1988, Scarborough, England

Stella sat on the floor in the middle of the small, empty room. The room had no furniture, no decorations - it didn't even have windows. It was empty.

Stella had her hands linked with Matthew's as they tried the spell again. The first try was the most successful; able to retrieve a full, clear memory. It, however, seemed to be getting harder every time they tried.

This confused Matthew as spells usually got stronger the more he practiced them. But, the compulsion might be fighting his magic, keeping Stella from getting her memories back.

Both Matthew and Stella had blood trickling from their nostrils, the small red stream dripping onto their criss-crossed legs.

Stella feared she would never get her memories back using magic. It was a terrifying thought and she was willing to do anything in order to get her memories back.

Suddenly, Matthew broke the spell and stood, looking at Stella apologetically. The ginger girl looked at him confused, not sure what he was doing. "What is it?" She questioned, watching Matthew wipe the blood from under his nose. Stella copied his action, also wiping the blood from her face.

He shook his head and turned around, sighing loudly as he gripped his hair, letting out a frustrated groan. The candles nearly went out because of the sudden movement.

Stella stood up, watching the man cautiously, unsure of what was happening. "What's wrong?" She questioned the slightly older boy.

He turned around and walked towards her, hugging her tightly. "I'm sorry." He said quietly as he pulled away from her. He opened the door to the room and left.

The girl gulped and also left, following him into the living room where the Peaky Blinders watched TV. "No!" She exclaimed; getting everyone's attention.

Every person in the room looked at them confused; their brows furrowed. Tommy was about to say something but Matthew cut him off, "It's not working, Stella!" He exclaimed.

The girl stopped as Matthew turned around to look at her, "It will work, Matt. It worked the first time. We just have to try harder!" She paused "it will work. It just needs time."

Matthew looked at her sympathetically "Stella... spells get stronger, not weaker." He explained "it's nor going to work, I'm sorry."

Tears appeared on her eyes, blurring her perfect vision, "How else are we going to get my memories back, then?" Her voice cracked as she questioned the Warlock.

He sighed "the only way is to find Astrid and tell her to end the compulsion." He told her.

Her eyes lit up "let's find her then. All we need is a map-"

"It won't work." He said "I already tried." He paused for a minute. "The only way to find her is to somehow track her without magic. It won't be easy and it will take years." He told her.

She looked at him with determination in her eyes "I've waited over sixty years... I'm willing to wait longer."

Matthew nodded "there's one more thing." He said, "I can't guarantee that she'll end the compulsion."

Stella clenched her hands into fists "then we'll make her do it. She won't have a choice." She said in a deeper voice, scaring the people in the room.

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a sob, Astrid hung up the phone. She couldn't believe Stella would take her friends hostage. She was never a violent person. Of course, people change but Astrid could not believe that the old love of her life would threaten her friends. She could not understand how she found her or even remembered her memories.

She put her phone down, knowing that she had to go save her friends. Klaus could protect himself but most of people in Beacon Hills were human; unable to protact themselves from the immortal being. She had to leave. She had to protect her friends.

She quickly left the room she was in and searched for Niklaus; who seemed to be nowhere in the old plantation house. She cursed under her breath and quickly left; strolling through the streets of New Orleans.

She searched every pub, every shop, every park. She seemed to be nowhere. She even managed to find Marcel and ask him, but he didn't know where Niklaus could be either.

She sighed, slowly starting to give up, "Nik, where the hell are you?" She spoke to herself as she continued walking. Witches stared at her as she walked down the streets of New Orleans. She felt like they could attack her any second. They hated her, and the feeling was mutual.

She flinched slightly when she felt an arm wrap around her shoulders. "I'm here." Niklaus told her with a small smile. "What's wrong?" He questioned, instantly knowing that she wasn't alright. He could see in in her eyes and her body language; Although most people wouldn't see it. She was great at hiding her emotions, but Nik was better at reading her expressions.

Astrid sighed and turned around to looked at her older brother "I have to leave." She said and Nik furrowed his eyebrows, confused. "Do you..." She paused "... Do you remember Stella?" She asked.

Nik nodded his head "of course I do." He replied with a confused expression, nor knowing where his baby sister was going with it.

She inhaled sharply "she's back..." She said and Nik smiled happily. Surprisingly, the man liked Stella. One could say it was the only relationship he approved of. "...But she's not on our side." His smile quickly disappeared, "She's holding Scott and his friends captive. I have to help them." She said quietly.

Nik smiled and hugged her tightly "it's alright, sister. Go save your friends... I'm just surprised she turned this way." He told her as he kissed her forehead

She smiled and pulled away "Me too, brother. I'll see you soon, Nik. She told him as he vamp sped away; heading to Beacon Hills. To save her friends from someone who was never a threat to her before.

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