Meg was thankful that Mrs. McGrath wasn't home, especially since she never could get a straight answer on what to call her. Not that this was a particularly important thought as she paced the length of her best friend's room in a frenzy. It had been a couple of days now, and she's heard nothing, nothing! That was so unlike Steph it made the blonde ready to hurl. She was grasping at straws at this point, given some of the rumors running around school, but as she looked around her, she found nothing of the sort. Steph's room was meticulous as ever, showing no sign of whatever caused her to leave school out of the blue on tuesday. Or to explain the garbled phone call she got last night that did nothing to alleviate the panic that was setting into Meg's bones.
She jumped at the sound of something hitting the floor, turning to see Danny standing in the doorway. His bag was the cause of sound, but his face was what gave her pause. While it also displayed disappointment, it held the same worry as hers which only made her own panic skyrocket. She gulped it down, giving an awkward wave to the actual resident of the house, giving an explanation with the spare key ring looped around her thumb.
"So she's proper missing, then…" She said, trying to get something from his gaze. "It's not her staying home sick or something."
"It's uh...it's complicated." Danny allowed, bending to grab his bag.
"Then uncomplicate it?!" Meg's voice was sharper than intended, but she hadn't come here to be brushed aside. However, he wasn't giving her anything except his back as he went into the living room. "Because she hasn't been answering my messages, and the one I got last night was downright terrifying."
He stopped, causing Meg to bump her nose into his back. Slowly, he turned his head to look down at her. "She called you?"
There was pain in the hushed tone, a glint of regret mixed with jealousy in what she could see in his gaze. She pulled her lips in, entwining her hands nervously before nodding.
"Can't say it's much of a real phone call, I couldn't make anything out... sounded like it was in her pocket or bag." She murmured, sheepishly. "Reckoned it was a pocket dial or something."
"Did you hear her voice, did she sound-" Danny's shoulders slumped, finally turning to fully face her. "Was she alright?"
"If the answer was yes, do you think I would be here instead of school?" She raised an eyebrow with her point. "Truth is, I know less than you do, and you are reluctant to share at the moment."
"Because like I said, it's not exactly simple. I don't even know where my mom is, and she should have been home by now." His hand ran through the mop of brown hair atop his head, eyes darting around to find something to focus on. It wasn't until they landed on her that he remembered he wasn't alone.
"So can you please, please just go to school, and I'll let you know if I hear from her?"
Meg gulped, not used to seeing this side of him. She was used to the playful older brother who came into Steph's room to embarrass her, or pick her up from Meg's house. Seeing him worried was like seeing a wolf go vegetarian. A part of her didn't want to leave him to his worry, but the other knew she wouldn't be able to help. Eventually, she sighed, nodding before she walked around him to the front door.
"I'm holding you to that Daniel McGrath," She muttered. "I have the means to get into your house."
Jingling her spare key as if to make the threat more 'real.' Meg walked out of the McGrath Residence and into her car a few houses down the street.
Steph...what the hell did you get yourself into?
Isaac glanced at me, rubbing at his neck before responding. He was very clearly uncomfortable with the prospect of sneaking into my house, and if it wasn't for the strange shit I saw before waking up, I would agree. My gaze held firm, encouraging him to come with me.
"Look Stephanie…" He paused, looking away before slowly meeting my gaze. Before we can even risk thinking about going there you have to be absolutely-"
"I'm positive, Isaac." I gulped, "I need to talk to Danny, he's not gonna turn you in. Hell, he was part of the group that broke you out of prison. We'll be safe."
While he still didn't look terribly convinced, I could feel his resolve shake, crumbling completely when I looked up at him behind my lashes. Huh...not sure how I feel about knowing that.
"Okay, fine, but the second something seems off, we leave." I nodded quickly, not really sure what his definition of 'off' was given what was happening, but not quite ready to face my brother alone. "Also, I uh...I kinda biked here? But you could ride on the handlebars or something."
Before I could stop myself, I laughed slightly, making me look at him strangely.
"What is it?" he turned around, his eyes scanning my face. "What's so funny?"
"That you biked here, I guess? I don't know what I expected you to do, I know you don't have a car…" I shook my head, "Also I may be a bit too tall to sit on the handlebars, do you have pegs on the back wheel?"
He nodded, and I relaxed, making my way with him to where he'd left his 'vehicle'. It was a little awkward getting onto the back and holding onto him without toppling either of us over, but we managed, and soon we were off. After we picked up speed, we made it to my house in about an hour. Since we were passing it anyway, we decided to sneak into Isaac's place first. He didn't take long, just filled a small duffel with whatever was sentimental or needed to be returned to the school. I was slightly confused by this, but then he explained that Derek bought some stuff while I was unconscious to help us. Meaning, he also had no idea or plan on what to do with the two teenage fugitives he has. He must be having a great day not knowing where we were or doing.
While considerate in concept, I wanted to be back in my own bed, with my own things, but at the same time, I was still angry and confused by what my family was doing to me. I knew he's going to try to keep me there, part of why I almost let Isaac talk me out of it. Almost.
Not that I got much of a chance to think about it as we were already rolling up and things were strange. It was about 10:30 or so in the morning, on a Wednesday? Or was it Thursday? The days were starting to blur with each mind-numbing new thing I discovered. Point is, My mother's car was nowhere to be seen, and Danny was home. While the second wasn't surprising, It had been a week since I saw my mother, and now I was starting to get worried.
We stopped at the edge of the yard, dismounting next to the mailbox. While Isaac worked on the kickstand, I kept my eyes on the road, hugging myself awkwardly while I shifted from foot to foot. I know this was my idea, but that didn't mean I knew what I was doing or was remotely prepared for what was about to happen. It felt like forever stretched forward as I stood there, trying to think about what to do, the only thing missing the record scratch when the front door slammed open.
"Are we gonna do this, or are you two idiots going to wait for someone to call the cops on you?"
Danny looked tired, his usually bright and easy smile gone and his eyes lacked their usually mirth. He wasn't angry, but he wasn't being gentle about things either. Coughing lightly, gestured for Isaac to follow me, wishing that the first time he stepped into my home after all these years wasn't so he could witness the McGrath Siblings about to have a screaming match.
He slowly closed the door behind us, gesturing for us to sit at the couch. There were two tv trays set up, each holding a steaming plate of breakfast and a mug with tea steeping. Isaac looked at me, raising an eyebrow in confusion.
"You've been expecting us?" I gestured to the food. "How'd you even know we were going to be here?"
"Derek." My brother shrugged, glancing at Isaac. "Said something about this one failing to do his job after giving you the Bite."
Chills ran cold down my spine at the comment. Derek had been willing to help, but then turned around and sold me out? I thought about things that led me to this, about the feelings I've been getting that I've shrugged away. The fact that Derek and Danny seemed to know each other better than two people working together to break their wards out of jail. And worse, how quick I was to accept Danny's explanations until now. Then it clicked.
"And you knew it wouldn't kill me...Didn't you?" I said, parsing it aloud. "Because we're already involved somehow..."
"You might want to take a seat." He attempted to offer calmly, but his face pinched into a wince. "We have a lot to talk about."
"No!" I shook my head, the elastic of my patience finally snapping.
"No, I'm done listening to you! I am so tired of being lied to, and being told that I'm just tired, or imagining things, you knew, you knew that I wasn't seeing things, that I actually saw you nearly die and you just brushed it off, with stupid excuses. Excuses that you got me to believe using- Using what some supernatural tricks on me to make me forget?! What the hell Danny? Of all the people in my life, you were supposed to be the one that was always on my side, my brother. And now you're sneaking around with Derek to try and control me again. To try and keep me in the dark, again. I-"
My voice broke, but I stood my ground, trying to hide the fact that I was shaking, both in anger and from the betrayal. My lip quivered, and my eyes tightened, making me bite the inside of my cheek, refusing to let him see me cry over this. I needed to prove to him that I could handle it, that I deserved to know.
"Your poker face is great, but thanks to what we are, I know this scares you." Danny stated calmly, his body seeming to bend with each word. "And if you insist on keeping all this up, I'm gonna have to teach you guys some mental wards."
"Cute, still waiting to hear what that is." I snapped, crossing my arms as I watched him sit. "And I'm sorry, mental wards? What are we, Psychics or some shit? " I laughed clearly thinking he was joking at this point. "And what, that this whole time you and Ma have been able to read my mind?"
"Among other things, yeah." His face was completely calm, no hit of laughter in his voice. "Ma more than me, but I inherited some of it...it's what saved our asses that night at the preserve."
"Oh, so we've given up on denying that happened, then?" I spit, part of me wishing on some level that it hasn't been real. "Good, because after I found myself there again, I would like to know why I could feel so much more of the world around me, or when I touched Isaac I was able to-"
I stopped, still unsure if that's what happened. That what? I was able to see things with a wolf's vision? Or share his senses with him? And what about my ability to read emotions off of people? Off Animals? I slowly sank onto the couch next to Isaac, who had been silent up to this point. What exactly was I capable of now?
Danny gazed at me, sighing as he rubbed at his forehead. "Yeah, looks like those pills Ma got from Deaton aren't going to work anymore. The bite must have removed their effect from your system. I was already having issues controlling your mind, but now….now there's no point."
"Control?" Isaac's voice made me jump, his face contorted into a snarl. "She's your sister, why would you want to control her?"
"Because a long time ago my parents decided that we needed to shelter her from this part of our lives." Danny answered, keeping his gaze fixed on me. "I've had no choice but to do as I was told, but now that she's older… It's not something that either of you can understand. There's too much at work than just me."
"Then help me understand!" I insisted, slapping my hands onto my knees and clenching them. "Stop talking in riddles and just spit it out already Dan."
Dan looked at me, then glanced over to Isaac, who I felt fidget under his stare. There was something intense about his gaze, a coldness that I felt deep inside. As I felt Isaac move to stand, I placed a hand on his knee, glaring at my brother.
"And stop trying to make Isaac leave." I said, my hand shaking against him. "If he's the catalyst to all of this, he deserves to know too."
We stared at each other, both challenging the other to blink while Isaac didn't seem sure of what to do. I wished I could tell him that just having him here with me was what made me able to do this, and was helping me keep my resolve. While Danny and I kept up our staring contest though, I felt his hand on mine. He knew, and he wasn't going anywhere. Finally, after far too long, Danny nodded, blinking slowly.
"I guess there's nothing left to do at this point." He muttered, dragging a hand over his mouth. "So, obviously, you know about werewolves, right? And the hunters that are after them."
"Are you telling me there's more?" I raised an eyebrow at him. "Is there some kind of support group for various supernatural beings?"
"Hardly, but yes, there's plenty more than just werewolves. They're just more common around these parts." While Danny's voice was calm, I watched him start to burn a hole in the sight of mine and Isaac's hands, making the other boy cough awkwardly and move away from me slightly. Danny sniffed slightly, the smallest of smirks turning at the corner of his mouth.
"Dad's gonna kill me for telling you; he wanted to be here to tell you himself, but work pulled him away and with Mom out of commission, or at least I'm guessing-"
Dan, they aren't here; you are. I need to know." I begged, gulping down the swell of emotion. "Please."
"Dad and I...we're werewolves, like Derek. Unlike Isaac over here, we weren't bitten, but born, coming from a long line that served the Hale family for years. You and Mom however…you're different, and like I said, I inherited some of it, but not much."
"Different how?" I turned as Isaac spoke my thoughts, furrowing his brow slightly. "If I'm allowed to ask that is…"
"You are..." Danny said, making me look at him. "Especially given that it's not just you asking."
"What are you saying that I made him say that?" I pointed to myself, incredulously.
"Not intentionally, but yes. You're going to do some things accidentally until you get a grasp on it." He ran his hands up his face, pulling them to rest on the back of his neck. "It's part of the reason mom had you on the meds."
"Because I could control people?" I scoffed. "Like some kind of mental puppeteer or something?"
"The formal term in Empath, but yes." His eyes were closed, regret spreading it's tendrils around his shoulders in a vice. "You're able to control emotions and thought. Other things as well, like use a specific emotion to do things, empower you to do something you might not normally be able to do."
"Like the prison." Isaac said, making us both turn to look at him. "You pushed Stiles away from me when I went to attack him. I felt this directed beam of...protectiveness coming from you. From your hand when you reached out to him."
"That's an example of it, yes." Danny nodded slowly, pulling his lips in a rye smile. "You always had that protective streak. Seems to be something written in our blood."
"So an Empath and a Werewolf… our parents?" I said, still trying to believe it, "So we're what...hybrids of some kind?"
"No, we each take after one parent, but we can have some carry over from the other. It's how I could….alter your opinions on things, or make you forget. But now that you've fully come into your powers? I won't be able to calm you like that again."
"Calm me? Calm me?!" I stood, stalking over to him as he remained sitting. "You made me believe I was insane. That seeing you get attacked was just some kind of fever dream! Why didn't you just tell me what was going on?!"
"And why did you call Megan last night instead of me?" He challenged, raising an eyebrow briefly. "You're lucky I was able to send her away before you two got here."
"Call Me-what are you talking about?" I pulled my phone out, my eyes widening at the number of texts and missed calls from her. "I don't remember doing that."
"Yeah, that happens, I'm sure it'll come back eventually." He nodded, as if accepting my answer. "Not that You can tell her about any of this."
"No shit, Sherlock." I snapped, crossing my arms. "I don't need my best friend escorting me to Ma's work, thank you. Where is she anyway?"
"I'm not sure, but given what you did last night, my guess is that they're holding her at work for a while." He bit the inside of his cheek briefly. "I'm gonna have to call Dad and figure out where to go from here. They were afraid something like this was going to happen."
"Why would they be keeping her at work because of me?" I asked, sharing a look of confusion with Isaac, who still seemed rather uncomfortable being here.
"I know you want the answer to everything, Steph, and I swear, I want to give it to you." My brother's voice was tired now, weary with everything. I wanted to push him, but I let him finish at his own pace.
"But there's just some that aren't mine to give. All I can say is that Mom… she did something years ago that tied her empathic abilities to her body in ways that are devastating. It's why she's been at Eichen for so long."
I gulped, every bad thing I said about my mother leaving a bad taste in my mouth. "You mean to tell me she's not just working there, but-"
"She does treatments after her shifts…" Danny nodded, "And unfortunately that's all I can tell you, it's not my-"
"Place to tell, yeah...I get it." I slowly took a few steps back, settling slowly back onto the couch. "But thank you...for telling me what you did, I guess. Wish I hadn't had to twist it out of you, but we're here now."
"Trust me, I'm not the one that wants you in the dark." He sighed. "Especially with all the activity that's been happening lately."
"Sure didn't seem to upset you too much the past couple of weeks." I grit out, staring at the food that was slowly growing cold. "So what was your plan, wait for me to show up, ply me with food?"
"Actually I snuck a sedative in your tea hoping you'd be too hungry to notice." He said, his expression blank. "You didn't think I was just going to let you run away with Derek Hale and your little boyfriend, did you? That there wasn't going to be consequences to your actions?"
My mouth fell open, my mind already knowing somehow that he was telling the truth. I looked to Isaac, his shock written just as plainly on his face. Well, at least I know that they didn't conspire with him. Derek however? I wouldn't put it past him, especially now that I had some information on their background.
"I'm sorry, so not only did you admit to Mom drugging me for years...but you-" I pointed at the tea in contempt. "My big brother, my protector, were about to do the same damn thing?!"
"Like I said...consequences." He shrugged, seeming unperturbed by my reaction, or even his choice of action. "At least I wasn't going to drug him on top of it. Ma would have done that."
"Hardly a winning argument, Dan." I said, turning to Isaac. "I think it's time you went back to Derek. I have a feeling he won't be expecting me."
"I...a-are you sure you want to stay here?" He glanced at my brother nervously, "Wouldn't you be better off with us?"
"With you?" Danny scoffed, "In some substation instead of at home with her family?"
"You don't exactly seem to have her best interests in mind." Isaac titled his head, actually daring to look my brother in the eye. "So all things considered, yes. I think she would be better off. At least we aren't hiding things from her or trying to sedate her."
"No, you've only just re-entered her life and in the week she's interacted with you, she's been arrested, broken out, and bitten by an Alpha." Danny squinted, the power of his glance making the other boy shrink away. "Yeah, that's so much better than what I was doing when I nearly died to protect her, and then made it so she didn't remember witnessing it."
"Stop it! Both of you!" I stood between the two, exhausted by the events of the day. "Isaac, I'll be fine, I promise, just...let me get you a couple things- and no, Danny, me offering him help isn't an option."
I stalked off to my room, Isaac sputtering under my brother's gaze for a few seconds before following me. We were silent as I grabbed a bag and started to put things into it; a fluffy blanket, some toiletries, anything I could think of that Derek more than likely had it. I wasn't looking forward to sending him alone to face the Alpha, but at this point I knew I had no option. I stopped packing, my hand freezing as I stood in front of bed, panic becoming a familiar burning in the pit of my stomach. There was a lot that could be said, and nothing he'll be able to show for it. Just the pathetic excuse of being new and out of control. After a few moments of not moving, Isaac spoke up, making me jump at the sudden break of silence.
"Hey…" I turned, meeting his gaze slowly, making him hesitate slightly and clear his throat. "I uh….I just wanted to let you know that….even if you're not at the station with us, we're here for you...and we-" He sighed as he struggled with what to say, "We'll help you to figure everything out, I mean I know that I'm still learning too, but…"
He trailed off when my expression remained, blank and he moved to touch a hand to my shoulder. Before his hand even reached me though, I felt myself tense up and he pulled away. It was so strange to me that mere moments ago we had been comforting each other via our hands, and now I was back to being afraid of him.. I sighed, my shoulders slumping with the weight of the day. Looking back to him, I tried to bring an encouraging smile to my lips, though it even felt more like a grimace. He'd just stood up to me against my brother, I had to say something to show my appreciation, but I was coming up blank.
We stood quietly for a few more minutes, and Isaac gave me a look as if he could see through me. Or maybe he just was wondering why I still hadn't closed the bag or handed it to him. Either way I needed to tell him what was on my mind; I owed him that much at least. I sighed, tugging at my hair.
"But maybe…." I paused, self-doubt threatening to silence me. "Maybe Danny's right... I did think this through. Maybe I shouldn't have taken the Bite...whatever my reasons were."
"You had more than one?" He shook his head, combing his hair back and rubbing a hand against the top of his head. "Look it doesn't matter….we'll just talk to Derek and- and maybe he'll have some answers."
As skeptical as I felt about trusting Derek with anything still, I nodded, zipping the bag and handing it to him. "Yeah, well I could stand to ask him a few questions myself."
He laughed lightly, "Heh… you mean like selling you out to your brother?"
"For starters." I nodded, biting my lip. "Among other things…"
"Then let's ask him." I looked up from the ground, raising an eyebrow at him. "I mean we might as well let him know we weren't arrested or anything...it might help to explain you not coming back as well…"
I glanced at the door, then to Isaac, holding up a finger, I walked over and closed it, stuffing my bathrobe along the bottom so that Danny couldn't eavesdrop. Though if he really is a werewolf then it's not really going to do anything, is it? Turning back to him, I nodded.
"Why not...better dial before I change my mind." I crossed my arms. "Lot of that is happening today."
Isaac nodded, and hit the contact, the phone merely ringing once before Derek picked up. While I couldn't see his face, I could feel him through the phone, and was far from being happy or calm. Reminding myself that he wasn't anywhere near us, I squared my shoulders, prepared to be told off for my disappearing act. Instead, I could only listen in shock as he rounded on Isaac instead, his voice so loud we didn't need it on speaker.
"One thing Isaac. I gave you one thing to do after we got back last night: Watch over her and make sure everything went fine with her Bite. And what do I find when I come back from picking up Erica today?! Both of you gone, and Danny confirms that you decided to go pay him a visit. What next are you going to tell me you went back to your house too?." I winced slightly, letting out a hiss of breath.
"Apparently because you did! How-" He snarled, trying to clamp down his anger. "How hard is it to keep a girl who is half your size down here?! What could have possibly-"
Finally, I'd had enough, and pulled the phone from his hand, holding my hand out to stop Isaac from saying anything.
"Okay first of all, I'm not half his size." I argued, failing to see the importance of that myself. "And second, he was just helping me with my first change, and ya know, not ratting me out to my family that I purposely didn't go home with."
"Hardly relevant, McGrath." Derek quipped, his tone tense at the accusation. "He still should have been able to keep you under control."
"Says the man who placed his beta in charge of another." I argued, shaking my head at the ridiculousness of this conversation. "I pass out, and you guys decide to go on a shopping spree? You're lucky I was still there when you got back. Don't get pissed of at Isaac because of your stupid ideas."
I heard him breathe through his nose, but I wasn't done.
"When I woke up scared and alone in the reserve this morning, Isaac was the one that found me, and Isaac was the one who helped me figure things out. He didn't even want me to go see Danny, even though you did. Isaac is the only one that has consistently been on my side since this whole thing started."
I gulped, "And now I'm forced to face the fact that you sold me out, and that I might have put my mother in the hospital… maybe even given her some kind of psychological break, I don't know, Danny's being pretty vague about it. So maybe just, stow the ego for five seconds and think about the consequences of your own actions."
After I had finished, there was silence on the other end, no sound save for his breathing. I was just about to dumbly add that I was done when he spoke up, his voice seething.
"Need I remind you that you are both fugitives ? What if someone found you, what if a neighbor calls the police?! What were you thinking going off like that?!"
I felt a flush of raage come over me when he mentioned these things. He was the dumbass that told my brother I would be coming! He was the one that made it seem like it was perfectly fine to lock me in my room as if I'd just run away from home and not been arrested!
"I wasn't thinking, that's the whole damn point!" I clenched my fist, taking to pacing my room, Isaac shuffling awkwardly to stay out of my way. "My instincts or whatever took over and I ended up sleepwalking or some shit, to the place that started all this nightmarish shit for me!" I backed off, the anger gone once I met Isaac's shocked gaze. "So may-maybe you should try to pay attention to your newly turned betas and not put them in charge of each other...then you'll understand what they'll become."
Derek's voice stayed stern, his words cutting through me in a much smaller monologue than I just gave him. "Or maybe I shouldn't have Bitten you at all."
I shrugged, not caring that he couldn't see me. "Yeah...yeah, there is that...But you already did. So be an alpha about it, and take some responsibility."
And without hesitation, I hung up on him, tossing the phone onto my bed. If it hadn't been Isaac's I might have thrown it into the wall. Rubbed at my forehead before going to my door and opening it, seeing Danny standing there with his hand aloft. Not sparing him a glance I looked to Isaac.
"Now that I've made things worse, you should probably get going." I said, rubbing my arm awkwardly. "Let me know when you get there? Assuming Derek doesn't beat you for my insolence?"
Isaac blinked a couple of times, unsure of how to process what just happened. Grabbing his phone and shouldering his now second duffel. He nodded, making his way to the door. He stopped in front of me, looking like he was going to say something, but thought better of it, and quietly slipped past Danny. I waited to hear him walk through the living room and through the front door before grabbing my own and slamming in Danny's face.
He wants to talk about consequences? Fine. I'm not the only one who has to face them.