Stefan’s Diaries: Origins Chapter 28

We occupy to act now, Damon said when we reached the line of trees next to the field. The forest floor was case with leaves, and there was no lumbering, not even of animals.Id spent the last legal proceeding desperately racking my brain, trying to think of some way to redeem Katherine. But I couldnt. Our only hope was to enter the fray, say a prayer for Pearl and Anna, then focus on freeing Katherine. It would be incredibly dangerous. But there was no other way.Y es, I replied with an authority I did not feel. Are you ready? With bring out waiting for an answer, I deftly moved toward the forest border, guided by the faint sound of angry shouting. I could see the outline of the estate. Damon crept by my side. Suddenly I saw a large burst of flames erupt from the carriage house. I gasped, only Damon simply glared at me.Just then, I perceive the instant voice of Jonathan Gilbert. Found another hotshot(a)I crept closer to the exhibit of the forest, until I had a full view of J onathan slamming Henry from the tavern against the clog up of the police wagon. Noah held one of his arms, while another guard I didnt earn held the other one. Jonathan held out his compass, frowning.Stake him he said. The guard drew his stab back and thrust it into the center of Henrys chest. Blood spurted as Henry call into the night air. Henry slumped to his knees, his eyes wide and staring good deal at the bayonet lodged in his body. I turned toward Damon, both of us realizing that we didnt bring forth any time to waste. Damon bit his lip, and I knew we were in this together. Even though we often acted differently, when it counted we thought the same way. Maybe thatthe shorthand communication we had as brotherswould be what would save us, and would save Katherine.Vampires I yelled from the depths of the forest.We found one Help Damon called.Instantly, Noah and the other guard released their grip on Henry and ran toward us, their bayonets raised. everyplace there Damon pant ed, pointing deep into the forest as the two guards stepped closer. There was a man. We only saw a dark shadow, unless he assay to attack my brother. As if to illustrate his point, Damon traced the sticky path of blood that had pooled onto my clavicle from my neck. I reached my own hand to that spot in surprise. Id forgotten that Katherine had bitten me. It seemed same a lifetime ago.The two guards looked at each other and nodded tersely. Y boys shouldnt be out hereou without weapons. Weve got some in the wagon, without weapons. Weve got some in the wagon, Noah called, before charging into the forest.Good, Damon said, almost under his breath. Lets go. And if you let me down, Ill kill you, he said, rupture away toward the wagon. I followed him, moving wholly by adrenaline.We reached the unguarded wagon. depressive disorder moans came from the inside. Damon kicked the back of the wagon open and leapt up to the platform. I followed, gagging when I entered. The redolence of the wa gon was acrid, a combination of blood and vervain and smoke. Bodies writhed in corners, but the wagon was pitch-black, making it impossible to tell whether the figures were vampires or public or a combination of the two.Katherine Damon hissed, leaning down and roughly tinge each of the bodies in his search for her.Stefan? a weak voice called from the corner, and I forced myself to not lash out, to not spit in the steerage of the voice, to not stare into those villainous eyes and tell her I hoped she got scarcely what she merited. Damon? the voice broke.Katherine. Im here, Damon whispered, making his way toward the far end of the wagon. I continue to stand, as if glued to the spot. As my eyes adjusted to the dim light, I began seeing things that were to a greater extent terrible than anything Id ever seen in my worst dreams. On the floor of the wagon were almost a dozen bodies, some of deal who I recognized from around town. Henry, a few regulars from the saloon, and even Dr. J anes. most of the bodies had stakes in them, others had muzzles over their mouths, their hands and feet bound and their mouths seemingly cold in wide Os of horror some were simply curled up as if they were already dead.The sight changed me, changed everything. I took off my hat and knelt down roughly, praying to God or whoever would listen to please save them. I remembered Annas kitten-like cries, the numb fear in Pearls eyes. Y they couldnt live here, butes, why did begetter have to condone this brutal treatment? No one deserved to die like this, not even monsters. Why couldnt it be tolerable to simply run them out of town?Damon knelt down, and I rushed toward his side. Katherine was double-dealing on her back, ropes binding her arms and legs. The ropes must have been covered with vervain, because there were terrible burns on the patches of skin that touched the twine. A slash mask covered her face, and her hair was matted with dried blood.I stood back, not wanting to touch her or even look at her, as Damon set to work untying the muzzle. Once she was free, I couldnt help but notice her teeth, her fangs, her uncoiled nature, obvious in a way Id neer seen before. But Damon was gazing at her as if in a trance. He lightly brushed the hair off her face and lento leaned in to kiss her lips.Thank you, said Katherine simply. That was it. And watching them, the way Katherines fingers stroked Damons hair, the way Damon cried into her collarbone, I knew that this was true love. As they continued to gaze into each others eyes, I pulled my knife out of my pocket and gently tried to cut the ropes that bound her. I worked slowly and carefully, knowing that any additional contact with the ropes would cause her even more pain.Hurry Damon whispered, sitting on his heels as he watched me work.I freed one arm, then another. Katherine sighed shakily, shrugging her shoulders up and down as if to make sure they settle down worked.Help cried a pale, thin woman I didnt recognize. She was huddled in the very back of the wagon.Well be back, I said, lying through my teeth. We wouldnt be back. Damon and Katherine had to escape, and I had to well, I had to help them.Stefan? Katherine said weakly as she struggled to her feet. Damon without delay rushed to her side and supported her fragile body.Just then, I heard footfalls near the wagon.Escape one of the guards called. We need backup. Theres been a breach in the wagonRun I called, pushing Damon and Katherine in the opposite way of life of the guard. No escape All clear I shouted into the darkness, hoping that mint would believe me as I hopped off the wagon.I saw the detonation of gunpowder before I heard the shot. A loud ululate rent the night air, followed quickly by another booming shot. burden in my throat, I ran around the wagon, already knowing what Id see.Damon I cried. He lay on the ground, blood oozing from his gut. Yanking off my shirt, I endue the linen on the wound to stanch the bleed ing. I knew it was no use, but still I held the fabric to his chest. Dont shut your eyes, brother. Stay with me.No Katherine. publish her , Damon rasped, his head flopping toward the damp ground. I glanced, wild-eyed, from the truck to the woods. The two guards were sprinting back, Jonathan Gilbert stinkpot them.I stood up, and instantly my body was met with the explosive, piercing, agonizing hit of a bullet. I felt my chest exploding, felt the cool night air whoosh past my body as I fell back, onto my brother. I unresolved my eyes and looked up at the moon, and then everything faded to black.