Chapter 10

Caroline POV

I groaned, slowly coming to consciousness. Time traveling hurt. My whole body hurt. My brain hurt.

Where am I? Was my first thought.

Everything came rushing back all at once as to why I was wherever I was.

Elijah, was my next thought.

I opened my eyes finally, and sat up, looking around.

I was surrounded by death.

Thanks, Ayana I thought sarcastically.

I looked at the grave stones around me and used one to pull myself up.

"Excuse me, Miss?"

I jumped. I looked up to see a man in the weirdest clothing, holding a stick and a bag.

"Miss, are you alright?" he asked concerned.

"Who-who are you?" I asked.

"The names James. I'm the caretaker of this cemetery. I was doing my rounds, picking up the garbage when I stumbled across you. Do you need help? Is there anyone I can call?"

I stared.

"Call?"

He looked at me strangely.

"Yeah. Call. Is there anyone I can phone for you. I can call you a cab to take you to the hospital," he said worriedly.

Phone? Cab? Hospital? I was beyond lost.

"Um, no thank you?" I said, like it was a question, because I honestly had no idea what he was talking about.

I wished Ayana was here because I was starting to get overwhelmed.

Ayana.

She had said something about sending a descendant to help me.

"Sir, do you know where I might find the descendant of Ayana?" I asked.

Now it was his turn to be confused.

"Who?"

"Ayana. She was the local witch of our village, im looking for someone related to her," I stated.

He looked at me for a moment before backing up like I was crazy.

"Look, lady, I just thought you were in trouble but if you're just hungover I'd suggest you find somewhere else to sober up. The only witches around here are the entertainers in the quarter," he said sarcastically.

I nodded. The quarter. I needed to get to this quarter

"Thank you, sir. Could you kindly point me in the direction of this quarter please?"

"Surrre," he said awkwardly. "Take this path here all the way through the gates and take a right, and you'll hit Bourbon Street. Just follow the party sounds and you'll find it," he laughed.

"Thank you, sir," I said.

"Yeah, sure," he laughed. "Kids these days " he murmured as he walked away.

I followed his directions, hearing the strangest sounds ahead of me. It was so loud. A loud horn sounded.

Horn? Are they being raided? I wondered in fear.

Suddenly, something large and metal rolled past me at high speeds.

I screamed.

Another rolled past going the other way. These metal beasts were everywhere!

It doesn't take a genius to figure out to stay out of their way or risk certain death. And I didn't come all this way just to die at the hands of this…thing.

I stayed on my path, walking, before I remembered the necklace Ayana gave me.

This will always lead you to where you're meant to be, she had said.

Hopefully I was meant to be in this quarter.

I picked up the necklace and the arrow was pointing in front of me. I turned around and walked in the opposite direction, just to see what it would do. The arrow turned and was now facing behind me.

Okay, then.

I turned back around and continued on my path. I passed so many people. They were all wearing the strangest things. Women in trousers. Women wearing barely any clothes, way too much skin showing. I looked down. I was still in the robe and shift Ayana had given me. I had to find a way to blend in.

I passed what appeared to be a bunch of markets but they were behind doors. Some had clothing out front. I approached one of the women going through them.

"Um, excuse me? Hello. What trade will you accept for these items? I'm afraid I don't have much on me," I said.

She looked at me, one eyebrow raised.

"Trade? Honey, no trades. This costs money and how much depends on what you want."

"I-I don't have any money. I don't have anything other than what I'm wearing," I said, tearing up. This was starting to become too much and the more I witnessed the more alone I felt.

"Oh, chere. Are you alright?"

"No, nothing is," I said, finally breaking down. "I don't know where I am, I have no one, I'm with child, well, children, and I don't know what I'm doing!" I sobbed.

"Sweetheart, it's okay," she said comforting me. "How about this, you come inside, Mama Bess will get you some food, we'll pick you out something to wear and I'll help you get to where you need to be," she said kindly.

"Who's Mama Bess?" I asked, wiping my tears, feeling foolish for my sudden breakdown.

She smiled. "I am, child. Now come. Let's feed you and those growing babies and you can tell me all about it," she said, leading me through the door of her market.

After walking through the doors, she led me to a room in the back.

"Now wash up and I'll get you some clothes," she said, leading me to another room with a large basin.

"What is this?" I asked confused.

She gave me a look. "This is a bathtub. And that is a shower. You can use either one."

"I-I don't know how to use these," I said, that overwhelmed feeling coming back.

She looked confused before shaking her head and leading me to the door of what she called the shower.

"See this handle? See these colours? Blue means cold. Red means hot. You turn the handle till you get the temperature you want for your water. You take this bottle and pour a little in your hand and wash your hair. This is a bar of soap-" she explained but I cut her off.

"Soap! I know what soap is! Finally something I recognize!" I was so happy.

Mama Bess smiled.

"Yes. So you know what to do with that. When you're done, turn the handle all the way to the right and the water will shut off," she explained. "There's a towel here to dry yourself off and I'll get you some clothes." She turned to leave and I touched her arm. She turned around with a questioning look on her face.

"Thank you. So much. I don't know what I would have done without your help," I said sincerely.

She chuckled. "Think nothing of it, child. I'm an old woman who likes a good story and something tells me your story is next level," she laughed, walking away.

I took my shower and came out to clothing folded on the tabletop beside the smaller basin.

I unfolded them. Hmm. Trousers would be interesting.

I put on the undergarments because they looked somewhat like the ones we used to sew ourselves. I put on the trousers which were black and stretchy and the top which was long with thin straps on my shoulders, leaving my arms bare. I didn't even bother with the scary scrap of clothing with the straps and cups.

I walked out to see Mama Bess at a table, a steaming bowl of food in front of her.

"Sit, child. Eat some gumbo, and tell Mama all about it," she said, gesturing to the chair opposite her.

I told her everything. Well, sort of. In a spur of the moment sense of self preservation, I left out names. The incredulous look on her face growing the more I told her.

"And then I woke up, in a graveyard and made my way here," I finished.

She sat open mouthed.

"I-woooo, child. I don't even know where to start," she said, rubbing her temples. "I mean, I could smell the magic radiating off of you, it's so strong. So I knew you had a story but this?" she exclaimed.

"Smell the magic?" I asked

"I'm a witch, young one," she smiled. "You must have a purpose for being here. You said this witch told you you'd save someone you love?" She continued

"Yes," I said, still hesitant to give names.

"Something big is coming. We witches can feel it in the air. And somehow, I don't think you're it. This feels different. This coming issue has the originals written all over it," she murmured. "So I guess you can say you came at the wrong time, lovey. You don't want to get tangled up with the Original family. You and your babies would end up dead," she said.

"Who are the originals?" I asked confused.

"People you don't want to meet. Where they go, death follows. So let's try and keep you off their radar, yes?" she said.

I nodded, placing a hand over my stomach. If these originals were a threat to me and the babies I wanted nothing to do with them.

A commotion at the front of her store (which she informed me it was called) brought our heads up.

"Mama Bess! Where are you? I got something I could use your help with!" a voice shouted.

"Back here, Miss Sophie," she said, raising her voice to be heard.

A young girl, about my age, walked through the door. She had sharp features and long dark hair. She was wearing pants that were cut off way too short and a top that looked like the contraption with cups I discarded earlier.

She looked startled to see a stranger sitting there staring at her.

"Oh, I'm sorry Miss Bess, I didn't realize you had company," Sophie apologized.

"No worries, child. This is Miss Caroline. I was just helping her out with something," she said.

I stood. "Hello, I'm Caroline," I smiled and held out my hand.

"Hey. I'm Sophie. Nice to meet you," she said, reaching out to take my hand.

The moment our hands met everything changed.

She gasped and released my hand, stumbling back into the wall.

I was utterly confused as to what was going on.

Mama Bess shot out of her chair.

"Sophie! What's wrong?" she asked, rushing to her side.

"She-shes the key!" she whispered.

"I'm the what?" I asked.

"She's the what?" mama bess asked at the same time.

"she's the key! The key to our freedom, Bess! She's how we free ourselves from Marcel!" she exclaimed, a manic gleam in her eyes as she stared at me.

Bess looked between the two of us.

"Sophie. I think you're mistaken, she's just a girl who's lost her way," she said gently.

Sophie scoffed.

"Yeah, just a girl. Just a girl carrying fucking Mikaelsons in her womb!" Sophie claimed.

I stopped. Everything stopped.

Elijah.

"Mikaelsons?" I asked in a whisper. "You know the Mikaelsons. You have to take me to them!" I said excitedly.

Mama Bess stared at me. "You're….you're pregnant with Mikaelsons. But…how is that possible?" she asked confused.

"They were the family I mentioned in my story," I murmured.

Her eyes widened. Before she could say anything Sophie spoke.

"You need to come with me. Now," she said grabbing my arm.

I yanked it back.

"Excuse me? I don't believe I've agreed to anything. You said you knew the Mikaelson's, I ask that you take me to them," I demanded.

Sophie scoffed.

"Sorry, sweetheart, but you don't really get a say," she said.

"Sophie!" bess yelled when Sophie grabbed my arm harder and whispered something in latin.

I instantly fell into darkness.

I woke up to a quiet argument. I was getting really tired of waking up and not knowing what the hell was going on.

"Sophie, it was the only way," a voice said.

"Yes but the cost…," a voice I knew to be Sophie's, spoke, and you could hear the tears in her words.

I opened my eyes and sat up. Both women turned to look at me.

"I hope you're happy," Sophie spat.

I rolled my eyes. "what could I possibly have done while asleep?" I asked.

Before she could reply, the other woman spoke.

"Hello Caroline. My name is Jane-Anne. I'm Sophie's sister. I'm sure you have a lot of questions that hopefully Sophie can answer for you," she said, stuffing more stuff in a bag.

Sophie handed me something confusing and heavy.

"I will. But first, call the hybrid," she demanded.

"Call? I don't know what that means. What is this thing?" I asked holding up whatever it was.

"Oh my god, this is going to get old fast," Sophie said exasperated.

Jane-Anne stepped forward and touched her fingers to my forehead. "Praeteritorum meminisse," she whispered.

"Jane-Anne!" Sophie yelled. "Enough! No more magic. He'll be here soon you have to go!"

When she touched my head I felt like it was going to explode. Knowledge. So much knowledge got shoved into my brain. The history of the past thousand years. I collapsed on the ground, breathing heavily.

"What. The hell. Was that?" I asked panting.

"I just sped up your knowledge of the 21st century and all the major stuff before it. Now you won't be confused by simple things. You're welcome, Sophie," she said sarcastically.

"All because I didn't know what a cell phone was?" I exclaimed, the name of the item in my hand instantly coming to mind.

"See? Tada!" Jane-Anne sang.

She turned to Sophie who shared a tearful and heartfelt goodbye with her sister before Jane-Anne walked out the door.

"What just happened, where is she going?" I asked suspiciously.

Sophie's jaw clenched. "My sister just signed her own death certificate thanks to you," she spat.

My eyes widened. "What? I didn't do anything," I said.

"You didn't have to. She used magic. On you. To determine who the father of your children is since you've proven you were more than reluctant to tell us any names," she said.

"You're right, I wouldn't have. But how is that a cause for concern?" I asked, still confused.

"Magic is banned in the french quarter. Witches aren't allowed to practice or else King Marcel," she spat the name sarcastically, "shows up and puts an end to it. A permanent end. He has some way of knowing who performs magic and he shows up with his execution squad. So that spell? Just got my sister killed," she said.

I swallowed hard.

"I'm sorry," I said softly. "But I didn't ask for this. None of it. I just want to go find my family."

Sophie laughed. "Oh trust me, they aren't the family you remember."

I sat for a moment, my mind whirling. I looked up. "They're the Original Family everyone keeps warning me about, aren't they?" I murmured.

"One in the same. So, Goodluck with that. But first, you need to do something for us." Sophie said.

"What is it?" I asked

"Oh you'll see, I have a phone call to make then we'll have to wait till later tonight for your part."

I sighed. More waiting. Great. I just wanted my family.

Sophie grabbed the phone she had put in my hand and dialed a number.

I couldn't hear anything other than murmurs from the other end, so I listened intently to Sophie's side of the conversation.

"Hello, Hybrid……no, you don't, my name is Sophie and I have a proposition for you……ew not that kind…..listen, we need your help……well you might change your mind once you find out that we have something of yours, something you'll want back………nope, you'll have to come and get it, then we can talk……why, New Orleans, of course. Time for you to come home, hybrid. Meet me at the cemetery entrance," she then hung up the phone.

"Whos Hybrid?" I asked.

"THEE Hybrid. And you'll find out soon enough. This shitty day might be looking up, this should be fun," she chuckled. Grabbing my arm and leading me out and to a car, which she then drove to the cemetery.

I was thrown into a room for the rest of the day. I was exhausted. I was hungry and I was desperate. My family was alive. How, I had no idea but they were. I needed to find them. Find Elijah. I laid a hand on my stomach.

"Don't worry, little ones. We'll find your father and everything will be okay," I whispered, rubbing my belly.

It was dark out before someone came for me. I instantly didn't like her. She had resting bitch face (which I had no idea how I knew what it was, but that kept happening so I'd have to get used to it) that only got worse when she looked at me.

"You're up, child," she stated. Grabbing my arm and pulling me.

"Let me go, lady!" I yelled, struggling to pull my arm from her grasp.

I stopped when I heard voice ahead of us and listened to see if I could determine what I was walking, well, dragged, into.

"You have nothing of value to me that would make me want to help you, witch," a voice said sarcastically.

My breath caught and a sob broke through. I knew that voice, oh my God.

I struggled to get free and run into the room.

"Let me go! Let me go!" I begged.

"Wait," she barked.

"It's okay Agnes. You can bring her in now," Sophie called back.

"Her?" The voice asked suspiciously.

She let me go and I ran, stopping at the door to gaze in disbelief at who stood in front of me.

He starred back. Complete shock on his face.

He turned back to Sophie, moving so fast I didn't see him move, and grabbed her by the throat, slamming her into the wall.

"What kind of trickery is this, witch? You think this will get you what you want? Have you been sneaking around digging into the minds of my siblings? What spell is this?" he barked.

Suddenly I couldn't breath. I fell to the ground, grabbing, my throat and choking.

"Not a spell. Real. Let me go, or she'll die too. We're linked," she choked out.

He slowly let go and I could finally breathe. I stood up. He stared at me. I took a step forward and he took a step back.

"No. No this can't be real," he murmured, tears in his eyes. "you died a thousand years ago, this can't be real," he repeated.

I stepped forward again. A sob broke free.

"Nik…it's me. It's really me," I cried.

He shook his head. "I cant-I can't…" he stuttered stepping back., wiping at his eyes.

I stepped forward, tears running down my face. The both of us forgetting we had an audience and just focusing on eachother.

"Remember when I stood up to Mikael for you? I yelled at him and called him names and somehow, thank the gods, escaped his wrath. And you, you stood up, kissed my cheek and called me your-" I said.

"Warrior," he whispered. "I called you my warrior," he said, more tears welling up in his eyes.

He stepped forward quickly and pulled me into his arms. Another sob broke free and I broke down crying. Safe in the arms of my best friend.

"Caroline. I can't believe you're here," he cried into my shoulder.

We hugged for a few more minutes before a throat clearing broke us apart. We separated and I wiped at the tears on his face. He grabbed my hand with a smirk and turned to face the audience we forgot we had.

"So," Sophie said, stepping forward. "ready to negotiate now?"