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chapter forty-four. there in the disappearing light
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ESME HAD PLACED Isaac in the care, alongside Hope with their father and brother. The dark magic which inflicted them was poisonous to the mind and soul, that it created an anger needing to be unleashed. It was dark magic that left voices in their heads that was haunting and grimace worthy, and each had hated it, both filled with grief and with anger. Esme had felt those who were covered in anger would have a better understanding than she would, and it was what she told herself as Hope had visited her during the time of Klaus and Oscar's absence as they had roamed the city for Roman Sienna, the boy in which was hiding, easily to be found, and who they had wanted to take their anger out on.
Hope had explained her visit to Declan, the Irish man who had witnessed things he shouldn't have, especially since he was human. It was a day in which Esme had chosen to venture out of the compound, to step into Rousseau's for the first time in a long while. Her presences had grabbed Josh's attention from behind the bar as she fiddled with her cell between her fingers while glancing around the bar, finding Declan occupied within the kitchen, preparing food for the day ahead.
Esme's lips pressed into a thin line before her eyes flickered towards Josh and she had waved in greeting. "Hey, Josh." She greeted before tucking her locks of hair behind her ear.
"Hey, Esme." Over the course of seven years, Josh and Esme had become friends, not close friends, but friends were it was possible for them to be in each other's presence and hold conversation where there was to be no awkwardness. Josh's brows furrowed in confusion as she slid into the stool opposite the bar before beginning to fiddle with her wedding ring. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at home with Isaac, considering?"
"I want to be home too, Josh." Esme admitted before she rested against the bar and sighed heavily. "Hope actually asked me to come out here, keep an eye on Declan, which is a kind thought of her. Something happened the other night with Elijah--."
Josh had fallen far more eager into the conversation. "Is he--?" He queried while gesturing to his brain, he was questioning if Elijah was truly the Mikaelson who never left his brother's side.
"Yes, Elijah is Elijah." Esme confirmed and before she had the chance to speak any further Declan had approached causing the conversation between the two vampires to fade into silence. "Hey, Declan."
Declan's head shook gently, as the warm greeting was reciprocated. "I think I'm going mad." He voiced before resting against the bar with furrowed brows. He looked exhausted, his eyes didn't seem as if they were with him during that moment in time, as if his mind was fading elsewhere. "I-I keep blacking out, having these vague memories of conversations I can't fully recall. In the middle of the day, mind you."
"I'm sure it's nothing." Esme reassured before she had glanced at Josh who had found himself occupied with retrieving filled bottles of booze to clog the bar with the crate he carried. "Right, Josh?" He nodded, his focus seemingly on his phone where he had received a missed call and voicemail from Marcel.
