Chapter 3
Harper ran into the school ground, she had already received her timetable, and was informed on where everything around the school was. Her blonde hair whipped around her as she ran through the halls, after finding the locker that was assigned to her name, and finally found the class she was looking for.
Opening the door, she walked in, still a little out of breath. She at first noticed Scott and Stiles, who looked at her with surprise, Stiles leaned in towards Scott, "-I thought you said it was Isaac?" with Scott replying, "I thought it was!" Eying the t-shirt that was obviously not hers.
"And you must be Harper Winsol, I hope the class gives a warm welcome to our new student." Harper quickly moved to the middle of the class, sitting behind Scott, smiling as he turned to speak with her. "You didn't tell us you were attending this school?" Scott grinned.
"I didn't really have the time, you know, with being interrogated and all." The blonde replied, laughing and turning her attention back to the class. "Actually, I was with Derek before.-"
At that moment it was when Stiles butted in, "And obviously Isaac." He wiggled his eyebrows at her.
Harper deadpanned him, before continuing. "They couldn't find much about the stolen memories.-"
Coach started walking down the isles with a penny in his hand. The three teenagers shut up, watching him continue his speech about risk and reward.
Stiles was called up, about to throw the penny into the mug, when he was interrupted. An officer walked in, and Harper raised her eyebrows. Scott looked behind at Harper, "That's Stiles Dad.." Harper numbly nodded, watching the exchange between father and son.
Scott looked forward again, remembering the conversation that traversed between him and Stiles last night.
"Scott, we don't know anything about her! What if it turns out she's out to get us all." Stiles explained, using grand hand gestures while driving his car.
"I don't think she's like that.. Why would she have helped Isaac?" Scott debated with himself.
"Well... because he's a hunk!" Stiles flailed, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Scott turned to him, just staring at Stiles, his mouth turned into a frown.
"W-what." Stiles mouth gaping slightly, starting to babble on.
"Okay, OTHER than that Stiles!" Scott continued.
"Okay, okay. Well, what if it has something to do with that whole forest whispering thing she kept talking about. Maybe, the forest needs him for some superior plan." Stiles was grasping at straws at this point.
"That doesn't make any sense...You said that she like a deity right, of the natural world. Well, wouldn't werewolves come under that! She wouldn't want to hurt something she's supposed to protect." Scott looked questioning towards Stiles, who nodded.
"Yeah but, how about the alpha pack?... Isn't she supposed to 'protect' them as well.." Stiles said, thinking about it before gasping. "Wait, wait!I remember reading up about this, nymphs believe in balance, like a weighted scale. So, the alphas have shifted the scales, and she's with us because...we're the good guys!" Stiles decided, impressed with himself.
"I feel like there is something even bigger going on though..." Scott thought out loud, unsure as to what though.
"You know nature voo-doo, can you tell us why there are crows attacking the school! Or perhaps why a deer rammed into Lydia's car?" Stiles flailed, demanding answers from their new friend; Harper.
The two boys had filled Harper in on some of the events that had unfolded at Beacon hills, yet withholding some information, not quite sure if they were able to trust her yet.
"At first I thought it was the alpha pack upsetting the balance, but there is something else here. Trying to sway the elements..." Harper had felt the disturbance the moment she went into slumber, the forest suspecting a spirit that wanted control.
"Do you think it was the alpha pack... who took Heather?" Stiles looked at Scott, his face forming a frown.
"That wouldn't make any sense... why would they want to take a human." Harper shook her head, "but we can't know for sure... " She sighed, rubbing her hands against her eyes.
"We have to find her.." Stiles had started to explain to Scott the necessity of finding Heather, but Harper had zoned out, the blooding pounding in her ears suddenly.
Walking passed the library, Harper felt a disturbance in the back of her mind. They're here. The voice seemed to scream. Looking around Harper was suddenly on edge.
"What is it?" Scott called, looking at Harper hesitantly.
"They're here." Harper said in a trance, she slowly turned her head, everyone else in the vicinity drowned out of her senses. Locking her eyes with the filth she saw the other night. Rage filled her instantaneously, her eyes becoming gold. It was that scent, the eyes, she could never forget them. They had tortured her. Not only that, but afterwards tried to kill her.
Shaking Scott off from her grasp, she strode over to the alpha twin, who was talking to a young lady who she knew was an wanted to draw on her power, but she knew she couldn't do it in such a public place, instead, with her jaw set, she marched over to the two supernatural beings. The twin's eyes were wide, before narrowing, an unexpected appearance.
"Sorry if I am intruding but my name's Harper, I'm new here. I couldn't help but notice your blouse and was wondering where you got it from. ." Harper smiled, genuine towards the girl. "Oh." Slightly taken back, Lydia didn't know how to respond for a moment. Unsure whether to be angry, or pleased by the attention. "I got it from dolce; Lydia." She held out her hand, which Harper grabbed, before turning to the twin.
"And you are?" Her eyes flashing gold, she wanted to instill fear, a silent threat. "Aiden." Holding out a hand, Harper grasped it, digging her fingernails into his hand. They stared at each other for a moment, hatred embedded in her eyes. Finally letting go, proud that she had drawn blood, Harper turned and walked off, not looking back. Even if he was an alpha, that wound would take awhile to heal.
"Well then..." She could hear Lydia comment confusingly, completely unaware of the power play that had just taken place.
"W-WHat was that? Do you know him?" Stiles asked as the two of them reached Harper's strides. "He's a werewolf." She replied sternly. "Him and his twin almost killed me, and Isaac." Her eyes changed back to a deep blue, the calming notion returning to her. "What are they doing here..?" A thought she spoke out loud. Harper had thought that she had been drawn to Beacon Hills after the alpha pack had arrived, but it may have been vice versa. With so many supernatural beings in a small town, the alphas would have seen the opportunity and taken it, but there was definitely something else at work here.
"Great! Now there is two alpha's at our school, probably ready to pull out our throats at any minute. I take it we won't be getting any help from them..." Stiles continued.
"I know someone who can help." Scott replied.
After the incident with the alpha pack Harper never left her house without her wooden weapons. Ones that could transfer her energy to a single point, enabling her to attack with speed, not having to wait for her power to build. Wooden daggers that she could easily hide in her clothing, completely blunt, but was used as the mould for the actual power she could transfer. Harper was unsettled, balance was shifting dramatically. The voices that she heard in her head, were beginning to become twisted. It was a struggle at times to sway the natural voices to her side.
Inspecting one the daggers in her hands, absent-mindedly tracing the runes that were covered on the wooden surface, Harper looked up at the group in front of her.
"This really isn't a good idea..." She stated, looking at the ice bath. "..Ever since I've been here, I've noticed that there is a force.. trying to weaken the natural balance, this usually happens when there is an evil spirit around. If Isaac is weakened, there's a chance it'll try to possess a strong body such as his." Harper brooded on the idea, she needed time to understand what was happening. They want our power..
"We don't have many other choices. The full moon is coming, we are running out of time.." Scott explained, Dr. Deaton nodding along. "I will admit, this procedure...is not safe, but if you want to save your friends then perhaps this is the only course of action." Derek, Stiles and Scott were pouring ice into the metal tub, Isaac and Dr. Deaton standing near the doorway.
"Obviously...this isn't going to be particularly... comfortable, but if we can slow your heart rate down enough , you will slip into a trance-like state.." Dr. Deaton continued to explain. "Ms Harper, with both you and I acting as wardens and gateways to the natural world, we can protect Isaac in his unstable state... if he chooses to proceed." looked at Isaac, who made his way to the edge of the tub.
"How slow does his heart rate have to be?" Scott asked, insecurity creeping in.
"Pretty slow." replied.
"Yeah, well.. How slow is slow?" Derek urged, placing his hands atop the tub.
"Almost dead." replied once again. They all looked up at him, in stunned silence, before attention turned back to Isaac.
"It's safe though, right...?" He was unsure, touching the water with his fingers before withdrawing quickly.
"Do you want me to answer honestly?" looked down at the young man, eyebrows raised.
"...No, no not really.." He hesitantly looked away, the air was tense, the risk finally setting in with the group, unlike Stiles broke it with playing with a surgical glove.
"Look, if it feels too risky you don't have to do it." Derek stated, his voice serious.
"I can help protect your body, from evil spirits, and potentially death." Harper nodded at him. "Come here for a second." The blonde led Isaac out of the room, the others waiting patiently, the air filled with dread.
"Okay look-" She turned to face him when they exited the room, "It's easy for you too lose yourself in these sorts of procedures, that's usually when spirits attempt to take control. Even though this place has been fortified, I wouldn't put it passed a strong spirit to be able to break through, but with my protection, it will make you invisible to them, you'll be surrounded by the influences of the natural world." She held up her hands, hoping that Isaac understood what she was saying.
" Anything I can get, I'll take it." Isaac nodded. "We need to find Erica and Boyd.." Willing to continue despite the warnings and risks.
Gulping, Harper motioned for him to hold out his arms, which he did. Sliding her arms up his, she gripped his upper arms tightly. Closing her eyes, she pursed her lips, calling out to her forest with her mind. Isaac looking at the blonde with softened features. Under my divine protection, keep this soul pure, and the life force running.. Suddenly her fingers flared green, and a dark tattoo appeared on one of Isaac's arms, a blood rose.
Sighing, Harper let her hands drop, "The tattoo will fade, disappear in the next couple days. My protection is only infinite to my creations."
Letting out a shaky breath, Isaac looked at the small tattoo on his bicep, before the two of them walked back out to the tub of ice.
He hastily took off his top, submerging himself in the water and tensing instantly. Breathing heavily he looks at Harper, before Scott and Derek pull him down, his head hitting the water.
There was a struggle, Isaac's instincts taking over, thrashing under the water.
"Hold him under!" Harper could hear Dr. Deaton call, with Scott and Derek attempting to hold the werewolf under. "We're trying!" came the reply.
It was the moment that Isaac's head lifted from under the water, his werewolf senses taking over and a growl resonating through his fangs,his eyes flashing ivory, that there was something that kick started Harper's mind.
You're right where we want you to be... The voice hissed out. Harper gasped, falling to her knees. Stiles instantly grabbed for her, not sure what to do.
Give us your power... The voice was stronger now, clutching at her head, Harper couldn't breath, her eyes so wide she thought they would fall out.
You can't save them from us..! Instantly the voice was gone, and breath came back in a burst. Her nose began to bleed, Harper looking up at the others who were worried, and slightly confused.
"I have to go." Harper staggers to her feet. "I need to find out what's out there..." The others would have tried to stop her if it wasn't for the trashing Isaac.
"Yo-You're gonna go alone? I can drive you." Stiles stepped forward, ready to help her.
"You don't want to get involved in this, Stiles." Harper determined. "I'll call you once I know what's going on." She nodded towards him.
Finally Harper shot a look at Isaac, who had finally calmed, starting to speak to his sub-conscious form. Turning from the scene before her, Harper whipped her nose, before exiting from the vet to track down the voice.
"You think someone should go after her?" Stiles looked at the door she had just passed through.
"She's not part of the pack Stiles, we have bigger problems right now." Derek replied, later realising the importance of Harper Winsol.
Hope you enjoyed this installment! AND THANKYOU FOR THE REVIEW- It means so much to me! :) The next chapter- some action finally!