm sure Elena isn't around much, hellbent on finding Stefan. He needs a crutch. Sure, Jeremy is strong, but everyone has their breaking point. I guess the younger Salvatore isn't the only one on his way to meeting it. 

I loosen my grip on Jeremy, sliding out of his grip, "As soon as I can. I'll call if I find out more." I take a few steps, submerging myself in the shadows of the trees, "If it gets worse, you text me, okay?"

"Okay."