DAMON.

　　“What?” The news of her mom dying got me reeling. As she cried, I was frozen stunned. I expected some other news, but I never thought it would be this drastic.

　　When she began to cry at first I panicked, as I thought that I had forcefully kissed her, as I tried to hold her close, she tried resisting by turning away from me which stung my heart. All I could think of at that moment was that I had hurt her. Sooner enough I felt relief as she let me lead her to the couch and rested on me as she cried. Even then, only one thought was in my mind.

　　What made her cry this way?

　　Even as I comforted her the memories still played back around and around. I made the first move of course, but for a moment, I was sure that she had kissed back. Or was I just being delusional?

　　Once she calmed down I decided upon myself that I will take it upon myself to find out what was going wrong with her. Her next step of action was unexpected, as she immediately tried to turn away from me, covering her face with her hands.

　　“Why are you turning away?” I asked, worried that she was already repulsed by me.

　　“I don’t want you to see me like this.” she said, and I couldn’t me any more confused

　　“Like what? I don’t understand?” I was still dumbfounded.

　　“I look like a mess Damon, surely you can see that.” she finally said, uncovering her face and revealing it to me in all its glory.

　　Her answer made me laugh. Did she really think she looked horrible? From what I could see, with her slightly swollen eyes and red nose, she looked cute, akin to a doll, which I found very endearing.

　　Of course, I had not forgotten the main matter at hand and soon addressed it. Her change in demeanor was soon jarring and despite the tears she shed, she still tried to wave it off as nothing. This made me extremely worried that it was about the kiss and my panic took over as I tried apologizing for said kiss. I was surprised to hear her reject my assumptions but her words were even more unexpected.

　　Despite the slightly happy feeling I got from hearing that she didn’t hate the kiss and in fact wouldn’t have minded to do it again, my worry remained at the forefront. I tamped down any semblance of arousal I might have and looked at her carefully.

　　By the time I asked her again, she looked less nervous and more resigned. After giving a sigh, she began to speak. The moment she was done I looked at her carefully, analyzing her features to see if there was an inch of insincerity. There was none, and I was incredulous at the fact.

　　How could she believe that she was going to burden me in any way? After everything she had done for me, I owed her a life debt already. She had taken care of me, healed me and held me when I was at my lowest. She had also fought against Jack while I was still asleep. If she felt she would cause me too much trouble, then what about all the problems I had caused her?

　　I found it ridiculous that she would think so lowly of me and of herself she deserves to be taken care of.

　　So I spoke out, saying everything which was in my mind. How much she had helped me even through this short period of time, how I was grateful to her for everything she had done. And lastly, I came closer, touching the porcelain skin of her cheek and told her how much she had changed my life, how I liked her and would do anything to help her.

　　Even after my words I could see that she still looked unsure. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words seemed to come out. I used my free hand to reach for hers, squeezing lightly to encourage her. Finally she spoke.

　　But this was still unexpected.

　　As I heard her sniff and her body began to shake with sobs again, I wrapped my arms around her and let her cry a bit more while I was still trying to process the news.

　　Her mother was dying? I felt a raging empathy for her.

　　I couldn’t imagine having to watch my mother die right in front of me. The thought of my mother or sister just getting injured alone could drive me insane. And here she is, trying to bear it all and hide it from me. There was no doubt why she would cry so despairingly. .

　　I felt helpless. I wanted to help her in any way I could, but the thought of interacting with a witch…it irked me, so to speak. I disliked anything and everything involving witches and wizards. Especially as they reminded me of the man I hated the most; Jake.

　　I couldn’t jump to conclusions quickly. I needed her to give me the exact details so I could figure out what to do.

　　“Brittany? Hey-” I spoke as I pulled her away, holding her shoulders with my hands, while she was trying to wipe away her tears.

　　“I need you to tell me everything in detail.” I spoke carefully.

　　She sniffed and nodded in assent before she closed her eyes tightly, as though recalling seemed painful for her. I felt my heart squeeze at her expression but I had to plow on.

　　I went back to visit my mother like normal. It was supposed to be normal” she said brokenly. She looked like she wanted to break down again but stayed strong and looked at me which I couldn’t help but feel pride for.

　　“There was a knock on the door, and she didn’t want me to move, so-so then she opened the door.” She sniffed slightly, and I let one of my hands go down to hold her hand, giving it a slight squeeze.

　　“The next thing I knew, I heard a thump, and I checked the door, she was there unconscious. She…she was stabbed.”

　　The first question came to my mind. I had seen her do some spells and she also had some talent in healing. After all, she was the one who healed me from the poison of the forbidden leaf. It was puzzling to me as to why healing her mother from a stab wound would be any different.

　　“Why didn’t you heal it?” I asked, cringing a bit at how insensitive it sounded. I held on however. No matter how insensitive it sounded. It was a vital question which needed to be asked.

　　She gave a small hiccup and a sniff before answering “If it was a normal knife I could have found a way to heal the wound, one spell or the other. But it wasn’t normal. It wasn’t...”

　　This piqued my curiosity. Perhaps knowing the knife would help find the cure “what was it?” I asked

　　“It was…it was an oak silver knife.” She finally said.

　　Her words made my heart skip a beat. That knife was very dangerous, seen as a massive threat to magical creatures and humans alike. It was very hard for werewolves, even one like me to touch so much as touch. People had rarely survived from being stabbed from it either, with most of the people who managed to do so getting early treatment.

　　“Who…were you able to see the person who did this?” I asked. I wanted to avenge her mother and find a way to heal her.

　　For some reason, I could feel her hesitation, similar to when I asked her why she cried. Fortunately, I didn’t have to ask her as her hesitation waned into determination.

　　“Yes. I saw who it was. The person who stabbed my mother…” she drew out, looking away before swallowing a bit. I looked at her in anticipation,

　　“It’s Jack. He was the one who did this.” She finally let out.

　　That name made my blood freeze. In the end, it was Jack who was behind everything.

　　I felt rage run through me, burning hot like lava flowed inside me. I wanted to rip him apart, destroy him. He was the reason for all my problems, here he seemed to figure out new ways to hurt me and the people I love.

　　Due to my anger I could feel my claws elongating and my breathing becoming heavier.

　　I let out a huge roar, one which was full of vengeance and pure hatred.

　　Before I was slightly reluctant to help her, considering my past issues with witches. But after knowing that it was all due to Jack, I had no such problem.

　　I couldn’t help but feel apologies fill me. It was not complicated to figure out the link. Brittany’s mother wouldn’t have been targeted if it wasn’t for Brittany. And Brittany wouldn’t have been targeted if she wasn’t affiliated with me. If she hadn’t helped me and protected me back then, she wouldn’t have been noticed by jack. She would have been living a normal life, away from Jack's shenanigans. I was the one who caused this. I am the reason for Brittany’s mother being at death’s door and Brittany’s despair. It was all my fault.

　　I felt a hand touch mine and looked to my side to see Brittany. Despite her teary eyes, her expression looked determined.

　　“Don’t you dare think it’s your fault Damon.” She said, I was astonished as to how she knew just what I was thinking.

　　“And don’t you ever regret meeting me. Goodness knows that had I gone back to the past, I would have done the same thing and taken the same decision again and again. You are not the problem Damon, Jack is. I know I may not know much about him, but from what I can see, Jake is an unstable person who will do anything to get his way. No matter what. “

　　I looked at her and for what is not the first time I couldn’t help but admire her tenacity. Despite her words however, I still felt like it was my fault. I did not use this as a way to self flagellate myself however, and instead used it as motivation to help her mother get better. Every bit of reluctance to help was home. My mind was set. Passing her I went to the couch, picking up my jacket.

　　“Show me the way to your house”

　　“Wh-wha?”

　　“We don’t have time to waste Brittany! We have to save your mother, and be fast as soon as possible.” I said, walking towards the front door.

　　She nodded and moved with me.

　　“Wait.” She held my forearm to stop me which made me look at her in turn.

　　“What is it?” I asked her

　　My mother told me that there was a witch in the forest, near the house. She said that I should take her there. But on the condition that a male is following me.” She said,

　　I was slightly confused as to what sort of condition that was. Witches were always going to be strange to me. I nodded at her “okay. Do you know the way?”

　　She nodded in assent and I wore my jacket and tightened my arms. I was ready for action now.

　　“Let's go.” I said to her, Now grasping her bow and quiver she looked at me and nodded in return.

　　Both of us looked to the door and took a step forward, and another, until we had fully left the house.

　　Together we headed out into the vast forest with her at the helm, leading me down the path quickly. As we went I had two determined mindsets to fulfill.

　　I will save Brittany’s mother.

　　And I will not let Jack succeed in his plot.