Chapter One:

"When did you get so fast?"

"I am not your weak little cousin any more, Stiles."

"But you're about a foot shorter than me," he pouted. "It's unfair. It's also six in the morning. How are you guys," motioning to Scott and his cousin. "Awake enough to put one foot in front of the other?"

"It is called endurance." Emory laughed. "Casper was able to keep up," She nodded at the panting Golden Retriever that came from New York with her. "And even Scott managed without his inhaler," Stiles shot Scott a look of shock.

There had been commosion this morning when Stiles picked up Stiles to go for the morning run. Scott had lifted up the side of his t-shirt to reveal nothing which both boys looked confused about. "I thought you guys stuck with Lacrosse."

"We did," Stiles pouted further as he looked down at his shorter cousin whose forehead which was barely perspiring after three miles through the woods.

"Today is the first day of tryouts," said Scott who miraculously did not need his inhaler anymore.

"I see your still playing soccer," said Stiles.

"Of course." Emory's smile fell. "It kept the parents happy." The reference to her parents kept them quiet for a second. "Anyways, race you guys back to your car."

Emory took off through the woods before Stiles had the chance to groan and tell her 'no' with some sarcastic remark.

Emory and Casper bounded through the woods over dead trees. Scott easily caught up with her. Emory assumed Stiles at least had the strength the catch up with her when she and Scott stopped after a few minutes. However, when she looked over her shoulder, Stiles was no where to be seen through the trees.

"Stiles!" She called out.

"He's probably lost. Let's just meet him at the car. C'mon," Scott was about to start running again when Casper barked.

The bark dragged Emory's attention away from scanning the woods. Casper never barked. Emory's parents had trained Casper like they had Emory. Never speak, or bark-in Casper's case, out of turn. Never cause attention to yourself. Her parents had the skill of blending in and never wanted it be sacrificed for a child or dog.

Casper's focus was on something through the woods. He suddenly ran towards something Emory was not aware of. Emory ran after Casper, gasping for air quickly at the change in pace. Scott was at her side while breathing easily.

After a few minutes, which consisted of Emory franticly trying to keep an eye on Casper for he was not the type of dog to run from her command, they came to a clearing.

The dog approached an undoubtedly abandoned house.

Once Emory had come to the clearing of trees herself, she could see that the house was once a Victorian-style beauty. The paint was long gone and it seemed as if the back of the house was mostly in ashes. The morning light illuminated the top of the pointed roof causing the rest to be glowing with an eerily darkness.

Casper's constant vicious barking but Emory on edge. "Casper!" She scolded. The dog let out a few more barks before running to her with his tail between his legs. The instant change confused Emory. Silly dog.

"His hearts beating fast. He seems scared," Scott noted.

Emory kneeled on the dead leaves to comfort the golden retriever. The poor animal was shaking as he put his head between her legs.

"Funny dog," said a voice imitating her thoughts from seconds earlier. A man, not too much older than Emory and Scott stood in front of the house just five feet away from them. How had she not heard him approach. The dead leaves usually prevented Emory from loosing Casper with his nose to the ground this time of year.

"He's just scared for some reason," Emory said levelly. "He's usually not like this."

The man whistled lightly. Casper left Emory's grasp and practically ran to the stranger. The black haired, but pale man gently rubbed the dog's head and back.

Emory noticed how the man had sort of a dark glow around him. Despite the almost all black outfit, the mans scowl did not seem to leave his face. Although, throughout the time the man stroked Casper's head, his light green eyes stayed soft and calm.

"Scott! Em!" Stiles came trotting behind them loudly in the dead leaves. He stopped at the edge of the woods before resting his hands on his knees and panting towards the ground. Emory watched him carefully waiting for him to notice the man in front of her.

Stiles finally picked his head up. Shock flashed across his face.

"What are you guys doing here?" The man's voice went from deep to deeper where his tone went to threatening catching Scott and Emory off guard. "This is private property."

"Sorry man," said Stiles coming up beside Scott and Emory. "We didn't know."

"We were just having a morning run in the park."

"And then Casper, here," Scott motioned to the dog. "Ran off."

"Were you possibly looking for anything?" The man asked.

"No, we-" Emory started.

"Actually," Stiles cut in. "I think we might have dropped someth-"

Derek took is hand out of his pocket and through something at Scott.

Scott easily caught the object. His inhaler.

The man raised his eyebrows motioning that their interaction was done.

Emory, Scott, and Stiles departed jogging through the woods back towards the entrance of the park.

When they got a few paces away. Stiles stopped.

"Guys," he said causing Emory and Scott to stop as well. "That was Derek Hale."

Scott and Emory looked at him with blank faces.

"His family died like ten years ago in a fire," Stiles looked at Emory with apologetic eyes.

"Sounds familiar," added Emory.

No one knew what to say next so they jogged in silence. Emory and Stiles struggled to match Scott's pace while Stiles struggled not showing how much he was struggling.