It was nearly midnight when there was a knock on my window. Derek was the only one who did that so I ignored it until it became incessant and I was afraid my parents would hear. I opened the window surprised to see it was Scott crouching outside. I motioned for him to come in, he looked around my room for a second before he turned to me.

"Do you agree with them killing the alpha pack?"

"Of course not, you know that's against what I am,"

He nodded his head "Would you come with me tomorrow to meet Deucalion? I already set up a time,"

"When did you do that?" I questioned him.

"I asked the twins, and they said he'd be there,"

I thought about it for a second "Yeah I'll be there," He hesitated.

"Would you mind hiding? Just in case I can't reason with him and I need some backup. I swear it's not because I don't trust you, I just want to try to reason with him on my own first,"

"Of course Scotty, I get it. I'll be there."

He stepped forward to hug me "Thank you," I nodded and embraced him back and watched as he leaped through my window. Tomorrow night would be interesting.

0000000000000000000000000000000

"Are we ready?" I questioned Scott the next day after school.

He looked around making sure that no one we knew was in the hallway "Yeah but we don't meet him till six at the abandoned mall. I would bring your car just in case, and maybe hide one or two floors above us so they don't smell you. Can you still hear that far?"

"Yeah, let's just hope they can't hear me," He nodded seriously.

"Thank you again for doing this."

I watched him walk away and turned only to run right into Aiden. I glared at him and went to go around but he blocked me "You have an answer for us, Arielle?" He asked smiling.

"Not one that you want to hear,"

His eyebrows scrunched together and he took something out of his pocket "Lydia is so….giving," he said and dangled what he had in front of me, Lydia's underwear "She gave these to me to remind me of how good she is. She's not you, of course, you didn't have to give me a memento for me to remember how good you are. It's been fun, it'll be a shame if I have to kill her. I'll probably wait till she climaxes so she'll die happy," My hand shot out to slap him. He let it happen, chuckling "Four more days Arielle before we get tired of waiting,"

He wanted me to get emotional and I found my way out of it as Stiles was passing by me. I reached out and grabbed his hand pulling him to me causing him to almost trip "Arielle hey-" I kissed him hard before he could say anything else. I softened it as his hands came up to cup my cheeks.

We parted and I told him breathlessly "My house. Now," He nodded vigorously and grabbed my hand to pull me out of school. I turned to flash Aiden a smile whose jaw was clenched and whose nails looked suspiciously sharp. "By Aiden," I called.

0000000000000000000

At five I finally got out of bed despite Stiles' protests. I laughed at how grumpy he was about it and practically had to push him out my door "Hey was this a booty call?" He asked in disbelief as I handed him his shoes and belt. He was hopping around trying to get them on as he questioned me.

"Maybe," I told him coyly "Do you really have a problem with that?"

"I mean I'm enjoying the sex of course. The sex is amazing, let's not stop that. But maybe I could take you out on a date sometime? We can get back to being us?"

"Stiles….maybe sometime soon. I'm just trying to enjoy you like this for a while," he looked disappointed.

"Soon though?"

"Maybe. Now I have somewhere to be. Maybe I'll stop by later," I told him winking, then shut the door without waiting for his response.

I ran back upstairs changing into all black and tying my hair into a long braid. I hid various weapons on my person, trying to be ready for anything. Finally, I sprayed myself with a cologne made to mask my scent, hopefully, that would be enough.

I parked a little way down the street early, keeping an eye out for any of the Alphas. I waited where Scott told me to meet him. He showed up with Isaac on the back of his bike which surprised me. "We're just gonna talk to him, try to reason with him. That's it, all right?" Scott said to Isaac who was nervously getting off of his bike "What?"

"Nothing. It's just that, uh, I'm actually kind of hungry now,"

"So am I,"

I laughed and came out of the shadows causing the boys to jump "You are such guys. So Scotty why is Iz here?"

"He wouldn't let me leave without him. It makes sense though Deucalion would never believe I came alone, and I want you hidden so that you can be our backup," I nodded in agreement.

"I'm going to head up there now,"

000000000000000000000000000000000

I watched as Scott walked into the mall with Isaac by his side. Deucalion was standing dramatically in the middle of the room on an escalator. His being stationed higher was a classic intimidation tactic and one that said he was in charge. From my vantage point, I could tell that Kali was here also. I wish I could warn Scott but there was no way to without showing myself.

"You didn't come alone," Deucalion said authoritatively.

"Yeah. This is Isaac."

"I'm not talking about Isaac," Scott's eyes flicked up for a millisecond but it was Derek who held everyone's attention. He had just come out of the shadows with Boyd and Cora right behind him, no surprise that Peter was not.

Scott was shocked to see them "You knew I would do this? Derek, don't. You can't do this so no one gets hurt. If someone else dies…." Stupid freaking Derek and his wolfiness.

"Him. Just him," Derek said all wolfed out and way too overconfident.

"Just me? Now, how's a blind man find his way into a place like this all on his own?" Everyone turned to see Kali sliding down a concrete post, tearing through it with her claws. It sent shivers down my spine. The man who had forced me to meet Deucalion, Ennis I think his name was, came walking up the escalator. Then Ethan and Aiden jumped down from one floor below me converging as one, and man that was terrifying to watch. I hadn't known any of them but Kali was here, thankfully none of them had been on the same level as me. I finally was getting what Peter meant. These people were truly terrifying.

Stupid Derek growled and went to attack Deucalion, but he was too far away and Kali was nearly able to tear him open with the claws on her toes. Boyd and Ennis were already fighting and I was holding myself back. I knew Scott would be smart but I knew Isaac would attack if he thought he had to. Oh and there he goes…..attacking the twins. I saw Scott sigh and change into his wolfed-out form to go help him. I really had to hold myself back as Isaac was thrown a couple of feet and Scott was slammed into a wall so hard he made an indent. It reminded me of roadrunner. Cora was helping fight Ennis and Derek was getting the upper hand.

It went all wrong. Cora's arm was broken, then Isaacs and Scott were cut open by claws. Derek was kicked so hard he flew a couple of feet and Kali cut open Boyd's chest with her toes. I was about to jump in when I saw Allison stand out on the ledge. I didn't want to scare her so I waved my hands for her attention. She was surprised to see me but came over. We heard Deucalion speak "Kill him. The others can go. You're beaten. Do it, Derek. Take the first step," He was talking about Boyd but my attention turned to Allison.

"Don't try to tell me to leave," She told me ready to argue.

I smiled at her "It's like you don't know me at all, I would have been disappointed if you hadn't come,"

Her eyes watered for a second. We heard Kali "Are we serious with this kid? Look at him. He's an Alpha? To what? A couple of useless teenagers?"

"Some have more promise than others," Deucalion told her looking over to where Scott was, curious.

"Let him rise to the occasion then. What'll it be, Derek? Pack or family?" Crap with that ultimatum he may actually do it no matter how much he didn't want to. Especially when it was his sister's throat that was being stepped on. I saw Allison ready her bow and release. It wasn't time for me to jump in yet so I blended into the shadows.

Deucalion started to yell cowering in the middle of the room "Your eyes... cover your eyes!" For once I could hear the fear in his voice. To my surprise, it was Scott who attacked next, when he and Ennis collided I swore I saw Scott's eyes turn red for a second. I shook it off, must be a trick of the light.

Derek attacked next, he and Ennis were too close to the ledge and they were teetering. I felt panic overwhelm me as I saw Scott heading for them. I knew something terrible was about to happen and I knew it was time. I ran for the ledge just as Scott swiped his claws through Ennis' calf causing him to tip over the ledge. I leaped off my perch diving as Ennis grabbed Derek's arm. Dragging him down with him. I knew I was too late. I could see Derek's eyes widen as he saw me. I grabbed his hand and my wings came out. I planned to slow us down, which I did….but Derek's hand slipped and he hit the escalator nearly four floors down from where he fell. I could tell I hadn't been able to slow down enough, he was dead. I screamed.

00000000000000000000000000000000

The bus shook as it hit another pothole. I felt nauseous for the millionth time today. In front of me, Isaac and Boyd were talking about whether or not they could do anything about the Alpha pack. Boyd looked over to where Ethan sat next to Danny chatting, Isaac turned around to check on me. I gave him a watery smile and a thumbs up. He clearly didn't believe I was all good but he let me be.

Last night after the fight Isaac had come running down to where I was crying over Derek's body. I was trying to heal him but I couldn't see through my tears. Isaac had pulled me away from him tucking me in under his chin and just held me. We heard movement upstairs. I could tell he was afraid it was the Alphas so he picked me up bridal style and ran until we got to my car. His hands fluttered through all of my pockets till he found my keys, opened the door, and put me in the backseat. Then he was peeling out to get to my house as fast as possible. All night he just held me as I cried. I think I felt some of his tears hit my hair too. We both had just fallen asleep when Scott came to wake us up to go to the track meet. We both protested but he insisted. Honestly, he looked pretty bad too, and I think that's why we went with him. Now he and Stiles were in the back of the bus going over PSAT words. I heard him give Scott a word and he asked Stiles to use it in a sentence "Yes. Yes, I can. It's completely incongruous that we're sitting on a bus right now, on our way to some stupid cross-country meet after what just happened... incongruous," I had to agree with him. Why were we here? Scott ignored it and gave the meaning.

"Perfect. Okay, next word. Um, Darach. Darach, it's a noun. We have to talk about it sometime, okay? And we're gonna be stuck in this thing for, like, five hours, so why not?" Scott just sighed and leaned against the glass. Stiles gave up "Next word... "Intransigent."

"Stubborn, obstinate." Then Scott groaned as we hit another pothole, sounds like he wasn't healed yet.

"Oh, buddy, you okay? We shouldn't have come. I knew it. We shouldn't have come,"

"We had to. There's safety in numbers"

"Yeah, well, there's also death in numbers, okay? It's called a massacre... or bloodbath, carnage, slaughter, butchery, wow, that's..." Scott groaned again "All right, Scott, I'm telling Coach that..."

They argued back in forth until Scott lifted up his T-shirt. I couldn't see the wound but it was pretty bad if Stiles' face was anything to go by. Scott told him it was because it was from an Alpha which made Stiles protest because Boyd and Isaac were fine now.

Scott ignored him "I can't believe he's dead. I can't believe Derek's dead," I quickly stuck my head between my knees hyperventilating. I was struggling to breathe when I felt two sets of hands on me. I shuddered as I heard Stiles and Isaac trying to calm me down. I wasn't though so I gripped my wrist tight and yanked it till it dislocated. It was painful but it stopped the panic running through me. Stiles was protesting grabbing my hand away like I was going to do further damage. Isaac's eyes were wide and worried.

"I'm okay, I just needed to snap out of it," I told them through clenched teeth, taking my hand back and popping it back into place.

All of a sudden coach yelled, "Two of you, back in your seats." Stiles looked at me and I nodded for him to go. Isaac sat down but was still turned to look at me. "Jared, again, car sick? Every ti... how do you even get on the bus? Look at me. No, don't look at me. Look at the horizon. Keep your eyes... keep your eyes on the horizon. McCall, not you too,"

"No, Coach, I'm good"

Stiles sat back next to Scott "Hey, Scott, you're bleeding again. And don't tell me that it's just taking longer to heal, okay? Because I'm pretty sure that still bleeding means not healing, like, at all," Scott told him Ethan was listening "Is he gonna do something?"

"Not in front of this many people,"

"Okay, well, what about the two ticking time bombs sitting right near him?"

"No, they won't. Not here"

"Okay, well, what if they do? Are you gonna stop 'em?"

"If I have to," Scott said uncertainty.

Isaac was reading the traffic report on his phone trying to distract himself "There's a jackknifed tractor a few Miles ahead. Could miss the meet. Boyd? Boyd? What... " I heard a slight growl coming from Boyd in front of me. I saw Scott get up

"Scott? Where are you going?"

"Boyd. He's gonna do something,"

"Okay, what? How do you know?" I saw Boyd's claws come out.

"Look at his hands," I motioned for Stiles to sit Scott back down. I got this.

I grabbed Boyd's hand just as he was about to get up. "Let go" he growled at me.

"You got a plan? Tell me your brilliant plan, and I'll let go. What are you gonna do? Kill him, right here? And then what? What are you gonna do after that?" I asked him.

"I don't care,"

"I do. Scott does," I told him softly. He protested so I continued "Give Scott, Stiles, and I a chance to figure something out. Something that doesn't have to end with someone else dying." I told him, I didn't tell him I was drawing out his pain and anger as I talked. It seemed to be working though.

"Okay," he told me his eyes softening. Isaac looked at me worriedly knowing sooner or later I would react to the emotions I had just taken. I squeezed Boyd's arm comfortingly and went to sit back down.

"Crisis averted?" Stiles asked knowing I could hear him. I nodded my head and collapsed in my seat tiredly. He and Scott discussed why Ethan would be checking his phone so often, and how he was too close to Danny. Stiles said he'd figure it out. Stiles text Danny's phone at least 30 times before Danny gave in and asked what was up. Someone close to Ethan was hurt. It had to be Ennis, and so he wasn't dead…yet.

"Jared, I'm warning you. I'm an empathetic vomiter. You throw up, I'm gonna throw up right back on you. And it will be profoundly disgusting," Coach yelled at Jared who protested "I might throw up on you just to make a point, Jared," He shook his head "Now the rest of you, don't think we're gonna miss this meet because of a slight traffic jam, a minor tornado warning, Jared. We're gonna make this thing. Nothing is gonna stop us! Stilinski, put your hand down," Of course that didn't stop Stiles from talking. He tried to get Coach to pull over at the rest stop and Coach yelled and blew his whistle at him.

"I hate him," Stiles said covering his mouth "Did you call Deaton?" Scott replied with a negative "That's it. I'm calling Lydia and Allison,"

"How are they gonna help, back in Beacon Hills?"

"They're not. They've been following us for hours. Pathetic" he called them "I know you guys are right behind us. Put me on speaker…..okay, look, Scott's still hurt," I heard someone exclaim something "No, he's not healing. I think he's actually getting worse. The blood's turning, like, a black color" He waited for them to stop talking "I don't... do I have a PhD in lycanthropy? How am I supposed to know that?" I sort of drifted out after that until Stiles was standing in front of Coach "Coach, it's five minutes for a bathroom break, okay?" Coach blew his whistle "We've been on this thing for, like, three hours..." He blew it again "It's 60 miles to the next rest stop" again "Being cooped up for hours is not good" The sound was starting to make me nauseous again "You know, our bladders aren't exactly... Coach, this is... Can you... Please... Let me talk!" Stiles said frustrated, even though it was sort of cute "I'm... Every time..." Coach interrupted him with one long whistle

"Get back to your seat, Stilinski!"

"Okay!" Stiles yelled which made me jump because I have never heard him really yell before. He started to turn to walk away when he heard Coach speak.

"Jared, keep your eyes on the horizon," Stiles got a thoughtful look on his face and sat next to him.

"Hey, Jared. How you doing?" He got this crazy manic look on his face. Not a minute later Jared was puking everywhere and Coach had no choice but to stop at the rest stop. Stiles quickly grabbed Scott and took him into the bathroom with Lydia and Allison. I stayed behind to wait with Isaac and Boyd. I leaned on Isaac who looked at me worriedly "Arielle you're burning up," I shrugged. He let out a frustrated sigh but held me close. Stiles came hurrying out saying he needed Scott's bag, Isaac let go of me and handed it off to Lydia who ran to give it to Allison.

The coach yelled for everyone to get on the bus. Stiles panicked and told us we needed to distract Coach.

"What is going on?" Isaac asked Stiles gruffly. Stiles explained how Scott wasn't healing because he felt like he had caused Derek's death and how Allison was trying to stitch him up. Suddenly Isaac growled looking around.

"Isaac. Hey, let's calm down okay?" I said panicked knowing he was looking for Ethan "Isaac he's going to be fi-" He pushed past me and launched himself at Ethan who he started to pummel. "Crap," I tried to grab him off but Isaac accidentally elbowed me in the chest. Boyd grabbed me as I was trying to catch my breath.

Behind us, I heard Scott "Stiles, what's happening?"

"They went after him. I told 'em what was happening with you and they just went after him"

"Who, Boyd?" He asked pushing through the crowd.

Coach started to yell "Isaac, Isaac, Isaac! Back off! Stop." He and Danny tried to pull him off of Ethan but he just threw them back and continued to punch him.

Scott stepped up and yelled his name using his wolf "Isaac!" Isaac paused and stood up slowly turning to look at Scott, then he smiled in relief. Ethan got up with the help of Danny, spat out blood, and said he was fine. Coach told everyone to get on the bus, stopping Isaac before he got on. He told him he had detention on Monday. Stiles came over to grab me from Boyd. I leaned against him heavily. Isaac looked at me with huge puppy dog eyes and I just smiled and waved him off.

Stiles sat with his back against the window leaning me back into his chest so I could rest on him while he chatted with Lydia who was behind us. I fell asleep as they discussed dark druids. The last thing I heard was Scott telling Allison he was glad she didn't listen to him about not coming.

0000000000000000000000000000000

Stiles shook me awake gently as the bus came to a stop. We all slowly got off of the bus, as soon as I stepped off a wall of uneasiness and fear hit me. I felt like I was walking through spiderwebs to get to everyone's side.

"Listen up. The meet's been pushed till tomorrow. This is the closest motel with the most vacancies and least amount of good judgment when it comes to accepting a bunch of degenerates like yourselves. You'll be pairing up. Choose wisely. And I'll have no sexual perversions perpetrated by you little deviants. Got that? Keep your dirty little hands to your dirty little selves!"

Everyone was walking forward but Lydia and I "Lydia? Arielle?" Allison called.

"I don't like this place," Lydia said in an almost vacant manner.

"I don't think the people who own this place like this place. It's just for a night,"

"A lot can happen in one night," Lydia said and started walking forward. I reached out and grabbed her hand. Both girls looked at me questioningly.

I shook my head trying to get the nauseous feeling to go away "Lydia's right we shouldn't go." I said, "Lydia come on let's go back to the bus, right now." I said shaking.

"Hey, Arielle calm down it's okay, let's just go okay? We can always leave," I whimpered as both girls tugged me along even though I could feel Lydia's uncertainty, I knew we couldn't just leave Allison alone though so I struggled through the spiderweb feeling. When the girls got to their room I let them know I was going to see the boys for a second. Their conversation got louder as I got closer.

"Well, what if it's somebody else from school? Like, you remember Matt? We didn't know that he was killing people,"

"Excuse me? I'm sorry, what? I... yes, we did. I called that from day one, actually,"

"Yeah, but we never really seriously thought that it was Matt,"

"I was serious. I was quite serious, actually. Deadly serious. No one listened to me,"

"Who were the other three?"

"Derek's sister, Cora. No one knows anything about her, and she's Derek's sister. Next, your boss,"

I heard the bed squeak "My boss?"

"Yeah, your boss. I don't really like the whole Obi-Wan thing he's got going on, you know. It freaks me out," Then he paused "Oh, my God. Have you still not seen Star Wars?" I smiled.

"I swear, if we make it back alive, I will watch the movie,"

"Just makes me crazy," I leaned against the wall tiredly but I had to smile.

"Who was the last one?"

"Lydia. She was totally controlled by Peter, and she had no idea, so..." At this I was moving again, I practically slammed their door open making both boys jump "Arielle?" Stiles said coming over to help me.

"Not Lydia," I told him.

"Hey take it easy, your burning up again, and sweating,"

I shook my head "It's not Lydia," I insisted. I saw him look at Scott worriedly.

"Hey, I'm going to get you something to eat and some water okay? I'll be right back. Lay down." Scott started to rub his eyes and left for the bathroom, not a minute later he had gone out of the motel room without a word. When Stiles got back he sat down next to me spreading out snacks. "Come on, you have to eat something. You've been off all day, and I know it's warranted after last night but you're worrying me,"

Everything I ate tasted like dust, but I did it to make him feel better. I leaned forward to kiss him and I felt a little bit of calm rush over me. "Thanks, Stiles, I'm going to check on the girls," He just nodded and escorted me there.

"198?" Allison was asking as I walked in and sat on the other bed.

"Yes, and we're talking 40 years. On average, that's... 4.95 a year, which is... actually expected. But who commemorates that with a framed number? Who does that? Who?" Lydia asked.

"All suicides?"

"Yes. Hanging, throat-cutting, pill-popping, both-barrels-of-a-shotgun-in-the-mouth suicides. I don't know about you, but me, I..." she paused listening for something. I heard a whisper of something but couldn't tell quite what. "Did you hear that?"

"Hear what?"

I heard the voice clearly now "I don't know. The smaller one, I guess."

"It's okay. Smaller's better. There's less kick. I'll chamber the round. All right, so…" Lydia was walking to the vent.

"Wait, wait. When do I... I mean, do you count?"

"Yeah, yeah, I'll... I'll... I'll count to three," I grabbed Lydia's hand trying to stop her but she just shook me off.

"So after three or on three?"

"You tell me,"

"Lydia?" Alisson asked worriedly looking at me.

"One, two..."

Lydia started to shake and whimper "Oh, my God, oh, my God,"

"Then pull the trigger,"

"I love you"

"I love you too," I yanked Lydia down as the man spoke again.

"One, two," I managed to cover her ears just as the shot went off but we both still heard it, jumping as it went off.

"What is it, Lydia? Arielle? What happened?" Allison asked hands hovering over us like she didn't know what to do.

"Did you hear that?" Lydia asked removing my hands.

"Hear what?" Allison asked looking around.

"Lydia, hey she can't hear it," I whispered. Lydia talked over me anyway.

"The two people in the other room... they shot each other," She said running for the door.

I ran after her "Lydia, they won't be there!" I called out to her, but she was too panicked to listen. Allison followed us and we watched as she opened the next door shaking.

"Hello?"

"Lydia, what are you doing?" Allison asked following her into the dark room.

"Hello?" Lydia called and switched on a light, she looked around confused "It had to be right here. It was a guy and a girl, and, I mean, they sounded younger, but... they were here,"

"I believe you. After everything we've been through, I believe you," Allison told her surprisingly calm. Lydia didn't look like she bought that as she ran back to our room and started throwing stuff in her bag.

"You know, there is something seriously wrong with this place. Allison, we need to leave,"

"But they were suicides, not murders, and it's not like this place is haunted, right?"

"Maybe it is. You know, I bet that couple made their suicide pact in that very room. Maybe that's why they're renovating. Maybe they've been scraping brain matter off the wood paneling,"

I felt like it was time to interject "It did happen, Lydia," she turned to look at me in surprise "It did. You can sense….the aftertaste so to speak. I can too."

Allison nodded "Maybe we should find out. For sure," she said and I sighed since I was sure. I felt fear and it felt like Isaacs.

"You guys go ahead, I need to check on something," I went down the hall and knocked on Isaac and Boyd's door, it opened on its own. "Isaac?" I called looking around the room and the bathroom "Isaac?" I heard a whimper and got down on my knees to lift the bedspread up "If a clown is under there I am going to lose my shit," I mumbled. It was Isaac and he looked terrified. "Isaac? Hey, it's Arielle, why don't you come out?"

He looked as if he couldn't hear me and he was mumbling something under his breath "I'm sorry, I didn't... What do you want me to do?"

"Isaac come on," I couldn't reach him too well so I wriggled partly under so I could grab him. As soon as I touched his skin the bed disappeared and Isaac and I were stuck in what looked to be a freezer. He was freaking out pounding on the top trying to get out. I felt like I was suffocating. "Isaac I need you to calm down!" I called to him grabbing his shoulder as best I could in the cramped space.

He turned his head to look at me in shock "No. No, no, no. Arielle, he got you too? You can't be here!" Tears poured out of his eyes.

"Hey, hey it's okay. Who's got us?" I asked looking around "I don't remember getting into a freezer.

"My dad. It's my dad. He has us." He mumbled.

"Isaac, Iz, your dad is gone. He can't get us."

"He does though, he's back, he locked us in here,"

"Breath Iz, I need you to breath," He took a shuddering breath and took my hand holding it tightly. "Okay someone is going to find us, figure out what's happening okay?" He just nodded. I swore for a second I heard a saw and Stiles call out Ethan's name but I shook it off. I hit the roof "Anyone out there?" Isaac started hyperventilating again "It's okay, I just thought I heard something, were okay." I told him even though I felt like the air was getting thinner. That's when I figured I started to hallucinate because I could hear Mrs. Blake's voice talking to someone who sounded like Derek and then kissing noises. I shook my head to make it go away but now I was hearing a little boy ask "is she dead?" Over and over again. I shook it off again. What was going on? I realized I couldn't hear Isaac. I turned to look and he was still next to me, but he wasn't breathing. "Isaac!" I screamed and tried to move so I could reach him. It was so cramped in here though and it felt like it was getting smaller "Isaac breathe. Come on!" I sobbed. I was able to move one arm and hit him in the chest. His eyes popped open and he inhaled for a long second then passed out again. I let myself collapse sobbing. "Let us out!" I screamed beating the walls around us "Please!"

A baby started to cry and I froze listening. A woman was yelling at it to stop crying, then water was running and she told the baby it was time to sleep. I sobbed, I needed it to stop. I reached for my wrist again, and this time I broke it. It hurt but the sounds stopped, and I was feeling sleepy now. Faintly I heard someone call Isaacs and my name.

We both gasped at the same time throwing whatever was on top of us away. We were holding hands and gasping for breath. Stiles was staring at both of us confused and then scrambled to help us both up. We leaned on each other as we followed Stiles and Lydia who nearly ran into Allison.

"I can't find Scott anywhere...why is the bed upside down?"

"It's happening to him too, isn't it?" Stiles asked ignoring her question.

Lydia checked on Isaac and me and confirmed the thought "It has to be. Didn't you say there was another flare on the bus?"

"Yeah. I'll get it." We all froze at the base of the stairs, Scott was standing in the middle of the parking lot covered in gasoline and holding a flare.

"Scott... Scott." Allison called freaking out.

"There's no hope," He told us.

"What do you mean, Scott? There's always hope," Allison said trying to smile at him.

"Not for me. Not for Derek,"

"Derek wasn't your fault. You know Derek wasn't your fault,"

I stepped forward "Scott…he isn't dead okay? So it can't be your fault," He looked like it almost got through to him but then he looked back at the flare.

"Every time I try to fight back, it just gets worse. People keep getting hurt. People keep getting killed,"

"Scott, listen to me, okay? This isn't you, all right? This is someone inside your head telling you to do this. Okay? Now….."

"What if it isn't? What if it is just me? What if doing this is actually the best thing that I could do for everyone else? It all started that night, the night I got bitten. You remember the way it was before that? You and me, we were... we were... we were nothing. We weren't popular. We weren't good at lacrosse. We weren't important. We were no one. Maybe I should just be no one again. No one at all," Allison looked like she was about to cry and Stiles already had a tear running down his face.

"Scott, just listen to me, okay? You're not no one. Okay? You're someone, you're... Scott, you're my best friend. Okay? And I need you. Scott, you're my brother. All right, so... so if you're gonna do this, then…" He stepped forward into the puddle of gasoline, I moved forward to stop him but Isaac held me back "I think you're just gonna have to take me with you. All right?" Both he had Scott were crying, actually, everyone was now. Scott let Stiles take the flare. He threw it behind him without looking. Suddenly the flare rolled into the puddle seemingly of its own volition.

Lydia and I both ran forward yelling "No!" Stiles grabbed Scott and together Lydia and I tackled the boys out of the way. I saw Lydia staring at the fire and turned to look, there in the middle of the flames was a hooded figure with a scarred face.

"I'm not going back in there," I told everyone and we all agreed to sleep on the bus. It felt like a short time later when Coach came onto the bus and just looked at us "I don't want to know. I really don't want to know, but in case you missed the announcement, the meet's canceled, so we're heading home. Pack it in. Pack it in!"

I was sitting next to Stiles when Ethan slid into the seat next to Scott. We all threw each other curious glances and leaned in to hear what he had to say "I don't know what happened last night, but I'm pretty sure you saved my life,"

"Actually, I saved your life," Stiles said leaning in, I smiled but punched him in the arm. He grabbed it and added "but not that it matters that much. It's just... it's a minor detail, ow" He said glaring at me.

Ethan decided to ignore him "So I'm gonna give you something. We're pretty sure Derek's still alive," Everyone looked shocked, even though I told them as much last night, which made me roll my eyes "But he killed one of ours. That means one of two things can happen. Either he joins our pack…."

"And kills his own," Scott supplied.

"Or Kali goes after him, and we kill him. That's the way it works,"

"You know, your little code of ethics there is sort of barbaric, just F.Y.I." Stiles said snarkily and threw his arm over me.

"Coach, can I see your whistle for a second?" Lydia asked while taking it off of Coach.

"I'm gonna need that back!"

"Wolfsbane," She told us after blowing it into her hand and showing us the sparkling dust in her palm.

"So every time the coach blew the whistle on the bus, Scott, Isaac, Boyd…." Stiles trailed off

"And Ethan," Lydia added. We all rolled our eyes.

"We all inhaled it," Scott said.

"You were all poisoned by it," Allison said obviously.

"So that's how the Darach got in their heads. That's how he did it." Stiles said and then frantically threw Coach's whistle out of the bus window after we had started moving.

"Hey, hey, hey, hey! Stilinski!" Thank goodness we were going home.