Season 3, Episode 3: Fireflies
"Are you okay?" Allison asks timidly as she got into her car. There was something else about her. Something different. Something broken.
"Yes." I answered, my chin and nose high in the air.
No, I'm not.
"Scott and Derek are going to go looking for Boyd and the girl."
I already knew this. Of course Scott wanted to be the hero of this tale. He always wanted to protect everyone. I suppose in this aspect, we were the same. The difference was that Scott let people walk all over him, whilst I did not.
There was a beat of silence as I toyed with my phone. I had no idea what to tell Allison right now. I didn't know how to apologize. I was barely holding myself together. I had, in a way, emotionally let go of my pack. I felt alone. Clueless.
I needed Derek.
I huffed out a breath suddenly, tying my hair up as I spoke, my voice steady and authoritive. "Let's leave before they come out. We should start at the school. God knows why, but all the shit always goes down at our high school."
As soon as we heard a scream, we knew it was Lydia. We didn't even question why she was at school at this hour, nor did we wonder why she was screaming. Our lives were so fucked up that there was no time to feel surprise or confusion.
As Allison and I separated, I stealthily followed Stiles to Lydia, where she stood shaken up by the pool.
"Lydia! Lydia, are you okay?"
"I'm okay. That, over there…. not okay."
I looked around the fence, spotting the still body of a guy, casually lounging on the life guard chair. Well, it would have been casual if he wasn't bleeding, his skin a pale blue. And shit, he stank.
"Yeah, I'm gonna… uh… call my Dad."
Dad? Oh no. No, no. Is he an idiot or what?
"I already called 911."
"You called the police before you called me?"
"I'm supposed to call you first when I find a dead body?"
He went silent for a second before he yelled again. Lydia looked even more shaken up. "YES!"
I felt sorry for her.
He was calling someone now, explaining the situation. Most likely Scott. "Yep, throat ripped out. Blood everywhere. It's like the freaking Shang-ham over here. If two little twin girls come out of the woods and start asking me to play with them, I'm not gonna be surprised."
I rolled my eyes at his dramatic explanation of the situation. This dude and his fucking sarcasm.
As he continued to talk to Scott, I snuck away from the scene and followed Allison who had jumped into her car. She was carrying a set of knives, which I guessed she had hidden somewhere at school. She handed them to me and we shared a look.
I was completely useless when it came to a bow and arrow, but Allison taught me well with daggers.
"Dead guy. Throat cut again. Lydia found him." I felt lifeless as I spoke, falling into the familiar routine. If this was a year ago, I would barely be able to get the words out. Now, it felt like such a pattern that it barely bothered me. Bodies dropped around us like dead flies.
Allison nodded. I could tell that the information she learned not even an hour ago still bothered her but she put on brave mask. "We have to make sure we don't get seen. We don't want them knowing we're back in business."
I nodded simply, not really having anything else to say.
Allison sighed, looking down at her hands. "Um… Scott told me about my Mom and what – what she did to him."
I nodded. "I know."
"As soon as he told me… I knew you knew. You must have. You three tell each other everything."
I shook my head instantly. "They have no idea about this. I don't tell them everything. And if I had known that you would rather have known the truth, I would have told you instantly, Allison. I just didn't want you thinking badly of her."
She faced me. "She tried to kill Scott. She tried to kill your best friend, Alex. Don't you hate her? Even if just a little?"
"We're all monsters here, Allison. She was doing what she thought was best, just like we are. Just because we're doing what we think is best, doesn't mean it is right either. Just think about that."
She nodded, finally understanding. "So what's up with you and Derek?"
I scoffed, rolling my eyes. Although the words felt sour on my tongue, I went on like it didn't bother me in the least. "Nothing. We're through. I am not going to waste any more time being there for him."
Allison waggled her eyebrows at me, clearly seeing straight through my eyes. "Sure, Alex. Sure."
"Just drop it." I pleaded with her. Thank God Lydia wasn't in the car with us. Thank God.
"You know… we're going to have to talk about it eventually too."
Now, that, is something I would like to avoid even more.
"Do we?"
"Yes."
I groaned, my fingers dangerously skidding over the blade of the daggers. "But why?" I whined. I felt like a child.
Allison fell silent for a few seconds. "Everyone used to wonder about you two, you know? You always calmed him down… he always protected you even though you were on opposite sides for a while. He didn't treat you like Stiles and Scott treated you, he treated you like you were his equal."
I nodded. "I can't believe I'm about to say this, but… I always felt like I belonged in his pack, you know? I felt like I was destined to be in it. I felt like all the things he taught me; tracking, defending, fast-thinking, fighting… like he was the only one that could show me how to master all those. Like, I felt like he was always meant to be my leader and I was always meant to be one of his warriors – not necessarily a pawn, but a right hand," I took a deep breath. Now that I was speaking of my feelings, I felt completely exposed. "And lately, he's been treating me as if I'm made of glass. As if I am fragile. Like he can't… like he can't trust me."
Allison's hand covered mine as she pulled me closer. I was shaking my head but it was too late. I was already crying. I was already crying over Derek fucking Hale, who had promised to teach me all he knew, who had promised to never disappoint me or lie to me. I was crying because Allison told me something that only made this situation all the more difficult.
"He cares about you more than he cares about anyone. You know that."
Allison and I barely even spoke as we tracked Boyd and the girl. Using our blood to attract them was a stupid idea, but we had no other choice. We were walking right into the path of danger.
We were practically on the verge of getting caught by the two crazed wolves who were basically being lured into the school by the majestic quarto which was made up of Asshole Alpha, Asshole McCall, Asshole Puppy Dog and Papa Argent when we almost got caught.
Although the wolves kept getting distracted by our scents to focus too much on the four men, they were still stronger than all of us combined. I doubted anyone was going to come out of this unscathed.
My phone was ringing repeatedly, and seeing as the ring tone was I'm sexy and I know it, I knew it was Stiles. But since I was still pissed at him and he probably already knew why I wasn't home yet, I knew I had no choice but to ignore it.
We had followed each member of the little group to protect them without being seen until we finally found the two lunatics together. I jumped down, not even for a split second fearing for my life as anger flooded my senses. Allison shot her arrows at them, blinding them, which allowed me to get a few cuts in. As they finally ran off, a wild Isaac appeared.
I almost laughed at the comical explanation in my head but I figured it would be rather inappropriate in this situation and this prompted me to think about all of those other times I spent with Derek trying not to laugh in serious situations.
Fuck. Ouch.
Isaac didn't even see me as his eyes never strayed from Allison. Her expression was one of pride and then fear as she ran off while Isaac only looked surprised for a second before an expression of amusement lingered on his face. I ducked as he searched the shadows, probably searching for me; the Partner In Crime 2.0 but I ran off silently along with Allison.
I knew it was time to leave the school and as soon as we both entered the car, we shared a look and then bright smiles appeared on our faces.
It felt so good to be back in action. I hadn't battled an actual wild wolf in months.
I checked my phone to see a text from Stiles, saying to meet him in the hospital as soon as I could. The clock read 5:03 a.m.
"Allison, do you reckon we could make one last stop before we go home?"
Mama McCall led me straight to where Scott and Stiles were and I saw the two observing two bodies lying on the metal tables. Before I knew what was happening, I ran straight to Stiles, gripping his hand tightly. I should have answered my phone.
Heather.
Heather was gone.
She was dead.
Stiles covered her face as he sobered up, his expression blank. He was trying to stay strong for both of us.
"So Boyd and Cora may not have killed anyone?" Scott asked, watching Stiles.
"Yeah, I wish they did."
Woah, hold the fuck up, twin. What?
"Why?" Scott and I asked him at the same time. I ignored the stench of the dead bodies, already used to the feeling death lingering around me.
"I'm not exactly… sure yet." I knew not to doubt Stiles. Not only because he was my twin, but because he was Stiles and he was a genius. The dude knew what was up and what was down and Scott only knew straight. "The other girl that was out in the woods… Emily, eventually they're gonna find her. She's one of them. Emily, Heather, the guy Lydia found at the pool… all three were virgins."
I gasped, already knowing where he was going with this. "Stiles?"
"They'll have the same three injuries. Strangled, throat slashed, head bashed in. It's called; The Three Fold Death." Stiles informed us.
"So if these aren't random killings then what are they?"
"Sacrifices." Stiles and I spoke at the same time, realization coming upon all of us. We all looked at each other, knowing serious shit was about to go down right here, in Beacon Hills.
"Human sacrifices." I finished off.
Will we ever have a quiet year?
Stiles and I got home at 6, having to sneak back in through the windows. Dad wasn't one to meddle through our shit so he didn't care if we locked our doors during the night. Actually, he encouraged it. All the while home, I couldn't help but think about what I had said to Derek. About how I would never speak to him again. I had practically ripped his heart out and pissed all over it and yet I felt like I was the one being torn apart.
With all these dead bodies and crazy wolves running around, we never knew when one of us would be next. I never expected Jackson to become a fucking lizard, or for Allison's mother to get bitten, nor did I expect human sacrifices and I most certainly didn't expect to hold a torch for Derek fucking Hale.
All I knew was that the emptiness I felt inside when I thought of all these things happening again wasn't a surprise. I wasn't surprised at all these events occurring; I was only waiting for them to happen. I was going to face them head on.
I unlocked my phone, skimming past the countless texts and calls. I saw none from Derek and one from Aiden.
I went into my contacts, calling the number I felt I had to before I chickened out.
I was crying before I knew it and maybe it was because I was always an emotional freak when it came to giving up my pride or maybe, just maybe, I felt like nothing without Derek there to guide me.
"Alex?"
"Derek?"
I sobbed softly as my frame shook. Crying in Allison's arms was nothing compared to how I was feeling right now. I felt like complete shit.
"Say something…" He whispered into the phone. I could only imagine what he was doing right now; standing in front of his giant-ass window, clenching his phone and clawing his fingers into his hair.
God.
"I'm so sorry I said all those things to you, Derek," I managed to say as I held my nose for a couple of seconds and then brushed my fingers across my reddened cheeks. "But it's not fair. Why don't you trust me anymore? Is it because of what happened?"
I heard a sigh on the other end as we both skipped around the subject. "Alex, I trust you more than anyone… you know that."
Neither of us could push forward the event that occurred over a month ago forth. I didn't know whether that was a good thing or a bad thing.
I shook my head before feeling stupid when I realized he couldn't see me. "No, you've been keeping secrets from me for months now! Do you even realize how stupid I felt? How helpless? I tell you everything, Derek. Why can't you do the same?"
There was silence before he spoke again. His voice controlled and sharp. "I don't think you're weak. You're the strongest person I know. I'm… sorry for keeping this a secret. I just…"
"Just what?"
"I just want you to be a normal kid."
Oh.
Oh.
I nodded, but shit did it hurt. He literally just called me a child. "I'm not a kid. My childhood was gone the moment my Mother called me a disappointment, Derek. I've told you this."
I rarely spoke of my Mommy issues, and only a few chosen people knew why I despised my Mother so much. Only few knew of the hatred I felt for her when she was alive, and only few knew that she always preferred Stiles over me.
I heard the loud gulp on the other line. "So… will you come back to us?"
"Should I?"
"We need you."
"Do you need me?"
He scoffed and I heard the reluctance in his voice. He chuckled, as if to break the tension. "I need my little warrior to keep me entertained."
I growled in frustration. "I am not little. I fought off-" I shut up before I revealed my secret. He would have kicked my ass if he knew I was at the school this morning but another part of my mind soared at his words. He needed me. He wanted me with him.
"Yes?"
"Never mind, actually. Have a good day, Derek."
"You too, kiddo. Don't forget your meds and uh, lock your windows next time."
Damn, he knew I was at the school.
Fuck.
He hung up before I could ask what he meant but then my acute senses caught a twinkle of silver laying in the middle of my bed. I picked it up slowly, my heart skipping so many fucking beats that it made me wonder whether I was still alive or not.
The Hale pack symbol. I traced the symbol with a finger. The same finger I used to trace the tattoo on Derek's back over a month ago.
It has been over a month.
I sighed, a small smile gracing my lips. We were pack. Nothing more, nothing less but then why did it hurt so much to think that?
I deleted all the notifications of missed calls and unanswered texts until I came upon the one from Aiden.
Hey beautiful (: x
It was from last night and he probably thought I was ignoring him. I wondered if I should answer, feeling a little too much like a traitor now what I was back in Derek's pack and also hopefully back in his close proximity.
Still, I answered the text, my heart beating faster with each typed letter. I clicked send. I knew what needed to be done. Aiden was the enemy; the arch nemesis.
Suddenly, the bet I made with Lydia became much more serious and I'd be damned if I let him go anywhere near her.
But how will I be able to pull this off without Aiden finding out the truth? And then a thought hit me – he knew I was Derek's pack. He knew who he was targeting. He knew what he was doing.
But I will remain one step ahead of him.
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