Children Of The Damned

Mystic Falls Searchlight

Today, in the woods beyond Wickery Bridge, a young man was found dead, appearing to have been a victim of an animal attack. The body was damaged beyond recognition, and detectives are still running dental records in order to determine the victim’s identity.

More information will be provided when the victim is identified.

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Stefan

“Damon,” I called, my eyes widening over the paper. It had been weeks since the last attack. I thought that maybe that the vampire had just been passing through towns, but either there was anew vampire, different from the one that had attacked Matt, or that vampire had decided to stay and try out his luck on this new victim.

“Yes?” he answered, entering my room with a drink in hand.

“Did you read the paper today?”

“No.”

“Well then, come see for yourself.”

Damon walked over to my desk where I sat, and he read over my shoulder. As his eyes scanned the paper, I saw a flash of something in his eyes, but it disappeared too quickly, and his expression was just as unreadable as ever.

“So, whoever it is hasn’t left yet. Or it could be someone else.”

“This one was close to here,” I noted. “Do you think that maybe they are checking up on us? Whoever it is must be pretty new to the area.”

“If they did check up on us, they should know by now that we are not someone you want to mess with. They should know that killing in the area was a big mistake.” Damon’s eyes flashed.

“This isn’t just about us, is it?” I asked. Damon looked at me as if I were crazy or stupid, which told me I was right on track.

“This is about Ana, isn’t it? You may not want to admit it, but you do have a heart. And you feel for her, don’t you?”

“Why must we always come back to this silly topic?” he asked, taking another swig from his drink.

“Because you still keep avoiding the question with another question or a very vague, non-answer.”

“And meanwhile, I’m sure you’re worried about Elena,” was his retort.

“Because I care about her. I love her.”

“And you think because I might be worried about Ana’s safety, that I care as deeply for her as you do for Elena? How very cute of you.”

“I think you care more for her that you have for anyone in a long time.”

“I think you overestimate your skills of observation.”

Damon was infuriating.

“Well, I happen to know that she thinks well of you. Which is more than I can say for a lot of other people in this town. She has defended you more than once already. I’m not sure what you’ve done, but she it has made an impression on her. She doesn’t think you’re as bad as others and even yourself make you out to be.”

“I didn’t compel her, if that’s what your wondering,” he said defensively.

“I know.”

“And how do you know that?”

“Because you care about her too much to take away her free will.”

Damon left the room without saying another word. It was the first time in all of our conversations that he had ever walked away without having the last word.