CHAPTER 1: There's No Such Thing as Moving On….

Elijah's POV:

Astella, that is one stubborn woman. She was wild, feral. Dangerous. She has natural beauty that just radiates around her. Just as I started to smile, I thought of Hayley. What was she doing right now? Was she with Hope? Or was she with Jackson? Images began to play through my head, they projected behind my eyelids like a movie. Were they kissing? Or making love? Was she going to forget about me and no longer look to me for guidance or safety?

"AHHH!" I screamed, my fist flew through a tree, making it fall over and crash down with a crash that echoed through the forest. Astella turned towards me, arrow drawn and aimed right at me. I clenched and unclenched my fist, watching it heal before my eyes. "Apologies." I sighed. Her gaze changed from surprised to questioning in a matter of seconds. She shook her head and began to storm off. "Scaring me like that will get you killed, Elijah." She growled.

If only that were possible, I thought to myself. I was ready to ask my dear brother, Niklaus, to stake my heart and leave me in a casket. Just to have some peace of mind. The images began to play again and I composure was beginning to falter yet again. Tears began to fill behind my eyelids, I clenched my fists and laid my head back, opening my eyes and staring up into the blue sky above me. I had to keep reminding myself that there is beauty in life. Yes, there may be bumps in the road, but we must always rest assured that the next day can always get better.

I thought of my dearest niece, Hope. The only joy I get in life as of right now is being an uncle to that little bundle of joy. Her precious innocent life… how I pray to the gods that she stays hidden from the evils of this world. I should be there for Hope, for Klaus and for…. I cannot even think of her name without wanting to breakdown. I clench my eyes shut, yet again, as I start to shake with anguish. Shutting off my humanity sounds like the only remedy at this rate.

I am a weak man. I am utterly pathetic right now. I let her in, I never let people in. I still linger on thoughts of Celeste and Tatia. Centuries of pain to endure, yet again.

"So, can I ask?"

I spun around, confused. How did I not hear her come up behind me? She took a step back, hands up in defense and surprise covered her face. "All I wanna know is if you're okay? Not that I care or anything, I just don't want you to go on a rampage through our small village. I have family and loved ones here, and I would prefer you to have your meltdown elsewhere." She said mercilessly. My eyelids lowered to slits at the tone of her voice. My eyes began to change and she reached for her arrow, before she could unsheathe it, I ripped her weapons from her hands and scattering them amongst the forest floor.

"Listen here, girl" I hissed into her face, merely inches away. "Your tone is unneeded and unwant-"

Before I could finish my sentence she spit in my face and head butted my nose, making me fall off balance. "Damnit." I pinched my nose as blood began to run down my face and onto my dress shirt, leaving stains. I turned towards the direction that she began to run, I bolted to her, grabbing her neck from behind I lifted her off the ground and threw her into a tree. "I was simply coming here to run from my demons, not create new ones," my tone was calm and collected, unlike my thoughts and demeanor. "Unfortunate for you, you have bad timing to speak with such disrespect and hate."

"FUCK YOU!" She coughed and spat blood in my direction. "Look at yourself! Disguised as a man with class, yet you are a monster in disguise! I'm not some fool for you to look for pity or attention. I can't stand you or your kind! You are a plague to this world!" Venom coated her words and tears began to fall down her face as she began to shake. It was hard to tell if her trembling was from fear or anger.

Her words cut me deep, it felt as though a stake was stabbed in my chest. I stopped in mid stride towards her, I stared at her. "What is it that happened to you, I am but a stranger to you, yet you act like I destroyed everything you have ever loved? Do you really think that all vampires are evil and looking to kill every human in their path? Because trust in my words when I say-"

"TRUST?! TRUST?!" She laughed with sarcasm, "I will never trust another vampire. All you do is bring evil and war to this world. You kill everyone in your path of destruction. IT'S IN YOUR NATURE! You could be the most generous and loving creature but no matter where you go, who you're with and what you do… Death will follow close behind." She stood up and wiped her hands on her pants, licked her lips and pointed her finger in my direction. "And do you know who dies? Not you! Nope, never the vampires, just all us weak human beings. Stay out of our town or so help me God I will destroy you and everything you love." She threatened as she walked away from me.

"You should not threaten me, child. I'm an original vampire. I cannot be killed." I called after her, she hesitated in her step and threw up a middle finger and continued deeper into the forest. A chuckle left my lips. Such vulgarity from such a frail human was almost insulting, but I could not help but find a little humor in it.

A/N: Tell me what you think. Thoughts? Advice? Improvements? Grammatical corrections? Anything, I love input. I value opinions and ideas.