Elijah
I've always liked fishing. Other than the sounds of birds chirping or wind blowing, there is no noise. Nothing to distract you from the serenity of the silence. It's an activity I have always liked to do alone. Just me, the fish, and miles of water. It is peaceful.
The boat is small, just enough for one. The type of company I prefer. Thailand is stunning. The water is so blue that I can visibly see the fish surrounding me. The fresh air permeates my sense of smell. Everything just feels clean and natural. I believe there is great beauty in the natural world. So much of society has been tampered with by humans. There was once a time when we lived in the animal's home, now it's the complete opposite. We occupy this planet. Through industrialization and development, we have altered almost every patch of land on this planet. But in this instant, I feel encompassed by nature. By the simple beauty that is life.
Unsurprisingly, I reel in my first catch fairly quickly. I've never considered myself bad at fishing. In 1986 I entered the only competition I have ever been in. Not just a fishing competition but a contest. My family has never been one for attention. Correction. I have never been one to bring any attention to my family. Oddly enough, winning a contest just does that. It makes your presence known. Anyway, the competition was somewhere in Florida. There were probably thirty contestants on two parallel docs. It wasn't the largest fish I had ever caught. Not even close. But I guess the size of the fish was impressive to the judges. The five-hour competition ended with me claiming victory. I was quite proud of myself that day. I accomplished something on my own merit, no special vampire powers. It's a memory that I look back upon with content.
Most people dislike the smell of fish. I disagree.
After hours on the small boat, I start the engine and head back to shore. Tying the rope to the doc, I cannot help but appreciate the day I had. It was simple. Ordinary. No urgent original business that I had to attend to.
Stepping onto the dock, I see the girls tanning. Since coming to Thailand, I don't think there has been a single day, other than when it rains, where they haven't spent at least an hour in the sun.
Heading in their direction, I cannot help but stare. Elena looks peaceful under the sun. Despite all her worries and torment, she still manages to find something normal. I wouldn't be able to be in her position. Ripped away from the only world you've known. Where your only company is the same individuals holding you hostage. How she manages to be cordial with us is beyond me.
"You could make yourself useful and refill my drink," Rebekah says after noticing me standing beside them. She gestures to her empty cup.
"And your legs are incapable because," I reply with a slight smile. Lisa cannot help but release a small laugh.
"Did my uptight brother just make a joke?"
"I am not uptight," and with that, I head inside the house. Denying her request for a refreshment.
Once inside, I change. I hate dressing so casual to fish, but I rather not ruin a good suit. After changing, I find myself searching the living room shelves for a proper book choice.
"Nothing suitable?" a soothing voice asks.
Turning around I see Elena standing behind me. A beige towel wraps around her bare body. The light is hitting her so perfectly her skin is practically shining.
"Still searching. No more tanning?" I keep my eyes locked on the books. Unwilling to get another look at her.
"The sun doesn't drain them as it does to me. Human, remember."
"Ah yes. Human." I say as my eyes scan the selection of novels around me. Elena moves directly to my left. Despite being under the sun all day, she still manages to smell like lavender. I cannot help but watch her as her eyes search the shelves. She smiles as if she just had an epiphany. Grabbing a book, she holds it out. Ready for me to take it. And so, I do. Looking at the cover, I can't help but grin. "Wuthering Heights, excellent choice."
"I thought you would think so. The book befits you," she says. My head tilts emphasizing my desire for her to elaborate. "The book is old fashioned. Elitist snobs who use century-old language. Not to mention the complicated family. Something you should find relatable. A plot that not even sparks notes can help be unweave. Absolutely befitting," she confidently smirks.
"Ouch! I believe you offended me," I sarcastically whine as I hold the book against my side.
"So, you don't like this book?"
"It's one of my favorites," I say. She nods her head up and down. I release a small chuckle. "You know me too well Elena."
"It's as if I have nothing better to do," Elena's wit is very apparent in that sentence. She pauses. "It's one of my favorites too." Elena once again smiles.
I love her smile. I love everything about it. It's not fake or a show. A genuine expression and it feels even better when I know I caused that smile.
Elena leaves to go shower. Thus, I sit on the couch and open Wuthering Heights. I begin to read the perfectly composed words of Emily Bronte. Soaking in every emotion of those crazy families.
Late that night I meet my siblings in the living room. Elena has already gone to bed. Rebekah made sure the girl was asleep. Niklaus had wanted to have a family meeting and Kol protested to Elena being involved.
Quickly, Niklaus tells us his concern. One of his many witches has made him aware of talk on the other side. Talk lead by the original witch. First our father. Now, mother. It's as if the universe is working against us. Niklaus explains later explains that that is exactly the case. Elena is a problem. The key to making his hybrids. I guess the witches aren't pleased by the new species walking around. They want Elena dead. Niklaus is unable to accept that. I can see the urgency in Niklaus's eyes. Our mother was never a subject he liked to discuss. It's different from our father. The man was always the monster. Niklaus was severely detached from the man. Devoid of all love and familial obligation. A man who is clearly an enemy. Our mom. She may have cursed us but she was never the villain of our story - rather a victim. A mother who was just trying to protect her children from the monsters that lurked in the night. A mother who was scared. But here she is, a thousand years after her death, trying to stop us from fulfilling our wants. Or Niklaus's.
"So what? She wants Elena dead?" Rebekah asks.
Niklaus confirms Rebekah's question which ignites anger in Kol.
"I don't give a fuck what mother wants. It's not like the witches are a serious threat. They're witches for christ's sake," Kol yells.
Niklaus reassures us that Elena is to be protected. If powerful witches are coming after her then they could easily cast a spell to get her. We may be the originals but protecting a human is not our specialty. Not when we have always viewed them as collateral.
Elena is awake. I can hear her. It is obvious that so can my siblings. We do not speak another word until the girl has come downstairs and joined us in the living room. She looks tired. Her hairy unbrushed and her eyes are half-closed. Kol immediately stands behind her. He places his hands on her shoulders. Elena is surprised by this action and his touch. Kol doesn't care. He holds his grip on her tight, not enough to hurt her, but rather show his devotion to protect her. She looks behind her and up at him. His expression is serious and she knows not to question it.
"So let's turn her," Kol says.
Elena's eyes widen as all hell breaks loose. Niklaus and Kol begin yelling at each other. Kol arguing that the witches won't come after her if her blood is useless. Niklaus screaming that he needs her and that he is in charge. Kol doesn't care for family hierarchy. Rebekah joins the argument and I follow.
"We can protect her!" Niklaus screams as he pushes Elena aside to get in Kol's face. "You're going to listen to me!"
"You don't know that!" Kol rebuttals.
The argument goes on for ten minutes before Niklaus walks out of the room without explaining why. We all follow. Niklaus is walking excessively fast to the locked room. Rips the knob off and storms inside. He opens up the coffin and pulls the dagger from Finn's chest.
"Well if you're so worried for her safety. Then there. There's another original to protect her. Because we are the originals," Niklaus veins are showing in his neck. He steps closer to Kol as we are all staring near the doorway. Staring at our impulsive brother living up to his reputation. "We are untouchable. You think I am threatened by some fricken witches. Witches? I am Klaus Mikaelson. I do not give in to people's demands. I don't give a rat's ass if mother is involved!" A lie. I know that the reason he is reacting like this is because of his mother. Because he still is unable to speak about her. Mother may not be dad, but that doesn't mean he is afraid of her. Lord knows why though. "The girl stays. And she stays how I want her too." Kol steps forward but Niklaus continues before he allows him the opportunity to argue, "You forget that you are here because I allow you to be. You are here because I undaggered you. I don't care if you have a crush on her. She is my property. Touch her. And I will put you in a box for another hundred years."
With his threat, Niklaus drops the dagger in his hand on the floor and walks out of the room. Leaving us to await our eldest brother's return.
