Lydia gripped her chest numbly.
He's gone? His body is missing?
Scott reached the sheriff holding his shaking shoulders,
"What!?"
The sheriff gestured to the back of the ambulance silently, his face pale and eyes wide.
The rest of them run to the back of the vehicle and scott lifts the back door that was barely hanging on.
The gurney that took Stiles away was on its side with a tear in the material.
Lydia brings a hand to her mouth gasping,
"What...what does this mean?"
Scott stood looking at the ground,
"I-I don't know.. "
Deaton and Melissa meet them at the back, Melissa having shut off the siren.
"Keith is dead.. he had claw marks on his chest and... Scott what the hell is happening."
His mother looks to the teenager with worry written on her features.
Scott opens his mouth to respond but Deaton interjects,
"I believe it's Kate. She took Chris and ran because she knew what we were trying to do with Lydia."
Kira glanced into the vehicle then back to Deaton,
"But why? What does she want?"
Deaton shook his head,
"I don't know.. this is all speculation but.. she may have taken Stiles' body for some sort of.. ritual."
They all looked at him with confused expressions.
Liam spoke curiously, still not knowing much about the supernatural ,
"What kind of ritual ?"
Deaton sighed,
"I don't want to say for sure just yet. I'll have to do some research but... I suggest you all go home.. get some rest. Be there for each other. I will let you know if I find anything"
Lydia gaped. Shocked at the man.
"What!? Just go home and forget what happened?! Forget that Stiles-" she stopped closing her eyes a moment,
"Kate has Stiles now and we are supposed to just go home and wait?!"
Kira reaches her putting a supportive hand on her arm.
Deaton looks to her with sad eyes,
"I never said forget what happened tonight, Lydia. We have suffered a great loss.. you need time to recover and grieve."
His words solidified Stiles' outcome and snuffed out any hope of his return.
Kira wound her arms around the girl pulling her to her small frame,
"If you need to stay with someone my house is available.."
Lydia looked up at the raven haired girl with the smallest smile possible,
"I-I would like that.. thank you."
Scott turned to his mom,
"I'll stay with you until the other ambulance arrives. "
She nodded patting her son's arm.
Scott turned to Liam and Malia,
"Do you two need a place to stay or.."
Malia shook her head,
"No ... my-my dad can get me.."
Kira glanced to Lydia and the red haired girl nodded,
"Malia.. you can stay with Lydia and I.. if you need to,"
Malia's brown eyes widen slightly and tears hang at the edges,
"I-ok.. thank you."
Liam walks over to Scott and pulls him aside,
"Scott.. I can stay with you... if you need someone to- I mean only if you-"
Scott pulled the beta into a tight hug,
"Thank you, Liam.."
His words muffled in the boy's hoodie.
Liam patted the alpha's back before pulling back.
Melissa looked to the girls,
"You need a ride home?"
Kira shook her head,
"No I can call my parents. Thank you Mrs. McCall."
She walked away from the group dialing on her cell as the sound of another ambulance turning the bend drew Melissa's attention,
"I'll handle this and then take you two home."
She gestured toward Liam and Scott.
Melissa walked to the sheriff who was standing on the side of the road, head in his hands.
"John.."
"He's my son Melissa.."
She pulled the man to her in a hug,
"I know... I know."
He sobs into her dark hair,
" I lost Claudia.. and now.."
He sucks in a breath,
"I lost our son.. the only piece of her left. The only one I had in the world left is gone."
Melissa feels wetness on her hair and hot tears spring from her eyes,
"You aren't alone.. you have me.. and Scott. We can be the family you need. I know we can't replace them.. ever.. but- but we all need each other now more than ever.. ok?"
She pulls back and smooths a hand over his face brushing away tears.
"It hurts. .. god it hurts so much."
She shushes him,
"I know... I know.. "
Scott looks to his mother and the sheriff and feels his heart drop.
Stiles always said they were brothers anyway, their parents should just go for it already.
Now he's gone.
Liam feels the shift in Scott's emotions and places a hand on his shoulder. Scott turns to him placing a hand over his and nodding in thanks.
Kira ends the call before turning to her two friends,
"My parent's are on their way now.."
Malia grabbed her elbow with her other hand and nodded looking at the asphalt.
Lydia offered a small smile before looking down to her hands. They had smears of dried blood in spots making her stomach flip knowing the owner.
She sniffled,
"I never got to tell him."
Lydia rubbed harshly at the offending marks,
"I never even said- said how I felt.. he-"
She chokes out a sob and Kira rushes forward. Malia, not one knowing much about how to console someone, offers her support by standing close by Lydia's side.
"He knew Lydia.. "
The girl shook her head, her red curls swaying. Or as Stiles called it, strawberry blonde.
"But I should have said it.."
She looks at her nail polish now dotted and stained crimson with his blood.
Soon enough, a car pulled up and Kira's parents exit the vehicle.
"Oh my .. what happened?!"
Kira's mother rushed forward looking over her daughter for any signs of damage.
"I'm ok mom."
Her father approached,
"What happened here?"
Kira apologized for being so vague on the phone having simply said there was a fight and they needed to come to this location fast.
"The was a fight.. it was a woman named Kate Argent.. she's responsible for.. everything."
She didn't mention the boy's name but her mother scanned the group,
"Is everyone alright? Where is Stiles?"
Lydia felt a wave of grief wash over her every time someone even mentioned him. Malia offered a hand on her arm and Lydia met her watery eyes with her own.
Kira glanced down then back to her mother,
She couldn't speak only shook her head mutely.
Her parents took a second to realize what she meant but gasped when they drew the conclusion.
"Oh no.. oh my goodness"
Noshiko gripped her husband.
Kira glanced to her dad,
"Can Lydia and Malia stay with us tonight?"
Her father nodded solemnly,
"Of course. Come on."
They said their goodbyes with shaky hugs and tear filled eyes before climbing into the Yukimura's vehicle.
Lydia was in the middle in the back with Malia on her left and Kira to her right.
Her bloodshot emerald eyes glance into the rearview mirror to see the empty ambulance growing smaller every second.
They pull into the driveway the entire car ride had been silent. As they exit, Noshiko glances at her husband then back to the silent trio.
Kira grabs Lydia's hand and Lydia slides her palm into Malia's. They walk hand in hand into the home before climbing the stairs to Kira's room.
Kira silently moves to her closet and grabs a few t-shirts and cotton shorts for all of them to sleep in. She stands before Malia handing her pale blue shorts with a dark blue top.
"Thank you"
Kira nods and moves to Lydia slowly holding out a lavender shirt with pink polka dot shorts.
Lydia reaches out but stops short of grabbing it when she sees the blood stains on her fingers. Her hands start to shake and her breathing becomes faster,
"He's gone.."
She says it more to herself than anyone else.
Kira grabs her palm and pulls her fro the room Malia following.
Kira flicks on the bathroom light and leads her to the sink.
When Lydia glances in the mirror, she hardly recognizes herself. Her hair is matted down and tangled. Her skin is pale and her eyes look grey and bloodshot.
Kira turns the knob of the faucet and hands her the soap. Lydia glances at the remaining blood and releases a shaky breath.
She knows it's stupid but she feels like washing it away washes away the last remaining pieces of him. Her hands dip under the warm water as Kira pumps some soap into her palms. As Lydia scrubs Malia walks forward hesitantly placing a hand on her shoulder. Lydia knows she is trying her best to be comforting but the girl is suffering too. She knows how she felt about him.
Lydia shuts off the water and dries her hands on the fluffy towel on the rack.
"We will leave you to get changed. "
Kira wrapped an arm behind Malia's back leading her from the bathroom.
When the door clicks shut, Lydia realizes this is the first time she has been alone all night. And that's exactly how she feels. Alone.
No longer feeling the thrum of energy he sent through her body. For the first time since it happened she allowed her vision to fade into blue. Taking a deep breath she opens her eyes and holds her palm up. A black line is burned around her pinky and ends where her finger meets her palm. Her vision fades back to normal as a tear slips over her cheeks.
She grabs the clothes changing into them before slowly opening the bathroom door.
Lydia enters the hall and hears Kira talking quietly behind the almost closed door of her bedroom.
"Lia- we're going to get through this.."
Lydia inches closer to the door.
"I just ... I would get so-so angry when I saw him with her a-and.. I felt like she didn't love him the way I did.. but- now I know she did.. just- god.. Kira this is my fault.. this is all my fault."
Lydia pushed the door open with a slow creak. The girls jumped when she entered Malia wiping her cheeks quickly.
Lydia's eyes brimmed with tears,
"You think this is your fault?"
Malia looked down picking at the hem of the shorts Kira gave her.
She nods wiping more tears from her eyes,
"I'm the one that ran away. Chris found me and- that brought Stiles and the rest of you into danger.."
Lydia crouched on her knees in front of the brown haired girl,
"Malia.. this isn't your fault. Chris was going to find him eventually and-"
"And I just made it easier for him! We could have had more time to- to make a plan or-or.."
Lydia pulled the girl into a hug feeling her tears soak into her shirt.
"It wasn't your fault Malia..Please don't blame yourself for this.."
Kira circled her arms around the two girls and they sat like that for almost half an hour just keeping each other strong.
Kira pulled back and looked at the clock,
"It's almost 2am.. let's get some rest. "
The girls rose from the floor and stood stretching.
"Im just going to call Scott to see how things are going then I'll be right back. You guys can go ahead and go to bed. Don't know how long I'll be. "
Kira left the room and Lydia crawled into bed, Malia following close behind. Lydia clicked the light on the bedside table off before settling in, her back to Malia.
Malia laughed lightly and Lydia turned to her with a questioning look,
"What's funny?"
Malia turned her head to look at lydia, the moon reflecting the tears in her eyes,
"It was just..Stiles... he always liked to be the little spoon."
Malia laughed looking back to the ceiling before sighing.
Lydia chuckled before looking to the ceiling herself,
"Really? He never was with me.. I was always the little spoon. ."
She hooked her fingers together in front of her to illustrate.
Malia turned her head,
"Seriously? It's probably cause you're so short."
Malia's eyes widen,
"I'm sorry that was mean."
Lydia laughed,
"No it's ok.. it's true. "
She sighed remembering the feel of his warm chest to her back. He said something about liking being the big spoon for once but she didn't understand at the time what he meant.
Malia's voice is quieter now,
"I loved him.. I didn't exactly know much about relationships before but.. I knew I loved him. "
Lydia sat silently staring at the ceiling as she continued,
"When he ended things with me I was so confused. I-I didn't want to believe it. I knew he liked me but.. deep down I knew he Loved you Lydia.. that he could never feel the same way about me that he felt for you. That's why I was so angry..because I didn't think you felt how I felt about him...but now I know you loved him too.. and I'm sorry."
Lydia glanced at Malia,
"Don't apologize for your feelings Malia..he stilled cared about you..you have to remember that.."
Malia nodded closing her eyes,
"Thank you..Goodnight Lydia. ."
"Goodnight."
"So the sheriff is staying with you right?"
She heard a car door close on the other end.
"Yeah, we just got home."
Kira sighed leaning against the wall,
"Good..good, he shouldn't be alone right now." She paused sliding her palm over her face,
" Scott... what are we going to do.."
Scott opened the front door for his mom, the sheriff, and Liam.
"I-I'm not sure but.. we just need to be there for each other right now..then figure out the rest from there."
Kira peeks into her bedroom to see the two already asleep.
"How are you holding up?"
The line is silent before she hears him release a shaky breath,
"Not good..but..Liam's here and mom.."
Kira nodded leaning back against the wall.
"Well call me if you need anything.."
"Thanks Kira.. night"
"Night.."
An I love you hung unsaid as she pressed the end call button.
Opening the door slowly and closing it with a small click. Her feet pad over the carpet before slipping under the covers next to the other two girls.
Her feet feel cold as they step over damp leaves. The night around her feels too still. No wind rustles the branches of the trees around her. Her legs move on their own accord her eyes locked in front of her. Her surroundings rush forward until she is about ten feet from the huge tree stump that is forever burned in her mind.
Her eyes squint at the dark figure resting on the top. The wind picks up ruffling the skirt of her dress. She looks down and inhales sharply. The white dress she wears is covered in blood and her shaking hands are wet with the sticky crimson substance as well.
When she looks up again the figure on the Nemeton is sitting up facing away from her.
She steps forward, a stick snapping beneath her heel. The figure turns it's head quickly to the side and she recognizes the profile immediately.
"Stiles?"
He stands his body shrouded in darkness as he turns to her. Her body remains frozen to the spot as he slowly walks toward her. As his face comes into detail she lets out a pained whimper. He is pale. Ghostly white. His eyes no longer sparkle but seem like nothing but black, empty holes. His hair seems dull and lifeless as he approaches her.
"Lydia"
When he says her name this time, it doesn't fill her with warmth. It sends an icy chill down her spine. It sounds hollow and dry.
His shirt is soaked in blood as he continues to inch towards her. His eyes appear sunken in and his lips are almost as white as the skin surrounding them.
He is inches from her face, his eyes staring into hers.
When he speaks, his breath is cold against her skin,
"You did this Lydia.."
She shook her head,
"No.. no"
He stepped even closer his nose brushing hers, his skin is like ice,
"Everything that's going to happen...it's all on you. It's all your fault."
She hears oddly familiar screams echoing around her.
"They are all going to die... and it's your fault."
His eyes stay locked on hers and she feels his hand grip her arm. His skin almost feels like razor blades against her own. She struggles against him but his grip remains locked.
A tear trickles from his eye and she chokes out a cry,
"I'm so cold Lydia. .."
Her tear filled eyes meet his empty ones.
She hears screaming as her vision fades to black.
"Lydia! Lydia!"
Her eyes shoot open and she realizes she's the one screaming.
Malia and Kira's worried expressions surround her as her breathing slows. Kira's phone rings and she answers keeping a watchful eye on Lydia.
"It was just a nightmare. We are ok. Alright I'll let you know.."
She hangs up returning her focus to Lydia.
Malia sits back on the bed releasing a sigh,
"Nightmare?"
Lydia nods wiping the cold sweat from her brow,
"Yeah.."
Kira's parents burst in, her mother holding her katana ,
"Is everything ok!?"
"Yes mom.. just a nightmare."
The woman straightens with a sympathetic look on her face.
"Oh..Are you okay now?"
Her question is directed at Lydia and the girl nods,
"Fine.. sorry to startle you."
Ken shook his head,
"It's ok.. why don't we all go downstairs for some breakfast? "
The girls nod as her parents leave to start breakfast.
Lydia runs a shaking hand through her curls,
"What time is it?"
Kira glances at her phone,
"10:30.."
Lydia turns so her feet dangle off the bed as she rests her face in her palms.
Malia glances at Kira with a concerned look and Kira scoots to sit beside her.
"Want to talk about it?"
Lydia drops her hands to her lap studying her fingers remembering the image of them damp with blood.
"I saw him.. but he looked so...gone. you know?"
Kira nods sliding a hand over the girl's back.
"He said.. everything that's going to happen..It's all my fault. That 'they are all going to die'.. do you think it means anything?"
Lydia glances at Kira and the raven haired girl shakes her head,
"Of course not.. just a bad dream."
In the back of her mind, Kira knows it means more that that.
"Come on, lets go eat. "
After breakfast the girls get showers and dress in more borrowed clothes.
Malia enters with fresh clothes and wet hair that she is currently rubbing with a towel.
"Scott just called. He said Deaton thinks he found something and to meet him at the clinic."
Malia drops the towel from her head,
"Did he say anything else?"
Kira shook her head grabbing her purse and keys as Lydia stands,
"No he just said get there as soon as possible. "
The girls hurry down the stairs and out the door with a brief explanation to her parents.
Kira climbs in the drivers side as Malia climbs in back. Lydia jogs up to the car and hops in the passenger side closing the door before Kira shifts into reverse.
When they pull into the parking lot, Scott is already there with Liam.
Lydia climbs out with a questioning look,
"Where's-"
"The sheriff stayed home with my mom.."
Scott smiled knowing her concern.
She nods and they enter the clinic.
"Deaton?"
They hear scuffling and the vet call out,
"In the back."
The group walks to the back room to see the entire table covered with books and papers.
Scott notices the panicked look on the vet's face and takes a couple steps toward him,
"What? What is it?"
Deaton halts calming himself,
"Kate new about us trying to bring Stiles back. I think she took his body to use the power we drained from the Nemeton in our attempt to save him."
Their brows furrowed and Malia threw her hands up,
"What does that even mean? Use it for what?"
"It means.. we have a big problem.."
The bell of the front door rings and Deaton crosses to the door exiting to the front. He froze instantly, his eyes wide.
The rest of the pack squeeze through to the front each freezing at the sight before them.
Lydia pushes through the group to get to the front. When she lifts her eyes her heart stops in her chest and her breathing halts all together.
Before them stands Stiles. Still covered in his own blood, shaking, and looking terrified.
So yay Stiles isn't dead! But is that a good thing? You'll have to wait and see(; leave me a review if you feel so inclined to do so... but please do they make me smile like an idiot haha