Hello, everybody! Welcome to the new chapter of this story. Again, it's another update that's miraculously on time. However, the master's work so far has been somewhat easy to manage. As such, I managed to scrounge up some extra time to pump this chapter out.

And it's a good time I had all this free time. Not including the words from my author's notes, this is one of the longest chapters for this story I've written. I don't know why, but this ended up getting longer and longer. Once you've read the material I've created, you'll see why it got this long. Of course, I'm not saying its all bad; then again, I am the writer. Me saying it's bad would be, well, bad. No, I'm just saying that I felt it necessary since the last chapter left open the doors of emotions. As such, this chapter has a few moments of emotion by most of the characters.

On that note, I'll stop talking so you can continue on with this new chapter. But before I do, allow me to thank Of Alphas and Airbenders for putting this story on their favorites list. I hope that this story will continue to entertain you as it has no doubt already done. Until the next update to this or any of my other stories on here!

Chapter 14

"Are you sure you didn't make a mistake, Deaton?" Stiles asked for the umpteenth time. The doctor merely shook his head. "But there has to be something wrong!"

Since learning that Scott was bitten by a red-eyed creature, the rookie officer had been beside himself with worry. He had been denying it for the past few minutes, putting to question the doctor's impromptu scientific findings. He was given the same answer every time he asked, however. He explained after the fifth time that six animals turning feral after being given blood from a red-eyed monster was more than a coincidence. Regardless, Stiles continued to deny the obvious truth before him.

"For god's sake, Stiles; just accept it!" Derek suddenly exclaimed, irritated enough to not even bother filtering his aggravation. "Your friend is going to turn into one of those things. It's not going to change by you repeatedly denying it!"

"Then what else am I supposed to do?" Stiles snarled back.

"For one, stop pretending that none of this is happening," the man replied, purposefully stepping into Stiles' space to accentuate his seriousness. He was close enough for Stiles to feel his warm breath repeatedly hitting his face. "It's not helping anyone! Once you're calm enough, I suggest you spend the rest of your time with him. Every minute you deny the truth is a minute less you have to say your goodbyes."

"But I don't want to do that! Scott and I were supposed to get out of here together with our family! If anything, I'm the one who should've been bit! Newbie survivors are usually the ones to die first, after all!"

"Don't say things like that!" Isaac exclaimed. He had taken a seat since the revelation of Scott's fate. Even though he was looking straight at Stiles, his eyes looked as though they were staying beyond him. "It could've happened to me just as much as it could've to you! Scott was just the unlucky one."

"What if there's some kind of cure to all this, Isaac?" Stiles asked, his brown eyes shining with hope. "Don't you think it's possible? I mean, Deaton's been conducting his experiments for who knows how long. Maybe he figured out some way to create one!"

"If I did, it would've been the first thing I'd have mentioned," the doctor stated, his tone trained in monotony for such situations. "I'm not so cruel as to beat around the bush, especially since this is concerning an employee I care a lot for. There is no cure; the best I've managed to create is a suppressant that would temporarily retard the effects.

"Is that really what you want, though?" he immediately asked upon seeing Stiles' face light up. "Do you want to prolong Scott's transformation just so you can have some extra time with him? I don't recommend it. It's nothing but a false hope!"

For the first time since the news was broken, Stiles was speechless. Scott was his best friend; there was not anything he would not do to help! Even if everybody said there was no cure, he was not going to stop looking. He was going to find some way to help; he just needed to know where to start.

At the same time, he knew he was simply chasing after ghosts. As far as he knew, what happened in Beacon Hills is an isolated incident. There was little chance of this same scenario having happened somewhere in the world. The best he knew of now was the medicine that Dr. Deaton created. It would buy him some time, but was he ready to subject Scott to hope he knew to be false? Would Scott even forgive him for putting him through a prolonged torture?

"Who's saying I don't want the shot?" Scott suddenly asked.

Everyone turned their attention towards the exam room where they left Scott and saw him standing in the open doorway.

"Scott, you shouldn't be moving around!" Dr. Deaton immediately chastised as he made his way towards the young man. "I just bandaged the wound, and you're still recovering from your asthma attack."

"Thanks, Deaton; but I already heard everything thanks to Stiles' shouting," Scott simply said while gently getting rid of the hand on his shoulder. "I'm basically a dead man waiting to become whatever those things are."

"I call them werewolves," the doctor supplied. It earned him confused stares from Stiles and Scott. "It's because of how they behave in a pack and turn others through bites."

"I never thought you were interested in mythology," the young veterinarian replied with a half-hearted chuckle. "It does kinda make sense, though. But yeah, I gave it a good run. I guess I pushed my luck too much by staying behind for two weeks."

"You give up and I'm never gonna forgive you, Scott!" Stiles exclaimed before stomping over to his best friend. Dr. Deaton had stepped aside and allowed the two to get together. "This might be the worst thing you've ever faced, but that's no excuse to throw in the towel. We took care of everything life threw at us; we can beat this, too!"

"And how do you plan to do that? You'll babysit me and make sure my inhaler is always in my pocket?" the young vet asked, his smile and tone sardonic. "This isn't like when we were in our high school lacrosse team, Stiles. I'm pretty sure there's no way to reverse this. Deaton's already said he did all he could, and he's the only one of us qualified enough to run these kinds of experiments."

"Then why don't you take a look at his research?" the rookie officer suggested, his arms flailing in desperation. "Didn't you also study animal biology? You're qualified to at least run a check over his work!"

"Stiles, you've always been smarter than me in the science department. Even you don't have to have a major in the field to know it takes time to look over another's work, especially if it's all unfamiliar territory. I doubt I have that long to both learn the genetic markers and figure out what, if anything, went wrong. There's nothing I can do! It's like that bearded guy said; just accept it."

"As if I'm gonna just roll over like some complacent dog! You know me better than that. I'll take over Deaton's research myself if I have to! I won't give up on you! We agreed that we will get out of here together with our families. I'm not gonna have you breaking your end of our promise!"

"It's not that I don't empathize with you," Derek stoically cut in, "but you're getting a bit hysterical. I'm starting to wonder if the pressure's gotten to you!"

"Derek's right," Isaac responded just as Stiles was about to blow up on Derek. "I-I think you need to take a couple steps back, Stiles. You're starting to sound like someone who's about to snap at any moment! You can't keep on denying what's happening or reality's gonna end up crushing your mind!"

As much as Stiles wanted to continue arguing, he knew it was going to be futile. It did not matter however many scenarios of discovering a cure he managed to come up with, he knew none of them were possible. This was not some kind of zombie movie where the characters find a cure towards the finale. This was reality, and it proved to be an extremely bitter pill for him to swallow. In the end, he was just fooling himself into believing there was a way to save Scott, the only best friend whom he considered a brother.

"Then what the hell am I supposed to do, Isaac?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper as it started to break. "I'm not ready for him to go!"

"That's something I learned to do the hard way," Scott replied as he placed a comforting hand on Stiles' shoulder. "You can't just put everything on hold when people are about to die. You need to keep going if you want any hope of surviving. Even if it means you have to leave them behind while they're turning into a monster," he added in a whisper too soft for anyone other than Stiles to hear. He then turned his gaze sideways, his eyes glistening as his voice also began to break.

"You're not the only one who's lost someone to these things, Stiles," Isaac softly said. "I still have a couple friends out there trying to survive, but I've also seen with my own eyes those I've known get killed. I won't lie and say it gets easier to deal with as you see more people die; the first time's always the hardest, though. You can deny it, but your crash with reality will be that much harder."

"Even if you figured out how to make a cure tonight; do you really think you can do it?" Derek asked, this time with a hint of understanding in his words. "Just think about how hard it was for Alan to simply make a suppressant shot. You can't possibly have all the materials on hand to make a cure!"

"He's right; I've neither the materials nor equipment to even give it a try," Dr. Deaton admitted. He had since walked back to the table and straightened up Scott's medical file that had been abandoned. "That's also not mentioning the fact that I don't have any idea where to even start. I was already lucky enough to find a way to use a red-eyed werewolf's blood to slow the rate of transformation.

"However," he continued, "the same can't be said about this place I know of. They have state-of-the-art equipment at their disposal, but-"

"There's a place out there that might be able to make a cure?!" Stiles practically shouted. Derek and Isaac both shot him a stern glare reminding him of the monsters still outside. He took no heed of them, however, and took over Dr. Deaton's personal space. "Why didn't you say that earlier? It would've saved me all this stress!"

"I never said I knew where to make a cure!" the doctor corrected while taking a few steps back. "I was only raising the possibility of a place capable of doing so. Still, I don't suggest you go there. It's too dangerous outside; I'm still amazed how you, Scott, and Isaac managed to get here alive!"

"I don't care!" the rookie officer exclaimed. "If there's a place that might be able to help Scott, then I'm going. I don't care if it's dangerous; neither you nor anyone else here is gonna stop me!"

"You know there's a difference between bravery and stupidity, right?" Derek deadpanned with a growl. He also shot an annoyed look towards Dr. Deaton. "Alan's only making a guess. I don't think I have to tell you how idiotic it is to base a decision on that!"

"The bearded guy's right," Scott agreed as he purposefully set himself between Stiles and the exit. "Don't kill yourself just to help me!"

"Then do either of you have a better idea? If so, I'm dying to hear it!"

"Wh-Why don't we listen to what Alan's thinking before we decide on anything?" Isaac suggested hesitantly as though he were afraid to butt into the heated moment. "I-I think we owe Alan that much."

"And you think that's going to make Stiles' suicide mission easier? It won't change the fact that he'll be chasing after a rumor at best! I don't need to know him as well as you to tell him that this is a stupid idea. So if you think I'm going to let him go through with this, then you are certifiably crazy!"

"But it's not your choice," Dr. Deaton said with a heavy sigh. "You can try to stop Stiles, but expect a fight on your hands."

"And don't think I can't throw a punch!" Stiles added while shaking a fist to emphasize his point. "You stop me, you'll be lucky to not have a broken nose!"

"And you're supposed to be a new officer? You're too childish and inflexible to be one." Derek then let out a sigh as he closed his eyes in thought. He then said after opening them and shifting his gaze between Stiles and Scott, "Just don't come crying to me once you realize I'm right about this."

The rookie officer gave a terse nod in thanks before bringing his attention back to the veterinarian. "Tell me what you know, Deaton."

"Again, let me say that you won't necessarily find a cure," the older man reminded. "In fact, I doubt this place I have in mind has had much chance to study this pandemic. You'd be lucky if you can find something of worth there!"

"And like I said before, I don't care!"

"You should; this is a place that's at the pinnacle of research and development. They can move fast at the first sign of trouble, be it in the medical or technological industry. If they don't have anything on this, then you've risked your life for nothing!"

"Wait a minute; you're not talking about the place owned by Hale Enterprises, are you?" Derek suddenly chimed in.

"I am. The H.E.L. is the only place I can think of."

"The H.E.L.? Is this a sign that Stiles needs to go six feet under to find the cure?" Scott asked, chuckling a bit at his attempt at a joke.

"It's an acronym for the Hale Enterprise Laboratories," Derek explained, his voice tight as though he was forcing his words. "Hale Enterprises built the structure along the outskirts of town around eight months ago. It's a place where their scientists go to conduct many of their experimental research."

"Well, that explains why I've never heard of it," Stiles said after palming his forehead at Scott's bad joke. "I was too busy getting ready for my officer training in Sacramento to follow the local news. So what does this place research that they need to build a special place to do it in?"

"Technology and medicine specifically, although they do dabble in other things that catch their interests," Dr. Deaton explained as he pointed to a picture pinned on one of his walls. On it was him posing with a group of people dressed in lab coats. In the background was a building with the words "Hale Enterprise Laboratories" slapped along it. "I've been invited there a few times when they had need for my expertise in animal medicine. As such, I can say first hand that they work with extreme efficiency and make good use of their time and resources. Of course, to move so fast means they need a facility dedicated to a constant flow of test resources. That's the reason why it exists."

"Okay, now it's starting to sound more like a kidnapping scheme," the rookie officer said with a frown. "Technological experiments are one thing, but anything that deals with medicine usually requires the use of live test subjects. Where are they getting their constant supply of live things?"

"Through the cloning process," Isaac explained. Stiles looked at him as though he should not have known the answer. At the same time, he noticed that Isaac was less than comfortable putting his two cents in the topic. "That's how they manage to conduct successive tests. Only after the results are gathered will they move onto human experimentation."

"That's what they advertised when they first opened the facility," the veterinarian replied. "It's the main reason they called for my help, so I could verify that their clones are medically the same as the originals. Cloning requires state-of-the-art medical equipment and technology, so I think your best chance at finding a cure for Scott would be there.

"But you won't have an easy time getting there. It was built near the Beacon Hills forest where the Reserve is. It'll take you awhile. If you're set on going, you'll need to take Scott with you."

"Is it because Scott might turn into that werewolf thing while I'm gone?" Dr. Deaton simply nodded at Stiles' explanation. "Figures. Nothing's easy anymore. And how long does the process take?"

"I would guess three hours."

"You guess?!" the rookie officer exclaimed.

"What else were you expecting, Stiles?" Scott asked, shaking his head to clear what was most likely the ringing in his ears. "I don't think Deaton's had a chance to conduct any human tests."

"Then why's he guessing?"

"Because it's the best I can do, Stiles! Apart from animals, I've only seen one person go through a complete transformation. The process took just under three hours, so that's what I'm basing my estimation on. The suppressant shots hadn't been made yet, however. If they're used, they'll delay the process by about thirty minutes."

"And that's per shot?"

"That's right, Scott. However, they're most effective when taken at the first signs of any symptoms or when the bite first occurs. I gave you one earlier to keep you from changing while I checked you out. It should be wearing off in ten minutes."

"And how much do you have left?" Stiles asked with a heavy sigh.

"Four shots. It's all I could make."

"So that gives us two extra hours to work with," Isaac surmised.

"What do you mean 'us'?" the rookie officer asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Well, I figured you'll have a hard time doing this by yourself," the man explained, his gaze averted as though he were embarrassed. "That and I feel responsible for this happening to Scott."

"You're still beating yourself over it? I already said its fine!"

"Even if I weren't, you shouldn't go on your own! It's hard to protect both yourself and him at the same time! Believe me, I know firsthand. So if you're going through with this, then I'm coming along!

"And besides," Isaac added with a bashful half-smile, "I consider you both my friends. I know we've met for only a couple hours, but I trust you both with my life. I want to prove that you can trust yours with me. So let me start with this."

"I think you've already proven yourself when you helped us out of that pack den mess," Scott replied, the smile clear in his voice. "You honestly could've escaped by yourself, but you put yourself at risk to make sure Stiles and I were okay. And then you made sure I got here after I went unconscious. I don't know about Stiles, but I've trusted you since the start."

"Hey, don't paint me to be a doubter!" Stiles quickly countered.

"Alright, stop with the dramatic 'I'm your friend' talk," Derek said while loudly clearing his throat. "The more time you spend talking means less time for us to get to and find the cure in Hale Enterprise Laboratories."

"Wait, now you're coming with us?" the rookie officer exclaimed.

"Well, I am the only one with a car. I doubt you'll ever make it if you walked the entire way there. Unless Alan has a car he can let you borrow," he suggested while casting a glance at the veterinarian. The doctor merely shook his head. "Then that settles it. I'll go ahead and drive you guys there. After that, you're on your own. Is that good?"

"Are you kidding? That's great! Thanks a lot!" Stiles then closed the gap between them with a spontaneous hug. Derek was caught off-guard and fell backwards with the rookie officer still clinging onto him.

"But why're you helping us?" Isaac asked, frowning as he tried to keep from laughing. "I thought you were only here because Stiles needed a ride."

"My priorities may be for the safety of me and my friends, but even I have a conscious," Derek said after prying Stiles off. He then got to his feet and brushed the dirt off of his leather jacket. It had opened a bit and revealed a dark blue Henley underneath. "If you three are going through with a suicide run, then I'll at least give you a fighting chance. Consider it as my good deed for the night."

"Thanks, man," Scott replied with a smile and a nod. The rookie officer had since came to his side with a stupidly wide grin plastered on his face. "You know, I don't think I ever got your name."

"It's Derek."

"Alright, Derek; promise me one thing if you plan on coming along."

"You mean an ultimatum?"

"No, it's a genuine request. Make sure Stiles doesn't try anything stupid just to save my life. If there's no hope of curing me, then do whatever you need to get him out of this town. If you have to, knock him upside the head!"

"Are you saying you don't appreciate my help?" Stiles asked while punching Scott's arm.

"No, I'm just making sure you don't get yourself killed for nothing."

"So me trying to save your life is nothing? You know how much it pains me to hear that from you?" the rookie officer groaned so theatrically that it was clearly fake. Everybody merely ignored him.

"I'm only planning on taking you guys there before going back to my friends," Derek explained. "I won't promise anything after the fact, but I'll take Stiles with me if things turn bad fast during the ride."

"That's good enough," Scott nodded. "Now come on, everybody; it's time we got ready to go to Hale Enterprise Laboratories!" he added, his tone full of confidence.

Stiles made a noise of agreement before deciding to check on his BB pistol and seeing if he could find Scott something to replace his lost bat. Isaac went over to Dr. Deaton who then led him into the operating room Scott had been in. He was most likely getting the suppressant shots and whatever else they might need. Derek simply leaned against the table, shaking his head at the suicide mission he managed to get roped into.

Yes, the first half of this chapter was definitely a roller coaster ride of emotions. Being that Stiles really cares about Scott and would do anything to make sure he's safe, I figured the emotions were warranted. It did, however, make the introduction of the Hale Enterprise Laboratories, H.E.L., a bit hard to execute. Granted that I didn't come up with the building until halfway through the sob fest of Scott dying, but I still had a hard time trying to find a good point to insert the idea. Thankfully, it ended up working.

And before any of you start to ask, Scott never heard Derek's name being said. Yes, they mentioned his name before Scott came out of the exam room, but he didn't necessarily catch the name. Yes, he heard everything else they were talking with regards to bites and transformations, but I think he was more interested in that than catching people's names. And if you did a search for Derek's name on your browser, you'll see that he's never specifically mentioned in character quotes after Scott joins the conversation. Just letting you all know in case you start to ask.

So yes, the next portion of the story is now kicking off. It's time to find the cure for Scott at the Hale Enterprise Laboratories. And yes, I specifically chose the name where the initials will spell out hell, minus the second L. Call it a bit of foreshadowing of things to come. What? You thought I was going to make it easy for them to get? If so, then you don't know what's going on in my head!

And that's all I really have to say for now. Thanks again for taking the time to read this new chapter, and I appreciate the support from all of you who reviewed, followed, and placed this story on their favorites list. It all really means a lot to me. Until the next update to this or any of my other stories on here, everybody!