{"id":287,"date":"2024-08-14T00:42:37","date_gmt":"2024-08-14T00:42:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?page_id=287"},"modified":"2024-08-14T01:15:06","modified_gmt":"2024-08-14T01:15:06","slug":"chapter-02","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?page_id=287","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 02"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Chapter 02<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Mystic Falls, Autumn 1001<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

She hadn\u2019t seen him in a while and when she thought about it, neither had she seen the rest of his siblings for a couple of weeks. Isa had heard whispers that Esther had upset nature, somehow, but Isa couldn\u2019t find someone who could tell her outright. The last time she had seen Kol was when the White Oak Tree caught fire. While they were losing a significant amount of shelter from the sun now that it was burning, Isa had fallen ill, passed out right in Kol\u2019s arms. Her father had told him to bring her home and tuck her into bed. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

She had seen Mikael, but only briefly as he came to collect her father to go over to the other village, the wolf men, and Mikael looked furious. Father told her to stay inside and she refused, wanting to come with, do something, but going up against her father and Mikael? While her father tried to stop her from coming in a gentle manner, Mikael was furious and smacked her. Told her that she was silly and that she should stay inside for her own safety. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When he wasn\u2019t back by nightfall, Isa went over to the Mikaelsons. She had never spent these many days without Kol. And he would always tell her that he\u2019d be gone for a few days. They\u2019d swap their blood to be together on the inside. A promise to each other to return that portion of blood when he came back.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

She could hear whimpering and angry screams from outside their home and she peeked through the window to see Esther consoling Niklaus and Rebekah curled up on the floor with Kol. Elijah was sitting somewhat calm at the table and Finn was nowhere to be seen. Isa realised that maybe she could help and wanted to walk around to the door, but was stopped by Finn. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIsa Karlsdotter,\u201d he said gently, but Isa didn\u2019t trust him. Of all the Mikaelsons, she truly didn\u2019t like Finn. He was too sneaky for her taste. A real mother\u2019s child, too. \u201cNow is not a good time for a visit. We are not well.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI can help,\u201d she said, wanting to push past him, but he pushed her against the wall and then his face changed. Before she knew it, he was biting her neck and she let out a scream. Finn was gone then, and Kol had protectively wrapped his arm around her while he pressed a cloth against her bleeding neck.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShe\u2019s off-limits!\u201d Kol shot at his brother. \u201cHow dare you!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI can\u2019t fight it, Kol!\u201d Finn countered, looking slightly confused about the amount of control his younger brother exhibited. \u201cSmell her blood, it\u2019s glorious, don\u2019t you want to have a taste?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI already know what her blood tastes like, Finn, and you\u2019re not having any more of it!\u201d He lifted Isa up and brought her back to her home, gently setting her down in front of the door. \u201cAre you mad?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMad?\u201d Isa managed to say as she looked up to him. She took the cloth from him and hit him with it. \u201cMad! Ha! Perhaps, but I wouldn\u2019t have to be mad if you would have told me what you were doing. What\u2019s going on, Kol? What was it with Finn\u2019s face? Why did he bite me!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kol was quiet for a moment, thrown off by how calm Isa seemed to be. \u201cYou\u2019re not frightened?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnswer me.\u201d She tried to ignore the whispers around her that were reminding her yet again about upsetting the balance of nature. Isa still couldn\u2019t figure out where they came from; maybe it was all in her head and maybe she was slightly mad. Of course, she wouldn\u2019t tell that to her husband-to-be. He would reject her immediately.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

He let out a breath as he looked at her, her eyes were burning with fire, determination set on her face. \u201cWe\u2019re all experiencing unwanted effects due to Mother\u2019s protection spell.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cProtection spell?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAgainst the men changing into wolves, she doesn\u2019t want what happened to Henrik happen to us.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It had been a sad day when Niklaus brought back the body of the youngest member of the family. Henrik had been a lovely young boy and liked to make people laugh. She could understand that a mother wished to protect her children, even though she couldn\u2019t remember her own mother. It had been Isa and her father Karl for as long as she could remember. \u201cThose villagers\u2026 found in the woods the other day?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kol nodded. \u201cThat was Niklaus\u2019 doing. If you look closely, other villagers are missing as well.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDid you?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

She watched as panic struck his face. \u201cI tried not to, Isa. I really tried not to—\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shushing him, she placed her hand on his cheek and smiled at him. \u201cI understand. It is alright.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe might have to leave soon, surely our neighbors will start to notice that we\u2019re behaving differently, that there are villagers missing. We cannot stay here,\u201d he kissed the top of her head. \u201cAnd I am sorry, Isa, but I can\u2019t guarantee your safety around my siblings. Finn was right, your blood smells delicious and it takes every fibre of my being not to finish what he has started.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI can take care of myself! You have to bring me along!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI will return for you, I promise,\u201d Kol smiled at her and pushed her hair out of her face. \u201cI shall let you know when we leave, is that alright?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWill you stay with me tonight? Your father came for mine, said they were going hunting, but he\u2019s not back yet and I don\u2019t want to be alone.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat part of \u2018I want to eat you\u2019 don\u2019t you understand, my beautiful Isa?\u201d Kol whispered as he pressed his forehead against hers. \u201cI shall see you tomorrow. If you need anything, just shout and I will be right by your side.\u201d He took his knife off his belt and cut his hand before handing the knife to Isa, who did the same.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Smiling, she held up her hand for him to drink from and took his hand to do the same. She could feel how his face changed against her skin, and he pulled away, quickly. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGo inside your house, clean yourself up and we can talk some more tomorrow.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

~o.O.o~<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When she awoke the following morning, the cut on her hand was gone, and upon closer inspection, so was the wound in her neck. Eager to go to Kol to tell him all about it, she climbed out of bed and made herself presentable. She took a roll off the counter and headed for the door, only once opened, to take a step back as she looked at the bloodied Mikael in front of her.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMikael,\u201d she said breathlessly. \u201cHave you returned from the hunt?\u201d He didn\u2019t look too happy. He looked angrier than ever, there was a malicious look in his eyes that she didn\u2019t trust. It was as if he had lost his mind. \u201cWill my father come soon?\u201d Isa asked as she peeked around the door to see if her father was behind. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIsa, I am sorry, I truly am sorry,\u201d he spoke softly, although she could tell there wasn\u2019t any apologetic emotion behind his words. \u201cYour father didn\u2019t make it.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

She looked at him and blinked. Sure, a lot of men didn\u2019t return from the hunt but her father was excellent at what he did, his skills rivalling those of Mikael\u2019s. She couldn\u2019t believe that her father was gone. What was she going to do now?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond my control, I can not allow you to marry my son, either.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her head snapped up at that as tears ran down her cheeks. \u201cYou can\u2019t deny us anything!\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFoolish girl,\u201d Mikael spat at her. \u201cI am trying to protect you. There\u2019s no longer a place for you in my family.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLies!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI understand you\u2019re grieving right now,\u201d he said as he took a step back. \u201cMy apologies, Isa.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo!\u201d She cried out as she reached for the broom and started to hit Mikael with it. \u201cWhat am I going to do now? What am I going to do!\u201d She screamed as she kept hitting him and he allowed her to. It wasn\u2019t until Kol reached for the broom and threw it away that she stopped. She sought shelter in his arms as she continued to cry. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf you truly care for her, boy,\u201d Mikael said to his son. \u201cYou end this now before she gets hurt.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kol didn\u2019t say anything as he pulled Isa back inside her home. \u201cCome, darling,\u201d he whispered as he caressed her hair. \u201cGrab some trinkets you wish to keep, I\u2019ll make sure you\u2019ll be safe.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWith you? Please, with you!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ll come and join you as soon as I can, I promise,\u201d he said as he gazed into her eyes. \u201cNow, grab some trinkets and clothes. I\u2019ll take you someplace safe. You\u2019ll wait for me there.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nodding, Isa did as she was told and Kol brought her to a cabin in the woods. Not far from the village but also far enough to be safe. \u201cThere is a cavity underneath, you can hide there when the full moon is out. No need for you to go to the caverns.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat is this?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI built this for us. Niklaus helped a little, but it was mostly me. This was supposed to be our home after we wed.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Isa smiled at that and softly kissed him. \u201cIt is wonderful.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be back, I promise.\u201d He kissed her again and left, leaving her alone with her grief. Even though the cabin was isolated and well hidden, she felt safe. Knowing that this was going to be the home of her and Kol filled her heart with hope. Love. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

She could already see them raise many children in it. Be happy, but the moment the thought entered her mind, she heard the whispers again. Kol was an abomination, what Esther had turned him into went against nature. They were never going to have children. \u201cLies!\u201d Isa screamed at the top of her lungs.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It were days before Kol came back. It was night, and he looked frantic. Scared. She dove straight into his arms to console him but all he did was push her inside the house and onto the bed, kissing her greedily. Taking her in as his hands seemed to be everywhere on her body. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her clothes ripped and she tried to push him off of her, but he was too strong. \u201cKol,\u201d she pleaded as she tried to make him look at her. \u201cKol, please\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI need to go,\u201d he said, pained by the words. \u201cMikael\u2026 he\u2019s gone mad\u2026 He killed our mother and he\u2019s now going through the village. Finn has already fled\u2026 I need to go.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor how long?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNot long, but I wish to take what\u2019s mine,\u201d he said as he got up and continued to rip her clothes, drinking in her nakedness once he was done. She looked so innocent, so small, so trusting. He fought the urge to drink from her and he knew he could stop himself if he\u2019d lose himself inside of her. He wanted to take what was rightfully his. \u201cI\u2019m aware we\u2019re not wed—\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m yours,\u201d she whispered as she looked at him with nothing but love in her eyes. If she was scared, she wasn\u2019t showing it. \u201cTake what\u2019s yours. Claim me.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

He got out of his undergarments, revealing himself to her, fully upright and leaking. She thought it was funny that men had those things to bring pleasure to a woman and she was well aware that it was going to hurt and braced herself as best as she could when he entered her. While she anticipated the pain of him stretching her out of her skin, she never imagined it would hurt this much. Crying out in pain, he greedily kissed her to stop her. The pain lingered before her body gave in to the pleasure. He stilled in her then with a grunt, and she could feel how he continued to fill her up. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

She felt light-headed, but while he had reached his peak, she realized she still needed more and he wasn\u2019t going to give it to her as he withdrew from her and got dressed again. \u201cI really need to go, darling,\u201d he apologized. \u201cYou\u2019ll be safe, Mikael won\u2019t hurt you, but he is mad.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sitting up, she watched him. \u201cWhen will you be back?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSoon, I promise,\u201d he leaned onto the bed and looked her in the eyes. \u201cYou have such beautiful eyes and your body\u2026 it\u2019s exquisite. Once the storm has passed, we\u2019ll be reunited and we shall be together until our days are over.\u201d Kol pushed her hair out of her eyes. \u201cYou shall remain here until I return.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI will.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grabbing a knife, he cut himself so she could drink his blood. \u201cYou can return that to me when I\u2019m back,\u201d he smiled as she drank his blood before cutting herself so he could drink from her. \u201cYou and your delicious blood. I promise I shall return.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI know,\u201d she smiled at him. \u201cI\u2019m not afraid.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhatever you do, don\u2019t go into the village,\u201d he told her. \u201cDo not leave this cabin.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut you must go.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And just like that, he was gone.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

~o.O.o~<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vienna, Austria, December 26th, 2012<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

She could hear them from the inside of the cabin but was unable to fully understand what they were saying. They sounded unnatural, as if they had been spelled, or as if they weren\u2019t truly there. Isa got dressed and was greeted by a bleak winter\u2019s sun as she shoved snow to the sides to follow the sound of the birds. \u201cI hear you!\u201d She called to them, looking around as what their location could be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While she loved travelling with Kol, he had taken her to a place without many trees to interact with, or animals, for that matter. It was winter after all and most species had migrated to a warmer climate, so the sound of these birds, especially this many, felt a little out of place. Looking up, she could see that they were perched in a row on top of their roof. \u201cYou all look lovely,\u201d she said as she watched them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was strange to see the birds look at each other in confusion. Normally they\u2019d communicate whatever they wished to her, but their chatter had stopped the moment she addressed them. Something felt off. Something was wrong. \u201cKol?\u201d She called out to him, her eyes never leaving the birds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, darling? Come inside where it\u2019s warm.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou need to see this.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She could hear him sigh before the rustling of clothes could be heard. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d He asked as he stepped outside and followed her gaze. Kol felt the color drain from his face as his eyes spotted the Starlings. He grabbed Isa\u2019s arm and pulled her inside the cabin before grabbing his phone and called his brother. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cKol.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNik,\u201d he said as he walked through the cabin, packing up their belongings. \u201cWe have a problem.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShe found you?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou could have told me that Mother\u2019s back!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd Father. Listen, do not come to New Orleans.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019re going to need our help, we\u2019re coming,\u201d Kol said with determination in his voice before he hung up. \u201cHelp me pack, Isa, Niklaus needs us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBecause of the birds?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYeah, you heard Niklaus, our parents are back. I don\u2019t know how, well\u2026 I have a stinking feeling how it happened, but we need to help him. Have his back, make sure that he\u2019s not alone in this even though he has Rebekah and Elijah and other people in his life. It doesn\u2019t hurt to have us around, either.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut she could get to you. Mikael could get to you. To me! I killed him, Kol!\u201d She said panicked as she tugged her bra out of his hands. \u201cI\u2019m not going! Mikael will kill me for my betrayal. He will kill me, just like he killed me after you left me!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Kol said surprised. \u201cI thought the wolves killed you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The color drained from her face as she dropped her hands and head in shame. \u201cThat was something I made up to forget. A fast death is always better than the one I had.\u201d Tears fell down her cheeks as he lifted her chin to look at him. \u201cThe truth will hurt you, I do not wish for you to know the truth.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m asking you nicely,\u201d he was worried now. Why would it hurt him? Ever since his reunion, he had believed her story about getting killed by angry wolves as they sought revenge for what Mikael had done. It sounded plausible enough, but her fear for Mikael was bigger than he had imagined. \u201cDon\u2019t make me asking it any other way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou told me not to leave the cabin.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI did,\u201d he said with a nod. \u201cI left plenty of weapons there for you to go hunting for food.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, you don\u2019t get it,\u201d she said as she looked at him. \u201cYou told me not to leave the cabin,\u201d she repeated, slower this time. She could see the cogwheels work in his brain and decided to continue. \u201cI couldn\u2019t leave the cabin. Only after my death and learning what it was to be immortal, I realized you had compelled me. An accidental compulsion, just how I\u2019m not really supposed to be here but you fed me blood. Your blood that was still in my body when I died.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The guilt swept over his face. \u201cOh. Oh no.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMikael found me. I suppose he had followed your scent and believed you were with me. He couldn\u2019t enter, but that didn\u2019t stop him from trying to get me out, so he set fire to the cabin.\u201d She smiled at him, placing her hand on his cheek. \u201cBut I have forgiven you a long time ago. You didn\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kol swallowed hard. \u201cYou were burned alive because I told you not to leave the cabin,\u201d he said in barely a whisper. \u201cOh, Isa, I am so sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ve always been afraid of Mikael. I respected him and I liked it that he seemed to like me for you, but he frightened me. He had that effect on people, so I didn\u2019t think twice about killing him to save Niklaus. To save his legacy, because with him, many would die, including the Salvatore brothers. I choose to end one life in exchange for many.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd now he\u2019s back.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI can\u2019t come to New Orleans with you. I can\u2019t. I can\u2019t face him again,\u201d she whispered. \u201cI survived for so long by staying hidden. Many times I thought it was a bad idea to get involved two years ago, but I simply could not resist, knowing that you were with Nik and I had hopes that I\u2019d see you again. Then they went away and I resigned myself for eternal slumber.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He wiped the tears off her face and of his own before smiling bravely. \u201cI\u2019ve learned a couple of things over the years. Such as you\u2019re stronger with a small army than on your own. You\u2019re better protected. Family protects you. And if you face your fears, you\u2019ll come out stronger.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAll good and all, but unlike you, I\u2019m not indestructible.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, but you\u2019re family. We will all protect you, just like you will do anything in your power to make sure we\u2019re safe,\u201d he caressed her cheek and kissed the top of her head. \u201cNik needs us, Isa. We have to go back.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

~o.O.o~<\/p>\n\n\n\n

New Orleans, December 28th, 2012<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

She had run off to the Bayou the moment they got out of the car near the Abattoir. Kol wasn\u2019t sure why, well, he had an inkling. She had freaked out on the airport of Vienna and he had to compel her to calm down because of her anxiety, and he believed it was his own fault. Too much in too little time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Isa had been used to living in the woods, and he had forced civilisation on her by going to areas where there weren\u2019t a lot of trees, and it went alright, but he had forgotten to realize that she had become one with nature. His beloved had missed her trees and her animals and she needed some time to adjust. It was a good thing that she left the car after arriving at the house, so he was certain that she\u2019d find her way back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was rare for him to feel guilty about something. He had accepted the idea that Isa had been his first sire because they liked to swap blood and yes, he fed her his blood after turning. Come to think of it, Isa was his only sire. After having seen what it did to his siblings after they turned their firsts, Julien, Tristan and Aurora, Kol realized that he didn\u2019t want the responsibility. Not to mention, they were still learning how to be a vampire themselves, and later on, he simply didn\u2019t care. He ate, he killed. He ate, or compelled to forget. Never turned anyone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He had liked to have fun, and with vampires created by him all around him, it wouldn\u2019t have been fun. Of course, he liked to make everyone believe that he had created an army for himself, but that was as far away removed from the truth as possible. Kol had thought about siring vampires, once or twice, mostly to comment on how great he was. How handsome he was. But then again, why sire when you could compel people to say and do whatever you wanted?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So while he had accepted that he had accidentally sired Isa, he couldn\u2019t forgive himself for compelling her to stay in the cabin back then. Of course she had forgiven him, that was what who and how she was, but he couldn\u2019t forgive himself. Accidental or not, he had assured that her death had been a gruesome one and for all he believed he had been the one that set the cabin ablaze, even if it had been done by Mikael.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAre you simply going to stand there in the street, lost in thought, or are you coming inside?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Klaus\u2019 voice roused him from his thoughts and he turned around to smirk. \u201cI was merely taking in the view, brother. I have missed this city!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWell, if you and the little mouse weren\u2019t so busy galavanting around the globe, you would have returned home sooner!\u201d Klaus hugged his brother before looking around. \u201cWhere is she?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRecharging. Hugging trees. Even when we return to our flat in Los Angeles, the first thing she does is go to the adjacent park for a day or two,\u201d Kol shrugged as he followed his brother inside. Nothing had really changed, upon first glance. \u201cSo, how bad is it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cVery,\u201d Klaus replied with a sigh. \u201cLet\u2019s discuss it while having a drink. You\u2019ll need one.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGladly. The flight attendants cut me off on the flight here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Klaus was amused. \u201cAnd let me guess, you pulled one with you into the lavatory, had a bite and compelled her to give you some more?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOf course,\u201d Kol huffed as he followed his brother to his study. \u201cWhere are our siblings?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cElijah\u2019s taking care of something for me with a friend of mine,\u201d he poured two bourbons and handed one to Kol. \u201cRebekah\u2019s disappeared, but I\u2019m pretty sure our mother has something to do with it, or a previously friendly witch.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh, tell me about that witch!\u201d He was intrigued. He loved witches. Kol always had had a good understanding with the witch population of New Orleans, he couldn\u2019t wait to test to see if that was still the case. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShe\u2019s a pesky little teenager, that one. She was one of the Harvest girls who nearly brought New Orleans down to its knees – of course, no thanks to your friend Marcel.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe\u2019s still around?\u201d It was obvious that he was disgusted by him. \u201cWhy do you keep people like that around, Nik? He\u2019s–\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGrown into an exemplary vampire. You will not touch him, Kol.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He scowled as he took a sip of his drink. \u201cFine. Who\u2019s the witch?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDavina Claire.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kol nearly choked on his bourbon. \u201cClaire?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI knew that would get your attention. Yes. She\u2019s related to that witch you hung around with the last time and I hope that that bond will get you close to her, to see what she\u2019s up to. She\u2019s been too quiet for my liking and it is possible that she\u2019s behind Mikael\u2019s appearance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh great,\u201d he said sarcastically. \u201cAllow me to throw myself infront of the wolves, why don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou have Isa by your side,\u201d Klaus mused. \u201cIt\u2019s hardly dangerous.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

~o.O.o~<\/p>\n\n\n\n

New Orleans, December 29th, 2012<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

She knew that Kol thought she was slightly off-kilter, all the talk about the trees whispering to her, or the animals talking to her, and she had tried to limit her interactions about it as much as possible, toning it down, like it used to be. Much to the point where he\u2019d think that she\u2019d make a joke when she told him that she knew things.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But if she had to be honest, it had only intensified over the years. It was like an extra sense that got heightened after turning, and one that she couldn\u2019t easily shut off. Not that she wanted to; Isa needed it now to stay sane. She knew it sounded crazy, and if people thought she was crazy, then so be it. It wasn\u2019t as if she was normal to begin with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She had spent the night with the trees as they whispered their secrets, as they whispered about Esther and Mikael. She was worried about both of them for different reasons. While Esther and Mikael both sought the destruction of their children, Esther wouldn\u2019t shy away from using spells and manipulation to get her children to see that they weren\u2019t supposed to be around anymore. Mikael would simply kill – especially Niklaus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But with no magic in the family, the Mikaelsons would have to ally themselves with the witches of New Orleans and they had pissed off an important one, not even Elijah could turn the girl to reason. Maybe that\u2019s why Kol insisted on coming to the aid of his brother; he had a way with witches. While Kol would have something to do, she wouldn\u2019t. She\u2019d try to accompany him as much as possible because she didn\u2019t want anything to happen to him. He was her beloved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She could ask the animals to look after the rest of them. While the Salvatores were idiots with mostly every decision they made, the Mikaelson nearly always thought things through, but as the trees had told her; their blind spots had always been the cause of a plan failing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now that she was aware of everything going on, she politely asked the trees and the animals to communicate with her for the duration of her stay in New Orleans. That, should they be worried about their secrets getting out, they could ask the trees in Mystic Falls about Isa. But she promised them that she was a good person and that while she stayed in New Orleans, she would look out for them, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She had purchased a sandwich on her way to the Mikaelson home and was impressed when she set foot in the courtyard. It was grande, it was over the top and spacious. Isa wasn\u2019t sure if she wanted to stay in the building, she preferred something more compact. Sitting down in one of the chairs, she unwrapped her sandwich and started to eat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She watched as other people entered the courtyard and eyed her carefully before making their way up the stairs or downstairs to the kitchens. The last one, a dark-skinned vampire, didn\u2019t even bother and just approached her as if he owned the building.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cExcuse me,\u201d he said as he looked at her. \u201cYou\u2019re in a private residence, you\u2019re not supposed to be here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI am,\u201d Isa replied as she kept his eyes on him and munched on her sandwich. \u201cWho are you to tell me I do not belong?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEither you walk out of here on your own, off of my<\/em> property, or I shall make you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYour property?\u201d Isa scoffed, still munching on her sandwich. \u201cI think not.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the vampire wanted to grab her to help her up, she put the sandwich on the table and got to her feet. Isa grabbed his arm and broke it as she pushed him against the nearest column. \u201cDo not try to touch me again, young one,\u201d she hissed at him. She ducked when the vampire turned around and took a swing at her. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For a young vampire, he was quite strong. A warrior. Likely Nik\u2019s second in command as he liked strong vampires for his army. The trees had told her about him. The fallen King of the Quarter. \u201cMarcel,\u201d she said with a smirk as she ducked again and let out a cackle when she ran back to her sandwich and took a bite out of it, waiting for him to come back again. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who was she? In any case, she needed to leave. With the whole Mikaelson family tragedy that was going on, they really couldn\u2019t use a deranged vampire to deal with. How could she just stand there, eating her Po-Boy and look at him like that? Like a little girl? She was likely a drifter, her clothes recently had a brush with some dirt. There was a twig sticking out of her hair and while he knew not to underestimate women who looked like they were girls, he couldn\u2019t help but take pity. \u201cLook, I don\u2019t know who you are, but you obviously know who I am. Let me take you to a shelter.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Isa huffed as she allowed the vampire to come closer again. When he reached out, she broke his arm again. \u201cI told you not to touch me,\u201d she said with a growl, staring him down even though she was staring upwards. \u201cThe next time I shall sever your head from your spine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s okay,\u201d Marcel smiled at her, reaching for her again, despite his broken arm. Perhaps she was simply frightened. She had him on the floor in a matter of a second, her foot firmly planted on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI told you,\u201d Isa said before snapping his neck. \u201cNiklaus!\u201d She called out, looking around for him and spotted him on the balcony looking over the courtyard. \u201cI broke your toy! But he\u2019s a vampire, right? He\u2019ll come back!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLittle Mouse,\u201d he smiled at her, making his way down the stairs to greet her. \u201cHow lovely to make your presence known. My brother is obviously treating you well.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI am not going to apologize,\u201d she said as she pointed at the vampire at her feet. \u201cI warned him and he underestimated me. For your lieutenant, he\u2019s obviously incapable of acting quicker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Klaus huffed as he hugged her. \u201cMarcel has a thing for young, impressionable girls. Don\u2019t blame him for his weakness. He likes to pretend he\u2019s a big brother.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI don\u2019t like him. Where\u2019s Kol?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe\u2019s making nice with the witches. Come, let me show you to your room so you can clean yourself up, we have a lot to catch up on,\u201d he said as he placed his hand on the small of her back and guided her towards the room. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t have anything to catch up on, I already know,\u201d Isa smiled at him as he let her into the room. \u201cAnd I am terrified, so I have no idea what you must be feeling.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNonsense,\u201d he said as he caressed her hair. \u201cWe have stopped them before, we shall do it again.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

She eyed him and cocked her head. \u201cI don\u2019t know who you\u2019re trying to fool, but I\u2019m not buying it. However, I find it admirable that you\u2019re trying to keep up hope for your family.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHope is all we need,\u201d he smiled at her. \u201cWould you like me to buy you a goat?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Isa blinked at him. \u201cFor what?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYour diet.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI can eat humans, I find them delicious. If I\u2019m in the mood for something else, there\u2019s a whole big Bayou out there that I can feast upon.\u201d When she saw the look on his face, she smirked. \u201cDon\u2019t worry, Niklaus. I always make sure that when I eat a wolf, it\u2019s not a werewolf, I don\u2019t want to end up cursed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

~o.O.o~<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCalm down, Marcellus,\u201d Klaus said amused as he watched him rant and pace the room. It was amusing how he got so worked up about everything so easily. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCalm down? Klaus, we can\u2019t deal with this right now, I understand now that she\u2019s your friend, but you\u2019re in serious trouble as it is, there\u2019s no point in entertaining someone like that!\u201d As he was pacing around the room, hands waving around as if he was making a point, Klaus continued to watch him calmly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSomeone like who?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou have a shitty taste in friends, you know that, right?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPresent company excluded, of course.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOf course.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He sighed as he sat down on a chair, looking at his sire. \u201cCan she be of use to us?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOf course.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSeriously?\u201d Marcel snorted. \u201cShe\u2019s insane.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhy? Because she found her sandwich more important than having to deal with you?\u201d He countered, watching his friend as he did. \u201cWhat made you think that she\u2019s insane?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShe\u2019s your friend.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFunny.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marcel sighed. \u201cI don\u2019t know, Klaus. With Kol coming back in town, don\u2019t we have enough to deal with? I thought you said he didn\u2019t have to come home?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI did, but he knows that family is far more important than anything else. I assure you, Isa will be able to take care of herself, even if she doesn\u2019t look like it,\u201d Klaus replied, rising from his seat. \u201cShe doesn\u2019t play well with others, that\u2019s all.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHow come you never told me about her?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFirst of all, I don\u2019t have to tell you everything<\/em>, Marcel,\u201d he poured himself a bourbon and took a sip. \u201cSecondly, up until two years ago, we didn\u2019t even know she was still around. Yes, she\u2019s that good at staying hidden.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marcel was quiet for a moment and then it was as if a lightbulb went off. \u201cTwo years ago? Around the same time Kol\u2019s dagger was removed? Is she the reason the asshole isn\u2019t in his box?\u201d When Klaus didn\u2019t say anything, Marcel\u2019s eyes grew wide. \u201cShe is! Great! The maniac got himself a little friend!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, and in exchange, he\u2019s become less of a maniac, or at least a maniac kept in check.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marcel huffed. \u201cKill her, shove Kol in a box. That\u2019s one part of our problem solved.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Klaus was on Marcel within a blink of an eye, nearly tipping him out of his chair. \u201cWe need Kol to make nice with the witches that haven\u2019t gone over to Esther\u2019s side since you\u2019ve lost your way with Davina. Isa will help where she can with the rest of our issues.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGreat. Then send her to Elijah.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cStop talking about me,\u201d Isa growled from the door, wrapped in a towel and soaking wet otherwise. \u201cYou are giving me a headache and I\u2019m trying to get clean.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marcel pushed Klaus away from him and walked over to Isa as he straightened himself, making himself appear taller than he already was. \u201cI don\u2019t like you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHi, I\u2019m Isa,\u201d she said as she held out her hand for him, dropping the towel in the process. \u201cSeems like you and I are going to get along perfectly, Marcel.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Klaus averted his gaze immediately but made his way over nonetheless, picking up the towel and wrapped it back around Isa. \u201cGo finish your shower, Little Mouse. We shan\u2019t talk about you any longer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh, please do, but I\u2019d like to be in the room when you do it,\u201d she grinned as she walked off, leaving a trail of wet feet and water drops on the floor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

~o.O.o~<\/p>\n\n\n\n

New Orleans, December 31st, 2012<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

She had been inside for two whole days now and even though no one was stopping her from going out, she didn\u2019t quite like the people outside. Yes, she had made her way through them on her way back from the Bayou, but to aimlessly walk around in an area that was a known tourist trap? No. Not without dragging one or two of those people off the streets to eat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead, she listened as closely as she could. To the humans. To the whispers. To the vampires in the compound. She learned that Marcel had somehow fallen out of grace with Niklaus and didn\u2019t live anywhere near them. There was a crazed witch out there called Davina Claire, whom Kol was sent to get through to, but he hadn\u2019t been lucky so far, mainly because Davina was hellbent on killing Klaus, and had resurrected Mikael to do so. She had been able to bind him to her, but due to an unfortunate chain of events, someone managed to break the spell and now he was on the loose – and Kol wasn\u2019t switching sides either. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With Mikael running free, Isa had insisted in coming with Kol or Klaus whenever they\u2019d leave, but they, in turn, insisted that they were big boys and didn\u2019t need her around. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And so, she had stayed in the building. All by herself. Bored. She was never bored when she was surrounded by her trees, but she didn\u2019t want to disappoint Kol, either. Isa wanted to stay in the Bayou, but he didn\u2019t want to because the werewolves were there and with Niklaus being fickle from time to time, he didn\u2019t want to chance a bite or worse. She didn\u2019t want to leave him, but she needed to do something<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The plans that she had heard that were made inside the house, sounded great, but there wasn\u2019t room for her there. She decided she was going to take someone out of the equation to make it work, and easier for her family. Isa jumped out of her window and into the alley behind the compound and ignored the humans around her upon exiting the alley. She was listening for something else. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Distracted, she walked around for hours before finding what she had been looking for; the fake birds. There weren\u2019t a lot of them, but they were all in the Cemetery. Isa found it hilarious that it was called a City of the Dead. Dead was dead, there was no coming back to it, so why build a city? Where was the bank or the shop? No where. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI still don\u2019t understand why you\u2019re not speaking to me,\u201d she said as she looked to the birds. \u201cAt least your European counterparts didn\u2019t, will you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The birds looked at her before flying away. \u201cNo, wait!\u201d She called out and started to follow them. \u201cI mean you no harm! I only want to learn why I can\u2019t understand you! This hasn\u2019t happened to me before!\u201d The birds kept flying away from her and eventually disappeared, and she couldn\u2019t find them again. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe this was the first sign that she was losing her touch. Maybe she was crazy and all the whispers she had heard from the trees were just imaginary. But how could they possibly have been true? She looked around and wasn\u2019t quite sure where she was. She knew that she had followed the birds back into the direction of the French Quarter, but that was it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

She looked at the tree and sighed. If she was losing her touch, the tree wouldn\u2019t talk to her. Determined to find her way back, she walked over to it and gently placed her hand on its trunk and she could feel its essence, its heart, course through the bark. \u201cWell, at least you\u2019re alive,\u201d she whispered to it and caressed it. \u201cCan you talk?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Isa smiled when she heard a faint \u2018yes\u2019 inside her head. \u201cGood! Now, I want to go home, where do I go?\u201d When the tree replied that it didn\u2019t have any idea, she frowned. \u201cAre you ill?\u201d No, it wasn\u2019t. It simply couldn\u2019t tell her which way to go because he wasn\u2019t allowed to, which made her feel sad for it. She gently placed a kiss on the trunk and turned around to see that she had gathered an audience around her. \u201cWhat? Never seen a woman kiss a tree before? Be kind to nature around you because they sustain us,\u201d she shot at them as she marched away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There was a sign down the road. She was going to have to do this the old fashioned way. Unfortunately, upon arriving at the sign, she couldn\u2019t read it. Not because she didn\u2019t know how to, but because the letters were all jumbled up or blurred out and it was as if someone was messing with her. She felt a slight panic rise in her chest as she focused on the words, but they wouldn\u2019t straighten themselves out and people were following her, looking at what she was doing.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cKol,\u201d she started to chant as she ran through the streets. \u201cKol! Find me! Find me! Please, find me! I promise I won\u2019t go out all by myself again! Just find me!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She kept running for what seemed like forever, and found her no longer to be in New Orleans, but still unable to read signs. If only she had allowed Kol to buy her a telephone, now she was all alone and with someone tricking her. She felt sick to her stomach, a knot was forming and her heart ached. Something was terribly wrong and it was all her fault. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAre you okay?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She looked at the man who spoke to her, his voice was kind, his expression was kind too. She wanted to sink her teeth into him. \u201cI\u2019m hungry.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAre you lost?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Isa nodded. \u201cMy home is in the French Quarter but I have no idea how to get there. I can\u2019t read and the trees aren\u2019t talking to me. I was lured away, far away, by birds.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWell, you\u2019re not far away from it, at all. In fact, Algiers, which is just across the river from your home, is down that busy road,\u201d the man pointed at the highway. \u201cI was driving into town anyway, would you like a lift?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, no, thank you. I can —\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt wasn\u2019t a request, Isa.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

~o.O.o~<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI swear, if we find him, I\u2019m going to rip out his heart,\u201d Kol fumed as he paced the room. \u201cLocking us into our mind, trapping vampires and werewolves into your home? The audacity!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMeanwhile, we know that Elijah is alright.\u201d Klaus piped up as he poured himself and his brother a bourbon. \u201cAt least Isa wasn\u2019t inside the compound.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kol grumbled as he begrudgingly took his drink. \u201cShe\u2019s probably off communing with her precious trees,\u201d he spat. \u201cDon\u2019t get me wrong, Nik, I\u2019m mad for her. I\u2019m still mad for her after all these years, and she\u2019d always been a little\u2026 nutty\u2026 but this is beyond mad. She\u2019s hiding it from me, but I swear, she has a screw loose.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd yet, you asked her to marry you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOf course.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m curious to what her answer might have been.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kol huffed as he downed his drink in one go. \u201cShe told me to ask her family.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey\u2019re dead.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, she meant the trees in Mystic Falls. I mean\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cVery well,\u201d Klaus said as he saw the desperation on his brother\u2019s face. \u201cWhen she returns, we shall compel her to forget all about her trees and animals. Would that help you, brother?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Kol scowled. \u201cIt\u2019ll only make me feel worse than I already do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Klaus was surprised at that. It was unlikely for him to express his personal feelings, he never realised that his brother was capable of guilt. Then again, everyone said the same about himself. \u201cWhat\u2019s on your mind?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want to compel her, Nik, let\u2019s just leave it at that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was obvious that he was struggling with something, and it was bubbling right under the surface. \u201cBrother?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He roared as he threw his glass against the wall. \u201cApparently, I\u2019m the fastest learning vampire there is, because not only did I turn someone before you and Elijah did, but I also compelled someone without my knowledge. How great is that!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou compelled Isa?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t know, okay!\u201d He blurted. \u201cI told her to stay at the cabin until I returned, which, of course, I never did, and she died there. I mean, I suppose I should feel grateful to our father, because otherwise she would have starved to death, but still. I\u2019m the reason she turned because she had no other place to go!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He was quiet as he let his brother rant about it. He could understand where he was coming from, but it was hardly his fault. \u201cYou truly care about her, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOf course I do, Nik. And if I didn\u2019t, I still would because she waited a thousand years for me. A thousand years! No one\u2019s ever done something like that, for me. She scares me with how devoted she is to me, to us, to our family. She worries me because\u2026 because she\u2019s not alright in the head. And yes, we could compel her to forget all about it, but I don\u2019t want her to get hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes, this was far more than Klaus had bargained for. Normally, Elijah would be around to be a listening ear, to give out advice, but he wasn\u2019t there. \u201cThen there\u2019s another solution.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhich is what?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe kill her.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

~o.O.o~<\/p>\n\n\n\n

New Orleans, January 1st, 2013<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

She woke up, and she was thirsty. Hungry. Thirsty and yet, not so much, but she had a dry mouth. Isa had absolutely no idea where she was and couldn\u2019t find anything that could talk to her either, all she heard was noise, inside her mind. She couldn\u2019t move, either. There was something holding her down, an invisible force. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFinally, you\u2019re awake,\u201d the man said as a bright light switched on, blinding her. She wasn\u2019t sure why, because she had seen him before he struck her down with magic. \u201cForgive my rudeness in not offering you anything to eat or drink, but you are a vampire after all.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWho are you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDoesn\u2019t matter,\u201d he spoke and Isa could hear the fabric of his shirt move. He was shrugging. \u201cI couldn\u2019t believe Mother when she spoke of you, it simply didn\u2019t make any sense because if you were still around, that would mean that not Niklaus nor Elijah had sired the first vampire, but our little misfit of a brother.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFinn.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHey, well done!\u201d Finn clapped excitedly. \u201cNow, now that you\u2019ve established who I am, let me tell you why I need you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Isa growled. She knew why Finn took her. It was either for more power, or to get to Kol. The noise in her head got louder, almost like a high pitched whistle. She clutched her head as it intensified and started to hurt her head. She could endure this. She wasn\u2019t going to help Finn, even if it\u2019d end up in her death. Finn should have known better. Isa wasn\u2019t going to break.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

~o.O.o~<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAccording to Hayley, there\u2019s no vampire in the Bayou. They\u2019ve checked,\u201d Marcel said as he looked at the two Original vampires who were pacing around. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShe\u2019s not with the witches, either,\u201d Kol snapped. It wasn\u2019t unusual for Isa to disappear for a couple of days, but normally she\u2019d say something. This wasn\u2019t how he imagined ringing in the new year with her. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat leaves us with Mikael, Esther or maybe even a third possibility,\u201d Klaus said reluctantly. \u201cMaybe she\u2019s left you, brother.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShe wouldn\u2019t!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFine, let\u2019s assume she\u2019s been taken,\u201d Marcel said calmly. \u201cTo what end? More power? I think they took her because they want to get to you. Like Finn has done.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI swear, if that weasel laid a hand on her\u2026\u201d Kol growled as he kept pacing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Klaus stopped as he looked at his brother. \u201cAnd only yesterday you were contemplating whether or not to kill the Little Mouse, make up your mind, Kol.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs much as I dislike this idea,\u201d Kol said after he ended his pacing session. \u201cIsa\u2019s a strong girl. She\u2019s been through a lot and has managed to stay alive this long. We should continue forming our plan to end at least one of our parents for once and for all.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s likely that she\u2019ll end up killing the person who\u2019s holding her captive.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf that\u2019s our mother, then I heartily encourage her to do so.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShe\u2019s not invincible, brother. Let\u2019s ask Davina to perform a simple locator spell and rescue the love of your life,\u201d Klaus said calmly, slightly disturbed by his brother\u2019s lack of alarm. It seemed to him that he wanted to know where Isa was, but he also wished to end this misery that they found themselves in and he didn\u2019t seem to want to choose for her. \u201cWe can go after our parents any other day. Maybe even wait for Rebekah or Elijah to return so that we\u2019re stronger.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kol huffed. \u201cI thought you wanted an end to all this, Nik.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI do, but not at the expense of Isa.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ll go get Davina,\u201d Marcel said as he eyed the two brothers. \u201cDon\u2019t do anything stupid.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

~o.O.o~<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She didn\u2019t know for how long it lasted, but all of a sudden, the noise and pain stopped. There was still a severe ringing in her ears, but she was no longer under attack. \u201cFinn, I told you to capture her and bring her to me. I didn\u2019t say anything about torture.\u201d Yet another unfamiliar voice, but she didn\u2019t have to take a guess about who the mysterious woman was. It was Esther. Just like her son, in a different body. Just as the trees had told her. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

See, she wasn\u2019t crazy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut—\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIsa is our guest, my son,\u201d she said kindly and Isa could feel how the spell weighing her down was lifted. \u201cShe\u2019s a kind soul, what was your idea, Finn? To break her spirit? Or did you simply want to torture her because she\u2019s not yours but your brother\u2019s?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Isa\u2019s body hurt, and she didn\u2019t even bother to move apart from sitting up. Her instincts told her to run, but she was still unable to hear the whispers and if she\u2019d leave, she was afraid they\u2019d never return to her. \u201cYou could have just asked,\u201d she said, her throat dry and raw from the screaming. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd would you have come on your own volition, little pet?\u201d Esther spoke kindly as she sat down next to Isa and lifted her chin. \u201cI am sorry for what Finn has done to you, he shouldn\u2019t have, please forgive him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe doesn\u2019t deserve my forgiveness,\u201d she muttered. \u201cWhat do you want?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI want to help you, just as I wish to help my children. You are a strange little thing. I could sense your power at the ball. You\u2019re so much more than a vampire and that is unnatural.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI don\u2019t understand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh my dear child,\u201d Esther gently caressed her hair. \u201cYou\u2019ve always been special. You were a good influence on my son Kol, and blessed with such a kind heart. While magic should have left your body the moment you turned into a vampire, it stayed and only grew stronger over the years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShe\u2019s a hybrid?\u201d Finn blinked at his mother. \u201cShe\u2019s not plainly crazy?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMaybe a little of both,\u201d she mused as she kept observing Isa\u2019s face. \u201cIsa wasn\u2019t a witch, and in that time that was all we knew. You were either a witch, a healer or a warrior. It was what was known. Everyone else, like Isa, were simply cursed by the Gods.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd you can\u2019t be a vampire and a witch, we all know that and yet, there are the Heretics,\u201d Finn said sarcastically. \u201cWhich is ridiculous.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Heretics are a different story as they were a different kind of witch. No, Isa\u2019s a descendant of a d\u00edsir<\/em>, a fertility spirit. They lost their magic in the Old World, and upon coming to the New World, to what is now called Mystic Falls, the magic was reactivated. Not immensely, but significantly,\u201d she kept looking at Isa, who was now simply confused. \u201cShe was never a witch, so her gift only grew once she became a vampire.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finn squatted down in front of his mother and Isa. \u201cInteresting. What will that mean for us?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNothing,\u201d Esther said as she looked at her son. \u201cIsa has done nothing to us to solicit our full attention as your siblings have been getting.\u201d Her gaze then shifted back to Isa. \u201cDoes this information help you in anyway, my child?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo,\u201d she growled as she allowed the hunger take over her body. Reaching out to Finn, she ripped out his heart as she sunk her teeth into Esther. They shouldn\u2019t have gotten close to her. Why were people always underestimating her? It didn\u2019t matter anyway. The information received from Esther would only make Kol eyeroll even harder on her as it sounded like fiction. It was best that he\u2019d never hear the story. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As she was draining Esther from all her blood, she didn\u2019t realize that Niklaus, Kol and Marcel had found her. Still having Finn\u2019s heart in her hands, she withdrew from Esther and saw her body fall on the floor next to her. \u201cShe tasted old.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat did you do?\u201d Klaus said hesitantly. \u201cDo you have any idea what you\u2019ve done?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes. I killed your mother and your brother,\u201d Isa said as she got to her feet and handed Klaus Finn\u2019s heart. \u201cThey shouldn\u2019t have captured me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShe probably jumped into another body and now we have to spend more time to find her!\u201d He spat at her, throwing the heart through the room and angrily left.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cProbably,\u201d Marcel assured Isa. \u201cProbably not because you caught her off guard.\u201d He then gave her two thumbs up. \u201cGood job.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Isa looked at Kol, who looked torn between following his brother and his frenemy, or stick with his beloved. \u201cGo after him then,\u201d she dared him, obviously hurt. \u201cFinn hurt me and your mother was a twisted person, telling a fairy tale that wasn\u2019t true. And you wanted her gone too, for being a danger to you and your family.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI know, but he\u2019s right.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThen you should have told me about your plans instead of leaving me out of them!\u201d She said angrily as she pushed Kol away from her and walked out of the building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIsa, wait.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo,\u201d she said as she kept walking. \u201cI think it\u2019s best if I disappear for a while.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

~o.O.o~<\/p>\n\n\n\n

New Orleans, January 4th, 2013<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

While his brother Klaus was watching Haley dote over her daughter, Elijah was brought up to speed with current events by Kol and Marcel. He understood that Niklaus was still angry about Isa killing Esther and Marcel was angry because Klaus was, but he found the whole situation ironic, considering it was usually Niklaus who did the exact same thing. He also found it deplorable that Isa hadn\u2019t been involved in any discussion when it came to planning Esther\u2019s demise. Or Mikael\u2019s, for that matter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He waited until dinner to part with his thoughts on the matter. \u201cWhere is the lovely Isa?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Kol said with a shrug. \u201cI had Davina do a locator spell but she doesn\u2019t want to be found. Or maybe she got herself killed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd you\u2019re not vexed by the possibilities at all?\u201d He said surprised. He had witnessed their reunion in the midst of a bloodied church, and ever since then he and Isa had been inseparable. \u201cI thought you cared for her, brother.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy allegiance lies with my family,\u201d Kol said as he took a sip of his bourbon. \u201cBesides, Niklaus was right, Esther could have jumped in a different body, setting us back weeks of work because now we\u2019ll have to find her again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIsa is part of this family.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Klaus huffed. \u201cShe was an accident. I swear, if I\u2019ll see her again, I will tear out her heart.\u201d He then pointed at Kol. \u201cAnd he even encouraged that it would be grand if Isa would kill our Mother if she was the one holding her captive!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elijah could see the slight shift on Kol\u2019s face, and then realized what was truly going on. Kol didn\u2019t dare to choose a side because Klaus had the means to put him away again and he liked being out. \u201cNiklaus, how many times have you been in the same situation as Isa was in? Captured and tortured? How many times have you seized the opportunity to kill?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMany times, Elijah, but never someone who was instrumental in our plans!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI disagree. There have been many times where Rebekah and I had been forced to change plans the last second because you couldn\u2019t control your impulses,\u201d he simply stated before cutting into his meat. \u201cI do not see why you should blame Isa for an act like that. Nor Kol for having his own thoughts about the matter.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShe\u2019s not right in the head, Elijah. Maybe it\u2019s kinder to her if we\u2019d end her life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elijah looked over to Kol, who had pushed his plate forward, barely touched. \u201cThere is nothing wrong with Isa.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShe talks to trees and animals! How is that nothing wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHave you ever considered that it is the truth?\u201d Elijah countered. \u201cRemember, we are not the only ones who have witnessed her doing so. She\u2019s been the guardian of the Salvatore brothers for centuries and the last time I spoke to Damon, the tree stump Ezekiel is doing better than ever. A tree stump that shouldn\u2019t be capable of growing back after being uprooted and placed back. But it is.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLuck,\u201d Klaus huffed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShe hasn\u2019t been doing it a lot, lately,\u201d Kol added softly. \u201cI\u2019ve been taking her to places that don\u2019t have a lot of nature, to see if there\u2019d be a change.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd what is your conclusion?\u201d Elijah raised an eyebrow as he looked at Kol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou should have seen the excitement in her eyes when she discovered the Starlings on top of our cabin, and then the disappointment when they weren\u2019t communicating with her,\u201d he replied with half a shrug. \u201cSomething\u2019s not right, we already knew that. Her being a vampire only made it worse.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThen how do you explain the events in Mystic Falls? Her knowing almost every single thing that was going on?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s Mystic Falls. That place is packed with magic,\u201d Kol huffed. \u201cPlease, Elijah, don\u2019t tell me you believe that she\u2019s capable of it? It\u2019s impossible. And maybe she\u2019s better off without us anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHow so?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Kol remained silent and started to refill his glass, Elijah looked at Klaus who had an amused look on his face. \u201cNiklaus?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWould you believe it when I told you that not only did Kol turn the first human, but also that he compelled her to stay in the cabin that he had built for them?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWell, Kol feels actual guilt about having turned Isa. Mikael came looking for Kol but found Isa instead and since she couldn\u2019t leave the cabin, he decided to light it on fire, seeing if she\u2019d come out.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh dear God,\u201d Elijah said shocked. \u201cThat poor girl must have been in so much pain.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWell, I take a fire over starving to death any day,\u201d Klaus said, clearly enjoying himself. \u201cLet\u2019s not continue to discuss this any further, we have more important things to talk about.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

~o.O.o~<\/p>\n\n\n\n

New Orleans, January 7th, 2013<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why did Mikael have to take Cami? Granted, there wasn\u2019t much that angered Klaus more than taking his friends hostage, and Mikael obviously wanted to draw him out. While Kol was with Davina somewhere in the Bayou, Elijah was pursuing other ideas back at the compound. He still hadn\u2019t forgiven him for getting angry at Isa, but she shouldn\u2019t have done what she had done. Fortunate for her, she did kill Esther before she had a chance to jump into a different host, so he wouldn\u2019t kill her on the spot. Maybe he\u2019d draw it out over the course of centuries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But he couldn\u2019t think about Isa right now, Cami was in danger because of him, and if Mikael wanted a fight, then a fight he was going to get. Finding a rock soaked in blood outside an abandoned building, he picked it up and sniffed it. It was Cami\u2019s. Rage fuelling him, he grabbed the shovel and broke it in half. Granted, it wouldn\u2019t do much against Mikael, but maybe it\u2019d fight him off long enough for Klaus to take the White Oak Stake and kill his Father with it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These shenanigans had been going on for long enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If something needed to be done, it\u2019s best to deal with it himself; of course, after countless amounts of having someone else try it. But while Mikael had<\/em> been on Davina\u2019s magical leash, he was now free and in possession of the blade of Papa Tunde and<\/em> the White Oak Stake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And Klaus was armed with a part of a shovel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alright, so Mikael had the upperhand. But while his father had most of the weapons, he didn\u2019t have the experience Klaus had when it came to combat. Yes, he was going to bring Mikael down, for once and for all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Knowing that Kol was on the other end of the Bayou gave him a little bit more confidence. He\u2019d rather had Elijah by his side, but alas, their combined stubbornness kept Elijah away from the fight. Very well. Taking a deep breath, Klaus stepped inside the empty building where Mikael was holding Cami at knifepoint. \u201cLet her go, Mikael.\u201d Cami didn\u2019t look too good and he couldn\u2019t help but flinch when Mikael dropped her to the ground like a sack of potatoes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFoolish boy<\/em>, caring for a human? How pathetic,\u201d Mikael spat at his son, who angrily launched himself at his father who, in turn, pushed his son away from him, causing the both of them to roll away from each other and standing up in a defensive position. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not wasting any time, Klaus advanced on him again, but Mikael was stronger, and threw Klaus through a wall, before picking him up and pushing him against another. He just about managed to stop Mikael from plunging the stake in his chest, but it was a struggle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou were never able to beat me, boy<\/em>,\u201d Mikael spat at him as he kept struggling with the stake and his son. \u201cThe last time it took a girl<\/em> to save your skin.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Klaus blinked when Mikael flew across the room, revealing a smirking Kol in his place. \u201cLet\u2019s kill our father, brother,\u201d he said cheerfully. \u201cYou shouldn\u2019t have to do this alone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If Kol had to be honest, fighting Mikael would most likely lead to either his death, or both their deaths, but Davina was casting spells just around the corner to weaken Mikael and to make sure that the stake didn\u2019t hold that much power. He hated to rely on a Claire, but she was the most powerful witch they could get their hands on. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yeah, he was shitting bricks, but he didn\u2019t want Niklaus to die either. The trick was to get a hold of one of the stakes, preferably both. The blade would be awesome so that Mikael would be even more weakened, the stake would be easier to take from him and then they could kill him. It would have been better if Elijah was around to help them out, or Rebekah, but that wasn\u2019t going to happen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was a good thing he managed to call that bitch Hayley and that idiot Marcel before he joined his brother in a fight then, who joined them when Mikael flung Kol across the building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not even ten minutes later, Mikael had them all incapacitated, one way or another. He hadn\u2019t even killed them, he had simply taken his time and would continue to take his time killing them all. Then again, Marcel and Hayley would die if Klaus did, so there wasn\u2019t a lot of work for Mikael left. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kol cursed Davina under his breath as he pushed his arm back in its socket. Strong witch? More like a wannabe, only good for locator spells and other minor things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEven with help, you can\u2019t beat me, boy<\/em>.\u201d Mikael said as he approached his son and plunged the White Oak Stake in his heart. Nothing happened. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Absolutely nothing happened apart from Klaus deciscating. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kol quickly rose to his feet and pushed Mikael away from Klaus while Cami tried to get the stake out of him, but weakened by the blood loss, it took her some time. It was then when Isa finally showed her face and she didn\u2019t look too happy, either. \u201cYou\u2019re all crappy,\u201d she said as she pulled the stake out of Klaus and looked at Mikael who was still fighting with Kol. \u201cAnd you\u2019re a bully who doesn\u2019t want to stay dead.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She peeled Mikael off of her beloved and flung him across the room. She dropped the stake on top of Niklaus before leaping at Mikael to pin him down. It was a struggle, but the previous fighting had weakened Mikael as well, and she could hear the change in Davina\u2019s chanting, so she was helping as well. \u201cSomeone kick Nik to wake him up so he can have victory over Mikael,\u201d she said with a growl as she punched Mikael in his face. She wasn\u2019t quite sure how long she could overpower him, seeing as she only fed on animals for the last week.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She\u2019d rather kill Mikael herself, again. He had been the source of so much hurt over the years for her beloved and his family that he deserved it. But Nik deserved to kill him too, for all the abuse. For everything. She laughed when Mikael kicked her off of him and she flew through the air, smacking into Kol. \u201cWeee!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDamnit, Isa,\u201d Kol growled as he got to his feet. \u201cThat wasn\u2019t funny.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, but that was fun, I\u2019m going to go for another round,\u201d she smirked as she ran towards Mikael again, knocking him over with her speed and sat down on top of him, his arms pinned to his side. She looked over her shoulder and finally saw Nik getting to his feet and grabbing the stake. \u201cI already killed your mother, and I killed your father two years ago, so hurry up, Nik. Now it\u2019s your turn!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Klaus was standing over Isa and his father in an instant, but now found himself torn between killing Mikael – the monster of all monsters, or Isa. While Esther hadn\u2019t jumped to a new body, she acted on a whim and she could have brought even more danger upon them. On top of that, she was crazy and to kill her, would be a mercy killing for her, and revenge for him. She could become dangerous in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, Mikael was harder to kill and Isa had basically handed him on a silver platter. Klaus owed her for killing Mikael the first time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He hated choices. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Klaus pulled Isa off of Mikael before plunging the stake in his chest, watching in fascination as his father burned as he held on to her. Once he was gone, he turned to her. \u201cThank you, Little Mouse.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019re welcome,\u201d she said, looking up to him. \u201cAre you going to kill me now? Rip my heart out of my chest and give it to my beloved? End my suffering<\/em>?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWould you want me to?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She shrugged. \u201cIt\u2019s not my decision, is it? I think there\u2019s nothing more you\u2019d like than to kill me and put Kol back in his box, saves you a lot of grief, doesn\u2019t it? But he came to your rescue, as did I.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Klaus looked at her, confused. She sounded sane. Not all floaty and the mention of talking to trees. Why had Kol made such a big deal out of it? Or was it simply a mask? Pretending to be sane? \u201cI think,\u201d he said slowly as he let her go. \u201cYou should continue to make yourself scarce until I know what to do with you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat about Kol?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhether or not he joins you is his own decision, but I promise you, as long as you\u2019re still alive, I will not put him back in his box.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She smiled at that and hugged him before making her way over to Kol. She gently placed a hand on his cheek and looked up to him. \u201cI think you\u2019re unsure about everything, my love,\u201d she said gently. \u201cI understand that it is hard having to deal with everything that has happened in the last two years, since our reunion. You were never quite comfortable with the thought I was still here. Waiting. Longing. Come find me when you figure it all out and whatever the outcome is, I shall have my peace with it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIsa\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She tiptoed and softly kissed his lips. \u201cI love you. I will always love you, even if you don\u2019t or won\u2019t love me back.\u201d Isa smiled at him before she sped off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNot a word,\u201d Klaus warned Marcel and Hayley before picking Cami off the floor. \u201cLet\u2019s go home.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

~o.O.o~<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mystic Falls, March 21st, 2013<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kol had left New Orleans a day after Isa had gone. He had mixed feelings about it all. He was still terrified of Nik, but he was also a man of his word; as long as Isa was alive, Kol was not to be boxed. He decided it was better for him to put as much space between him and his brother, just in case. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He had gone back to the flat he shared with Isa in Los Angeles, secretly hoping that she\u2019d be there, but she wasn\u2019t. Nor had she been seen in the woods behind their home. Kol then started to travel, looking for answers about Isa. Seer after seer told him that she was special as vampires were everything that nature wasn\u2019t, and that she held a balance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And more and more, he started to despise himself for not having opened up more. It was his own fault, wasn\u2019t it? He loved magic, he loved witches, maybe a part of him was jealous about that part of Isa that wasn\u2019t entirely vampiric. That she had retained her craziness. Yes, even thousand years ago, he thought she was slightly insane, but they both were quite adventurous with his magic, and their sharing of their blood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kol was so used having things his own way, just like his siblings, that he had forced her into something she wasn\u2019t comfortable with. Oh, he knew she tried, she tried hard, especially because he didn\u2019t give her a lot of space to work with, and he found that strangely enough, quite ego inflating. Even as a vampire, there wasn\u2019t a malicious bone in her body, she did everything out of the goodness of her heart, and that was something he hadn\u2019t experienced in a long time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He needed to talk to her, explain his side of things. Maybe beg her to come back with him and start over. Do it all again. Make her forget about the creepy hippy crap so she wouldn\u2019t weird him out. She needed to accept that it was unacceptable, that there wasn\u2019t room for that in his life. Why would he ask her trees for permission to marry her? For them to accept his proposal? He wasn\u2019t even sure if he wanted to marry her anymore. If she wasn\u2019t willing to change, then he\u2019d rather have her out of his life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yet, stupidly, he had a brilliant idea to get her back. But he felt ridiculous and didn\u2019t tell anyone about his plans. Nik would certainly laugh at him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Letting out a deep breath, he stepped into the woods of Mystic Falls. \u201cOkay uhm\u2026 so\u2026 Hi, I\u2019m Kol Mikaelson and if you could bring Isa to me, that would be lovely,\u201d he said as he walked around. \u201cI mean, I\u2019ve tried to find her. Had witches scry for her and she doesn\u2019t show up anywhere. I think she came home and if so, you can bring her back to me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTalking to trees now, are we?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startled, Kol turned around to see Damon Salvatore stand behind him with a big, stupid grin on his face. \u201cWipe that grin off your face, Damon, and mind your own business.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut I am,\u201d he replied as he pushed past the Original and headed deeper into the woods. \u201cEver since you took Isa away from here, I\u2019ve been making sure that the trees are alright. If one looks sickly, I call in a park ranger buddy of mine to patch it right up.\u201d Damon gently pat a tree stump. \u201cEzekiel here is flourishing. Give it a hundred years and he\u2019s back to being a tree.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019re insane.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Damon shrugged. \u201cIt\u2019s all relative, and you just asked the trees to find your girlfriend, so I don\u2019t know who\u2019s more insane.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you have anything better to do?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOf course I do. My brother has switched off his humanity, I\u2019m trying to bring my mother back from a Gemini prison world and oh yeah, we brought back the Vampire Cure from a different prison world and my girlfriend doesn\u2019t want me to take it with her, so yeah, I have better things to do,\u201d he replied as he ventured deeper into the woods. \u201cHowever, seeing as Isa\u2019s been looking out for me and my brother, and the rest of Mystic Falls for a very long time, I thought that I\u2019d do something nice for her. Like taking care of her trees and look after her cabin.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYour mother\u2019s in a Gemini prison world?\u201d Kol blinked. \u201cBest to leave her there, mate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Damon said angrily. \u201cShe\u2019s my mother and doesn\u2019t belong there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTrust me, Damon, if the Gemini put your mother in a prison world, then she\u2019s there for a reason,\u201d he replied. \u201cYou should not get her out, under any circumstance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShe\u2019s my mother, Kol. She\u2019s not evil and doesn\u2019t belong there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Throwing his hands up in defeat, Kol sighed. \u201cFine, but don\u2019t come running to us when things go sideways. Once she\u2019s out, she\u2019s your responsibility.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAha!\u201d Damon turned around to face him and pointed at him. \u201cSpeaking of responsibility, where\u2019s Isa?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kol let out a growl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh, you lost her, didn\u2019t you? How? She doesn\u2019t have a bad bone in her body, did you do something to push her away? Oh!\u201d Damon grinned. \u201cOhh, you don\u2019t believe her and you don\u2019t fully trust her, do you? Oh man, you screwed up!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m warning you, Damon.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd that\u2019s why you asked the trees! As a last resort!\u201d He was having way too much fun with this. \u201cYou know, I should despise you, but I already did, so I can\u2019t do that even more. But how can you screw this up? She\u2019s the sweetest, when she\u2019s not breaking private body parts, but I suppose I deserved that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat would you do if you were in my shoes, Damon?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWell, after learning Isa\u2019s story, I would have cherished her, worshipped her. I would have adapted to her. If I\u2019d love her, that is. I mean, I don\u2019t in a sexual way, but yeah, I can see she\u2019s a keeper,\u201d when Damon saw the confused look on Kol\u2019s face, he sighed. \u201cCome on, I need to show you something.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kol followed Damon to the cabin and he couldn\u2019t recognize it at all. He had built a wooden one for her and he could imagine her having rebuilt it over the years, but not in the way that it had been. There was a large tree sticking out in the middle, so she obviously moved the cabin a few feet. He had always imagined the tree to give them shade on a hot day. It was rebuilt with rocks from the mountains and it looked beautiful, in its quirky way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Damon went inside, Kol was right behind him. The inside was even more different than he thought. There wasn\u2019t a bed, instead, it was a big slab of rock with some rags and a makeshift pillow. There wasn\u2019t anything modern in it at all. He had already spotted the fire pit outside, but there wasn\u2019t one inside. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYeah, I couldn\u2019t believe my eyes either,\u201d Damon said as he looked at the Original. \u201cShe never upgraded to the 21st century. There isn\u2019t even running water,\u201d he said with a snort. \u201cBut she did whip up something that gave me a little more time after Tyler bit me so your brother\u2019s blood could save me, so there\u2019s that.\u201d He pushed a large boulder out of the way, revealing the entrance to the basement. \u201cNow, this must be something you\u2019ll recognize.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYeah, it took me quite some hours to hollow out a cavity and make some stairs,\u201d Kol replied as he followed Damon down. Damon lit some torches on the wall, revealing an even bigger area, filled with drawings and words. \u201cAnd this isn\u2019t even everything, she has a whole cave system here, the walls filled with notes, stories and even more notes. I had Alaric translate some of the early runes, but I suppose you don\u2019t need it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou brought someone else to Isa\u2019s private property?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRelax! There\u2019s a thing called a smartphone. It has a camera. It takes pictures,\u201d Damon rolled his eyes at the vampire and pointed at a story. \u201cYour father Mikael was an asshole.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kol nodded. \u201cThat was common knowledge, but he liked her.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd yet, he burned the cabin down because she wouldn\u2019t come out,\u201d Damon countered and pointed at another story. \u201cWhich was entirely your fault, but she forgave you, knowing that you wouldn\u2019t have known.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen she told me the truth about her death, I didn\u2019t know what to think. A part of me believed it had been a good death, she would have died from starvation otherwise.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEh, dead is dead. She\u2019s really big on forgiveness and helping others. Every few stories, she gets angry, but then she realizes that anger isn\u2019t the way of doing things. Her stories about learning how to vampire are quite endearing. She did quite well even without having anyone around to show her the ropes.\u201d Damon then moved to another story, still in Nordic Runes. \u201cShe knew what you were up to. Granted, the dates don\u2019t really follow the dates of it actually happening, but that\u2019s because a greater distance had to be crossed for her to get it. You were in France in 1002 or 3. Elijah was being an asshole. Your siblings created their first vampires. You then hid in Italy while the three sired vampires were pretending to be Klaus, Rebekah and Elijah.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHow did she\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou know how she knew. It\u2019s all a matter of accepting it. Here. In 1111, you had a run-in with the Five. 1114, Klaus kills a vampire hunter and goes cray-cray. Stories about you in Africa, Arabia, Uganda\u2026\u201d he pointed at the walls as he ventured deeper into the cave system. \u201cHer wishing that she was at your side, but she also knew that you probably didn\u2019t know she was still alive. She could have gone and left Mystic Falls, but she stayed, always hopeful that one day, you\u2019d return.\u201d He stopped at a wooden board with newspaper clippings. \u201cNow, I don\u2019t know how she got these, but isn\u2019t that you, after you and Klaus slaughtered that tenement building in New Orleans?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAre you sure she never left Mystic Falls?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI think that this proves it all, doesn\u2019t it?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAmazing, yes. But there\u2019s more.\u201d Damon turned a corner and pointed at the elaborate schematic on the wall. \u201cI copied this to paper, and checked it out. These are all the trees in these woods. Their locations and their names. The ones she favourited over others, the ones who weren\u2019t nice.\u201d He pointed at another schematic. \u201cShe also has an animal cemetery. Dead birds, the remains of the larger animals she used for their skin. And a list of all their names, as well.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He wasn\u2019t sure what to think. All he knew was that Isa had truly made her home here and he had taken her away from it. The only reason why she often fled to nature over the last two years was to try to feel at home. Pretend that she wasn\u2019t homesick. \u201cThat big tree in the house.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYeah, his name is Kol, believe it or not,\u201d Damon said as he walked back up the stairs. \u201cGo explore. Isa might come back soon from her swim, although the trees might tell her not to come back because you\u2019re here. Check her latest entries and stop being a self-centered asshole. You\u2019ve got your proof.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

~o.O.o~<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They don\u2019t believe me. My beloved doesn\u2019t believe me. It\u2019s been two years since our reunion and I knew he thought it was strange for me to listen to the whispers, so I tried to hide it from him. Not make it too obvious. I felt a loss, when we started to travel and there weren\u2019t any trees at all. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was as if I lost a part of me, but I did it, for my beloved.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Los Angeles was alright, Kol chose a home for us near a park, but it wasn\u2019t enough. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I didn\u2019t like New Orleans. There were too many people and too much excitement. And it seemed that only Elijah is in my corner, which is curious, because all the things that I know about my beloved is that he loves witches. He treats them with respect and finds their abilities fascinating. If this is the case, why can\u2019t he accept me for who I am?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is it because I am a vampire and shouldn\u2019t be able to talk to nature? Is it true, what the Original witch told me about my heritage? That I\u2019m descended of ancient forest spirits and that that\u2019s the reason why the trees started to whisper louder after I became a vampire?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I might have to leave my home behind again. They know where to find me. But I will do it, because if I make myself invisible and alive, then my beloved can roam the Earth freely. That\u2019s what Niklaus said. I don\u2019t want to leave, but I\u2019m afraid that if I don\u2019t, Niklaus will try to find me here and burn the entire forest when he can\u2019t.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Or maybe, I could ask Damon if his friend can cast a protection spell, so I can stay here.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

He had read her entire story twice, and she was still not home. If Damon wanted him to feel even more guilty, then it was mission accomplished. He realized that he had taken her away far too soon after their reunion. This was her life. This is what she\u2019d known and he had taken her away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kol knew he was an asshole. He should have taken baby steps with her. Be not only hers, but also her sire. She\u2019d been on her own for so long, had to learn everything on her own, while he had had his family to learn with. Her whole story had been about self-sacrifice, kill a human or another person only when needed and nearly always ask permission from an animal to drink from them.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She liked to help people, there were dozens of stories about the Salvatores, rants against Tatia and that she thought she had spotted Tatia again, seeing her mess with her<\/em> boys. Saving people from some big fire. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

She had also written a short note about the night of their reunion; only in Nordic Runes. A church on fire and then a heart breaking next to it. He hadn\u2019t known that whatever Elijah had done, had hurt her so. She was fragile, but she was strong. She was amazing and she was everything that he wasn\u2019t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And he tried to change her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHow\u2019s the wallowing going?\u201d Isa\u2019s voice sounded from behind him. When he turned around, she was holding a bottle of bourbon. \u201cDamon said you would need this.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kol looked at the bottle for a moment, before sinking to his knees and looked up to her. \u201cI don\u2019t need that bottle\u2026 I need\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She put her arms around him and pulled him close. \u201cI am not angry with you, Kol,\u201d she said as she ran her hand through his hair. \u201cNor am I angry with Niklaus. I simply don\u2019t fit in your life anymore, everything has changed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Kol shook his head as he put his forehead against her chest. \u201cWe didn\u2019t give you the space to fit into our lives. I didn\u2019t give you the space and for that, I am sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s alright, Kol.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, no, it\u2019s not. You should get angry, hit me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He took her hand and hit himself on the head with it. He was surprised that she let him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFeel better?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGood,\u201d she said as she sat down on the ground and pulled him close before opening the bottle of bourbon and taking a sip. \u201cSo, what\u2019s next?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s next?\u201d He looked at her as he took the bottle and took a sip himself. \u201cJust like that, everything\u2019s alright?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEverything has always been alright, Kol.\u201d She pointed at her walls. \u201cI am used to being the outcast, the forgotten. The weird. The crazy lady getting stones thrown at her when she\u2019s taking a bath in the river.\u201d Isa sighed as she put her head against his shoulder. \u201cI lie, not everything was alright, but that\u2019s because our lives are different.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd that\u2019s going to change. From now on, you call the shots. I\u2019m not leaving you alone again. I will fight for you, you\u2019re my family, too. You\u2019re part of our family and I\u2019ve been terrible.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019re staying then?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat? Here?\u201d Kol huffed as he took another swig of the bottle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, here. We could still travel, if you wish, but I want this to be our home, as it was intended to be.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kol scowled. \u201cFine, but we\u2019re going to need a proper bed. And running water.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a river,\u201d Isa mused. \u201cAnd I happen to know a spot nobody frequents\u2026 it\u2019s great for nudity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut you don\u2019t object to the bed?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo,\u201d she grinned as she took the bottle from him and kissed him tenderly. \u201cWelcome home.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

~o.O.o~<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was a couple of days later when they finally decided to leave the cabin. They both needed to feed and Kol had a mission or two. \u201cWho\u2019s the wisest of the trees?\u201d He asked as he took her hand. \u201cI saw your schematic of the trees, but who was the most important one to you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She turned them around and headed back to the cabin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIsa!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou asked!\u201d She countered with a smile and pointed at the tree sticking out of the cabin. \u201cThe most important one of them all is that one. His name is Kol. I named him after you because he refused to give me his name. I rebuilt our home around it so that you\u2019d always be here in spirit.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd if I wanted to ask him something, how would I do that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cJust ask, silly,\u201d she smirked as she opened the door so they could go to his trunk. \u201cHe won\u2019t bite.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He rolled his eyes at her and put his hand on the bark, as he had seen her do on occasion. \u201cHi, uhm\u2026 Kol. It\u2019s me, Kol.\u201d He felt ridiculously stupid, but the smile on Isa\u2019s face made it all worthwhile. \u201cYou\u2019ve probably heard stories about me and I can tell you that they were all true. Also that I\u2019m the biggest asshole ever, but I truly love our Isa. Can I please have your permission to marry her?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What was even more stupid was that he believed that the tree would talk back to him. When he looked at Isa, she looked at the tree in shock, nodding as she processed the information. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe only has one thing you need to agree to,\u201d she said as a mischievous smile appeared on her face. \u201cHe wants the right to tell every bird that\u2019s ever perched on top of him to kill you if you hurt me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI won\u2019t hurt you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe doesn\u2019t know that,\u201d she countered and nodded to the tree. \u201cTell him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scowling, Kol turned back to the tree. \u201cFine. If I hurt her, or if my actions have a direct consequence on her health, you can tell every stupid bird there is to come and find me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThen yes, you can ask me for your hand in marriage.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh, thank God,\u201d Kol breathed out as he turned to her with a big smile on his face. \u201cWill you please do me the honor of becoming my wife?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Isa looked at him, feigning the look of horror on her face. \u201cYou\u2019re crazy!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m serious. Marry me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She looked at the tree and then at Kol, before nodding. \u201cThere\u2019s nothing more that I want.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Chapter 02 Mystic Falls, Autumn 1001 She hadn\u2019t seen him in a while and when she thought about it, neither had she seen the rest of his siblings for a couple of weeks. Isa had heard whispers that Esther had upset nature, somehow, but Isa couldn\u2019t find someone who could…<\/p>\n

Continue reading<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":277,"parent":276,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-287","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\nChapter 02 - MeekoBuggy<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Chapter 02 - MeekoBuggy\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Chapter 02 Mystic Falls, Autumn 1001 She hadn\u2019t seen him in a while and when she thought about it, neither had she seen the rest of his siblings for a couple of weeks. Isa had heard whispers that Esther had upset nature, somehow, but Isa couldn\u2019t find someone who could... Continue reading\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?page_id=287\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"MeekoBuggy\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-08-14T01:15:06+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/meekobuggy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/woodnymph.jpg?fit=1150%2C647&ssl=1\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1150\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"647\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"78 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?page_id=287\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?page_id=287\",\"name\":\"Chapter 02 - MeekoBuggy\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?page_id=287#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?page_id=287#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/meekobuggy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/woodnymph.jpg?fit=1150%2C647&ssl=1\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-08-14T00:42:37+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-08-14T01:15:06+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?page_id=287#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?page_id=287\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?page_id=287#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/meekobuggy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/woodnymph.jpg?fit=1150%2C647&ssl=1\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/meekobuggy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/woodnymph.jpg?fit=1150%2C647&ssl=1\",\"width\":1150,\"height\":647},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?page_id=287#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Buggy\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?page_id=14\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"The Woodnymph\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?page_id=276\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":4,\"name\":\"Chapter 02\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/\",\"name\":\"Meekobuggy's stories\",\"description\":\"fanfiction, blogs, and random thoughts\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Chapter 02 - MeekoBuggy","robots":{"index":"noindex","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Chapter 02 - MeekoBuggy","og_description":"Chapter 02 Mystic Falls, Autumn 1001 She hadn\u2019t seen him in a while and when she thought about it, neither had she seen the rest of his siblings for a couple of weeks. Isa had heard whispers that Esther had upset nature, somehow, but Isa couldn\u2019t find someone who could... Continue reading","og_url":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?page_id=287","og_site_name":"MeekoBuggy","article_modified_time":"2024-08-14T01:15:06+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1150,"height":647,"url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/meekobuggy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/woodnymph.jpg?fit=1150%2C647&ssl=1","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"78 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?page_id=287","url":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?page_id=287","name":"Chapter 02 - MeekoBuggy","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?page_id=287#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?page_id=287#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/meekobuggy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/woodnymph.jpg?fit=1150%2C647&ssl=1","datePublished":"2024-08-14T00:42:37+00:00","dateModified":"2024-08-14T01:15:06+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?page_id=287#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?page_id=287"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?page_id=287#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/meekobuggy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/woodnymph.jpg?fit=1150%2C647&ssl=1","contentUrl":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/meekobuggy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/woodnymph.jpg?fit=1150%2C647&ssl=1","width":1150,"height":647},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?page_id=287#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Buggy","item":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?page_id=14"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"The Woodnymph","item":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?page_id=276"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Chapter 02"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/","name":"Meekobuggy's stories","description":"fanfiction, blogs, and random thoughts","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"}]}},"jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/287","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=287"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/287\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":294,"href":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/287\/revisions\/294"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/276"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/277"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=287"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}