CHAPTER ONE * STILES
Stiles had planted himself at the end of an old, forgotten dirt street, peering into the forest that had changed his life. It had only been a little over six years since he last stood near this exact same spot. Since then Stiles had lived through an ugly Supernatural war here in Beacon Hills, and an ugly human war over seas in several different countries Both of these wars had stripped him of any innocence that he had left after he had lived through the events that still haunted this community and his friends. It all started here in this very forest, that fateful night when his best friend was attacked and bitten by an unforgiving evil werewolf named Peter Hale.
Pulling out his head gear from the pocket of his CDU pants, he places it on his head squaring it appropriately, as he started to take in the extant of the property. Stiles could almost see the happy subdivision that the County of Beacon had intended on building. His mind could imagine the picture perfect scene playing out. Then it all faded. Stiles was still staring at an empty forest. Prior to Stiles leave for the service the population had begun to decrease. Now it was but a shadow of the thriving society it had once been. As the pack searched in L.A. for more orphan supernatural's, Stiles did a lot of soul searching and decided that instead of returning to the FBI training he would enlist in the army where he could learn to become a soldier and not pretend anymore. Stiles enjoyed his military life, it separated him from Beacon Hills and had given him new meaning, perhaps a new identity. Still there was something in his head that pulled him back home. Stiles remembered this land, though any evidence of the towering house that originally stood there for several generations, had been wiped away just as the gallant family that had once lived in it. There were strange occurrences that surrounded the family before the fateful fire that eliminated all but a handful of them. The family and its history caused outsider to believe the land that Stiles was ready to take on, to be considered cursed. The so called "curse" was also the reason that Stiles had been the only person to actually show up for the auction. Stiles scanned the distant tree line, "Where are you Sour Wolf?" Stiles said, under his breath. In the back of his mind he was sure that grumpy man would show up for the auction, but there was no sign of the socially awkward wolf.
"Here you are Sergeant Stilinski, But I have to do this by the book," Joe Smithers, the auctioneer, smiles.
"I understand" Stiles said, he nodded his understanding as he looked around in regret. "Were you expecting someone else to show up?" Shelly, the auctioneers assistant, asked. "No, not at all" Stiles lied and smiled. Once Shelly was placated, he glanced at the sky. He wasn't one hundred percent sure how he was going to get through the next few days. He hadn't spoken to anyone from Beacon Hills since he left for basic training. Stiles never reached out to them, but in turn they never reached out to him, so what was the sense? Mr. Smithers stood by one of the crumbling fences, the wired fences had been put up to separate the different lots that were to be sold to families building for their future.. But now they were being sold as one large plot of land, due to the lack of interest.
"Lot 667, Auction Block 32 Beacon Preserve and Dawson Lake, July 13th, 2019. All bidders are present.
We shall begin the bids at $ 10,000." Stiles rolled his eyes as Shelly yawned, they both knew this was pointless but it had to be done this way. "The bid stands at $10,000 going once, going twice, SOLD" Smithers cut down the sign from the auction and handed it to Stiles. Stiles took the sign into his hand and in his minds eye, he saw a flash of a past memory. The memory wasn't familiar. He saw a man reach and touch the sign. The feeling of regret overwhelmed him. Then it hit him as to who the memory belonged to! Looking up in the far distance he saw a silhouette of a man. Sour wolf? Removing his darkened sunglasses, Stiles blinks rapidly to clear his eyes then places them back on. Before Stiles could start to walk towards the figure, Mr. Smithers grabbed his attention. "Here you go Sergeant, how will you be paying for this?" Stiles glances back at silhouette which had now disappeared. "Sergeant?" Smithers whispers. Stiles looks back at Smithers confused and grimaces. He walked to a new baby blue Jeep Wrangler, reaching in the back, Stiles grabs his duffle bag and retrieves $20,000. Stiles handed the money to Smithers. "So as you can see, I included another $10,000 for you for filing this under private owner, Instead of listing my name on the deed. "Stiles said. "Also, if you could keep this sale from being public knowledge at least a few days for myself and my acquaintance to get settled in..!" Smithers tried to see who was sitting in the jeep, but was unable to see any distinct features due to the lowered CDU cap and dark sun glasses.
Shelly smiled and Smithers looked back at Stiles who had removed his glasses for the first time in the transaction. Stiles eyes were stoic, though even he couldn't hide the loneliness that had snuffed out the spark of excitement that used to shine there. For the first time, Shelly could see the large scar that had almost taken his eye. With a premonition like flash Shelly could see the horrific event that had caused the injury. Soldiers having to do hand to hand combat with rival troops, she tried to banish the thoughts from her minds eye, the images were over whelming, She could see filthy, rabid dogs mauling soldiers with gun fire all around and screaming. She could see men being pushed around with horrifying maul marks from the attacking animals. Just as fast as this memory entered here mind, it had ended. Shelly looked Stiles in the eyes she felt pain and sadness. Shelly took a step back, blinked, the anxiety that the vision created was just too overwhelming for her to process and she rapidly retreated to the company van to compose herself. Stiles watched here scurry off, it was like she was running from him. He could smell her fear. "Is she okay?" Stiles asked. He looked at Smithers, who only shrugged his shoulders and quipped "She, ah has her moments!" Stiles gave a half crooked smile putting his glasses back on. "Mr. Smithers I would like to thank you for not cancelling this auction!" Smithers smiled "To be honest son, we've not had one single person even pretend to want this land.!" Stiles took the paperwork out of his hand, placed it under his arm and shook Mr. Smithers hand gratefully. Smithers left in the van with Shelly. He waved goodbye to the soldier he left standing there. Rolling down the window he hollered to Stiles "Good luck Son" then under his breath, "Your going to need it!" Stiles stood alone, "Now what did he mean by that?" his eyes searched for that elusive silhouette. For a split second he saw movement, it turned out to be a screech owl overhead.
"Michael would have loved this place." Ethan said as he placed his arm on Stiles shoulder. Stiles knew his friend meant well, but the emotions his statement stirred up, were adding to the turmoil already inside his head. Stiles could picture Michael planning everything from the main design to the exterior design as well, it was Stiles intention to let it happen that way! Stiles turned to the man standing next to him. He wasn't the same cocky boy that Stiles had met all those years ago. The fraternal twins were unstoppable together, but separated, they were very independent individuals. After Ethan's brother Aiden was killed in front of him, Ethan left Beacon Hill alone and distraught. Eventually, Ethan joined Jackson Whittemore on his journey in England, which in turn led them both to return to Beacon Hill to help Scott and their old pack with Monroe's Army. Shortly after he and Jackson returned back to London, Jackson had disappeared. Jackson had left Ethan a detailed letter informing Ethan as to why he needed to move on and forget about him. Ethan now distraught and alone again, returned to Beacon Hill, in utter pure loneliness he decided enlisting in the army was a way for him to lose those memories that haunted him every day and finally help him to move on. The military was a hard road for both men to navigate, but after four years that road had brought both of their paths back together in Africa, right when Stiles needed a friend in one of the worst ways. "How's your knee, sergeant?" Ethan looked down at his knee and frowned, 'It seems to be a bit better than it was in Africa.!" "Hmm." was all Stiles could say out load, neither man comprehend why Ethan's leg was not supernaturally healing.
Stiles phone buzzed, "We are to meet with Staff Sergeant Jameson at noon, to finish paper work and get our offices there at the recruiting building." Ethan looked at him, "Are you sure we shouldn't have just done the military disconnect?" Stiles smirked, "It will be easier to get military information enlisted, than if we were just civilians!" Stiles looked Ethan in the eyes, "Make since right?" Ethan nodded. "Well my friend lets go see who we can find." Stiles said as he gave his old crooked smile. Ethan looked at Stiles, "Could we go by the High School?" Stiles smile faded, "You mean the under path?" Stiles asked. "Yes." Ethan said simply. Stiles knew this was going to be hard for friend, and he was building up the mental strength to be able to get Ethan through it. Reaching his arm around his friend, he placed his friends head on his shoulder. "Let me know when your ready Soldier!" Stiles said, trying to keep in good spirits. Stiles turned towards the lake, "Maybe a cabin would be nice.. Come on buddy let's head out."
Both men turned towards the jeep, as Stiles closed the door he couldn't help but to peer back into the woods, he hoped to see that familiar silhouette of Sour Wolf. Stiles knew this wasn't going to easy, but he was happy he wasn't alone.