Chapter 2

Special thanks to GFM & DrewSb for your reviews and to Julie(Guest) and a guest reviewer who I could not reply to. Also thanks to everyone who has showed interest in this story by reviewing, following or favouriting it. You guys make my day :)

Scott was desperately trying to reach an unconscious Stiles who was lying only a few feet away from him but he was unable to do so due to the ring of mountain ash circling him. He could feel himself growing weak; feel the poison of the wolfsbane laced bullet wounds spread throughout his body. Blood loss was making him dizzy and unable to concentrate. He was unable to trigger his werewolf healing abilities due to the presence of wolfsbane in his system. He was shot three times, the most worrying wound was the shot to his chest as it was close to his heart, allowing the poison to reach that much quicker to its intended destination and ending his life. He was not worried about that at the moment, what terrified him was watching his best friend-his brother, slowly dying in front of him and not being able to do anything about it.

He was using all the strength that he could muster to break the ring, his eyes glowing red, hands pressed against the invisible barrier, howls and growls leaving his mouth but it was all in vain; the ring won't budge. Previously when he had managed to successfully cross a mountain ash barrier it had nearly killed him on the first occasion and the second time he'd required the help of Liam to break the barrier and rescue Lydia. He just wasn't strong enough now. The poison was slowly (not so slowly) killing him. He tried his cell phone that the hunters failed to confiscate as they never came physically close to Scott; just shot him (multiple times) and closed the magical circle. The phone unfortunately had no signal and he threw it away in frustration. He tried howling for his pack but received no howl in return. They were too far away in the preserve to be heard by the pack. Tears trickled down his cheeks, desperate prayers leaving his lips, not for himself but for his best friend—for Stiles to make it through this alive. His friend didn't deserve to die like this, like some rabid animal put down without any mercy. Scott kept calling Stiles name continuously, urging him to wake up, to not do this to him, pleading him to be ok and promising him that everything will be alright.

"Stiles!" he kept calling, "Stiles you gotta wake up buddy."

"Please Stiles."

Scott did not know how much time had passed. He had screamed himself hoarse calling out to Stiles and the blood loss and the poisoning was not helping the matters. The black veins of the poison had nearly reached his heart. He did not have much time left. Eventually he heard a change in Stiles heartbeat and his breathing. Stiles was gaining consciousness.

"Stiles! Stiles! Can you hear me? Please wake up buddy."

"Sc-ott?" Stiles croaked out. His head was pounding, so was his chest. Why was he lying on the forest floor? Oh right. And suddenly everything came back rushing, the hunters, the bullet wounds, pain. They shot Scott. And just like that Stiles was wide awake.

"Scott!" he said sitting up on the forest floor and looking around.

"Stiles! Thank God." Scott said, relief evident in his voice.

"Scott." Stiles said again crawling towards him. Stiles was becoming more aware now. He saw the mountain ash circle trapping his friend and hurriedly broke it. Scott slumped, finally free. Scott opened his eyes to check up on Stiles. Stiles was pale, paler than usual. His white t-shirt was now completely soaked in blood turning it red. Stiles had to be in a hospital, the sooner the better. He had to do it himself though; Scott could feel his time running out. The poison had nearly reached his heart by now. He had to convince Stiles to leave him here and save himself. Easier said than done.

"Stiles ... Stiles you have to get out of here."

"Yes. We just have to reach towards the jeep. There's wolfsbane in the backseat. We just... just have to burn it and use its ash and you'd be good as new. You can then drive me to the hospital." Stiles said reaching next to him.

"I'm sorry buddy but you'll have to drive yourself." Stiles turned towards him and Scott points out at the black veins reaching his heart. Stiles gaped in horror, tears streaming down his cheeks, "I don't think I have much long left. I can't make it that far."

Stiles was shaking his head, refusing to accept what Scott was telling him to do. "No. No. You don't get to die on me now. Get up. We are going to the jeep." Stiles tried getting up but stumbled, blood loss making him dizzy. He tried to support and help Scott to his feet but just then Scott's whole body spasmed and he started coughing harshly, black blood leaving a trail down his lips. Stiles was crying openly now, holding onto Scott. He had to do something. He could try and reach the jeep by himself but didn't think he would make it back in time to save Scott. His traitorous human body was once again failing him and this time it was going to cost Scott his life along with his own.

Once the coughing subsided, Scott once again urged Stiles to leave him, "Stiles, You have to get out of here. You won't be conscious for long. I can feel the blood leaving your body, feel you going into shock. You have to get out while you still can."

"I'm not leaving you alone."

"Stiles please... think about your dad, my mom, LYDIA, the pack, they need you. You have to try and save yourself."

"No." Stiles's mind was running a mile a minute. How could things go so wrong in a matter of minutes? One moment they were making plans to spend the whole night together, playing video games and eating junk food and the next moment they were being attacked by psycho hunters armed with wolfsbane bullets. He can't reach the jeep and the cure for Scott and neither can Scott in his current condition, so that option was out. Stiles won't abandon his friend and even if he did, he doesn't think he has that much time left to drive himself to the hospital before he loses consciousness. That option was out too. They could both die here together, that was the most likely option given their situation, or, or... There was another crazy option. Granted that it was dangerous but if it worked, it could save both their lives.

"Scott?"

"hmmm" Scott replied, he was feeling sleepy. That wasn't a good sign.

"Do you trust me?"

"You know I do."

"I'm going to try something. If it works, you'll be able to heal yourself and you can then take me to the hospital."

"And if it doesn't?" Scott asked cautiously, having been on the receiving end of Stiles's crazy plans before.

"Then we both die." Stiles says simply, his heart rate remaining steady. Not a lie then.

"No. You don't have to risk yourself. Just reach at the edge of the preserve and call 911 when you find a signal and you'll be fine." Scott said not wanting his friend to risk his life for him.

"Scott, I can barely stand, let alone walk. I can't make it without your help buddy. We have to at least try."

"OK." Scott said resignedly, "What do I have to do?"

"Nothing, just get me to the hospital as soon as you can once you start healing." Stiles said simply.

Scott did not like the sound of those words but he agreed anyway.

TBC.

Should I continue?

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Thanks for reading.