** GETTING CLOSE TO THE END. I CAN'T BELIEVE IT. **

SONG: Every breath you take…And every move you make…Every bond you break…Every step you take…I'll be watching you…Every single day…And every word you say…Every game you play…Every night you stay…I'll be watching you…Oh, can't you see…You belong to me? ~ Every Breath You Take by The Police (Old School but fitting)

Chapter 27

Lydia:

I struggled against the restraints on my wrist that he had bound to the wooden accent chair that had been in the room. He had taken me to the lake house. To the hidden room at the back of the house that my grandmother had built, no door just a hidden crack that you had to wriggle your fingers into to release the latch. Unless you knew what to look for you wouldn't know it was here. I don't know how he knew. But I knew my Scott and my friends would figure it out, especially after he told Scott… my skin crawled thinking about it.

After he had hit me at home it stunned me enough for him to throw me over his shoulder and march out the door leaving a moaning Allison in the doorway. Taking the stairs, he threw me into the passenger seat and took off.

My mind had been fuzzy, but I remembered him calling Scott from my phone and taunting him before he tossed it out the window. Minutes later the most terrifying noise met our ears, Scott. I laughed, I'm not sure if it was relief or fear or just finally cracking.

"You are so screwed." I had told him; my head was lulling to the side. He looked at me then reached into the back.

"Sleepy time." He said before jabbing me with a needle. I don't know what it was, I just know that I became very dizzy and then everything went dark.

Now here I am, bound and gagged, trying to clear my head and remember all that Allison taught me on how to escape while he walked around the room humming along to music that was playing while he lit candles. He had a table set in front of me with two covered settings and a bottle of wine chilling on a cart next to it. Did he really think this was a date?

I pulled at the bindings hoping to loosen them enough to get out.

"Oh good, you're awake. I was hoping I wouldn't have to use what was in the other needle. I'm not sure if it would work, I got the instructions on it from the internet. Those are about 50/50 on accuracy. But I guess I don't need it, now." He said. I stopped struggling and my eyes stayed on him as he came over and kneeled in front of me.

"I'm going to take this off now. No screaming. I have heard how high you can scream. The last thing I want to do is hurt you, Lydia. But I will if I have too. got it?"

I nodded slowly as he removed the gag from my mouth. He smiled as he stroked a finger down the side of my face, I jerked away from him glaring. He chuckled before standing again.

"So feisty. I like that. Its why I chose you freshman year." He said. I followed his movements watching him open the bottle of wine, one of my grandmothers expensive ones, and pour both glasses. Then he removed the hoods from the plates.

"you're favorite, garlic and basil pasta. See, I noticed." He smiled again, taking his seat opposite me. "I noticed everything about you. I wanted to make sure our first date was the best. I tried to get your favorite dessert, but they were out. It's okay, we can be each other's dessert." He said lecherously.

I stayed quiet as he picked up a cloth napkin and spread it across his lap. He had changed from the t-shirt to a button up and tie. His reddish-brown hair slicked back and his face clean shaven.

"I remember the first time I saw you." He said taking a bite of his dish. Not seeming to care that I wasn't a participant in this 'date.' "This tiny little thing standing in the middle of hallway first day of freshman year, looking so vulnerable trying to find your class. You wore this pretty white dress with pink and green flowers all over it. I wanted so badly to go to you and offer to help and I almost did but then in swopes this gangly kid who bumped right into you sending you flying. Of course, the kid caught you he was walking with when he hit you, he caught you and set you back on your feet."

"Scott and Stiles." I whispered remembering the day.

He was right, I was vulnerable that day. I was fourteen and in a new school and I was completely lost. Stiles had accidentally knocked into me and was apologizing profusely when Scott had caught me by the arms asking if I was okay. I had smiled shyly at him and nodded then walked away embarrassed. I had thought Scott was cute in a geeky kid way. When I glanced back, he gave me a small smile before grabbing Stiles, who had been staring after me with his mouth hanging open and walking away.

"Yep. He had this horrible way of always coming to your rescue even then. It was so annoying, it's still annoying."

Thinking back, I can remember times when Scott had just happened to be there when I would fall or drop something and he was always the one to help me, even before he was bitten. He was always saving me somehow.

"I remember one time I almost saved you. Do you remember? We were doing this blood typing lab in biology. I chose Scott as my lab partner to make sure he didn't choose you and you got stuck with Stiles. you had accidentally dropped your beaker and cut your finger. Stiles passed right out; it was hilarious. I was ready to finally swoop in and be your savior but there goes Scott again, coming over to aid you. Again, he was getting in my way."

Another memory I had forgotten. I remember Scott quickly cleaning the cut and bandaging it, jokingly saying not to worry he wouldn't pass out with this impish grin on his face. Then he went to help Stiles off the floor. My eyes stung and I willed myself not to cry.

"You asked me out in the next class." I offered.

"Yeah, and you said no. You said that you weren't ready to date which I know was bull because I'm sure if Scott," he said his name in a sneer, "had asked you out you would have jumped at the chance. Even when Jackson came into the picture, which… what did you see in that guy. He was such a douche. So stuck on himself always trying to best everyone."

"You know nothing about him." I snapped.

He knew nothing about Jackson's life or why he acted the way he did. He was not allowed to talk about him that way. Granted Jackson could be a dick, but I'm the one person he confided in about why he acted the way he did. He was young and didn't know how to handle his emotions, I never held that against him, even though he wasn't a great boyfriend he was a really good friend when I needed it.

"You only really noticed Scott." He continued as if I hadn't spoken. "I thought maybe I had a chance again sophomore year when you and Jackson were going through your on again off again phase and Scott was dating Allison." He said taking a drink of wine and scrunching his nose.

"Ugh, this stuff is disgusting. Who drinks this?" He put the glass down and picked his fork back up, shoveling food into his mouth. I subtly continued working the bindings trying to loosen them.

"Anyway, you were finally single, and Scott was too occupied to save you. I figured here's my chance and tried again. But you used Jackson as an excuse even though you broke up. I saw it for what it was though. I mean Stiles was always around, always trying to catch your attention but he was never a real threat." He looked up at me with cold eyes, void of any emotion at all then they brightened as if it was never there.

"You never really saw him, did you? Just like you never saw me. It was always Scott for you, wasn't it? Even though he never pursued you, even though he was dating Allison, your best friend. You only really saw him." He shook his head and went back to eating. I could feel the ease of pressure around my wrist where the binds had been cutting into my skin. I tried to wiggle my hands up under it.

"I knew I had to do something after the summer. I watched you watch Scott a lot when we came back to school and I watched how he was always hyper focused on you, but then so was Stiles still. Even though you never once paid any real attention to him in the last two years he was obsessed with you." He continued eating as if this was a normal conversation.

"So, I put together a plan. I thought maybe you just need a little push to get over your… infatuation with Scott. So, I sent the first note and then the second. But that seemed to make you cling to him even more." he sighed.

"And the heart?" I asked. I have the binding down over my fingers now.

"That hadn't actually been planned. But when you guys came here last month I watched you, cuddling up on the dock and then almost kissing." He clenched his hand around his fork. "I sent that text and left there that night going back home but it made me angry, even with his best friend in the house he would try to kiss you. Talk about no loyalty."

I clenched my jaw to keep from lashing out.

"As soon as I got home there was Tracy, my next-door neighbor. She 'claimed' to be there because she got locked out of her house and needed to call for help. But I had forgotten I hadn't closed my closet and she saw all these pictures I had of you and how I had put myself in the pictures. She freaked out. I couldn't let her tell anyone."

"You killed her." I whispered.

"Because of you." He shouted, banging his fist on the table rattling the dishes and making me jump. "Because you wouldn't listen. All you had to do was stay away from Scott and look around you. Look at anyone else but him, see anyone else then him. I needed you to see ME. just for one damned moment."

I closed my eyes and this time I did cry, for a girl who lost her life for no reason.

"But you never saw me, did you?" he asked. I swallowed around the lump in my throat but said nothing. I shrieked and my eyes opened when he grabbed my face painfully hard making me look at him.

"You never once saw me as an option, did you?" he gritted out. Then let go and started pacing. My heart raced watching him tear at his hair and hit his fist against the side of his head repeatedly. Another shriek and another jump when he crashed the cart, ice bucket, wine bottle and all, into the wall. He turned back to me and took a deep breath relaxing his shoulders.

"I put that heart in your locker as a last-minute thought. The note I had already written but I thought that the heart added nice symbolism. I was giving you, my heart. Of course, Scott came to your rescue yet again. He is always freaking around. Always wherever you are. How does he keep finding you?" he asked himself, thumping his palms against his thighs.

"I didn't really think it through though. Because then you were staying at Allison's, and you were never alone. Someone was always around you. Allison, Scott, Isaac, Scott, Stiles, freaking Scott. Always freaking there." he said staring blankly at the wall.

"But finally," he said smiling at me now. "Finally, I found my opportunity. You were having a spa day with your mom, Scott and Stiles were going to hang out and Allison was spending time alone with Isaac. I followed you and let you have your day. Let you get all pretty for me. Sorry about the crash but I didn't expect the car to flip, just swerve onto the side or something. I guess I put too much force into that last hit."

"You could have killed my mother." I spat out.

"But I didn't. I just wanted you. Don't you see." He came and knelt by me. "All of this has been for you. For you to finally notice me. I did all of this to show you how much I love you. I needed you to finally see me." he said softly, sweeping some hair from my face and then cupping my cheek gently.

I worked harder to free my hands when he leaned in closer. Whimpering, I tried to turn away, but he gripped me hard and pressed his lips against mine. My mouth was clamped tightly shut and I squeezed my eyes closed silently pleading to any and every deity there was for help. My stomach turned as he tried to use his tongue to open my mouth. His hands started to roam, touching me. more tears squeezed out as I tried to pull away.

"I've waited so long to be with you Lydia. I'm not wasting the opportunity." He said kissing my neck. I opened my mouth to scream but he slapped a hand over it.

"Ah, ah, I have heard you scream before. You have quite the range." He put the gag back over my mouth and went back to what he was doing. His hand on my thigh sliding upward and I couldn't stop the panic building inside me. oh god, please don't let this happen.

Knocking on the front door stopped him.

"Beacon Hill Sheriff's Department. Open up."

Cursing soundly, he stood up.

"we'll continue this in a minute." He said winking and then whistling happily as he left the room, closing the hidden door and headed downstairs.

I took only a second to calm down before continuing to wriggle my hands free. My heart continued to pound as I was finally able to free them. My hands were shaking as I worked on getting my legs free. I listened to voices downstairs and too soon, I heard footsteps on the stairs. Then a door down the hall opened. Hearing Parrish's voice I yanked the gag down and screamed for help. But it didn't work, I heard a thud and knew he had taken out Parrish. I grabbed the knife from the table and cut through the bindings enough that they broke. I stood up when the door opened again, dropping the knife incidentally. He stood there face red, chest heaving.

"This was supposed to be a nice evening together Lydia. But you just had to ruin it didn't you." He gritted out. I took one step back for everyone he took forward until I was against a wall. He rushed me wrapping his hand around my throat.

"This was supposed to be our chance. Why? Why Lydia? Why don't you see me?" he screamed in my face, his hand tightening.

I froze for a minute fear taking over me but then muscle memory kicked in tucking my chin I used my hand to grip his and applied pressure to the thumb muscle which made him loosen his grip and then used the palm of my other hand and shoved it into his nose hard making him let go and move backwards away from me. I skirted around him and made for the door, but he grabbed my arm. I reached for the nearest object, which happened to be the lit candle on the and shoved it into the side of his head. Then I dove for the forgotten wine bottle and smashed against his head before running for it.

I didn't look back and I didn't stop. I heard slamming upstairs and ran through the kitchen and out the back door heading for the woods with no shoes.

"LYDIA!" I heard him shout and I kept running. I stumbled over tree limbs, rocks, and dirt I ran through the trees. My legs were starting to hurt, and my lungs were protesting but I had to keep going, I couldn't stop. I could hear the snapping of sticks and trample of leaves behind me. I had no clue where I was going, not even sure where I was. I came to a clearing and dove behind a giant tree when I heard him right behind me. trying to slow my breathing and stay as quiet as possible.

"Lydia." He called, closer now. My hands gripped as much of the tree as possible as I trembled, listening to where he was.

"Come out, Lydia." He said and I could tell he was almost at my hiding spot, coming from the left. "This would be so much easier if you just stopped fighting me. we could be happier together if you just give it a chance."

I inched the opposite way him as he creeped around the tree.

"I forgive you for what you did back there. I'm glad you can defend yourself at least. Was that Allison's doing or her dad? They taught you well. Come on baby. You know deep down we are meant to be together." He stopped moving. A second later I heard two-gun shots and I stupidly tried to run for it, but he was there, gun in his hand. I screamed as he grabbed me by the hair, stilling me.

"Lydia!"

Scott:

We made an hours trip in less than 40. Even with a stop to Argents to grab something. He wouldn't tell me what, just that it may come in handy. Three cars full of my family and friends pulled up to the lake house. A Beacon Hill police car was there and a discarded pick up which matched the one that was at the crash. Every light was on, but I heard nothing. It didn't stop me from jumping from Argents car, bare feet, and all, and bursting through the front door.

"Lydia." I shouted going from room to room. I stopped just short of the kitchen. There was blood on the wall and steps leading up, one breath told me it wasn't hers. I rushed up the stairs following where it led. Pushing the door all the way open, I entered a white room. I hadn't seen this room the last time, but I hadn't really come upstairs then either.

The room was overturned, table toppled spilling food and an open bottle of wine spilling across the carpet. A burnout candle smeared with blood lay next to a fallen chair that had restraints hanging off it. There was muffled music coming from one corner of the room, I found the source, a cell phone. It wasn't Lydia's. swiping across it there was no security in place. I turned off the music and looked through it. I found two different texts under two different names and numbers. One from Stiles to Isaac and one from Isaac to Stiles and Mason. Clones.

I turned around at the thunder of footsteps coming up the stairs. Stiles, Allison, and Isaac came in looking around, everyone else followed soon after. I held up the discarded phone.

"They're gone." I said, handing the phone to Stiles.

"But they couldn't have gone far, the truck is still here. Maybe they're in the woods." He said looking through the phone.

"Stiles!" Stilinski finally got here.

"Up here dad." He called still scrolling seeing the same thing I was. He had my phone, Stiles, Isaacs, and even Liams phones cloned into his. He's been playing us for a while. That's how he knew Lydia would be alone with her mother. Stiles and I had text that morning planning to meet up. That's also how he got Isaac away from Allison and Lydia.

Stilinski came through the door gun withdrawn looking around, taking in the scene.

"Where's Parrish?" he asked.

"What?" I asked.

"Parrish. That's his car out there. Hardgrove was supposed to be with him, but I don't see him either."

"There was only one police car here when we got here. I haven't seen him." I said. Liam, Isaac, and I each scented the air.

"I think I got him." Liam said, trailing out the door and back down the hall to the bedroom that Allison and Isaac used before, right by the stairs. Opening the door, we found Parrish knocked unconscious on the floor, handcuffed to the bedframe.

"Damn it." Stilinski rushed to his side, undoing the cuffs, and turning him over. He had a gash on his head. "Parrish, Parrish, wake up."

"Here." My mother said handing Stilinski a packet of smelling salt. Stilinski snapped it open and waved it under his nose. He gasped and sprung up. He hissed and grabbed his head. My mother dove for him to check the injury.

"What happened?" Stilinski asked Parrish.

"The house was quiet when I got here so I knocked on the door. He answered but I didn't recognize him, different hair color, no facial hair, no glasses. He didn't look like the poster we have of him. He said he was having a romantic getaway with his girlfriend. I asked if he minded if I looked around. I heard the music, so I went up the stairs. And as soon as I opened the door to this room I heard a scream for help and then he bashed me in the head."

"No concussion, a nasty gash and lump forming though." My mother said.

"I'm sorry sir." Parrish said. Stilinski patted his shoulder and helped him stand.

"We have to search the woods. Liam and Stiles you're with me. We are going north. Derek, Braeden South. Isaac, Allison East and Mr. Argent, Sheriff, and Peter West. Mom, you, and Mason stay here, Malia you stay as well in case he comes back."

Everyone nodded and we took off. The wind whistled around us so catching a scent wasn't likely.

"Liam, this is going to be a fast and dirty lesson, I'm sorry about that. But I need you to hone your hearing. Remember how we practiced in the woods at home? Same rules apply. Take a minute and focus on the sounds around you. Remember we have the ability to hear for miles. I need you to listen for anything that sounds unusual. We are going into the woods so rustling leaves, snapping branches even the sound of pebbles blowing in the wind are normal. We are listening for footsteps, voices, breathing anything that doesn't really belong. Focus it north in the direction we are heading, alright?"

He nodded.

"Close your eyes, clear your mind. Focus." I told him and watched as he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Bright gold met mine and he nodded. "Let's go."

Using my own vision, we entered the north woods listening for any sounds that would lead us to Lydia. Stiles followed behind us with a metal bat that he said he had recently acquired, stating that we had fangs and claws he needed some kind of weapon. I could feel her clearer now and knew I was close, but I saw nothing but trees. I could feel her anger and fear mixing with a need to fight.

"Scott." Liam called, stopping just left of me. "I think I smell something."

I went to him and took a deep breath, hatred, contempt, impatience with some lust and love mixed in. It was coming from him.

"What is it, Scott?" Stiles asked.

"I think… I think he's running out of patience."

"Patience for what?" he asked.

The sound of two bullets wrenched the air followed by a scream.

"Lydia!" I screamed and ran towards the direction they came from.