From the very beginning of the morning, something felt wrong. Agnes insisted that you go alone. She claimed it was only a routine examination, that one of the finest midwives living out in the bayou had agreed to see you far away from the prying eyes of New Orleans. It sounded reasonable. Even Klaus, though reluctant, eventually allowed you to leave under an escort that turned back a few miles earlier, exactly as the witch had instructed.

The wooden house stood alone in the middle of the bayou. Old. Damp. Surrounded by towering cypress trees. Inside, the air smelled of herbs and freshly brewed tea. The doctor was an elderly woman with a warm smile. The examination went smoothly. She rested a hand against your stomach for a long moment before smiling.

"The heartbeat is strong... remarkably strong. The baby is developing perfectly."

Relief washed over you. Only for a moment. Behind the house, an engine shut off. Silence followed. You looked at the doctor. Her smile had vanished. Slowly, she reached for a syringe lying on a metal tray. You reacted first. Grabbing her by the hair, you threw her off balance, caught the syringe and plunged it into her neck, forcing the sedative into her bloodstream. She collapsed within seconds. The front door shook beneath heavy blows. Once. Twice. Three times. You shoved a heavy chair beneath the handle and threw yourself through the open window.

The forest swallowed you instantly. Branches tore at your sleeves while roots hidden beneath the mud threatened every step. Behind you came shouting. Closer with every second. Then a familiar figure burst between the trees.

Rebekah.

She struck the first attacker before he could raise his weapon. The second followed a heartbeat later. She spun toward you.

"Run! Don't look back! Klaus will find you, but only if you keep moving!"

You ran.

A sharp whistle cut through the air.

A wolfsbane dart buried itself deep into your calf. Your leg collapsed beneath you. Before you could rise, an arrow pierced straight through your shoulder. Pain exploded through your body. The last thing you heard was Rebekah screaming your name.

Then...

Darkness.

An hour later, you emerged from the forest alone. Mud and blood covered your clothes. Your eyes were distant, unfocused. You remembered almost nothing. Rebekah reached you first, immediately checking your neck for bite marks. Finding none, she exhaled sharply.

"Those filthy bastards... What did they do to you?"

You didn't answer.

The doors of the compound burst open.

Klaus.

He crossed the distance in an instant, examining every injury with frightening precision. There was no panic in his eyes.

Only rage.

"I sincerely hope those who dared lay a hand on you... died slowly."

His hand settled gently over your stomach. He closed his eyes for a brief moment.

"The wounds are closing... faster than they should. even for a werewolf"

Rebekah looked at him.

"It's the baby. Half vampire... your blood is still healing her."

Your knees suddenly gave way. Klaus caught you before you hit the ground. his strong hands wrapped around you

"Shh... you don't have to do anything anymore."

He lifted you effortlessly into his arms. Your head rested against his shoulder as exhaustion overtook you.

"Rest, love... I've got you."

Only then did he look at Rebekah.

"Find that wretched witch. I want names."