𝕊aving 𝔾race || 𝕄ikaelsons

τρία||three

•What consumes
your mind, controls
your life.•

TRIGGER WARNING:
This chapter has scenes of abuse!
It will be marked when
it begins and ends by a
bold underline, like above.

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When it was time to leave the Grill, Gianna didn't expect to find her brother had already left with someone an hour ago. He'd had a few too many drinks, but she hadn't had much reason to worry about it. Treyton had found a cute little blonde to go home with, and she knew her brother could take care of himself. Teegan Roberts was with Jeremy Gilbert, the two as thick as thieves, sneaking shots when their older siblings weren't looking. But their mother hadn't even bothered to show up. She cares more for her relationship with men then she does them. And it was no surprise to any of the Roberts kids' that their mother would rather ditch them than show some form of responsibility, so they've learned to live with it. They're all old enough now to realize, that people will destroy anything that's right in the world, as long as it isn't theirs to ruin.

For Gianna, pretending her life hasn't just been hard is a very difficult task. Because as she enters her house and sees her mother passed out drunk next to yet another man, she feels as though she's losing her mind. Ever since she came back from the war, Sarelle has acted like Gianna was a disappointment. Like everything her daughter has done for their country was the only thing Sarelle had to be proud of her for. But now that Gianna's been honorably discharged, her mother can't stand the sight of her, and it breaks Gianna's heart. Not only has she lost her mother's love and respect, she also feels as though she's lost herself too.

So when she pulls up to the Gilbert house– tears streaming down her cheeks, she can't help but throw herself into someone's arms. And then she cries into their chest. It's the kind of pained sobbing that leaves you unable to breathe–unable to do anything or say anything but cry; body shuddering in near physical pain. She can't move, nor did she want to. Because in the arms of this stranger, she starts believing that things might actually be okay for herself again.

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Gilbert Residence
The next morning

Gianna wakes up with a start. In what she assumes to be Elena's room, she's tucked in like how she remembers her father would do it– cocoon style. The thick blue comforter doesn't do much to bring her some awareness of last nights events, but she figures the stranger from last night had something to do with it.

The sound of loud and aggressive shouting is enough to get the brunette out of bed. She quickly pads down the stairs, accidentally bumping her hip a little too hard on the banister, and is shocked to see her brother fuming in their mother's face. Gianna stands at the bottom of the steps, rubbing at her hip lightly.

"You're lucky she's willing to even speak to you!" Treyton seethes, face red with fury. Sarelle's face is just as red, and she refuses to back down– the boy's anger fueling her own.

"This isn't any of your business, Treyton!" Treyton and his mother are now face to face, fists balled at their sides.

"It is my business when she shows up here in the middle of the night because of what you have done. No person should ever treat her this way, especially you." Treyton is screaming now, one finger shoved harshly in his mother's direction. Their fighting seems to escalate, both of the Roberts' glaring at one another. Without much thought, Gianna pushes between them, not realizing that her mother's fist had started moving forwards.

TRIGGER WARNING
The next few events happened in slow motion for Treyton Roberts, and by the time he realizes what's happening, it's too late. Gianna Roberts' head was shoved back roughly, her back hitting her brother's chest with just as much force. A sickening crunch follows, and Gianna falls to the floor in shock. Sarelle– not caring that she had hit her daughter– follows her body to the floor and continues smashing down with her fists.

There's one punch after another, drowning out her daughter's pleas for the women to stop. It was like a monster had been released in Sarelle, suffocating the kindness inside of her. And she's more aggressive with her own kid then she's ever been in her life. Jenna, hearing the commotion, walks in and manages to grab a spatula from the counter. She tosses it– missing Treyton by a mere centimeter. But it's enough to stop the pounding and throwing of Sarelle's fists– and to distract her long enough for Treyton and Stefan to grab her and wrestle her away from Gianna.
END TRIGGER WARNING

"You get out of my house, now!" Jenna shouts, as Treyton shoves the women onto her feet and out the front door. She doesn't wait to see if the other women actually listens, Jenna just rushes to grab her phone to call an ambulance.

Stefan rushes to Gianna's side, knowing she needs a friend now more than ever. She isn't moving and her breathing is labored, but her eyes are open and she's able to grab her new friend's hand in thanks. Treyton holds his sisters head in his lap, tears of concern pooling in his eyes. As she looses consciousness, both men share a worried look with one another.

And as he listens to sirens in the distance, Stefan Salvatore realizes; Gianna Elodie Grace, is worth fighting for.

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