#para:demons

[natexthompson-blog]

Demons | Natherine

Night was one of the most dangerous times in Mystic Falls. Nate had learned that the hard way. He had returned at night to find Katherine, only to find out his life had been a lie. There was coming back to find out his brother had died, and then coming back again when he was being hunted. Tonight was no different. He was walking back home from training when he heard something in the woods. There was someone else there, around him. His gut instinct told him that he knew this person. But that was probably not true. He continued to walk and he heard the noise again. Pausing, he looked around and didn’t see anything, or anyone. Nate took a few more steps, and turned to investigate the sound further. Walking a little further, he came to another pause, the sight in front of him causing him to freeze on the spot. There was little that could shock him, but this was certainly one of those things.

“Wh-what are you doing here?” Nate asked the figure in the darkness. Of course he recognized him. This was his brother. Had it really been that long? Nate could have sworn his heart was racing--that was impossible. He was undead. And his brother was dead. Or so he had initially thought. Like a lot of things, it wasn’t true. This was impossible. “If this is another one of those fear demon tricks, I swear, that isn’t funny,” he clenched his jaw and shook his head. The man put a hand on Nate’s shoulder, and the hybrid could clearly see he needed help. Even if he didn’t believe what was happening, this was his brother and he didn’t turn his back on him. With that, he put the younger man’s arm over his shoulder to help him into the safer part of town. He knew exactly who he had to ask to get help. 

She probably wouldn’t want to see him, but at this point Nate had no choice. If this was a chance to change what he thought happened in the past, he’d take it. He’d take it and he’d live with it, whatever exchange she wanted from him. It didn’t matter. This was important to him. It took them some time to get to Katherine’s place, having to pause a couple times along the way. He knocked on the door, waiting for her to answer.

@elusivekitten

[jenny--adams]

And the Ones We Hail Are the Worst of All || Jenny (flashback)

A must hung in the air, the stench of alcohol and sweat filling the nostrils of all the bodies in the room. They moved together as one person, jumping up and down as if on cue seeming to make the foundation of the building shake. Among the group, Alex was blended into the crowd, moving the same as the rest as Jenny watched from a bar stool entertained by the sight. She curled her fingers agains the crying glass, trying a taste of the liquid everyone her age raved about. It wasn’t horrible, but it was nothing to write home about, either.

Jenny watched as Alex fought his way out of the crowd, his path being swallowed as he went. “There you are.” He said over the music. He brought his lips to hers, gently rubbing his thumb over her knee. Her skin burned in the best way at his touch. His kiss was hungry, and Jenny could feel it. Although, she wasn’t too keen on the idea of them kissing in such a way in front of so many people whether they paid attention or not. Jenny pulled out of his kiss and asked, “It’s kind of crowded. Do you want to go somewhere more private?”

His eyes grew a mischievous and hungry look. It made her want nothing more than for him to kiss her again, but she had a feeling he had more in store for her once he got her alone. “I know just the place.” He moved his hand from it’s place. On her knee, to grab her hand. They elbowed their way through the gyrating bodies towards the back exit. He led them to a fire escape, allowing Jenny up before him. Once their feet were on the metal of the fire escape, he placed a hand on the small of the little blonde’s back, leading her towards an unlocked window. “My buddy Rich told me about this place. It should be empty.”

Alex pushed the window open, climbing in, before helping Jenny through. He shown the flashlight around the room, kicking over the occasional board before they reached a little bed barely able to fit two people. “Not too romantic, huh?” He mumbled, disappointed with the arrangements his friend had set him up with. Jenny looked around, seeing mirror, just next to bed. “Here, give me the flashlight.”

Jenny walked over to the mirror moving it against a wall on top of a little round table. She then angled the flashlight so it’s rays spread throughout the room making it a dim light at least. “It’s basically candlelight. Much more romantic.” She said, snaking her arms around his neck. She stood on her twos and gave him a quick peck, which he quickly deepened. He lifted her, and she wrapped her legs around his waist. It was practically a scene out of a book.

He walked them over to the bed, falling gently on top of the small blonde not wanting to hurt her.

* * *

Jenny it was all mostly a blur, but it was the most amazing feeling in the world. She couldn’t believe the rush that had came from it. It was just so right.

A half a hour later, Alex rolled over, planting a tender kiss on her forehead. “Downstairs had probably calmed down a little. Do you wanna go back?” Jenny nodded, taking his t-shirt off and handing it back to him. She redressed and followed him down the fire escape and back into the building. Alex was right. More people were drinking than they were dancing. The bright eyed boy took the chance to drag Jenny out to the dance floor, and move with her to the sound of the music. He twirled her around as another one of the songs ended and the band began a love song, the singer smiling over at the couple.

He placed his hands softly on her waist, and she carefully wrapped her arms around his neck and they started to sway. Before long, they were so twisted into each other it was hard to tell where one of them started and the other stopped.

“I love you.” Alex muttered into her ear. Jenny’s cheeks flushed a rosy pink that she didn’t know she was capable of. The three words that seemed so foreign were being spoken to her, she lifted her chin from his shoulder and kissed him. “I love you too.”

As if on cue, a gunshot fired, and everyone sober enough to stay awake screamed. Alex quickly stood in front of Jenny who was barely visible behind him. “Where’s the main man around here? He owes me.” The burly man had at least a foot and a half over Jenny herself. His teeth were a smokers shade of yellow, and he sported a leather vest and a biker beard. He was the image of a thug. Alex quickly directed Jenny to the bar. “Hide behind the cooler. He won’t look there.” His voice was barely a whisper but still held urgency. “What about you?” Alex glanced at the man. “I’ll be fine. It’s not me wants. Go. Hide. I’ll get you when he leaves.”

Jenny obeyed, crouching down, and squeezing herself between the bar and the cooler.

“Hey,” the burly man called, “what do you know about this guy?”

Silence.

“I asked you a question.”

Silence.

“Have it your way.”

A gun shot.

[jenny--adams]

With the Beast Inside There's Nowhere We Can Hide || Jenny (Flashback)

The waves washed upon the shore, gently and warmly, shining a pinkish purple under the early morning sky. The sand was not yet hot, and felt good below Jenny’s feet. She had spent about a week with Alex who was just as nice as he seemed. Jenny wore just her bathing suit top, hugging her shirt to her. It was the first time she had let her gash be visible, and Alex spotted it right off the bat,The young boy walked up next to her, and gently ran a finger along the healing wound. “What happened to your back?” He asked softly. He kept his voice warm and inviting in hopes getting to know more of her past.

Jenny didn’t want to tell him, though. She didn’t want to tell anyone about her past. She was fine just leaving it a shrouded mystery. “I don’t really wanna say, Alex. I don’t like talking about it.” He let out a silent sigh standing on the beach with her, watching the morning waves crash against the shore. He wanted to know more about the little blonde that he had picked up. He had no intentions of hurting her, but he was curious and he couldn’t help it. Maybe if he told her about why he had left home, she’d be more willing to tell him why she had left.

Alex peeled off his shirt, so he was standing just in his shorts. Jenny could make out the trace of a six pack, and honestly had a hard time peeling her eyes away. He was very buff, and there was no way in denying that he was also very attractive. He turned a bit so that she could see the scar that ran along his hip. It was much longer than the one on her back, which meant that it was probably twice as painful.

“Back home, believe it or not, I was bullied a lot. The kids were brutal to me. I tried to talk to my parents, but they’d just shut me down every time I tried to say something.” He paused and shook his head as if he was mentally cursing his parents. “One day a kid thought it would be fun to bring his pocket knife to school and try and stab me in the side.” Jenny’s mouth was agape. Who would do such a thing to someone as sweet and caring and attractiv- attentive as Alex? “I moved out of the way in time, but they still caught my hip. You may ask what my parents did? They told me to suck it up and take it like a man.”

“They’re horrible.” Jenny spat in utter disgust. Their own son, their flesh and blood was getting attacked at school and they didn’t do anything? What kind of people were they?

“My dad was a cop, so he thought his son should be able to fend for himself. My mom- well I just think she never wanted me. She didn’t give a shit.” He shrugged a little looking down at the sand. “I left a note two days after and headed out for the open road. A week later I picked you up.”

Jenny shook her head in amazement. He was so incredible to still care about anything- including life -after the torture he had gone through. She looked over at him, and then back down at the sand. “I was an orphan from birth. My parents gave me up,” she started. Alex turned towards her when she started, surprised she was trusting him enough to tell him the story. “I spent years and years going from state home to foster home to no luck. Then when I finally turned thirteen a family adopted me. They had another daughter, too. Annie. She was my best friend in the world. We did everything together.” Jenny paused, taking in a calming breath before she continued on. “She died last month.” Alex instinctively put a consoling hand on her shoulder. “My former parents blamed me for it, and they started to…h-hit me. Last week they threw a lamp at me. That’s why I have the scar.”

Alex stayed silent for a minute absorbing the words that left her mouth. Who would abuse someone as sweet and kind as Jenny? “What pricks. You don’t deserve that.” He said firmly, squeezing her shoulder a little bit. “You didn’t deserve the bullying.”

“Neither of us deserved what we got. But it’s in the past now. We’re looking ahead. We’re headed to the future. The East Coast.” He said with a grin. “What’d ya say? Are you in?”Jenny returned the shining excitement in his eyes. “Of course I am. Do you think it’ll be better?”

Alex paused. “We can’t hide from our demons forever. There’s no way to. Be we can try for a while, at least.”

[jenny--adams]

And the Saints We See Are All Made of Gold || Jenny (flashback)

Wrapping herself securely in her jacket, Jenny dropped to the grass along the seemingly abandoned road. She had been walking for what felt like hours. She just needed one little break. Jenny leaned back in the grass, eyes closed, taking in the rest of her surroundings.

The breeze blew swiftly and steadily around her, making the grass dance, tickling the bare skin on her arms. The spring weather engulfed her. She forgot the pain in her heart and in her shoulder. She was at peace. She could die right there, right then and be happy. It was all just so calm. Of course, what in her life would be easy? Nothing. That’s not how it worked for a pathetic girl like her. Thoughts of how tired, hungry, and thirsty she was flooded back. She couldn’t sleep, because she feared not waking up.

Gently sitting up, Jenny watched as a car drove past, slowing to a stop only a little ways ahead of her. She grabbed her coat and bag ready to dash if they got out. That is, until she saw the boy step out of the car. He was tall, his eyes sparkled gently against the warming spring sun rays. He just seemed to be so nice, and welcoming, even just standing next to his car, studying her.

“Are you lost?” He finally asked, taking a step closer to her. Jenny braced herself to run, but stayed, lost in the older boys appearance. Jenny just shook her head lightly not trusting herself to speak. She didn’t know what would come out at a point in her emotional deterioration.

The boy walked closer to her, carefully watching her with slightly curious and saddened features hinting on his face. “Don’t be scared. I swear up and down I won’t hurt you. I just wanna help.” He stuck out his hand to her. His strong, inviting hand.

If jenny dared take it? So many things could happen. She could be killed or worse. Yet, something about the boy seemed so trustworthy it was hard to say no. With a timid, shaking hand, Jenny took the boys hand, and got to see just a hint of a smile. His eyes lit up when he smiled. It was such a pretty. Sight. The boy pulled her hand gently towards the car. Jenny wanted to protest, but again, words escaped her. Instead, she just stood still. The boy let out a soft chuckle. I promise, I won’t hurt you. You just look like you could use something to drink is all. He gave her another genuine smile that made her just a bit more comfortable. Why was she trying to stay alive anyway? There’s was nothing to live for.

As the boy pulled gently on her hand again, she followed him to the car. He pulled an unopen water bottle from the car, gently nudging it into Jenny’s hands. The young blonde happily took the bottle, opening it and swallowing a few gulps, a sense of relief washing through her as she visibly relaxed. The boy gave her a smile again, leaning against the car. “I’m Alexander but call me Alex, for short.” He stood in silence for a moment, before another intoxicating chuckle left his lips. “Is this like the little mermaid? Should I guess your name?” Jenny gave a soft laugh and nodded.

Alex cocked an eyebrow, but shrugged and started to rattle off a few names. “Marcie? Delaney? Julie? Victoria?” Jenny shook her head lightly at the names, taking another swig of the water in her hands.

“Alright,” he started again, “Penelope, Phoebe, Alexis, Georgina, Tammy?” All ‘nos.’ “Hannah, Addie, Miley, Lindsay, Lizzy? Pity me?” He asked, laughing.

Jenny gave him a small laugh and smile. “I’m Jennifer, but you can call me Jenny for short.” She offered her hand to the older boy, who shook it greatfully. “So I was close with Tammy. It totally rhymes.” He said winking at the young blonde.

He pulled out a granola bar from the car, handing it to her figuring she’d be hungry too. Jenny’s eyes lit up at the sight of food, but she took it gingerly and carefully. She unwrapped it and took a huge bite out of it, happy to feel food in her system again. “Sure you were. Tammy is totally not close to Jenny. Only one letter is right.” She said with a small grin.

He just brushed off her comment. “So what are you doing out here all by your lonesome? Need a ride home? I’d be happy to help.” Tears sprung into Jenny’s eyes at the mention of the hell called home. It had only been two days that she was free. She couldn’t go back now. “I can’t go back. I can’t, I can’t, I just can’t. I’ll go anywhere but home.” She said shaking her head the entire time.

Alex jumped at the near hysterical girl in front of him. He gently placed his hands on either arm, feeling her tense under his touch. “Hey, hey, you don’t have to go back. I don’t really know where I’m going, but you can come. I’m not leaving you alone out here, though. Do you wanna come?”

He couldn’t be real. He was offering to help her, and he had met her only moments ago, and he was incredibly sweet and kind. He wasn’t real. This wasn’t real. She’d wake up in hell tomorrow, pained by her so called parents. If it was real, it would have to be ripped away from her. It always was. Yet again, she couldn’t bring herself to say “no”. Instead, she agreed, wiping her eyes quickly. Alex smiled. “Great. I needed a traveling buddy.” He was so nice, so sweet, so gentle and kind.

He was a saint.