The Beautiful Monster

Another ten minutes passed before Scott finally returned to consciousness. Everyone helped him onto the bed to sit down and gather himself, soon surrounding him with concerned faces.

They knew that this meant bad news for all of them. One of their own was attacked, leaving the rest of them vulnerable to whatever was coming next.

Elias doubted that this was the end. Scott was lucky to even still be alive.

"Are you okay?" Melina asked Scott as she peered down at him with a worried expression.

Scott rubbed his head gingerly before scoffing.

"Am I okay? I got attacked while the lot of you were on a date!" he said with a bite to his words.

Melina looked over at Elias, motioning for him to talk to Scott with her expression.

Elias crossed his arms over his chest as he looked down at Scott.

"Do you remember anything?" he asked him. If he had any clues to share with them, they could use them to their advantage.

They needed all of the help that they could get to point them in the right direction.

Scott thought for a second, grimacing when he thought too hard.

"Kind of. I was watching television when I heard a knock on the door. She said she was housekeeping. I told her to go away, but she kept knocking," he muttered before continuing. "I answered the door, but no one was there."

Elias narrowed his eyes slightly as he listened. A heavy sensation started to form in the pit of his stomach. He felt uneasy just still being in the motel room where the attack happened.

"Then, something was blown into my eyes. Some sort of powder. I couldn't hardly see anything, and I was thrown back against the wall," Scott said as he nodded to the wall that they found him slumped over near.

"You didn't see who attacked you?" Tyler questioned him.

Scott shrugged, looking unsure.

"I mean, I saw two sets of legs. One was wearing black pants and the other was wearing a black dress that came down to her ankles. I don't think Alaric was there, but I'm pretty sure they work for him," he replied.

"I don't understand why they didn't kill you," Elias spoke up as he eyed Scott. From what he knew about Alaric, he didn't seem to express much mercy.

"It's a warning probably. We made the mistake of splitting up once, and they took advantage of that," Melina pointed out with a frown on her face.

Elias felt Alyssa's hands wrap around his arm as she anchored herself close to his side. He looked down at her, seeing the concern in her eyes. He didn't want her to be worried, but how could he comfort her when he felt just as nervous?

"We can't do that again," he replied.

"No shit," Scott muttered as he rolled his eyes. "Alaric will deal even worse damage to us."

Elias rubbed the back of his neck with his free hand, trying not to get too stressed out, but that was easier said than done.

They managed to escape their reality for a little while, but it came back with force. They couldn't ignore the situation that they were in any longer.

"It sounds like that girl used magic on him," he said to Melina with slightly lifted eyebrows. It sounded like a play in the witch's playbook, which they knew all about. They had to tread carefully.

"So, Alaric has a witch. Great," Melina sighed before chewing on her bottom lip nervously.

"I think Alaric didn't have Scott killed because he wants to kill us all himself," Alyssa spoke up with a grim look on her face. "It sounds like he has an ego to stroke."

Elias nodded his agreement. That made sense to him. Elias wanted the privilege of getting to kill them personally. He wouldn't waste such an opportunity on one of his followers. They just told him where the group was.

"Well, let's not give him anything to brag about. He's probably on his way," he replied as he glanced toward the door of the motel room warily.

He felt like Alaric could burst in and kill them all at any second. He didn't intend to die any time soon, so that meant that they needed to get moving.

"Let's get back to the RV," Melina agreed. She turned to Scott. "I'm glad you're not dead."

Scott's eyes widened faintly, but he didn't say anything until Melina dragged Tyler out of the motel room. He glanced over at Elias.

"I bet you don't wish the same thing," he said.

Elias' face softened slightly as he peered at Scott, noting the heaviness in his shoulders. He had to be in pain from the attack.

"I'm glad you're not dead too," he replied. "Besides, I'm the only one who gets to throw you around."

Scott smirked and shook his head before slowly rising to his feet. He put his back to Elias and started to gather his things at his own pace.

Elias took Alyssa's hand and led her out of Scott's room to go to their room. He shut the door behind them and turned to Alyssa.

"If Alaric ever does show up, please tell me that you'll listen to me when I tell you to run," he said as their eyes clashed.

He needed to hear it from her because he was so afraid that she would get herself in trouble by trying to help him. It would kill him to watch her get hurt, and he would rather her flee from a fight than get killed.

They weren't messing around with some random vampire. They were dealing with a demon, who also had a witch at his disposal.

They were in dangerous territory, and he needed the comfort of her agreeing to follow his orders. He didn't want to boss her around, but he did want to keep her alive.

Alyssa gave him a gentle smile before shaking her head.

"I go where you go, Elias. I chose this. I can make decisions for myself and take care of myself," she reminded him. "You don't always have to protect me."

"I want to," Elias blurted out before hanging his head slightly. "I know that's impossible, but if I can keep you safe, I want to be able to."

"I will never forgive myself if I run from a fight when you need help," Alyssa replied.