EMPTY. THAT WAS the only word that even came close to describing how Selena Koury felt. She felt useless and worn where she laid in the hospital bed, both arms clutching at her stomach. Her stomach, where thick bandages were wrapped on and her baby could no longer be found.

She had to undergo surgery. They entirely removed the baby, and had to stitch her up afterwards. She had a punctured intestine, but the doctors fixed that up too.

Selena didn't want any visitors. She was aware that Scott was in the waiting room, but denied seeing him. She didn't even want to see her mother, but being that Selena was a minor, she couldn't say no.

Even as Lexie cried and grieved her grandbaby, Selena stared straight ahead at the wall, eyes dry. She had already used up all of her tears, and now she was left with this hollow nothingness.

"Some people feel like naming the baby can help bring closure," Melissa McCall was talking about the death certificate that would be placed when Selena came back to consciousness. The blonde couldn't look at her, or anyone that came through her room dressed in scrubs.

"Was it a boy or a girl?" Selena asked, monotone.

Melissa frowned sadly, glancing down at her chart, "It was a boy."

Maybe Selena wasn't out of tears. Only a few pricked her eyes, but they remained there, burning her retinas, "Reuben. Reuben Jasper."

"I think that's a perfect name," Melissa said quietly, writing it down, "I'll let you rest, Selena," she went to turn and walk away, before she paused, placing a delicate hand over one of Selena's. At last those oceanic irises flicked to Melissa, "You're so strong, Selena."

She didn't have a reply. None felt right on her tongue. If Selena was that strong, she would've killed Peter a long time ago. Her baby wouldn't have got caught in the crossfire. She never would've spilled blood, or let Peter manipulate her.

In Selena's mind, it was her own doing that got her baby killed.

Melissa ducked out of the room. Selena went back to staring at the wall, concentrating. She needed to focus as to not burst into a ball of fire. She could feel the heat swirling in her gut, threatening to set the whole room ablaze. Selena fought to keep it at bay.

"I guess you were right," Lexie reminded Selena of her presence in the room, coming over to the bedside. Lexie sighed as she brushed a hand through Selena's hair, straightening it out, "I'm so sorry, sweetheart."

No, sweetheart, you should've known better. She should've. Selena should've known better. All the facts were right in front of her, and she chose to believe a lie.

Death was kind to Peter Hale. He suffered tremendously, but Selena wished she had dragged it out. Truly boiled his blood and continued rising his temperature until he was begging to die if only to stop the torture. Instead, he went up in flames and was promptly put down by Derek.

Selena was sick of bad guys getting off easy.

"Is the sheriff still here?" Selena asked coldly, knowing he had been there earlier.

"Oh, I think so," Lexie walked over to look out the window, seeing the man before twisting back to Selena, "Are you ready to talk about what happened the other night? Kate attacking you?"

"No," Selena's tone was harsh, but not because of her mom. She refused to lie and say it was Kate who took her baby. Kate was a monster, but at least she didn't kill an unborn child, "I wanna report something else."

Lexie's brows furrowed, lips quirking in confusion, "What is it?"

"I wanna report a rape."

* * * * *

Selena was asleep. Sheriff Stilinski had left a few hours ago after taking her statement regarding Clyde Bo. Selena didn't hold back, telling him everything.

Now, she was left alone for the night, shiny blonde hair encircling her head. Even in sleep, Selena didn't look peaceful. She remained stressed and exhausted, arms limply dangling around her midsection.

Her state of miserable dreams was broken by an ear rattling scream. Selena's eyes shot open, recognizing that voice immediately. Lydia. Selena tossed her thin blankets aside, one hand cradling the stitches across her gut as she quickly stood.

Lydia's wounds had been slowly healing, suggesting she was neither turning nor dying. At the sound of her distress, Selena was alit with raw fear. Fear that Peter had hurt another person she loved.

After tossing aside the IV in her arm, Selena broke through the door to her hospital room. She only made it another step before hands were placed on either one of her arms, locking her in place.

"You're not supposed to be up," Scott McCall had yet to leave the hospital, apparently, as he stared down at Selena with brows creased in worry.

"Lydia—"

"Stiles went to check on her," Scott said, trying to direct her back into her own bedroom, "You need to go back—"

"If Lydia's in trouble, what's Stiles gonna do?" Selena snipped harshly, her skin steadily beginning to warm, "Annoy everybody to death?"

Scott understood her point, but still shook his head, "Go back to your bed, I'll go look, okay?" Selena only continued glaring at him, not having an answer. Scott turned and ran off to go see what was going on.

Huffing, Selena ran her free through her hair. She turned, going back to sit on the edge of her bed. She waited less than patiently, her lips pursing and eyes staring at the doorway. Doctors were running around out there, and Selena suddenly wished she had supernatural hearing.

Several minutes passed before Scott returned. His face gave away that whatever news he found wasn't good, instantly setting off Selena.

"What happened?" she ordered right away. Scott sighed as he rubbed his neck, coming to a stop a few feet in front of her.

"She's missing—"

"Missing?!" Selena blurted, already beginning to stand again, "I have to go—"

"Selena!" Scott interrupted, hands returning to her arms as he carefully pushed her back into her sitting position.

For a moment the two stared at one other, analyzing. Scott was no longer faced with that doe eyed angel he'd seen mere days ago. He'd spent so long chipping away at her closed off walls, to the point where they were friends. Now, Scott understood that Peter had ruined all that when he killed her baby. Selena was suddenly hit with the full force of all the trauma she'd endured, from the rape to Peter and all of his wrong-doings. She didn't have a little miracle baby on the way to make everything better anymore.

Selena could read Scott just as well. She hated how utterly concerned and heartbroken he looked for her. She could see every ounce of pity he felt. She saw the words I'm sorry beginning to take form on his lips, and Selena refused to let him say such thing. She didn't want any of this—especially not Scott McCall worrying about her.

"It's Lydia, Scott," she reasoned, but her tone was still curt and stoic, "She's my best friend," Selena paused, hands balling into white hot fists as she not only suppressed another onslaught of tears, but the fire brewing in her gut, "She's my best friend, and Peter did this to her. The same coward I was helping, that I—"

"Hey, hey," Scott soothed, rubbing up and down her arms as he ignored the blisters threatening to form at the temperature of her skin, "I'll find her, okay? I'll track her scent and go get her. I need—Lydia would want you to stay here."

Selena grit her teeth. She felt so utterly worthless. An all powerful phoenix reduced to a injured little girl. She was forced to stay back and tend to her boo-boos while Scott went out and saved her best friend.

"Fine," Selena sounded mad as she pushed herself up onto the bed, diverting her eyes from Scott, "Go. Find Lydia. Stop wasting time being here."

Scott hesitated. He was still frowning, "Selena. . . I'm sor—"

"Go," Selena repeated, turning her face in the opposite direction. Tears threatened to well in her eyes, and he hadn't even gotten the words out. Selena refused to hear them.

Without being told again, Scott sighed and left.

* * * * *

LYDIA WAS NOT found that night. Selena was dismissed from the hospital late that same night, and the first thing she did when she got home was drink... and drink, and drink. Her alarm clock going off the following morning was like she'd been hit by a train.

Groaning, she slammed her hand against the top of it until it shut up. Selena blinked lazily, seeing that the plastic of her alarm clock had melted slightly from her swats. She couldn't bring herself to care.

The door creaked open, Lexi Koury stood there, "Hey kid. You don't have to go to school if you don't want to."

Selena didn't look her way, "I'm going."

"Okay," Lexi sighed, running a hand over the stray flyaways from her sleek pony tail, "Want me to drive you? We could get coffee."

"I'll take the bus," Selena denied, apparently also not wanting to drive herself.

"Oh," Lexi blurted. She stood staring for a few more moments, seeing the way how Selena laid there so lifelessly. Then, unsure of what else to do, Lexi turned and left.

After hearing the door click shut, Selena rolled out of her bed and onto the floor in a less than graceful manner. Her cheek pressed against the rug as her arm stretched beneath her bed. Her hand closed around a glass bottle and retrieved it.

Selena sat against the side of her bed, unscrewing the lid of her tequila and gulping down a mouthful or two. The taste was scorching and disgusting, making Selena cough and gag after she set it aside. She needed a few minutes to assure she didn't puke everywhere.

It took care of the headache, at least. The best cure for a hangover was day drinking, Selena decided. She stumbled to her feet and changed into sweatpants and a pink Gwen Stefani shirt Lydia had left there once. She weakly brushed through her blonde hair, swaying drunkenly in her seat. Selena glared at her reflection, utterly miserable with herself.

The face staring back was the one that killed her baby. Selena was certain her own actions were her babies inevitable downfall. Clyde was right, she had been a horrible mother. The type of mother that allowed herself with the villain, and killed people, and couldn't protect her child.

Selena grasped her pan of black eyeshadow, smearing it across her eyelids messily. She faked on foundation, hiding all of the flaws she saw. Knowing this was as good as it would get, Selena grabbed her bag and headed downstairs. She slipped out the front door, going to wait at the bus stop.

It'd been a while since she rode the school bus. Today, everybody stared at her. Even the underclassman knew about all the drama pertaining to Selena Koury. Her 'sex tape', her teen pregnancy, her miscarriage, and her missing best friend who was apparently taking a naked hike for the foreseeable future.

Selena was admittedly too drunk to care. Usually she held her alcohol well, but today she was running on an empty stomach—in more than one way—and hard liquor.

She was like a ghost in the corridors. Just drifting by with that blank sneer and a lack of energy. She went to her locker, numbly putting the combination in and grabbing some books. When she shut the door, she was unsurprised to see Scott McCall approaching her.

"Hey," he greeted, fiddling with the straps of his backpack as he offered a sad little smile, "I didn't know you'd be back in school already."

Selena shrugged, going to walk around him before he held an arm out, "Are you okay?" Scott paused, brows furrowing and nose scrunching just a tad. He glanced around before lowering his voice, "Are you drunk?"

"Are you judging me?" Selena weakly tossed the words back at him. Her eyelids felt so heavy, desperate to shut and remain that way.

"No," Scott said quickly, repulsed by the mere thought, "I'd never judge you. I just want to make sure you're okay."

Selena patted his arm, "Worry about somebody who cares."

Scott's frown deepened as he watched her walk away, her feet dragging with every step. For a moment he feared that Selena would never recover and heal. She would always be stuck as a dead girl walking.

The day dragged by at a slow pace. Selena hardly spoke all day. She grew annoyed and restless as the alcohol passed through her system and she was left painfully sober.

At the end of the day, she was returning to her locker to drop off everything. She ignored Allison a few doors down being complimented by some photographer boy in their class. Selena simply opened her locker, dropping books in with a harsh bang.

"Not her sister, her aunt."

Selena was all too aware of the gossip occurring not-so-subtly right across the hall. She paused, staring at the back wall of her locker as she listened.

"The one who murdered all those people."

"You mean the crazy bitch who killed all those people?"

Selena realized they were talking about Kate Argent. The psychopathic hunter that got blamed for the psychopathic werewolf's kills. Talk about irony.

"Yeah, all those fires, those animal attacks—it was her aunt."

"Hey," Selena turned, approaching the two girls with a lethal glance, "Move along, cunts, go find someone else to gossip about. Or, better yet, maybe you could just get a life."

The two girls shared shocked looks before curtly walking away. Selena rolled her eyes at their backs. She turned her head, locking eyes with Allison herself. The brunette hunter offered a timid smile, stepping closer after shutting her locker.

"Um, hi, Selena," she said gently, as if she was approaching a feral animal, "Thanks for—"

"Seriously, Allison, don't fucking talk to me," Selena cut her off with a genuine expression. Allison's face fell, her cheeks flushing pink. Before she could stutter a reply or Selena could walk away, their attention was snatching by thudding footsteps.

The sheriff and two deputies walked by. Handcuffed in between them were both Jackson Whittemore and Clyde Bo. Jackson had his head hung whereas Clyde was glaring right at Selena. His jaw clenched, eyes ablaze with hatred. When they got close enough, Clyde tried to lunge at her.

"What'd you say, bitch?!" he shouted, being yanked back by the officers. Selena didn't even react.

"You're lucky I didn't bury you," Selena said coldly.

"Get him out of here," the Sheriff ordered with an angry and strict look. He sighed then, addressing Selena, "I'm sorry, I didn't know you'd be here. How're you holding up?"

Selena was too busy following Clyde out of the school building with her eyes.

"Better, now."

* * * * *

Selena never claimed to be a smart drunk. Once she ingested enough alcohol, she became an embarrassment to herself and those who called her their friends. Usually, this meant dancing on tables at parties and impromptu karaoke.

However, things hadn't been normal for a while. Not since Jackson recorded her being raped by Clyde and suddenly she lost what little control she had over the fire coursing through her veins.

Now, after drinking the last of her tequila, Selena decided it'd be a good idea to go out looking for Lydia. For whatever reason, she deemed that her drunk brain would work good enough to wander the woods.

Occasionally she shouted Lydia's name, occasionally she cried, and occasionally she threw up. Regardless of this all, Selena continued her trek out in the dark and damp forest. Mud stained her pant legs from below the knees, and her arms from falling multiple times during her journey.

"Lydia!" she yelled, her hand holding her up from against a tree. Selena shivered at the cold bite of the air, having left her jacket at home, "Lydia?!" she tried again, everything looking blurry in her drunken state.

Selena let out a laugh, clutching the bandages on her stomach as the wind made the trees look like they were dancing. Silly dancing trees. She stumbled on, feet dragging and threatening to catch on any rock or tree root.

"Lydia?!" she tried yelling louder, begging her voice to project farther. Selena had to find Lydia—she had to. Her redheaded best friend couldn't die at the hands of Peter Hale. Selena would truly never recover from that on top of the rest of the shit storm swallowing her whole.

"Selena?"

For a moment, the voice blended to sound just like Lydia. Selena allowed herself to smile, and rush forward at a quicker pace, but things came crashing down right away. Literally, as a rock stood in her way and Selena went falling forward. Warm hands caught her, supporting her body back into an upright position.

"Scott?" Selena lifted her head, peering at the werewolf through strands of hair.

"What're you doing out here?" Scott's tone was one of shock as he looked her up and down, noticing the thick mud and her disheveled appearance. He carefully released her arms in order to yank off his jacket.

Selena stopped him, pulling the material back up onto his shoulders. She leaned against him, head tipped back to meet his eyes, "Don't bother. I'm a phoenix, remember? I don't get cold."

Scott carefully felt the flesh of her arm again, finding she was right. Her skin was feverishly hot even in the bristling cold temperature. He sighed, nodding, "What're you doing out here?" he repeated more calmly. Scott frowned when he realized she was even more drunk than earlier.

"Looking for Lydia," Selena leaned back as if to continue her parade, nearly falling on her ass. Scott caught her, making her hands splay across his chest.

"They found her," Scott told her, "She wandered out onto the road, the Sheriff and Stiles were there," he saw the intensity of Selena's gaze as she struggled to tell if he was merely convincing her to go home or telling the truth, "I'm serious, Selena. I wouldn't lie to you. They're taking her to the hospital to run some tests, but Stiles said she looked okay."

Selena reluctantly nodded, tears lining her eyes. She blinked, knocking a few of them down her cheeks. Scott sighed, cradling her head and pulling her into a hug. Selena held him tightly, her hands around his shoulders being the only thing keeping her up.

"It's all my fault," she cried out, "I worked with him—I helped Peter kill all those people. Now he did this to Lydia and we don't even know what's wrong with her."

"Hey," Scott shushed, brushing his hands through her hair, "It's not your fault. It was Peter, he's the only one to blame. He did it all."

Selena inhaled sharply, fighting to regain her breath. Her lips quivered in shame, "I'm sorry, Scott. I-I'm so sorry. I hate myself, I hate what I—"

"Don't say that," Scott pleaded. He closed his eyes, forcing himself to remember she was merely drunk. This would pass, and one day she would be alright again. She would be the same girl he remembered from a mere week ago.

"I'm a mess," Selena whimpered, her forehead pressed against his shoulder.

"I've got you," Scott promised, ducking down to slide his arm beneath her knees. He stood back up straight, cradling Selena in his arms bridal style. Scott began to walk back towards her house, glancing down as she leaned into his embrace and her fingers fiddled with the track of his jacket's zipper.

He walked in silence taking Selena home. She faded in and out of consciousness, occasionally blabbering incoherent words that Scott didn't question. He was too afraid of what they meant, of what dark words she dared to utter.

Scott crept inside through the back door, not hearing anybody inside. Lexi must've been at work.

He took Selena upstairs, checking two other rooms before finding the correct one. From inside there, Scott looked down at her face again, "Lena, I'm gonna set you down, okay?"

Selena lazily nodded, eyes fluttering open and shut. Scott curled one arm around her back, grabbing the towel hanging from her door with the other. He laid it out on her bed before setting her on top, preventing any mud from staining her bed set.

Scott went into the bathroom, wetting a hand towel under the sink before returning to the blonde's side. Delicately he lifted her first hand, rubbing any dirt and grime off of her arm. He did the same with the second, and carefully took care of a small smear on her cheek from wiping at her face.

He sighed as he opened the drawers of her dresser, finding a pair of sweatpants. He brought them over to Selena's side, reaching for the drawstrings of the laid she was currently wearing.

Selena's face pursed, lips curling downwards as she weakly pushed at his hands and turned away, "Clyde," she muttered. It was unclear if she was reminding him, or genuinely believed it was her rapist standing there.

Scott's hands recoiled faster than they had any time she'd truly burnt him. He placed his palm against his forehead, panic falling over him as he realized what he'd done, "Selena, I'm so sorry," he said immediately, "I didn't—I didn't think. I just, the mud. I wasn't trying to..." he shook his head, disappointed in himself, "I'm sorry."

Selena rolled onto her back again, her brows furrowing as she stared at him. She blinked slowly, harshly, "Scott?" she slurred, seemingly realizing it was only him. He frowned, nodding.

"I'm here," he whispered.

Selena sat up, looking down and trying to untie her sweatpants. Her hands fumbled and pulled, unable to get it as she swayed a little. She eyed Scott again, "I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry," Scott insisted. She had nothing to be sorry for.

"I called you Clyde," she sniffled, struggling not to cry yet again in front of the boy, "You're not him," again she fiddled with the knot, "I can't... I can't get it."

"Do you want help?" Scott offered. He received a nod of consent. He shuffled a little closer, easily pulling the string and undoing the small knot.

Selena stood up, leaning her forehead against Scott's chest as she pulled her pants down. Scott didn't look at her until she'd pulled the second pair up. Selena grabbed his hand, bringing it back to the strings and silently asking him to tie it. Scott did so, making a bow.

"Why are you nice to me?" Selena spoke up, still resting against him. Scott's hand rubbed up and down her back soothingly. He, too, felt comfortable when wrapped up in her warmth.

"Because you deserve it," he said simply. Selena huffed in disbelief.

"You're just a good person, Scott. Don't make this about me," Selena pulled back, their eyes locking again.

There were countless things Scott wanted to say. It was all about her. Scott wasn't sure he would do all of this for just anybody. He cared about Selena beyond his compassion. But none of that mattered right now, because confessing that he cared for her wouldn't bring her baby back, it wouldn't undo Peter's manipulation, and it wouldn't make her feel better.

Selena sat back down on her bed, tossing the towel aside. Scott cleared his throat, "Do you want me to stay?" Selena hesitated, eventually giving a head shake. She gave a sad smile.

"Yeah, I do," she looked down at her hands, "But tomorrow morning I won't want you here. Tomorrow I'm gonna pretend like none of this happened, because I don't want to talk about it anymore. I don't want you to convince me I'm a good person, or that everything will be okay... I just want to forget it all."

It pained Scott to hear that. He wasn't sure what he could do to make things better. He just wanted to be there for her. But, if she said no, he'd never spend a second fighting against that.

"Goodnight, Selena," he said in a soft, desolate tone. Scott approached her door, leaving as she asked him to.

Selena wiped her eyes, refusing to let another tear drop.

"Night, Scotty."