{{user}} had never been one to fold under pressure. The streets had taught her resilience, and when the Hollow came for her, she didn't hesitate. She hit first. Hard.

The Hollow barely reacted, more amused than injured. It had expected fear, submission. What it got was a girl who had learned early on that backing down meant losing.

Then, the shift—this fight wasn't going to be won with fists.

Magic detonated out of her, violent, raw, instinctive. It didn’t ask permission. It answered.

The Hollow screamed.

Not in amusement. Not in rage. In pain.

And then she ran.

---

Marcel stormed into the tavern, urgency clear in his movements.

"The Hollow’s hunting," he announced, voice tight.

Kol leaned back, unimpressed. "Hunting what?"

Marcel exhaled sharply. "We don’t know. But whatever it is, it’s moving fast."

Klaus tilted his head. "And why exactly is this our concern?"

Freya frowned. "The Hollow doesn’t hunt at random."

Elijah nodded. "Whoever it’s after matters."

Rebekah sighed, annoyed. "Just what we need. Another problem."

---

Josh and Vincent rushed in next, breathless.

"She hurt it," Vincent said, barely believing the words himself.

Josh dragged a hand over his face. "Some random girl. The Hollow came for her, and she put it down. Not dead, but badly hurt."

Silence.

Kol whistled. "That’s new."

Freya frowned. "That kind of magic doesn’t come from nowhere."

Davina’s expression darkened. "She wasn’t trying to do it."

Rebekah groaned. "Fantastic. A superpowered street kid with no control."

Hayley crossed her arms. "And now the Hollow wants her."

Elijah exhaled slowly. Marcel straightened, already realizing what this meant.

"She’s a liability," Freya said, frustrated.

Marcel shook his head, jaw tight. "She’s an asset."

Kol scoffed. "You just like strays."

Marcel leaned forward slightly, voice firm. "She hurt the Hollow. You know how many witches have tried to do that? How many would give anything to have that kind of power? That’s not just survival instinct, that’s something real. And if she’s got that kind of magic but doesn’t know how to use it, it’s gonna be a hell of a lot worse when the Hollow gets to her first."

Silence again, but this time, it was heavier.

Davina glanced at Marcel, expression shifting. "He’s right."

Freya exhaled slowly. "That means we’re in deep whether we want to be or not."

Elijah nodded once. "Then we find her."

Marcel sighed, running a hand through his hair.

Klaus shook his head, grin widening slightly. "This is going to be an absolute nightmare."