Broken Nightmare

Chapter 24

 Derek sunk into my side as we sat on the couches in the family room. I looked back at the thick glass and wished I could see something that could give me some sort of reassurance. It has been three hours now since they left, and everybody was getting really worried. Where were they? Did something happen?

Derek had woken up just a little bit ago, frantic about Nathan and I getting kidnapped. I guessed he had seen the scene with the Vampires chasing me though the forest and freaked. After a half hour of reassuring him I was okay and Nathan will be fine, he finally calmed down. I thought about what was going to happen to him and how we can help him right now. I doubt all of this stress is good for his health, especially at such a young age.

As soon as the others left, Stephan came bounding down the stairs as a red-black wolf and chased after them into the forest. I just hope he could do something to help this mess.

Blake and Jules sat across from us, Blake trying to do some homework and Jules in a deep study, but on her hair and nails. They looked so casual, just sitting without another care in the world. As if this kind of thing was normal. That thought scared me.

Lydia came into the room with a tray of mugs, each one containing what I guessed to be hot chocolate. I took one and nudged Derek lightly with my arm, handing him the mug. He sat up and grabbed the cup with two hands, but didn't drink it. "Elana?"

I looked at him as he took a sip and continued. "What is going to happen?"

I looked forward, not wanting to have to look at his eyes. "I don't know," I said honestly.

Jules peeked at us from her nail file, rolled her eyes, and continued working on her nails. I thought for a moment what Stephan would say about Derek's living arrangements. He was ticked at me, which is understandable seeing as though I don't really respect his authority as the others do, but would he really turn away a hopeless boy?

The sliding door squeaked open and I jumped to my feet, nearly spilling Derek's hot cocoa all over the stainless plush carpet. Nathan stepped in the door, only a gray pair of sweats on, with Claire in his arms, who only had a shirt on. Claire's arm and leg were bleeding tremendously, leaving a puddle under where they were standing. My heart stopped beating.

"Claire!" I heard someone shriek as I bounded to my feet. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I realized that screech was me, but I really didn't care at the moment.

"Put her on the couch," Trysten ordered gently, as if this kind of thing was normal. I never even realized he came in. But then again, I didn't really realize when anybody else came in either.

Nathan carefully strode over to the couch with Claire still in his arms. Hyene came in next and followed us to the couch, her own arm looking like it was going to fall off.

I willed myself to move. I yelled at my feet, cursing them for being so immobile. My whole body was petrified. Oh my gosh, there's so much blood. I never thought there could be so much blood is such a small body.

Nathan marched from the couch after placing Claire down, heading right towards me. At first, I thought he was going to yell at me or slam me against the wall, but he slowed down and gently brought me to his chest instead. It was only then that I realized I was crying.

My skin erupted with tingles, making me dizzy. I'm so upset, though, I don't pull away. Even when I realized I looked weak and helpless yet again. I let him pull me into his chest, but kept my face to the side so I could see Claire.

Trysten crouched next to her, pulling her own hand in his, and closed his eyes. Her open skin started to close up, the only reminder that something happened was the dried blood now crusted thick to her arm, face, and leg. I continually pushed tears from my face as I tried to focus on what was happening to my best friend.