Darkness Visible ➳ TVD ✔️

||62|| FINALE

The final chapter ....

Chapter 62 x

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It's been a long time coming, but here we are. I'm so thankful for all you readers out there, I hope I've brought you some excitement or joy throughout this journey.

Looking back, this story might have to be slightly tweaked and rewritten in certain places , but I couldn't be more content that I've arrived at the end at last. It makes me a little sad; but all endings bring sorrow in a way, even the good ones.

Without further ado, here's the last one.

Enjoy x

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It was a familiar scene. Me and Elijah, driving across the state line out of Virginia.

The world passed in a blur outside the window, like all that was certain was the two of us, together. I had a lot of time to learn how to live with everything, but I didn't need to learn to live with him. It was easy to accept him, now I just had to accept myself.

We drove for hours, conversing occasionally but often settled in comfortable silence. The steady hum of the engine, the sound of the fabric in Elijah's suit when he moved... I closed my eyes every now and then and let my mind just relax.

There could be peace. I thought of my mother, hoping with all my heart that she had found it. That she was somewhere with my dad, and that they were happy. Even if I couldn't join them. And I hoped she thought what I was doing was good. That she liked Elijah, still, now that she might now what he was. That she liked me, as I was.

I knew she would. She was more adaptable than I had been lately.

Opening my eyes, I blinked the world into focus. We were getting closer to the city, surrounded by more cars adding to the noise of the highway. I looked up at the sky to see if there were any stars, but the lights from the ground washed them out.

''You're not falling asleep at the wheel, are you?'' I asked Elijah, after turning to find him gazing straight ahead idly.

The corner of his mouth twitched. ''No.''

''I'm offering to switch, even though I'm kind of comfortable here.''

He glanced at me. ''I was thinking,'' he said.

''About...?''

It took a while for him to answer. He struggled, I could tell. He clenched his teeth, I could see the tension in his jaw. Eventually, he spoke.

''How innocence doesn't do well with my family.''

Watching him closely, I noticed the flicker in his eyes when he awaited my reaction, how he loosened his hold on the wheel, how his posture grew more rigid.

''What are you scared of?'' I asked him softly, knowing what he meant but not considering myself an innocent any more. I was scarred, now, too.

He drew a breath. ''All these years... all my talk of virtue,'' he began, and I was surprised to see him fumbling for words. ''Whatever suited me, I would do it. Kill, torment...'' his voice faltered. ''We have made many enemies, my family and I. Some still alive, some on the other side, watching, interfering-''

''You mean those witches?'' I said, swallowing as the flashbacks filled my mind.

''To only name a few,'' Elijah replied.

''I know what I've gotten myself into, Elijah,'' I said. ''I know.''

I let my eyes off him for a moment, gaze trailing across the dashboard and road ahead, while I was thinking. If it was Klaus, and only Klaus, they had been after, and he really was gone - then they could have no more business with us. But maybe it wasn't that simple.

I looked at him again. ''It's okay to be scared, you know. You don't have to always stay composed, stay prepared. We know they're out there.''

He nodded, just barely, and leaned back in his seat. I don't know if my words soothed or not, but I hoped they did. I didn't make choices offhand. He eased up a little, at least. It was okay for him to worry about me, I mean, I worried about him too. But I had a feeling he was heading in a direction of doubt, and I wanted to reassure him.

''I cannot help but wonder what would have happened if I met you sooner in life,'' he said.

I put my arm up, leaning on my elbow, and smiled at him. ''Well, you're stuck with me now.''

He let out a low laugh and my heart swelled at the sight. This was forever, and so far it was good.

''I'll be fine,'' I said. ''We both will.''

He reached for my free hand and placed a kiss on it. ''Then I trust you.''

By dawn, the city line towered before us. I watched the houses – the homes – of all those people and wondered if I would find a place that felt like a home again. With how it was right now, I would be fine either way. I wasn't physically dependent on a home to be alright anymore, and as it was, all I felt I really needed was that quiet peace of mind that every so often sneaked up on me. It came easier with Elijah.

I looked over at him. His right hand rested on the steering wheel, the other one against the door. Like he knew I was watching him, he turned his head slightly and I saw a trace of turmoil in his eyes. It was there, as it probably was in mine.

I knew by now that it was too much to ask for, a life without loss. But now, especially, people would die and I would outlive them. I just hoped I could continue without losing grip and not minding it. I didn't want to get used to people dying. It was natural that it hurt, and no matter how hard it was, I had to let it.

Elijah put his left hand on the wheel and let his right one slide down between the seats, palm up. It was an invitation I rarely left hanging now. I put my hand in his, intertwining our fingers, and thought how terrified I had been of touch before. Now, most of it came as naturally as it should. His skin was warm against mine, and my eyes found their way back to his face again. We were both tired, and sad, no doubt, but he brought a warmth to my life that I thought the world of.

Whatever may come, I would remember that warmth, and cherish it. Turning my eyes back to the road, I looked up at the tall buildings soaring towards the sky above us. This was the start of a new chapter, and I had a feeling it would be a long one.

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The end

Or is it?......

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Published: 16/ 06 / 22
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Word Count: 1162 Words

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