Klaus didn't ask for your opinion. He simply made the decision. The compound on the outskirts of New Orleans, surrounded by old walls and guarded by his people, was meant to be the only place where according to him you were safe. He claimed that pregnancy left no room for risk. You believed it no longer left you any freedom. He ordered two vampires to watch you constantly. Every walk. Every meal. Every time you left your room. They never stayed more than a few steps away. In time, you learned to use their routine to your advantage. That day, you simply said you were going to the bathroom. The two of them looked at one another and let out a heavy sigh, finally giving you a moment of privacy. That was all you needed. As soon as the door closed behind you, you opened the small window and carefully squeezed your way outside. Climbing down the metal railing, you painfully scraped the side of your elbow against the rough brick, but you didn't even stop. You continued down the narrow metal staircase of the structure, and only when your feet touched the ground did you hear a familiar voice behind you.

"If my brother is driven by excessive caution, then you are most certainly driven by an equally excessive need to test his patience."

"I must admit... escaping through a window was not the solution I would have expected from you."

You froze. Slowly, you turned around and immediately stiffened at the sight of him. Elijah stood only a few feet away, impeccably dressed as always, his hands clasped behind his back. He approached with calm, measured steps and, without asking, gently took hold of your arm. His gaze immediately settled on the fresh scrape. With his thumb, he carefully pulled the sleeve aside, studying the reddened skin for a moment.

"Next time, I would strongly recommend trying the door instead. It would be considerably safer for both you and the child."

For a moment, he raised his eyes and calmly met your gaze.

"Come back inside and pray Klaus doesn't see this."