What Now?

Chapter 2

"The moon is almost at its apex; we need to start soon." Hope said looking at her watch. 9:02PM.

"We're ready. What exactly do you need us to do?" Josie asked Hope.

"Well, I'm still not sure what's going to happen with this spell. One of you can do the spell and siphon me and the other one just needs to touch us while we do the spell in case it tries to take us somewhere else. Like our anchor," Hope explained.

Hope looked down to confirm everything was ready to begin. She had the four elements set up in a square, ready to go. She had the dead herbs at the top of the square to make a pentagon.

"How come that dead herb doesn't look very herb-ish?" Lizzie asked.

The bottle was filled with what looked like half ash and half ground cinnamon. Whatever it was, it definitely was not an herb.

"Oh. Uh... The spell required the herb to be crushed because it has to be spread out during the spell" Hope said while avoiding their eyes

Hope checked her watch again, 9:03PM.

"We have about a minute and a half before we need to start. Everyone know what they're doing? Any questions?" Hope asked.

"Actually, I do have a question. Since that isn't an herb and you're not going to be doing the spell, I am; what exactly are you attempting to revive, Hope?" Josie asked.

Hope hesitated, "Not what, who..."

"Your parents?" Josie said shakily.

"If you don't want to help me, I understand," Hope said disappointed.

Josie grabbed Hopes' hand and said, "I'm in."

Hope and Josie looked over at Lizzie waiting for her to say something.

Lizzie walked up to them and wrapped her hands around theirs. "Me too."

They all got in their position and Hope checked her watch again. "Let's start," she said.

The girls knelt and took each other's hands. Josie began chanting, Hope opened the bottle of ash from her mother's death and hair from her father's comb that she had grounded up.

Hope closed her eyes and whenever she opened them which felt like minutes later, she seemed to be in a different world. She was still at the old mill, but everything was darker and empty. Josie was there, but Hope knew she couldn't interact with her.

She didn't know how long she had, so she decided to start looking for her parents immediately. She assumed they were in New Orleans since that's where they died and that was their home.

Hope did a quick spell that zapped her into the bayou. That was the last place Hope saw Hayley in the afterlife when she consumed the Hollow a couple years ago.

Hope looked around for her mother. She went into the woods a little more to where the pack usually gathered. She heard lots of voices and music and laughter. Then she froze.

There she was.

She had a beer bottle pressed to her lips and she was still smiling. There was a big bonfire going on it looked like and the fire light illuminated Hayley for Hope. She looked beautiful. Just like she remembered. Her hair was right above her shoulders and styled perfectly for her face shape. She was wearing an all-black outfit with black combat boots. She had light makeup because honestly, she didn't need it.

Hayley looked up and made eye contact with Hope. She slowly walked towards her.

"Hope?" Hayley asked shakily.

"Mom," Hope cried.

Hayley began running towards Hope and before she could touch her Hope yelled "No! Don't touch me yet!"

Hayley stopped in her tracks and looked confused with tears in her eyes.

"I am casting a revival spell to bring you and dad back to me. If you touch me now, it will take us both back instantly. I do want this to be your choice. I know you are happy here, but I had to see you again, mom," Hope explained.

"Hope, I am so happy to see you. I love you and I miss you so much. I have lived my life though. I'm here with Jackson and Elijah and my parents. This is my peace, baby girl. You must go back. Your dad hasn't found peace yet, so if you take him back you have to make sure he changes," Hayley said through her tears.

"I understand. I love you too, mom. Do you know where dad is? I don't have much time," Hope asked.

"We can't see him. He's probably alone and miserable. Be careful, sweetie. He will need out of that place. So he can begin his redemption," Hayley answered.

"I'll find him. I just love you so much, mom. I wish you were coming with me. I understand it, but it sucks," Hope said while she was crying hard.

"I know, baby girl. I love you too, but we'll meet again someday. Remember I'm here watching over you and that I am so proud of you. Forever and always," Hayley said strongly.

Hope smiled and turned around closing her eyes tightly to try and stop the tears. She began walking away and made her way out of the woods. As soon she got to where the sleeping quarters were, she zapped herself into the compound. Her childhood home.

It was colder and darker here. It started lightening and thundering badly. Hope figured that was because she didn't have much time left. She had a feeling she knew where he was.

She went up the stairs and walked into his room. There he was. Painting.

His painting was dark and twisted. Hope knew he must be feeling lonely. Suddenly he stopped. Hope knew if she didn't say anything, he would attack her before realizing it was her.

"Dad," she muttered.

Klaus turned around quickly. He stared at her for a moment as he began to tear up. Finally, he looked away so that he could snap himself back into reality.

"How is this possible? Are you okay, Hope?" Klaus asked confused.

"I found a spell to revive the dead. I came here to get you and mom, but she found peace and wanted to stay. Of course, the choice is yours. I just needed to see you both again. All I have to do is touch you and it will take us both back," Hope explained.

"Thank you for coming back for me, but you're better off without me. Go back, Hope." Klaus argued.

"No dad. I miss you so much. I found a way for you to come back and for us to live happily ever after. Please dad. I need you and I can tell you need me too," Hope said choking back her tears.

"Are you sure, Hope?" Klaus asked one last time.

"Positive" she responded.

Klaus stood up and put his paintbrush down. He started walking towards Hope and then wrapped her in a big hug as they closed their eyes.

Suddenly, Hope could hear the chanting from the spell again. Her eyes remained closed, but she could still feel her father in her arms. She opened her eyes and the chanting stopped.

Josie doubled over gasping for air. Lizzie hurried over to her to steady her balance. Josie caught her breath and looked up at Klaus and Hope who were still hugging. Josie nudged Lizzie to get her attention to the sweet father-daughter moment that was happening in front of them.

Finally, Hope pulled back to make sure this was really happening, and she wasn't dreaming. She looked at her father in the eyes and smiled. "What now?" She asked.