RESURRECTION • ELIJAH MIKAELSON [ON HOLD]

E L E V E N

CHAPTER ELEVEN; Her

Walking along the sidewalk of the French Quarter, Scarlett kept her eyes peeled open for the small shop Elijah had told her about earlier. Spotting one with the matching name, she wondered if it was still open. Even though it was only nearing ten, the sky had blackened over the summer night. But a light illuminating from the inside drawed her into tugging open the door and stepping inside.

"Hello," she called out, standing on the threshold. Her eyes scanned around the room, seeing only simple convenience store items; nothing stood out of ordinary. Except for the uneasy feeling that began to settle in her stomach. But it was one she was trying to ignore, thinking it was only the copies of everything her and Elijah found earlier that were burning a hole through her purse, the heat reaching her skin.

She didn't hear any sign of a worker after her call and contemplating leaving until the sound of a woman's voice made her turn her head.

"Hi," a woman with dark brown skin said, her voice sounding a bit disoriented. She emerged from the closed off back of the store floor, the curtain of beads clinking together in her wake. "How can I help you?"

"I was wondering if Lenore was here? A friend told me she could help me with something."

"You've found her," the woman nodded, "What can I help you with?"

"Oh- Great," the brunette smiled, her voice sounding flustered as approached the woman standing behind the counter. Scarlett still found herself stuck on how to explain the fact that she was a witch. Saying the words felt impossible coming off of her tongue.

"My friend Elijah came by earlier, and I know it didn't go well. But I could really use your help on these," she explained, revealing the papers from her bag.

She watched a look of revelation crossed the woman's face, yet it disappeared sooner than it came. Even with a single glance at the writings, the woman knew of it's contents. "Let's go in the back," she motioned to the same back entrance in which she just came from. "In case someone comes in, we don't want them to hear."

The uneasiness in her stomach became to grow further, progressing to a adrenaline fueled response. Lenore's response set her on the heightened edge of awareness. Not only was it unlikely for anyone to come in at this time of the night, the elusive tone in her voice made Scarlett weary. Her instincts said to run, but she felt compelled to stay. She needed these answers.

Stepping past the beaded curtain, she followed in the dark haired witch's footsteps. Scarlett kept the coded copies close to her, never letting her grasp loosen on them.

And it was almost within seconds that her clutched hands tighten as did her chest once the back room became in full view. With the low lighting of flickering candles around the room, she was able to take in the sight of a dead python lying drained of blood on the table in front of her and a familiar face.

"Hayley?"

Scarlett's hazel eyes widen at the sight of the hybrid that she had only just met that morning; Hayley was frozen where she stood, compelled not to move nor speak. But with a  wave of Esther's hand and a cell phone ringing in the air, the woman moved to retrieve the device before turning to Scarlett.

"What are you doing here," she asked hurriedly.

"I was looking for a witch," Scarlett glanced at Lenore, the woman continuing on as if nothing was happening.

"Me too, but it appears this plan backfired on both of us," she replied before glancing at the phone, "It's Elijah."

"Go ahead, you can answer it," Lenore nodded.