I lay in bed, the only one awake. I shifted to my right where Rebekah rested facing me. She was my best friend. Part of me wished I possessed the same strength she had; They all had. I looked straight ahead at the ticking clock. It was eight thirty in the morning. I raised the hand that adorned the Pearl bracelet, admiring it. Since the day Stefan gifted it to me, I never took it off. It stayed on me at all times. Saying goodbye would be the hardest and I didn't know how or where to start. Would I be able to? I questioned myself. He was already a right mess after almost killing me.
A ping came from my right jogging pocket. Worming my hand down my pocket I pried out the phone. A text from an unknown number. Curious I unlocked the phone and swiped on the message. My heart sunk and I thought it would be swallowed whole. Careful not to jolt Bonnie or Rebekah, I wriggled down the bed and slid down. I felt horrible for leaving them without informing them, but I had to go. Tiptoeing out the room with caution, I approached my room. The door was left open, meaning Kol was awake and in his typical manner he forgot to close the door behind him. Ensuring the room was clear, I rushed in and changed into a dress.
Once changed I sprinted down the stairs and straight out the front door, not stopping to look back. I knew my family would be livid, but I felt I had no other option. I whipped out my phone and rechecked the messages. He was already waiting for me at the cafe. Walking the last minute, I reached the entrance and pushed open the heavy door. It was fairly busy; People rushed in and out for their daily dose of coffee and hot beverages and the occasional customer coming in for a frostino. Scanning the room, I located him at the far end corner table. Wading through the customers, I reached him.
"Hi Noah." I greeted, pulling out my chair.
"Hi." He waved. He wasn't his usual bright self.
"Is everything okay?" I finally asked after a few prolonged minutes of silence. At first, he fumbled around with his words then he regained himself.
"I think you knew my mum as Dhanika."
Alarmed, my phone slipped from my grip and onto the table. "What?"
Shoving his hand into the pocket of his hoody, he pulled out a folded photograph and slid it to me. For a while I stared down at it, not daring to open it. The familiar scent of lavender hit my senses. Blowing out through pursed lips, I slowly unfolded it and as soon as my eyes laid on her, I welled with tears. I forgot how beautiful she was and how bright her smile was. A thousand memories came rushing back and my heart twisted into a knot. "It couldn't possibly be. Dhanika died, at least that's what Jameela told me."
He shook his head. "I don't know what my so-called gran did but she's alive and she thinks you abandoned her. Last night we got into an argument, I was trying to make her see she was being lied to, but she wouldn't have it and then I stormed out. When I came back, I didn't see her and now I'm worried. She's missing and I think you're the only one that can find her."
I brushed the photo with my thumb and said nothing. Dhanika was alive all this time and I didn't bother to find out? All this time she lived with the illusion I left her when I would never. The tears slipped down. "I never abandoned her. I would never. That day we were supposed to go to the theatre, Jameela and I were attacked by a few witches, and we fled. Next thing I heard, Dhanika lost her life because of me. I loved her as though she was my own. I couldn't possibly know this was to happen—Do you know where she is?...I have to see her... I have to explain!"
Noah frowned and expressed himself in an ambivalent manner. "I don't know if she's in danger or if she's off to find Jameela. Till this day, I've not seen my grandmother-I mean the face she's wearing now."
"Where could she possibly go? Do you have any idea?"
He thought for a few seconds and leaned forward in his seat. "She usually goes to wherever the lair is, but I don't know where that is, I don't think I was ever trusted to know about it. She could be there right now."
"I can do a locator spell but we're going to have to go somewhere a little less.... packed."
We found a secluded area in the park that concealed us with hedges. Using the photograph, I tried tracking her. It took several attempts. It was as if she was here and not at the same time. Finally, I got a distorted image of a darkly lit dungeon. I could make out the glow from the candles, the ceiling was high, and the walls were peeling. I focused harder, trying to visualise the room in a clearer way. Anything that would suggest where she was. I jumped deeper. Snapping my eyes open, I connected eyes with Noah. "RAF Uxbridge!"
He breathed out, shaking his head incredulously. "Wasn't that their old-"
"Their old house where she used to work!"
It felt like it was a race against time. She was held in darkness, and it tasted sour. Hailing a black cab, we jumped in. The entire drive my heart was thundering against my ribcage, and we were a puddle of nerves. The cab rolled to a stop and the doors flung open. We jumped out from either sides and ran. "We just committed a crime! We didn't pay!" Noah cried out.
"There's no time for that now! I think your mum is in trouble and we have to save her!"
The vacant house stood still after all those years with nature taking over. The entire street was overgrown and desolate—hauntingly beautiful. We slowed down into a jog, every now and then glancing at one another with trepidation. The former station echoed with screams and cries of terror. By the look on Noah's face, I knew I wasn't the only one that heard or felt that.
"Are you sure she's here?" He asked, turning back to face me then glancing over my head at the derelict surroundings.
"I saw snippets of the outside, but we can't be sure until we see the inside..." grabbing his hand, i walked on. "Let's go." As soon as we reached the grey door, I pressed a palm to give it a gentle push, to then meet with a great resistance. "Magic..." I murmured, feeling away at it. It wasn't any type of magic, it was formidable, pulsating and sending rhythmic thumping sounds to my ears. Centring my mind I let the stream flow through me, completely absorbing it. The door swung open and stale air tinged with rotten flesh thwacked us in the face.
Noah's hand shot to his crinkled nose, and he did his best to stop the vomiting urge. "That's nasty." He groused, sounding nasalised.
"Where do we even begin..." in a tiptoe like manner, we searched down the hallway, poking our heads into the musty rooms. The kitchen door was ajar, and a faint whistling sound came from within. Noah took lead, using his foot to kick it fully open to reveal a single, old-fashioned kettle on the hob. Scanning the vicinity, pushing me back he set foot inside the kitchen. A coppery component hit me full face then it morphed into something rotten. Egg or cabbage I couldn't tell. The contents of my stomach wanted to disgorge themselves. Stepping out from behind Noah, my eyes averted themselves from the scene in front. A body, possibly in stage two of decomposition was propped on the chair in front of a plate of already rotten food.
"She must have been here...." Noah dragged his feet back. "Smells like rotting meat mixed with cheap perfume."
"Who did that to he or she? The kettle," I walked up to it and peered intently. There was no flame or anything to indicate how the water was boiling.
Noah yanked me back. "Stay back, we don't know what's going to happen-besides, I'd like to leave this murder scene and find my mum and let's hope she's not behind this."
"I hope so too!" He directed me out the scene of terror and we continued down the ever-growing hallway. Every step we took up the stairs, they creaked and groaned under us. Where it was cracked, I carefully stepped over. Like a brother, Noah was protective at every turn.
1923
London
I waited for her to arrive from school. The house was empty and Jameela had left to run errands. Every day that Dhanika would attend school, I'd miss her dearly. Without her the house wasn't a home and it was unbearably quiet. She was my ray of sunshine. Before my eyes saw her, my ears picked up her cheery voice coming from a few hundred feet away. Sheer joy and I fizzed up, running down the veranda steps. Her head popped into view, and she caught sight of me. Dropping her school bag, she ran to meet me halfway in our very own courtyard. As soon as she ran into my arms, I lifted her off her feet and twirled with her, our laughter carried off by the wind. The mighty girl roared with laughter as she stretched out her arms, imitating the wings of an aircraft. Lowering her back to the ground, I grinned ear to ear. "What shall we be today?"
She jumped mid-air. "Let's be an aeroplane and we can fly high in the sky." Stretching her arms out to the sides, she started us off, moving in an in and out motion, ducking and bopping. I followed after her, both mimicking the sounds of a plane. She stopped in her spot and rotated round and round, laughing wholeheartedly. She was brighter than ever. We played aeroplanes for a while until she wanted to be a fairy. Grabbing twigs from the ground, we waved our wands and granted the tiny people their wishes.
Pointing the wand at me and with a wave she declared, "you will go to the ball, and you will be the most beautifulest princess there!" She clapped after granting me my wish. Her wand dropped and she stared at me, wide eyed. "Oh no! The wicked witch has come. Save me!" She screamed and ran in zigzags.
"I'll save you!" I ran after her, battling the wicked witch. "I won't let her hurt you." I vowed and fought the witch valiantly. After conquering her, I set to find the stolen princess.
Present
She heard their voices coming from above her. They were so close to the underground dungeon her mother kept her locked in. Her childhood make believe story had sprung to life and became her reality. The wicked witch had found her and separated her from the one she truly loved. She sat helpless, tied by magical chains that blocked her own. The mental and emotional torture trumped the physical pain she was put through. "I'm in here!" She screamed with whatever source of energy she had left. She knew her voice wouldn't last long but she had to try. "In here!" She rasped. Their voices grew closer and more distinct. Yes! They heard me. They heard me! She rattled the chains, kicked, and made as much clamour she could, so they heard her. She just wanted to be heard, no, she needed to be heard.
She heard the door shake, then her son spoke. "It's locked."
"She has to be down there!" Her voice was rough as though she just stopped crying. "She has to be here!" Sophia. Sophia. You came for me. Tears, hot and fresh rolled down her cheeks, as she kept her eyes glued to the front of the huge room. She was so far from it, but their voices were so close.
"I'm here!" Her voice broke and it was sore. So close now. So close.
"I can feel the magic!" She exclaimed, her tone rising. She was finally elated. Seconds that dragged, passed and she waited, holding her breath. What if they didn't come? What if they left her? What if she left her? The door burst open. Running footsteps. They called out for her. Crawling forward as much as the chains allowed her, Dhanika waited for them to appear. They were on the other end of the second door. BOOM. It flew off its hinges, blasted to the other end.
"I'm here..." she croaked, swallowing the tears entering her mouth. There they were, throwing themselves into the room, raking every inch of the high-ceilinged, archaic hole. They completely overlooked her as if she wasn't there. She screamed and cried for their attention. Sobbed and wailed but they couldn't hear nor see. "I'm here...please-p-please..." She shrunk back, pressing her head against the crusted walls, weeping. Everything was cold. Lifeless. She was brought to ruin, watching them search, carefully tread around and calling out for her.
"Where is she?!" She fumed, taking her fingers through her hair.
Noah came apart, dropping to his knees and his pain shone through him. It was the first time she witnessed her son fall apart like that, where he sobbed hard into his hands. "I'm here son...I'm here." Dhanika whimpered.
Sophia rushed to his side and held him. "She's here, I can feel her!"
"How can you be sure?" He looked into her eyes.
"Can't you feel the magic all around us? Just block everything else and focus on that. I know she's here...maybe there's some sort of hidden room under us or-or..." she bolted to her feet, in a frenzy felt around the room, creating destruction as she discarded of everything in her path. "Noah! Get up and feel around!" She snapped. She was so close to her. So close. Sophia stepped away from the stone table, drew nearer and nearer. Dhanika shot to her feet, breathing heavy and rugged. Fire shot through her and the deep wound in her stomach, opened up again. Straining, she pushed herself forward, closer to Sophia but the chain held her back. Please. Sophia brushed past. She stopped and whipped around, staring into the empty space.
Sophia
I stared into the empty space. I felt a warmth when I walked by. I knew I did. Reaching out with a hand, I waved it about and felt the air again. There it was again. A solid feeling. "Noah-Noah..." I stammered. "I think-I think she's here!"
He ran to me. "What?"
"I think she's here...cloaked and we can't see her but maybe she can," examining the dungeon, searching for the source of magic, a spot I could siphon off. Crouching down, pressing my palms to the dirt infested flooring, the pulsing flowed through me.
"You're absorbing too much! It's dangerous!" Noah pointed out.
Closing my eyes, I disregarded his concern, and my sole intent was to free the princess from the wicked witch. It was stripping away, the shield. The magic soared through my veins. Looking down at my hands, black veins rippled through me, visible and alarming. Noah gripped my shoulder. Lifting my head, I stared ahead. Fast and sharp she appeared. When there was nothing left to siphon away, I zipped across the floor to where she lay, bleeding out. Her face was ghastly pale, sweaty and her eyelids weighed her down. "You found me..." she managed in a small, depleted voice.
"I found you!" Snivelling, bounding to her aid, holding her straight to ease the pain, to take it away. The chains around her snapped undone.
"Just a little late..." she croaked.
I pushed the tears back. "No, I'm not too late...You're going to be okay!" God, I was all choked up.
Fluttering eyelids then they closed. Pressing down on her wound with pressure, the magic did just enough to ease the pain and buy us time. Turning to Noah, i instructed him to call Rebekah. Fishing out his phone, breathing hard, he waited for her to answer. A sigh of relief as she answered. "Hi Rebekah, we need you," he took a deep breath then exhaled and continued in a calmer tone. "How long do you reckon it'll take you to get to Uxbridge?"
"Bexs, please hurry we need you!" My voice was quaky, and I desperately prayed she heard the urgency. Noah hung up the phone and slipped it back in his pocket, returning to his mother's side and assisting me as we painfully waited for Rebekah. Dhanika was in and out of consciousness in a wave. The moments her eyes opened, she managed a smile and I told her I would look after her. She cried hard, cried till it burned her from the inside. There was so much grief and guilt within her. It was okay. I didn't care about what she did. It wasn't her fault. She was misled and manipulated.
Rebekah arrived and without much hesitation she healed her with her blood. Outwardly, Dhanika was healed but I knew the damage was internal. Lifting her up, we took her home. Stretching her out in her bed, helping me wipe away the dirt and dried bodily fluids. How peaceful Dhanika looked in her sleep, my heart ached. I wondered whether she had gotten sleep during that ordeal. She was finally safe and alive. "Thank you for coming." I looked to Rebekah, smiling despite the tears stinging my eyes.
Setting the cloth down, wiping her hands she walked round to where I sat beside Dhanika, stroking her cheek tenderly like I did all those years ago. "I know what it's like to be manipulated by parents. Besides, I did it for you."
"She barely lived her own life. Now she can and you have no idea how at ease I am that she didn't die."
She took my hand and gave it a squeeze. "I'm glad you don't have to face another death. I informed the rest of the family, and no one is happy but I'll be sure they don't breathe a word to you." She chuckled then gazed at me. "Why did you call me? I mean I'm glad you did but I do wonder, what made you think of me?"
I breathed a little laughter. "I know you won't judge and nor will you reprimand me."
She grinned. "Oh, I will give you a good telling off but I'm happy you reached out to me."
I glanced back down at the sleeping princess, her chest rising and falling at a soft rhythm and at one with her. "I can't believe she's here in front of me."
"How is she?" Noah asked, walking into the room, careful not to make too much noise.
"She's much better. She needs lots of rest and love."
His eyes landed on his resting mother. "I've done the spell that will protect us and the house from Jameela."
"If she does come...let us know and at least try to send a picture of what she looks like." Rebekah requested.
He nodded. I watched him closely. He was struggling hard, not knowing how he were to approach his mother and how to express his love.
"Noah, she needs all the love and care she can get. I know it's hard after all the things you went through, but remember, she's not at fault."
He gulped down the invisible, large lump. "I know."
"Look, we need to go but when she does wake up, get her to have a bath; help her run it and give her some food and water. Make sure she rests and just sit by her. I'll message and call for updates and I'll check on her soon." I rose to my feet, tucked the duvet around her and brushed away the hairs that fell to her face. Following Rebekah to the door, I paused when I reached him. "I mean it Noah."
He walked past me then stopped and turned back. Tapping his feet incessantly he hurled himself at me, wrapping his arms around me, nearly knocking me over. "Thank you for everything."
I held him back. "It's fine." Pulling away I gave him a reassuring smile. "Once she's better, take her as far away from her. Live the life you both rightly deserve."
•
The journey home was slow paced. We walked at a leisurely pace, speaking of our past. She listened with an open heart, and I appreciated her. "I was thinking we should have a family dinner tomorrow evening. It's been a while since we had one and I really like us all spending time together."
She mulled over my suggestion. "I'll get to it. Can I ask you something?" Her pace slowed.
"Go ahead."
"We're best friends, right?"
Weaving my arm through hers I replied. "Of course, Beks! You're my best friend. Why would you ever question that?"
She threw her head back chuckling. "Nonsense luv, I know that! I'm asking because you seem a little off and I want you to know I'm here for you."
I laughed. "Nothing's wrong, it's just being human is draining and besides I'm not like you anymore...I'm just ordinary but I promise I'm fine and I'll come to you if I'm not."
"You better!" She articulated. Entering the home, I came face to face with a disappointed Damon. He frowned and refused to give me way. "Get out the way Damon!" Rebekah clipped swatting his arm.
"You're free to leave blondie but she's not." He stressed pointing a finger at me. I rolled my eyes.
"I don't want to hear it Damon or from anyone else."
"Fine." He grunted and granted me passageway.
I jogged up the stairs and into my bedroom. It didn't take too long to shower and change into a simple dress. Damon, Stefan, Kol and klaus went out on a pub crawl after a quick meeting with the council and discussing amongst themselves what was to finally be done with them. Everyone was busy doing their own thing. No doubt Freya and Theo were spending time together and Rebekah with Marcel. Caroline was possibly planning the evening dinner gathering for the following day and dear Elijah most likely had his head buried in a book.
~
Clack-tap, clack-tap, clack tap. The sound of heels on marbled floor echoed. She pushed the ceiling high doors open and strutted in; a smile plastered on her face. Hearing her enter, the muscular man in his dark grey suit abandoned his seat and greeted her. "Welcome. I'm glad you could make it." He held out his hand. Grinning maliciously, she shook his hand briefly before letting it fall back to her side.
"I'm most honoured you took the time out to see me considering how late of a notice I gave."
He chuckled softly. "We share a common goal, and we are on the same side. We all want to rid this earth of the vermin that crawl it. Please take a seat Miss Everleigh." He gestured towards the pale blue cushioned chair.
"Indeed Mr Sullivan, which is why I'm here. My foolish daughter came to you not too long ago with details pertaining to the heretic. I'm here to give a cease and decease." She leaned forward, folding her arms. "Now, take this how you may, I don't want you doing anything. You see, I have my own agendas to carry out and the girl is off limits. She is mine for the taking and if I get a whiff of you or anyone in this council defying me, I'll shut this entire operation down."
He glanced around and swallowed continuously. "The file was stolen."
She slammed her hands down. "STOLEN! What the bloody hell do you mean stolen!" He had never been so terrified of the livid witch looming over him. Sweat lined his forehead. He tugged at his tie, loosening it as though it would help him breathe.
"I don't understand how-how it-it happened, but I assure you, I did all I could to locate it."
She slumped back down into the seat, kneading her face with her knuckles. "Never mind, I have my reservations on what filth took it. It's your lucky day, I won't kill you."
He stammered. "You won't?"
She shook her head. She still was horrifying, and he did his best to avert his eyes from her.
Sophia
Being left on my own gave me the opportunity to do what I needed to do. Fishing my phone out the side pocket, I scrolled through my recents. Her name with the Purple Heart emoji stared at me. Tapping on the contact I let it ring before placing the phone to my ear. I waited another few seconds until she answered. "Hey Harlow....I know it's a little random, but I-can you help me with something?" There was a pause then she responded. "Thank you so much Harlow! I need you to head for London as soon as you can...I'll explain later.... okay see you then." Relieved, I tucked the phone back in my pocket and peered into the mirror, taking in my reflection.
The warm presence made themselves known. I knew they were watching me. Growing tired of not being able to see them, using magic I brought them forward, making it possible for me to finally see them. "Now I can see you both!"
Enzo chuckled and Valerie shook her head smiling. "You shouldn't have done that. Using your magic I mean."
"Yeah yeah I get it." I waved dismissively. "It's not fair that you get to see me, and I don't and besides, Qetsiyah shouldn't have left me her spell books if she didn't want me to make use of it."
"Can't say I'm not pleased that you're able to see us." Enzo chirped, testing his ability to make physical contact with his surroundings. "Great!" The corners of his mouth tugged down when making contact failed.
Valerie sat on the edge of the bed, taking in her sights. "So... what are you up to? And don't say nothing because from how well we know you, it's clear you're planning something-"
"Nonsense!" I interjected, scratching my head. Doing anything and everything to escape their eyes.
"Whatever it is, stop." He lectured. "Don't do anything that will cause you harm or your brothers."
I grumbled. "I'm not going to do anything! Can I just celebrate that I can finally communicate with my best friend and brother!"
"Didn't say you can't," he attempted contact with the photo frame again. "Just warning you not to do something you'll regret later on."
"Right now, I regret making you visible! I'm going for a walk! Do you want to join me or are you going to badger me?"
He held his arms up in surrender and Val shrugged. "Okay, but before I pause my concern, tell us what you're planning?"
"Well... since you're insisting, I'm going to free them from me."
Valerie tilted her head to one side and fixed her gaze on me. "Free them?"
"How?" Enzo puzzled.
Blowing out a puff of breath I shared with them my plan. A plan I was certain I would go through with despite their disapproval and attempts to defer me. They were tremendously dismal. Maybe even a little bit disappointed. I refused to listen to their arguments. Valid arguments. I wasn't going to budge. Standing on either side of me, we went down the steps.
"The Mikaelsons love to live large, don't they?" Enzo commented on reaching the final step.
"I'm sure you've heard Klaus bought the entire estate of rangers house. Don't see the reason for it but they do what they please."
Enzo beamed. "You're a Mikaelson don't forget."
"Okay shush now! If anyone sees me, they'll think I'm crazy, speaking to myself! Let's get out first!"
"Or you could just tell them we're here."
"Yeah, you're right...no!" I crept past the living room almost making it out until Elijah called out.
"Sophia dear."
I bit down on my tongue internally cursing myself for not being fast. Backtracking, I poked my head into the living room. He closed his book and placed it on the arm of the sofa. "Where are you off to?" His fingers ran up down the cover of the book. I squinted trying to get a closer look. "Come in." He invited. Having no choice but to accept his offer, I uncrossed my legs and entered, trailing to the chair adjacent to him.
"I was going to go for a walk since I had nothing to do as you can see, our entire family are caught up doing their own thing."
"Is that why you were creeping past?" He smiled. Feeling myself flush, I bit my lip and turned away.
"I-I didn't know you were in here..." I started off with a stammer. He propped his elbow on his knee and continued to scrutinise me in his thoughtful state.
"May I join you on this walk?" He entreated. Having no other option, I nodded my head in approval. "Lovely." He expressed with a radiant smile. I glanced at Enzo and Valerie to my left. Winking, they disappeared into the air. The early evening air was crisp. Not too hot not too cold. The perfect temperature. We dawdled alongside the road making small talk at first. Elijah and I hardly spent time together. I adored the man, but we were always preoccupied with everyone else we never got the opportunity to really bond. In the end I was thankful to have had this chance. He stuck out his arm for me. Grinning ear to ear I slid my arm through, and we continued our walk down the curved streets.
"May I ask you something?" He put forward.
"Of course, Elijah, what is it?"
There was a three second pause then he asked. "Who were you speaking to before I caught you sneaking out?"
My laughter came out as a splutter. Not focusing on anything particular I looked around. "I was speaking to Enzo and Valerie...I can see them and it's nice having them around. They refuse to let me bring them back, so I guess seeing them and being able to talk is the next best thing."
He positioned his body facing me and gave steady eye contact. "I'm truly pleased for you."
"Now, my turn." I noticed the sky change into its darker hues.
"What?"
"To ask a question."
"Fire away my dear." He chirped, shoving his hands in his trouser pockets.
"Who is Henrik? Klaus mentioned him but didn't go into detail."
He gazed up at the sky and seemed to lose himself, a mixture of emotions crossing his face. "Henrik was our youngest brother, the youngest of us all... a vibrant soul. We loved him beyond measure...he was the favourite. For klaus they shared a closer bond, Henrik looked up to him more than he did with the rest of us. The day he died a part of us died with him."
"What happened?"
"A werewolf attack. See, klaus and Henrik snuck out to watch the beasts transform one night and he got too close-Henrik got to close and he was mauled. Distraught, Klaus carried him back to the village and all hell broke loose. Henrik was our pride and joy. The day he died was the day we died physically and spiritually."
Noticing the pain in his eyes I stopped myself from further questions. "I'm so sorry Elijah for asking! I can see how it still affects you and how fresh it is." Placing a hand on his, I gave him a faint squeeze. "I'm so sorry-" my sentence was cut short by him yanking me back and his body swooped in front. The air sliced near my right ear. The air cut again.
"Show yourself." He boomed, his voice sending out ripples. A chill ran down my back and the hairs on my arms stood tall. I could feel him breathing down my neck and my cheek as he circled me again. Elijah turned and grabbed my arm.