𝐅𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆 ━━ HOPE MIKAELSON.

14

"I DON'T BELIEVE ANYTHING YOU SAY."

"You have every right to be mad at me, but I am telling you the truth." Landon said looking at Rafael, "come on man, help me."

"I believe him." Rafael said easily making Jaxon scoff, "of course you would."

"You believe that a fire-breathing woman burned the bus alive?" Hope asked, scoffing as well, "And Landon happened to be spared?"

"Yeah," Rafael replied making Hope grit her teeth as he added, "he told you that he ran.

"And conveniently lost the knife on the way."

"She kept coming at me like she was gonna take it from me," Landon explained, "she was burning everything in her path."

"You want to explain to us what you were doing stealing the knife in the first place?" Jaxon asked, glaring at Landon who sighed, "I don't remember stealing it."

Hope rolled her eyes, "of course not."

"How about pretending to be compelled?" Jaxon asked to which Landon replied, "that was to avoid being thrown back in the werewolf dungeon. "

"Transitional cellar," Hope corrected making Landon snap, "small spaces. Hope, you have to understand, Dr. Saltzman had already told me the school wasn't gonna let me stay. If he thought I'd talk, he'd lock me back up. There wasn't a good ending for me. I didn't want to steal from you two and I don't want a fire–breather chasing me. I'm sorry for all of it."

"He's not lying. I know him." Rafael said, "now, if he says that there's a fire-breathing woman running through the woods, then there is a..."

"There's a fire breathing woman running through the woods." Alaric interrupted, entering the cellar as well. He looked at his students, "did I or did I not say 'don't engage'?"

"He's only dangerous is crappy apologies can kill," Hope defended earning a look from Alaric, "looks can be deceiving. Now our bus refugee, turns out she's a pyromancer."

"Wait..." Landon spoke, "what's a pyromancer?"

"A fire breathing witch," Jaxon responded, "Ric, she wants the knife."

"Okay, well..." Alaric looked at them, "where is it?"

"Someone claims to have lost it while running." Jaxon said, looking at Landon who signed, "I really have! I lost it in the woods. I was running around in circles all night trying to find a place to hide."

"Okay, okay," Alaric breathed out, "well, let's, uh, find it before she does, huh?" He then rushed out of the cellar followed by Jaxon and Hope. Once outside, they were surprised to find the woman standing there. She growled as Alaric spoke, "we don't want any trouble."

She didn't say anything except she held her palm forward. She turned to Landon, her palm still extended making Alaric ask, "what does she want?"

"I don't know," Landon replied, fear dripping from his voice. The woman's intentions were as loud and clear as day in Jaxon mind as he turned to Landon, jaw locked in anger, "you lying idiot."

"What are you talking about?" Landon played dumb making Jaxon walk towards him, fists clenching at his sides, "she wants the knife you said you don't have— or do you?"

"Great," Hope scoffed in disbelief, staring at Landon, "fucking great. Yet another lie."

"Language," Alaric scolded Hope who rolled her eyes as he added, "you've been spending way too much time with Jax."

The woman's eyes glowed making Alaric look at the others, "back in the cellar, go, go, go!" They all rushed back to the cellar.

"Where the hell is it?" Hope asked the second they were inside. Landon took the knife out and handed it to her, "I'm sorry, I panicked!"

"Hope, the doors." Alaric said to Hope who nodded, facing the door which caught fire, "got it. Adiuuatur." The fire went out, Hope looked at the others, "okay, it's a quick fix. It won't last long."

"All right, great," Alaric pinched his forehead, "I need a cellphone."

"Mine's dead." Jaxon said, showing him his off phone making Alaric sighed.

"Take your pick," Landon pointed to a box where there were a lot of stuffs. Alaric walked over and grabbed a phone, quickly calling Dorian.

"What is all this?" Hope asked, looking at the box. Jaxon picked up an identity card, "it's from the people of the bus." They looked at Landon accusingly. His eyes widened, "I didn't bring them here, I—"

"If he says 'I swear' one more time, I'm gonna melt him." Hope cut him off, looking at Rafael while Landon sighed loudly.

"Alberto Delmar," Jaxon read the name on another ID he grabbed. "Born in Italy, age twenty eight— he clicked his tongue against his cheek, "—interesting. I think it's the fire witch who stole those things just like she took—" He nodded in Ric's direction, pointing to his empty wrist, "his watch and of course, phone. I'm guessing Ric gave it to her. She doesn't look like the pickpocket type to me."