Chapter 20: When A Coffin Closes

Carrie stood outside her mother's bedroom door, ear pressed again it. She could only hear soft, muffled cries coming from the other side but it still broke her heart. Last night was a blur. Everything Jane had done had spilled out and it destroyed Lacey. Every since, Lacey had chosen to lock herself in her bedroom, alone. She just wanted to comfort her mother, but her mother didn't want any of it. That upset Carrie just as much.

With a sigh and a silent prayer for her mom, Carrie padded back towards her bedroom and shut the door behind her. Climbing back into bed, Carrie flopped backwards, arms spread out beside her. Her eyes shut to the horrors of recent that flashed in her mind, and she tried to let herself fall into darkness. Sunlight was peeking around the close blinds, birds were chirping right outside her window, and the alarm clock on the end table flashed 8:30am. The world was telling her that it was ready for her to get on with her day. But, school was not happening today.

The good thing was that, now that Lacey knew how shitty Jane is and exactly what she did, Jane was gone. Lots of yelling and screaming later, Jane fled from the house, leaving no trace of where she went or how to find her. It was a little unsettling not knowing where she was, but she was gone. Maybe they should have called the police and got an arrest warrant for her, but how could they when there was no physical evidence that Jane was a killer and a crazy person. As long as Jane stayed away for ever, Carrie would be happy. But, even though she was glad her mother knew everything, the conversations from last night danced through Carrie's memory.

'I didn't do it,' Jane had tried to tell her mother, but Lacey wouldn't hear it.

'My daughter wouldn't make something up like this,' she shot back, 'Why would a daughter lie about her father's killer?'

Jane tried to cover her tracks, "because she doesn't like me. She didn't grow up knowing me so she's trying to find a way to get me to leave'.

'I only know about this because your helper told me,' Carrie had added, 'Not only did she kill dad, but she also set up the Hales to be murdered. It was all apart of her sick and twisted plan'.

'It was you?' Lacey sneered. 'What kind of person are you? I don't even know you.'

It was then that Jane tried to take a step towards her daughter. 'Lacey, my sweet daughter, it's all lies. She's been brainwashed by Kate. I had nothing-'

Lacey held up her cell. 'Leave. Right now. Or I'll call the police.'

Jane left then, not wanting to risk the law finding out. Carrie could only assume that deep down, Jane knew that Kate would pin the Hale fire on her, and that she had no way of saving herself. Jane left and only sadness and dispare were left in the wake of her departure.

Now, the only thing left to deal with was Lacey and the aching hole left inside her-as well as the Harrison topic but it could wait. Carrie pulled the blankets up to her neck, childishly believing that they would protect her from what went bump in the night. She didn't know where to start with her mother, how to help her, and she was afraid of what waited for her outside the front door. Tears slowly rolled down Carrie's cheek. Brushing them away, she pulled the blankets over her head, forcing herself to fall asleep.

Six hours later Carrie woke up to the sound of a rock against her window. She didn't move, attempting to ignore it. She wasn't in the mood to see anyone-especially people who would try to get her out of bed or get her to the formal.

The rock hit again. And again. And again.

Annoyed, Carrie forcefully threw off her blankets and stormed to her window. Throwing it open, she stuck her head out. "What do you want?"

Scott waved, smiling up at him. "I came to check on you."

"Well, I'm fine. Duty completed. Bye." Carrie started shutting the window but Scott threw another rock. Rolling her eyes, Carrie pushed the window open again. "Fine, come to the front door but don't make any noise."

She knew what Scott was here for: to ask if she was going to the formal. Carrie had had six hours to mull over that question, and her final answer was no, she wasn't going to the dance. It was too risky to leave the house and she didn't want to leave her mother alone. Best to just stay home. As Carrie descended down the stairs, she grumbled over the topic. Why was this one dance so important to everyone? It was just a dance.

"Come in," she said as her only greeting when opening the door.

Scott stepped in, eye wide with worry. "You can't just miss school like that, Care. You have to at least answer your phone! I thought maybe Peter or someone got to you."

Carrie smacked her hand over Scott's mouth and pushed him into the wall next to the door. "Shush! Mom's sleeping." She pointed towards the upstairs, and fell silent as she listened for any sound that her mom had stirred. Looking up at the ceiling as she did, waiting for a noise. There were no sounds of footsteps, no sounds of open doors, and Lacey did not walk down the stairs.

Waving Scott over, Carrie headed into the front room, taking up a spot on one of the couches. Scott chose to sit across from her. "Look, I'm sorry I didn't let you know that I wasn't going to be there today, but a lot happened last night," she explained, still innately keeping things vague.

"I can tell. You've got massive bags there, Care." Scott waved a finger at her and laughed for a moment. When he realized Carrie wasn't laughing, he sobered up and coughed. "What happened?"

Looking away, Carrie gathered her thoughts. What would she tell him? She was prone to only telling half truths, not letting Scott know it all. She wanted to change that but something always stopped her. Taking a deep breath, Carrie met Scott's eyes. "It's all out. Mom knows about Jane and what she did. She knows that Jane's a crappy person."

Scott nodded along. "Does she know about Harri-"

Carrie shushed him and shook her head. "No, not yet. I wanted to keep her from secret overload. Mom's been in her room since last night with the door locked."

"I'm sorry," Scott told her. "I know how hard it is to hear your mom cry. It's a heart breaking thing, isn't it?"

Carrie nodded. "The only thing is, Jane left without a trace. I don't know where she went or who she went to see. That's why I stayed home today, Scott. I didn't want to be caught on my way to school."

Scott plucked himself from the couch and took a seat beside Carrie, putting his arm around her and pulling her close. "I told you I'd protect you, didn't I?" Carrie nodded. "So, like Stiles, I promise to pick you up whenever you need. You might need to sit on the handlebars of my bike, but I'll be here."

Wrapping her arms around Scott's midsection, she nodded against his shoulder. "Alright, I can deal with that."

"When do you think you'll tell your mom about the last thing?" Scott asked, pressing his cheek against the top of Carrie's head. Scott really did want to help protect Carrie, but he was still new to the whole werewolf thing, so this was the only way he knew how. By comforting her her with a supportive arm, he was at least able to protect her against her dark thoughts.

She shrugged. "Maybe tonight. If I can get her to unlock the door."

"Tonight?" Scott repeated, sitting up. "After the dance?"

Carrie sat up as well and looked away. "I can't go. Not after everything I just told you."

Scott grabbed Carrie's shoulders and made her look at him. "I need your help Carrie. It's not just for me or for Allison. Derek's missing. I didn't want to tell you because you've got so much going on already…"

She blinked a couple of times, recalling each time she tried to reach Derek. "I tried calling but no one answered. I just thought that was normal."

Scott shook his head. "So we need to watch Allison, because Peter's going after her, but after that we'll go find Derek. That's why I need you at the dance."

"So that's the only reason that you want me to go running through the woods in shoes that will surely break my neck?" Carrie questioned, brow raised.

"Alright, and so that I can for sure get in…"

Carrie shook her head. "I know you need help, Scott, but I just can't. I don't want to go and leave my mom here alone. Jane might go after her next, or even Peter. I mean, I helped him but that doesn't mean he'll keep his part of the deal." The creaking of the stairs caught Scott's attention first and Carrie followed his gaze. "Mom…"

Lacey's eyes were big and puffy, announcing to the world all the crying she'd done over the last few hours. She gripped the handrail for support, taking a moment to collect herself. "Go to the formal," Lacey told her daughter, "I don't want my mistakes stopping you from living your life and making new memories. Don't let my mother ruin your life here…"

Carrie stood up, taking a step towards her mother and pausing. "But, what about you? What about… grandma, she might be out there, waiting."

Lacey's laugh was brittle and held no substance to it. "I'll be fine," she assured, "Everything is just. taking a bit. to get use to." Each string of words was thinner, weaker than the one before it. She was trying her hardest to stay strong but her resolve was built on a crumbling foundation.

Carrie stood in front of her mother, her features mirroring Laceys' pained expression. "But, I can't leave you alone."

Lacey's smile remained and she pulled Carrie into her arms, stroking her blonde hair while Carrie wrapped her arms around her middle. "I'm not for you to worry about, baby." With a kiss on the head, she stepped away from her daughter and held her at arm's length. "I'll be alright as long as you're happy. Please go to the dance."

She patted Carrie's shoulder and headed back up the stairs, leaving a painful hole in Carrie's heart. She wanted to cry for her mother, knowing she was going through so much. Carrie never knew how strong her mother was before now, thanks to her stubbornness as a child, and all she wanted to do was make her mother better, make her happy again. What a stark contrast Carrie was from when she first arrived in Beacon Hills. She hated her mother, and now she hurt for her. She loved her mother and wanted nothing more than for her mom to feel complete again. This city had done wonders for their relationship.

Turning towards Scott, who kindly was looking away, she walked back to the couch. "I don't want to go," she explained. "But I'll do it anyways. I promised you I would help."

Scott smiled his usual geeky smile at her. "Thank you Carrie. I'll try and make it up to you some way."

She shook her head. "Make it up to me by letting me head home early…"

Scott nodded. "I think that can be managed. I just need to get inside is all."

"Now get going so that I can get ready for tonight," Carrie forced him up and out of the house.

After seeing Scott out the door, Carrie rushed upstairs, suddenly eager to look perfect. She had no idea what she was doing to wears because she neglected to find something early. After her encounter with Peter at the mall and Jane upstairs in her own room, Carrie didn't see the merit in going dress shopping, so it fell to the wayside and now she was paying for it. She knew she had some semi-formal dresses in her closet from a previous year and she hopped that it was something that would be appropriate enough for the dance.

As Carrie entered her room, a large package sitting on her bed caught her attention. It was wrapped in brown paper, giving no hints to what it contained, and a bow of rough tweed rope finished it off. She took a subtle look around her room, but nothing else seemed out of place. No one was lurking in the corners of the room.

Carrie moved to stand at the edge of her bed and stared down at the mysterious package. Could it have been Scott? He would have had time when she went to let her in. Maybe Lydia purchased a dress for her and Scott delivered it? That seemed most logical. Scott could barely afford his own tux rental, much less a whole dress for another person, so it had to be her shopaholic friend.

Just to make sure, Carrie went to Lacey and asked if it was from her, but Lacey was not the giver of the package. Confused, Carrie returned to her bedroom and to the box. She gently placed an ear on the box, listening for any sounds of ticking. She'd seen enough heist and action movies to be cautious of an unmarked box that suddenly appeared. But she heard no eerie ticking from inside and determined that it was safe.

Taking one last precaution, she placed her hands on the box, closed her real eyes and focused on her third one that rested in her mind. She tried to sense anything coming from it but the box gave off no clues. With a humph, Carrie grabbed the ends of the rope and pulled it loose. The ties and paper fell away, revealing a simple white box. Placing the wrapping to the side, Carrie lifted the lid and pulled away the tissue paper wrapping, revealing a strapless red cocktail dress that wasn't too poofy or full or too bedazzled.

Carrie pulled the red dress from its container and held it up. It had to have been Lydia! She rushed to her closet and opened the door, glancing at herself in the full length mirror. The red was stunning and complimented her features and skin tone perfectly. Lydia was a fashion pro and Carrie made note to thank her profusely for the wonderful gift.

She glanced at the clock, calculating how much time she had, and realized she had to hurry or she'd be late. So, Carrie set off to get ready for her first Beacon Hills formal.

Three hours later, Carrie and Scott were trampling through the woods near the school. Thankfully she had gone fire the close-toe black pumps instead of the scrappy pair she had considered. "When I agreed to this, I didn't expect I'd be wearing a dress of leaves and other wood debris to the formal."

Scott was just a head of Carrie, pulling her along by the hand. "Just a little farther, okay?" He stepped around a fallen tree and she followed. "Inn sorry. We just needed to be extra cautious. Finstock really has it out for me."

"My hairs going to be full of twigs and leaves Scott! Couldn't I have driven into the parking lot and met you somewhere?"

Scott stopped as he realized how easy that would have been, and Carrie nearly crashed into him. "Yeah, I guess that could have worked too, but it's too late now." Carrie grumbled to herself about Scott's lack of foresight as they started walking again.

Finally, they exited the woods and stood on the Lacrosse pitch, the fog a dense layer hovering over the green grass. The moment Carrie got a glance at it, a cold shiver raced through her, leaving her feeling empty but haunted. "Scott, we need to get out of here. This place isn't safe." Little did Carrie know of the horrid that would take place on that field only a short while later. If she knew more about her power, she would have been able to catch the faint odor of blood that developed in the gentle breeze.

Carrie broke off from Scott and headed inside. Once she was emitted into the dance, she made sure to stay clear of anyone who would delay her: Stiles and Lydia, or Allison and Jackson, and made her way towards the roof. She pushed on the handle and it swung open, nearly knocking the awaiting party over. Scott stood before her, a smile on his face. "It worked."

Carrie grabbed Scott's hand and pulled him inside. "Get in here before someone catches us."

Scott laughed. "We're on the roof, no one can see us."

"You never know," Carrie warned him and pulled the roof door close. She turned back to Scott, holding out her arms. "Do I still look alright? Did your excursion through the woods ruin anything?"

Scott pulled a leaf out from her hair, a boyish grin beaming at her. "You look perfect," he told her, his tone soft and caring as he looked over Carrie's outfit.

Her bright red dress was fitted nearly perfectly to her body's shape, it swelled and dipped in all the right places. And, considering Carrie had done it herself, her hair was a perfect spill of blonde curls, cascading over her shoulders. Despite some of the few subtle bruises that showed through Carrie's makeup, she looked stunning. If Scott couldn't go with Allison to the formal, he was happy that it was Carrie he got to go with.

Melissa was ecstatic when Carrie arrived, also commenting on how wonderful Carrie looked and it made Scott even prouder. She took an abundance of photos, asking for more and more until Scott had to tell her they were late. Melissa was a proud mom and made sure to send the photos to Lacey so that she could chat about them with her best friend once they had a shift together.

Carrie held her casted arm in her good hand, holding it up for Scott to see. "This doesn't ruin the whole outfit? It's just my luck to break it a week before a school dance."

Scott shook his head and draped an arm over Carrie's shoulders. "Not at all. You can barely notice it."

Carrie smacked him in the chest with her hand. "Now I know you're lying. And, thank you for the dress..."

Scott glanced at her, looking puzzled. "I didn't buy you that."

"Oh." Carrie glanced away. "I thought maybe you did because I found it after you left today."

"Any idea who else it could be?"

Carrie shrugged. "Maybe Lydia?"

The two chatted as they descended back down to the main level of the school, joining the rest of the students in the hustle and bustle of the formal. The gym was decked out in streamers and balloons. Nearly every surface was covered in something to do with the formal. Music blasted through the large speakers placed around the room and people lined up to request the next song. Scattered around the room was tables of food and drinks. Some had candy, some had drinks. But, everything fit together perfectly, nothing seemed out of place. The school committee had done a stellar job.

It took the pair a little longer than it should to navigate through the thick crowd of people as they had to make sure that Finstock didn't catch sight of Scott. Before long they were sitting next to Lydia and Stiles, and neither seem like they weren't having all that great of a time.

Carrie leaned towards Lydia. "Thanks for the dress. I know I said I didn't need one, but you really saved me."

Lydia looked over her dress, one brow raising. "I didn't buy that," she stated. "I was going to get you a dress but it wasn't that one. But it does suit you. Who ever did get it, they picked a really nice colour."

She looked down at herself, playing with the fabric. "Oh, I thought you had."

Lydia shook her head, it resting in the palm of her hand. "Nope. Maybe you have a secret admirer."

She thought of Derek for a moment and the possibility it had been him, but she doubted that was anywhere near plausible. She hadn't heard from Derek in many days and she was sure he wouldn't buy her a dress. "I doubt that," she replied with a hollow laugh. Now that she knew Lydia didn't purchase the dress, something felt off about it. She wanted to remove it but she had nothing to change into.

Once Scott offered to go grab the two of them drink, Carrie went off to find Allison, leaving Stiles and Lydia to mope in their unhappiness. Allison was sitting at one of the tables alone, playing with the confetti sprinkled on the table. Carrie fell into the chair beside her friend. "Hey," she greeted.

Immediately a smile appeared on Allison's face. "Hey! You made it."

Carrie nodded. "It took a lot of convincing but I'm here." She looked around and spotted Jackson on almost the other side of the gym with his friends and teammates from the lacrosse team. "How's the formal? How's your date?"

Allison huffed in annoyance. "He's over there with his friends. This is a formal. I want to dance."

"Let's go." Carrie held out her hand, offering it to Allison. "We can get Lydia and form our own girl dance circle."

Allison nodded with a smile and took Carrie's hand. First they snatched Lydia away from a devastated Stiles. Scott sent Allison an awkward wave, and Carrie made him promise not to get into trouble while she danced with her friends. The three made their way to the center of the dance pit and started moving to the music.

Carrie wouldn't admit it to herself just yet, but she was happy that Scott had forced her to come to the dance. She was hardly thinking about the horrors of her life, just on how to move her body in tune with the music. Jane, Kate, Peter, and the death of her father, and the pain her mother was feeling were all locked away firmly inside her mind, and all she thought about was the rhythm of the song. She still felt bad about not being at home with her mom but being at the dance wasn't so bad. It could definitely be worse.

The girls danced together until their feet hurt and Carrie noticed Stiles getting impatient on the side lines. This was his big date and so far Carrie was ruining it. So, she told the girls she was thirsty, and let Stiles whisk Lydia away, but not before they promised to get at least one more dance before the end. Carrie found Scott lurking in one of the more shadowed areas of the gym. "Are you trying to become a vampire?"

Scott shook his head and laughed. "Just trying to get away from Finstock. How's Allison?"

Carrie took her drink from Scott and turned to face the crowd, looking for the girl mentioned. "She's… good. Jackson's ignoring her so she's a little upset, but I think I cheered her up."

Scott wrapped his arm around Carrie. "Thank you. I'm just worried that Peter will go after her. At least, if someone is watching out for her, even if it's Jackson, I know he can't get too close to her."

Carrie nodded. "I wouldn't be surprised if Peter was out there someone, lurking, waiting for the right moment to make some sort of move."

"We better be careful then because I'm sure your grandmother's out there somewhere too."

Carrie nodded and rested her head on Scott's shoulder. Her heartbeat picked up as she prepared to ask her next question, one that she wasn't sure if she wanted to know the answer. "Have you heard from Derek yet?"

Scott went silent. It was worrying Scott just as much as Carrie. "No. You?"

"Me either. I tried again but it just went to voicemail." She wondered what had happened to Derek, if he was alright, if Peter had done something. Or maybe it was Jane and Kate again? But, even though she was worried about him, she knew there wasn't much that she could do to help protect him.. "If you do, let me know, okay?"

"Is there something between you?" Scott asked, catching Carrie off guard. His expression was blank but he was fighting the smirk that was starting to bloom.

Carrie coughed. "I don't… no, there isn't." She wasn't completely sure what was going on between the two of them, and she didn't want to admit anything incase she was wrong about Derek, about what he might feel towards her. She didn't even know if she liked him like that. She kissed him but she was inebriated at the time. They do say "drunk words are sober thoughts", but that could apply to actions too, couldn't it?

"Well, if there is, be careful. We still don't know much about him," Scott warned.

"Got it." Carrie pulled away from Scott and handed him her drink. "I'll be right back, nature calls, but when I get back, you and I are dancing. I'm going to enjoy this dance that you dragged me to before I have to leave and tell my mom about you know what..."

Scott smiled and laughed. "Got it."

Carrie skipped off merrily towards the bathrooms, basing in how much fun she was actually having. She loved Scott so much and she was amazed by how quickly they'd become friends. He was almost like a brother, and maybe it was because their mom's were friends, but Carrie felt like they had a bond that she wished would never break. Even though she now knew about Harrison, Scott still felt like more of a sibling. She shared blood with Harrison but she didn't know him yet. How could there be a bond yet.

As Carrie walked through the halls, she started to notice how deserted the halls were. It felt like all the warmth in the room had been drained from around her, the space filled with darkness. Placing her hand on the restroom door, she glanced around, but no one was there. When she was satisfied that she wasn't followed, Carrie stepped into the bathroom.

Heading back to the gym, Carrie still felt the same void following her. The feeling brought back memories of the night everyone was caught in the school while Peter, unconsciously, chased them through it. The thought was frightful and all she wanted was to return to Scott's side-or home. But, a promised dance with her date had been promised, so Carrie pushed aside the feelings of dread, forcing a smile onto her face.

As she reached the doors to the gym, Carrie was hit with a vague rose water aroma, causing her to pause at the door. But, before she could open it or look behind her, she was attacked. The attacker stood behind her, holding her at the waist as they brought a cloth up to cover her face. Carrie struggled and fought, she even tried to yell for help, but her attacker was stronger than her. She breathed in the chemicals that soaked the cloth and she felt the world start to spin. Before the fumes caused her to black out, the attacker brought something down on her head, ensuring that Carrie would fall from consciousness. The last thing that Carrie saw was Scott, inside the gym, dancing with Allison. At least he was getting his happy ending, she thought groggily.

Coming to felt like being hit with a pallet of bricks, every part of Carrie hurt. On top of the physical pain, she couldn't remember anything at all. Was it the same night as the dance? Was it hours later? Days later? Nothing was coming to her and with each attempt to recall the past, a horrendous headache threatened to show itself. Her thoughts were thick, sluggish, and vaguely dusty, like the effect of multiple nights with no sleep.

Carrie let her mind relax, hoping to relieve the pain and remember something. She took a deep breath and opened her eyes. Except, her eyes were already open she realized. Instead, it seemed a rough, thick fabric covered her eyes. The moment she realized it, alarms sounds within her. Something was wrong.

She tried to move her hands up to pull the blindfold away, but the scratchy rope dug into her skin as she fought to free herself. Something tickled its way down her arm as she pulled hard at the bindings, and Carrie was sure it was a small stream of blood. She was rubbing her skin away with each attempt for freedom, but she didn't care. She wanted her freedom back.

They say when one sense is deprived, the others are heightened, so Carrie focused all her energy on listening. All she could hear was the ominous sound of a crackling fire, and it sounded closer than she would have liked. The sound terrified her and a scream started to form but Carrie held it back. She was going to be brave. The only thing she could do now was struggle against her restraints, causing more skin to be scratched away.

As she fought for freedom something broke in her mind and a memory flashed alive. She remembered leaving the dance, heading to the washroom, and heading back to Scott. Her memories ended just as she reached the gym door, only to be grabbed from behind. Carrie tried to place the rose water smell that her memories were creating, but it wasn't coming to her. In her greatest time of need, Carrie's clairvoyant powers were failing her.

Finally, she reached the point of annoyance and she just wanted out. "Hey!" she screamed. "Let me go."

The blindfold was ripped from her and firelight filled vision, blinding her momentarily so she didn't see the tall, slender woman come to stand over her. "Don't struggle, dear," Jane warned, her voice the only thing that told Carrie who was talking to her, "I don't want to waste any of that blood of yours."

"What are doing with me?" Carrie asked, horrified. Looking around, she noticed that large tree under her and how her arms were strapped to it, the ropes tied to anchors screwed into the tree. The tree was one of the old trees that modern people thought was a good idea to chop down. The strangest thing about the tree was the familiarity about it, like she'd seen it once before in a dream.

Jane didn't answer Carrie's question, instead she took the knife she was holding and sliced it across her palm. First she stabbed the knife into the wood, and then she dipped her thumb into her own blood and looked down at her granddaughter. "I'm using you for the power you don't even know you possess."

Carrie craned her neck, following Jane as she walked to stand at Carrie's head. "You have the same power as me and I don't have anything else."

Laughing, Jane leaned forward. She placed her blood covered thumb against Carrie's forehead. The sudden slickness grossed Carrie out and she moved her forehead in protest. But, Jane didn't like that. She grabbed Carrie's head, holding onto it with an iron grip, and wiped away the smeared blood. "Don't move or I'll knock out again, my dear," she threatened, starting over. Carrie struggled but Jane's hold was solid, and she couldn't move.

"Stop it," she cried out but it was no use. Jane continued marking Carrie with her blood. Once she was done, Jane bent down, dragging her knife across Carrie's arm-Carrie winced and stifle her cry as the pain raced through her arm. She dipped her other thumb in the new warm liquid, drawing the same crude marking on her own face. Once the images were finished, Jane let out a satisfied sigh. But she wasn't done.

Jane grabbed Carrie's wrist and dragged the knife across it. She produced a small glass, almost like a shot glass, and let Carrie's blood drip into it. "Thank you for your contribution, Carrie dear," said Jane once the glass was full. She brought it up to touch her lips, and it lingered there. They locked eyes just as Jane tilted the shot glass and consumed the ounce of Carrie's blood she'd drained from the girl.

Once she was finished, she let go of Carrie's wrist, dragged the back of her hand across her wet lips, and walked away. "Is it ready?" Jane asked to someone Carrie didn't know was actually there.

Carrie's gaze followed Jane as she walked towards the other lady, who was standing next to the burning fire. This new woman's appearance was vaguely witch like. Her hair was the colour of salt and pepper, and it reached down to her waist, the wind lightly playing with the ends and causing it to float around her, and it was slightly wavy, teetering on the unkempt side. Her long black dress was fitted at the waist, but the bell-like sleeves brought the whole outfit together, giving it the witch-y touch. But, being too far away, Carrie couldn't get a good look at the witch's face, so she guessed that the lady was in her fifties, no older than mid-fifties.

The witch handed Jane a small cup no bigger than a small mug. With the mug in hand, Jane returned to Carrie's side, and held it up like it contained the secrets to the universe. "You must be wondering what I'm doing, Carrie," she stated, though still not looking away from her holy grail.

She remained silent, brows furrowed against Jane's question. She wasn't going to give her grandmother anything else. Not her clairvoyant powers and surely not her words.

"Don't be like that, my darling," said Jane teased, crouching down next to her granddaughter. "I'll tell you anyways. Your clairvoyance is far stronger than mine and you're not using it to the full potential. You could completely shape and reshape your past and your present. Isn't that exciting?"

Carrie just glanced away. She wasn't too interested in hearing Jane's delusional ramblings. What secret power did she have? All she was was a clairvoyant, and, really, she could barely handle that. Deep down, Carrie didn't want any more power and would be happy to turn a blind eye to anything lurking within her.

"And, you have a sleeping power too, thanks to your father," Jane continued. "Did he never explain what he was? It took me a long time to figure it out-and remember, thanks to that pesky spell he put on your mother and me. Thankfully I was prepared. I'm much smarter than he'd thought. Do you know that I know about your brother, I just don't know where he is, and by taking your power I'll be able to find him. Then, I'll have everything I need to completely my task. Anyways. Your father was-"

"Jane, the moon is almost in place," announced the old witch and cutting off Jane. "She must drink."

"Wait, what about my dad?" Carrie asked, sounding frantic and desperate. What more was there to know about Mason Deveraux that Carrie didn't already know. But, what could Jane know that Carrie didn't know? And, was it something that Jane had killed him for?

Ignoring Carrie's question, Jane glanced up, searching the stars and moon. "It's time," she whispered, turning her head to look at Carrie.

She was shaken by the crazed smile that was plastered on Jane's face. Something had snapped within the old lady. She looked exactly like someone who was 'off their rocker', and that didn't' make Carrie feel very safe. Now, she really was worried for her life.

"Drink this," Jane told her, bringing the crude cup to Carrie's lips. She tried to fight against Jane's advances, it smelled like death and decay, but Carrie was no match for Jane, given the current state she found herself in.

Jane grabbed a hold of Carrie's noses and plugged it. "Drink and everything will be over soon." Carrie couldn't fight it any longer and the sludgy liquid slid down her throat, tasting metallic like and chilly. The drink slithering down into her stomach and instantly made her feel like death. Once the horrid drink hit Carrie's stomach, she felt it reach throughout her whole body, snacking it's way through her system. It touched mind and she felt her mind's eye shutter as the liquid attacked, until finally her clairvoyant third eye closed.

A weird feeling washed over Carrie as she became aware of her missing power. She'd grown use to having the third eye constantly watching out for her and now it felt like a piece of herself had been severed off. She felt empty and used, not full and complete like she usually did.

Standing up, Jane dusted herself off. "It's almost time," she stated and walked away.

With the closing of her mind's eye, Carrie felt the effects of a deep sleep setting in. She tried to fight it, she wanted to stay awake and alert but the drink was too powerful. Her eyes started shutting but they snapped open when she heard a familiar but cruel voice just next to her.

"I'm sorry, but my treasure isn't going anywhere. I see you got my present, Carrie. The colour red looks stunning on you." Knowing she was wearing something from Peter made her feel dirty and violated, but she pushed the thought aside. Carrie glanced towards the other witch, knowing Jane would be there.

Her grandmother slowly turned around and let out a laugh, arms crossed in front of her. "Peter Hale," she announced with another laugh under her breath, "I thought all you Hales perished in that horrible fire." Jane put emphasis on 'perish' and it caused a shudder to run through Carrie. Jane had orchestrated the entire desolation of the Hale werewolves and she was taunting the one Hale out for revenge. And Peter knew what she did. This was not going to end well.

"Nearly. I was left in a vegetative state for years, unable to speak, to move, to do anything." Peter sneered, "And for your hand in that, I'm going to kill you."

Jane laughed again, this one full of mocking, "You? You can barely shift, hunny. You can only do it when you're aslee-."

Peter moved at lightening speed, lunging for Jane with a growl, and wrapping his clawed hand around Jane's neck, mirroring how he'd done to Carrie nights earlier at the mall. He slowly raised Jane up, her feet dangling towards the ground and her hands clawing at his hold.

Carrie tried to call out, tried to tell Peter to stop, but the drink was still coursing through her body. She lazily pulled at the ropes binding her to the tree stump and, surprisingly, her hand hit her face. Startled, she glanced around, stopping on the old witch sitting next to her.

The older woman had a sad smile on while she worked her other hand free, reaching across Carrie to do so. "I'm sorry young one. I was never going to let her hurt you," the witch explained. "Your father did much for me, and I knew I couldn't do wrong by him, so I had to trick your grandmother into thinking it was all true. That drink was fake. You should be feeling better in a few short minutes, but there will still be consequences side effects from it. But they should be fixed in time."

Carrie pulled her other hand free and slowly pushed herself up, her father's apparent friend helping her to sit up. "Once you've dealt with your demons, find me," she said, looking pointedly at Jane and Peter. Bringing her gaze back to Carrie, the witch hugged her. "We have much to discuss, my dear."

Carrie coughed as she tried to speak. "How do I find you? What's your name?"

"Demetra de Búrca," she told Carrie. "You'll find me when the time is right."

And without another word the lady was gone, leaving only a small scent of roses behind. It was the same rose smell from her kidnapping, now she knew it was the witch that had caught her in the school. But, there was something more about the scent, something from when she was a child. But, she locked the vague memory away, to be dealt with at a later time.

A gurgled scream coming from Jane pulled Carrie attention back to the present, and she hastily scrambled off the tree stump. Still feeling the effects from the drink, Carrie stumbled a time or two, but she came to stand behind Peter, a malicious glare on her features. "Let her go, Peter," Carrie demanded, not really realizing what she was asking.

"Back away, my clairvoyant," Peter said, not turning around. The 'my' uttered made Carrie sick. "I'm completing the first part of my revenge and I will not be stopped-not even by you."

Carrie stepped closer, not heading Peters warning. It had come to Carrie as she was tied up on the tree, that Jane should not be killed. It was an easy end to all the horrible things she had done thus far. She was also her mother's mother and there had to be meaning in that, at least she tried to tell herself that. How could Carrie face her own mother if she'd sat by and watched Jane be killed? "Letting her live will be better because she'll have to live with no family and only the memory of what she's done for the rest of her life. But if you kill her, she isn't accountable anything she's done. She's cleared of it all."

Peter turned around. "Oh I don't think I can do that… Not after she killed my entire family and put me into a coma-like state!" He was angry and Carrie scrambled to think of a way to change his mind.

Her eyes quickly darted to Jane and they locked sights. Tears were welling in the corners of her grandmother's eyes as she thrashed at Peter's hand, her legs trying to kick him. "Carrie, Please," she tried to whisper.

Hearing her voice made Carrie reconsider the stance she'd taken. The sound of it raked across her nerves, tempting her let Peter have his kill. But she'd already spoken out against him. "I hate her too," she admitted, "I get it. She killed my dad and she killed your family, but killing her out of revenge won't bring them back…"

Peter let out a blood chilling laughter, one that was borderline lunatic. "You think I want to bring them back. No, no, I want to get even." He turned back to Jane and smiled her her. "Say goodbye to grandma Jane."

Carrie lunged towards Peter but he knocked her out of the way, She landed on the cold forest floor as Peter, with the same hand, plunged it deep into Jane's chest cavity. Jane let out a pain ridden scream that threatened to knock the trees does. With last bit of life in her, she tried to claw at Peter in one last fight for her life.

Peter let go of her neck, and Jane fell away from Peter's hand, a gross, slick slurping sound emitting as her body tore away from her heart. He held up the heart in triumph, turning towards Carrie. He dropped it on the ground as Carrie began to scream. The heart landed on the ground with a squishy thud that made Carrie's stomach churn and her head spin.

"Now, what to do with you?" Peter asked rhetorically.

Carrie skidded back, but stopped when her back hit the tree stump. Instantly she knew she wasn't getting out of this alive, the look in Peter's eyes confirming it. He towered over her, and with all his might, he brought the cup Jane had held, down onto Carrie's head. She groppled to keep herself upright, but Peter had hit her hard enough that to cause stars to appear in her line of sight. She fell to the side, tears forming, and her head hit the cold, hard ground. The last thing Carrie saw before darkness took over was Peter kneeling in front of her, with a sinister smile on his face before he grabbed her.

xxx

Carrie's eyes snapped open and she inhaled deeply. For the second time that night, she woke up dizzy and confused, but this time it didn't last long. As she took in her surroundings, her heart sped up with panic. Carrie was lying in a large wooden box-nothing fancy, just a box made of wooden planks, that was lowered into the earth. It was cold and sad, fit for a someone who didn't deserve a proper coffin. The next thing she noticed was the black leather boots standing up above, looming at the end of the wooden box.

Peter was once again crouched down in front of her and the same sinister, disturbing smile greeted her. "What are you doing?" Carrie asked and started to push herself out.

"Ah, no getting out," Peter teased, waving a finger. "And, I'm just finishing what was already started. You have your grandmother to thank for this grave. She's the one who dug it for you"

Her brows furrowed as she looked around. "W-why," she asked, nearly crying. "Why are you doing this?" She was scared and the fear was rising with every second Peter smiled at her. Her fight-or-flight instincts were soaring and her mind raced for a way out. She tried to figure out how to best Peter, but her mind's eye was still shut and her head was full and fuzzy. She couldn't think of anything.

Peter stood up and leaned against the shovel. With a sigh, he explained. "I'm taking out insurance so that the final part of my revenge goes off without any interference. I can't have you running off and telling people what you know or what you see in your little visions… Now it's time for us to say good bye, my little clairvoyant. Thank you for giving me what I wanted."

Peter bent and gripped the lid of the box, slowly closing it. "N-NO! PETER PLEASE," Carrie yelled, her hands scrambling to stop the closing lid.

The lid slammed shut and was followed by the soft sounds of dirt trickling on top. Peter was going through with what he promised, he was burying her alive. Carrie slammed her hands against the top. "PETER STOP THIS," she screamed but he didn't.

It wasn't long after the sounds of dirt stopped for loneliness set in. In that darkness, Carrie knew her visions from a few days ago had come true. Except, it wasn't Kate. It was almost Jane. In the end it was Peter who had got the best of her. And, the dirt spilling out from her in the back seat of Allison's car now made sense. She was literally being buried alive by a mad man.

Carrie shut her eyes to the realization that her life was ending. There was no way she'd get out. She was living her final moment stuck in a wooden box. She didn't even get to say goodbye to her mom or friends. She wished she could live just a little longer, long enough to bring Harrison to her mother. She wished she could live long enough to kiss Derek one last time. She wanted to live longer. But fate was cruel and Carrie was not going to get her wish. This was the end for her.

AUTHOR'S NOTES:

Hey guys! I'm so happy to have this chapter done so soon after the last one. It wasn't months this time, just a few weeks. Yahoo! I was rebellious and wrote most of this chapter during class time, but I think it was well worth it.

There's only a little left in season one of Teen Wolf and I'm excited for what's going to be coming next. I hope you've all enjoyed this ride, just a little bit longer till the end.

I've had this chapter envisioned in my mind for nearly a year now, and I'm so excited to have finally been able to write it. Did you enjoy it? Poor Carrie, she's always getting hurt! First her wrist, and now she's being buried alive. Hopefully things go well for her in the next chapter.

Thank you to InkandFangirling for reviewing on the previous chapter, and I'd love to hear from more of you. What have you enjoyed? What was your favourite? What didn't you like? Where do you think the story is going to go from here? Let me know what you're thinking because I love hearing from you all.

Thank you again to anyone who followed, favorited, and reviewed ever. All those things keep me going.

xoxo

-A