I cautiously walk down the stairs into the living room. I lets my eyes sweep the room, making sure there isn't a soul in sight before sprint to the front door. My hand grips the door handle, but I freeze when I can feel a gaze on my back. I inhale slowly, turning my head to look over my shoulder. My eyes widen when I see Allison standing there, staring at me blankly. I want to say something, but my brain is blank. I let my hand slowly fall from the doorknob and feel my mouth about to open she just shakes her head. "Ally-"
She turns to face the basement door, where I'm sure my father is waiting for her to go down. I wait for her to walk out without a word, but now she stands frozen. I can the internal battle happening in her mind before her voice comes out low, "You have been lying to me. All this time, so many lies, Abigail. I don't know who you are anymore. I feel like that night at the Hale house my sister died and she never really came back." I don't anything when she finally looks back to me, tears about to spill over from both eyes. I shake my head lightly, trying to think of any way I could possibly explain to her that I'm still here. I'm still her sister. But I can't. She blinks quickly, clearing away almost of all of the emotion from her face. She looks away from again before opening the basement door, "Just feed me a lie and disappear. That seems to be what you do best." I cringe at her words, feeling like she just twisted a knife so deep into my soul, I'll never get it out.
After she walks down the steps to the floor below me, I stand staring at the spot she just resided. I want to run after her and just explain everything, in anyway I can. I think of how close we've always been growing up and want to tell her that we can have that again. But if I'm being honest, the day my father introduced me to the hunting lifestyle, a small wedged was placed between us. And with everyday since moving to Beacon Hills, it's been hammered further and further down between us.
I feel the wetness on my cheek before I even realize what is happening. Letting out a frustrated groan, I wipe away the tear and turn back to the door. I spot midturn when I meet Gerard's eyes, assuming while I was daydreaming in despair, I didn't hear him approach. I realize his body is slightly blocking the front door and I look between the two.
"Sister trouble?" I blink before feeling my eyes squint in his direction. Suddenly it's like there is a spot light shinning on Gerard, pointing him out in my mind. I feel dread slowly fill my body, from head to toe, meeting his eyes. Something evil shinned there, evil that now I realize has always been there. It just seems brighter now, more prominent.
I try to keep my face in passive as I look to the door behind him, "It's all good. I have somewhere I have to be if you could move."
He only shakes his head and sends me a false look of concern, "I think you should talk about it, Abigail. About how you've turned your back on your family, on everything you've been taught, to protect some werewolf you've just met." I feel my face fall, but cover my fear with a deep glare. I don't move, not wanting to give into his intimidation, but when he leans in to whisper in my ear I almost break. "About how you killed your mother?"
I reel my hand back and step away like he just touched me with a hot metal poker. I feel my breathing become elevated and anger like I've never felt before fills my chest. His mouth only forms a smirk as he waits for me to break. I only meet his eyes with hate radiating in mine, "Like I said, I have somewhere I have to be." I take step to move around him when he reaches out to grip my arm. For a second, it's like I take a backseat in my own body as something else takes control. I feel my eyes brighten and my hand grips the wrist attached the hand stopping me. I feel satisfied when he groans lightly and flexes is hand in my grasp, letting go of my arm.
His widen as they meet mine before he nods his head lightly, as if he's confirming. "Don't touch me. And do not try to stop me. Ever again." I drop his arm quickly and step around him, ignoring the small smirk on his face. I stop when I see my reflection in the glass window of the front door. My eyes glowing a deep purple hue before I close them tightly, letting out a small breath. I focus before opening them again, but the color remains the same.
I quickly open the door and leave before I can even think, then climb into the driver's side of my car. I pull down the visor and sigh relieved when my eyes are their normal bright blue. I blink rapidly, making sure they didn't switch up again before starting the car. The entire drive I feel numb and when I pull into the parking lot of the vet clinic, I'm surprised I was able to get here without causing an accident. I probably could have and not even noticed. I sit silently in my car, focusing on the low rumble of the engine and the color of the trees facing my windshield. I look down to hands, tightening my hands into fist, as I remember the surge of anger that had coursed through my body. It's like it flipped some internal switch in my mind. For a split second, it felt like I could have killed Gerard and not thought anything of it.
I jump at the knock on the window next to me, placing a hand on my chest as I turn to see Isaac standing there. I notice the nervous expression on his face as he awkwardly places his hands in his pockets. I stare confused for another second before opening the car door and stepping out, "Isaac?"
He nods and looks around us quickly before nodding to the building behind us, "You heading inside?" I only grow more confused by the interaction before I nod silently. "I was too."
I stand, waiting for him to continue, but he doesn't. I watch the slight fidgeting of his movements, and for a moment, I feel his anxiety race through me. I cross my arms over my chest, trying to offer him the best smile I can, "Do you want to come in with me?"
His face rushes with relief at my question. He nods quickly before we both turn to the front door. I wonder if he was relieved I asked first, or to not have to walk inside alone. Speaking of which, why isn't he with Derek? I feel my stomach roll think about him. Since the other night, I haven't really spoken to anyone. I wasn't sure what was going on or who I can trust. I felt like I needed a mental reset, although with my reaction to Gerard earlier, I don't know if it helped much. I push open the front door and make my way inside, the bell chiming above me. I hear Deaton ask Scott to see who is here before suddenly the dog's barking in the other room turn into a whining as Isaac steps inside.
Scott and Deaton both slowly step into the open doorway ahead and I see confusion cross Scott's face. Then surprise, and finally concern as his eyes meet mine. I look down as they do and instead of questioning me he stays silent. Deaton is the first to speak, "Abigail, Isaac..." He moves forward and opens the little gate to the back. "You guys can come in, we're open."
I notice Isaac glance at me first and I take a step forward before he follows. I move to the back room where they had walked out of and notice blonde curly dog laying on the table in front of me. I notice he doesn't lift his head, but instead just lays there lethargic. I move closer, letting my hand falling lightly into his soft fur. Scott catches my eyes, and I see the questions swirling around, but shake my head lightly. Now isn't the time. I watch as Isaac moves closer and his nose turns up slightly, "Why does it smell like that?" Deaton and Scott share a knowing look.
Deaton smirks lightly "Scott said almost the same thing to me a few months ago. One day he could somehow tell the difference between which animals were getting better and which were not."
"He's not getting better, is he?" Isaac asks sadly and Deaton shakes his head, confirming the statement. "Like cancer?"
Deaton nods sadly, "Osteosarcoma. It has a very distinct scent, doesn't it?" Scott nods, looking at the dog with sympathy. Deaton then meets my eyes as I catch the interaction. I see something flash in his gaze before he nods to Isaac, ""Come here. I know you're well aware of what your new abilities can do for you. Improved strength, speed, and healing. You ever wonder what it could do for others? Give me your hand." I watch as he guides Isaac's hand till its placed gently on the side of dying pup. Isaac's eyes grow wide as black veins start to travel up his arm. I hear the dog give a relieved whimper.
I watch intently, remembering at the police station when I had done almost the same thing to Scott. I notice Deaton watching me before Isaac looks at him amazed., "What did I do?"
I meet Scott's eyes, and I swear from his expression I can tell he is remembering the same thing I just was, "You took some of his pain away."
I notice the tears well lightly in Isaac's eyes at Deaton's next words, "Only a little bit. But sometimes a little can make quite a difference."
A few moments later, Scott starts cleaning the room around us and I notice Isaac's eyes following him. By the look on his face, there is something weighing heavy on his shoulders. I see him glance to me briefly and I try to give him an encouraging looking. I see him sigh lightly before he turns to speak to Scott. I don't hear a word as a light ringing starts in my ears and I stand from my leaned positioned against the wall. Neither boy notices me as they converse intently. The ringing grows louder to the point that I have to hold in a groan.
I close my eyes and I see the burnt interior of the Hale house in my mind. I reach out a hand to touch the wall in front of me before a voice comes from down the hall. I freeze as it instantly sends a deep chill into every bone of my body.
"It's quite a situation you've got yourself in here, Derek. I mean, I'm out of commission for a few weeks and suddenly there's lizard people, geriatric psychopaths, and you're cooking up werewolves out of every self esteem-deprived adolescent in town." I want to cry out as his voice seems so loud it echoes around my head. I hear the defeated voice of Derek reply back, "What do you want?"
"Well, I want to help. You're my nephew. The only relative that I have left. You know, there's still a lot that I can teach you. Can we just talk?"
I gasp lightly and blink, the room coming back into my view. I look over to see Scott glance at me as he finishes speaking to Isaac, "So, are you going to go with them?" I shake the feeling of dread surrounding me before I start to move to the door quickly. I don't even think before turning the doorknob, but Scott's voice briefly breaks my trance.
"Abby, where are you going?" I don't let go of the doorknob, but turn my head over my shoulder. "I have to go," I see the look of worry and suspicion intermixed on Scott's face so I turn around to face him completely. "Do you trust me?"
He looks back at me surprised by the question. It was kind of out of blue, but right now I feel like I need to know someone does. He nods quickly before tilting his head slightly, "Of course I do."
I look down to my feet for just a moment before turning back to the door, "Then trust me about this, I have to go. But I'll meet you at the game."
I stop again when Scott replies confused, "I'm not going to the game?" I feel the dread in the air of the building as voices whisper lightly around me, making me feel like its a struggle to breathe.
"Trust me, again. We'll be at the game."
â â âªï¸ â â
I stop in front of the backdoor of the house. My heart feels like its three sizes to big and was forced into my chest. The feeling of dread has now again turned to feeling like death himself is walking in my shadow behind me. I think back to clinic earlier, when Isaac could smell the poor animal in the room was dying. I didn't sense a thing, but now...this kind of death I could smell. I don't know if it's his soul, or the lack there of, but it was too much to not notice.
"See? Prime example right here. I'm not healing as fast. Coming back from the dead isn't easy, you know. I need you as much as you need me." I hear his voice before I can move inside, but it's enough to light a fire of anger inside me. Enough to push away the fear.
I shove open the door and there he is. All not burned alive with throat ripped open, "Yeah, last time I heard; coming back from the dead isn't supposed to be easy. Asshole." I watch his eyes slowly turn to meet mine and a smile crawls across his face. "I was waiting to see how long you would take. I see someone's been listening..."
When his voice comes out song-like on the last word, as if what is happening to me is some kind of joke, I feel something inside me snap. My anger pours over and I feel my feet move towards him before I can even think about what I'll do when I actually reach him.
But then I reach down and remove the small blade from my boot and lodge it into his shoulder. He groans in pain and stumbles a step back before Derek stands quickly, placing an arm around my waist to pull me back a few feet. "Wow! How did you get even more angry than you were before?"
I see warning flash in Derek's eyes as Peter speaks, but then his eyes lock on mine in shock. "I fucking hate you." I grind the words through my teeth, looking to Peter as he places a hand on the handle of my knife still protruding from his shoulder. I feel the burn of satisfaction as I see him grimace.
He only rolls his eyes before yanking it out with a grunt, "Oh, god. Spare the dramatics, wait until you realize that I did for you was a gift-" His words freeze as he looks over to me. Another small crosses his face, but this one looks almost amazed. "You've come pretty far since last time we spoke, huh?"
I blink confused at his words before it hits me, "That was really you? We didn't speak, you fucking terrorized me." He only shrugs his shoulders as if that is just a matter of opinion. "How are you alive? How is he alive?" I turn my head to Derek to see he is still staring at me with slight shock. He shakes his head and looks back to his uncle with anger, "He used me. And he used Lydia."
The night of her party flashes in my head, when she disappeared after every one of us was tripping out. The dark feeling and pain that fell over me after we had walked outside. She must have somehow gotten Derek unconscious someway because I know there is no way he would have brought Peter back willingly.
"As I was saying, before I was so rudely interrupted," He places then knife onto a table near him before looking back to me. "You can have that back once I've left the premises. Coming back to life hasn't been easy. I'm not as strong as I used to be. I need a pack. An Alpha like you. I need you as much as you need me."
I scoff at this words, no one needs a Peter Hale in their lives. Derek seems to agree with my thoughts as he nods, "Why would I want help from a total psycho?"
Peter looks back as if he has any right to be offended, "First of all, I'm not a total psycho. And by the way, you're the one that slashed my throat wide open. But we're all works in progress, right? So, we need each other. Sometimes when you need help, you turn to people you'd never expect."
"No, we're good. We don't need anything from you." Peter only looks at me with a raised brow. "Don't you realize you ruin everything and everyone around you? You're the common denominator there." He looks as if he's taking my words in as serious thoughts before he smirks lightly back to me.
"Or, I make people even better than the boring versions they were before." I flinch lightly at his words. "Sometimes, there is just necessary collateral damage."
I feel my phone vibrating in my back pocket and sigh when I see Scott's name flashing over the screen. I hesitate before deciding to let it go to voicemail. I promised him I would meet him at the game, what time I get there is what's up in the air. I see a text follow up quickly,
'Scotty-Boy: Hey, I hope you're okay. The game is going to be starting soon and Jackson is here and is playing tonight. I got benched and can't go anywhere near the field. You were right, something is happening. Just, please call me...or get here...'
I close my eyes, feeling the guilt build on my shoulders. I place the phone back into my pocket before looking back to the two in front of me. Peter shakes his head looking to Derek, "You tried to build your pack. You tried to prepare for the worst. You weren't ready. Because of it, Gerard is winning. He's taking his time. He's toying with Scott. With Abigail. He's going after your wolves, one by one. He's relishing in his victory." I don't want to admit he's right about anything, but Gerard was winning and basically rubbing in all of our faces.
Derek's eyes grow anger as he almost growls out his response, "How about you tell me something I don't know?"
Peter looks confidently between the two of us, "Oh, I'm going to. And it's gonna prove why you should trust me. Why you need to trust me. Because I'm going to tell you how to stop Jackson."
My eyebrows shoot up with surprise at this words. At this point, I started believing there was no way to stop him. Although, I am more than hesitant to take any advice from Peter. It's hard to believe there isn't some kind of ulterior motive.
"You know how to stop? Or kill him?"
"Actually, how to save him."
â â âªï¸ â â
I move quickly over the grass field, making my way closer to the large crowd of people cheering loudly. The bright lights make me squint for a moment before my eyes can adjust. I stop for a moment when I see Isaac and Scott both sitting on the bench together. I look around confused when I don't see Stiles, but then I notice him standing on the field. I hold back the urge to yell in excitement as he nervously fidgets with his lacrosse stick.
I move over to the bench and sit next Scott, knowing it's probably only a matter of time before Coach yells at me to move to the stands. I turn to see Scott's mom, Stiles' dad, and surprisingly, Lydia, sitting in together there.
Scott looks to me surprised before it melts into relief, "Thank god you're here. Gerard said he wants Derek, we only have until the last thirty seconds of the game before he makes Jackson kill someone here."
I look over to the right to see Gerard standing alone, his glaring eyes meeting mine. I hold his gaze for a moment before turning back Scott with a sigh. "You miss a few minutes of one game and everything goes downhill. What the hell are we going to do?"
"Well, right now pretty much just keep Jackson from killing anyone." Scott shrugs nervously, staring out at everyone on the field. I see Jackson, with the dead look in his eyes I've associated with the Kanima.
Isaac looks over to Couch briefly before back to Scott, "Well, that might be easier if you're actually in the game. We have to make it so coach has no choice but to play you." I turn to look the other players on the bench and then back to Isaac, "How the hell are we going to do that? He's got a bench all of all those guys before he calls Scott in."
Isaac gives us both a look with a raised brow before Scott sighs lightly, "Can you do it without putting anyone in the hospital?"
Isaac pulls his helmet on before he stands from the bench, "I can try." I watch worried as he runs onto the field and take his place. The whistle blows and within seconds he body checks one of our team players, knocking him to the ground.
Coach's yell from next to me causes me to jump, "Lahey!" Thankfully in his anger, he doesn't even notice me sitting inches away from him. He looks down at his clipboard before to one of the guys on the bench, "Ramirez! You're in."
I look to Scott and he gives me a worried expression back. "Lahey! Seriously, what the hell is your problem?" It seemed like only minutes before the bench next to me is empty of players except for Scott. Isaac only walks backwards on the field, throwing his arms up lazily.
The whistle blows again, but this time instead of Isaac sending someone to the ground, he goes down. I stand with Scott in shock as I hear Isaac groan after he lands harshly on his back. I watch as Jackson takes off his helmet and smirks walking away. I push Scott's shoulder lightly, nodding to Isaac before he understands and races over. I listen as he reaches Isaac, "It's not broken, but I can't move it." He reaches down lightly touching his leg. "I think Jackson nicked me because I can feel it spreading."
Scott glares over to where Gerard is still standing as he speaks lowly, "You want to play chess, Scott? Then you better be willing to sacrifice your own pawns."
I watch as the EMTs lift Isaac on a bodyboard before carrying him off the field. I look over and meet Gerard's stare as I hear Coach walk over to Scott, shoving his helmet into his chest, "McCall. Either you're in or we forfeit."
I feel hand press to my shoulder for just a second before it's gone. I look over to realize it was Scott's mom as she passed me before moving over to Scott. She stops next to him, her eyes meeting mine across the field, "Something's happening, isn't it? Something more than a lacrosse game?"
Scott nods and then Melissa's hand grips his shoulder, "I'm not going anywhere. And everything that I said before, forget it. All of it. Okay? If you can do something to help, then you do it. You have to."
I don't know what she's talking about, but I can tell Scott instantly does. I see the decision set in stone for him in that moment as he gives her a meaningful nod, "I will."
I sit back onto the bench, trying to resist the urge to bite my nails. Anxiety coursing through my veins keeps my knee bouncing quickly. It doesn't help when I watch as Jackson slams into Scott, sending him to the ground. I feel the impact strongly as if it were me and it only worsens when he does the same to Stiles.
I stand again when I hear Gerard's voice and turn, not seeing him in the spot he was before. "Don't you know what you're really bargaining for, Scott? Haven't you guessed what the real offer on the table is? It's Allison. It's always been Allison. You give me Derek, and I'll let you have Allison." I look around nervously, not seeing him anywhere around the field.
Suddenly the feeling of panic rushes over me, but it's not mine. I look around the field again, this time my eyes locking on the school. I inhale slowly, closing my eyes and focusing on the feeling.
Isaac.
I open my eyes quickly and turn back to Scott as he stands from the ground. I talk quietly, but just loud enough for him to hear my voice. "We have to go, Isaac's in trouble."
I don't wait to see if he actually hears me as I turn to the school and walk as quickly as my legs with carry me. Within seconds Scott is walking next to me before we silently make our way into the locker room. I look in horror as Gerard stands before Isaac, a katana lifted in his hands. I know exactly what he was planning for Isaac, but unfortunately for him, it isn't in the cards for tonight.
His eyes suddenly lock onto the mirror behind Isaac and he catches Scott standing behind him in the reflection. Isaac smirks at the both of us before Scott reaches over and throws both of the men with Gerard so hard they both land completely knocked out. As soon as he finishes, I move forward looking for Gerard, but he's gone. I look at both Isaac and Scott as the latter's face changes back from his golden eyes and fangs, "Where did he go?"
I look back to the field with panic, "Oh, my god. No, we have to go back outside!" I race out of the door and down the hallway. Forcing open the door of the school into the brisk air, I hear Scott's footsteps close behind me. We reach the field and I don't hesitate pushing people out of my way. As we break through the crowd, I watch as the timer hits the last thirty seconds and everything seems to slow down. I see Jackson remove his gloves, his clawed hands coming free. I meet his reptilian eyes.
I hold my breath when it hits zero and the buzzer goes off. The cheers erupt so loudly, I have to hold back the urge to cover my ears. I look at Scott in shock and he nods thinking the same thing, "Nothing happened." Then, in seconds the lights quickly turn off one by one, leaving the field almost completely dark. I jump as a scream rips through the air, causing goosebumps to cover my skin.
Suddenly people were screaming and running in every way possible to try to get off the field. I try to see Scott next to me, but someone shoves passed me harshly. "Scott!" I hear Melissa's voice and follow it before I stop quickly. The lights turn on once again and I see the body laying on the grass in front of me clearly. I slowly approach before some other players drop to their knees next to his body. Jackson.
"Move! Back up!" I stop walking closer as Coach approaches. "Can we get a medic over here?!"
Melissa rushes over dropping to her knees and lifts Jackson's jersey. I wince at the blood covering his abdomen before looking to his fingers coated in blood. Scott and Isaac stop next to me and I turn to both of them, "Look at his hands. He did it to himself."
I feel my heart break slightly for Lydia as she screams out Jackson's name at the sight. Melissa starts compressions on his chest before she calls Lydia down to help her. I look to my side and see the Sherriff walking in circles, his gaze scanning the field.
I feel my brows draw closer and then realize what he's looking for, or rather who, "Where's my son? Stiles?" His eyes grow desperate as he looks at all the faces, but doesn't see the one he's looking for. "Where the hell is my son?!"