Hidden | Elijah Mikaelson |

5.7 Unscathed

I returned Matt to the grille and compelled someone to drive Vincent and me back to New Orleans. He thought it would be best if he stayed in St. James Infirmary for the time being since the Ancestors couldn't reach him there, so I dropped him off and headed for the compound. By the time I got there, Finn had died from Lucien's bite. I never got along with Finn—after all, he's part of the reason I died—but I still felt bad for Elijah and the others. They had just seemed like they were getting along again and now Finn was dead.

Elijah was quiet, the two of us barely exchanging words before he went to sleep. When I woke up the next day, he was gone. I wanted to console him, but I knew he was putting all of his energy into dealing with Lucien so he didn't have to deal with his grief. I decided to visit Cami since I hadn't really seen her recently. It was like we were drifting apart ever since she turned. I knew that her world had been turned upside down and she was still figuring things out, but I missed my friend. She felt like the only sane one I could rely on.

I changed into something warm and walked across the city to her apartment. I knocked on the door and waited until it slowly opened, Cami's face appearing seconds later. "Oh, hi. I wasn't expecting to see you," she greeted me with a surprised smile.

"Are you busy today? There's a festival," I told her, hearing the music coming from a few blocks over.

Cami laughed, "There's always a festival."

"Could be fun. Just like old times?" I shrugged.

"Sure, I could use a change of scenery," Cami answered. She grabbed her jacket and locked the door behind her as we headed deeper into the city where the festival was. It felt weird, seeing all these people smiling and happy. Yesterday felt like complete hell, and today felt like everything was back to normal. Sometimes I wished I was one of them. They didn't have to worry about vampires or witches or a prophecy telling them that everyone they loved would end up dead.

"I heard about Finn," Cami spoke up. "I'm sorry."

"We never really got along. I just feel bad for Elijah and Klaus and Freya. And they can't even mourn because they've got to worry about Lucien lurking in the shadows waiting to kill them next," I explained with a sigh, holding onto the hot chocolate we had bought from a little street vendor on the way.

"I'm sure Freya will figure something out," Cami assured me, hearing the concern in my voice. She knew I was worried about them. Lucien didn't really have a grudge against Finn and he still killed him. He hated Klaus and Elijah. I was terrified of what he had planned for them.

We walked in silence for a few more minutes before Cami cleared her throat. "Addie, I'm sorry. I know I've been sort of a bitch lately," she announced. "I just...everything feels so different now. I don't even feel like myself anymore."

"It's okay," I promised. "I can't imagine what you're going through. But I'm here for you. I know I've been busy with Elijah and everything else but I'll always be here for you, Cami."

"Thanks, I really appreciate it," Cami nodded with a smile.

I sighed with a smile, finally happy to get over whatever awkward stage we were in. I put my drink to my lips, about to take a sip when I heard a familiar voice somewhere in the crowd. I lowered my cup, tuning everything else out and focusing my hearing to find his voice.

"Addie, what is it?" Cami asked me uneasily.

Another second passed before I heard another voice, this one sending chills down my spine. "It's Klaus. And Lucien's with him," I answered. I tossed my drink into the trash as I rushed towards the noise, hoping I could get there in time. I was getting closer when the voices suddenly disappeared, and I turned down the alley to see that it was empty.