Hidden Treasure

The cave was a massive, marvelous thing; hidden deep within a West Virginia mountain. Formations of wet rock hung from a high ceiling, dripping water down to the ground below and onto mounds that would, in time, create formations of their own.

The only light in the monstrous cavern were the many white waxed candles set up on any flat surface available. The flames flickering light cast eery shadows along the wall, and the glossy mahogany coffin that lay off to the far corner.

Elijah knelt down beside the coffin, speaking to the woman behind him in a low, distant voice, "A moment, please." His voice echoed off the walls and reverberated back to his own ears. He placed a pale hand on the coffin before slowly opening the lid. The hinges creaked and groaned with age until finally revealing the true treasure inside. There, lying still, was the corpse of a girl. She had pale, blonde hair, and her skin was the color of ash. Dark veins protruded from her slender neck and lead up to the portion of her heart-shaped face, stopping before they reached too far up her cheeks. She wore a pearl colored chiffon gown that dated back centuries, the dress covered every part of her body as from her thin arms, her tiny feet, and a portion of her chest. Around her neck hung a string of fine pearls, a gift from Niklaus years ago.

Elijah's eyes lingered over her body, the body of his sister whom he'd thought to be long gone years ago. Her coffin had been lined with white silk, rather than the typical satin that had lined his own. She had been clearly favored by his brother. He focused his eyes then on the silver dagger sticking out from the girl's chest. Being as gentle as possible, Elijah gripped the dark handle and began pulling it from her chest. The sound of the dagger being released sent a sliding echo through the cavern.

"Time to awaken, dear sister," Elijah murmured as he withdrew a blood bag from his jacket pocket and opened a portion of the top, wafting the bag near her mouth and nose in hopes of awakening her quicker. He was now in a desperation to see her soft, gentle eyes reopen. To hear her sweet, innocent voice again. Now it seemed only time was his enemy.