Open Coffin 2 | Chapter 07 “Next Stop, Certain Death"
Disclaimer: This is a sequel! Find Part 1 here. For some context, I´d advise you to watch The Originals to understand some occurrences.
Chapter warnings: typical tvdverse violence, kind of 2 starts cause I couldn't decide, some angst as always
Word count: 3500
Tags & Author Note at the bottom. Feedback is my lifeblood and keeps the writing coming (eventually…lol)
Life in the compound was improving on all fronts. Your knowledge in unlinking spells improved greatly with Kaleb as your teacher, you acquainted yourself with Hayley when she wasn't off in the Bayou, and even Klaus was in a better mood. You even shared a drink or two at night when none of you could sleep. You had always thought he would sleep like a baby even after the heinous things he had done, but apparently, he had a conscience yet.
One night you told him about the time when Damon snuck out of the house when he was a teenager, dressed in your mother's clothes to fool the prying neighbours to meet up with some girl. Klaus laughed so loud it scared off the birds that were sitting on the rooftop. It looked like - and the whole world gasped at the thought - that you might become friends. Or non-enemies at least, whatever that meant.
However, despite the good mood, the cards shifted and the consequences of particular actions of yours came back to haunt you when you least expected it.
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The house was deserted for the first time in a few days. Klaus and Mae were off somewhere, Kaleb was running errands for Klaus and Hayley was off in the Bayou with her wolves. And what does one do in a deserted house full of secrets? Snooping, obviously.
Kols' room especially held several items hidden underneath the floorboards, wall panels and even tucked away in a compartment in the wooden dresser in the corner. Within 5 minutes you found a lot of Kol's stashes, mostly containing vicious spells, some black objects and even a 100-year-old bottle of absinthe. The latter you stashed away again, promising to open it when he was with you again.
Before you left the room to further your search, the crystal mobile that hung over a partially destroyed crib swished in the wind and the light broke within your line of sight. It drew you closer. It was a grand mobile with one diagonally carved crystal at the bottom. You felt the tickling power coming off from the carved crystal, and as you stepped closer you were drawn to it like a magnet.
When you heard someone coming back through the opened doors downstairs, you swiped the bottom crystal into your pocket, hoping you could use its undeniable power in one of the unlinking spells.
But magic was not on the agenda today, when you were met with Klaus seething anger which was written on his face your day off quickly cascaded into a nightmare.
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Kaleb opened the door to the compound hurling a dozed shopping bags in his hand, some around his wrist the others balancing on his chest. Klaus elected him errand boy because he liked to keep you on a shorter leash. And because he knew that you'd probably end up in a fight.
At the shop, Kaleb skipped through the aisles in a hurry, paranoid to see Esther or Finn standing there to punish him. But he made it back without anyone seeing him. He made sure of it.
The furniture was in disarray when he walked in, as if a hurricane swept through it. He doubled his steps and skipped over a chair leg in his way, only to almost trip over a second one that lay beneath a flipped table. He heard talking now and followed the voices and saw you and Klaus in the wine room.
Klaus was leaning over a map spread out on the wine room table furring his brow over the execution of a plan. You stood next to him facing the door, wiping away blood from your nose with the back of your hand.
“I suggest we charge in, slaughter the lot of them and send my wretched mother back to hell”
"Wow, you really have the subtlety of a brick wall." You said, "They'll hear us coming from a mile away! ”
“Subtlety only serves those who are inferior to their opponent."
"Subtlety only serves those inferior bla bla bla." You mimed him, "You do know your mother right?"
"Perhaps you should lead. If you claim to be so subtle.” He said, crossing his arms in front of him like a disappointed toddler.
"No can't do. That coven has a price on my head. If I go alone I'm toast." You said looking at the map and then at Klaus who looked at you, pressing to reveal the details "I killed a few of them" You shrugged.
He sighed, shaking his head with exaggeration "One kills a few people and never hears the end of it."
"I know right?" You sighed, dismissing the thought of the endless lists your name must be written on.
"You two are friends now?" Kaleb asked, now standing in the doorway with judgement on his face.
"Not friends but allied in war." Klaus said, never lifting his gaze from the map.
"War? I was gone 20 minutes!" Kaleb sighed and accepted defeat before rounding the table to look at the map "The Cemetery, great. So who are we slaughtering today?"
"Potentially no one." You said, "But knowing him.." You nodded your head towards Klaus.
"Me?!" Klaus gasped offended "What about you?"
"Please," You quipped "You have at least a 900 years head start. My body count might be up to my neck but you're drowning in it."
"At least we don't write them on a wall." Klaus chimed.
"Or keep the victim's letters." You returned, eying Klaus to catch the biggest eye roll to date "You know, I'm surprised you haven't eye rolled yourself into another dimension yet."
"Perhaps I should." Klaus smirked, " Only to escape your insufferable presence."
"As if you're so fun to be around."
"For god sake! " Kaleb raised his voice before Klaus could return anything, pinching the bridge of his nose "Can someone please tell me what happened?"
Oh right, he had no idea what was even going on.
The poor dear was away for a quick errand and came back to planning a suicide mission. Oh, the woes of life in the Quarter.
"Remember when we went to see Esther?" You asked "She might have taken me a little too literal. She kidnapped Elijah. And we're gonna get him out."
"You must be joking." Kaleb huffed.
"Nope." You said, popping the 'p' "
The minutes dragged on and Klaus was yammering on to Kaleb about a strategy that still lacked the subtlety needed to fool Esther, while your mind was hatching a plan that had the potential to work brilliantly or kill the lot of you. Just a normal day in the life as it seemed.
“I have an idea." You said and both men turned their heads, listening "It's… out there but might actually work."
You gave yourself a few moments to look at the map again, confirming your suspicion before you spoke "How do you feel about taking me as a hostage to Esther? With chains and the whole shebang? Nothing beats a hostage exchange. "
“You as a hostage? I thought you'd never ask.” Klaus grinned elated.
“Not a chance.” Kaleb shook his head, stepping closer to the map once more, studying it for an alternate way to infiltrate the coven.
Klaus sighed “I must say your friend is quite the buzz kill.”
"It'll be fine. It's a fake hostage exchange, as long as you help me get out if things go south we'll be fine. " You reassured Kaleb with a nod. He had to keep his nerves if this was supposed to work. You all had to.
"It's a go then?" You looked at both of them, and they nodded. "Alright, call Hayley and anyone else you think should know about this. Meeting starts in 1 hour."
Klaus turned to Kaleb "Who put her in charge?"
"I did!" Your voice echoed through the building as you ascended the stairs. "We want to rescue someone and not worsen the war!"
"I swear if this goes wrong-" Kaleb warned once you were out of earshot.
"You'll hunt me to the ends of the earth.'' Klaus completed his sentence swiftly "I am very much aware. Not that you could, the way you are now."
"Perhaps." Kaleb agreed, posting his mortal body once again "But if you leave her with Esther my wrath will be the least of your problems." He said and gave him one last look of forewarning.
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An hour later everyone was assembled in the wine room. You, Kaleb, Klaus on one side of the table and Hayley and some of her wolves on the other.
"Let's go over it again." You looked at each of them, confirming they were listening "Klaus and I will go right through the entrance. They will be on us the second we step foot in it, so everyone else has to be ready before then. Kaleb, I need you to hold the magic of those witch chains until they hand over Elijah or if a fight ensues. Hayley will grab him and get out here or take him by force."
"And what if they don't hand him over?" Hayley asked. It was a valid question, with one easy solution.
"We kill them all." You shrugged.
"There are people from my pack. We can't just kill them!" Hayley protested. She would be right and perhaps she even remained so, but these people were not on her side anymore. They sold her up the river, which made their survival obsolete.
"You'd rather spare traitors than get Elijah? I don't think so." You shook your head, firmly reassuring your stance.
"Says the traitor." Hayley mumbled loud enough for the room to hear.
You chuckled, silently applauding her quick return until you realized she was not laughing in the slightest "Oh you're serious? Well, I'm sorry my actions don't fit into your ironclad morality, but how should I've known Esther would kidnap him?"
"I don't know, maybe because Esther is a psycho?"
"Please, have you looked at the people in this room? We're hardly sane." You scoffed, earning a chuckle from Kaleb next to you "No matter who's to blame, I will fix it." You reassured, hoping that your words sounded more confident than you were.
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The meeting concluded within minutes, everyone agreeing to attack in the morning, which left half of the night on the clock to prepare and gather strength.
Kaleb was already up in the bedroom preparing, while Klaus filled in Mae, most likely ordering her to stay put. Not settling on any of those options, you stepped outside on the upper balcony, lying on the floor to watch the stars. The hours before an inevitable disaster always were your favorite after all. Savouring the impending doom had a way of focusing the mind like nothing else could. You were most alive in that space between certain death and the inkling of hope to make it out alive. It was intoxicating.
The night sky was clearer than it had been the last few days. It had a way of looking exceptionally beautiful when it was a clear night and out of reach as if it wanted you to long for it all the way from the ground. Lying on your back you watched the stars twinkle and stir in the night sky and you wished they would drop down and envelop you in the clouds.
A few minutes after contemplating your existence, a shadow passed by the door on the left and soon Kaleb appeared into the night air.
“Chasing stars, hm?” He said when he approached.
“They're far away from here. I'm jealous.” You said and forced a smile that you hoped was far from the tiredness you felt "Though they're not as bright in the city." You sat up as he joined you on the cold stone floor, shuffling backwards to rest your back against the bricked wall.
"I used to run with a bunch of outlaws a few years after my transition." You said "One was crazier than the next but what I remember the most were the stars at night. Stars in the city aren't as blinding as the ones in the wild."
"I was terrified of the night sky as a child." Kaleb said, staring at the sky above "I thought the stars were always watching me and judging my actions. Whenever I would do something bad I would hide under a tree or a roof so they couldn't see me."
As lovely as you thought that picture was of a boy hiding from the stars, reality was not as oblivious. By the looks of it, he knew that too well.
"You were really scared of them?" You asked and he confirmed with a nod "They always felt kind of save for me. Like a constant reminder that I'm just an ordinary monster on a planet that's floating in space."
"Existential crisis much? " He laughed, flashing his now-familiar smile.
"Shut up." You chuckled, giving his shoulder a nudge with your own.
"Besides, you're the least ordinary person I know." He added nudging his head against the wall behind him as he looked at you.
"Says the mysterious, handsome friend I never knew I needed." The second you uttered those words you wished you would've just slapped yourself instead.
"I'm sorry you have to be here because of me." You said after a moment of silence "I should've said that days ago. "
"There's no place I'd rather be. Truly." There it was again. His genuine interest seemed pure and without bad intent. Almost like he truly cared.
You forgot you were fighting a war and you were just two people sharing an illuminated night sky shoulder to shoulder. For one extremely disconcerting moment, you felt a gentle nudge of… something. Something? You gave your head a little shake. It could not possibly be this easy to feel what you did not dare to for someone else. Yet you had the absurd inclination to turn your head and lean forward slightly until the space between you compressed into nothingness.
Then his hand melted together with the warmth on your skin, caressing your cheek in a familiar way that woke you from the moment you've been caught up in. You scrambled to your feet in an instant, hurrying away despite Kaleb pleading to stay. You sought shelter in a room on the other side of the building, ignoring the way your heart was drumming relentlessly.
"Fuck" You banged your head against the wood of the closed door
………..
Morning broke relentlessly and swift, contrary to the guilt you harboured in your chest. You still tasted the sting of absinth on your tongue, having spent every minute away from the compound until it was time to leave.
Kaleb was in position on a roof near the hand-off waiting to withdraw the magic that held your shackles in place. Hayley and some of her wolves that remained were waiting on the other side of the cemetery searching for Elijah in case Esther would not agree to your proposal.
Klaus was walking next to you, vigilant and observing he scanned the area in front of him.
"I must say," He said, his voice echoing in the empty streets "this plan of yours is-"
"Dangerously brilliant?" You said raising an eyebrow at him "It only will be if it works. And if you help me get out of there. You will, right?"
He nodded before ducking into another alleyway close to the cemetery.
"I need more than a half-ass nod." You pushed further.
"What then, a kiss like you and your new friend shared?" Klaus teased, a big grin on his face.
"First of all, ew. Second of all, please don't tell me you saw that." You groaned wishing the earth would simply open up and swallow you whole.
"I did. I must tell you he's not-"
"You don't have to tell me anything. I feel guilty enough already." You hid your face away from him while turning the corner before continuing "So what about it? Are you gonna help me get out of there or not?"
"I give you my word." He said.
"Your word means nothing until you live up to it. Isn't that what you said?" You teased and he groaned, presumably regretting the words he had spoken not too long ago.
A few minutes passed in silence, navigating through back alleys under the ever brightening morning sky. There in the distance the old cemetery sign towered over the fence.
"It's weird but we make a good team." You glanced at him briefly "Imagine if we didn't loathe each other. They wouldn't stand a chance."
"I believe the world is not quite ready for that."
"The world, or you?" You smirked, crossing under the sign above you.
The conversation concluded when the first of Esther's lackeys appeared in front of you, followed by a dozen more that surrounded Esther who still resided in Lenore's body.
"Hello, mother. Care to negotiate a deal? Your traitor for my brother."
Klaus janked the chains in a way that made you drop to your knees, scraping your skin on the cold floor. He was enjoying this a little too much.
"And what would I do with her?" Esther asked, unimpressed.
"She's a traitor to your cause. Deal with her as you wish."
Esther considered for a moment, seemingly unconvinced until she took in the reaction of the gathering crowd that was whispering your name like a forbidden word. You tried not to smile when she nodded towards Finn, confirming the trade.
"Very well. You may take Elijah with you. Under one condition. You give me Kaleb alongside her."
Your eyes glanced upwards slightly and you hoped Esther was blind to your reaction.
"I don't negotiate. Take her and only her or I'll be forced to retaliate."
"Violence comes so easy to you, my boy. It clouds your judgement still." She shook her head "No matter, I can get to him myself if need be."
"So what will it be? Her for my brother?"
She nodded and promptly Finn appeared and stood next to his mother once again. Two
They brought Elijah around the corner, barely conscious enough to keep on his feet. His shirt was slightly unbuttoned with a crimson gradient travelling from his collar to his stomach. He fell into Klaus's arms who caught him easily with a steady grip. He slung Elijah's arm over his shoulder and slowly retreated into the shadows.
You remained still, waiting for Klaus to return or any sign that he would send the others in to help.
A few seconds ticked by, then a few more before you realized he wouldn't come back.
"Surprised?" Esther asked, smiling too self-righteous for your liking.
"Guess not." You stood up, fastening the chain around your hands into a straight line "Problem is, you'll still not gonna get me."
And with that Esther threw you to the wolves.
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Between the Pettigrew tomb on the right and Davina Claire's grave on the left, your feet stood steady on the stone floor. Heavy shackles torn at the chain now adorned your hands, smeared red with the blood of the dozen bodies lying beside you. Esther and Finn retreated like children when it was clear you would take down all of the wolves on their side.
Another attack came from the left, a werewolf again, which was easily deflected with a quick doge followed by an easy neck snap. Another jumped you from above and almost got his teeth into your neck but you managed to throw him off by rolling forward.
"Why don't you come back and face me, cowards?" You raised your voice, hoping it would pierce through Esther's and Finn's eardrums. They were hiding like cowards, you were fighting like an animal backed into a corner and Klaus and Kaleb ran away like thieves in the night. You were once again on your own. Typical.
From the corners of your eye, you saw Finn glimpsing around the corner, followed by an array of rusted metal spires he sent your way. You send them back with a flick of your wrist. When he moved next he made the mistake of crossing into your line of sight. You send him flying into a tomb next to you, crushing the old stone to ashes.
You had no time to double up your attack before Finn emerged from the rubble you put him in and haemorrhage your brain to a single jolt of pain. You pushed against the violence in your head and much to his surprise charged toward him. You had your hands around his throat and your teeth close to his neck when someone came up from behind.
Before you could react they snapped your neck and surrounded you in temporary darkness. Esther helped her son to his feet before dragging you away to whatever hellhole Esther had preoccupied. From a gilded cage to one built of broken vows and horror.
A/N: Well that escalated quickly....
As always, thank you for those who are reading this still, knowing you are still here means so much ❤
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