I met you in the dark…You lit me up…You made me feel as though…I was enough…We danced the night away…I'm so in love with you…And I hope you know…We've come so far my dear…Look how we've grown…Just say you won't let go ~ Say You Won't Let Go by James Arthur
Chapter 25
Stiles:
I am a weak man, a very weak man. I own that. Because even knowing that once we really get started making out, we forget where we are; here I am, sitting at a picnic table in the courtyard with her straddling me, waiting for the others, making out with her. her hands buried in my hair and mine shoved in the back pockets of her jeans.
"We should probably stop." I told her but not actually following through on that.
"Why?" she asked, nibbling on my ear.
"Be… cause… people..." I'm pretty sure my eyes rolled into the back of my head when she rocked her hips against me. And back to kissing we go. her hands yanking at my shirt, sliding underneath and raking her nails across my skin. Why does that turn me on? it really shouldn't.
"You do know you're in public, right?"
We pulled apart to see our friends standing around us looking amused. We hadn't even heard the bell for lunch ring. She had study hall before lunch and I had to stop by my locker to get the right book for my class, at least that's what I told the teacher. If questioned about it later, I will just let them know I had to stop to help a student in need. Technically its true.
"And this is why I say we can't be trusted in public." I told her as we maneuvered around so that she was sitting on my lap instead of straddling me.
"What? We stopped before anything really happened." She shrugged.
"Did we stop or were we stopped?" I quirked a brow at her.
"Doesn't matter. The point is no clothes were removed, just a bit disheveled." She smirked.
"Word of the day?"
"Maybe." She said too cockily. I loved it when she was in this kind of mood. Playful. I had to kiss her again.
"Oh my God, you two are too cute. Now, Break it up." Theo said.
"Fine. Fine." I sighed. "I have to leave soon anyway."
"Doctors appointment, right?" Scott asked.
"Yeah, x-rays and hopefully I could get this thing off. But I should be back in time for the game." I said waving my hand around.
"And we leave tomorrow morning. We figured we would just take Lydia and Allison's car. That way we wouldn't have to stop to water the jeep." Scott joked.
"No putting down the jeep. It has gotten us through many scrapes. But who's riding with who?"
"you guys with Allison and Isaac and Liam and Theo with us."
'Theo's-. you're coming?" I asked looking at Theo. He nodded, throwing a glance at Liam who was failing at trying not to smile.
"So where does Theo fit in?" Malia asked.
"Theo's with Liam for the night and of course Stiles is with you. Me and Isaac will act as go-betweens'."
"What? What if I… I don't want to hurt him if I somehow get loose." Liam said looking panicked at Theo who placed a hand on his arm and murmured something to him. I'm not the only one who noticed the fact that Liam relaxed as soon as he touched him. I glanced around our group to see everyone hiding smiles. Malia turned her head into my neck.
"You'll be fine. I have complete faith that you will be able to handle this. And Isaac and I won't be far away."
Liam nodded, swallowing hard.
"on that note I need to get going." I said standing, placing Malia on her feet.
"wait, one more thing before you go." Scott said and then looked at Lydia. I already knew before she said anything.
"I didn't have a premonition, but I did get a feeling that something is going to happen soon. Like really soon. Could be either Corinne or Kate."
"So, everyone be careful and take precautions. Alright?" Scott warned. We all nodded, and I grabbed Malia's hand tugging her towards the jeep.
"You sure you don't want me to go with you? I don't like that this feeling just popped up suddenly. and what about her last premonition?"
"No, you stay. I'll be back soon. I'll send you a text when I get there and when I get back. Okay?"
"Okay, just be careful please."
"I will." I said, pulling her against me, kissing her sweetly. "love you."
"love you too."
JAMJAMJAM
The appointment took longer than I thought it would. So, I was running late. Everyone was already on the field. But the game hasn't started yet. Good news was that my hand had healed enough to lose the splint, but I had a sleeve I had to wear. At least it was more flexible. I sent a text to Malia letting her know I was here and running late. I jogged through the hall and down the stairs to see Theo by the door to the locker room.
"Hey, what are you doing here?"
"Your girlfriend is paranoid, so I am here to escort you to the field after you dress out." he smirked.
"Why didn't she just come?" I asked, following him into the locker room.
"Oh, she wanted to. But Scott thought it best if you two aren't left alone, especially if one of you has to get undressed."
"That's probably best. And how does Liam feel about you being in here, waiting for me to dress out?"
"He knows your not my type. Go get dressed so we can get out of here." He snorted.
I put my keys and wallet in my locker and turned to head to my cubby for my gear when I was hit over the head. The last thing I heard before I blacked out was Theo screaming.
Malia:
"Anything?" Liam came up to me and asked. It's been ten minutes since I sent Theo to guard Stiles while he got ready for the game. Theo wasn't a wolf, but he was something and he was strong enough to be a threat, even if it was just long enough for Stiles to get away.
"No. this feels wrong, right?" I asked Liam, hoping I wasn't just being paranoid. My skin felt like it was crawling again, and I wasn't sure if that was because the full moon was close, or if I was instinctively feeling as if something was wrong.
"It does. I feel like I need to lay eyes on Theo, but I don't know why. Instinct maybe?" he shrugged, but he looked like I felt. Antsy, worried and a bit dangerous, like he was fighting his wolf not to get out.
"I texted them both and I got nothing. I'm worried something happened." I told him. we both looked towards the entrance to the locker room.
"Me too. Let's go check it out. Maybe we are just being jumpy."
"Hopefully." I said as we started towards the locker rooms.
"Liam, Malia, what's going on?" Isaac stopped us to ask.
"We don't know. just a feeling that something is wrong." Liam answered. Isaac nodded and went with us. Passing by Lydia and Allison, Isaac told them to stay here just in case. They nodded but looked worried.
Rushing towards the building the feeling got stronger that something was wrong. And it proved that we were right to worry. As soon as we got to the hall, we smelled blood mixed in with the scent of Theo and Stiles, along with something else altogether wrong. I recognized the scent but couldn't place it right away. Liam was the first to take off to the locker room. Bursting through the door, almost taking it off its hinges.
"Theo. No, no, no. no. Theo." Liam cried out. Isaac raced in to see Theo lying unconscious on the floor, blood spreading around him. Liam dove to his side, turning him over to see an openly bleeding wound. Isaac rushed to a cabinet and pulled out a clean towel handing it to Liam who pressed it against Theo's side. Theo's eyes popped open, and he screamed. Liam held on tight, pressing the towel firmly.
"Stay still, we'll get you help."
"S-S-Sti-les…" Theo moaned.
"Shh, stop talking." Liam said.
My brain kicked back online when he said his name and I turned in place, frantically hoping that I was wrong in what I thought happened.
"Allison, get Scott, Lydia and the Sheriff and get to the locker room, now." I heard Isaac say while I searched.
Calling his name, I looked down each row, even though the knot in my stomach was telling me it was in vein. I got to the last row and saw a streak of blood on the floor and Stiles scent all over the area. Checking his locker, I saw his wallet and keys were still there. I could already feel the panic overwhelming me as I grabbed them both.
My phone dinged. A text from Stiles. I knew it was pointless to hope that this was him telling me he was fine, and he got away but I still hurriedly opened the message.
STILES: EITHER COME TO ME TOMORROW BEFORE THE FULL MOON, ALONE OR I SEND DIRECTIONS OF WHERE TO PICK UP HIS BODY.
Another text came through this time a picture. Stiles. Unconscious, a bruise formed at his temple. My hands shook as I stared at the image. My chest felt like it was caving in, and my stomach rolled. She has him. she took him. she hurt him.
I felt the switch in my eyes. I felt my fangs grow. Everything was tinted. She took what was mine and I needed to get it back. I heard the growl build in my chest until I could feel it vibrate my whole body.
"I'm going to rip her throat out." I snarled. I heard a growl join mine and my eyes snapped to Liam who was still holding a semiconscious Theo. His eyes were gold and he looked ready to commit murder. He didn't look like a cute puppy right now. He looked like an enraged wolf.
"I'll help." He growled.
"Oh shit." Isaac said standing in front of the door. "Uh, Scott if you can hear me, I need you to get in here now." He yelled.
I start towards him, planning to go through him, if I have to.
"Malia, stop." he said, gripping my shoulders.
"She has him, Isaac. Corinne has Stiles."
The door opened again, and Scott stopped in the doorway to assess. He saw Isaac trying to keep a hold of me and he saw Liam protectively holding Theo even while he was growling. I saw him wave off whoever was behind him in the hall before he stepped fully in.
"You can't just go off halfcocked. Do you even know where he is?" Isaac said.
"It doesn't matter. I will find him. I have too."
"What are you going to do, tear through the city?"
"If I have to then yes." I snarled trying to move around him.
"Malia, stop." Scott said, his eyes glowing red.
Both Liam and I growled again. At this point I think we were just feeding off of each other's anger. A loud threatening growl stopped us both in our tracks and I felt myself shift back. Liam's eyes changed back, and he shook his head to clear it.
The blood lust I was feeling faded and the anger I was feeling turned to heartache. Stiles was gone. I was supposed to protect him. I was supposed to be there. A sob ripped through me, and I fell to the ground. I felt arms wrap around me and recognized them as Lydia and Allison.
"Both of you listen to me. I know how you both feel. But we can't act on impulse right now. We can't go into this ready to tear the world apart. Right now, our focus needs to be on getting Theo help and making a plan to get Stiles back." Scott said.
"What if she hurts him." I whispered.
"She's not going to do anything to him until she has you in sight." Isaac said.
"We don't know that."
"Yes, we do. She wants you, Malia. Not Stiles. He's just a means to get you to her." Scott said. I looked up and his eyes were still red, and I could see his anger as well. Stiles was his brother; he was just as worried and angry. But he was trying to stay clear headed. I caught sight of Mr. S behind him and scrambled up and out of Allison and Lydia's hold.
"Mr. S, we have to find him. She took him. She's going to…." I rushed to him. I felt more tears flow and choked on the words I couldn't bear to say. "I should have been there. I should have protected him. I'm sorry." I sobbed, throwing my arms around him.
"This isn't your fault, Malia. None of it. we'll get Stiles back." He said hugging me back.
"Do we even know where she took him or how she got him to begin with?" Scott asked.
A groan had us all turning to look at Liam and Theo. Theo's eyes were fluttering open and closed and he was gripping Liam's hand, his body arching in pain.
"S-S-Stiles…" Theo moaned, again.
"Shh, just be still." Liam said, still holding the towel to him.
"N-n-no… Kate… berserkers." Theo said then gasped in pain.
"Save your strength Theo." Liam told him then looked at Scott panicked. "We need to get him to a hospital."
Mr. S, stepped away to radio for an ambulance. Lydia took his place, her arm around my waist. She hadn't said a word yet, but she didn't need too. just having her there helped to keep me from panicking too much. Scott kneeled down and ripped the section of his shirt covering his wound open and examined it.
"That's not a normal wound." He said.
"Wolfsbane." Theo gritted out. Scott tore the rest of his shirt open, and I swear I heard Liam growl, but it quickly cut off. Crawling across his abs and chest were thick black lines under his skin.
"Its burning its way through his system too fast. We need that special serum Argent used on me when I was shot." Scott said, turning to Allison.
"Dad's out of town but he gave me a kit just in case, it's in the car. I'll go get it."
"Take Isaac with you. until we find Kate and Corinne we don't go anywhere alone." He said. They both nodded and ran out of the room. "Hang in there Theo, we'll get you fixed up."
"Ambulance should be here soon." Mr. S said.
"Liam, now… would… be a great… great time… to tap into your… s-s-super… pain…killer… thing." Theo tried to laugh but ended up coughing instead.
"I don't know how. I have never done it." Liam looked panicked. "What do I do?" He asked Scott.
"I'm going to help you. just keep holding his hand. Close your eyes, take a deep breath and imagine pulling energy from him. you already have a connection to him. you need to tap into that and let it flow." Scott instructed placing a hand on Liam's arm. I could see Liam straining to do it and getting upset that it wasn't working.
"You're trying to hard. You don't have to force it. concentrate on how you feel about him. let your feelings guide you. Breath Liam and let it happen." Scott said calmly. Trying again he took a deep breath and for a moment it looked like it still wasn't working. But then we saw the weird lines crawl over Liam's hand and arm. He hissed and squeezed his eyes tighter.
"Don't try to take it all just take enough to make him comfortable. let it flow from him to you, slowly."
Liam relaxed some and we watched the lines thin out until they stopped.
"That's better." Theo sighed in relief, his body relaxing back against Liam. Liam opened his eyes and seemed relieved that it worked.
"Okay, got it." Allison said running back in. Isaac followed, closing the door behind him.
"Oh God, this is gonna hurt." Theo groaned, when Allison pulled out the vial of green liquid and a needle.
"Just squeeze my hand." Liam told him.
"Liam you should probably move. He's right this is gonna be painful. He could hurt you." She said filling the syringe as much as possible.
"I'm not moving."
"Are you sure?" Allison asked.
"Just do it." Liam snapped, his jaw clenching as he kept his eyes on Theo's.
"Okay. Isaac, Scott hold him."
There was a knock on the door and Mr. S went to it then ushered Parrish into the room.
"Ambulance is pulling in now." Parrish whispered to Mr. S.. He looked confused about what was going on but said nothing.
Scott and Isaac moved into position and Allison plunged the needle into the wound causing Theo to hiss. She quickly pushed the plunger and then jumped out of the way. Seconds later Theo's eyes flashed gold and he screamed, fighting against the hands holding him. I could see the veins in his forearm bulge as he tightened his grip on Liams hand, but mini wolf never made a peep just held onto him.
"Son of a…" Theo panted when the pain had subsided and the black lines on his skin had receded.
"The next time I get injured like this, just let me die. It has to be less painful then that." He panted trying to sit up, but Liam kept him down.
"Don't move." He told him. Theo gave him a weak smile.
"how do you feel?" Allison asked.
"Like I was stabbed." He answered.
"I have no idea what is going on right now. How do I always end up more confused whenever I am around this group." Parrish said, shaking his head.
Theo gently took Liams hand in both of his and examining it. "Did I hurt you?"
"I'll be fine. Its already healing." Liam shrugged.
"We need to find Stiles." I said, finally snapping. Lydia gave me a squeeze.
"Sorry." Liam and Theo said.
"What exactly happened in here?" Mr. S asked.
"It was the Berserkers." Theo spoke up. "They were already in here when we came in. I didn't see them until one came around from the shower and stabbed me. but I saw another one carry Stiles out."
"What's a berserker?" Parrish asked.
"Later." Mr. S. said.
"Do we even know where they are taking him?" Scott asked.
"No, but I got a text from Stiles phone not to long after we found Theo." I said, passing the phone with the message on it to Scott who narrowed his eyes before giving it to Mr. S. who gripped the phone but took a deep breath and handed it back.
"She still didn't say where?"
"No, she didn't. but I think she did that on purpose." Scott said.
"Why?" Theo asked.
"she specifically said tomorrow before the full moon. She doesn't want you looking for him. The full moon is when we are most powerful. Maybe she has something up her sleeve. She may be waiting until a certain time to send you the address."
"that sounds right. Okay, I'm going to put out an APB on Stiles, just a precaution." Mr. S. sighed. I know he was just as scared as I was that something was going to happen to Stiles. I felt the guilt eating at me. I tried to remind myself that this was not on me, it was all on her, and she would pay.
"Let's meet tomorrow morning, as many people as possible. Maybe we can figure this out ahead of time. Malia, if you receive any more texts let me know. Let all of us know. we need as much info as we can get on where she might be." Mr. S. said.
I nodded but couldn't stop the fear building in my chest. It didn't feel right leaving Stiles to fend for himself against her.
There was another knock on the door and this time it was the paramedics pulling a gurney. We all, except Liam who was not leaving Theo's side, moved out of the way to finish talking.
"You should probably also text Peter and let him know what's going on." Scott told me.
"Right, okay." I sighed pulling out my phone and sending a quick text.
MALIA: I NEED YOUR HELP.
PETER: WHAT'S WRONG?
MALIA: CORINNE HAS STILES.
PETER: WHERE ARE YOU?
MALIA: AT THE SCHOOL.
PETER: STAY THERE, I'M ON MY WAY.
"Peter's on his way." I told them.
"Okay, I'm going to get back to the station and get started on that APB. Malia, honey. Try not to worry too much. I know my son. He's smart and he will always find away to survive." He forced a smile before leaving, Parrish following after him giving us all one last guarded look. I could see a difficult conversation in their future.
"I don't need to go to the hospital, I'll be fine. I just need to rest." Theo argued as he was loaded onto the gurney and strapped down. Liam, still holding onto his hand, shook his head.
"You're going to the hospital." Liam said firmly. Theo rolled his eyes but still smiled at him. we watched them wheel him out.
"Isaac, Allison, we'll stay with Malia until Peter gets here, if you want to go." Scott said.
"You don't have to stay." I said.
"We are not leaving you alone. Never mind the fact that Corinne and Kate are on the loose. You should not be alone right now." Lydia spoke up for the first time. I nodded, not really wanting to be alone right now anyway.
"We'll follow Theo and Liam to the hospital. We'll let you know what's going on." Isaac said. Scott nodded.
Allison gave me a hug and Isaac a pat on the back before they left as well.
"Let's get out of this room. The police need to get in here and its feeling a bit claustrophobic." Scott said.
We pushed our way through the spectators that were crowding the hall. whispers about what could have happened, and someone being injured met our ears until we were clear. I inhaled deeply the clean air, void of the scent of blood, fear, and anger. We walked back to the field and took a seat on the benches. Lydia came to sit next to me holding my hand while Scott stayed standing as if keeping guard.
"I can't lose Stiles." I said out of the blue. "I just got him back. I finally… I finally was able to tell him how I feel. Tell him that I love him. if I lose him now…" more tears started.
"You're not going to lose him. we won't let that happen. I won't let that happen." Scott vowed. I looked up at him, I could see his resolve. If it came down to saving Stiles life he would bite him without a second thought.
"Malia." I heard Peter call and saw him running over to us from the parking lot. I hopped up and ran to him.
"Dad, she has him." I cried throwing myself at him. I heard him suck in a breath, but he still wrapped me in a hug. I don't know what possessed me to call him dad but in this moment it felt right. I love the father that raised me, but Peter was in another category. He was the father that I could trust with this, with the supernatural and lately he has been proving that he wants to be there for me.
"I know. but we will get him back, I promise." He soothed.
I could hear Scott and Lydia come up behind us, but I didn't move. Peter was providing a level of comfort that I needed right now. If it couldn't be Stiles then I am glad it's him.
"Tell me what happened." Peter said. Scott explained everything that happened. I showed him the text messages. He narrowed his eyes the same way Scott had before nodding and handing my phone back.
"So, what's the plan?" Peter asked.
"We are going to meet tomorrow morning to figure it out. right now, we have nothing to go on. we think she's going to send the time and location tomorrow." Scott said.
"Lydia's house?" he asked.
"Yeah, maybe around 10?"
"Okay, I'll be there, and I'll let Derek and Braeden know."
"I don't like leaving him with her all night." I said crossing my arms. "What if she hurts him. I know she wont k-k-kill him, but there's nothing stopping her from hurting him."
"Remember what we talked about at the last meeting?" Lydia asked. "Stiles isn't weak. I don't want him to get hurt either, but you know that he can handle whatever she throws at him. let's just focus on getting him back. Anything after that we can deal with once he's home."
"Let's get you home." Peter said. I shook my head.
"I can't go home."
"Where do you want to go then?" he asked. I looked at Scott and he nodded.
"Stiles."
Peter was the one to drop me off, after getting a hug from Lydia and Scott and a promise that we would find him, again. Peter said he would be back in the morning to get me. I thanked him and got out, walking around to the side of the house. I was lucky that Stiles usually kept his window unlocked for me. easing it open I climbed into his room and turned on the bedside light.
His room was in its usual organized chaos. Papers, books spread across his desk, his laptop open but sleeping. He had a list of possible places that Kate could be next to it and a highlighter that he never put the top back on drying out on top of it. Shoes were stacked neatly next to the closet that was standing open and clothes again hung lopsided inside.
I tossed his wallet and keys on top of the mess and grabbed a t shirt that he had thrown across his chair where he kept his still wearable clothes. Ones he wasn't sure if he had worn yet but didn't smell dirty in his mind. I changed into it and climbed onto his bed, inhaling his scent from his pillow. I reached over to turn off the light but caught sight of a picture on his nightstand. It was of us when we went to homecoming. We had taken three, one silly, one normal and this one. We were facing each other, arms wrapped tightly around each other and lips barely touching, both of us smiling. I didn't bother trying to stave off the tears as I hugged the picture to myself and worried about Stiles.
