The Missing Piece

1858 (pt. 2)

(Trigger warning, abuse)

1858 (Early September)

I had been spending most of my days in the kitchen as father decided it wasn't proper for me to be out playing with my brothers. I had hardly had any time to go out to the stables to see Aster since mother's death, nor had I seen Niklaus either.

I heard the door opening and saw my father stumble through. It had only been a few months but father seemed to get worse as the days passed, he lived on in a drunken state, and even when he wasn't drinking he was always yelling.

"Cleona," I heard him snap and it was all I could do to keep from running the opposite direction, instead continuing to knead the dough that laid on the counter.

"Yes, father? Do you need something?" I asked, as sweetly as I could manage.

"Where are your brothers?" His voice was cold and it was clear he wasn't in his right mind.

"I'm not sure, I can go find them if you wish." I wiped my hands on the apron that was tied onto the front of my dress and started walking towards the door, hoping for an easy escape.

"I'm not done talking." He grabbed my wrist and prevented me from leaving the room. "Insolent child," he was muttering to himself, as he often did when he was in these states. Luck seemed to be on my side as the door swung open again and Damon entered. As father let go of my wrist to turn and see who made the noise I stepped back, out of his immediate reach and smoothed out my dress out of nervous habit.

"Good afternoon, Damon. Can I get you something?" I stepped over toward the dough again.

He nodded to father, and maintained eye contact with him for a few seconds. "I noticed Aster hasn't been ridden in a while."

"I haven't gotten much time to go ride." I smiled, gesturing to the dough.

"Your sister needs to learn her place, perhaps Stefan can exercise Aster." Father's voice was low and rough, effectively sending chills down my back.

"Father, you know as well as I do, Stefan could get hurt, trying to ride her." Damon tried to reason. "Besides I'm sure Cleona could spare an hour from her cooking to-"

"I have told you both that Cleona's place is in the kitchen," Father snapped and I realized I had to find a way to excuse myself.

"Father, I'm sure at the very least I could go visit Aster if she's lonely." I stepped closer and immediately regretted my decision as I felt the pain searing through my left cheek.

"I said no!" Both Damon and I were frozen in shock as our father stumbled out of the room. I felt tears stinging my eyes and brought my hand up to the place where he had slapped me.

"Cleona," Damon's voice was soft.

"It's fine, Damon." I smiled through the pain, turning my back to him as I walked to the sink. I heard his footsteps following behind me.

"Here, let me see." He turned me to face him and I couldn't stop the tears from falling from my eyes for much longer.

"It's nothing, Damon, I'll be fine." I patted his shoulder.

"His ring must have cut you, you're bleeding." He reached for one of the hand towels but I stopped him.

"Big brother, I'm fine. I have to get back to dinner, go keep Stefan company." I turned him towards the door. "Don't cause any trouble, either of you." I chuckled. I watched Damon leave the kitchen before I turned to the sink and started running water, pulling some of it up to my face, the cool water soothed the stinging in my cheek. I felt a few tears escaping my eyes as I dried my face. As I went back to the dough I heard a knock on the door, but this one came from the outer door that led to the yard.

"Come in," I responded, expecting one of the maids, however when no one opened the door I turned around. I wiped my hands off as I walked towards the door. "I said come in." I pulled the door open and instead of one of the servants standing at the door Niklaus was there. "What are you doing here?" I chuckled.

"You haven't been out to the stables in a while, I was starting to get worried."

"Well come in," I stepped to the side and made room for him to enter the kitchen.

"Your cheek is red-" His hand grazed the cut on my cheek and I stepped back, trying not to wince.

"It's nothing, just a cooking-"

"Cleona, what happened?" His voice was low and it was all I could do to not burst into tears.

"It's nothing I promise," I took his hand in mine and looked him directly in the eyes, "trust me."

"If someone hurt you I-I-" He seemed so pained, and wouldn't let the subject go, especially once he noticed the cut.

"I have to get back to cooking dinner, if you insist on being here, come through the front and see my father or brother." I smiled gently. I put the bread dough in the oven and started on the actual meal.

"Can't I help you?" He asked, stepping closer.

"Not today, I don't need to be scolded for sharing my responsibilities." He took a few more steps closer and turned me to face him. "Go on, out you go." He didn't move, so I sighed and started pushing him towards the door. "I have to finish dinner, no more distractions." I heard the door swing open again and saw Stefan standing there.

"Cleona, come play with Damon and I?"

"I can't today, Stefan. I have work to do." I stepped away from Nik and over to Stefan with a smile. "Why don't you go and see father, perhaps you can continue your studies if you are bored."

"You never play anymore," he pouted.

"Your sister is a busy girl," I looked back at Nik with a short glare.

"Who are you? Cle-"

"He's just a friend, little one, go find something to entertain yourself." I turned Stefan and ushered out the door. "You too Nik, out you go." Nik nodded and gave a sad smile.

"I will come back another time, Love." I chuckled as he left. As I watched the door close behind him I felt my heart sink, but I shook it off and went back to cooking the meal.

There's going to be a few chapters about Cleona's past and why she left home. However I hate writing such hard chapters so most of the time they won't end so sad. I apologize if they sound weird, I usually try to avoid such heavy topics so it's not going to be the best writing. Anyways, I hope your day/night is amazing! <3 ~Kat