I laid down with Stiles in bed yet sleep was a near impossibility.
" This is fucking stupid." I say as the sun is beaming in the room. I yawned as Stiles was putting a shirt on.
" We got this." Stiles said as his phone went off. I took it off the charger and tossed it over to him. I picked up my black lipstick and applied it cleanly.
" Scott needs to talk to us." He said as I nodded. I pulled out some black shorts, a red crop top, and fish nets. I put on my black knee-high combat boots. I went downstairs and made a pot of coffee.
" You want a cup?" I asked as I saw Stiles come down with both our bags.
" Yeah. Thanks." He said as I poured him one and myself one. I added some hazelnut creamer to mine with two small spoons of sugar before mixing. I practically downed mine to get the rush of caffeine.
" You sure you are ok?" Stiles asked me. I looked at him and shook my head.
" I want to know what is happening to us." I said as I leaned on the counter. Stiles came over and pulled me into a hug. His warmth was delicious and comforting. We pulled away as we realized it was time to go. We walked out to Stiles' jeep and got inside. I played with a lock of my hair as Stiles drove. I saw in the passenger mirror the dark circles under my eyes. It looked like all the hope that was in me was draining. My skin looked slightly pale but still lively.
" Let's get this over with." I said as we parked. We got out with our bags in hand. We walked inside and I followed Scott's scent.
" There he is." I said as Stiles took my hand as we met up with our friend.
" Now, let's talk about what happened." Scott said as we walked into an empty classroom.
" I saw on the key that it was glowing which means chemicals came in contact with it." I explained as Scott shut the door.
" That made me think of the chemistry closet, and the fact that someone had to let Barrow in." Stiles said frantically. I looked at the board and the writing was gone!
" It's gone." Stiles said as I leaned on the desk nearest to me.
" Okay, it doesn't matter though. It doesn't matter. I've still got the key." Stiles said as I was thinking hard. Where did it go?
" What the hell?" Stiles asked as I stood up and walked over, the key on his key ring is fucking gone!
" I had it- I had it here. I had it here this morning, I swear to God, I had it this morning." Stiles said as I nodded.
" It was there. He was fucking with it this morning!" I said as I felt nauseated.
" The key you were talking about last night?" Scott asked as I nodded.
" Yeah. I showed it to you, right? Didn't I show it to you?" Stiles asked him.
" I don't remember if he did." I said as I put my arm on the wall to think. Why can't I fucking think straight! It's like a fog is drowning all my clear thinking.
" Raven and I were here a couple of hours ago. The message left to Barrow spelling Kira's name was right there on the board in my handwriting, and I had the key to the chemistry closet. Raven tried to convince me that I didn't do it, but I felt. I suspect I did it." Stiles said as I felt his chemo signals go off. I go to him and take his hands in mine.
" So, you unlocked the chemistry closet so Barrow could hide in from the cops, and then you wrote him a message to kill Kira...?" Scott asked as Stiles was trying to breathe.
" Somethings have been happening. It feels like something bigger is at play." I said as I got Stiles to focus on me. He turned to Scott, still holding onto one of my hands.
" The news report that came out about Barrow when they caught him, okay? About the shrapnel bomb that he used. He put nuts, bolts, and screws, and then he hid the bomb and the detonator in a box that he wrapped as a birthday present. What does that sound like to you?" Stiles asked Scott as I remembered the prank on Coach.
" Coach. The joke we did on Coach?" Scott asked as he looked very concerned and confused.
" That was my idea. You remember? That was my idea. That's no coincidence. It can't be." Stiles said as his hand got tight in my hands.
" I don't want to sound like I'm trying to tell you that you're wrong... But I don't think you're trying to kill people, either." Scott said as Stiles smelt of anxiety. I was pushing what I was going through down. Stiles needs me right now.
" It was here. It was all here." Stiles said as Scott put a hand on our shoulders.
" Dude, are you feeling okay? You're looking really tired. Both of you look drained and disoriented." Scott said as I nodded.
" Yeah, I'm fine. I just haven't been sleeping." Stiles said as he was counting his fingers again.
" I feel like everything has been overloaded. Sleepwalking, sleep being near fucking impossible." I said as I leaned back on a desk. I felt Stiles' warm hand on my back.
" Why don't you go home? Take a sick day or something? Get him checked out?" Scott asked as I nodded tiredly.
" Why don't we go and see your doctor?" I asked Stiles as he nodded. We went to the office and got excused for the day before heading to the hospital. We headed inside and found Melissa at the front desk.
" Dr. Gardner's not back until next week. Do you want to try waiting for one of the urgent care doctors, or." Melissa asked both of us as I felt my body lightly shaking.
" Stiles? Are you all right? Raven? You are shaking." She said as I looked at her with tired eyes.
" I don't know... I guess... I guess not really?" Stiles said as Melissa nodded and took us.
" All right, kiddos, all right. Come with me. It's okay." She said as we went into a room with two beds.
" Blackouts... But not for that long. And sleepwalking, which I used to do a lot as a kid... Um, I'm also having some really bad anxiety." Stiles said as I stood firm.
" Panic attacks?" She asked as I felt Stiles take my hand.
" Yeah, a couple... Oh, and I temporarily lost the ability to read. But, that might have had more to do with this giant magic tree and the whole human sacrifice thing…" Stiles said as made some humor known. I saw a small smile on Melissa.
" I remember something vaguely about that, yes. How many hours of sleep are you getting?" She asked as Stiles looked at her.
" Eight." He replied to her.
" A night?" She asked as I stood by Stiles as support.
" In the last three days...Yeah, eight." Stiles said as he counted his fingers.
" Been feeling irritable?" She asked as she wrote things down on the clipboard.
" Yeah... possibly to the point of homicide…" Stiles said as I could sense the irritability in him.
" Inability to focus?" Melissa listed aloud.
" No, the Adderall's not working." Stiles said as I saw the tiredness hitting him more.
" Impulsive behavior?" Melissa continued as I listened intently with my tiredness.
" More than my usual? Hard to tell." Stiles said as he looked a bit shaken.
" Vivid dreams during the day?" Melissa continued with wanting to know what was wrong.
" Okay, basically all of the above. Do you know what this is?" Stiles asked as I saw the McCall taking two needles and filling them with a drug.
" I think so." Melissa said as Stiles smelt nervous seeing her hold one needle.
" Uh, what's that?" Stiles asked her.
" Do you trust me?" Melissa asked him.
" When you're not holding a needle…" Stiles said with worry.
" It's midazolam- a sedative." Melissa said as she held the needle.
" Why'd you give me a sedative?" Stiles asked before she stuck the needle in his arm and gave him the drug.
" Because you, Stiles, are one profoundly sleep-deprived young man. You need rest, and you need it now." Melissa told him.
" Lie down." She said as Stiles looked tired and worn out.
" Okay, how long's it take to-Oh... Not long at all…" Stiles said as he was slowly laying down.
" Get some rest." She said pulling a blanket on him.
" Thanks, Mom." Stiles said in his sleep. I saw the small smile.
" Now, what have you been going through?" She asked as she sat me on the other bed.
" Similar. I've been having vivid night terrors about the fire. I've been sleepwalking, which is hard due to lack of sleep. My mood swings are from hell, I've also been hearing voices, and feeling a fever as if my blood's on the verge of boiling. This is not normal for werewolves. This has never happened before. I'm honestly afraid." I said as I saw her prep a needle. She moved my hair from my shoulder.
" Let me guess, same drug?" I asked as she smiled.
" You two have been under a lot of stress. You both need some decent sleep for once. And don't worry, I promise someone in the inner circle will figure this out. For now, just get some well-needed rest." Melissa said before she stuck the needle in my shoulder and administered the drug. I laid back as the drowsiness hit me in the face, my entire body feeling the effects.
" Let your mind drift to sleep." She said as I felt my eyes flicker shut as the drug rushed through my system. I let my mind for once try and relax.
I felt my body being tossed about this vacuum of space as if I were floating in the ocean. But in the peace of it all, reality in the mind warps you to your worst memories. A massive pull proceeded to slam me down into the ground as if I had broken through hundreds of glass panes. The shattered glass rained down on me. I looked to see them change into heavy rain.
" Fuck This!" I groaned as I saw the memory coming through. My younger self pleaded with Selene to get up and flee. The claws to the throat and the blood falling. My younger self ran off as the alley sparked up in flames and the memory washed away. The screams and terror of my family rang through my ears as the next memory flooded through me.
" Make It Stop!" I cried as I covered my ears. I fell to my knees as my heart was racing. Fear found it's way to the beating organ as it clutched tighter. The screams of horror stop as I see in the night, the broken home in ruin as smoke and embers release themselves into the air. Ash surrounds the forest floor as I scream.
" Why Am I Reliving My Worst Memories! All The Pain And Death! What Is The End Game?" I screamed into the starless night. Hot tears flowed consequently out of my eyes. I felt pulled away by the force again, but to a new area I'd never been to. I saw this place before me as the smell of ember and ash hit my nose. I walked through this gate with something above it. The letters are unclear and consistently changing. I see overgrowth and broken stone before me. The smell of rotten blood wafted my nose.
" What The Fuck Is This?" I asked loudly as I heard movement in the background. I tried to see it, but whenever my eyes would try to land on it. Smoke and sparks would take it's place.
" What Are You?" I asked the thing.
" A Friend." It replied. It was the voice on voices. It sounded different.
" A Friend? A Friend Wouldn't Hide." I said as the heat began to rise as it moved quickly around me.
" I Can't Reveal Myself. Not Yet. Not Till The Danger Is Clear To Everyone. Especially You Sadly." It said with a cryptic tone.
" The Fuck Does That Mean?" I asked as the thing stood in front of me. There was smoke and embers around it. All I saw were It's eyes. The eyes were brightly glowing as if blinding and the heat that came off of this thing was intense.
" Put Your Trust In Me. It's The Only Way. This Path Is The Only Path That Leads To Victory." It said as I felt the heat boiling inside me to the point it knocked me down.
" Whatever This Is. Does It Solve Our Dilemma?" I felt like I was being vague. The eyes softened as if sad and hiding the truth.
" That I Cannot Say." The Thing said as I felt my fist shaking.
" Are You Malicious?" I asked as It stood still.
" Not To The Innocent. To The Malicious And Bloodthirsty, I'm The Worst Thing That They See Before They Fall." It said softly but with rage at the last part.
" In Return, I Give You My Vow To Shelter Your Friends From Destruction Within Reach." It said as I looked at it. I saw a smoke-like hand reach for me as if asking for the agreement. I hesitated, but if this thing or whatever can keep everyone safe. I have to.
" Keep Them Safe." I told It before my hand fell in the embrace. A golden-like ribbon glowing brightly surrounded my hand and the recipient's.
" You Will Not Remember This Bargain Or This Dream. But You Will Remember That Things Going Forward Will Be For A Greater Purpose." It says before part of the golden ribbon disappears into my skin as if this was binding. I see the other half of the ribbon go into the smoke and ember. I feel myself being pulled from behind by the force. I see behind me the void. I scream out as I reach for any surface I can grab onto. I snag onto the gate as fear runs my blood cold. The gate barely hanging on to the hinges before breaking off and sending me into the darkness.
" Jesus." I yawned as I came to. I felt rested and at peace for some reason. I saw Stiles wasn't here. I got out of the bed and followed his scent.
" Hello? Anyone?" I asked as I walked the very empty halls. I walked to find him in an operating room.
" Did you find Melissa?" I asked him. He shook his head as I rubbed the back of my head.
" No, sadly not." He replied as these people or things, whatever the fuck, came out of nowhere. The looked of shadows and these demonic fucking masks.
" What the fuck!" I exclaimed as I saw one reaching for Stiles, I turned to see three more in front of me.
" Fuck!" I growled as one reached out to me with its hand. I felt my mind fuzz out as everything went numb and dark. Like something cast over my mind and vision.
" Stiles? Raven?" Scott's voice made me focus as I saw my friend coming into the room.
" You guys okay?" He asked as I looked at Stiles
" Yeah... Fine...What's been going on?" Stiles asked before looking down at my hand and taking it.
" Just trying to find your mom. I think we got lost." I said as the two of us followed Scott to see his mom.
" Did you two get some rest?" She asked as she found us.
" Yes, it felt good to finally sleep." I said with a smile as she smiled a little before it fell. She walked away.
" So what did we miss?" I asked as we followed Scott to the jeep.
" These things called the Oni are looking for these spirits." Scott said as I perked up.
" Spirits?" I asked as Stiles held my hand tightly. What spirits! What the fuck is going on! No one says shit anymore for fuck sake!
" From what we are told, one's filled with malice and the other is different, they don't know anything about this second spirit." Scott said as I was trying to wrap my head around this. Two spirits? Here? Of all times! We walked to the Jeep.
" Fuck." I said as I leaned on Stiles' car.
" Hey, we will figure this out. I know we will." Scott said as Stiles came over and just held me tight.
" We don't know who they are possessing." Scott said as I sighed.
" This just got more fucked up by the second." I said as I rubbed my eyes.
" We will keep you updated. Go home and get some rest." Scott said before going to his bike and riding off. I got into Stiles' Jeep and he took me home. I got out and walked over to the driver's side.
" You going to be alright by yourself tonight?" Stiles asked as he took my hand in his. I smiled at him.
" I promise. I'll text you before bed." I say before kissing his cheek. He smiled at me.
" I love you." He said with a grin.
" As I love you." I replied before he drove off. I went upstairs to the elevator and headed up to the loft. As I entered, I didn't see Derek at all. I just shrugged and went to my room. I discarded my clothes and took a hot shower. After getting all sorts of clean, I dried my hair and bunned it. I heard the Loft Giant Metal Door Open. I got dressed in a white tank top and black flare yoga pants. I got a robe on and headed out to the living space. I saw Derek with groceries.
" You doing ok?" I asked as Derek set them down on the kitchen counter.
" Yeah. I'm alright. I got a call from school. You checked yourself out?" He asked as I nodded.
" Everything got to me. I got checked at the hospital." I said as he came over and did a once over as if checking for wounds.
" What happened?" He asked. I explained it was the same thing happening, but more frequently.
" We will figure this out, little sister." He said before embracing me. I smiled before parting from my brother. I heard his phone go off.
" Damn it. I have to go."He said before looking at me again.
" Don't go anywhere." He said as I chuckled.
" I'll be here." I said before seeing him leave. I shook my head before going to the counter and putting everything that needed to be put away in its proper place. I went back to my room and lay in bed. I pulled out my phone and sent Stiles a quick text.
' I'm all showered and I'm going to try to sleep. I love you. RH.' I waited for the reply. I saw the three dots.
' I love you .' His reply filled me with love. I felt the tired feeling flow through me as I put my phone on the charge and it was at 79%. I felt my eyes flutter before sleep took hold.