A/N: Here's another since the last one was so short!

Chapter 14

With Thanksgiving having passed just a few days ago, it was almost a month and still nothing had happened; there were no sights of any werewolves and any more attacks or threats.

A few days after the night that Stiles and Scott tried to stop Peter from his "date" with Ms. McCall, it was the last night Scott saw Derek. He had taken Jackson into his burnt down home where Scott found them and a fight broke out. Unfortunately, some hunters ambushed them and Scott got away taking a hit from a bullet. Thankfully he recovered quickly and with help from our or well, his boss at the animal clinic.

I stopped showing up ever since the accident at the school because I still find Deaton sketchy, but Scott stayed because he wants to find out more about him.

Today was the last Friday of November, and I found out yesterday there was a winter formal happening at school in two weeks. Allison made sure to let me know we had to go shopping together soon to pick out some dresses.

I was currently on my home and I felt my phone vibrate in the cup holder of my car.

Speak of the devil… it was Allison.

"Hey girl." I answered.

"Hey Valerie… um, I was wondering, can you come over like right away? There's just… something I needed to talk to you about." She said.

I nodded and sighed, "Yeah, sure. I'll be on my way there. See you in a few."

As soon as I got to her house, I noticed she had just gotten out of her car.

"Hey." She said with a smile.

I took my bag and phone down and locked my car.

"Hey to you too. You don't look so good…" I said noticing her pale skin looking flushed.

"They kicked our butts in gym today with running laps, you're lucky you got out of the class." She said.

We made our way into her house and I took my jacket off fixing the sleeves of my long shirt.

"So, what's up?" I asked.

"My parents aren't here but… let's go upstairs." She said.

When we entered her room, I noticed she did a lot more decorating to it, and the boxes that were placed all over the floor weren't there anymore.

"I see you're feeling like this is more of a permanent stay here in Beacon Hills." I noted.

Allison smiled and nodded, "Yeah I hope so."

As she sat on her bed, she picked up a pillow and hugged it to herself. I took a seat on her desk chair and rolled towards the bed.

"So?" I pushed.

"You have to promise you can't say anything… like at all… please?" she asked, her eyes wide and her voice pleading.

"Well… if you killed someone I mean..."

"No! Nothing like that… I think… I… Valerie, just promise me? I know our dads have been working together, and I've seen my aunt and your dad together lately, I think there is… well I know there is something up. Something bad. I just need to let this out, and I feel like I can trust you. Can I?" she asked.

I nodded, "Of course you can trust me…" I said honestly.

I wasn't sure what she was about to day, but I braced myself for it.

"A while ago… maybe a week or two ago, I followed my aunt to the burned down Hale house. I was curious to what was in there so I you know went to take a look." She started.

I nodded my head for her to keep going.

"My aunt told me how there were some family secrets we had… some my parents didn't want to share or let me know about right now. But she felt I was ready to know. I think you're going to think I'm crazy, or that my family is crazy… but…" she paused and took a deep breath in, "Werewolves exist."

My eyes widened just slightly but I kept myself steady.

"Werewolves? Like what, that movie Teen Wolf with Michael J. Fox?" I asked.

"Exactly!" she said.

"Werewolves here in Beacon Hills?" I asked again.

"Yes, do you believe me? I swear I'm not crazy, I know what I saw… it was… he was Derek Hale." She said.

Oh my god.

"He was tied up in chains underground and I freaked out when I saw him and my aunt kept telling me how I had to embrace this, and I want to. I want to feel powerful, I hate not knowing and… I don't know what to do Valerie!" she said.

Oh my god! Derek was tied up in chains?! What the hell?

"Okay calm down… Allison, I believe you. I do. I notice my dad has been extra secretive about his work lately and that there's more going on than their telling us or letting us know." I said.

"Your dad is over a lot, I notice his truck. My parents are doing things and not telling me about them. My aunt rarely shows up except for the holidays. She's here for a reason and it's not a random one." She finished.

I sighed and ran a hand through my hair. I wasn't sure what to tell her. I wasn't sure what to say next, I just thought about it for a moment.

"We're going to have to find out exactly what they're planning." I said.

"All the attacks on this town, it's been werewolves, it was Derek Hale. My family… we're hunters. I just found out about this. Whatever your dad is doing, it's going to be something about this, and he has to be in on whatever it going down. They're planning on catching any werewolf they find." She said.

I nodded; Allison was right. And I suspected it as well… whatever it was my dad was doing was not just helping out the police department here. He had to be working with Allison's dad as well, and it made sense.

Everything was slowly falling into place now; it was all making much more sense.

"Allison… I have to get home. Listen, we'll talk more about this okay? You're on to something, I see it in your eyes and I have a feeling something is up too. I promise we'll talk again, okay?" I said.

Nodding, Allison stood and I did as well and gave her a hug.

"It's good to let things off your chest… You can trust me. At least I know I'm not alone in all of this either." I said to her.

"Thank you. And Valerie… whatever it is, we need to prepare ourselves."

On my way home, I thought about everything Allison had told me.

The reason Derek wasn't around is because he's being held captive… underground.

I thought about telling Scott, but what if it's a trap? They must be trying to trap any and all werewolves. So telling Scott was out for now. Could Stiles help me? I mean, we're human… and if my dad is on the Argent's side, they couldn't possibly think I knew much about anything that was going on.

As soon as I got home, I saw my dad's truck in the driveway and I ran inside.

He was nowhere to be found so I went straight to his office and opened the door.

"Hey!" I said, a little out of breath.

"Oh… shit, you scared me. Jeez, are you okay?" he asked.

If I had been unaware of my surroundings, or just not paying attention to detail, I wouldn't have noticed him trying to be as casual as possible about hiding some papers in front of him.

"No, I'm fine. Sorry I took long to get home, I was over at Allison's, she wanted to talk. You know… girl things." I said.

"Right… so how was school?" he asked standing.

"Um, it was alright I guess… I found out we're having a winter formal… so expect me having a girls night out soon to go shopping." I said with a smile and he laughed.

"I see. That's fine. So… guess who I talked to?" he said.

"Who?"

"Beatrice and Jason. They're planning on flying over here soon." He said with a smile.

My eyes widened and I grinned, "Really? I haven't talked to them in a while… that's awesome, I can't wait then. We should be having winter break soon… if not, spring break, for sure." I said.

"Yeah, I'll let them know once you get those long days off to see if it's alright for them to come." He said.

I followed him out of the office with a glance back at the folder he had put off to the side, then looked forward and smiled when he turned back.

"So, any plans for tonight?" he asked.

"No plans… not any that I can think of." I said.

"I haven't heard much about your boyfriend for a while…" he said once we got into the kitchen.

"Who, Stiles? Dad, he's not my boyfriend. We're just really good friends."

As amusing as it was, I was slightly annoyed that everyone thought Stiles and I were dating or hooking up. Can't two people who just happen to be a boy and a girl be friends these days? No, I guess. It is high school, so of course, people talk. And assume things… and gossip.

Shaking my head, I hopped up on the island counter and sighed.

"Whatever you say."

I rolled my eyes at my dad and twirled a piece of hair around my finger, "I'm staying in… I might go watch some movies up in my room or something. Bake a cake later, who knows, then I'm turning in early. I'm just really exhausted. We literally just came back from Thanksgiving break and they show no mercy during classes." I said and my dad laughed.

"It's funny how you always remember the teachers you hated back in school more than the ones you liked. It's all coming back to me now…" he said with a laugh.

"Listen nerd-bomber Carson, I've seen pictures of you with your super blonde hair and braces in some old photo albums. Not cute." I said and he threw a balled up paper towel at me.

"That was in middle school, I got a little better looking throughout high school… good thing I did. I had girls after me all the time. I even had a teacher… Mrs. Franklin during senior year who had a crush on me. Everyone knew it too; she always picked on me for things and cut me so much slack."

"Ew dad, that's gross. I give you props though… but still. Gross." I said laughing.

I looked over to see him smiling while he opened up a packet of dry pasta noodles and I noticed it was kind of a sad smile. He sighed and then ripped open the packet and bent down in the oven to take out a big pot.

"I'm going upstairs to shower and all that… I see you'll be making pasta… call me when it's ready." I said.

"Alright." He answered.

I hopped off the counter and went over to kiss his cheek then I headed upstairs.

While I headed up to my room I thought about what it was I could possibly do to help Derek.

Who knows what was happening to him? Bad things I'm sure. I remembered Allison said that it was somewhere under the Hale house so if I happen to go, I have to be careful. A few weeks ago, Scott was ambushed when he went and we all thought Derek didn't make it out because of all the gun shots. All I could do was carefully creep around.

[ PAGE BREAK ]

The next day was a lazy one. I spent most of the morning in bed, and in the afternoon, I decided to go for a run in the woods. I knew exactly where I was going this time, and I took the familiar path to the Hale house.

Once I neared, I saw the house a few yards away in the distance. If Derek was under ground, I had to be careful. And I had to find some kind of opening on the grounds. I walked around the house quietly, keeping an eye on my surroundings and went over to the back of the house. I searched for about half an hour when I found exactly what I was looking for. It was a hidden opening leading somewhere down. BINGO!

I picked up a small wooden log I found near and set it close to the opening so I knew where to find it when I came back later tonight. No way was I going in now, it was day time and I wouldn't be able to come out unnoticed.

Later in the evening, after my dad and I ate, we watched a few movies together, and soon after, my dad went upstairs to shower and get ready for bed. I told him I was going to go ahead and turn in early as well. What I really did was go get changed into some dark jeans and a black jacket. I put on some shoes and went through my closet to get a flashlight and I slipped a small knife into the back pocket of my jeans.

After about an hour that I knew my dad was in bed and asleep, I headed downstairs quietly.

My plan was going to be set in motion. In the free time I had not too long ago, I thought of any other little details I could possibly think of. I texted Allison to ask her what she was up to, and she mentioned she was having a family dinner. All of her family was there. All meaning Kate was present too so I could get this done much easier knowing no one would be around; hopefully.

Once I made it down, I crept over to the back door and slowly opened it. I made my way outside and with one final glance back, I made a run for it in the woods.

I was a bit out of breath when I reached the house so I took a few minutes to catch my breath. I zipped up the jacket just a little since it was getting pretty cold out and I made my way around the house to the back. I found the thick piece of log near the entrance where the steel gate was so I carefully pushed it open and listened for any sounds.

Nothing.

Good… I took out some yarn from my pocket and tied it around one of the iron rods. I was going to have to find my way back in case of anything; I didn't want to get lost. After I was done, I turned my flashlight on and quietly started my way down a tunnel. It was really dark and quiet. I tried to calm down my breathing because I was honestly really scared right now that I would get caught.

After a few minutes of walking, my string was shortening and I just let it go then. I'd find it again if I came back. There was really only one way I could go; straight. I stopped as soon as I saw a big metal door. I quietly walked to it and carefully placed my head on the door to listen, not that there was much to listen too.

I gripped the handle and tugged on it, then used all my arm power to push it open to the side. Once it was open, I looked ahead and saw nothing but darkness. I picked up my flashlight and flashed it around then I stopped, frozen in mid-step.

"Derek?" I asked quietly.

"Valerie?"

"Oh my god! Derek!" I ran up to him and felt my eyes water.

Derek was chained up to some iron rods that looked to be like a fence, or some bars put up to keep something in behind him.

"Valerie, what the hell are you doing here?" he hissed.

"I came to eat a marshmallows and swap camp fire stories, what do you think?" I replied sarcastically.

"You have to go, you have to get out of here!" he said hoarsely, looking panicked.

I ignored him and looked around for a light. There were so many boxes of equipment around and then I found what I was looking for. It was a stand up light used mostly for construction. I turned it on and I saw it was facing Derek.

I gasped when I saw what he looked like.

He was covered in some bruises and he looked so pale. There was sweat all over his body and he looked so sick, so broken. There was a patch with wires on his stomach, and my eyes widened when I noticed they were attached to a shock box.

"They've been shocking you?" I asked, horrified.

"That and more." He said with a bitter laugh.

"Derek… how did this happen… how can I get you out of these?" I asked him getting closer.

"You can't. I don't know where the keys are and I feel too weak to break out of them. I've tried." He said.

I looked up at his face and into his eyes.

"I'm so sorry this happened… I… what can I do?" I asked.

"Leave."

I glared at him and threw my hands up, "I just ran like hell to come find you and maybe help you. And that's all you tell me? They're going to kill you!" I shouted.

"Keep your voice down, and that's not something I haven't already heard. So what if they kill me, there's nothing I can do." He said.

"What about Scott? What if they figure out he's a werewolf too? I've tried all I could to keep Allison and him distanced but it's not that easy. They're in love and there's not much else I can do."

"Exactly! There's not much you can do! Stay out of it, and if Scott knew what was good for him, he'd do the same! You're both acting so stupid and immature! You shouldn't even be here, you're going to get caught!" he shouted at me.

I backed up from him and nodded.

"Fine. Don't say I didn't try to help. Okay? Fuck you, Derek. To think that I actually… die then. See if I care!" I yelled at him and gasped.

It was like all the air was knocked out of me because what I said brought back unwanted memories.

I felt tears in my eyes and I wiped at my nose.

I turned on my heel, picking up my flashlight from the table and turning the bright light off before running out. I picked up the yarn from the ground where I found it and started making my way back out. As soon as I got to the stairs, I flung the iron gate-door shut and ran up.

I ran as fast as I could and then as soon as I was out of range with the Hale house, I dropped down to my knees and started crying. I couldn't hold it in anymore.

"Valerie! Listen to me!"

"NO mom, no! I've tried what I could, I have! I've taken you to all of your appointments and lately all you've done is turn down the chemotherapy. You're going to get worse!" I yelled.

I watched as my mom grabbed onto the table for support and she took in a big breath of air into her lungs. She was so weak. Her dark hair had been thinning lately, and she was way too thin for her own good.

"There's not much else that can be done Valerie, I can take all the chemotherapy in the world and it wouldn't be enough, alright? I know my time is coming soon, if you could only just accept it please…"

"Fine. Don't say I didn't try to help okay? Die then. See if I care!" I yelled at her.

I sat on the ground and cried harder. It hit me like a train how those words came back to me, one of the last conversations I had with my mom before she died were those exchanged words. The following day she was in critical condition in the hospital and she died that night.

I couldn't be alone right now, but I couldn't call my dad. He'd be suspicious that I was this close to the Hale house at this time. I took out my cell phone and went through my recent calls.

I tapped on Stiles' number.

[ END OF CHAPTER ]

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