Melissa McCall

I walk into the break room looking for my keys, when I get a page for an ambulance drop off. I'd been on my break and I might've left my keys on the table, though that seems like forever ago. I hastily undo my bun, which is beginning to fall out, and quickly make it up into a ponytail.

The room is cluttered with small round tables and chairs, a few vending machines are tucked away in a corner in the back of the pale blue room, adding the only bit of brightness of the space in the form of a picture of a soda can surrounded by ice, as well as the colorful wrappers of candy bars that are lined up in cold metal rings, just waiting to be bought by an exhausted nurse or doctor. Though I doubt anyone really has much of an appetite tonight.

Shirley and Dr. Hughes sit at one table talking, at the table next to them, my keys sit reflecting the harsh fluorescent lights. Shirley and I had been on hand to help Dr. Hughes in the O.R., though Shirley was the one who had gotten more hands-on, or hands-in, during the surgery. I just handed Dr. Hughes what she asked for as she worked.

I cross the room and grab my keys as Shirley looks up and offers me a small smile meant as a 'hello'. Her twenty-something year old face looks strangely old, small wrinkles cover her face. She only started here a few months ago, she hasn't had much experience with this kind of thing, and living in Beacon Hills, I can't say I have either.

Dr. Hughes turns and continues speaking, to the both of us now, "I've seen this very same thing many times." She says in continuation of their conversation before I'd come in. Dr. Hughes is in her mid-fifties, she's a slim, petite woman, but she speaks with a firm authority that seems to fill a room with order. She'd transferred here a few years ago from some big hospital in Seattle looking for less 'commotion'.

Shirley's eyes seem to droop, "And?" she asks with interest.

Dr. Hughes seems pleased at the chance to demonstrate her years of experience, "Usually the heart just gives out," she says with the tiniest shrug that seems to say, 'a fact's a fact', "or they just never wake up."

I rub my forehead and begin backing away, "Hey, I'm gonna get going," I say as the two women look to me, "see you tomorrow?" Shirley nods.

"Graveyard shift as always." She says with a smile. I turn and walk to the door, "Have a good day!" Shirley's voice calls as I step out of the break room and into the waiting room.

Nervous faces all look up at me as Shirley's words seem to echo through the room. I nonchalantly check my watch for an excuse not to look at the hollow eyes that eventually turn back to their nervous searching. 6:25 A.M.

I don't think it's gonna be a good day for anyone.

Scott pushes himself from one of the seats and comes to stand in front of me, the slightest of smiles on his lips as he asks, "Ready to go, mom?" I sigh and nod.

Stiles left when his dad did about an hour ago, and Scott just decided to wait for my shift to end. We walk out of the waiting room slowly, neither one of us speaking as we crossed the room filled to the brim with anxiety.

Once we make it to the elevator, Scott sighs heavily. I look over at him, his curly hair is in a mess and his brown eyes seem heavier than usual. "So you two weren't really friends?" I ask, resting my head back against the wall of the elevator.

Scott doesn't say anything, he just shakes his head. I take a deep breath and look back to the stainless steel doors as we are lowered to the main level. I want nothing more than to go home and take a long hot shower to wash this shift away.

The doors open and we step out into the lobby of the hospital. I quickly go and scan my I.D. and clock myself out. We make our way out of the automatic doors and to the front of the hospital, a few different stations have their news vans parked out front, one or two reporters are speaking into a microphone and looking into a camera.

The reporters see my scrubs and a few of them begin calling out questions to me, though even if I did know the answers I wouldn't tell these parasites just looking for a new story. Luckily I parked right out front the entrance today, safely behind the police perimeter of the entrance.

Scott slides in the passenger seat and I take my place behind the wheel.

We drive along in silence, with my mind wandering back to the surgery and how we had to use the defibrillators once to start her heart back up again. Dr. Hughes said that was when she slipped into the coma. I look over from the road to see Scott staring out the window looking at the passing houses.

The sun is rising steadily, pouring bright sunlight into the car, and revealing more than I'd like. In the rearview mirror I can see the reflections of my eyes, which are heavy and unhappily baggy. I shake the thought away, and focus on the road. Three stoplights and two right turns later, I put the car in park outside our house.

I unlock the door and Scott and I walk in, I head to the kitchen, and Scott begins climbing the stairs, taking two steps at a time to reach the top. I turn back, "Hey, Scott,"

He turns back to me, his face still heavy. When he makes no move to come back down, I add, "C'mere for a second." He says nothing, just strides back down the steps and comes to stand in front of me, his hair falling just over the tops of his eyes, as if to hide them from view.

I unconsciously bring my hands up and sweep the hair from his eyes as I speak, "Promise me you'll always be careful, hmm?" I hold his face in my hands for a second, just staring at him. He gives me the quickest of smiles before nodding his head.

"Yeah, of course, mom." I force a smile on my face as I feel tears threatening to break my fragile stability.

I lean in and give him a quick kiss on the forehead and a small slap on the cheek. I don't trust my voice, if I speak, I know my voice will crack or break. I just turn away and head for the kitchen. I hear his footsteps stomp back up the stairs and I lean against the kitchen counter.

Tears finally spill over.

If it was Scott in that bed…. I don't know what I'd do.

And now some poor mother is gonna lose her child.

I try to hold back a ragged breath, but it just pours out and before I know it, a full sob breaks from my chest. I squeeze my eyes closed and wipe the tears away. I clear my throat and walk to the fridge and pull it open, sending waves of cold air over my hot face, helping to calm me. I grab a water bottle and take a long, refreshing drink.

I shut the fridge, put the lid back on the bottle, and wipe my cheeks with my hand. Tears are just behind my eyes, but I force them back. Scott has seen me cry too much already.

During the divorce, I was a wreck, Scott was only a kid, and he saw me cry and sob and whine, he saw me when I was pathetically vulnerable. I swore to myself I'd never let him see me like that again. I couldn't let him see me like that again.

I splash some cool water from the sink over my face and steady my breathing before I make my way upstairs and into the shower. I pass by Scott's room and see his door is closed.

I smile, remembering his little pudgy cheeks and big brown eyes looking up at me and whispering, "Don't cry mom, you have me."

Scott

I sit on the edge of my bed, my elbows resting on my knees and my head resting in my hands. I listen closely as my mom walks into the kitchen, I can hear her footsteps suddenly come to a stop as her heartbeat picks up, suddenly a sob breaks the silence.

I fall back on the bed, just listening to the sniffs and deep breaths my mom takes in an effort to calm herself. This is what always happens when something at work upsets her.

She puts on a tough face, never showing anything more than what I always see from her. But once we're home, once she's alone, she breaks down. I know she tries to hide it from me, and I let her think I don't notice, but I do.

I close my eyes as I hear the faucet turn on downstairs, and listen as her light footsteps make their way upstairs.

Truth is, my mom is one of the toughest people I know. And her glare of disapproval can practically burn your eyebrows off.

I wish I could help her sometimes, help make her feel like she's not alone. But I know this is how she wants it, so I let it be.

The sound of the shower running acts as a lullaby as I slip off to sleep.

Cheryl Reese

"You're sure, Ms. Reese?" The young officer asks with his eyebrows raised high.

"Yes," I say, my voice showing my annoyance at his hesitation, "I remember it now; she wanted to go to a party at Jackson Whittemore's." The officer nods and takes a few steps back as he begins speaking into his police radio.

I take a few steps back and turn back to the room, pulling the wooden door open with only a little trouble. I step inside to see Lewis at the side of Avery's bed. He looks up with a questioning look on his face, "And?"

I come to stand at the head of the bed, I look to Avery and reach out to run my hands through her long hair, pulling it to the side of her face and tucking it behind her ear. "I think they're going there now."

I look back to Lewis, his dark brown eyes looking me over and then resting on Avery. Lewis and I have only been dating for about three months now, and Avery hasn't taken to him very well, but he's a sweet man and certainly one I'd like to keep in my life.

I catch my reflection in a small mirror of the table beside Avery's bed. My hair is frizzed and my eyes are small and tired looking. "Lewis, why don't we go get cleaned up and come back later?" I ask, rubbing my forehead.

Lewis remains seated, "Shouldn't we wait for Joe to get here?" he asks in a concerned tone.

The very mention of my ex-husband is enough to boil my blood, "He's going to call me when he lands; his plane was delayed. We'll pick him up and come back here later, I just ….." I take a deep breath, "I just need a little rest." Lewis nods as he stands and collects my purse and coat from the foot of the bed.

I lean down and kiss Avery on the forehead as a rush of air is pushed into her lungs. "I love you, Avery, we'll be back soon." I turn away and Lewis hands me my purse, I sling it over my shoulder as we walk out of the room. The officer steps forward to meet us.

"We're sending a car there now, ma'am." I give him a small smile and a quick nod.

"Thank you." I say as Lewis and I make our way back down the grey, colorless hallway.

Jake Reily

"I don't know where the fuck you are but as soon as you get this get your ass over to the hospital," Tori's voice shakes on the voicemail, my heart drops to my stomach as I read the banner scrolling across the bottom of the news: Beacon Hills high school student, Avery Chastings, left in coma after apparent car accident. "We need to talk."

My phone drops from my palm and lands on the couch cushion next to me. I scramble for the remote and turn the volume up louder than it needs to be.

"-officials are still investigating the scene of the accident and questioning those close to Chastings, trying to figure out just what happened-" the reporter says as he straightens a stack of papers on the large desk, he keeps speaking, but I can't hear him anymore, a picture of Avery in her lacrosse uniform comes up to the top left of the screen and I just stare at it as dread spreads through me.

I snap back to my phone and snatch it from the couch, I frantically push buttons and bring the phone back to my ear. As it rings I pace around the room and look out my window to the bright green grass of my front yard. "C'mon, c'mon, c'mo-"

"What?" Jackson asks with a tired slur in his voice.

"Hey! Uh- Jackson, I-uh was thinking about the party last night and I remember how trashed your house was by the end of it, so I thought I'd swing by and help you clean up! Can I come over now?"

"Reily," he says in an annoyed voice, "it's 10:40, I'm hung over, and you're annoying the shit outta me right now,"

Jackson

I sit up in bed and pinch the bridge of my nose as I squeeze my eyes closed a couple times before opening them up wide. "-how trashed your house was by the end of it, so I thought I'd swing by and help you clean up!" I swing my legs over the side of my bed and stretch my back before making my way to my window and looking out.

"Can I come over now?" A white van sits in my driveway as one of the maids packs up the last of her stuff and shuts the back of the van.

"Reily," I say, letting my anger show in my voice, I look to the clock real quick, "it's 10:40, I'm hung over, and you're annoying the shit outta me right now." I watch as the van backs out and pulls away, "Besides, the maid just left, the place is all clean."

"Oh! That's great! Wait so, there's uh, no beer cans or anything laying around?" I roll my eyes.

"That's what a maid is for you idiot-" I stop dead as I watch a cop car pulls into my driveway where the white van had just been.

"Jackson? What is it?" The doors open up and two uniformed cops get out and begin walking to my door.

At least my parents aren't home…. I can handle this. I hope.

"I gotta call you back, a couple cops just pulled up." I say and I almost hit 'end' when Jake stops me.

"Wait! Jackson!" I stop and bring the phone back to my ear, Jake takes a deep breath and continues, "I did something last night, and I- I need your help bad, man." His voice is deep and serious.

"What the hell did you do, Jake?" I never call him by his first name, but then again, he never asks for help. From anyone.

Ever.

Tori Kline

I slip the pink polka-dotted key into the shiny golden lock and turn it, giving the door a small push to get it past the jam it's had for as long as I can remember.

I take a step inside and just take a deep breath as I close the door behind me. The familiar deep red walls of the living room stand to my right through a high arch doorway. To my left is the stairs up to the second floor, I sigh and try to hold myself together as I walk to the bottom of the stairs and practically drag myself up them.

I hold on to the railing for dear life, my legs tremble unsteadily with each step as I force myself to keep it together and make it up to Avery's room. I push the door open slowly and fold my arms over my stomach as if the simple gesture will keep me from losing it.

Her clothes are scattered on the floor, just as always. Sports bras, lacrosse pinnies, jeans, dresses, you name it, it's on Avery's floor. She never seems to notice it really, though sometimes I wonder how she finds anything in this room.

I take a deep breath and walk to her bed, snatching the white fuzzy blanket off her bed and folding it quickly. I told my friends I'd drive myself home and try to get some sleep. Danny practically forced me into his car, insisting that I let him drive me to my house, saying I shouldn't be driving right now.

I had to swear to him I'd go straight home before he let me go. I feel bad for lying to him, but even if I try, I know I won't be able to sleep. I'd rather be at the hospital, and Avery could use some things from home. Hospital blankets are so thin, and the hospital itself is like a giant freezer.

And those pillows… so thin and flat.

I grab one of her lavender pillows from the top of her bed and toss it on top of the blanket. I take a quick look around the room and spot a silver picture frame with four different pictures of us in it. One is from spring break this year, when Avery and I rented a beach house for the week and got sun burns that made us look like lobsters.

The picture is before the sunburn, though. The two of us stand with one hand around each other's waist one hand on our hips as the waves roll in behind us, winding warm water around our ankles.

Another picture shows the two of us when we were maybe nine years old, in our Halloween costumes. We'd decided to be Disney princesses together that year. I'd decided to go as Aurora, since my long blonde hair looked just like hers. My pink dress draped around my feet and almost tripped me several times that night on our hunt for candy. Avery had gone as Belle, her brown hair was much darker when she was younger, and she really did look like the kid version of Belle. Her bright yellow dress was also too long, but she carried it better than I did.

The third photo is from prom this year, we stand with our dates behind us; Avery stands with her back up against Jake's chest, her deep blue dress highlighting her eyes perfectly. The green of my dress is matched by the green of Charlie's bow tie. Charlie and I didn't know each other well, we just went together mainly because there was no one left to go with. Jake and Charlie stand behind us, their hands wrapped around our hips with mine and Avery's hands holding them there.

The fourth picture is from last year after one of Avery's lacrosse games; her hair was up in a messy top bun that was practically falling out. She'd just played all game on midfield and she was exhausted, but when she looked up and saw me in the stands her face lit up and she just seemed so happy that I was there.

And I know why.

I push the thought from my mind and place the picture frame on top of the pillow. I take another look around the room and a lump forms in my throat as my eyes fill with tears.

I might actually lose my best friend.

I squeeze my eyes closed and shake my head as I wipe the tears from under my eyes. I can't think about that right now, or I'll never make it back to the hospital in one piece. I take a deep breath and walk over to the blanket, pillow, and picture neatly piled at the foot of her bed.

I scoop the pile into my arms and hold it close to my chest, as if they could fill the feeling of hollowness in me. I make my way back down stairs and out the front door, trying to get out as fast as possible to avoid breaking down completely. As soon as I make it outside, the fresh air clears my head, which is beginning to ache.

I begin walking back down the driveway to my car when another car pulls in and takes the spot next to mine. I can recognize Lewis's car from a mile away, it's a flashy ass Lexus SUV that just reeks of asshole. It's not that having a Lexus makes you an asshole, it's just Lewis, just the way he keeps it all shiny and perfect and...and..

He's just an asshole.

I hold the bundle tight against my chest, feeling the picture's corners cut into me. Lewis steps out of the car and gives me a curt nod as he walks to the passenger side and pulls the door open, revealing Avery's mom, who keeps an icy glare in my direction as the two walk towards me on the walkway to the front porch.

"Ah, Tori," she says with a quick smile that isn't reflected in her tone, she looks at the pillow and blanket in my hands, "why are you here?"

I've always hated Avery's mom, she's always strutting around like she's the messiah, always with perfect hair and makeup and clothes and a snotty little smile on her face. Her eyes are only slightly puffy, and her cover up and mascara seems to have held up remarkably well from when I saw her at the hospital last.

Of course I wouldn't put it past her to do a quick touch up in the hospital bathroom. Avery never complains about her, but that's because she's too good of a person to say how much of a self-centered hag she is.

I look down to the bundle in my arms, "I thought Avery would want some stuff from home," I look back up and into her eyes, anger rising steadily in me, "why are you here?" I look to Lewis, who is expertly avoiding eye contact with the both of us. His long-ish brown hair is pushed back, as if someone had run a hand messily through it, he's wearing his normal suit and tie assemble.

Ms. Reese's upper lip twitches, she's obviously pissed at my question, but really, what the fuck is she doing here with her boyfriend when her daughter is in a coma and could die?

"I needed some rest," is all she offers for an answer as she pushes by me, I take a step back to steady myself. Lewis just sighs and gives a curt nod as he follows her.

God, I hate them.

I walk back to my car and set the stuff down in the passenger's seat before I slide in the driver's seat. I take a deep breath before backing out of the driveway and heading back to the hospital.

Jackson

I turn and set my phone down on the top of my dresser as I practically rip one of the drawers from its track. I grab a random shirt from the drawer and throw it on over my head. "Shit, shit, shit," I mumble under my breath as I push the curtains out of my way and look back to the police car in my driveway, two cops step out and begin walking towards my front door, one of them stares down the street at a car parked near my house.

I follow his gaze to the car, "Fuck, Reily…." His car is parked just a little ways down the street, and tire imprints cover the grass at the edge of my lawn by the side of the road. I know they're here to ask about the party, so telling them there was no party is pretty much out.

I need a story, and fast.

I step back from the window and run my hands through my hair as my mind races with lies.

I have to get rid of that damn car…

The doorbell rings through the house.

My breath still smells like beer, and I wish I had time to brush my teeth. I look around my room and find a pack of gum on my desk in the corner. I walk over and grab a piece and shove it into my mouth as the bell rings again.

I make my way down the stairs, my eyes searching the place for any signs of last night's party.

The place is spotless, not one beer can or bikini top covers the floor as they had last night. I take a deep breath to calm myself as I walk to the front door and pull it open. "Hi there," I say quickly, "what can I do for you, officers?" I ask, looking at their badges.

They look at each other with matching faces of suspicion. "You're Jackson, aren't you, son?" The one closest to me asks. I just nod in response, my mouth closes and I wait for him to continue, "I'm Officer Davis, this is Officer West. There was an accident last night, have you heard anything about it?"

I force a confused look on my face and shake my head, "No, what accident?"

"Mind if we come in for a minute?" The Officer West asks. I nod my head and step back, allowing the two of them to step inside. I close the door behind them, noticing how their eyes roam over the place in search of….I don't know, evidence, maybe. Something to tell them Avery had been here last night.

I move past them towards the living room and the two follow close behind me, "Son, are your parents home?" I turn into the living room and motion for them to sit on the sofa. I notice the room doesn't smell like alcohol or weird body spray as it did last night, but it smells like febreeze…or something like it, anyway.

Gotta remember to give the maids a bigger tip next time…

"No, it's just me, they're off on a cruise around the Caribbean," I say as I take a seat in my dad's LaZboy chair across that sits diagonally from the couch where the officers sit, a coffee table barely separates us.

"I'm just gonna get right down to it, son," officer Davis begins, "Avery Chastings was involved in a car crash last night, she's in critical condition." Panic spreads through me as their eyes bare into me.

"Yeah-" I slap myself inwardly, they glance at each other for a split second, "that's terrible, is she gonna be alright?" their faces turn to stone in disbelief.

Fuck.

"They can't be sure." Is all Officer Davis says.

"They, uh," Officer West begins as he looks down at the coffee table, "they found alcohol in her system, almost time and a half the legal limit."

"Don't bullshit us, son," Officer Davis says, an edge to his voice, "we know you had a party here last night, we saw the tire marks in the grass out front and we can go ask your neighbors right now, so your best bet is to tell the truth here, understand?" I give him a small nod.

"Good," he continues, "now from what we've heard Avery wasn't much of a party girl, what was she doing here? And don't even think about telling me she wasn't, her car was found on a road that leads back to this neighborhood and I'm willing to bet she came from your party. Now you cooperate with us and we might let the underage drinking slide for now."

I clear my throat, trying to find any lie I can.

But nothing comes.

"Yeah," I say in a sigh, "she was here, she normally doesn't go to parties, I think last night was the first time I saw her at one." Officer Davis's body relaxes a bit at that.

"Did she show up with anyone?" Officer West asks.

Flashes of last night cross my mind, Avery and Jake drinking and making out by the pool, suddenly my stomach feels uneasy at the thought of what Jake confessed on the phone. "No," I say, my attention snapping back to the two staring officers, "she showed up alone."

"Did she leave with anyone?"

"I did something last night,"

I shake my head, "I was busy with the party,"

"I- I need your help bad, man."

"I don't know if she left with anyone, I never saw her leave."

"Well, someone must've seen her leave." Officer Davis says angrily.

"I don't know! Maybe! How am I supposed to know who saw her leave?"

"I'll tell ya' what," Officer West says, laying a hand on Officer Davis's shoulder, trying to calm him down, "you make us a list of everyone who came to this party, and we'll see what we can do for you, there's a fine for underage drinking, ya' know, the person whose property the drinking was taking place on would have to pay a fine for each minor that was under the influence."

"And I'm betting you don't want that going on your record." Officer Davis says as he and his partner stand and they walk back to the front door, with me following close behind.

"Listen," Officer West says as he turns back around to face me, Officer Davis stands a few steps away, his hand locked around the doorknob, "write up that list for us, and if you think of anything that might be helpful, it'd be smart of you to call." He pulls a card out from his pocket and hands it to me. Officer Davis pulls the door open and steps out.

Officer West follows after him and I walk to stand at my door, watching as Officer Davis yanks the cruiser door open and gets in. Officer West stands on my porch and looks back down the street towards Jake's car. He turns and looks back to me, "Ya' know whose car that is parked over there?" He points to the car and I glance at it before turning back to him.

"Neighbor's car," I say, but his eyes flash with disbelief, "I'm always telling them to move it, but they keep parking there." He just nods and begins walking back to the cruiser before looking up at the sky and calling back to me.

"When're your parents getting home?" he asks.

"Not for another two weeks," I call back; he just nods his head and looks at the clouds that cover the sky.

"Well, be careful, there's supposed to be a big storm rolling in soon." I nod, "Get us that list, then call me." He climbs in the cruiser and I turn back into my house, push the door shut and lean up against it, trying to take in what just happened.

I listen closely to the two Officer's voices as the car slowly begins pulling out of my driveway, "He's hiding something." Officer Davis's voice says.

"Definitely." Officer West agrees. I hear the car take off down the road.

My head begins throbbing, whether it's from the hangover or the impending police charges I can't tell. I walk into the kitchen and pull out the Advil bottle from the top cupboard; I grab a bottle of water from the fridge and quickly swallow two tablets.

I make my way back upstairs to my room, as I walk in, my phone rings.

Incoming Call: Reily

I hit 'answer' and bring the phone up to my ear, "What?" I ask, not bothering to hide my irritation.

"So?" Jake asks, "How did it go? Did they buy it? What did you say?" his questions run together.

"I told them she was here, and I didn't see who she left with, that's it."

"That's not it, it can't be." He says in disbelief, I sigh and rub my forehead.

"I'll tell you the rest later, for now you can come get your fucking car off of my street."

"Come pick me up and I'll drive it back here." He says in a hesitant voice.

"Oh no, you come get it yourself, you owe me for this shit."

What the fuck am I, a slave?

"Well how the hell am I supposed to get to your house?!" He asks desperately.

"Ride a bike, walk, that's not really my problem. Just come get your car before the cops run the plates and we both go to jail." I hit the 'end' button and toss my phone onto my bed. I walk into my bathroom and turn on the shower to get the hot water running.

Derek

I sit up in my bed, my pulse still racing, sweat lightly coats my chest. I hear the sound of fabric tearing, I look down to see my hands clutching the sheets; my claws tore clean through them. I let go of the shredded sheets and slide my legs off the side of the bed. I put my face in my hands as I remember the dreams I'd had last night.

Each time, the same girl, the same brown hair, the same deep blue eyes, the same sweet voice.

I look down at my lap and let out a frustrated growl.

This is pathetic.

I stand up and make my way back to the bathroom; I take off my sweatpants and turn on the shower, not bothering to wait for the water to heat up. Cold water is what I need right now anyway, especially with her voice still running through my head.

"Please, Derek."

I lean against the tiles of the shower wall as cold water runs down my back. I don't even know for sure who the girl in my dream was.

"Don't let me die."

But I have a pretty good guess.

I didn't get much sleep, the damned dreams woke me up three times from the time I fell asleep. Three separate dreams, but always the same girl.

The first had been at the hospital, I woke up from that when her voice spoke my name in a half beg.

The second was in the forest….

A full moon shines pale light down through the trees, casting black shadows on the forest floor. Everything is black and white, like in an old movie...except her.

She stands just a few feet away from me; her long brown hair and tanned skin seem to glow against the shadows of the woods. She's wearing a light blue dress that accentuates her figure, which I try to avoid looking at. "Derek," she says in a breathy whisper that sends a shiver up my spine.

She closes the distance between us; grabbing a hold of me. I can feel her nails as they rake over my shoulders, even through the thick leather of my jacket. Before I know it, I'm pinning her up against a tree, her nails digging further into my back as I lift her easily. She lets out a gasp as her back hits the trunk, I stare down at her lips as the breath washes over my face. I try to reign myself back in as I catch myself leaning in towards her.

Suddenly a howl snaps me out of the haze; both of us turn towards the sound. Rustling in the distance catches my attention; I focus on the noise as it grows closer and closer…

"Derek," her hand comes up to cup my jaw, and I turn back to her, "it's dark, Derek." Her forehead now has a huge gash in it, blood streaming down the side of her face. Her legs slip from my waist and her eyes roll back in her head as her body goes limp.

"Fuck," I say, turning from the girl back to the rustling noise.

I lower her to the ground as a snarl comes from the bushes off to my left. I look at the blood stains as they spread across the pale blue fabric; blood drains from her leg. I do my best to keep pressure on it in an effort to stop the bleeding. I listen closely as her heart stops beating.

A full out growl sounds from the bushes as two red eyes stare back at me; a heartbeat stops me from changing.

I look back to the girl, and find a pair of gold eyes staring coldly at me, her canines shine in the moonlight as she grins wickedly at me. She leans forward and whispers in my ear, "Thank you." A stick breaks on the ground to my left and I turn to look-

Claws rake across my neck, and I fall onto my back, staring up at the moon as blood drains from me.

I wash the last of the shampoo out of my hair as I try to push the ending of that dream out of my mind.

These dreams need to stop.

I have to figure out what the dreams mean. I have to know if it's that girl from the hospital or not.

"Her name is Avery."

Stiles's voice echoes in my head as I grab the towel off the hook and quickly dry off. The girl in my dream didn't look more than…eighteen? Nineteen, maybe?

But I have to be sure. Especially since I keep seeing her with those familiar gold eyes.

She might've been bitten….the claw marks I found on that tree had the other alpha's scent all over it, they were fresh. So, what? Crash the car, bite the girl….and then what?

I pull the bathroom door open and step out into the cold air of the hallway. I make my way back to my room and throw on some clothes; the normal jeans, black t-shirt and leather jacket. I pick up my phone from its charger and check the time.

4:58 P.M.

I put my phone back into my pocket and grab my keys from my nightstand before leaving my room and walking back down the stairs and out the front door. The porch creaks under my weight as I step off the stairs towards my Camaro.

Gotta remember to fix the porch later…

I unlock the doors with the remote and get in. I start the car and the engine comes to life, the bluetooth picks up from where it last stopped, "No Games" by Breaking Benjamin comes on as I pull out of my spot and back out onto one of the back roads that lead into town.

The third dream was the shortest, but it was definitely the worst one.

I open my eyes to see the ceiling of my bedroom, and at the foot of my bed, a slim shadow stands just watching me. I sit up on my elbows and notice two blue eyes.

The figure moves closer and closer until she comes into the pale light coming in from the window. Ruffled brown hair is draped over her shoulders; her full lips hang open slightly, as if she's focusing on something intently. Her eyes lock onto mine as she leans down and slowly begins crawling towards me. Her white dress - nightgown? - does little to cover her; the neckline hangs low as she makes her way towards me, showing the full of her breasts.

She stops when we come face to face, and before she has a chance to lean down, I flip her over so she's on her back and I'm on top. She closes her eyes as a small smile pulls at her lips, I hold myself there, not sure what to do with the unfamiliar girl beneath me.

"Take me," she whispers, "just take me already."

I shake my head, trying to clear my thoughts of the rest of the dream.

This needs to stop.

I pull into the hospital parking lot to find only a couple of news vans are left.

I guess they figured out she's not waking up any time soon.

I turn into a parking spot towards the back of the hospital; there's no way the cops guarding the entrance would let a former suspected murder in the place. Last time they just let me in because I was with Stiles and Scott.

Rain drops begin falling, lightly coating my windshield as I turn the keys and turn the engine off. I get out and make my way to the back of the building as rain begins steadily falling.

Around the back, a dumpster sits up against the side of the building, and a window on the second floor is open, the same floor Avery's room was on.

I jump up on the dumpster, careful not to slip on the now wet surface. I pull myself up and look into the room to find an old man lying in the bed; his eyes are closed, his heart beating weakly. I look for anyone else in the room, but find no one in sight.

I pull myself up and in through the window. I turn and close it as wind and rain begin sweeping over the window pane.

I make my way out of the man's room and into the hallway. I listen for the sounds of the ventilator, and eventually pick up on a familiar voice, "Hey, Ave," the voice says in a sniffle, "I brought you some things from home."

I follow the voice and come to stand outside the room; I peek around the doorframe to see the blonde girl from earlier sitting by Avery's side, holding her hand in both of hers. Suddenly, the girl turns toward the window as the rain pours down outside.

She gets up and opens the window, the sound of the rain echoes into the silent room. "I know how you love the sound," she says as she takes her bedside seat again. The girl is wearing the same Navy sweatshirt and leggings as earlier, she looks like she's been crying for some time.

I realize she's not leaving anytime soon so I walk into the next room and see it's empty. I walk in and close the door, keeping the lights off and listen as the girl talks. "The, uh," her voice breaks, "the doctors said that they don't know if you can hear us," She takes a jagged breath, "I'd like to think that you can, though, so I can tell you that you need to get better." The ventilator rhythmically sucks in and pushes air out as she continues.

"You need to get better," she pauses, trying to calm herself. I walk over to the empty hospital bed and lay down, my hands folded under my head as I listen, "I got us plane tickets to New York in two weeks, for your birthday," she says, her voice is thick and heavy with sadness, her heart beats rapidly, "you were always singing songs from that musical, RENT, so I, uh, I got us tickets on Broadway and you have to get better," she says as a sob breaks from her chest, "we're supposed to go together, so you have to get better." Suddenly, the girl breaks down, muffled sobs pour through the thin wall.

I try to focus on the sound of the rain instead, but it's hard to ignore something that sounds just so…..broken.

I can easily hear deep breaths through the thin wall, and the girl's heart is calm. I sit up and make my way to the other room; I peek in to see the blonde girl asleep, her head resting in the middle of her folded arms on the edge of the bed.

I walk in and stop dead as soon as I see Avery.

Her tanned skin seems to have lost all color, black and red bruises cover her skin; they must've finally come in from when I saw her last.

I focus in on her again, the same blaring pain surges through my leg, the same throbbing in my forehead, small pains cover my skin, a pain shoots through my abdomen.

She's not healing. The alpha never bit her.

I try to focus further on her, trying to find the same fight that was there before.

But there's nothing. Or, if there is, I can't even pick it up.

I come to stand by her side, as if that would help me find something in her, any sign of life. I get the slightest inkling, but not much. Not nearly as much as before; she's fading.

My mind flashes back to my uncle, he was alive in body for years, but there was no real life in him. He was all but dead inside. And when he finally came back, he was insane.

My canines suddenly stab at the inside of my lips, completely on their own. I shake my head.

I don't know anything about her. I don't know who she is, if she'd be willing to...

I look over to the girl, who's still asleep. A small black picture frame on the nightstand catches my eye and I pick it up.

The blonde girl and the girl from my dreams stand together in four separate pictures. All images seem to be taken throughout the years.

"So, it was you." I mumble under my breath as I turn from the photos back to the girl in the hospital bed.