elemental • n. m.

16. the new order

It was the early morning, and I was sweating profusely as the sun beamed down on us as we hiked up the Smoky Mountain. I was walking a few steps behind Niklaus and Stefan, who was carrying Ray's unconscious body on his shoulders.

I heard Niklaus' mocking voice in front of me, "You okay? Is Ray getting heavy?"

I rolled my eyes as Stefan answered, "I'm fine."

Niklaus only continued, "You sure about that? You know, we've been walking for quite some time now. If you need some water or a little sit-down..."

I huffed, "I'll take that little sit down." and promptly went over to a big rock that looked more comfortable than the hard soil.

Stefan snapped, "You know, I get that we're, uh...we're stuck together, but if we could maybe just skip the chitchat, it'd be great."

Niklaus sighed as he saw my form and started to walk my way, "So much brooding. Your self-loathing is suffocating you, my friend."

I turned to him, as I took off my sweaty hoody and remained in my white tank top. Since we started our trek a while ago, it was still pretty chilly, but I'm glad I wore something underneath, otherwise I would have flashed everyone in the vicinity, no doubt without remorse.

I redid my high ponytail and wiped at my forehead as Nik spoke to me, "Come on, love. I can hear people in the distance."

I stood, a little sad that I could only get two minutes of rest, as my feet ached. I let a wave of wind consume me whole, as it worked to refresh me.

Stefan looked at me as I sent some fresh and cool air his way, but I could tell he appreciated it, "Maybe it's 'cause I'm a little tired of hunting werewolves."

I nodded my head at Nik, continuing, "We've been at it all summer."

Niklaus turned his head to the side as he listened for something, "Thanks to our pal Ray, we found ourselves a pack. There."

We all come to a stop as we found the pack's camp. Stefan enters it cautiously but swiftly, and everyone looks at him. He pretty much throws Ray on the ground, not caring to be gentle about the motion.

A brunette woman rushes over to him, and shouts, "Ray! Oh, my God. What's going on? Who are you?" The questions are directed at our little group.

Niklaus is confident as he talks, boastful Of himself, "The important question is who am I. Please forgive the intrusion. My name is Klaus."

I scrunch up my nose at his nickname, this reminds me, I really should come up with some Santa jokes. They would definitely be a hit.

The woman's eyes flash with fear as she says, "You're the hybrid."

Niklaus smiles wide. "You've heard of me. Fantastic."

.

Everyone around us is standing still, looking at Niklaus as he gives his little speech and listening intently.  They honestly probably feared the Original hybrid too much to try to do anything about their predicament. Stefan and I were sitting a little off from Niklaus.

"It's fascinating, actually...A werewolf who isn't beholden to the moon, a vampire who doesn't burn in the sun. A true hybrid."

At this very moment, Ray, the dead werewolf subject, awoke with a gasp, beginning his transition.

"Excellent timing, Ray." Niklaus says, "Very dramatic." I scoff, has he heard half the stuff that comes out of his mouth?

Ray looked around at his surroundings, and I'm sure he felt everything more heightened. "What's happening to me?"