Devotion to Danger

Fear

{Viktor’s POV}

I cleaned up the kitchen, before heading up to my room, as I passed the guest room I could hear Clara inside. She whimpered softly, I could tell how hurt and upset she was. I wasn’t sure what to do, I wanted to go check on her, but when I knocked there was no answer, just the sound of her muffled cries. I checked the doorknob finding it unlocked, I twisted it open and peaked inside. Her body was curled up in the bed, the blankets surrounding her.

“Clara?” I whispered. “Clara.. it’s me Viktor, is there anything I can do? Do you want me to go get your brother?” I asked. “Or my sister?”

She shot up in bed, her eyes darting to me, as she gasped. “Oh.. Viktor..” she whimpered. “I-I’m okay..” she muttered out, pulling the blankets up around her.

I walked into the room, sitting down on the bed beside her. “Clara.. you aren’t okay, you just went through a horribly traumatic experience. You don’t have to lie to me, I know you’re not okay.” I said, “Now, would you like me to go get your brother, or my sister, someone you’d feel comfortable with?”

“I-I don’t want to bother anyone.. I’ll be okay..” she whispered, wiping the tears that had begun to spill down her cheek.

“I can assure you, you wouldn’t be bothering anyone, but if you’re really that worried.. I could leave the door open, and I could stay in here.” I walked over to the opposite side of the room, grabbing one of the chairs and dragging it over to the bedside. I sat down in the chair, smiling softly. “I’ll stay right here, and make sure that you’re okay all night. I won’t sleep, and I won’t leave, so you can rest properly.”

She shook her head. “I couldn’t ask you to do that!”

“You didn’t, I offered.” I replied, leaning back in the chair. “Now, lay down, get some rest, I know you must be exhausted. I’ll stay here, you’re safe, just try to get a little sleep.”

She nodded, lying down and pulling the blanket up over her head. “Thank you Viktor..” she whimpered. Before long, I could hear the soft sound of her breathing evening out as she fell asleep.

She was so afraid.. she couldn’t sleep.. she barely ate. I normally didn’t worry too much about others, at least not anymore. My affections for Margo got me and her in serious trouble, something that though she has long since forgiven me for, I can’t bear to forgive myself. What I did.. what I was made to do.. it wasn’t right. I don’t think I’ll ever forgive myself for hurting her. I truly loved her, but that was a different time, and I was a different man then. She moved on, and she chose Damon and Carter, I’ve had to learn to live with that. Those twins though, for so long I cared for them as if they were my own, taking care of Margo’s every need and desire during her pregnancy.. I’ll be honest, I missed them all dearly, the entire LaRoux family, but though they’ve forgiven me, and tried to reach out with an olive branch to patch things up, I just can’t bring myself to do it. Thunder cracked loudly outside, snapping me from my thoughts.

I leaned back in the chair, trying to get more comfortable, she was sleeping soundly now, finally getting the rest that she so desperately needed. She was completely bundled up under the blankets, using them like a cocoon. I leaned back beginning to doze off, I slept for a bit, until quite suddenly I was woken up.

“N-NO! Get away from me!” Clara shouted, tossing and turning in the bed.

“Clara..” I said, standing up and moving closer to her. “Clara, you’re having a bad dream, wake up.”

She jumped up, butting her head against mine hard. I fell back onto the floor, gripping my nose. I moved my hand away, and I could see blood on my hand. “Oh.. oh no! Viktor.. are you okay?” She asked, jumping out of the bed and rushing to the bathroom. She grabbed a rag and ran back to my side, dropping to her knees beside me, and swatting my hands away. She held the rag up to my nose, pinching it slightly.

“Owe..” I said, looking up at her.

She was focused, so much so that her tongue stuck out slightly on the right side of her mouth. “Hold still.. the more you move, the more it’ll hurt.” She scolded me.

“I-I can take care of it myself.” I replied, trying to move away.

“Viktor! I said sit still!” She demanded, pinching my nose tighter.

“s**t! That hurts!” I snapped at her.

She flinched, her eyes snapping to the ground. “Sorry..” she whimpered, handing me the rag and walking out of the room.

“Sh**..” I muttered under my breath, sighing as a stood up holding the rag to my nose. I walked out into the hallway looking around, I didn’t see her anywhere.

I walked down the stairs, looking around the house, and finding the back door open. It was raining hard out there, thunder booming, and lightning streaking across the sky, there was no way she should be out there.

I ran to the back door, looking around outside, I could barely see two feet in front of me. I rushed out into the yard. “Clara!” I shouted. “Clara, where are you?”

I couldn’t see her, I couldn’t see anything, rain poured over me, drenching my clothes, and distorting my vision. I ran towards the fence that led out into the woods behind the mansion, finding it open. She must have run out there.. da****. I rushed out the fence trying to see through the heavy brush of the woods. I trudged through the mud, and the branches, I was going to find her, I just had to.