IN WHICH - The last thing that Hope Mikaelson expected when she came out of Malivore was to still be alive, the second last thing she expected was to be disowned by most of her living family, and the final last thing she expected was some ancient be...
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THIRD PERSON POV
CHAPTER 13
The morning light filtered through the trees, casting a warm glow over the clearing where Sophia continued to run at superhuman speed, chasing after the butterfly with a wide, innocent grin plastered across her face. The crisp air carried the faint scent of dew and wildflowers, but there was an odd contrast between the peaceful surroundings and the chaos in the pit of Hope's stomach.
Sophia's laughter rang out, echoing through the trees as she darted back and forth. Despite the unnatural speed at which she moved, she seemed to be completely caught up in the moment, her youthful innocence in full display as she frolicked after the butterfly. Her movements were erratic, almost childlike, yet far too fast, and Hope couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt.
Daryl, on the other hand, sat on a log a little further from the scene, arms crossed tightly over his chest. His jaw was set, his expression hard, and his gaze flicked from Sophia's erratic movements to Hope, who stood nearby with her arms folded. Neither of them had spoken much since their argument the night before. The silence between them felt thick, heavy with the weight of unspoken words and broken trust.
Sophia's laughter rang out again, pulling both Daryl and Hope's attention back to her. She was spinning in circles now, her small body a blur as she tried to catch the butterfly in mid-air, the energy radiating from her almost palpable. Hope's eyes narrowed with concern as she watched the girl, the child that was no longer entirely a child. The vampiric influence in her blood seemed to push her beyond the innocent play of a typical kid, but Sophia wasn't ready for that. She wasn't prepared for the full weight of what she had become.
"She's just a kid," Hope muttered to herself, trying to push away the anxiety gnawing at her.
But Daryl's voice cut through the quiet, low and tense. "She's more than just a kid now."
Hope didn't respond immediately, her eyes staying fixed on Sophia as she finally stopped in the middle of the clearing, her breath coming in quick, shallow gasps from the exertion of the chase. Her wide green eyes glinted in the morning light, and the faintest of smiles tugged at the corners of her lips. Sophia tilted her head, her gaze flicking between Hope and Daryl, sizing them both up with an almost calculating look in her eyes.
She was too aware. Too sharp. Too dangerous for her own good.
"Hope," Daryl spoke again, voice softer now, but still edged with frustration. "You should do something about her. She can't just be running wild like this."
"I know," Hope replied, her voice tight. "But I can't just fix this. I can't fix her, Daryl."
Sophia's grin faltered for just a moment as she looked at them, her brows furrowing. The laughter died in her throat as she slowly, almost curiously, approached Hope and Daryl. Her feet were light on the grass, and even though she seemed to have no trouble controlling her movements, the look in her eyes was one of confusion and fear. Despite the new strength coursing through her, she was still just a child lost in the middle of a nightmare.
