𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐆: 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐛𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐭

...🌑...

𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐓, 𝑀𝑌𝑆𝑇𝐼𝐶 𝐹𝐴𝐿𝐿𝑆

𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟎

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐚𝐬 𝐈 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐥 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧'𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐜𝐡, 𝐦𝐲 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐬𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐬𝐨𝐧.

He groaned eyes half-lidded, and I couldn't tell if he was slipping away or just in agony. Elena's house had turned into a nightmare; the once cozy kitchen was now a crime scene.

"Where's the damn phone?" I hissed, glancing around, heart pounding in my chest. The silence was suffocating, broken only by John's labored breathing.

"Selene?" Elena's voice rang out, slicing through the tension.

"In here!" I yelled back, my magic humming beneath my skin, ready to spring forth. A cold shiver ran down my spine. Someone was watching us.

Elena burst into the kitchen, eyes wide with horror as she took in the scene. "Oh my god!" She scrambled for the phone on the counter, dialing with trembling fingers. "Hi, I-I need an ambulance to 2104 Maple Street," she stammered, voice high-pitched with panic.

I pushed harder on John's wound, his blood seeping through the towel, warm and sticky against my skin. "Stay with me, John," I whispered, the words more for my benefit than his.

John's eyes fluttered open. "Behind you," he rasped, his voice barely audible.

"What?" I asked, heart, skipping a beat.

"Behind you!" he repeated, panic flaring in his eyes.

My magic reacted instinctively, flaring out in a shimmering, white force field around us. The translucent barrier hummed with energy, casting an ethereal glow in the dim light. My senses heightened. I scanned the room, my eyes darting to every shadow and corner, but I saw nothing. The tension in the air was tangible, every nerve in my body on high alert for the unseen threat lurking in the darkness.

Elena grabbed the bloody knife from the floor beside John, stepping out of the force field cautiously.

"Elena, wait!" I called, but she was already in the hallway.

"Jeremy!" her voice echoed back.

Sirens wailed in the distance, growing louder with every passing second. John's eyes drooped, his breaths becoming shallower. 

I shook him gently, my heart pounding. "Don't die on me, John."

"I'm sorry," he croaked, his voice barely a whisper.

Tears blurred my vision as I looked down at the man who had caused me so much pain. My biological father, slipping away right before my eyes. 

"You don't get to die. I'm still pissed at you," I said, my voice shaking with anger and fear.

A faint smile tugged at his lips, but it quickly faded as his strength waned.

"Ma'am, I need you to step back," a paramedic commanded, suddenly appearing beside me with a stretcher.

I stood, my hands stained with John's blood, and watched helplessly as they wrapped him in gauze and placed an oxygen mask over his face. 

Stefan entered the room, concern etched on his features, but I couldn't focus on him. I followed the paramedics as they lifted John onto the stretcher and wheeled him towards the door.

"Ma'am, you need to stay back," the paramedic repeated, more firmly this time.

John removed his mask, his voice a strained whisper. "She's my daughter."

I froze, a whirlpool of emotions swirling inside me. Scream or cry, I couldn't decide. Without a second thought, I hopped into the ambulance, grabbing John's hand and squeezing it tightly.

Please don't die, John.

...🌑...

The ambulance doors flew open, and I jumped out, following the paramedics as they wheeled John into the hospital. My mind raced, trying to process the mess that had erupted at Elena's house. Blood stained my hands, and I couldn't shake the image of John's pale face, the life draining from him.

I walked into the hospital, the sterile smell of antiseptic hitting me like a wave. I scanned the waiting area, my eyes landing on Bonnie standing alone, her expression grave.

"Selene, what happened?" Bonnie asked, her voice trembling.

"Someone stabbed John," I replied, my voice hoarse. I glanced at my bloodied hands, the crimson smears against my skin. "Why are you here?"

"Caroline was in an accident," Bonnie said softly.

My heart sank. "Is she going to be okay?"

"She's weak. They don't know if she's going to make it."

"What?" I felt the world tilt on its axis, and Bonnie embraced me. 

I hugged her back, but my gaze shifted to Damon, who stood a few feet away, his eyes filled with concern.

"I can do a spell," I said, pulling back from Bonnie.

Damon stepped forward, his expression serious. "It could kill you."

I met his gaze, the intensity of his blue eyes almost overwhelming. "Damon—"

"I can give Caroline some blood," he interrupted, his voice firm.

"No," I shook my head. "That's too risky."

Bonnie grabbed my arm, her eyes pleading. "Do it. This is Caroline. We can't let her die. Do it."

Damon's gaze flicked between us, then he nodded. "If I do this, you and me call a truce?"

Bonnie's expression hardened. "No. But you'll do it anyway...for Selene."

Bonnie walked away, leaving me alone with Damon. 

"Selene, we need to talk about what happened tonight," Damon said, his voice gentle but insistent.

The weight of the night pressed down on me, and I rubbed my forehead, trying to ease the tension.

"Damon..." I began, but he cut me off.

"Why is there blood on your hands?" he asked, his tone more urgent.

I dropped my hands, crossing my arms defensively. "Someone tried to kill John."

"Are you okay?" he asked with concern, and it made my heart ache.

"I'll be fine," I replied, though I wasn't sure if I believed it myself.

"Look, I know you told me you love me, and we kissed—"

I didn't let him finish. 

I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around him, resting my cheek against his chest. His leather jacket was cool to the touch. I closed my eyes, blocking out the world for a moment, and sighed deeply as his arms encircled me, pulling me closer. The scent of his cologne grounded me.

"I'm not taking it back, Damon," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

"Okay," he murmured, his chin resting against my head.

We stood there, clinging to each other as Jenna arrived. Damon stepped back, his expression guarded as Jenna glared at him before heading down the hall. I rolled my eyes, grabbing the collar of his leather jacket to stop him from leaving.

"I thought you didn't care what people think," I teased, trying to lighten the mood.

"I want her on my good side," he replied, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

"I thought you didn't have a good side."

"I'm trying to have one...for you."

A smile broke through my exhaustion, but it quickly faded.

"Do you know who stabbed John?" Damon asked, his tone darkening.

I looked around the bustling hospital, making sure no one could overhear us. Damon's piercing gaze met mine, the weight of the truth heavy on my shoulders. "Katherine."

Damon's expression hardened, his eyes narrowing. "You've got to be kidding me."

"I wish I was," I said, my voice barely a whisper.

...🌑...

The night air outside Elena's house felt like a tangible weight, pressing down on me as I walked beside Damon. A distant cry echoed from inside, setting my nerves on edge. I exchanged a wary glance with Damon before pushing the door open. The scene inside was chaos—Stefan picking himself up from the ground and Elena rushing down the stairs, her eyes wide with fear.

"Stefan?" Elena's voice cracked.

"Elena," he replied, his voice strained.

"What the hell happened?" I demanded, stepping further into the room, my eyes scanning for threats.

"Katherine happened," Damon answered from behind me, his voice laced with venom. He glared around the living room, tension radiating from him.

I followed Stefan into the kitchen, Damon following close behind, while Elena rushed back upstairs. The air was thick with unease, and every shadow felt like a potential threat.

"Did she say what she wanted?" Damon asked, his tone sharp.

"No," Stefan replied, frustration etched on his face.

"Woman certainly knows how to make an entrance," Damon muttered.

Stefan's brow furrowed. "She said she didn't get a chance to fool one of us. What does that mean?"

"I showed up here earlier with Selene," Damon explained, his gaze shifting to me.

Elena walked into the kitchen, heading straight for Stefan. "I told Jeremy I can't lie to him anymore," she said, her voice heavy with the weight of the night's events.

"Are you alright?" Stefan asked, his concern evident.

"No, I'm not alright. I thought that with all the tomb vampires gone, things would get better."

"Me too," I admitted.

Stefan nodded. "I know. We all did."

"Katherine was in this house. That means she's been invited in. What are we gonna do?" Elena's voice wavered with fear.

"Move," Damon suggested, earning a swift smack to the chest from me.

"Very helpful, thank you," Elena snapped, rolling her eyes as she sat at the dining table.

"Katherine wants you dead. There's zero you can do about it. You would be dead, but you're both not. So clearly, she has other plans," Damon said, his voice cold and calculating.

Stefan leaned against the counter, arms crossed. "Right, and we need to find out what those other plans are and not provoke her in the process. What happened tonight with Selene?"

I moved to sit beside Elena, feeling Damon's eyes on me. I met his gaze, unashamed of our relationship. I was doing something for myself for once, not because of my coven's demands or the council's expectations.

Damon smirked. "To risk another frown line encroaching on a very crowded forehead. We... kissed."

Elena's head whipped towards me. "You and Damon?"

Stefan's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean you kissed?"

Damon's smirk widened. "Well, you know, when two lips pucker and they go..." He puckered his lips and made exaggerated kissing noises.

Stefan shot forward with vampiric speed, but Damon was quicker, moving to stand next to me. "Don't be obvious, Stefan."

"I told you to stay away from her," Stefan growled, stepping towards Damon again.

"We don't have time for this. Katherine's here," I interjected, raising my hand to stop Stefan.

"Later," Stefan said, his eyes flashing with frustration.

Elena's voice trembled as she spoke. "John must know something. There has to be a reason why Katherine tried to kill him."

"She's Katherine. She loves to play games, and you're fooling yourself if you think you're going to find out what she's been up to before she wants you to know," Damon replied dismissively.

"No, actually, Elena's right. John could know something through Isobel. Your mother was in touch with Katherine, so maybe we can go to the hospital and get him to talk," Stefan suggested.

Damon's smirk returned. "I've got a better idea."

"What's that?" Elena asked suspicion in her eyes.

"I'm just gonna ignore the bitch. See you," Damon said, turning to leave.

"Damon," I called, my voice firm. "Is that smart?"

"If Katherine thinks she's been ignored, it will lure her out. She'll make a move."

Stefan's skepticism was evident. "Yeah? And then what?"

"Stake her, rip her head off, something poetic. We'll see. But I will kill her," Damon vowed, his eyes gleaming with dark determination.

The room fell silent, the weight of Damon's words hanging heavy in the air.

I have a bad feeling about this.

...🌑...

Lockwood Mansion loomed ahead, its grandeur different from the turmoil surrounding me. I walked in, flanked by my mom and Orianna, their presence both a comfort and a reminder of my responsibilities. The hall buzzed with subdued conversations, the air heavy with unspoken tensions.

"We're here to pay our respects," Mom said, her voice soft but firm.

"I know," I replied, my eyes scanning the room for familiar faces.

Mom's gaze pierced me. "So, are you ever going to tell me about Damon?"

I stiffened, glancing at Orianna for support. "I was going to tell you last night, but then..."

"Katherine," Orianna finished for me, her voice tinged with bitterness.

Mom sighed, her expression softening. "Do you love him?"

I nodded, the admission feeling both liberating and terrifying.

"Then the coven will get over it," Mom said, her tone brokering no argument.

I spotted Damon lingering behind them, his posture tense. "Go ahead, I'll be right back," I said, not waiting for an answer as I headed toward him.

Brushing a curly wisp of hair behind my ear, I approached Damon. His stormy eyes reflected the turmoil inside him. "Are you okay?" I asked, concern lacing my words.

"Great, Selene. Walking on sunshine, thanks for asking," he replied, sarcasm dripping from his tone.

I grabbed the glass cup from his hand, placing it on a nearby table. "Talk to me, Damon."

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "The woman who took everything from me is here, and it's taking everything in me not to find her and kill her."

"Are you still planning on ignoring her?" I asked, my heart heavy with worry.

"Yes," he said, the word clipped and resolute.

"Just try not to get yourself killed," I whispered, stepping closer.

"I'll try, Sunshine," he said, a ghost of a smile playing on his lips.

I lifted onto my toes and kissed his cheek. He turned to me, his gaze intense. "That wasn't fair. Because now I really want to kiss you."

"You can kiss me," I said, placing a finger on his lips to stop him as he leaned in. "When you're sober."

"You're not playing fair, Sunshine," he murmured, frustration flickering in his eyes.

I shrugged, giving him a small, teasing smile.

"You think Katherine is gonna send me off the deep end, don't you?"

"No," I said, shaking my head. "But I know you told me you would give up your revenge. But she's here."

Damon cupped my cheeks, his touch gentle yet firm. "I made you a promise, Sunshine. I know it's pissing her off that I'm ignoring her. Which is a bonus."

I rolled my eyes at him.

"But know this, Sunshine, if she even touches you...I will rip her to pieces."

He kissed my forehead, and I closed my eyes, a shiver running down my spine. For a moment, I felt at peace. With Damon, I felt...safe.

I just hope it lasts. 

...🌑...

It, in fact, did not last. 

I sat on my bed, my phone pressed to my ear, listening to Elena's voice crack with disbelief. "He did what?" I asked, my heart pounding in my chest.

"Damon snapped Jeremy's neck," Elena repeated, the horror clear in her tone.

I bolted upright. "He killed him?"

"Jeremy's fine. He had the Gilbert ring on," Elena reassured, but it did little to calm me.

"I don't understand," I said, my voice trembling.

"I know you want to believe there's good in him, Selene. But there's nothing good about him. Not anymore. He wants to be hated. So he'll get his wish."

"Elena, why did—"

"Katherine paid him a visit," she interrupted, her voice cutting through my question. The line went dead, leaving me in a suffocating silence.

I stared at my window, barely registering Damon as he slipped into my room with his usual stealth. The hurt and anger roiled within me, making my blood boil.

"Just doing my part in the neighborhood watch," Damon said, a weak attempt at humor.

"What did you do, Damon?" I demanded, standing to face him. My voice was steadier than I felt.

"Sunshine..." he began, but the look of guilt on his face was all the confirmation I needed.

"You snapped Jeremy's neck." I could hardly believe my own words.

Damon remained silent, his jaw clenched.

"Damon!" I shouted the tears I'd been holding back finally spilling over.

"I lost it," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

"You lost it?!"

"I went to Elena to look for you. Because I needed you." 

Damon stepped closer, but I held my hand up, holding my ground. I needed to hear this as much as it hurt.

"One minute, Elena questioned why you would kiss me, and I told her it was because you love me. She said you can do better than me. The next, I saw Jeremy walking in, and I snapped his neck."

A tear slipped down my cheek, his confession crushing me.

"The thought of you, Sunshine, with someone else was just too much."

I placed a hand on my head, trying to steady myself. "Damon, you can't go killing people, especially those I care about, because you think you'll lose me."

"I just got you, Sunshine. I can't lose you."

"I'm not going anywhere!" I screamed, my voice raw with emotion.

I ran my hands through my hair, trying to make sense of it all. "I told you I love you, Damon. I meant that. I don't say that lightly."

"I know. I'm sorry," he said, his eyes filled with regret.

I walked over to him, looking into his eyes. "He's my family, Damon. You killed him like it was nothing."

He stared at me, silent, as tears flowed freely down my cheeks.

"I accept every part of you, Damon. The good and the bad. But you hurt me." The words felt like shards of glass in my throat, slicing through the silence between us.

"I never meant to hurt you, Sunshine." His voice cracked a raw edge of regret.

"I know that, Damon. God, I know that. But this isn't something that I can forgive easily." My breath hitched, a sob clawing at the back of my throat.

"What are you saying?" His voice wavered, eyes pleading.

My heart shattered as the following words left my lips. "I need you to give me some space. I can't be around you right now because I don't see the man I fell in love with." 

The admission tore at me, each word a blow to my own heart.

I exhaled shakily, fighting to keep control. 

"I see the vampire that killed my brother," I told him, the truth heavy and unyielding. I wiped a tear from my cheek, my hand trembling. "Please, Damon, give me this."

"And if I don't?" His question was a desperate plea, fear flickering in his eyes.

"If you don't give me this...I'm afraid I'm going to hate you, and God, I don't want to hate you." My voice broke, the weight of my words hanging in the air like a death sentence.

Damon flinched, the pain in his eyes mirroring my own. "Okay, Sunshine," he said softly, his tone resigned and heartbroken.

He reached out, gently wiping a tear from my cheek before pressing a kiss to the side of my head. I closed my eyes, feeling the cool night air whip against my face. When I opened them, Damon was gone, leaving an aching void in his wake.

"Selene?" Orianna's voice drifted from the doorway, pulling me back to reality.

I turned to see my older sister standing there, concern etched on her face. The floodgates opened, and I burst into sobs. Orianna rushed to me, her arms wrapping around me tightly.

"What's wrong?" she asked, alarmed by my breakdown.

"I don't want to hate him," I sobbed, the pain twisting my heart into knots.

Orianna rubbed my back soothingly. "I've got you."

I continued to sob into Orianna's arms, feeling the weight of my world crumbling around me. The anguish of losing Damon, even temporarily, was almost too much to bear. Every part of me ached, a deep, relentless pain that seemed to have no end.