𝐞𝐩𝐢𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐲 | 𝐭𝐯𝐝

-4-

"So you just straddled him out of anger?"

Damon was sitting on the bed while I showered. "I wasn't thinking," I answered, scrubbing out my conditioner. "Obviously. He has a girlfriend."

"You think I don't know that, Damon? I don't know. I mean, he called me by the same nickname he gave me when we had our first kiss. I was dwelling on the past and just got--Whatever Damon. It's over with." I grabbed my towel and squeezed out the extra water before wrapping the cloth around me and stepping out. I secured the towel and began brushing my teeth. "Is it really over with though? I mean, you obviously have unresolved feelings for him. Are you really gonna be able to handle seeing him around Elena?"

"I'll be fine."

I walked over to the door and shut it, then grabbed clothes. To be honest, I didn't give half a damn about if Damon saw me naked or not, so I dropped the towel and changed into sweatpants and a sports bra, then put socks on my feet and laid down next to Damon. "Where have you gone to? Y'know, while traveling." He asked, sinking down further. He was holding my stuffed dog I got many years ago. "All over the place, Damon." I smiled. "Tell me about it."

-

I told him about everywhere. All the people, my studies, the alcohol, the highs, everything. I told him how difficult it was to start my life without the Salvatores and mid-speech, Stefan pounded on the door. I screamed and he laughed from the other side. "Shut up, I'm trying to sleep."

I scoffed and rolled back over towards Damon. "Use earplugs, you dick," Damon replied. I laughed and turned onto my back. "It's nearly 3 in the morning. Get some sleep." He suggested. He didn't move. I nodded and got comfortable. He suddenly got up and turned off the lights around us. A wave of relief crashed over me when he laid back down and closer to me. I closed my eyes and allowed the dreams to take over.

-

"Twenty three..."

I laid next to my brother and sister in a field, staring at the nearly dark sky. Mallory and I were counting clouds in the cool weather while Tobiah was picking at the grass. He looked deep in thought and nearly sad. This was now a common thing for him, but he never said why. "Tobiah, are you alright?" I questioned, propping myself up on my elbow. He shook his head. "What's the matter, brother?" Mallory shuffled over and took him under her arm. She was an amazing older sister to us.

He didn't answer, that's when I noticed the bruising poking from his sleeve. I let out a gasp and grabbed his wrist. "Stop!" He squirmed. "Tobiah, stop!" I snapped. Mallory and Tobiah both stopped in surprise. I never raised my voice. I rolled up his sleeve, uncovering clumps of bruises. "My god...what happened? Who did this? Was it Peter?" Mallory rambled. "No! No."

I thought back to any people that may have seemed mad at him. "Father," I whispered. Father was mad at Tobiah for missing a turkey while hunting and dragged him out of sight after they came home. My brother nodded.

Anger bubbled over me and I stood to my feet and began stomping back home. Tobiah and Mallory followed slowly. I went into the kitchen and stared face to face with the man who abused my little brother. I was suddenly intimidated when he stood up and slowly approached me. I felt like a rabbit against a lion.

"What is it, River?" He asked. "I--You--" I stuttered. "Speak up." He demanded. "How c-could you?" I mumbled. He looked behind me. Tobiah forgot to roll his sleeves down. Mother gasped and walked over to him. A hand connected with my cheek and I was thrown onto the ground. "He is fine!" Father roared. "You did that! He isn't fine!" I screamed, hot tears falling down my face. Father grabbed my wrist and Tobiah's, along with his shotgun. "Michael? Michael, where are you going?" Mother asked. Even she was scared by my dad.

We were dragged out to the field. "Go. Run!" Father shouted at Tobiah. "Dad, what are you doing?!" I yelled. He raised the shotgun and pointed it at Tobiah's head. My brother began running and the gun clicked. "No! No, don't!" I began sprinting towards Tobiah, but my heel was kicked and I collapsed. The gun fired.

-

Damon's POV

I watched River's eyes flutter shut, making her look like a little kid again. I remember having a crush on her when she began coming over. The times we would share talking crap about Stefan (she'd always playfully wack my chest if I took it too far) and even chasing each other.

I remember seeing her in her darkest days like when her brother was found dead and how everyone thought she was insane because she claimed her father did it after isolating herself for two months. Stefan was heartbroken by her disappearance and so was I.

I never thought she was crazy. We all knew Mr. Ambrose was psychotic in the Salvatore home. We just never thought he'd kill his own offspring.

I noticed a tear sliding down River's face. Then another and another and another. What was she dreaming about? I pulled her closer, my arm under her neck and hand behind her head. She pressed against me and eased a bit. I felt her tears sink into my shirt and she sniffled before her head pressed against my chest. I played with her hair gently to soothe her. "Shhhh..." I whispered.