Humanity 4 "The Rivalry"

Chapter 17

ASHLEY’S POV

I grew up in New York. I’m not sure if Damon knows that or not, but either way, I’m happy to be back. We’re walking down a crowded street and Damon keeps my hand firmly in his.

“You know I grew up here?” I ask and he glances at me.

“Stefan may have mentioned that you were a city girl.” He says with a smile.

“I guess so. Why’d you bring me here?” I ask.

“Well in a matter of three short days, Elena managed to piss off everyone in Mystic Falls and I’d rather be away from that. Plus, what better place to deal with cravings.” He says and I immediately feel the burning sensation in my throat.

“Damon, I don’t want to hurt anybody.” I say gently.

“And you won’t. But I think it would be good for you to practice snatch, eat, erase. It helps you learn how to control.” He says and my heart drops. I don’t want to do that.

I stop walking and he stops with me, looking down at me.

“Damon, I don’t want to feed on people.” I say quietly.

“I know that, Ashley. And back at home, it’s perfectly fine to drink from blood bags. But if you get in a situation where you’re too thirsty for a blood bag, it’s better for you to know how to control those urges. There are millions of people in this city. You don’t know them. They don’t know you. It’s the perfect place.”

“Damon…” I try again, but he cuts me off.

“I know you’re scared. But you said it yourself that you feel like you’re slipping. I’m not gonna let you lose control. I’ll be with you the whole time.” He assures me and I think about his words.

Maybe he’s right. Maybe this is what’s best for me. I don’t have to kill anyone. I just need a little bit of blood. I’m thankful that he’s doing this for me.

I finally nod and he presses his lips to my forehead.

“Look, when I lived here, I fed like crazy and had a blast and went undetected for years.” He tells me as we start walking again.

“You lived here?” I ask and he nods.

“Now, come on, let’s go get some lunch.” He says and my stomach twists a little bit as his words, but I know that I need this.

DAMON’S POV

“What do you mean you took her to New York?” Stefan asks angrily on the other end of the phone as I stand on a street corner.

“And that tone is the reason I didn’t pick up the phone the first twenty times you called. Do you have Elena under control?” I ask with a smirk.

“I can handle her. Where’s Ashley now?” He asks me.

“Out exploring. Maybe she’s eating a hot dog…vendor.” I tease, knowing that she just went to the bathroom and will be right back.

“So I take it your search for Katherine is off?” He asks, ignoring my comment.

“Relax, brother. This little joyride is actually a cure hunt. The vampire that Katherine sent after Hayley was a friend of mine. He lived in the city. Will got vampires fake IDs, and I’m sure that Katherine was one of his clients.” I explain.

“Does Ashley know you’re looking for the cure?”

“See, that’s the thing. She doesn’t know. She needs to get her urges under control and I want her to worry about that and let me worry about finding the cure.” I tell him before pausing and thinking for a moment. “She wants the cure too, Stefan.” I admit.