Author's Note: Hello everyone! Thank you for the reviews and private messages, they were all amazing and they convinced me enough to write this flashback chapter. I'm still not sure where this fic is going, so any suggestions you guys have, feel free to tell me (I'll give credit, I promise) and I'll include it in. So without further ado: The Second Chapter. Review please! :*
Six Years Earlier
Hayley Marshall clutched the little bundle closer to her chest as a small branch in her path almost sent her sprawling to her knees. She gasped and the wolf that was leading her spared her a sympathetic look. Her shirt was doused in blood, the baby's blanket was dirty from passing leaves and she was ready to collapse from exhaustion but she had to press forward. The wolf howled softly, beckoning her and she nodded curtly.
"I know, just give me a damn minute." The wolf howled again and the baby in the bundle made a whimpering sound. "I'm sorry baby… It'll be over soon." She heard the rapidly approaching footsteps and she quickened her pace. The wolf rushed with her, protecting her back.
With one last burst of energy, together, the trio made it past the city's borders. Hayley continued to run forward, watching the sign disappear around a corner. She exhaled loudly as they all slowed down. The red coupe slid to a stop beside her and a familiar face smiled from behind the wheel before getting out.
"They can't know that she survived, Rebekah." Hayley whispered and the wolf whined. They might have been out of the city's borders but they were still not safe. Together, they switched bundles and Hayley stared at the lifeless face in hers with disdain on her face. "Please tell me you didn't…"
"I'm not a monster, Hayley; I swiped a still born from two towns over." Hayley sighed, relieved, "They are going to come after you too, you know. Do you have a plan?"
"I'll run until I'm far enough from their ancestral reach. Then I'll try to live as best as I can until she's safe again." Rebekah nodded. "Where will you take her?"
"Some place they'll never imagine to look. They won't think she's with me because everyone knows I left in Eva Sinclair's 'll work. Especially if they think she's dead." Hayley nodded and the wolf whined again.
"Alright, Jackson, we're coming." She smiled at her baby. The only thing that was truly hers in the whole world. "You should tell Klaus when it's safe. Not now, maybe when she's a little older."
"I'll tell him." Rebekah turned the child in her arms so her mother could see her face. "She's beautiful, isn't she?" Hayley sniffled, tears coursing down her face. "She has her mother's looks. Maybe there is a god after all." The brunette laughed softly making more tears spill over.
"Well she has a hint of the devil in her eyes, she all of that from Klaus." Hayley wiped her face and nodded to Jackson who was eyeing the scene with an expression as sad as Hayley's. They both knew what they would be giving up. "Protect her with your life, Rebekah. Make sure the witches never lay their hands on her."
"She will be safe and happy, Hayley. I promise." They both nodded and Rebekah leaned over to kiss Hayley's cheek. "You were the best thing that ever happened to our family Hayley, you gave us hope for a better life and for that, and there will always be a home for you with us. Always and Forever."
"Hope." Hayley whispered. "It's settled then, her name is Hope." Tears glistened in Rebekah's eyes. "Hope Mikaelson. It has a nice ring to it."
"Stay alive, Hayley. If not for yourself then for your daughter." Hayley grinned and kissed Hope's cheek.
"I'll do my best." She watched Rebekah get into her car and drive towards New Orleans and she and Jackson began running again with renewed energy. Just as Rebekah's back headlights disappeared, Hayley felt it. The beginnings of those damned aneurysms witches all over the world were famous for. She gave an almighty shout and began to utilize her werewolf speed making her blur as Jackson ran behind her.
Hayley had barely run a mile before she heard Jackson's loud howl behind her and turned around in concern. She saw him whimpering on the ground and began to rush towards him but doubled over in pain. She screamed, Jackson howled and the witch who stood before them frowned in pity. Hayley reached out to her.
"Hello, Hayley." With blonde hair and a flowing white dress, the witch looked like an angel. She stepped forward, bringing her face into the orange glow of a streetlight. "I'm so sorry it had to come to this, I assure you that was never my intention."
"Who the hell are you?" Hayley demanded fear making her voice sound very small. With a shuddering breath, Hayley tried to commit her daughter's face to memory. She trembled again, the witch towering over her with a sad look in her grey eyes.
And so in the dead of night, just days after her child's father had promised to love and trust her no matter what and hours after her daughter had been born, Hayley Marshall died with Klaus on her mind and her daughter's name a whisper on her lips.
"Goodbye my Hope, I love you."