This is an early update because I'm trying to get the rest of this story out to you in the next few day! How mad am I for doing this? In the following weeks I won't have enough time to write and update so I don't want you waiting for an update (That is if people are still reading this)
Please continue to read, favorite, follow and of course, review :)
It takes about three hours for something to start feeling off inside my body. The afternoon draws into an evening and the pack are all gathered in Kira and Scott's house as it's the biggest place for all of the pack to go to. For the last few hours we've been trying to figure out what kind of supernatural creature could be doing this, but we come up with nothing. We even research an 'Afreet' in detail, even turning to Argent for help, all he told us was that it's a demon from Muslim Mythology and that he's never came across it in his experience. So we drew a line and called it a dead end.
It was about six o'clock when I suddenly felt off, I had gotten up from my seat where I was sat next to a protective and anxious Malia to get a drink when the room started swaying. It was like someone was squeezing my brain, causing an immense pressure to build behind my eyes and at the back of my head. Even though I tried my hardest to make as if nothing was wrong, I made the mistake of steeling myself by propping a hand on the wall, then Stiles hands were on me and steadying me.
So now I lie on Kira and Scott's sofa in their living room, with my head propped up by a thousand pillows and my feet resting on Stiles' lap. He's acted relatively calm about this whole situation, at least on the outside. Although it does mean we know for sure Liz is killing the girls, well I guess we won't actually know that until I'm dead but me dying isn't part of the plan. But for all I know he could be raging by the fact I even bought this upon myself, but I'm grateful for the fact he isn't acting like a mad man. This is my Sties. If I'm going to die this is the Stiles I want to die with.
Something inside me though holds onto my very last straw of hope. The last straw of hope that's the same one as when my father left, when I became a banshee, when Allison and Aiden died and of course, when Stiles was with Malia. The last straw of hope that allows me to believe I'll get through this.
"Do you need anything?" Stiles asks me when he lifts my legs up and places them back on the sofa, I shake my head but when he returns he brings me a glass of water.
"I've already had five." I tell him, my voice sounding a little croaky but I try to mask it and I sit up. Immediately I regret doing so as my head- once again -spins like I'm on a round-about. The corners of the room fold into each other and blink a few times to get my sight back to normal. Stiles glances at me worriedly but I smile and nod my head as reassuringly as I can, feeling like an 18-year-old again who tried to protect Stiles and his feelings. I have to tell myself mentally that I'm marrying this man.
"You need to flush whatever it is out of your system." He tells me, his voice gentle. He sits back down and I sigh and sink a little lower onto the sofa.
"We know it's cyanide that's doing this." I tell him, tapping my toes on his leg.
"So remind me why we aren't taking you to hospital?" Stiles queries, his eyebrows raised at me. I roll my eyes at him but he smiles softly at me, his eyes warming at my face.
"Because if this is supernatural then we know Beacon Hills Memorial can't fix me up." It's my turn now to smile sadly at him and his eyes sink a little lower. Then I have to look away, because if I do die then the thought of leaving him is too hard. So I close my eyes. I let myself drift away from the packs talk. Besides I'm a little bored of hearing the word 'supernatural' now.
So I allow myself to slip away for a few minutes.
The sense of calmness that washes over me when I wake is ironically unsettling, I'm in a white room. The sheet and bed I lay in are soft and the comfort of fairy lights offer a dim light for me observe the room. The room is painted white, the only color in this room would be the washed out oak flooring. In the far left corner there is a vanity table, with nothing on it. On the far right corner there are a set of white-wash wood drawers and a closet to match.
And a girl.
A girl sat on the end of my bed.
She's tall from what I can tell, her hair in soft brown curls falling down her back. She wears a gown, a white-cream silk dress that has spaghetti straps. Her shoulder blades poking out and her frame is slim. It isn't until I move my feet, bringing them closer to my chest when she turns around.
Her eyes brown and wide, matching her hair. Her eyebrows perfectly shaped and plucked. Her hair falling in her face. Cheekbones high and jaw square. It's Allison Argent.
"Allison?" I croak. She smiles, her dimples denting her fair skin, her cheekbones raising even more.
"Finally." She matches. I feel a tingle run through my body, all the way through my chest and to my toes at the sound of her voice. It's brighter than I remember and more softer. But all the same, comforting. I guess your memory never stays the exact same then.
"Oh my- How are you here? Allison!" I cry, not being able to contain my happiness, she's here and so am I. The hunter and the banshee reunited. Allison smiles and crawls to the middle of the bed meeting me. My hand automatically seeks her skin, I expect it to be cold or to not actually be there, but it's warm and fuzzy. Like she's still alive.
"You have no idea how long its taken me to do this!" Allison laughs, I feel my eyes tear up again and my heart swells at the sight of her laughing. If only Scott could see this.
"It's so good to see you," I tell her, enveloping her in a tight hug, her arms are tight around my neck, the way they always used to be. "Wait, am I dead?" I start to panic, this isn't how I was supposed to die. I can't leave Stiles, I haven't said goodbye-
"No, chill out." Allison says lightly, her hand taking mine and squeezing it, "You're in a very weak state right now, you have no barriers up that are stopping me."
"Barriers?" I ask, completely at awe by speaking with someone who I haven't spoke with in... God how long has it been?
"You're a very strong woman, Lydia." Allison smiles, like she's proud that this is who I am. "You protect yourself without knowing. You see the dead have a way of reaching you, only if you let them. Lydia, you have no idea how many times I've tried to reach you but you've never let your guard down, like ever."
"So if I 'let my guard down' you can come visit me more often?" I ask, hopeful. She half smiles and squeezes my hand again.
"Technically yes, but there are bad spirits over here. They'll do anything to get inside of your head, so keep your barrier up at all times. For now, whilst you're ill, I'll try and protect you as best as I can." She reassures. My brain swarms with thoughts, questions and theories about death and where we're too now. Although most of all, the sense of being loved and protected by Allison, my guardian angel makes me fuzzy inside.
"Lydia, I can sense your confusion." Allison jokes, I smile at her and she sighs happily, "I guess I should explain all of this."
"If you wouldn't mind." I laugh, then suddenly I remember that I don't feel light headed here, or sick or vulnerable. If anything I feel stronger and safer.
"So, no you aren't dead. We're actually in your mind," Allison winks at me, "But I promise you this is very much real, it's me who's doing all of this. And no, death isn't painful or scary once you're here and it isn't full with demons and bad people." Allison laughs, I do too, somewhat relived. "But we don't have long, Lydia."
"Why not?" I ask, almost like a child. I want Allison, and I want our friendship to be like it was. I wish life wasn't so harsh.
"You're sick, Lydia. You're dying-"
"Am I going to die? Do you know that?"
"Listen, you can't die, okay?" Allison tells me, seriously now. Her eyebrows tugging down and her eyes focused on mine. They're glossy and full of life. "I don't know how long you have left, but you need to find the solution-"
"That's what Mrs Lewis said, what does it mean?" I practically beg her. Allison breathes out, which tickles my face and blows the few strings of hair framing my face. She's in my head yet all of this is so real, clear and vivid.
"It means you have to figure it out, only you can." She tells me, her lip catching between her teeth.
"How can I if I'm dying? Allison please, help me." I start to cry, Allison shushes me and begins to wipe my tears away, she pulls back the soft whit duvet and pats it as a command for me to climb in, she does the same and faces me, pulling quilt up high around our chins. I calm down slightly, the sheets and her hands comforting to me.
"That's why you have to stay strong, I know you can do this Lydia." She tells me determinedly. "You can figure this all out."
"Allison..." I say slowly, "Do you know who's doing this?"
"If I did that be the first thing I would tell you," She sighs, her eyebrows knitting together, "But I know it's supernatural. I can feel it."
"What do I do?" I ask, I notice a stopwatch-clock on the side and read it, 120 seconds. Does that mean I only have two minutes left with Allison?
"You have to remember," Allison tells me, I draw my eyebrows together and look into her eyes, "You've said it before, you know it."
I pull back, confused. I've said it before...
"I don't understand, I can't remember-"
"You have to try, Lydia." Allison says softly. I look at the clock again, 60 seconds.
Does time go faster when you're in your mind?
"I need you to talk to Scott, for me." She says, changing the topic, I nod actually surprised she mentioned him. "Tell him it's okay, and that I'm proud of him and he has no reason to be guilty."
"O-Okay." I say swallowing a hiccup as my tears spill from my eyes onto my pillow, not understanding what his all means.
"And you Lydia, I love you so much. I'm so happy for you and Stiles, you two deserve the world. Tell him it was never his fault-"
"What-"
"We don't have long, is there anything you want to say?" She asks, her arms enveloping me once again, this time she doesn't let go from the embrace. I cry harder, and I can tell she's trying hard not to cry herself.
"Are you happy?" I ask, my voice is croaky. It seems a pathetic way to end our meeting, but I have to know.
"Of course I am, I get to be with my mom." She replies gently, I nod into her neck and squeeze my eyes shut. I absorb her touch and warmth and tell myself how I'll never get this again until I'm dead. I take in the smell of her, strawberries and coconuts.
"Good, I don't want you to be sad." I say, squeezing her again. I realize how I can never have such a relationship with anyone like this, ever. Not even Kira. No matter how much we bond, fight and protect I'll never consider anyone else my sister other than Allison. "I love you."
"I know you do. I love you too." Allison whispers into my hair and then everything is black and static in my mind.
I wake with a start, bolting up right on Kira and Scott's sofa and almost smacking my head into Stiles'. The room's dark, no lights on but I hear everyone's heavy breath. How long have I been out? I feel asleep around six or seven o'clock now it's...
Who knows.
My head still continues to ache and feel pressurized, only now something in my stomach is stirring and aching too. Stiles stirs against the sofa but doesn't wake, I begin lying down when I remember what just happened.
Allison...
Or was that just a dream? Was that me just dreaming of someone I long for or did she really get inside of my head?
I gag. I kick off the blanket that was covering my legs and jump off the sofa, the sudden movement making my head spin. I trip over someones legs but manage to make it to the kitchen sink before I start spewing up. I hold my own hair back as I heave, wretch and cough over the sink, running the water whilst doing so. I lean against the work surface and put my head in my hand. How am I supposed to find the solution? What does it even mean...
I sigh and wait in the kitchen in case I feel like I might throw up again. Then Stiles enters, his hair ruffled and his eyes tired as I must've woken him from his sleep.
"What's that smell-" He starts, his face scrunching up in disgust before seeing me. I must look like a train wreck. I feel my hair cling to my head in a matted mess, I'm bare foot, my blouse-dress crumpled and my throat raw and burning.
"Lyds, are you okay?" Stiles gasps as he runs over, pulling my body into his with one hand cradling my head and the other resting firmly on my back. I start crying, again. Stiles rubs my back as he holds me up, I feel my legs going weak.
"I saw her," I cry, my tears getting the the way of what I'm trying to say. "I saw Allison."
"How- You- Where did you see her?" Stiles asks, his eyes heavy with concern as he pulls back to look into my blurry eyes. I hiccup and let Stiles support my weight.
"In my mind," I say, it sounds stupid and pathetic, even Stiles looks at me dumbfounded, "She said something about it not being your fault, or whatever." I tell him trying to remember the exact conversation, and the exact way she had said it. But already everything is fogging up as if it was a dream. I want to remember this though for the rest of my life, even if that is a few more days.
When I look up at him I notice something different abut his manner. His face has sunken slightly, and his shoulders are slumped. His eyes are sad and it looks like someone's punched him in the gut.
"What does that mean? Is it about your mother?" I ask, maybe sounding a little too oblivious. Stiles lets a tear fall but wipes it away immediately, so I take his hand.
"Maybe anther time," Stiles shrugs, pulling me in again like this time he believes that I did see Allison. I toss it over in my mind, and it takes a while to click. He still blames himself for Allison's death, because he was void when it happened. I squeeze him tighter when I figure it out. He hadn't spoke about it in such a long time, maybe he stopped when we were in the first year of college... Hell I don't remember. Maybe Stiles apologizes everyday to her before he sleeps or when he wakes up. I guess I'll never really know what he does. Then, I'll guess I'll never really know if Allison got into my head or not.
"How are you feeling?" He asks me, still holding me up and already putting what I just said behind him. He's good that way.
"Considering I just puked I'd say not too well." I laugh coldly, suddenly feeling useless and run down. Stiles rubs my arms and nods, pressing a kiss to my forehead.
"We don't have long, you know that? Maybe a few more hours before we'll have to take you to the hospital." Stiles tells me, his voice a sad sigh when he does so.
"Then we need to be working, we know now what Liz has been up to this whole time, this has just proved it." I tell Stiles, trying best to ignore the burn in my throat and the heaviness in my head.
"I guess we wake everyone up." Stiles suggests, I nod and he leads me back to the front room, his hand in mine. He takes me to the sofa, props all the pillows up and even offers his flannel as I still wear a dress and am getting the slightest of chills. It takes about ten minutes for everyone to wake, except Kira. Scott scoops her up in his arms and takes her upstairs, she needs her rest after all. I consider telling everyone about Allison but decide against it, they'll think I've started hallucinating, but I make a note to myself that I'll tell Scott what she said. Or what my brain may of made up...
Issac and Malia are both cranky when they're woken up and I'm dogged up a few times by Liam. I guess he's not a morning person.
"Lydia only has a few hours of actually being of use to us, before her condition gets... serious." Stiles tells everyone, his voice catching at the end of it.
"So what do we need to do?" Scott asks, running a hand over his eyes as he yawns, his mouth an open tunnel.
"We need to find out why Liz is doing this." I say confidently, nodding although my head feels like it's about to shatter into a million pieces. A bit like what I did to Valack. I shudder.
"Do you think she's been doing it to banshees only?" Issac asks, turning to look at me, his arms wrapped around Malia like an over-protective dog.
"Well considering Mrs Lewis is a banshee and her granddaughter was killed and Jess Leatherwood could apparently 'predict death' I'd say it's all to coincidental for them to not be banshees. So yes I believe they are killing banshees, and banshees only." Stiles exclaims to all of us, his hands shaking a little when he talks. Maybe he's stressed to the maximum all because he knows my life hangs in the balance of this.
"But I was told to find the solution, Mrs Lewis told me." I say, deciding not to mention about Allison saying that too.
"Does that mean only Lydia can figure this out?" Hayden pipes up from the corner of he room where her knees re touching her chest an she's lent on Liam's shoulder. The thought of me having to do all the brain work makes me want to just curl up and sleep until the problem passes.
"If that's the case she's going to need help, and she's going to have to figure it out," Stiles says, pausing as he checks his phone for the time, "Within the next four hours, six and maximum. Before we have to put her into hospital."
"How do we find Liz?" Malia asks, frowning at Stiles. He raises an eyebrows and licks his lips. At least Malia seems to be thinking of taking her out in case I can't find the solution. Always good to have a best friend like that.
"I'll have to lure her in, if we don't find a better way," Stiles thinks aloud, he shrugs as if it's a plan in development and I try my best not to get mad he might use his good looks to catch Liz, "But we have to focus on Lydia, we need to make sure she's kept alive so we can kill Liz."
"What happens if we kill Liz and Lydia is still sick and dying?" Issac asks, he raises an eyebrow and looks at me worriedly, like if he loses someone else in his life he might lose his mind. But what he says tugs at my heart, I hadn't given that much thought. I thought that the minute Liz died I'd be okay and safe. That whatever she has done to me would of worn off and everything would go back to the way it usually does. But I guess I have to think of the worst case scenario. I have to prepare myself and everyone else for the worst.
And I have to somehow accept that.
"Then I die." I deadpan to the pack. Stiles slowly nods as if realizing my fate and a quiet settles over the room, like everyone knows that I'm speaking the truth.