Set after 3x20

The pack gathered at Kira's house; Scott was leant on the wall, he was thinking about Stiles and how he was probably in a lot of pain – he was stuck inside his own body, trying his best not be ripped apart from the inside out. Scott couldn't imagine what that was like, Stiles was stuck inside himself and a monster had taken place, this wasn't meant to happen to him; he was human, he was meant to be the one of the stable members of the pack, but it seemed Stiles had many closed doors in his mind, doors Scott didn't have the keys to.

Allison was scared, she was pacing back and forth; they could lose Stiles. She thought about it for a while, he had tried so hard to live and now an ancient demon was taking his chance away. Allison had opened a locked door in Stiles's head, a door she could never close again; he let her in, he let her see a part of him no one else had seen. He needed her; she needed to save him from himself, from the demon lurking underneath his skin.

Lydia was sat down chewing her nails, she was paranoid; she felt a strong tingling sensation throughout body and she felt cold, she bet that was what Stiles was feeling, the real Stiles – the Stiles they all loved. She wanted to save him, she couldn't deal with his agony anymore; she couldn't deal with his guilt and his constant screaming, the screaming that kept the Banshee awake at night.

Sat next to Lydia was Aiden, he didn't know Stiles, but he knew he meant a lot to everyone. Unlike all Stiles's lifetime friends, he was sure that they would have to kill him to save him.

Aiden's brother, Ethan was stood behind the sofa; he too thought the only way out was killing Stiles, but part of him hoped they could find another way.

Isaac was still in hospital and that was adding the drama of it all too.

Kira was stood watching them all, she felt odd and out of place; she didn't know what to say or do.

But like always, her Mother stepped in, "There's nothing much I can say that will make this situation any better."

"There's got to be a way we can save Stiles." Allison snapped, "We always find a way."

"Miss Argent I love your enthusiasm, but this time a group of teenagers cannot save the day." Noshiko said gently.

"Let's say we can save him," Scott said stepping in, "What could Void Stiles use against him?"

"Memories – let's say we can save your friend, no one has ever survived this; what makes Stiles different?" She questioned.

"He has us." Allison and Scott said in unison.

"If you preserve his body and Lydia makes sure she can still feel him, then he will survive for longer, but there is no way to save him." Noshiko told them, "Is there anything that Stiles ever did that the Nogitsune could use against him?"

"Not that I know of," Scott said loudly.

Allison felt blood rush through her ears as her heart quickened in speed; she thought long a hard, then three words stumbled out of her mouth, "There is something." Silence settled over the room, Lydia stopped chewing her nails and looked up at her best friend; the twins leaned in as the conservation had picked up in pace. Scott crossed his eyebrows in confusion; what did Allison know that he didn't? "Actually, I don't think I'm at liberty to tell you." She said all posh and proper, they all sighed, "I'm sorry...I made a promise."

"If you broke that promise, could we have a better chance at saving him?" Kira asked, it was the first she said and it was a question everyone was thinking.

Allison closed her eyes, she had to process this; it could ruin her friendship with Stiles forever, but it could also save his life. "You lot have to promise, if we save Stiles," she watched Noshiko shake her head – she really had no belief in him. "You don't talk to him about it, he can't know I told you; I made a promise and I hate breaking them."

"We promise," Scott said darting his eyes around, "Now what is it."

"Stiles-" Allison realised she had no way to say it, "Stiles hid something about himself, that caused him pain; he hid it so well, that even Lydia's Banshee sensations never felt it. I found out about ten months ago, since then I've taken care of him." She froze at the sight of everyone's faces, "He self-harms." Scott seemed to stop breathing, "And he tried to kill himself – but I stopped him." Scott didn't continue breathing, he just stayed still as he turned purple, "Scott breathe." Allison ordered, he let out a long breath and tears brimmed in his eyes.

"What—what?" Scott asked – his voice shook.

"A week before motel California, he stole his Dad's gun and was sure about ending it. I stopped him, it took a while, but I stopped him. I guided him out of self-harm, but an addition is an addition." Allison explained, "He did stop, I got him through the withdraw, but we never got to the rebound stage."

"Void Stiles could drag him into it." Lydia cried, "Sorry." She got up and left, Aiden ran out after her.

Scott swiped his hand through his hair, "I failed him."

"No." Allison held out her hand, "You didn't, that's the reason he never told you because you would just blame yourself and he didn't want that!" Tears filled her eyes, "So take that back right now," she cried as tears escaped her eyes, "He trusted me and I broke it, I broke his promise!" Scott ran over and took her into a hug, she nestled her face into his shoulder.

"Thank you so much for protecting him, for taking care of him." Scott muttered, "For loving him."

"We're both human, we support one another." Allison cried.