World So Cold

I was lost in my own world. In the world of Damon and his fathomless black eyes. So when I heard the first sound of wings it was already too late. Two birds, both hawks flew at me. Their talons and beaks were extended, ready for damage.

As they clawed and pecked at me I waved my arms trying to hit one of them but was unsuccessful. As I was trying to get away from them I didn’t realize where I was going until it was too late. I backed up all the way to the edge of the widow’s walk.

Instantly, as if almost a reflex I called out for help. I called to Damon to help me. Damon! my thoughts shouted almost in a panic.

Usually there was a fence around the perimeter of the widow’s walk. Here there wasn’t because Elena had broken it earlier. So it was then that I fell off the house. Luckily I was able to twist my body and land on the balls of my feet.

Standing up quickly and turning around so that the house was to my back, I took in the forms of two men. They sneered at me with looks of triumph in their gaze.

“Come on, Catherina,” said the one. “We only want a little taste.” He licked his lips and I could see the desire in his gaze, his fangs almost protruding.

Quickly the two of them came at me. I managed to dodge the one and tripped him. He sprawled over the ground. I wasn’t able to elude the second as he gripped my arm and twisted. I was on the ground, pinned under the guy.

As his fangs fully extended I took my right hand and plunged it deep into his chest. He immediately paused in his movements. Wrapping my hands around his beating heart I quickly pulled out, holding his heart in my hand.

He then slumped forward, landing fully on me. Pushing him off, I stood up. I had only just managed to get on my feet when I was picked up and thrown against the house. I could feel the wall shake with the force of impact.

This guy was stronger, older, than the other one. He would be the one that would be hard to kill. I just hope I can. Standing up I looked for a sign of him. I remarkably saw none. Keeping my eyes out for a glimpse of anything I moved slowly away from the wall.

I had to find him, to kill him. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a glimpse of movement. It was too late to react though and I was hit, and thrown against the ground. On the ground I was thrown again, this time into a surrounding tree.

One of the branches of the tree had been broken off. I was impaled on the branch, it protruding out of my stomach. I gasped at the debilitating pain that radiated through my body. Looking up I saw the man slowly walking towards me, a smirk on his face.

“Not so powerful now are we, Catherina?” He came to stand in front of me. I went to kick him but he effortlessly caught my foot. The wood was weakening me. I couldn’t move as fast as I wanted. He twisted my foot around, causing my ankle to break and me to squirm in pain.

“That’s not how you should treat your elders,” he said still smirking.

“And that’s not how you should treat a lady,” said a voice from behind him. I instantly recognized it as Damon. Coming forward he seemed to materialize out of the darkness. His expression was one that showed anger mixed with a deadly calmness.

“Who are you?” growled the foreign vampire. “She’s mine,” he said jerking a thumb towards me. “I caught her. I caught Catherina.” Damon’s eyes met mine for a second. In that second I tried to plead with him, get him to help me, to free me.

“I see no symbol of your ownership,” said Damon his voice oddly cool.

“She’s mine,” he stated again. He shifted his stance into one preparing for a fight.

“I don’t think so,” said Damon.

“Listen, I—” Quickly and without warning Damon lashed forward. He punched the guy, knocking him to the ground. He broke the tip of the branch I was on off, and plunged it into the heart of the guy before he could even get up. It was over in less than a second.

Damon stared at the now dead vampire on the ground, triumph in his eyes. I could see the slight joy in them, alight from the fight no matter how quick. It wasn’t until I spoke did he turn to me. “Damon,” I said, my voice was laced with pain.

Silently he walked towards me and helped me off of the branch. He set me down on my feet but didn’t remove his hands from steadying me, for which I was glad. “Let’s get you inside,” said Damon. He ushered me towards the door to which I went, a bit reluctant. I didn’t like him telling me what to do.

As we came up to Stefan’s room I heard the door downstairs open and Stefan’s quick footsteps come up the flights of stairs. I sat down on the bed and crossed my arms. I had healed once the wood had been taken out of my stomach but my shirt was still stained with blood.

Damon stood slightly away from me, not looking at me. He held almost a cold indifference, both of us too stubborn to begin talking to the other. Honestly, I was a little more than confused. The man I hate was also the man I loved.

As Stefan stepped into the room he stopped in surprise at seeing Damon there. Then his eyes flashed to me and then my shirt. “What happened?” he asked.

“I was attacked,” I said simply. Stefan raised an eyebrow and Damon, being the gentleman he is, expanded upon my statement.

“Two more vampires attacked her. I’m guessing for the same reason as before?” he asked addressing me. I only gave him a hard glare. I felt like I was being treated like a child.

“Juliet, why is this happening?” asked Stefan.

“Yes, Catherina. Care to explain?” taunted Damon.

“You do not call me that,” I hissed, my voice lashing out like a whip.

“Catherina?” asked Stefan confused. “What is he talking about?” His face was one big question mark.

“Come on, brother,” said Damon. “Don’t tell me you have been under a rock for so long that you have not heard about Catherina,” he chastised.

“Juliet?” asked Stefan, ignoring Damon. Taking a deep breath I sighed.

“I believe it is time that I tell you my story,” I said more to the floor than them. “You both have a right to know.”

“Yes, especially if we are going to have to protect you,” said Stefan. I expected a rebuke from Damon. But none came and I could say I was surprised.

“Alright, but neither of you is going to like it.”