Chapter Twenty Three

Crossing my legs, I flipped through the magazine on my lap as I lightly sway on the porch swing. It was night time and I sat outside in the night breeze, the moon illuminating the sly. The stars sparked and twinkled, giving a breath taking sight to whoever looks up at the sky.

Elena was at the hospital since she fell unconscious with blood dripping out of her nose. I had found her and panicked instantly, yelling at Jeremy to get his ass upstairs. Then my dear brother and I drove her to the hospital and the idiot related to me had to tell Damon and Stefan about the incident.

So then Stefan - who now officially earned the nickname asshole - insisted that I guard the house while Jeremy stays with Elena at the hospital until she wakes up.

When I came back home to guard, I played video games and watched the news - that's how bored I was. Who the fuck watches the news other than old people who are about to die?

Not me for sure.

I ordered pizza and finished a whole box. For extra, I ravished the pizza guy and enjoyed his delicious fresh blood.

What? I couldn't help myself.

I then decided to sit outside and grab a magazine full of naked people who society calls models. I flipped threw it and cringed at every ass that showed up on the shape.

One girl almost had her nipple popped out.

So many half naked people to the point where I thought it was a porn magazine. But no it was just a models magazine.

My friend - a bottle of whiskey - sat beside me on the swing half empty with a glass beside it. The only thing keeping me entertained is the drink and nothing else.

"Emilia, you guard the house incase someone decides to pay a visit." I mimicked, impersonating Stefan and repeating his previous words.

"Asshole." I muttered under my breath, blowing out an irritated sigh. I unconsciously hurled the magazine across the porch, groaning. The magazine fall on the street across our house before it flew away with the wind.

I feel bad for whoever's gonna pick that porn magazine.

Suddenly, my phone buzzed to life and started ringing my ring tone. I sighed and pulled my phone out of my pocket, looking at the caller. It was Stefan calling so I just turned it silent and placed it on the swing beside, watching it ring.

It stopped ring and I smiled to myself, turning back to my magazine.

Later, Caroline's car and Matt's truck pulled up on the driveway. I sighed in relief as I watched Elena come out of Matt's truck - along with Matt - while Tyler and Caroline step out of Caroline's car.

Caroline wrapped her arm around Elena's shoulder as the four of them walked to the porch, oblivious to my presence.

Spotting me, Elena's face turns into a frown. "Emilia. What are you doing out here?" she asks, climbing up the porch steps.

"Oh you know, the usual. Just guarding the house incase someone decides to pay a visit." I muttered sarcastically, shrugging.

Elena snorts, "It's Stefan, isn't?"

"The one and only." I mumble, standing up from the swing. I grabbed the bottle of whiskey and the glass before I walked to the front door, pushing it open with my hip.

I instantly walked to the kitchen and placed the whiskey bottle in a hidden place for me later. I placed the glass in the sink as the four of them entered the house.

"Couch." Caroline says, grabbing a couple of blankets and pushing Elena to the couch.

"I'm fine. I just - I want something to eat first." Elena says, sighing tiredly.

"We're on it, as soon as we make sure no one is lurking in the closets." Tyler says before he and Matt walk up the stairs.

I called out after them, "Hey guys, watch out in the hallway because there is a — " Before I could finish my sentence, the two of them screamed in horror from upstairs. " — dead body." I finished, pursing my lips.

"A dead body?" Elena asks, her eyes widening at me.

"Well yeah, I was hungry." I replied innocently, shrugging. "The pizza was delicious but the pizza guy was ravishing." I sigh dreamily, remember how much I had.

Caroline gaped at me and I mumble, "Don't worry, I'll compel him to forget about it when he wakes up."

"All right," Caroline drawled, tearing her gaze away from me and turned to my sister. "You! Couch, now!"

"Ugh, I told you I'm fine." Elena groans, shaking her head.

"Doctor says rest, you rest." Caroline fired back, glaring at my sister as she forces her to sit down on the couch. Once she did, Caroline covered her with a blanket.

"Now, what can I get you? Do you want some tea, maybe some vodka? Both will help you sleep." Caroline asks, sitting down on the couch beside Elena.

"Caroline, stop smothering the poor girl." I said, jumping up on the counter and sitting criss cross on it as I gulped down a bottle of beer.

"No, it's - it's nice." Elena says, looking between me and Caroline.

"Okay," Caroline sighs, laughing. "I'm thinking maybe tea with vodka." she says and my sister laughs, nodding.

Caroline walks over to me eyes me, "When do you ever not drink?"

"When I'm busy." I replied, shrugging as I placed my empty bottle of beer on the counter. "I just love the buzz I get whenever I drink something strong. It gives me energy." I add, sighing.

"And why do you need energy?" Caroline asks, grabbing a bottle of vodka.

"Because I have a feeling that something bad is going to happen today." I muttered honestly, playing with my fingers.

"Something bad like what?" Caroline asks, turning on the water heater before she turns to me and leans her back against the counter behind her.

"Something bad like...." I drawled, thinking. "someone dying or being injured badly." I finished, turning to look at Caroline.

She frowns, "Well can you not say that to Elena because she would freak out." she says, nodding her to Elena who already passed out on the couch.

"It's a feeling, Caroline. I'm not That's So Raven." I respond, rolling my eyes. "I could see into the future." I sing, drumming my fingers on the counter.

Caroline laughs and rolls her eyes, turning to the water heater. Matt and Tyler entered the kitchen and instantly the both of sent me deadly glares.

I shrugged, "At least I warned you about it."

"The poor guy is unconscious in the middle of the hallway with blood dripping down his neck." Matt complained, scoffing.

"I know. I can smell it from here." I said, breathing in the air and closing my eyes. Almost instantly, the smell of the blood coming from upstairs hit my nose and I breathed it in deeply. I then opened my eyes and met Matt's narrowing eyes.

"Chillax, Matt." I tell him, winking at him.

"Chillax?" Tyler asks, raising an eyebrow at me with laughter in his eyes. "Chillax. Who says that?" he asks, laughing along with Matt.

"Yeah yeah. I know I'm funny." I mutter, glaring at them. "Hand me a beer." I say, holding my hand out for Tyler who hands me a can of beer from the refrigerator.

I pull the beer can open and instantly pull up to my lips, throwing my head back as I swallow a big gulp. Suddenly, two phones ring and the sound blared in the quiet kitchen.

Tyler and Caroline pull their phones out and frown, answering their phones before they press it to their ears.

Matt and I give each other a look with humor in our eyes.

"Mom wants me. I gotta go." Caroline says, turning off her phone and slipping it in her back pocket.

"Yeah. Me too." Tyler says before he follows Caroline out of the front door.

I chuckle, "It's not a coincidence, is it?" I ask, slipping down from the counter.

"I bet it's not." Matt replies, chuckling.

I sighed and leaned back against the counter, standing across Matt who leaned on the wall in front of me. I stared him and tilted my head, studying him with my eyes. I had this sudden urge to hug him and make him feel better.

So I did.

I pulled him to me and crushed him in a hug, tightening my arms around him. I place my chin on his shoulder as he slowly wrapped his arms around my waist.

"What's this for?" he asks, chuckling lightly.

"I'm sorry about your mom and Vicki." I said quietly, rubbing his back with my hands. I stepped back and placed both my hands on his shoulders. "You don't deserve to live like this. I'm sorry that you were dragged into this mess." I told him, sending him a tight smile.

"I dragged my self into this mess, Emilia. No one did." he said softly, sighing. "I could've stepped back and discarded myself of this whole mess. But I didn't. I didn't want to. Because I can't just stand by on the side and watch you all sacrifice your lives trying to save others. What does that make me?

It makes me useless. I didn't want to lose anyone I love and by doing that, I have to help you guys and make sure that by the end of the day you're all breathing. I can't live with myself knowing that I let you guys go easily when I could've done something. If being in this mess means having my family safe and alive then screw it."

I smiled brightly, standing up on my toes to ruffle his hair. He slapped my hands playfully and groaned softly, fixing his hair. I rolled my eyes and sighed, my huge smile never leaving my face.

"You're a real keeper, Donovan." I mumble, crossing my arms.

"And you're the best, Gilbert." he replies, smiling at me.

"I know I am." I reply confidently, earning a chuckle from him.

"Where is everyone?" Elena groans, sitting up. Matt and I turned to look at her and we instantly headed to sit beside her in the living room.

"Tyler and Caroline got a call from their moms." Matt answers, sitting on the couch chair while I sat on the couch beside Elena.

"What were you dreaming about?" I ask, turning to look at her.

"How did you know I was dreaming?" she asks, furrowing her eyebrows.

"Your heartbeat was beating fast." I reply, shrugging.

"Oh." she mumbles, nodding. "I was dreaming about sophomore year." she answered, sighing.

"Seems like forever ago." Matt pipes up, chuckling as he gazes down at the floor.

"It was." she said quietly before she continued, "I'm sorry that I strung you along. I should have figured out what I wanted and just been honest about it." she looked down guiltily.

"It's alright, Elena. I'm already past that." Matt replies, sending her a tight smile.

Suddenly, the front door opens and Stefan steps in, shutting the door behind him before he quickly walks across the room towards Elena.

"Stefan." Elena whispers, smiling as she stands up and meets Stefan half way through, embracing him.

"Hey." Stefan whispers, breathing in her hair as he tightens his arms around her.

"Asshole." I say loudly, glaring at Stefan.

Stefan steps back from Elena and looms at me. "I called you." he said, crossing his arms.

"Yeah, I know. I watched my phone ring." I replied, sending him a sarcastic smile.

Stefan rolled his eyes, "You're still mad about the guard thing?"

"Mad? I'm furious!" I exclaimed, standing up to face him. "Who would want to pay a visit? Huh? A vampire? Well they can't get in, idiot. A human? What are they going to do? Steal our family's photo album?" I asked, smoke coming out of my ears.

"Emilia. Chillax." Matt says, placing his hands on my shoulders, laughing at the word I had previously said to Tyler.

I glared at him, "I need alcohol." I mutter, walking to the kitchen.

♡ ♡ ♡

"I'm being over coddled. I feel completely fine." Elena groans from the couch.

"You're on house arrest. You're supposed to be coddled." Stefan replies, chopping vegetables.

"Wouldn't it be smarter if we just got you the hell out of town?" Matt asks, raising an eyebrow.

"And do what? Go on the run for the rest of my life? No thank you." she replies, scoffing as she gets up. "And I'm not an invalid. I'm done with the couch."

Elena leaves the room as I sit on the counter beside the chopping board that Stefan is using. He looks up at me and raises an eyebrow. I just shrug and nod my head for him to complete.

"So, you're just gonna let her call the shots?" Matt asks, looking between Stefan and I.

"Letting her make her own decisions." Stefan replies, shrugging.

"She's her own person. Her decisions. Her consequences." I add, taking a carrot from the chopping board and biting on it.

"Even if they're wrong?" Matt asks, raising an eyebrow.

"Nothing wrong with free will, Matt." Stefan sighs, "Trust me, you don't realize that till you lose it."

"Guys." Elena gasps, catching all of our attention. The three of us turn to look at her and out eyes widen when we see Elijah standing in front of Elena with the front door wide open.

"Elijah." Stefan says, shocked.

"Jerk." I say, glaring at him.

"Hello again." Elijah says, looking at Stefan and I.

Later, Elijah, Matt, Stefan, Elena, and I are sitting on the dining table as we discussed the situation of Alaric and the fact that Klaus is gone - alive - but gone.

"All we need is to take that stake away from him. Once he's been disarmed, the weapon's in my possession, my family will scatter to the ends of the Earth and Alaric will follow us." Elijah says, leaning back on his chair.

"And you'll just run?" Stefan asks, sitting down beside Elena.

"We've done it before. Klaus and Rebekah spent the better part of a thousand years evading my father." Elijah answered, sighing. "What's another half century while Elena is able to live out the rest of her natural life?"

"We've finally stopped him, Elijah. After everything that he's done to us, I can't just let you bring him back." Elena says, shaking her head.

"I give you my word, Elena. I will not revive Klaus within yours nor even within your children's lifetimes. Perhaps that will finally teach him some manners." Elijah says, sincerely.

"And why should we trust you?" I ask, raising an eyebrow. "All you've done is screw us over." I added, glaring at himz

"And for that, Emilia, I am deeply ashamed. But know this, you could have been dead the instant I walked through that door tonight, so I leave it to you and your sister to make the decision whether to trust me or not." Elijah says, looking between Elena and I.

"Not!" Damon's voice exclaims from my phone. "Hello? Did that concussion give you brain damage?! His lunatic siblings will kill you the first chance they get!" he said, scoffing.

"Rebekah and Kol will honor the terms. If you return Klaus' body to us, Emilia and Elena will come to no harm." Elijah says.

"Do we have a deal?" Elijah asks, looking between Elena and I.

"No! No, no, no, no! Did I mention no?" Damon says furiously from the other line.

"No, we don't have a deal." I tell him, shaking my head.

"Yes baby, you tell him!" Damon cheers from the other end and I roll my eyes.

"Why do you want Klaus' body?" Elena asks, crossing her arms on the table.

"He's my brother. We remain together." Elijah replies.

"We have a deal." Elena sighs, nodding.

"What? No!" I exclaim, standing up. "I mean we take the stake from Alaric and give it to you, and then you and your stupid family leaves town. Then everyone lives happily ever after. Everyone but me!

Did you forget that I'm sired to Klaus? That wherever he goes, I go. Whatever he wants, I do. I'm like a fucking slave to him and I do everything in my will to make sure that by the end of the day he is pleased!" I exclaim, clenching my fist.

"But you know what! It's alright!" I look at Elena, "You can live happily Elena and have a normal life. I hope you enjoy it!" I turn to walk away but Elena grabs my hand.

"Emilia — "

"No!" I yell, turning to her. "You know what, Elena? You're selfish! You think about no one but yourself. It's always about you! What you like! What you want! What you hate! You can live your life happily and normal while I go rot in hell."

"Please don't — "

"You know what." I say quietly, looking at her in the eyes. "I hope you suffer through what I suffered Elena." I spat, "You're not my sister! You're no one to me!"

"Emilia, just listen to me!" Elena says loudly, tears streaming down her face. "You don't mean it! You don't mean any of it! Okay? Just stop! I know you're hurting and you're — "

"You're right, Elena." I whisper, nodding. "I am hurting. Life does hurt and it sucks to be in pain all the time. It hurts so much that I....just want it to stop." I tell her, my eyes tearing up but no tears escaping.

"Emilia, no." Stefan says slowly, standing up like he knew my next actions.

"You out of all people, Stefan, should get what I'm going through." I tell him, pursing my lips.

"Emilia. I know you're hurting but turning it off is not an option. You will regret it." Stefan says, pleadingly.

"Turning it off is not an option, Stefan, it's my only choice." I say, swallowing down my tears.

Catching onto what he and I were talking about, Elena broke out sobbing. "Emilia please don't! Please don't turn it off!"

I nod, "I wasn't planning to anyways."

"Really?" she asks, her voice full of hope.

"Yeah." I say quietly, "I want to live through the pain, so maybe I could get over it."

"Yeah. Yeah, that's good." Elena says nodding with a smile on her face.

"I'm leaving." I mutter coldly, "I have better places to be."

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One more chapter left!!!!!!

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