Elijah sat attentively in his history class, listening to Mr. Chris's lecture about the infamous war that had ravaged Oakdale Town. Suddenly, his phone vibrated, breaking his concentration. He discreetly pulled out his phone and checked the message.
The text was from Esther, but the words sent a chill down Elijah's spine: "Be home as swiftly as you can if you still want to see Esther and Annie alive. Love Ben."
Elijah's eyes widened in alarm as he felt a surge of panic. Georgina and Bonnie noticed his sudden distress and exchanged concerned glances.
Elijah quickly rose from his seat, his movements abrupt. "Sorry, Mr. Chris, I have to go," he muttered, not waiting for a response.
As he hastened out of the classroom, he caught Georgina's eye and mouthed a single, ominous word: "Benjamin."
With that, Elijah rushed out of the classroom.
Elijah burst through the front door, his heart racing with anxiety. The house was in shambles, furniture overturned and debris scattered everywhere. His eyes scanned the room, and his gaze fell upon Esther and Annie, both tied to chairs with ropes infused with vervain. Wooden stakes protruded from their chests, and Elijah's anger ignited.
He rushed to their side, asking, "What's going on?" as he worked to free them.
Benjamin emerged from the kitchen, a burger in one hand and a smirk on his face. "Well, well, well. It's so good to see my lovely brother, the one who cares so much."
Elijah's expression remained stoic, his focus on freeing Esther and Annie. He carefully removed the wooden stakes from their chests, wincing as the vervain on the ropes burned his skin. His healing abilities kicked in quickly, and he turned his attention to Benjamin.
"Why are you doing this?" Elijah demanded, his voice firm but controlled.
Benjamin chuckled, his eyes glinting with malice. "Let's have a family reunion," he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
Annie's voice was laced with anger. "This isn't how a family reunion is supposed to go."
Benjamin's laughter sent a chill down Elijah's spine.
Esther spat out blood, her voice weak but determined. "Just tell us what's wrong, Benjamin. Why did you turn off your emotions?"
Benjamin slowly walked over to a chair and sat, his movements deliberate and menacing, crossing his legs. He pointed to a chair, indicating for Elijah to sit. Elijah hesitated, his eyes locked on Benjamin, before slowly taking a seat. "So, tell me, how have you spent the last 30 years?"
Annie's voice was laced with pain. "Surviving… trying to find a town where we can fit in."
Elijah's eyes never left Benjamin's face. "We've been moving around."
Benjamin's laughter sent a chill down Elijah's spine. He took a bite of his burger, chewing slowly before speaking. "I've heard great things about my family… how the Wilder family has been so successful, helping people and doing good deeds… while I suffered and struggled in a dungeon, treated like a lab rat."
The room fell silent, the only sound was the heavy breathing of the occupants. Everyone looked at each other, the tension evident.
Esther's voice trembled as she repeated, "Lab rat… what do you mean by lab rat?"
Benjamin's smile was cold and calculating. "I've been a test subject for 30 years. I was locked away, experimented on, and treated like an animal. And all that time, I didn't have any of my family out there looking for me. You all were living your lives, moving around, and never cared or looked back to check on me."
Annie's voice was laced with pain and guilt. "But Benjamin, last we checked, you left away with Mom. You said you'd trust her after she… after she killed Dad in our presence."
Benjamin's eyes blazed with anger, and he hissed, "She's a snitch. She played a massive part in selling me to the company that made me a test subject for their twisted experiments."
Elijah's voice was firm and calm. "Why did you turn off your humanity, Benjamin? What did they do to you?"
Benjamin's eyes seemed to glaze over, lost in thought. "Funny, I held on to my humanity for so long, thinking one day Elijah or Esther would come looking for me… that they'd find me and rescue me." He paused, his voice cracking with emotion. "Agnes cared for me, loved me. She did everything to help me hold on to my humanity. She promised me better days, and we planned a future together… a future where we'd love each other forever."
The room was silent, the only sound was Benjamin's heavy breathing. "But," he continued, his voice devoid of emotion, "she died the night before I found a way to escape. There was no reason for me to hold on to my humanity anymore. I'd rather live this way. I'm much better off without emotions."
Elijah's voice was firm but gentle. "Ben, you're running away from the pain of heartbreak and the emotions that come with losing someone you love. That doesn't work. Do you think Agnes would want you to live like this?"
Benjamin's eyes flashed with anger, and he lunged at Elijah, his hand closing around his brother's neck like a vice. "Who are you to know what Agnes wants? You don't even know her!"
Annie cried out, "Ben, please stop!"
But Benjamin's gaze was cold, unyielding. "Ben is gone," he hissed.
Elijah tried to speak, but Benjamin's grip was too strong. Esther, however, saw an opportunity. She kicked the wooden stake Elijah had removed from her chest closer to him. Elijah grabbed the stake and plunged it into Benjamin's chest, forcing him to retreat.
Elijah sprang to his feet, adjusting his clothes as he approached Benjamin. But before he could even get close, Benjamin's superhuman strength sent Elijah crashing to the floor.
Benjamin sped towards Elijah, his fists flying as he pounded him mercilessly. Esther, still tied to the chair, struggled to free herself from the vervain rope. She gritted her teeth, enduring the searing pain as she finally managed to break free.
With a fierce determination, Esther rushed towards Benjamin, pushing him away from Elijah. "Stop!" she cried, but Benjamin, now fully transformed into his vampire form, turned on her instead.
Elijah, taking advantage of the distraction, launched himself at Benjamin, and the two vampires clashed in a flurry of punches, kicks, and bites. Flesh tore, bones cracked, and blood splattered everywhere.
As the fight raged on, Esther rushed to Annie's side, quickly freeing her from the rope. Annie, now released, sped towards the basement, returning with a vervain plant. She hastily mixed the herb into a glass of water, her eyes fixed on the battling vampires.
Elijah's voice echoed through the room, "This isn't you, Benjamin!" But Benjamin, consumed by his darkness, continued his relentless assault.
Elijah's face was a mess of bruises and cuts, but he refused to back down. Benjamin finally responded, his voice dripping with malevolence, "I like this new me."
Esther caught Elijah's eye, and he seemed to understand her silent signal. Summoning his last ounce of strength, Elijah pinned Benjamin to the ground. Esther joined him, holding Benjamin down as Annie approached with the vervain water.
With a fierce determination, Annie forced the water down Benjamin's throat. He let out a blood-curdling scream as the vervain burned his mouth, throat, and internal organs. His body convulsed violently before he collapsed to the ground.
The commotion was interrupted by the sound of the front door opening. Georgina stood in the entrance, her eyes wide with confusion. Elijah's eyes locked onto hers, shock and concern etched on his face.
Annie's voice was firm, "You shouldn't be here." But it was too late. Benjamin, seizing the opportunity, zoomed towards Georgina. He bent her neck and sank his fangs deep into her skin. Georgina's screams filled the air.
Elijah sprinted towards them, but Benjamin was too fast. He pushed Georgina away and vanished. Elijah caught Georgina before she hit the floor, her body trembling as blood gushed from the wound on her neck.
Elijah's eyes locked onto Georgina's pale face, and he knew he had to act fast. He grew out his fangs and a bite into his wrist, forcing it to bleed. "Here, drink," he told Georgina, offering his wrist to her.
Georgina's eyes widened in surprise, but she didn't hesitate. She took Elijah's wrist and began to drink his blood. Esther and Annie watched from behind, their faces with concern.
As Georgina drank, her body began to heal at an incredible rate. Her wounds closed, and her color returned. Finally, she stood up, looking a bit shaken but otherwise okay.
"Thank you, Elijah," she said, her voice filled with gratitude. "I'm so sorry for coming here. I was worried when you left school so suddenly."
Elijah smiled reassuringly. "It's fine, Georgina. I'm just glad you're okay."
Georgina's gaze fell upon the house, and her eyes widened in shock. "What happened here?" she asked, taking in the mess.
Annie's voice was flat. "Ben happened."
Esther's voice was laced with sadness. "He's brutally hurt, and he hates us for not looking for him for 30 years. I could feel his pain; it's overwhelming."
Elijah's expression was determined. "He needs our help. I can try to help him get his emotions back, but first, we need a plan."
As the evening drew to a close, Elijah walked Georgina to the front porch of her house. "I'm so sorry about what happened earlier," he said, his eyes filled with concern. "Benjamin's actions were unacceptable."
Georgina waved her hand dismissively. "It's fine, Elijah. Don't make it a big deal." She glanced around nervously, ensuring no one was within earshot. "Now that I'm… um, aware of your vampire world, I want to help you get your brother back."
Elijah's expression turned stern. "I don't want you involved, Georgina. It's too dangerous."
But Georgina stood her ground. "No, I would like to help. I feel… attached to you, Elijah. I wish to be involved in your life, if you'll let me."
Elijah's eyes searched hers, seeking answers. "Why?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Georgina's cheeks flushed. "I don't know. I just feel this way. And I wondered… if you might feel the same way about me."
Elijah's face went blank, his mind reeling from the confession. "I… I don't want to lose you, Georgina. I've lost too many people already because of what I am."
Georgina's voice was soft, filled with emotion. "You won't lose me, Elijah. I love you. And I don't know if you feel the same way…"
Elijah stood frozen, his mind stumbled from Georgina's confession. He couldn't find the words to respond, his expression a mixture of shock and uncertainty.
Georgina's eyes sparkled with concern. "Have I said too much?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Elijah shook his head, still struggling to find his words. "No, it's just that…" He trailed off, unsure of how to continue.
Georgina's eyes searched his face. "Just what?" she pressed, her voice filled with emotion. "You don't love me?"
Elijah's face contorted in a mixture of guilt and longing. "No, yes, sorry… I mean, I do love you, Georgina. But I don't think this is the right time. I have a lot to deal with, and saving my brother is my top priority."
Georgina's face lit up with a warm smile. "I understand, Elijah." She took a step closer, her eyes locked on his. "But I had to tell you how I feel."
Without another word, Georgina leaned in and pressed her lips to Elijah's. The kiss was soft and gentle, but it sent shivers down Elijah's spine. He looked deep into her eyes, his heart pounding in his chest.
Finally, Elijah kissed her back, their lips moving in perfect sync. They stood there, lost in the moment, until Georgina finally pulled away, a mischievous glint in her eye.
"I think my parents might be waking up," she whispered, a hint of laughter in her voice.
Elijah smiled, and Georgina's grin grew even wider. "I can't wait to tell Bonnie about this," she exclaimed.
Elijah raised an eyebrow. "Is that necessary?" he asked, but Georgina's radiant face told him there was no changing her mind.
Georgina told Elijah, "Goodnight, see you in class." She walked towards the door, but Elijah called out to her.
He produced a vibrant flower from his pocket. "This is a vervain plant," he explained. "Keep it in soil, and make sure it doesn't die. Before you leave the house, mix a leaf of the plant with water or any drink. This way, you'll have vervain in your system, and Benjamin won't be able to bite you like before."
Georgina's eyes lit up with understanding, and she thanked Elijah as she took the plant from him, Elijah gave her a gentle peck on the cheek. Georgina's face flushed, and she smiled.
She opened her door, stepped inside, and turned back to face Elijah. But he was already gone. Georgina's smile lingered as she closed the door behind her.