Love Sucks - The Vampire Diaries - Damon Salvatore

*3*

I finally found the front door and ran outside to the cold air. I ran to Matts car and leaned my head against it, trying to calm myself down from my panic attack.

Someone touched my shoulder, "you ok?" It was Stefan.

"Yeah" I said shakily as I turned round, wiping my tears away

"What did Damon do?"

"Nothing. Nothing, he was a gentleman" I smiled looking into Stefans eyes. He could tell I was lying, but he didn't push it. "I'm gonna go home. It's not too far so tell Matt I'll walk it."

I started walking off but Stefan ran up to my side, "you're not walking home by yourself. I'll give Elena a text. Say I'm walking you back." He took his phone out as we continued to walk.

We walked in silence for a few moments, not knowing what to say. Finally Stefan broke the silence, "My brother is a bit of an ass sometimes."

I chuckled, "maybe. But that's brothers, apparently." I smiled in his direction, "Matt was always an ass to Vicki. Though Vicki wasn't exactly an angel either."

"Do you not have siblings?"

"No. It was just me and my parents. Now they're gone I have no body. The closest I've got is Matt. And even then I can't see him whenever I want."

"Why not? What happened that makes you think you can't stay here?" Stefan questioned as we made it to the main road into town, just another few minutes to my road.

"My uncle died just before my 13th birthday, animal attack apparently." I saw Stefan swallow hard as I spoke, "but about six months before I was visiting him and while I was in bed something came in and trashed the house. I got up and saw him in the family room covered in blood. I ran over to help but whoever it was, they were still in there. I just felt this rip in my back. I screamed. I was in so much agony. And then when I fell I turned to see who it was and I just saw the front door slam shut." We reached my house and we stopped at the bottom of the steps, "I managed to get to the phone and call an ambulance. We both were OK. I needed blood and stitches. But my dad refused me to go back. I didn't want to anyway. I was so scared."

We stood in silence as Stefan looked down at the floor, shuffling his feet. "Wow. I'm sorry."

"Not your fault. You didn't do anything" I gently laughed, trying to make him feel better. "This is me." I smiled, pointing up to the house.

We walked up to the porch and I smiled again at Stefan. No matter what, I always felt like smiling round him. It was just his aura or something. "Thank you for walking me back."

"It was my pleasure" he gently bowed and smirked, "always a gentleman."

"You really are." I laughed lightly at him, "how are you and Elena?" I was curious to see if there was any chance he was unhappy. If he could see what a piece of work she was....

"We're good. Few things to work out, but we're good."

"Work out? Like what?" I was rather nosey for someone who just came into town...

He smirked and gently laughed, "erm, just some stuff. Future and things."

"She wanting to marry and settle down whereas you're a free wolf who can't think that far...?" I smiled

Stefan looked out to the road and smiled before looking back at me, "opposite actually. I want to settle down and she's thinking of adventure."

I could see the hurt in his eyes, even if he tried hard to mask it. For some reason he really loved her. "Did you wanna come in for a coffee? I did do a little shop earlier so I have got some supplies in" I smiled as I put the key in the lock.

"I best get back. But thank you."

I unlocked the door before going back over and giving him a hug, "thank you again for walking me back."

"Pleasures all mine." He took my hand and kissed my knuckle before walking back to the sidewalk. He stopped at the foot of the steps, turning back to me. "And be careful who you invite in your house. Some weirdos live in this town." He laughed as he spoke.

I chuckled too, knowing he was trying to keep me safe. Be a polite gentleman and all that. "I won't invite you in again then." I smirked back, biting my lip as I did.

"Well that would be unfortunate." He replied softly before walking off.

I stood there for a moment, over analysing what he said .... unfortunate? To not be invited back? So he wants to come in? Or was he being polite? Or was he flirting....?

I shook my head and wondered into the house, locking the door and dead bolting it so I was that little bit safer.

I had managed to sort out most things earlier that day and there was a pile of boxes in the family room, by the couch I was sleeping on. I took my clothes off and wrapped my hair into a bun. Grabbing a box and the duvet, I settled on the couch and began opening journals from my uncle.

They were all leather bound and looked old. Older than my uncle.

September 10th
Today Christie came back. She hadn't changed at all. God I wish she had. Then I'd know I imagined it all. But I hadn't. It was real. She spoke just like her and acted just like her. But I knew she was different. It just didn't add up.
She told me to stay away from the boarding house and never search for her again. But I couldn't. I had to know where she was and who did this to her. These "animal attacks" were getting more frequent and it was starting to scare me. Will my sister be safe? I need to stay and watch over her and the kids. Matt and Vicki need protecting.

That's where it ended. Two days before he died.