Marlow sat down on her bed. Her ribs were still aching. The slash on her face was gone. It would have been hard to explain that to her dad. Although as of last night a lot of things had become hard to explain mostly for herself. Were Liam and her a thing again? Who was that Hellhound and where did he go? What in the world was so dangerous that now, after it escaped the Wild Hunt, it could not be defeated?
The time had come were she felt like calling Scott and Malia and see what they had found out, but then again her stubborn mindset was keeping her from doing so. At the moment her and Liam were the new leaders. Or about to be. No matter how you put it, they'd have to take over. Of course, asking for help didn't mean she didn't know what to do but she also knew the trio would be leaving soon and now with this Hellhound on their minds they'd be busy anyways. The girl fell back onto the bed, breathing heavily. The healing would be complete soon. Marlow layed down until she fell asleep.
The next day things were looking up again. At least phsically. She was dreading school at the moment. Marlow didn't know how things with Liam would be after that kiss in the elevator. And Ms. Monroe was also still on their heels constantly. The blonde pulled up infront of Parrish's apartment to pick up Riley. She texted her best friend. A few seconds later she rushed out of the house and climbed into the passenger seat of Marlow's car. "Morning." Marlow greeted. "Hey." Riley said, absent-mindedly. "Everything okay?" Marlow asked. Riley stared out the window, breathing out heavily. "As okay as things can be in this town." she said, rubbing her forehead. Marlow put her hand on her best friends shoulder. "He'll be okay." she said, knowing Riley was talking about Parrish. "I sure hope so." Riley said quietly. Marlow started the engine and the two drove off to school in silence.
"Where's Coop, by the way?" Marlow asked Riley as they walked around the school, looking for the boys. "He called in sick today. He's spending a day with his parents. They're finally in back in Beacon Hills. After everything that has happened with the Wild Hunt they promised they'd stay for a while. And even Daphne and Gavin are in town." Riley explained. "Aha, so he's faking it. You're a bad boy magnet, aren't you?" Marlow asked, jokingly. Riley chuckled lightly. "I guess." she said as Mason approached the girls. "And I heard you're back with your bad boy. Little make-out session with Liam, huh?" Riley asked, wiggling her eyebrows as she nudged her shoulder. "What?! Who..." she asked sternly when she spotted Mason quickly turning around, trying to run off. "Mason!" she growled. He stopped in his tracks, rubbing the back of his head. "Turn around and walk over here!" she demanded. "I can't. I have to...study for the History test." he said. Marlow glared at him as Liam walked into the exchange. He saw Mason and one side and Marlow glaring at him on the other. He shot Riley a questioning look. "You know what this is about." she mouthed. He seemed to think for a second before his ees widened in schock. "You and I both know that study session starts tonight, so come back here and face your problems." Marlow demanded once more.
Mason turned around and slowly made his way towards the three. "I told you to keep this on the down low. I don't need the whole school knowing what happened in that Elevator. Espeacially because we don't even know how we're dealing with this situation yet. So just keep quiet about this, okay?" she asked. "Fine..." he said like there was something else missing. "Oh my God, who else knows?" she asked, annoyed. "Only Corey, I promise. And maybe my mom." Mason admitted. Marlow glared at him once more. "I am outraged. This is my outraged face." she said, then walked off. "Where are you going?" Liam asked. "I thought you had that practice session with the newbies today." Marlow said. "Oh, right. Let's go." Liam said. He caught up to Marlow while Mason and Riley trailed behind them. "You don't have to be mad at him. It was bound to come to the light at some point." Liam said. "Well, if everyone's gonna find out sooner or later I guess that means we have to get back together." Marlow said, jokingly. Although a little part in her realized it might be the truth after all.
Marlow and Riley sat down on the bleachers. "You know he doesn't mean it in a bad way, right?" Riley asked Marlow. "I know, we've both been friends with him for years and years after all. I just wish he wouldn't blurt it out to everyone he sees. We have no idea what is happening with us anyways." Marlow said. "You do know what you want." Riley said, smirking. Marlow sighed. "Okay, maybe I do. But Liam and Hayden just broke up and I won't force him back into anything. I need to give him time." Marlow said. Riley shoock her head, amused and annoyed at the same time. "Him loosing control is just one of the reasons you should help him. You were the one that helped him the most when he first turned. You breaking up with him was way too rushed. Just get close to him and see if he wants to be with you again at some point." she said. "Maybe you're right." Marlow said. "I am always right. Well, mostly always." Riley said. Marlow laughed a little as Mason and Lori sat down next the two girls.
"Hey." Mason greeted. "I'm not mad at you." Marlow said immediatly. "Thank God. I thought I would have to be quiet throughout this whole practice session." Mason said, letting out a sigh of release. "Just keep it on the low, okay?" Marlow pleaded. "I will. No more spilling from now on." he promised. "Thank you." she said, looking back onto the field. "Corey's been practicing all summer to play goalie. He's actually gotten really good." Mason said, looking at his boyfriend. Corey fell to the floor, trying to catch a ball that was flying in his direction. "The season doesn't start for at least a week." Lori said. "Thank God." Mason said, relieved. "Are we back to them sucking? Because I was hoping so badly that they would pull through this year." Marlow asked, looking out at the struggling team. "They'll get there...hopefully." Riley said. Marlow could see Liam wasn't back to his right mindset when it came to Lacrosse. And clearly, at least at the moment, Brett was kicking his ass. The other boy was chasing Liam into the goal, ripping Corey down in the process. "Um, was that Liam, Brett, or Corey?" Mason asked, avoiding to take a look at the scene. "I think that was all of them." Lori said. "Yeah, all of them." Marlow agreed at the same time. The blonde sighed. "This is a disaster. If Liam doesn't get it together soon this is just gonna get worse." she said. "Yup, I think you might be right about that." Riley said as directed her fingers toward the field and swiped them down quickly. Marlow looked onto the field. Riley had just saved Corey from an angry Liam who was agressively throwing a ball at the goal. The boy fell to the floor somewhat agressively but was at least spared from the ball flying at his face.
"Oh, thank God for you." Mason said, reaching over Marlow's lap to grab Riley's arm approvingly. Riley sighed annoyed. "Look, there's the councelor again." she said as she pointed out to the parking lot next to the field. "She's watching us again." Marlow said, worriedly. Altough it seemed that at the moment Ms. Monroe's focus was on Riley, then Brett. Something was really wrong with her. Marlow could feel it. "I don't like her. She always acts so nice. Way too nice." she said to her friends. "Earlier she wanted to talk to us again. When I tried to start a conversation she blew me off. I don't think she knows what she wants." Mason informs her. "We really need to stay away from her." Marlow said. "Well, that isn't so easy when she follows us everywhere we go." Riley said. Marlow nodded. "True. We need to know what her deal is." she said. Riley nodded.
The friends sat there until the darkness crept back up. Marlow sighed, annoyed and tired. "How long is this gonna go on for?" she whined. "I'm pretty sure we're done." Mason said as the boys dispersed on the field. They were walking back into the school. "Thank the heavens!" Marlow exclaimed. "I think I'm gonna go after Liam. I'm sensing a lot of anger from him." she added. "Really? He seemed calm." Lori said. "He always seems calm. But my Liam knowledge tells me he is not. I'll see you later." Marlow said, standing up from her spot. "Good luck." Mason said. "Thank you." Marlow said back.
Lori left shortly after. Corey joined Mason and Riley as they walked back inside. Riley stared ahead with an expression Mason had only rarely seen on her. The first time was right before she found out her parents had died. "Are you okay?" Mason asked. "I don't know. Something doesn't feel right." Riley answered, absent-mindedly. "Do you have a feeling? Like a Lydia one?" Corey asked. "I'm not a Banshee." Riley said. "I know, I meant like a Witch one? Do Witches get those types of feelings?" Corey quickly added. Riley shoock her head. "Not really. It's not a feeling. It's a bad, bad vibe. I get those sometimes." she said. "What is it about?" Mason asked. Riley stopped in her tracks, trying to think about whoever or whatever it could be about. "Uncle Jordan!" she yelped out suddenly, then ran off. "Wait! What is going on?!" Mason yelled after her. "I can't explain right now! I just need to go! Don't worry about me!" Riley yelled back. "I am worried about you. Seriously worried!" Mason yelled.
"Hey, Tiger." Marlow greeted Liam. Liam sighed. "I told you I don't like that nickname." he said. "And I don't care." Marlow said, looking down at on him as he sat on the bench. "You been Hulkin' out again?" she asked, nodding toward the missing door on his locker. "No." he said, trying to sound nonchalantly. "You don't have to lie to me. I know you. I've seen you at your worst. And I know you're not completely in control right now." she said, sitting down next to him. "I'm working on it." Liam admitted. "Which is okay. We've all lost control before. Even I have, but it fades. Just remember your mantra and don't let everything and everyone upset you all the time. You don't have to feel ashamed about it." Marlow said. "But I had it under control so well. I know I had a lot of feelings for Hayden but I didn't think her leaving me could make me loose control this badly." he said. "Maybe it's not just Hayden leaving. Maybe it's the Senior Year or whatever is coming to Beacon Hills that's weighing on you." Marlow said. "That probably makes you wary too, but you're not loosing control. Scott never lost control." he said. "I've been a Werecoyote for a lot longer than you. And Scott has lost control before. Plus, you do have that I.E.D thing still. Life is a constant work-in-progress. You are a constant work-in-progress. And you will get over this eventually." Marlow assured him.
Liam nodded, looking her in the eyes. She leaned in and gave him a kiss. They stopped abruptly when they heard someone come towards the locker room. "What does this mean?" she whispered quickly. "We'll figure it out." he whispered back before Mason and Corey entered the room. "Okay, so the weirdest thing just happened. Riley ran off after she had a bad vibe about Parrish." Mason explained. "Is she okay? Is he okay?" Marlow asked, worried. "No idea. She said we shouldn't have to worry about her and ran off." Corey said. "I'll call her." Marlow said, stepping outside the room.
Riley had faded to the Station. Her Uncle wasn't there. She was worried. This vibe hadn't left her. It was clawing at her mind. She knew something bad was happening but she couldn't explain what it was. She stood outside the building. "What do I do?" she mumbled, mostly to herself. "Go to Eichen House." someone suddenly said. "He's in Eichen House." they added. Riley couldn't make out the voice at first, but it was clearing more and more everytime they said something. It was a woman. "You need to go there. You're the only one that can help him." she said. That voice was so familiar. Riley knew who it was. But that couldn't be possible. "Mom?" she asked. "Yes, it's me." she said, appearing infront of her. Riley jumped back a little. "I don't understand..." Riley mumbled. "You don't have to. Not right now. Oh, there are so many things I wanna tell you." she said, stepping closer to take her hand. The hand only brushed over Riley's skin but she felt like it was a real touch. A touch she had been longing to feel again for years. Her mother snapped back into reality. "But there is no time. Not now. Your Uncle is in serious trouble. He is in Eichen House. You have to save him. Now. Go!" she demanded, then disappeared. "No!" Riley yelled, trying to grab her to make her stay. "Go to Eichen House." she heard again in the distance. If it meant saving the only living relative she had left, then she would figure out what had just happened later and save her Uncle before it was too late. She faded away to Eichen House.
In the distance, her mother watched were she was standing with a smile on her face. She was so proud of her daughter. Riley's father stepped out of the shadows. "You shouldn't have done that, Sophie." he said to his wife. "I have to help my baby brother. He's the only she has left." Sophie said. "You know our daughter. She won't stop looking for you. Riley can not know where we are. Under no circumstances. We have to stay hidden, dragging her into this would only endager her and Jordan." he reminded her. "I know, Jonah. But when you told me we have to flee and leave her behind you said it was for her safety and look where that got her. She died while we were in some safe house, leaving her all alone with those terrible foster familys." Sophie said. Jonah stepped up, cupping her face with his palms. "She's so strong. And she has Jordan and her friends. She'll make it." he promised her. "Now let's go. We've been here for way too long." he said, fading away. Sophie faded away a few seconds later.
"I can't reach her." Marlow said worriedly as she walked back into the locker room. The boys glanced back at her horrifyed. "What?" Marlow asked. Mason nodded to the floor. Marlow followed his gaze. Behind a row of lockers was a trail of blood. Without another word, the four followed the trail all the way into the showers. There, a new horrific sight awaited them. A body was lying in the shower. It was mutilated beyond recognition. The only thing that could possibly indentify who it was was a nearby Lacrosse helmet. The group ran out of the room. "It has to be one of the players! We need to know who is still here and who's missing." Liam declared. "Okay, let's do that." Marlow said.
In Eichen House, Riley faded in infront of the gate to the locked unit. The supernatural unit. Of course, the gate was locked. She ripped at it until she gave up. The girl clenched her fists. "Damnit!" she yelled angrily, raising them up. All of the sudden, the card device exploded and the gate opened. Riley swatted the smoke out of her face. Of course, her first instinct was to find out how she had just done that but there was no time. She had to find her Uncle, fast. Riley ran down the hallway, looking into every last cell. All of them were empty. Something had happened here for sure.
She stopped for a second, hoping something would lead her to her Uncle. There was only one thing left now. She had to fade to him. She consentrated on him and eventually her mind made up where he was. She faded out, re-appearing just as the head doctor was holding a gun to her Uncle's head. Riley growled under her breath then swiped her hand towards the wall, sending the doctor flying against it. He layed on the ground, not moving. Riley didn't care. She looked at her Uncle. He was nearly frozen and looking up at her. She had to hold back too many emotions to count at the moment. All of them were mixed. Riley lightly grabbed him by the arm and faded out of the hell house.
The four teenagers met back in the hallway. "Library's empty." Mason said. "Gym too." Corey added. "Aaron is the only one I can't get a hold of." Liam said. "Anyone check the parking lot? See if his car's still there?" Mason asked. Marlow raised her hand. "I did. Nada." she said. "What now?" Corey asked. "Maybe he's in the History classroom." Marlow suggested. They looked at each other for a second. "Let's go." Liam said, then they all sprinted off.
Sure enough, Aaron was sitting in his seat in the classroom. His head was buried in his book. "Aaron?" Liam asked. The boy turned around. "Hey, guys." he said, smiling at them. "Thank God you're okay. Where have you been?" Mason asked. "I forgot we have a history test tomorrow." Aaron said. "We've been trying to call you." Corey informed him. Aaron looked at his phone. "Huh. Must've died." he said, holding up the empty screen. "Seems like it. Well, we don't want to keep you from learning any longer. So we'll be on our way." Marlow said, shoving the boys back out of the room. "Bye." Aaron said, before turning back to his book. "See ya'." Marlow said. The friends walked away from the classroom as far as possible. "Okay, something was clearly wrong with him." Corey finally spoke up. "Uhu. And we need to know what." Liam said. "Just another mystery to crack." Marlow added.
"How are you feeling?" Riley asked Parrish as she put a blanket over him. "Like somebody just tried to kill me again and my teenage niece had to rescue me." Parrish said. "Well, that's what happens when you do things like these and tell no one." she said. She was having mixed feelings. Part of her wanted to slap her him across the face, that's how mad she was at him. At the same time she felt terrible for having thoughts like that. She knew that, just like her, he was protecting the people of Beacon Hills. "How could I have known he would turn on me like that?" Parrish asked. "It's Eichen House. You should have know that." Riley said, sitting down next to him. She finally gave him a light hit on the shoulder. "You're mad at me." Parrish said.
Riley sighed angrily. "Of course I am. I know you're just trying to help people, but you're not alone anymore. You have me and I don't wanna end up alone again. I don't want you to die. Everytime I think we're fine you go ahead and do stuff like this. When will you realize that, nowadays, at the end of the day there is a teenager waiting for your safe return?" she ranted. Parrish sighed. "I'm sorry. I really am. But I am still a Police Officer and as one it is my duty to protect these people." he said. "I know. Just...just stop doing these solo acts. You have me and Coop and Marlow and my other friends and we'd gladly help you with anything supernatural." Riley said. Parrish nodded. "I know." he said. "Good." she said.
"I saw mom today." Riley said after a few minutes of silence. "What? Where? How?" Parrish asked. "At the station. She told me to go to Eichen and save you and then just disappeared. I'm so confused and I think she might have been a Ghost. But I shouldn't be able to see Ghosts. And then earlier I blew up the lock on the gate and I shouldn't be able to do that either." she rambled. "Calm down." he said, despite the fact that he himself was freaking out at the moment. Was his sister back as a Ghost? And if so, why only now? "We'll find out what your mom wants. She'll be back for sure. And powers grow. Who knows what else you might be able to do a few years down the line? You'll be okay." he said. Riley nodded, despite the fact that her heart was still almost beating out of her chest. The two hugged. Sophie watched secretly. She knew she was breaking the rules that were supposed to keep them safe, but she was done hiding. She had to get back to her daughter and her brother, no matter how many rules she needed to break to do so.
