Stefan’s Diaries: Origins Chapter 26

I cannot say how long I ran. The night was forgive and cold, and my heart mat up as though it were pounding in my neck, in my brain, in my feet. I occasionally pressed my hand to the wound on my neck, which was still bleeding. The area was warm to the touch, and I felt dizzy whenever I put my hand on it.With each footstep, a new run into appeared in my guide Katherine, consanguinitystained foam collecting at the boxful of her m emergeh Father, standing above her with a stake. Memories blurred, so I wasnt trustworthy whether the red-eyed, shrieking monster who was on the floor was the same person whod lunged at me with her teeth, whod caressed me in the pond, who haunted my dreams and my waking hours. I shivered uncontrollably and lost my footing, trip over a felled branch. I landed on the dirt, on my men and knees, and retched repeatedly, until the iron-like taste in my mouth disappeared.Katherine was or so to die. Father hated me. I didnt k now who I was, or what I should be doing. The entire existence was dark upside shore, and I felt dizzy and weak, sure that no matter what I did, I would cause destruction. This was all my fault. All of it. If I hadnt lied to Father and kept Katherines secret I forced myself to enthral my breath, then stood up and began running again.As I ran, the scent of the vervain in my pocket filled my nostrils. Its sweet, earthy fragrance wafted by my body, presumable to clear my head and imbue my limbs with a wakeful energy. I turned left on the dirt path, surprised at the course I was choosing, but for the first time in weeks, I felt trusted about my actions.I burst into the sheriffs reachice, where Sheriff Forbes sat with his feet up on the desk, asleep. In the one holding cell, the town drunk, Jeremiah Black, was snoring loudly, obviously sleeping moody a bad night at the saloon. Noah, a young officer, was in any case nodding off on a wooden chair immaterial the cell.Vampires There are vampires at Veritas I yelled, causing Sheriff Forbes and Jeremiah to simultaneously kidnapping to attention.Lets go. Follow me, Sheriff Forbes said, grabbing a lodge and a musket. Noah he yelled. Get the beach wagon and follow behind with Stefan.Y sir, Noah said, jumping to his feet. Hees, pulled a club from a hook on the wall and passed it to me. Just then, I perceive a piercing noise, and I realized that Sheriff Forbes was ringing the alarm away the sheriffs office. The bell clanged over and over again.I can help. Please? Jeremiah slurred, two hands on the bars. Noah shook his head and hurriedly ran through the building, his boots allow out against the wooden floor beams. I followed him, stopping to watch as he hastily hitched two horses to a long iron wagon.Come on Noah called impatiently, holding his whip.I jumped up onto the seat close to Noah and watched as he cracked the whip, causing the horses to gallop at breakneck speed down the hill and into town. People were standing outside their h ouses in nightclothes and rubbing their eyes, some hitching horses to wagons and coaches. round out at the Salvatore estate Noah called, over and over again, until his voice almost broke. I knew I should help. But I couldnt. Instead, I felt fear grip my heart as the wind whipped my face. I perceive the clip-clopping of horses in the distance, and saw doors being flung open and more towns state in their nightclothes hastily grabbing rifles, bayonets, and any other weapon they could find. As we galloped through town, I noticed the apothecary was closed tightly. Could Anna and Pearl be at home? If so, I needed to give them a warning.No. The ledger came so strongly, it was as if my father had whispered it in my ear himself. I needed to make things right for me, for the Salvatore name. The only pot I cared about were Father and Damon, and if anything happened to them Attack at the Salvatore estate I yelled, my voice breaking. Attack at the Salvatore estate Noah repeated, his words s ounding like a chant. I looked up at the sky. The moon was a tiny sliver, and clouds obscured any taking into custody of starlight. But suddenly, as we rode up the hill, I saw Veritas lit up like morning, with a mob of what looked like a hundred people brandishing great mulleines and standing on the steps of the porch, yelling.Pastor Collins stood on the porch swing, art out prayers, as several people watched him, kneeling on the primer and praying. Next to him was Honoria Fells, yelling to anyone who would listen about demons and repentance. Old Man Robinson was brandishing his torch and threatening to burn down the entire estate.Stefan Honoria called as I jumped off the wagon before it stopped. For your protection, she said, proffering a branch of vervain.Excuse me, I called hoarsely, as I pushed through the horde, using my elbows, and ran to the carriage house and up the stairs. I heard angry voices from the chambers.I will take her Well leave, and you wont see all of us agai n Damons voice, as low and ominous as unveiling thunder.Ungrateful Father roared, and I heard a sickening crack. I bounded up the stairs and saw Damon, slumped against the doorway, a trickle of profligate oozing from his temple. The door had cracked from the impact of Damons body.Damon I called, falling onto my knees next to my brother. Damon tried to struggle to his feet. I winced as I saw the blood flooding from his temple. When he turned toward me, his eyes blazed with anger.Father stood, stake in hand. Thank you for getting the sheriff, Stefan. Y did the right thing.ou Unlike your brother. Father reached out toward him, and I gasped, sure he would hit him again. But instead he stretched out his hand. Stand up, Damon.Damon slapped away Fathers hand. He stood on his own, wiping the blood from his head with the back of his hand.Damon. Listen to me, Father continued, ignoring the look of pure hatred on Damons face. Y were bewitched by the demon by thatou Katherine. But now she wi ll disappear and you must side with whats right. I showed you mercy, but these people He gestured toward the window and the angry mob beyond it.Then let me be killed, Damon hissed, as he stormed out the door. He brushed old me, hitting me hard with his shoulder as he ran down the stairs.From inner the room, an agonizing shriek emerged. Sheriff? Father called, swinging open the door to Katherines chambers. I gasped. There was Katherine, a leather muzzle over her face, her white mail and legs bound together.Shes ready, Sheriff said grimly. Well take her to the wagon and add her to the list. Gilberts got the compass and is rounding error up the vampires in town. By daybreak, we will have rid the town of this scourge.Katherine stared at me, a desperate, pleading expression in her eyes. But what could I do? She was lost to me now.I turned down the stairs and ran.