Witch or vampire?

Aftermath

Aftermath, by Adam Lambert

„Wanna scream out
No more hiding
Don't be afraid of what's inside
Gonna tell ya, you'll be alright
In the Aftermath.
Anytime anybody pulls you down
Anytime anybody says you're not allowed
Just remember you are not alone
In the Aftermath."

(Helen)

It was so good to be in Damon's arms and letting him comfort me, but it felt wrong somehow. I had consciously let Kane use my body in order to kill him. I had been a willing participant. How could I ever face Damon again? I pushed him deftly away and jumped from the bed.

"But I did it myself!" I burst out.

I was upset and angry about myself.

„I wasn't compelled! I used my body to kill him!"

Was that justification enough? I felt so... dirty; and I was ashamed. I blamed myself for not having searched for another way.

Shaking like a leaf, I stood at the window and stared outside. I whished I could be like the snow out there... so pure and so pristine... I couldn't look at Damon, but I then felt his hands on my shoulders.

"How did you kill him?" he asked and his voice sounded almost serene.

I inhaled deeply while I searched for words.

"A wooden letter opener right through his heart when he... when he came", I choked on the last words and almost started crying all over again.

How much must this detail hurt him? He turned me around to face him.

„Helen, look at me", he said and lifted my chin tenderly with a finger, so that I had to look into his eyes.

Rarely had I seen such a loving and concerned expression on his face. He frowned and looked me over.

"I love you. And nothing you do or have done will ever change this, got it?" he whispered and brushed his lips faintly on my trembling ones in a kiss.

It was like a salvation, as if he'd pronounced absolution. I wrapped my arms around him and buried my face at his chest, sobbing hard.

"Shsh, it's okay, it's over, baby", he murmured and pressed his lips to my hair while his hands caressed my back softly.

For a while, we just stood there and he held me tight.

"I'm so ashamed", I murmured a little later.

"And I am damn proud of you", he replied softly. „Proud of your courage and your resolve."

He kissed my forehead and I looked into his face. Tenderly he wiped my tears from my cheeks.

"And I will make sure that we don't keep any sharp wooden objects in the house", he said with a grin.

I couldn't help a small smile creeping on my face.

"That's a lot better, come here", he said and led me to the washstand.

He dipped the washcloth into the water and softly wiped at my face before he dried it.

"And now we'll take our baby and go home. How does that sound?" he asked.

„It sounds wonderful, Damon."

He kissed me tenderly and I opened my lips for him. Feeling his tongue and his lips like this did good, but in the end he broke the kiss and sighed.