From the bleachers, I watch Hayden with an easy smile as she sprints across the campus field.

A few of her soccer teammates invited her for a light practice during our free period, and I insisted that she go. She had healed in the days since we found her and Liam in the tunnels. The skin on her side knitted itself back together and her health returned. It was important that she keep that up, and I also wanted to have a fraction of normalcy come back, too. Not only for her, but selfishly, for me as well.

It had been almost a week since the night everything seemingly changed.

I hadn't spoken to Scott since. I hadn't spoken to anyone but Mason, Liam, and Hayden. I wasn't sure if my friends would forgive me for my lies, but due to Scott's reaction, I wasn't too keen to find out.

Hayden stops to wave at me from her position. I mirror the gesture with a slight laugh, and she resumes playing afterward. It's a good thing, as a second later I flinch with a wince, a sudden burning radiating from the back of my head. My hand buries itself into my hair, rubbing at the laceration that had been caused by the Surgeon tossing my body into a wall.

Since the attack in the locker room, the pain I felt intensified. It grew from a manageable ache into abrupt moments of scorching gnawing. I tried to find ways to soothe it, but nothing worked, not even painkillers. It was bothersome beyond belief, especially since I'd had head injuries before and none of them worsened like this. All I could do was bite down on the stinging until it passed, inevitably waiting for the next wave of fire.

"Your head okay?"

I pull myself out of my pained state of distraction, finding Theo at the bottom of the bleachers. He stares up at me with his usual smirk, laid back and expectant as he waits for my response.

"Bit of a headache. Usually happens when someone's head gets slammed into a wall," I reply jokingly, dropping my hands to return his pleasant expression.

Theo chuckles as he climbs up to my row. He gestures to the space beside me, an unspoken question. I motion for him to join, not at all bothered by his company. He wasn't like the others, he wasn't close enough to Liam and I to feel manipulated by our secrets, so there was no chance that he would hold any of it against us.

His attention goes out to the field, watching Hayden as I do.

"She healed," he acknowledges, and I hum in confirmation.

There's a lingering silence between us after that, neither bringing up what we both wanted to. I had hoped Theo would be the one to do it, but he doesn't, so I find the courage to.

"Have you talked to Scott lately?" I force myself to say, my eyes remaining on Hayden.

"This morning." Theo nods, doing the same. "He asked me to meet him at the clinic."

"Deaton's back?" I question him instantly.

The mention of the clinic brought forward thoughts of its owner. It had been some time since I last saw him, the final moment being the night we pieced together the theory of what the Dread Doctors wanted from me. He had no idea that it turned out to be a reality, and I could have used his guidance now more than ever.

Though, I feel even more of my limited optimism fade as Theo shakes his head.

Another gap of silence hits us that feels odd, yet comfortable.

"Is he okay?" I ask after a while, my voice almost a whisper as I speak of Scott.

"He's not angry anymore, if that's what you're really asking," Theo replies.

"Honestly, I think he wants to talk."

My gaze slips to my lap, my fingers fiddling with a fraying tear in the knee of my jeans. It was easier to focus on that than to admit I wanted to talk to Scott, too, because deep down I knew my attention needed to be on Hayden. If I got distracted and mixed up in another argument with Scott, it might lead to something happening to her, and I didn't know if I would be able to undo that, or forgive myself for it.

"His asthma's back, too. He's using an inhaler again," Theo continues. His words only work to make my stomach twist itself into a knot.

"What else?" I ask softly.

"Maybe I shouldn't..." Theo trails off hesitantly.

I look at him, allowing him to see the sorrow that plagued me.

"Please," I openly plead.

I hadn't reached out to my friends, but the greater truth of it was they hadn't reached out to me either. I figured they all wanted their space, and I didn't mind giving it to them, because even though I had always been willing to do anything for them, I didn't know if I could accept the possibility of them hating me. But I also didn't want to be left in the dark.

Theo sighs, not because he's annoyed, but because he's sympathetic.

"Scott told me Parrish is the one taking the bodies," he says gravely.

"How does he know that?" I ask with disbelief.

Parrish and Lydia searched endlessly for what type of creature he might've been since the end of the Dead Pool, but they never found anything. Though, it wasn't as if anyone had ever heard of a flame-retardant body thief before. At least, not anyone I knew.

"The body from Scott's house was taken, too. Stilinski couldn't stop it," Theo explains.

"After they were attacked at the hospital, Stiles found Parrish's nametag in the morgue even though he was positioned outside, and he was the only deputy unaccounted for during the ambush."

"Wait, if there's no body-" I begin, hope dawning on me.

"Kira and Mister Yukimura were both cleared of charges," Theo finishes.

I let out a breath of relief, but Theo doesn't seem to mirror my attitude.

"But they still left. Noshiko, too."

"What are you talking about?" I press warily.

"They left town, Jac," he continues sadly, his words like a curse to my ears.

I shake my head, my disbelief physically manifesting itself.

It had been over a week since I spoke with Kira last, and I couldn't even remember what the conversation had been about. There was no way she left like that; she left without saying goodbye.

"Kira wouldn't go without telling us," I argue lightly.

Theo's eyes avert themselves from mine as if he couldn't look at me to deliver this news. It's like a doctor having to tell their patient that their condition is worsening, and no matter what they do, it won't get any better.

"I think she asked Scott to tell all of you, but he was still pretty upset over what happened, so he didn't."

Involuntarily, my hands ball themselves into fists as my anger rises.

Kira was gone, and I had no idea when she was coming back, if ever. I no longer felt any desire to speak with Scott. In fact, I had a feeling that if I saw him before I had a chance to calm down, things wouldn't end pretty.

"I'm sorry, Jac," Theo mutters, his tone drenched in pity.

"It's not your fault," I tell him, clenching my jaw to suppress the frustration in my tone.

My attention goes to the field as I notice Hayden and her teammates heading back into the buildings across the way. This period would be over soon, so they were most likely going to the locker room to wash up before the next class started in a few minutes.

"I have to go," I say to the wolf at my side. "I don't want Hayden to be alone for long."

He nods in understanding and doesn't resist my wish to leave. He knows I want to watch out for Hayden, but also remove myself from the mix of emotions surging through me.

He watches as I gather my things and begin to walk down the bleachers, though, before I'm entirely out of earshot, he calls for my attention one last time.

"If you need anything..." he trails off, the implication obvious enough.

I stare at him without saying anything at first, unsure of how else to truly express my gratitude to him. Theo had been there for us countless times in the past couple of weeks, and the debt we owed him felt insurmountable.

"Just keep looking after him for me," I request, unable to bring myself to actually say Scott's name. "If I can't be with him, I'm glad that you are."

Theo bows his head with a flattered smile, offering me that as a goodbye. It's only then do I climb the rest of the bleachers down and cross the field, heading back into the main building, too.

I make my way toward the girl's locker room, searching for Hayden. On the way there, I spot a familiar lanky teen in the hallway up ahead. I start to debate ducking into a classroom to avoid him when his observant eyes find mine, cementing me in place.

"Jac," Stiles says at a higher volume to make sure I hear him, approaching my position.

"Hey," I greet him awkwardly.

People pass us as we stand in the center of the hallway. They walk around the bubble we've created, and I feel bad for the semi-blockade, but I can't find it within myself to brush off Stiles so quickly.

"Have you seen Theo around?" he asks. "We were supposed to meet in the library five minutes ago."

I stiffly motion over my shoulder from the direction I had come from.

"I just saw him on the field, he's probably heading there now."

"Oh, okay. Thanks."

Stiles doesn't say anything after that and neither do I.

The only noise to fill that absence comes from the students who walk at our sides, going to their next class. It's incredibly unsettling as time continues to grow, and it's odd for me to feel such discomfort with Stiles, of all people.

"Lydia told me about you and Liam," he spews out abruptly.

His words aren't accusatory or filled with malice, something that gives me hope he'll have a better reaction than his best friend did. Stiles knows how I feel about Liam, and he's too smart not to think that this could have been a possibility.

"Always thought you'd go for someone taller," he adds jokingly.

I laugh at his words, and though it's not entirely filled with life, it's not empty either. Stiles mirrors my smile, pleased with himself for that. It's hard not to notice how swiftly his smile fades and my laughter dies down when the bell finally rings, signaling the next period was about to start.

"I'm sorry, Stiles, I have to check on Hayden." I step away from him, making him step toward me.

"Jac, wait," he rushes out, stopping me. I do as he's asked, looking at him expectantly.

"I... um, there's something I need to tell you."

He goes to continue speaking, but it leads to him fumbling over his words nervously. He repeats broken phrases that don't make any sense and only kill time. He's struggling to say whatever is on his mind, and as much as I want to listen, I felt anxiety grow within me over Hayden being unaccounted for.

"Why don't we talk tonight? Come over to the loft, and you can tell me then," I suggest, interrupting his jumbled ranting.

Stiles pauses, contemplating my idea with himself.

"We can talk about everything," I add softly, my words holding a heavy weight.

Stiles seems to accept the offer, the troubled lines on his face fading.

"Yeah. Yeah, that sounds good," he sighs, sounding relieved.

I take a few steps away from him again. He doesn't stop me this time, and the two of us share a final smile.

"I'll see you tonight, Stiles."

"See you tonight, Jac," he agrees before we part ways, both walking off in opposite directions.

I place our conversation into the back of my mind as I continue on my path to the girl's locker room. I can already see a flood of Hayden's teammates leaving as I draw near, the various girls parting to go to their next class. I pick up my pace when I notice none of them are Hayden.

She should've known not to leave without me anyway, so I assumed she would be waiting for me inside, but when I enter the room I find no one. There aren't any more girls getting dressed, but I pick up on the sound of running water in the showers, a sign of another person.

"Hayden?" I call out into the room and then wait for a response. Nothing comes but the echoes of splashing water, putting me on edge.

I venture further into the showers, searching for the source. It's not coming from the group faucets but from one of the stalls. The curtain is drawn closed on only one of them, so I don't get too close on the off chance it really is a random classmate and Hayden already left.

"Hayden?" I repeat in a low voice.

The curtain is swiftly drawn open, the grimy fabric pulled aside to reveal the girl I had been looking for. She's on her knees in the stall, her clothes from practice soaked through with water and mercury. The liquid pours from her nose in a heavy supply, creating a silver nosebleed that travels down the frontside of her body.

Faced with the truth of what that meant, I do nothing but stare down at her in shock.

"Jac, help me, please," she whispers shakily.

Her fearful tone makes me jump into action. I step into the shower with her, uncaring that some of the water hits me and drenches my clothes.

"Give me your hands," I demand gently.

Hayden does as I say, and I help her to her feet. She leans against the tiled wall of the stall as I dismiss myself, going back into the main part of the room in search of a towel. I find back a clean one, and use it to wipe the mercury from her face and neck, removing any evidence of her failing condition.

When that's done, I leave her so she can shower properly. I bring her a fresh set of clothes in exchange for her old fabrics, stuffing those deep into a trash can along with the dirtied towel. I didn't want to risk anyone seeing them, especially those that would understand exactly what the silver stains meant.

"You okay to walk?" I ask Hayden worriedly when she rejoins me in the main room, unsure of how much this phase of her declining chimerism was affecting her.

She nods assuringly, but I still hold my hand out to hover on her side when I notice her swaying.

"Okay, then let's get out of here. We'll go to the loft," I say.

School was the last thing on my mind now.

Hayden and I move as one, rushing out of the locker room.

I expected to find the outside hallway empty as class started already, but instead, the area is filled with students and teachers alike. They're all crowded around and their eyes are aimed toward the end of the hall. I try to listen in on the distant murmurings for any sign of what's happening, but it's all too indistinguishable.

Hayden instinctively steps behind me, remaining distant from those who flank us.

"What do we do?" she asks me quietly.

I shush her as the horde of people begins to part down the middle. We watch as everyone separates for two paramedics that come out from the school's nearby weight room. They drag someone out on a stretcher, and though I can't see their face from behind the wall of people, I hear their cries of agony. Through the gaps of broad shoulders and moving heads, I also catch a glimpse of their hand covered in silver.

Alarm bells go off in my head as I realize Beacon Hills High School has just become a giant bullseye for the Dread Doctors.

People begin to create a current that heads outside, following the paramedics. Their desire to be nosy causes them to bump into Hayden and I, jostling us from side to side. I cringe at their contact but force my aversion away for Hayden's sake, not wanting to lose her in the mob. I reach for her through the collection of limbs, clamping my hand down on her wrist to drag her away in the opposing direction. She's thrown off at first, but quickly finds her footing and makes her way through the advancing group with me.

"Jac!" I hear a sweet voice yell over the chatter of the surrounding herd.

I look over my shoulder, finding Liam fighting his way through it. Hayden and I stop moving and use our combined statures to create a gap for him to use. He races for it, and takes my free hand that wasn't holding Hayden when he reaches us.

"I heard the ambulance and thought something happened," he pants from the run he must've done to get here fast enough.

"Something did," I say grimly. "But they're not here for her."

Liam's eyes pass to Hayden, taking in her skin that was far too pale for normal. He winces at that, his gaze laced with undeniable sympathy.

"It's Corey, isn't it?" Hayden trembles.

If it wasn't her, then there was only one other option we knew of.

Liam nods tensely, eyeing the environment we stand in. I do the same, both of us knowing there was no telling when the Dread Doctors would come to deal with their failing experiments.

"That means I'm next. They're coming for me," Hayden says breathlessly, her fear draining her.

"They're coming for all of us, which is why we have to get out of here," Liam counters.

I agree with him and move to pull Hayden after Liam and I. The three of us bolt down the adjacent hall. We head to the back of the school where Hayden's car was parked, our main method of escape. Since she spent the past couple of days at my loft, we stuck to using her car to travel, that way I wouldn't have to do multiple trips with my bike.

Hayden tosses me the keys when we near her vehicle, opting to sit in the back. With her current unreliable state, there wasn't much of a choice on her end anyway, as the last place she should be was behind a wheel.

Once she and Liam are buckled, I waste no time pulling out of the school's lot.

I keep most of my focus on the road ahead, though, my eyes also look to the world outside our windows for anything abnormal. It feels overwhelming as there were too many variables to account for; too many possible threats, but there wasn't another option.

Hayden leans forward, hovering over the middle console to speak from between Liam and I.

"What are we gonna do?" she asks us.

"Maybe we could get a doctor that knows about this stuff to help? Where did Deaton go?" Liam looks at me, waiting for an answer.

"He didn't say," I reply tiredly. "And I don't know when he'll be back. It's already been weeks and he hasn't even called once."

Liam falls silent as he taps his fingers on his thigh impatiently. His mind is racing for a solution, and he stills when he comes up with one.

"What if we left town?" he suggests out of nowhere.

"What?" Hayden gawks at him, his idea sounding beyond sane. I glance at him to reveal my shock, too, but only for a moment.

"Just for a few days to get some distance," he clarifies. His eyes settle on me. "What if we went to Mexico? Argent could help us."

"Wait, I thought we couldn't ask hunters for help? Isn't he one of them?" Hayden argues, recognizing the familial name.

Liam gives her a slightly annoyed look, shaking his head.

"He's not just a hunter, he's our friend, and he can help."

His attention returns to me afterward, and I side-eye him to see a grim expression.

"Jac, we can't fight them on our own."

"I know," I mutter, aware of what he was really saying.

We couldn't fight them without our pack.

The Dread Doctors were out of our league, and without proper support, we would be nothing but ants to them that they could step on. We could call on our friends for their aid, but part of me wondered if any of them would even answer.

I slow the car to a stop and pull to the side of the road, putting it in park. I shift in my seat after, wanting to fully face Hayden.

"It's up to you," I tell her.

"You want to stay and fight? We will. You want to run? We'll do that, too."

Hayden winces under Liam and I's patient stares, unsure of what decision she should make. I felt guilty for placing a heavy choice on her shoulders, but it was her life that hung in the balance. She should be the one to make the final call, not either of us.

"I'm not like you guys," she murmurs, her eyes refusing to meet ours. "I can't fight."

"There's nothing wrong with that," I assure her instantly.

I thought of my mother in times like this, of how she was the furthest thing from a fighter. I never saw her even think of violence except for the day I lost her, but she was still one of the strongest people I knew. True strength isn't defined by physicality, it's defined by someone's ability to endure. Hayden may not have known how to do much besides throw a solid punch, but that didn't make her weak. Not in the slightest.

"We'll go," I confirm gently.

Hayden peers up at me, wearing the ghost of a smile. It's her way of saying she's not completely okay, but more importantly, she hadn't given up just yet.

"We'll get our things now because we have to be on the road by tonight," I tell Liam and Hayden.

With tomorrow night's special lunar phase, it was wise to leave as soon as possible. If we didn't, I would be stuck in a glorified metal box with two people who had claws and fangs, neither of whom got along with the other. I was practically setting myself up for disaster with that one.

The two of them give verbal confirmations of their own, agreeing to our last-minute plan.

I return to my proper position after, putting the car back into drive. The three of us journey in silence, no one willing to say what we were all thinking, which was that we had no idea if Hayden would even make it to tomorrow morning, let alone the supermoon.

~

||| A/N |||

vote and/or comment, if ya want!

Happy Monday, everyone. The TW Movie is on Thursday!!

I just wanna say I'm fine if ppl comment spoilers for it, but please mark them as such! Not everyone can see the movie right away, and I don't want it to be ruined for them in a random comment lol.

<3