Chapter 11 - Wolf's Bane

Scarlett grips the wheel of Derek's black Camaro as she speeds through the side streets of Beacon Hills. Scott is beside her in the passenger seat and Stiles is in the back. Kate Argent and another hunter are in a black SUV behind the trio, thinking that they were Derek. Scott and Stiles keep glancing out the rear windshield."Faster?" Scar asks the boys."Much faster," the duo says in unison. Scarlett steps on the gas to speed up. Fingers still tightly wrapped around the steering wheel.Stiles blurts out from the back seat, "I don't think you're grasping the concept of car chase.""If I go faster I'll kill us."Scott then speaks, "If you don't go faster,"Stiles interrupts, "A lot faster."Scott continues, "They're going to kill us." Scar sighs but steps harder on the gas, glancing in the rear view mirror to check how close the other car is.She turns a corner and Stiles looks behind him once more then says, "They're gone." He looks down at the police scanner in his lap and raises the volume."All units, suspect is on foot headed north, last seen on Hancock." A voice from the police scanner says. Scar quickly changes direction, making her way towards the area Derek was last seen. She speeds the car into an alley, where Derek is trying to get away from Mr. Argent.The car screeches to a stop. Scott throws the passenger door open and screams at the werewolf, "Get in!" He then climbs into the backseat beside Stiles as Derek pushes off the ground and throws his body into the car.As soon as he is inside Scarlett slams her foot back onto the gas and speeds away from Argent. From the backseat Scott immediately starts scolding Derek, "What part of laying low don't you understand?"Derek ignores him and lightly hits the door with his fist, "I had him.""Who? the Alpha?" Stiles sticks his head between the front seats."He was right in front of me. And then the police showed up.""Hey, hey, hey, they're just doing their jobs." Stiles defends."Thanks to someone who decided to make me the most wanted fugitive in the state."Derek and Scar simultaneously glare at Scott as he finishes talking. Scott then gets annoyed, "Can we seriously get past that? Yes, I made a dumb ass mistake. I get it.""I told you it was stupid to blame him, it's why I told Sheriff I never saw him." Scarlett says, still glaring but her eyes are on the road.Stiles ignores the argument and asks Derek, "How'd you find him?"The werewolf falls silent at the question. Scott sighs, "Can you try to trust us for half a second?""All three of us." Stiles says, once again sticking his head between the seats. Derek glares and Stiles shrinks back allowing Scott to take his place.Derek takes a breath before answering, "The last time I talked to my sister, she was close to figuring something out. She found two things. The first was a guy named Harris.""Our chemistry teacher?" Stiles asks as Scarlett knits her eyebrows together and frowns.Scott then asks, "Why him?""I don't know." Derek answers."What's the second?" Scarlett prompts."Some kind of symbol," Derek reaches into his jacket pocket and pulls out a folded piece of paper. When he opens it Scar glances over to see a simple photocopy. She hears Scott sigh at the same time she sucks in a breath.Derek glances between the twins, "What? You know what this is?"Scarlett nods as her sibling answers, "I've seen it. On a necklace.""Allison's necklace," Scar whispers, slowing the Camaro.*_*_*_*_*_*The next day Scott, Stiles and Scarlett arrive at school together. As they make their way through the double doors Scott speaks up, "This is going to be impossible, you know? Why can't you just do it, Scarlett?""Because I like seeing you sweat," She smirks.Stiles interrupts before Scott can start arguing, "Just ask her if you can borrow it.""How?""Simple. You ask. Hey Allison, can I borrow your necklace to see if there's something on it or in it that will lead me to an Alpha werewolf I need to kill in order to get back together with you."Scar bursts out laughing as Scott glares at them, "You're not helping.""Just talk to her." Scar answers when she stops laughing. "It's about time you have a conversation anyway.""She won't talk to me. And what if she only takes it off when she's like in the shower?""That's why you ease your way into it. Get back on her good side. Remind her of the good times. Then you ask for the necklace." Stiles advises his best friend. There's a pause in conversation as Stiles and Scarlett both turn to look at Scott, who has a dazed look on his face, "You're thinking about here in the shower, aren't you?"Scarlett starts shaking her head as Scott says yes. Stiles then snaps in his face, "Stay focused. Get the necklace, get the alpha, get cured, get Allison back.""In that order." Scar adds on.Scott nods, "Get the necklace." The trio separate as they make their way to class but before Scarlett makes it to history she spots Lydia down the hall. She quickly makes her way over to her best friend and gently pulls her into an empty room."Why did you kiss Scott?" Scarlett asks before Lydia can speak.She looks slightly taken back, "I never-""Don't try that Lyds. You and I both know I'm great at telling when people are lying."She sighs and her shoulder's slump, "I guess just knowing how well he's been doing in lacrosse and knowing that you were right about him trying to protect us the other night..." She trails off."You just couldn't help yourself?" Scarlett raises her eyebrow waiting for her to continue."I know that sounds horrible, and I'm a total bitch.""You know I love you and that will never change, but for someone as smart as you, sometimes you're really dumb." She purses her lips then links her arm with Scarlett's as they head out the room. Only separating when Scar gets to her class.*_*_*_*_*_*After first period Scarlett stops by her locker then goes to find Nate. As she walks towards his locker she spots Danny, "Hey, Danny." She smiled, "Have you seen Nate?""Yeah, he was headed to the stairs about a minute ago." He pointed in the direction he was talking about."Thanks," She quickly make her way to where Danny pointed.As Scar turns the corner movement in an empty classroom catches her eye. She pauses for a minute peering in. Inside the class is two people, a boy and a girl. She couldn't make out either of their faces but they were standing very close and had their arms wrapped around each other.As she took the two teens in, she notices a red backpack on the table beside them. It was then that she realized who the guy in the room was. Scar jumps when the warning bell rings, the two teens in the room springing apart and fixing their clothes, giving Scarlett the chance to confirm her suspicions.Scar stumbles away from the door, her fingers wrapped tightly around the strap of her backpack. She abruptly turns and walks away before either person notices she was there.Scarlett walks into class a minute late and sits in the last seat available, the one right beside Stiles. She mumbles a quick apology to the teacher, the teacher nodding in acknowledgment as she continues class.Stiles leans over noticing Scar's dazed look, "Are you alright?" She stiffly nods, keeping her eyes locked on the notebook in front of her.*_*_*_*_*_*As soon as class ends, Scar quickly stands up and heads out the door. Stiles chases after the brunette and unfortunately catches up. He grabs her hand yanking her to a stop, "Hey, what's wrong.""Nothing. Can you please let me go?" She answers emotionlessly, avoiding Stiles' eyes."Something clearly happened. You look like you're about to cry."She gulps, shaking her arm loose. She runs a hand through her hair and takes a deep breath, "I don't want to talk about it. At least not right now." Stiles nods, face full of concern as she turns and walks away.Scarlett opens her locker and shoves her books inside, quickly slamming the door shut. She heads to the cafeteria but when she sees her friends sitting together, she couldn't bring herself to sit with them. So instead she looks for Scott.The minute she sees her brother, she makes her way to his table and sits down. "Why aren't you sitting with your friends?" Scott asks in surprise.Scar shrugs, "You and Stiles are my friends too." Scott raises his eyebrows and opens his mouth to speak but before he could, Stiles drops his tray to the table sitting beside Scarlett.Stiles quickly glances at her but instead of saying anything turns to Scott, "Did you get her to give you the necklace?""Not exactly.""So no." Scarlett deadpans.At the same time Stiles asks, "What happened?""She told me not to talk to her. At all." Scott replies, a frown etched on his face."Great job." Scarlett rolls her eyes, both boys glance at her, clearly wondering why she's being so bitchy.Instead of acknowledging her, Stiles brings his attention back to Scott, "Did you find anything else?""Just that I know nothing about girls and they're totally psychotic."Scarlett glares at Scott as he mumbles, "Sorry."Stiles sighs, stopping us from an argument he knows is bound to happen, "Okay. I came up with a Plan B in case something like this happened.""What's Plan B?" Scott asks as his eyes fill with hope."Just steal the stupid thing." Before Scott can react his eyes drift behind Scar and Stiles. Scarlett turns her head to see what he's staring at to meet the gaze of Jackson."He's watching us." Stiles, turns his head to follow the twins eyes."Why is he watching us?" Scarlett questions, clearly left out of the loop."He found out that Scott's a werewolf."Scar's eyes widen, "What? How?""We don't know.""Just act normal," Scott speaks up for the first time since catching Jackson's eye.Scott looks panicked as Stiles and Scarlett watch him. "What's wrong?""Jackson's talking to me. He knows I can hear him." Stiles starts to turn around, causing Scarlett to lightly slap his arm. Scott continues to talk, "Look at me. Talk to me. Pretend like nothing's happening."Scott stares at his tray as he tries to concentrate on anything but Jackson's voice. It's silent at our table as Scott clenches his teeth and looks up at us, "Say something. Talk to me.""I... I don't know what to say. My mind's blank." Stiles speaks, panic lacing his voice."Yeah, I'm currently trying to process the fact that he knows about your time of the month so..." Scarlett trails off."I- Really Scar? And Seriously Stiles? Your mind's blank? You can't think of something to say?" Scott asks, exasperated. "Not under this kind of pressure! And FYI, he's not sitting with them anymore." Scott and Scarlett both turn their heads to the table seeing that Jackson is no longer sitting there. Scar's eyes drift and notice that Nate isn't there anymore either.Scott breaks his twin from her train of thought, "Where the hell is he?"She can tell Scott is getting angry but before she can say anything a hand is placed on her shoulder. She turns and follows the arm up to see Nate standing slightly behind her, "Hey babe, why aren't you sitting with us?"Scarlett knocks his hand off her shoulder and stands up making her way out of the cafeteria, knowing that he was going to follow. Once the couple enter the hall, they turn to face each other, "What's wrong, baby?""Don't play dumb." Scarlett says through clenched teeth."Seriously, Scar. Why are you mad at me?" He knits his eyebrows together and tries to grab his girlfriend's hand. Before he can touch her, she slightly backs away, crossing her arms over her chest. "I saw you." She replies. Anger flashing behind her brown eyes."Saw me what? You're going to have to be more clear babe."She holds out her hand, "Don't," She whispers, tears threatening to spill. She takes a deep breath before she continues, "I saw you and Claire kissing."Nate's mouth drops open, he quickly starts speaking, trying to defend his actions, "Scarlett, I...""Don't try to come up with an excuse Nate. No one is going to treat me like that.""What does that mean?""It means I'm over this stupid relationship," Scarlett snaps. "Scarlett, please. You don't mean that, baby. I love you.""Don't try." She chokes out, tears now falling freely down her cheeks. "We're done." She turns away from him quickly wiping at her face.*_*_*_*_*_*At the end of the day Scarlett finds Stiles heading to his car, "Stiles! Wait up!" She calls out. He turns at the sound of her voice. "Can I hang out with you? I don't really want to be around anyone else at the moment.""Yeah of course. Hope in." He opens the passenger side door for her. Scarlett forces a smile as she steps into his jeep.As he pulls out of the parking space she can see him glancing at her from the corner of his eye. Finally he breaks the silence, "Are you..."Before he can finish the sentence Scarlett interrupts, "I caught Nate cheating on me.""He what?" Stiles gasps out."He was kissing Claire. I confronted him about it when he came up to our table at lunch and I broke up with him."There was a pause as Stiles takes in the information, "I'll punch him for you. Do you want me to punch him for you?"Scarlett cracks a smile as she looks at him, "No, if anyone gets to punch him I want to."He gently smiles back, "Are you okay?"She sighs, picking at her fingers, "I don't know." Stiles just nods as he continues to his house.When they finally get there, they quickly make their way to his room. Both of the teens throwing their bags to the floor as Scar goes to sit on Stiles bed and he goes on his computer. "Stiles?" They hear his dad call."Yes," They both turn to face the door and see Derek."Derek?" The friends ask, looking at him with wide eyes. They both, quickly shut their mouths just as Mr. Stilinski cracks the door open."What did you say?" He asks, "Hi Scarlett.""Hi Mr. Stilinksi.""Yes, Dad?" Stiles asks."Just headed back to work. But I'm coming tonight. Your first game.""Great."Mr. Stilinski doesn't make any move to leave, "I'm so unbelievably proud of you.""So am I. Very proud. Of myself."The sheriff turns to leave then pauses and asks, "They're really going to let you play this time?"Scarlett nods her head and answer, "Yes, he made first line."Sheriff's smile widens, "So proud."As soon as Mr. Stilinski shuts the door and walks away Derek speaks, "Scott didn't get the necklace?""He's still working on it. But there's something else we can try. When we were trapped in the school that night Scott sent a text to Allison telling her to meet him there." Stiles replies."So?""Scott didn't send the text." Scarlett answers."Can you find out who sent the text?"Stiles shakes his head, "No. But we know someone who can."*_*_*_*_*_*After waiting for a few minutes Danny walks into Stiles' room with his bag hanging over his shoulder. "You want me to do what?" Danny asks."Trace a text." Stiles says like it's no big deal."I came here to do lab work. That's what lab partners do.""And we will. After you trace the text.""What makes you think I know how.""I saw your arrest report." Stiles shrugs."I... That was... I was only thirteen. The charges were dropped. No. We're doing lab work."Danny pulls up a chair to sit beside Stiles at his desk. Scarlett is casually laying on Stiles bed and Derek is sitting in a chair as far away from Stiles and Danny, reading a magazine trying to look inconspicuous.Danny leans over to Stiles, "Who is he again?"Before Stiles can answer Scarlett replies, remembering the lie she told Nate, "His cousin..." She trails off not thinking of a name.Stiles continues for her, "Miguel."Derek glares over the top of his magazine as Stiles cringes. "Is that blood on his shirt?" Danny asks."He gets horrible nosebleeds. Miguel, I thought I told you to just borrow one of my shirts?" Scar's lips immediately pull into a smile. Seeing Derek shirtless is just what she needs after the shit show of a day that she had.Derek's glare hardens, he slowly stands up and puts the magazine down. He moves to Stiles' closet, looking at his shirts. Stiles starts talking to Danny but Scarlett's attention stays focused on Derek."Stiles," Derek grumbles. He is holding a shirt in his hands, "This... no fit.""Try something else."Derek pulls out another shirt and Stiles speaks, a smirk evident in his voice, "That looks good. What do you think, Danny?""Huh?""The shirt?""I think... I think it's a nice shirt.""Think he should try something else?""I do," Scarlett mumbles, knowing that Derek would hear her. As he quickly fixes his glare on the teen girl, she licks her lips but just as fast as he turns his attention on her he turns back to the boys.Danny is having trouble speaking but manages to get out, "It's... It's not exactly his color."Annoyed, Derek pulls off the T-shirt, exposing his abs once again. Scarlett bites her lower lip raking her eyes up and down Derek's body as she hears Stiles whisper something to Danny. Derek looks over at the boys once more, "None of these fit." And once again the t-shirt comes off.Derek finally picks out a shirt causing Scarlett's eyes to move to Danny who is tracing the text. After a couple of minutes he speaks, "There. The text was sent from a computer. This one."Derek and Scar move to stand behind the two high school boys to look at the screen. Derek then asks, "Registered to that account name?""That can't be right," Stiles says. Scarlett's mouth is hanging open in surprise. The name on the screen reads Beacon Hills Hospital - Melissa McCall.Danny soon leaves and Stiles, Derek and Scarlett make their way to the hospital. Scarlett sits in the back of the Jeep staring down at her phone as Stiles speaks with Scott. He's on speaker phone but the words aren't registering. Nate keeps texting her and trying to call. He's apologizing and asking if she's coming to the game tonight.Scarlett closes her eyes and takes a breath, gripping her phone tightly. She finally opens her eyes, shoving her phone back into her pocket. She tunes back into the conversation just as Derek asks, "Is there anything on the back of it? There has to be something. An inscription. An opening. Something.""No, the thing's flat. And no it doesn't open. There's nothing in it, on it, around it, nothing. And where are you, Stiles? You're supposed to be here. You're first line." There's a pause then Scott continues, "You won't play if you're not here.""I know. If you see my dad, tell him... tell him I'll be there. Just a little bit late."He hangs up. Derek begins speaking the moment Stiles' phone is in his pocket, "You're not going to make it.""I know.""And neither of you said anything about your mother," Derek continues looking at Scarlett."Not until we know the truth." Scarlett replies. They all turn to look at the looming building that is Beacon Hills Hospital.Stiles opens his door but Derek stops him before he can get out, "Wait," Instead of saying anything else he punches Stiles' shoulder."OW! What was that for?" Stiles grips his arm as he gapes at Derek in shock."You know what it was for. Now go."Stiles gets out and waits in front of the jeep for Scar to follow. She climbs over the seats and into the drivers spot but once again Derek stops her before she can get fully out, "Was it really necessary for you to be drooling over me too?""Yeah, I've had a sucky day. I needed it." She shrugs, then steps out of the jeep, making her way to Stiles.*_*_*_*_*_*Stiles and Scarlett pace the empty hospital corridor looking for Derek's uncle, Peter's room. There is an eerie silence surrounding the two friends. Stiles picks up his phone talking to Derek, "We can't find her." There's a pause as Derek answers. "Yeah well, he's not here either." Another pause as Scarlett's mind races, oh no, "He's not here. He's gone."Scar turns to look down the hall when Stiles talks. Her eyes land on a man with a half burned face and a long coat. He has a seemingly friendly smile on his face as his blue eyes meet her brown ones.Out of the corner of her eye, she sees Stiles lower his phone and turn his head to look in the direction of the man. "You must be Scarlett and Stiles." The man says.Scarlett sucks in a big breath and quickly finds Stiles hand to clutch onto. They both take a shaky step back then turn to see Jennifer, Peter's nurse, standing on the other end of the corridor. "What are you doing here? Visiting hours are over." She states.Stiles and Scarlett look between the Alpha and his nurse. Stiles starts nervously mumbling, "You... and him... you're the one who... and he's the one... Oh, my God. We're going to die."Once the words tumble out of his mouth a hand presses to Jennifer's cheek and slams her head into the wall making her crumble to the ground. "That wasn't nice. She's my nurse." Peter pouts mockingly."She's a psychotic bitch helping you kill people." Derek says to his uncle. He then turns to Scarlett and Stiles, "Get out of the way."Derek then opens his mouth revealing sharpened fangs, he lowers into an attack pose. Stiles whispers, "Oh, damn."The teens press themselves to the wall as Derek launches himself at Peter. Peter however barely moves. His eyes flash red and he grabs Derek by the jacket, slamming him into the wall. The wall cracks on impact. Peter then slams him into the opposite wall with the same result.Scarlett stands shocked, frozen to her spot against the wall. Stiles pulls her down so they can avoid being hit by the wall plaster the crumbles around them.Peter drops Derek and drags him towards the nurses body, "You think I killed Laura on purpose? One of my own family?" Peter pauses digging through his nurses unconscious body for her car keys. "My mind, my personality, was literally burned out of me. I was being driven by pure instinct."Stiles and Scar slowly start crawling away but they can still hear Peter and Derek. "You want forgiveness?" Derek asks his uncle."I want understanding. Do you have any idea what was happening to me in those years? Slowly healing cell by cell. Then even more slowly coming back to consciousness. Yes, becoming an Alpha, taking that from Laura, it pushed me over a plateau in the healing process. I can't help that. And I tried to tell you what was happening. I tried to warn you."Stiles and Scar slowly inch themselves towards the Morgue, where Derek and Peter last were. But when they peek around the corner, neither werewolf is in sight.