CHAPTER SEVEN | GONNA SET YOUR FLAG ON FIRE

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RILEY AND CAMI WERE ESCORTED TO THE SAFE HOUSE IN ARKANSAS. Much to the surprise of both the females, it was not a safe house to ensure that they were protected— it was so that Hope Mikaelson was. Upon meeting the newest member of the Original family, learned that the only way they could truly protect Hope from Esther was to tell the world she had died. Meanwhile, Rebekah had been taking care of her since she was born. 

"Now that we've entombed our mother, I intend to finish making the city safe for Hope." Klaus started to explain as Riley and Cami took a seat on the couch, whilst Elijah's attention was taken by looking out of the window. "Which to start means dealing with the lingering problem of Finn."

"And once he realises that you've turned Esther and left her to rot in a tomb, she's going to go mad." Riley carried on with a hint of anxiety. Finn adored Esther and would do anything for her.

"That's exactly why we need to keep you and Camille out of harm's way. Hayley and I will return home and take care of my wayward brother. Elijah will remain here with the two of you." The Hybrid's eyes flickered up to Elijah. "He's been experiencing some side effects since his ordeal as our mother's captive. Best he stay and convalesce. Besides, it would give him some much needed time to catch up with Riley."

Elijah scoffed underneath his breath as he finally turned on his heels. "A single violent outburst at a filthy roadside cafe and one never hears the end of it." The Original's eyes lingered upon Riley, offering her a small smile as he noticed how concerned she appeared about him. 

"Well, Cami has a way with minds plagued by demons, brother. You two can bond. You know, when you're not too busy making eyes at the witch." Klaus mocked before he yanked himself back up to his feet. "Well, if you'll excuse me, I best be on my way. Rebekah should have already woken up in the body of Angelica Barker. Once she has cut the ties with Ms. Barker's former life, she'll make her way directly here. You should expect her shortly."

Once Klaus had left the room, Cami cleared her throat and lifted herself up to her feet, leaving both Riley and Elijah in a comfortable silence. "So, come on." Riley tucked her hair behind her ear and fidgeted awkwardly in the chair to get herself comfortable. "How are you doing?" 

"I am fine." Elijah lied. He was lying and Riley could see through it completely. The Original exhaled deeply, shook his head and sat down beside the witch. "It has been... challenging. Whatever my mother did to me— she has made sure that it has lasting effects."

"I can try to help. I can see if there's a way to minimise the mental strain you're under if—" 

"—That won't be necessary." Elijah interrupted the witch's desperate rambling as he placed his hand against her thigh. "You have involved yourself into my family's problems from the moment you moved back to town. You wanted to live life for yourself, Riley, but instead you've fallen victim to my mother's games, Finn's vindictive ways." The Original vampire shook his head. "I do not want this for you."

"I told you that I wanted to help." The witch moved her hand on top of Elijah's with furrowed brows. "You don't get to pick and choose when to let me in and shut me out, Elijah."

"Riley, I am not trying to shut you out. I wish to keep you safe." 

"You're not—"

"—If there's one thing I've learned about you people, it's that there's always a bottle of booze around." Cami sauntered into the living room with a bottle of whisky in her hand. It was clear the female was not aware she had interrupt their conversation. "Do either of you want one?"

"You know, what? I'd love one." Riley thankfully nodded as Cami poured the contents of the bottle into a small glass for Riley.

"Sounds delightful. And, after that, Camille, then what? We have another, then another, perhaps another after that, another after that? Before long, I find myself opening up to you or bearing my damaged soul, as it were?" The suited Original mocked Cami's attempt at trying to get through to Elijah. "It's an old trick, Camille, not a particularly clever one."

A scoff left the human's lips. "Your mother really did a number on you boys, didn't she? Has it ever occurred to you that I am less interested in fixing your problems and more interested in forgetting my own? Riley and I are basically in a supernatural witness protection program because your psychotic brother could potentially come and kill us. So, yeah, booze and board games is pretty much where I'm at right now. Here's a question: What was the name of Don Quixote's horse?

"There's no point, Cami." Riley scoffed quietly once she noticed Elijah had completely looked away from either of them. She lifted herself up from the chair and exited the living room, presumably to unpack her things.

"Fine. Dumb idea." Cami tossed the card back onto the table before she folded her arms across her chest. "Let's talk about what's going on between you and Riley instead."

At the mention of Riley, Elijah's attention was drawn back to Cami. There was absolutely no way he would discuss what he felt about the witch with Cami when he barely understood himself. "Rocinante. The horse's name is Rocinante."

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Elijah was panicked to say the least. Angelica Barker had returned his calls, and he expected to her the unmistakable tone of his sister, but instead it appeared that Angelica was very much still herself. They had no idea where Rebekah had ended up when Esther jumped her from her body, and it scared him to death. He stood by the front window, his breath hitched in his throat as he clamped his eyes shut.

He saw it again. The Red Door. He could see himself walking down the dimly light corridor, chasing after a female wearing a white dress. The female was desperately crying out for help, though the savage beast within him didn't relent. He hunted her with ease until he opened his eyes and saw Riley stood beside him. 

Riley saw how terrified he looked the moment that he had opened his eyes back up. She wanted to help him, despite their disagreement a few hours ago. "Where does your mind go?" 

"Somewhere I thought was long forgotten. It's a place where I put every horrific, vicious act I have ever committed to forget it. For a time, it worked. But, now every single time I shut my eyes I can feel it all. Everything I have ever done." Elijah took a deep breath in an attempt to steady himself. "You recall the story that Niklaus and I were in love with the same girl a long time ago. The doppelgänger, Tatia." Riley nodded. "For so long, I had believed it was my mother that killed her. But, it was me, Riley. I could not control myself and I tore her apart."

The strawberry-blonde blinked in horror as she attempted to take it all in. "Does Klaus know?"

"No. And, he can never know. It will destroy us." Elijah desperately gripped Riley's hand within his own, his eyes connected with hers. "Please."

"I won't say a word. Come here." Riley wrapped her arms around Elijah's neck, pulling him into her embrace as she felt his arms snake around her torso. She felt as though she needed to be held just as badly as he did. 

"What I said before, it was wrong of me. I cannot thank you enough for everything that you have done for us, Riley." He pulled away from Riley, their faces inches apart. Elijah's hand brushed against her skin carefully as he spoke. 

The strawberry-blonde witch melted into Elijah's touch, and the more she felt his skin against hers, the more she wanted him. "Wanting to make sure you were okay has kind of been my motivation." She exhaled deeply. "Do you believe in fate?"

Elijah seemed taken aback by her question, though he knew that she was presumably referring to the pair of them. "Yes." His answer came without a hint of hesitation. "I feel as though I would be a fool to say that I do not believe in fate, yet I know the existence of supernatural and everything in between. Why do you ask?"

"Just something your brother mentioned to me." Riley vaguely answered. She could tell by the look on Elijah's face that he wanted her to explain further. "He thinks that me moving to New Orleans was fate."

A small chuckle left the vampire's lips whilst he pursed his lips and nodded. "Well, if we know one thing for certain, it is that you and I are meant to be in each other's way. Wouldn't you agree?" 

She did agree. Riley had no explanation for the series of events that had happened. If she were to ask herself whether or not she believed in fate, before she met Elijah again, she would have said no. However, there was a part of her now that truly thought that perhaps she and Elijah were meant to be within each other's orbit. 

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"I need you to trust me. I can handle finding Rebekah." Klaus spoke down the phone after Elijah and Riley had disappeared onto the front porch in an attempt to gain an update about Rebekah's whereabouts.

"Brother, you are asking me to do nothing?" Elijah blinked in horror. He desperately wanted to be back home— helping his sister.

"Elijah, right now, the most important thing is that you are there protecting Hope."

"What about me?" Riley chimed in. As she spoke, Elijah's eyes widened up toward her. "I could come back, and—"

"No." Klaus' stern tone alarmed the witch immediately. "With Finn very much still unaccounted for I cannot risk you or Camille any further. You will remain with Elijah. I can handle this."

"Fine. I shall remain here with Riley and the hopelessly courageous Camille. She certainly has charisma." Elijah twirled around on his heel to notice the blonde human had walked out onto the front porch. "Even if she does lack stealth. Let me call you back."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to eavesdrop. I just thought you had left." Cami awkwardly spoke. She had explained to Riley that Elijah had experienced a somewhat violent outburst. Almost a moment where he was consumed by the horror of what his mother had put him through. 

Riley's eyes flickered to Elijah, who swallowed thickly. "I owe you an apology. My sister's missing. My family's in jeopardy. I am, uh, utterly powerless to help them. This is not a state of affairs I'm accustomed to. Riley's made me realise that perhaps I'm not weathering this ordeal as one would hope." The shame ran through Elijah as he remembered what he almost did. "Forgive me."

Cami nodded, and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "If you ever want to talk about it, it's kind of what I do." With that, she left the two on the front porch once again.

"Perhaps you should." Riley interjected. "Talk. There's a lot going on in that head of yours, Elijah, and if you carry on like this— letting it eat you up like this— it's gonna consume you." 

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