Ring ring, ring ring.
Groaning, Chris rolled over and reached out for his phone. Keeping his sleepy eyes closed, he answered the call without looking at who it was and brought it to his ear.
"Argent."
His voice was raspy. He had slept very little in the last few days, chasing away omega's and chasing up other leads.
"Argent, are you awake?"
The young voice trembled and startled Chris. He opened his eyes and shot up in bed. He knew exactly who was on the the other end, Scott. All hints of sleep flowed out of him instantly as he began to think of the worst. Kicking off his duvet, Chris turned and got up grabbing his pants.
"I am now. What's wrong?"
There was a silence as Chris pulled on his jeans and brought a shirt over his shoulder. Flipping the phone onto loudspeaker, Chris carried on getting dressed.
"Scott-"
A muffled sound filled the speaker before Scott's voice returned.
"Argent it's the Sheriff, his car was attacked. He's on his way to the hospital, but when Stiles arrived he noticed something was wrong. There's claw marks across the car if you look at it right. And a broken horn jammed in the bonnet-"
Chris stopped still at the thought of the Sheriff being injured. John was a part of the pack and Chris worried if any of them were in danger, especially hurt. But Scott and Stiles were right, the claws and horn was definitely something supernatural. He thought to how Scott would get to the accident, he was suppose to be with Lydia.
"I thought you were with Lydia studying-"
There was a groan on the other side of the call as Scott tried to avoid the call.
"Argeeeent. Listen just get here, we're by the hales old house."
The phone bleeped as Scott hanged up leaving Chris to frown. Walking round the apartment, he headed into his office where he pulled out his gun casing. Grabbing his rifle and two pistols, Chris made sure he was well prepared. Taking once last glance around the room, he took in the sight of his tidy office. His clock showed that it was only 3am which frustrated him even more. Brushing his hands across his face, Chris walked out of the apartment and downstairs to his car.
"One day I will get a good nights sleep."
—
Driving down the road, Chris spotted the blue lights illuminating the trees. Turning around the corner, he took a gasp at the look of the Sheriff's car. It was certainly totalled. Chris pulled up and turned the ignition off before climbing out and walking over to Scott who was talking with Parish.
"How's the Sheriff?"
Everyone looked up to Chris before nodding to him. Parish turned and looked at the man, offering his hand.
"Broken collarbone, but considering the shape of the car, I'd say he's lucky."
Chris nodded and looked back to the Sheriff's car. It was upside down and crumbled inwards.
"He is certainly lucky. What about Stiles?"
Looking to Scott, Chris knew where his best friend would be, but he wanted to confirm it first. Scott seemed to look at the Sheriff's car before turning back to Chris.
"He's with his dad. He was scared he'd lose him"
Chris nodded and smiled. The bond between the pair was tight. They were close friends, and even Chris could see the worry in Scotts face. He had grown up with the Sheriff so who could blame him.
"So what's going on?"
Chris already knew the answer when Parish pointed towards the car. He followed the deputy to the car and immediately spotted the damage. Along the side, even through the tires were claw marks. Deep claw marks at that. He walked closer and crouched down in front of the drivers door. Bringing his hand to the claw marks, Chris dipped his fingers into a glistering slime. Pulling his hand close, Chris sniffed it before turning his head to the side gagging. Standing up, Chris shot to the side of the road as he wiped his hand furiously against the grass. Seconds later after trying to remove the smell, his stomach refused to hold down his last meal.
"Argent?"
Scott laid a hand on his shoulder, squeezing some comfort through to him. His throat burned from the bile, but he knew he had to speak.
"We need to get the pack together in a meeting, now."
Chris stood up wiping his mouth on his sleeve. He turned to see Scott confused but nodding.
"Bad?"
Chris looked back to Parish standing at the car confused before looking to Scott and nodding.
"Wendigo."
Scott looked at Chris worried before looking back to the car. He sniffed the air closer to the car, instantly regretting it. Holding his nose, Scott refused to sniff again as he spoke to Chris.
"What do we do?"
Chris pulled out his pistols before looking to Parish.
"Go back to yours, get everyone round for the meeting. But first, go to my apartment."
Thumbling with his jacket pocket, Chris pulled out his keys.
"In my office is a cabinet. Look for a brown leather book. You'll know it when you see it. Take it back to yours, look for the information on Wendigo. It will explain a lot more than you could think."
Chris looked to the woods behind him before looking to his car.
"What about you?"
Chris walked towards his boot whilst Scott and Parish followed in tow.
"I'm going to search the area. I know of a few spots it may go too. If we can find its nest then we can deal with it quicker."
Chris pulled out his rifle before looking to Scott.
"You shouldn't go alone."
Looking to Parish, Chris frowned at the mans concern but shook his head.
"You need to get this cleared up, Scott needs to gather the pack for back up. I'll be fine on my own, I am only tracking not attacking."
Chris smiled before putting a hand on Scott's shoulder.
"Go, if we can kill it before dawn, the better. We can't risk trying to dispose of its body in daylight."
Looking between the pair, Chris got his silent agreements. Scott headed towards Stiles car which Chris hoped had given him approval to drive it back. Parish grabbed his radio and called for a tow before looking back to Argent.
"Be careful."
Chris smiled and nodded before moving his car into a safer spot. Once he was happy it was out the way, he grabbed his rifle and headed further into the woods. The moon was still high, shining bright in the sky. Thankfully with it still being winter, dawn will not come for at least a few more hours. That would give him time to search for the nest. Crouching down, Chris looked at track marks in the floor, signs that the Wendigo had come this way. Standing tall, Chris followed the tracks towards the preserve. Turning on his inferred, Chris went onto high alert as the trail got warmer.
—
Chris crouched behind a log as he watched the Wendigo upwind. The smell had hit him first and he fought back every ounce of wanting to be sick. In the end Chris resulted to pulling his shirt over his nose. The Wendigo ripped into a deer's caucus, pulling the flesh from it with its teeth. Shuffling quietly, Chris moved around circling the creature. He needed to avoid getting his scent picked up from the wind but at this angle he could not take a shot.
Ring ring, ring ring.
Looking down to his pocket, Chris swore as he pulled out his phone. Before he could answer it, a roar sounded from behind him. Turning around, Chris dropped his phone and raised his gun.
"Shit!"
Firing off the first shot, he hit the creature in its wing before being thrown into a tree. Groaning to himself, Chris rolled onto his hands and knee's before being gripped by the creature and lifted into the air by his neck. Bringing his hands around to his throat, Chris held onto the creatures fingers as it held him up. He swung in its grasp before being thrown again to the floor. This time he heard his ribs and right wrist crack. Letting out a cry in pain, Chris tried to move through the pain. The creatures hand pushed down on his back, claws digging deep as it leant into his neck. Gagging at the smell, Chris fought to move as bile rose in his throat. The creature cried above him before leaning back down and bearing its teeth into his shoulder. Pain erupted through him as Chris let out a gurgling cry. Grabbing his pistol with his right wrist, Chris twisted at an awkward angle causing more pain.
Ring ring, ring ring.
"God damnit!"
Chris pulled the trigger of the gun aimed at the Wendigo before crying as the claws and teeth ripped away from him. Rolling over he spotted the black fluid leaking from its shoulder. Aiming again, he took another shot at the creature. With a cry the creature lifted from the ground and rose to the sky. Taking another shot, Chris wobbled on the spot before falling back against a tree. He watched as the Wendigo flew away before pulling his wrist into his lap. The bark behind Chris felt relaxing as his body began to shiver and shake. He let out a groan before leaning his head back against the shock taking over. It wouldn't be long until the creature came back. Chris could feel the blood pouring down his back as he closed his eyelids. Sleep pulled at him no matter how hard he fought.
"Scott-"
Giving into the darkness against his will, Chris's head fell forwards as his body gave in.
—
"Have you managed to get ahold of Argent yet?"
Melissa looked to her son who was repeatedly looking at his phone. As he looked up, Scott shook his head to his mother. They were all gathered in the living room trying to decipher the the information from the bestiary. Peter seemed to be more interested than most of them. As soon as Scott had told Derek about Chris thinking it was a Wendigo, the former alpha had descended from the stairs. Now he was sat looking through Argents book.
"I'm worried."
Melissa looked back to Scott after observing Peter's interest. She pulled Scott into an embrace and held him there.
"What if he found the nest and he's hurt mum?"
Pulling back Scott looked to Melissa.
"I should of stayed, I should of been there to help him. He should of answered by now. I've called him so many times."
Scott frowned as Peter hummed then shot up with his right hand in the air like a student who found an answer to the teachers question.
"I've got it! We need silver. Silver kills the creature."
Derek huffed then grabbed the book and flicked through the pages to confirm Peter's answer.
"Where the hell are we going to get silver that will puncture the creature and kill it?"
Scott turned to Peter and pulled out Argents keys. Lydia looked up and pointed to the keys.
"We could use Argents weapons. He must have some left still right?"
Everyone turned to Lydia as they realised that she was right. Even if Argent gave in his hunting days, he always still had weapons. There must be silver bullets somewhere.
Peter smiled before snatching the keys from Scott in surprise. Smiling at the thought that he could go through Argents apartment, Peter couldn't help but wiggle the keys. Seconds later Derek grasped the keys and walked towards the door.
"We'll search Argents place. Scott, Isaac, Malia check the preserve. Howl if there's any issues."
Derek walked out the door and Peter followed him with a somber look. His toys had been removed from him. Melissa turned to Scott and grasped his shoulder.
"I'll grab my medical bag, meet me in the car. Everyone get ready."
Running around, everyone got supplies that they could find. As they jumped into the car, Melissa followed close by and smiled. She raised a calving knife in the air.
"Family heirloom. Pure silver and 60 years old."
Everyone smiled before Scott stomped on the gas, ricocheting the car towards the preserve.
—
A Wendigo's cry echoed through Chris's ears drawing him from his unconscious state. Grunting in pain, he looked to the sky where the creature was circling. Moving his good arm, Chris pushed himself up through the pain. Standing up wobbly he looked around to see where his gun was. Frowning, he could not see the weapon in sight. Checking for his other pistol, Chris pulled it out with a struggle. Moving around the tree Chris headed back towards his car. The longer he was out in the woods, the easier he could be grabbed. With each step, Chris patted his pockets with his good arm as he searched for his phone.
"Fuck sake."
Sighing at the realisation he had lost his phone, Chris hoped that Scott would hurry up. Above him the Wendigo followed. The blood pouring on his back and shoulder obviously giving away his scent. With each step, he could feel the pain radiating through his body. His body protested with each step until it got too much to take. The Wendigo swooped in and landed with a thump just in front of him. Rolling backwards out of its reach, Chris fell against the tree. Jumping to the right, Chris dove out of the way of a claw hell bent on gouging him. Looking up he eyed the Wendigo who snapped its mouth in front of his face. Kicking out, Chris hit it in the chest pushing it backwards as he used the momentum to roll and get a few feet back. Raising his gun he aimed at the Wendigo's chest and shot at it. He wished he had silver bullets on him. The creature howled above him before crashing down and pinning Chris with one foot on his chest, another on his right leg and its arms leaning against the ground. Pain erupted through him as he felt his right leg give way under its weight. No matter how hard he tried, the agonising cry of pain escaped his lips much louder than he thought he could ever yell. More pain ripped through him as the creatures claws dug in followed by its teeth sinking into his shoulder. With each movement Chris yelled in agony. The creature tugged at his shoulder ripping the skin it latched onto as it pulled away. Chris closed his eyes as he realised this was it, the creature was going to kill him. Darkness pulled at his body as he felt numbness start to take over. The screams of the creature started to die down as he realised it was the darkness pulling him in. An inaudible voice shouted in a distance. Or was it close? Chris couldn't tell.
"Chris!"
Ignoring the voices, the darkness felt too welcoming. It was taking away his pain and that was a blessing.
"Argent!"
Scott dove forwards, tackling the creature off of Argents body. Wincing at the sound of skin tearing. Circling the creature he manoeuvred away from its attacks just in time. Malia and Isaac joined in, the three of them attacking one at a time, distracting the creature from Argent. Sniffing the air, Scott smelt familiar scents coming through the forest towards them. He just needed to hold the creature off a bit longer. Diving forwards, Scott distracted the creature from lashing out at Issac by taking it from behind. Pushing it to the ground, he ripped his claws through its wings. The creature bucked backwards, crying to the sky as it lashed out at all three with as many limbs that it could throw at once.
"Scott step back!"
Derek's voice rang out from behind him. Diving to the side, Scott watched as Peter shot past whilst yanking the knife from him. Derek lifted one of Argents guns and fired a whole clip into the creature. As it yelled and dropped to the floor, Peter jumped upon its body and lashed out with his claws. The creature cried loudly before Peter plunged the knife into its chest. He held it down with all his weight until the Wendigo's body went limp. Pulling away, he shook the blood off his hand and jumped onto the grass. Rolling around, Peter tried his best to remove the scent of the Wendigo from his body as he gagged. Everyone stared at him until Scott turned and ran to Chris's side. He knelt down and stopped when he saw the injuries. His left hand bent at an odd angle, the left shoulder torn and skin split to the muscle and bone. Scott carried on looking at them but blood covered the mans body.
"Isaac get my mum now!"
Not looking back, he ripped his top off after yelling at Isaac before pushing pressure onto the mans wounds. Derek quickly joined in and grasped the mans arm. Black veins appeared on Argents hand as Derek grunted in taking some of his pain. Snapping back he had to stop as it got too much. Scott looked to Derek with worry before taking some himself.
"Argent."
Shaking him lightly, Scott tried to get the man to stir as he pushed on the shoulder wounds.
"Scott?"
Isaac had Melissa on his back to help her through the woods quicker than if she was on her feet. She spotted Argent's body and gasped. She thought he was dead until she spotted a small amount of movement in his chest.
"Someone get an ambulance now!"
Melissa shot to Chris's side, pushing Derek away and looked over the wounds. She looked under Scott's top before pulling back at seeing the blood pouring out. Opening his eyes, she scrunched her face at seeing them so glazed. As if the light was about to shut out of them seconds later.
"Christopher you better not die on me. You're making me get my scrubs dirty on my day off at five in the morning. You owe me a breakfast."
Pushing in a cannula into Argents right hand, Melissa pulled out a bag of Saline and attached it to the Cannula tubing before shoving the bag into Derek's hand.
"Squeeze that but don't pop it. We need to get fluids in him before his body gives in."
Lifting Chris's head, Melissa made sure his airway was as clear as she could make it. Wishing she had an oxygen canister with her.
"We need to get him to the car to meet the ambulance. Peter you carry him, Scott help me get back to the car to prepare."
Following Melissa's instructions, the Pack moved around and followed their instructions. Peter grasped Chris's limp body, aware of how vulnerable and close to death the hunter smelt.
—
Melissa rushed in holding Chris's shoulder pressure as they wheeled him on a gurney through the ER.
"I want blood bags ready! We need to prep him for surgery stat!"
Scott and Peter followed in behind, watching as the hunter was taken into a private room.
"What the hell happened?"
The Sheriff looked between where Melissa whizzed past with a bloodied pale Argent and Scott with a concerned look. He had his arm in a slink and leant heavily against Stiles who also looked concerned.
"Was that Argent?"
Scott nodded and pointed to the waiting room.
"How are you Sheriff?"
Scott checked on the Sheriff as the man hadn't been long out of a car accident only hours ago. The man frowned before letting out his usual comforting smile as he squeezed Stiles lap.
"Just a broken collarbone and bruises. I'll be fine. So what happened? Was it to do with that thing that hit me?"
Peter nodded and stood against a pillar in the middle of the empty waiting room.
"It was a Wendigo. Looks like Argent had a few bites taken out of him."
Peter looked down to the blood on his shirt and groaned. Wiping at it as if his hands would magically wash it off.
"Jesus."
Sheriff looked back to where Melissa had taken Chris with nurses and doctors rushing in and out the room. Not too long after they wheeled Chris on a hospital bed towards the lift. All of them stood and shifted as Melissa walked towards them. She nodded to them all before stopping and looking between them then to Scott and the Sheriff.
"He's in a bad way. He has multiple broken bones, and his shoulder is in a bad way. They're going to do what they can but we won't know for quite some time. I would suggest going home and resting, but knowing you all the way I do you will hang around. So I've cleared a relative room for the pack. And John you better rest or I will admit you."
—
As soon as Argent was out of surgery, everyone felt relieved. It had gone well all considering the state they found him in. It was going to be a long time before Chris healed, but they would all be there for him. He had gone out to protect them and now it was time for them to look after him. Melissa had chosen to take first watch until he came round which was surely going to take some time. She had spent hours by his side in the chair reading the rubbish magazines left over. She was reading another shitty part when a grunt caught her attention. She looked to Chris whose glazed eyes stared up at the ceiling.
"Welcome back."
Melissa smiled and leant forwards as Chris turned slightly to see her before wincing.
"If I were you, don't turn your head too much. You took a nasty bite form a Wendigo to the shoulder and a fair few other injuries."
Melissa grasped his right hand and smiled at him.
"Anyone hurt?"
Melissa shook her head before slapping his hand lightly.
"No, only you. But from now on you are not to go out on your own you got me?"
Chris nodded, blinking with his glazed eyes. A noise shuffled at the door when John Stilinski shuffled into the room.
"Yeah, about that I thought we discussed less of the Sacrifice?"
Chris smirked, obviously the pain medication was helping a lot.
"You know I'll always try protect you guys."
John and Melissa looked between them and frowned before turning back to Chris. Melissa squeezed his hand to catch his attention.
"We will discuss this more when you are healthier. But for now get some rest. The kids are waiting, you even have Peter concerned."
Chris frowned before letting out another smile.
"Petey. I like Petey-"
Chris closed his eyes and not long after his breathing calmed. Melissa and Sheriff raised an eyebrow between one another.
"I think the pain meds have certainly hit home. But now we can use something against him."
Melissa gave a sinister smile before standing up to hug John carefully ignoring his broken collarbone.
"Coffee?"
John smiled and handed her the coffee he had brought in to her.
"Well aren't you the sweetheart."
Leaning forwards, she kissed his cheek before the pair of them sat by Argents side, listening to his gentle breathing.
