𝕌𝕟𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕘𝕖𝕥𝕥𝕒𝕓𝕝𝕖 𝕃𝕠𝕧𝕖

ℝ𝕠𝕒𝕕 𝕋𝕣𝕚𝕡

THEY LEFT New Orleans and drove all night away from the chaotic city. Nathaniel slept for most of the trip, waking when they ended up a little beyond the Tennessee state border. He did not know where they were going, and he got a sense that Klaus or Hayley did not either. For now, they just needed to get as far away from the city as they could get.

After what seemed to be an eternity, and Nathaniel's complaints to use the bathroom, Klaus pulled into a small gas station far from the highway. While Nathaniel did his business, Hayley picked up some food and things Hope and Andrew might need along the way. They had no idea how long they would be gone, or where they planned to stay for the night, so food was a must.

Nathaniel and Hayley walked out of the station with two brown paper bags filled with snacks, drinks, and other things that may or may not need. As they approached the parked Range Rover, Hayley reached into her bag and pulled out a black baseball cap with Mother Trucker displayed across the front. When Klaus, who stood outside of the vehicle, looked in their direction, she waved the item in his direction.

Klaus immediately shook his head. "Absolutely not!" he exclaimed.

Hayley lowered the cap and gave him a flat stare. "We need to blind in. You could start by losing the thousand-dollar jacket."

Nathaniel nodded. "Yeah, you can't really blind in with all -that," he said and gestured to the hybrid's long, expensive coat.

Klaus sighed. "Tell me again why we're on a scenic tour in Methamphetamine Country, and not compelling a jet to some far off -preferably tropical -destination?" he questioned, clearly annoyed by the turn of events.

Hayley stared at him in slight annoyance. "Look, I'm not the one with an army of pissed off vampires coming after me. Can I have the keys?" Hayley asked and held out her hand.

Nathaniel had no idea where they were going but the two texted each other during the drive so Klaus would not know about Hayley's idea. They knew that as soon as he learned of it, he would decline in an instant. So as long as he did not find out before they got there, Klaus could not object.

Klaus exhaled in dramatic flare as he pulled the car keys from his jacket pocket to slam into the younger hybrid's hand. "On a scale from one to ten, exactly how much am I going to despise this little plan of yours?" he questioned, glancing between the two in front of him.

Nathaniel pressed his lips together, tilting his head as he said, "I'd say a substantial -ninety-four." He then grabbed ahold of the handle to climb into the back of the car. He plopped into the seat next to his son and niece and looked over to watch Hayley slap the cap onto Klaus's head, before she moved over to claim the driver's seat.  Nathaniel laughed and leaned back to find a comfortable position.

This should be fun.

ఌ
The drive lasted for another thirty minutes or so until they arrived at their destination. Hayley lived in the town of Willoughby Lake for several years to allow her to learn everything she could about being a werewolf. Hayley told Nathaniel everything that happened in this little town and more about her life over the years.

Nathaniel moved into the bar and was hit with a strong sense of nostalgia. A country tune played throughout the dimly lit space. There were one or two people inside, most of whom were sat far from the front bar.

"Well, I can see why you wanted to come here. I feel safer already," Klaus quipped as he looked at Hayley then they stepped further into the bar.