Chapter Two:

Elijah’s POV

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5jEPXhYWdU&list=UU-sJfsadZDWMPPw0mv3Hm_w

A livid silence hung in the air as we rode. My brother’s knuckles and lips were tightened and white as he attempted to suppress his anger towards me. Katerina had gotten away yet again; and just as the last time, I was given the blame.

I let out a sigh, pulling my mare to a halt, “Brother,” I started, attempting to make eye contact with him as he too slowed to a stop.

“Yes.” Niklaus replied shortly, more than a hint of annoyance evident in his voice. His hands tightened around the reigns as he continued to avoid my gaze.

“I know you are still angry with me, Niklaus. But you must know we will find her. It is only a matter of time Brother. And then we shall kill her.” I reassured him softly. My horse pawed at the ground, impatient from standing still.

“Of course—as long as you do not stuff it up again, we’ll be fine.” Klaus snapped as he squeezed his horse’s jet black flanks, speeding off with a flick of his reigns.

Watching as he sped off, I shook my head; Niklaus’s temper was something unmatched by anything. After giving Evangeline a quick stroke behind the ears, she and I raced off behind my brother. Instead of following his way to the castle, I veered off the track onto the shortcut through the forest. Few people knew of this way, and even those who did tended to avoid it if they could. Of course being an Original vampire, it didn’t bother me in the least. Evangeline trotted slowly through the forest, ducking her head often to dodge the low hanging branches. Although it was still mid-afternoon and warm out, I would have had trouble seeing the path if it weren’t for my enhanced sight.

My horse suddenly stopped, stepping backwards quickly as she let out a frightened nicker, “Whoa, whoa girl, what is it?” I said softly, to calm my unusually spooked horse. I ran my fingers through her chestnut mane and tried to kick her one. She did not move. She pulled her head down and began pawing at the ground in front her.  Unable to spot what had her so worked up from in the saddle, I jumped down, landing with a quiet crunch of fallen leaves. Holding her reigns, I walked out in front of her to see a small body curled up in the middle of the track. I frowned and bent down to take a closer look.  “What!” My jaw dropped in shock as I took in the sight in front of me; it was a young girl, unconscious. Her dark blonde hair fluttered over her mouth as she took in shallow breaths.

I took off my cloak and wrapped it around her shivering body. She was clad in an odd sort of outfit; tight, dark blue pants, a thin grey shirt with pink frills on the short sleeves and a glittering black pattern of some sort on the bodice. A strange device was strapped to her left wrist that made a faint ticking sound along with a dainty little bracelet with small, variously shaped silver beads attached. Her clothing was like nothing I have ever seen before, never in my five hundred years.

Carefully, I picked her up in my arms and remounted Evangeline. “Slowly girl.” I warned Evangeline as I put my feet back in the stirrups. I held my arms around the unconscious girl to stop her from falling; we began moving through the forest again.

I directed Evangeline into the stables to beside Klaus. Pulling her to a stop, I dismounted, carrying the girl down into my arms. I tied the horse’s reigns to the post and walked over to my confused brother.

 “What are you doing Brother?” Klaus exclaimed, dropping his horse’s saddle in shock.

“I found a young girl, unconscious on the track through the forest. She doesn’t seem to be from around here.” I said, motioning to her unusual clothing.

“Let's see,” Klaus sighed as he peered over my shoulder to take a better look at her, “You're right, she doesn’t seem to be from around here—and what on earth is she wearing?” He muttered with a smirk, turning back to his horse. “Let's go Elijah, leave her in the stable.” Klaus snapped, picking his saddle up from where he’d dropped it.

I frowned and held her tighter, moving away from Klaus, “We cannot just leave her, she is but a child!” I insisted, my voice growing louder in anger at my younger brother.

Klaus didn't speak for a moment, and then sighed. “Fine-- but the girl is your responsibility.” Klaus muttered coldly as he undid his horses bridle.

“Thank you brother.” I said softly, grinning at him as I stroked the little girl’s blonde hair out of her face.

Nikola's POV:

Soft, warm blankets were piled on top of me; I cuddled into them, unwilling to get up just yet. My eyes slowly opened as the morning sunlight made it impossible for me to keep them shut. The large four poster bed’s dark red curtains were left open, letting the sunlight stream straight in from the stone cut windows. I shot up, blinking madly—four poster bed? My breath quickened, I was beginning to hyper-ventilate, “W-where the bloody hell am I?” I stuttered, hugging myself for comfort. Closing my eyes tightly, I took a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down.

I look at my surroundings; this is not my house-- in fact this is nothing like it at all. “Oh, I am in such deep trouble…  Mom is going to kill me when I get back.” I mutter, climbing out of the soft bed. A tall mirror stood in the corner of room; I shuffled over it, moving in a zombie like fashion having just woken up. I was still in the new grey top and skinny jeans that mom bought me the other day, thank god.

I let out a sigh of relief as I shoved my hand into my pocket to find my three pictures were still safely tucked away; they’re my three most important belongings, I’ve never let them out of my sight since the day I got them. Mom found me a little black leather wallet that I keep them in wherever I go. The first was a picture from the ball my father’s family held in Mystic Falls a year or two before I was born; it contained him, his siblings and his mother. The next was faded, old and black and white, but just as precious to me; it was of my dad, Uncle Stefan and Aunt Rebekah from the 1920’s. I let out a small laugh; my mother doesn’t really like Aunt Rebekah. The last picture was taken last Christmas with me and my family.

A light knock sounded from the heavy wooden door to my room. I spun around, stepping back as the door swung open to reveal a young woman, most likely in her late teens or early twenties. I frowned as I took in her attire… it was… old. A rough looking, brown dress that fell to her ankles; tied at the middle with an off-white apron and an odd frilly thing attached to her head.

I sped over to her with a glare, grabbing her thin shoulders tightly, “Who the hell are you!” I shrieked, “Where am I, how the bloody hell did I get here and what year is it?” I hissed, rattling of my list of questions as I shook her shoulders angrily.

Her face blanched in terror, “I-I’m Mariana, the maid. L-Lord Elijah found you in the woods and g-gave you this room… and it is the year 1500.” She cried out in shock, shaking as she tried to pull away from my grip.

I glared at her and released my grip, she quickly stepped back. “What do you bloody mean ‘1500’-- last time I checked it was the 8th of October 2026.” I yelled, my face was burning as the stupid girl continued to shake.

“Miss please, calm down” Mariana whispered, pressing her lips tightly together.

“Calm down,” I spat in annoyance, “calm down-- seriously that is the last thing I want to do!” I hissed at her. I ran past her, out of shock as she stood frozen, watching me speed past her. I needed to get out of here, back home to where I belong.

She opened her mouth, running out the door behind me, “Miss, please come back!” She pleaded, taking off after me.

I stopped and spun around to face the heavily breathing woman, “Why, I want to go home, I already hate it here.” I replied shortly, taking off back down the hall.

Mariana sighed reluctantly, “Please, at least let me help you get out of the hideous clothes” She begged.

Oh, hell no-- did she just say these clothes are hideous? Last time I checked, these were considered the hottest thing out. I sent her a glare, “Ok fine; but to just let you know Mariana, where I come from this is the latest fashion.” I looked away from her, down at my pink ‘Mini Mouse’ watch to see the little hands were unmoving, “And where can I get a new watch?” I asked.

She clenched her jaw, “I will find you one later; now please lets go back to your room” Mariana insisted.

I rolled my eyes and stomped back to the room, flopping down on the bed in submission. Stupid human, if only she knew just who she was dealing with! I am the most vicious, supernatural thirteen year old to ever walk the face of the Earth. Not only am I a born vampire, thanks to Aunt Bonnie’s spell; but a hybrid as well. Basically, I can kick some serious ass for a thirteen year old.

Mariana followed me in, walking straight to the large dark wood wardrobe in the other corner of the expansive room. She rummaged through it for a few seconds and then pulled out a long periwinkle blue dress, with long sleeves and a high neck. I quickly sat up, my mouth gaped in horror as I took it in. No way is hell, was I going to be wearing that bloody thing, at home mom’s lucky if she can even get me in to a bloody skirt! “I am not wearing that.” I hiss, narrowing my eyes at her.

“Why not, it's beautiful -- and the latest fashion here.” She added with a smirk, using my previous comment against me. I grimaced, at least one of us is having a good time.

“I don't care, I am not wearing it.” I protested.

Her lips tightened as she tried to supress an obvious grin, “You have to, if you want to see the owners of this castle.”

I frowned, did she just say castle? “Ok… fine.”

Mariana laid the dress out on the bed and left the room for me to get changed. I pulled off my current clothes reluctantly and took my pictures out of the pocket before folding them up. Shrugging the dress over my head, I was surprised at how comfortable it actually was. It tight around the bodice, but not as bad as I had imagined for a dress in this time period, I guess I was either really lucky, or maybe just deemed young enough to not have to wear a corset thingy. I still didn’t want to be wearing a dress though.

Before leaving the room, I sat my photo wallet in one of the deep pockets of the dress. I left my boots on as Mariana hadn’t left out anything else for me. Opening the door, I took one last sweep around the room to realise I’d left my clothing folded on the bed. I narrowed my eyes, I was not going to be letting Mariana get off with them while I wasn’t in here, so I quickly ran back to grab them, stuffing them under the mattress and then running off again. I closed the door behind me.

As I walked down the hallway, I saw a door open. I peeked inside to see a pretty blue and pink room, obviously a girl’s room from the amount of dresses thrown over the bed and dresser. Curiosity sparked and I decided to go in.

A woman sat on a red velvet stool beside the mirror, running a brush through her long blond hair. She frowned as she spotted me standing in the middle of her room. Her eyes narrowed and her face flushed red as she stood up, dropping her hair brush. “What on earth are you doing in here!” She screamed, racing over to me.

I cowered back, biting my lip. I was so in for it now.

Whoo, chapter two! So what did you think, any suggestions!

Also, just to remind you all, this chapter was originally written by my bestie, @Starlight104. Make sure to follow her and vote for her stories, she is awesome!

Ok, so I hope you watched and enjoyed the trailer I made for 'Life as I Know It' that was posted with chapter one; well @Starlight104's version of the trailer is posted with this chapter, make sure to check it out, it is so good!

Thanks for reading, remember to click the little star button, comment and follow me and Laura if you liked it!

Caro Camaegh. x