The Chosen One

Thirty: Out of Time

Jessica

           As I did before, I shut my eyes against the wind as Klaus used his vampire speed to whisk us away to his intended destination, which turned out to be a small clearing in the woods that was not far from the old witch house. This time when he came to a stop, he maintained his hold on me so once again I could get my bearings before having to stand on my own.

           Before us, within a symbol of an encircled star drawn out on the ground with salt and five lit torches on each point of the star, Esther and Finn stood waiting for the full moon to reach its apex in the sky. I felt an instant and swift breeze as Elijah and Kol joined us. Finn stepped forwards in a protective stance before Esther.

          "Do not worry, my son. They cannot breach the circle." Esther told Finn, confidence in her tone.

          "What do you think you are doing?" Klaus accused Esther.

          "I am correcting a mistake that I made a long time ago. For a thousand years I had to watch you slaughter all of those innocent victims." Esther turned her gaze away from Klaus and over to Elijah. "Even Elijah, with his values and morals, caused needless deaths."

           I took that moment to pull away from Klaus and thankfully he let me. He let his hands fall to his sides but he darted a warning look at me letting me know that I should not try anything. Not like I had much of a chance too. So instead I just stood there, watching and waiting to see what would happen next.

         Kol began to pace outside the salt circle. "So Finn gets to play sacrificial lamb?" He mocked.

        "Are you not weary of the lives we led? The endless death? The stretch of time?" Finn gave a brief shake of his head. "I am ready to move on."

       "I will kill you!" Klaus shouted angrily at both of them. He made a rush forwards towards the circle but suddenly the torches flared up into a rising inferno until he backed off, returning to stand a short couple of feet away from me.

          Esther cast her gaze up towards the sky, noting that the moon was now at its peak. She raised her hands upwards and closed her eyes before she began to chant lowly. The flames of the torches flared, a sign that her spell was beginning to work. Hope renewed its spark within me that I would be saved from having to endure the numerous plans that Klaus had for me. Yet as I looked from Klaus, to Kol and Elijah, I felt guilty that they would have to be the ones to die so that I could have my chance at returning to my old life that I had before all of this.

           I wasn't under the delusion that Esther was doing this for me, nor did I believe that the only reason Klaus was desired to die was because of me. There were numerous reasons and lives that would be affected, mostly for the better, if all of the Originals were destroyed so that they could not wreak more havoc on the world. The success of Esther's plan was a critical point that would greatly affect my own life, so my heart began to pick up its rhythm at the possibility that I would soon be freed.

           Everyone seemed to be watching Esther, waiting to see what would occur next. She continued to chant then suddenly the flames of the torches died back down to normal and surprise crossed Esther's face. She seemed to be under duress, fear starting to fill her expression.

         "My sisters! Do not abandon me! I need your help!" Esther cried beseechingly.

           The flames of the torches continued to dim and then just as they sputtered and went out, Finn and Esther vanished. Now the only light came from the full moon above, shinning down on me and three Originals. In disbelief I stared at the place where Esther and Finn had just been, unable to comprehend what had happened. Esther had failed.