Hedda Mikaelson

Chapter 33 - Damon's Solution

Damon quickly comes over to me, kneeling down by my side. He takes in the tubes running down to my hand and my pale, clammy face.

He is visibly upset at what he sees.

"I overheard Bonnie saying our baby vampire is having seizures," he turns to 'Lijah frantically. "What happened? Aren't you Originals near indestructible?"

"Supposedly," Meredith mutters, shaking her head in disbelief. "This shouldn't be possible, I can't work out why she keeps getting sicker."

Damon places a little stuffed rabbit with soft floppy ears on my lap. I can just about make out the shape and colour of it when I squint my failing eyes.

"I brought this for you baby vampire," he smiles and strokes my hair very gently. He is very worried about me, I can tell.

"Th-thank you," I cough and wince as the throbbing pain radiates down my spine. It's not something I can get used to, it keeps getting worse and worse.

Damon's eyes catch onto a red patch under my top and he pulls it up away from my tender infected flesh, causing me to yelp in pain.

His eyes widen as he absorbs the dreadful swollen condition my shoulders and back are in.

"No..." he brings a shaky hand to cover his jaw-dropped mouth. "No..."

The recognition in his eyes is fleeting, quickly replaced by horror and deep sympathy.

"What is it?" 'Lijah snaps, at the end of his tether. He is losing his cool since there haven't been any answers whatsoever. We're no closer to finding out what's wrong.

"I have a theory," Damon starts to explain in shock. "Before I can tell you I need to confirm it."

He turns to me sorrowfully.

"Hedda," he uses my real name, not baby vampire so I know he's very serious. "Hedda, I'm going to check your back. I need you to turn over and lie very still. Show me how brave you can be."

I comply, tears wetting my pillow because it hurts so much when I move. He starts off with some simple questions, allowing me to get more comfortable lying on my belly.

"Is your back itchy?"

"Yes," I cry, wishing he would just make it all better.

"Please you take it away?" I sob opening the floodgates of tears. "I won't ever be a naughty girl anymore. I'll listen to all the adults forever. Just make it stop."

He swallows hard to compose himself as I beg him for relief. Even 'Lijah has to shut his eyes to remain strong when he hears my weak little voice pleading someone, anyone to help me.

What did I do wrong for this to happen?

If I find out why I'm a wolf maybe father will love me again.

He asks me a few more questions and then gently blows air on my back, testing my sensitivity.

"Owwww," I grip 'Lijah's hand so tight I must be bruising it. But he doesn't complain.

"Damon that hurts," I whine and he shushes me lovingly, stroking my head to get me to calm down.

"I know it does, I know," he seems to understand more than anyone else. He murmurs more to me and instructs 'Lijah to keep a hold of my hand so I can squeeze it when it will hurt even more.

Damon's arm shoots out, hesitating...

And then he touches my swollen flesh.

I let out a piercing scream and Meredith flinches, watching from the corner and Damon pokes and prods, finding lumpy areas that were otherwise hidden.