𝐁𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐃 𝐋𝐔𝐒𝐓 𐦟 𝐓𝐕𝐃𝐔

Chapter 45

TW: Blood And Gore

     "What a lovely morning it is!" Cassie giggled as she watched Natalia dance around in the front yard, she twirled through the growing plants. She was so bright, so young and full of life. Natalia was only eight, that's why Cassie hadn't told her she had turned into a blood sucking creature. It had been a month since she'd turned, Cassie had done a decent job of controlling the blood lust, Elijah and Klaus helping any chance they got. "Natalia darling you can't just twirl your skirt all day long, we've got work to be done!" Natalia huffed and walked over to Cassie, she grabbed a wash board and one of her small skirts, "Sister?" Cassie picked up her head, "Yes?"

"When are you going to tell Niklaus you love him?" She stilled in her movements, "What ever do you mean?" Natalia giggled, "I see the way you look at him, and I also see the way he looks at you. You are prettier than any sunrise he's ever seen." She sighed and went back to washing one of her shirts, "We are not in love, just because Elijah and I are... on separate terms does not mean I don't love him no longer." Natalia sighed, "You would both be so perfect for each other!" Cassie grabbed some water from her bucket and flicked it towards her sister. Natalia burst out in giggles and began doing the same. Once both girls were soaked in water they stopped, Natalia having to catch her breathe.

"I couldn't help but overhear a certain conversation..." Cassie swiveled her head to see an all too familiar woman, "Tatia. To what do I owe this pleasure?" Her voice was thick with sarcasm, "I was just passing by when I heard something about an attraction to Niklaus... does that mean Elijah is available once again?" Cassie grit her teeth, "No, it does not. Though that did not stop you last time." Tatia smiled, "I cannot deny what a man may want." Her hand gripped the wet cloth in her hands, the water in the bucket below her began to boil. Bubbles rose to the surface, splashes came up and Cassie just stared at the girl standing in front of her. "Leave, before I make you..." She scoffed, "Have it your way then, but just know, he shall always find his way back to me." As she walked away Natalia began to giggle, "You always said hate was a strong word but once in a great while it might just come to use."

As the memory faded Cassie groaned. She blinked a few times before looking at what was around her. Esther had a chair pulled up in front of Cassie, sipping her tea with a delightful look on her face. Cassie snorted, "You should try harder next time. You think bringing Tatia up is going to make me get all touchy feely?" Esther sighed and set her cup back down in the saucer, "Darling that was just a taste of the past. Why don't I bring up something a little closer to home." Cassie lifted her head, "You don't scare me." She stood up and walked over to Cassie, "You must not understand my intentions Cassandra. I am here to correct your ways, to show you the errors over these vast years. Then you can realize this is what's best for you and your family." Cassie kept shaking her head, "No... I'm not folding into your psychotic idea of what is right and wrong." Esther stayed far away, when she brought a hand up to Cassie's face. She ran her fingertips over her face, so gentle, almost caring. "I've heard rumors about a time. Something you'd hadn't told a soul... August 1692."

Screams filled her head, bouncing off the walls inside her brain. She looked around at them all. The land around her stained a deep crimson, drops falling from the small blades of grass. Cassie shuddered as she felt the blood running down her body. "Y-you... you're a m-monster..." The small voice pulled Cassie from her deep dark thoughts, she looked at the group of women standing behind her. "I saved your lives... all of you..." Her breathe was ragged, her body ached. As she turned back around her eyes wandered over the hundreds of dead bodies. Limbs torn apart, necks ripped wide open, and backs clawed out. "I'm a good person... I'm a good person I swear..." The words were barely above a whisper.

***

Cassie was pulled out of her memories. Her throat was dry and she couldn't breathe. She looked up to see Esther and Finn standing there, when her eyes traveled to her right she saw Elijah chained up next to her. "Elijah..." He turned his head to face her, his eyes were filled with rage. "How long have a I been out?" Finn shrugged, "About a day..." Chills ran down her arms, "Let him go... he doesn't need to be here." He chuckled at her desperation, "Is that compassion I see?" Cassie scoffed and leaned back against her restraints, "You wish." Esther held out a hand, her other hand laid on her face, rubbing the bridge of her nose, "Children..." Her voice was full of annoyance and exhaustion. "Can grandma not handle a bit of banter?" Cassie raised an eyebrow as the room fell dead silent. It seems that she was the only one to laugh at the joke.