World So Cold

Damon’s POV

As I came to the boarding house I sent a thought up to Stefan. You better make sure that witch opens the door. Juliet’s been hurt and I need you to watch over her while I get her some blood. As I approached the door I saw Stefan’s shadowy outline against the window. Now! I yelled at him. It quickly disappeared and I waited impatiently at the door.

The door opened and Stefan stood there. “Come in!” was called from somewhere inside the house. Not questioning a free invitation I stepped inside.

“Here,” I said to Stefan and placed Juliet in his arms. He took her as an automatic reaction. I then turned to go out the door.

“What’d you do to her?” asked Stefan angrily. I could see the fire in his eyes as he looked at her still bleeding neck.

“I did nothing,” I defended.

“Then why is there blood on your lips?” he asked glaring at me accusingly. I licked my lips self consciously and realized that there was dried blood on them. I hadn’t wiped it off in my haste to get here.

“Just watch her,” I said impatiently and then left the house with Stefan calling me back angrily.

Juliet’s POV

I woke up to the feeling of a liquid being poured down my throat. I couldn’t recognize what it was but it tasted good and made my whole body feel warm. I could feel its warmth spreading throughout my body as I hungrily lapped up the liquid.

Then the liquid was taken away and I reached out for more. “Open your eyes, Juliet,” a soft gentle voice persuaded. I opened them slowly blinking to adjust to the lighting. “Here, have more,” said another rougher voice.

In front of my face was thrust a cup filled with red liquid. The cup was warm to the touch as I grabbed it and held it up to my face hesitantly. But with one whiff of the aroma and I was gone. I greedily drank it down. It ran down my chin, not able to get into my mouth fast enough.

As the last drop was in my mouth I brought the cup down from my face and for the first time looked around. Sitting next to me, in a chair, was Stefan. His face was grim and distressed. He looked worried. “Are you alright?” he asked me. I nodded my head, feeling the effects of the blood healing me and giving me energy.

I’m fine, I projected to his thoughts. I still felt too weak to talk. I felt too weak to even breathe. But I didn’t want him to worry. I wanted him to be happy. He deserved to be happy. His expression didn’t change though and I knew he didn’t believe me.

Stop lying, a voice I didn’t think I’d hear spoke. I whirled toward the direction it came from and regretted it as the room spun. After my eyes focused I took in Damon leaning against the wall casually, like he always belonged there. Only he could pull off the laid back arrogance.

After the initial shock my gaze hardened. I closed off my heart, not letting the pain get to my head. He was not going to get to me. I wouldn’t let him. “What are you doing here?” I growled clenching my hands into fists.

“Just making sure you don’t die,” said Damon with arrogance.

“I’m not going to die anymore, so you can leave,” I said my voice cold and unfeeling. It felt like the room got a few degrees colder.

“I think the person who saved your life should get a little more thanks than that,” replied Damon with a smirk. He was enjoying the anger he gave me, the hatred. It was just a game to him. I was still just a game.

“You’ve done no such thing,” I accused. He stayed silent but stared at me. I could see the curiosity burning behind his eyes. He could detect the underlying meaning in my voice. I wasn’t simply talking about tonight.

“He carried you here,” said Stefan. “He even went to the hospital to get you blood.” Apparently, Stefan didn’t though. Stefan never understood me in a way that Damon did.

“So are you on his side now?” I asked Stefan. I felt like I was being double teamed and I didn’t like it. How could Stefan side with him after all he’s done? After all that he did to both of us. Stefan didn’t answer. He couldn’t. He didn’t want to go against his brother but yet didn’t want to go against me either.

“Leave,” I said to Damon, my voice hard. I glared at him hoping he would get the message. He wasn’t wanted here, he never would be. Lies. my conscience spoke. I internally flinched. Perfect timing for it to come into play, I thought bitterly.

“Okay,” he said easily and stood up. He started walking towards the door.

“Okay?” I asked in shock. I hadn’t expected him to give up that easily, for him to just leave like that.

“Yes. But don’t think I won’t be back,” he said. “I always collect my debt.” He gave me a wink and then gave a short, humorless laugh. I could hear him exit the house through the front door and that’s when I finally trusted myself to look at Stefan without losing it. Recently it’s only felt like I was losing it.

“I’m sorry about him,” said Stefan.

“You should not have to apologize for his actions,” I said angrily. I couldn’t tell what I was angrier with: Myself for letting Damon get to me, or Damon for getting to me.