chapter four
cold to the touch

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IF YOU told Odessa Stone that she would be spending her Friday night going to a party with Scott and Stiles... she wouldn't know what to say. She had never been to a party before and she didn't know anyone. When Scott asked if she wanted to come, she was hesitant to accept. But in the end, she did. And that earned her a fist bump. She was starting to think that fist bumps were going to be a reoccurring thing with her and Scott.

The girl had never been to a party before. She only had the ways Stiles and Scott had described what a party was. Basically, a lot of people and cups filled with something they told Odessa was alcohol. Due to her healing abilities, however, she wouldn't be affected by it. Knowing this, the blonde didn't understand why she couldn't at least enjoy the taste of it, but didn't fight it nonetheless.

She didn't know what to wear to a party exactly so she just went with a light wash mom jean, a floral halter top and her Nikes. It was times like these that she was more than grateful that she had Lydia Martin for a friend.

"What?"

"What, what do you mean 'what'?"

"I mean 'what', and you know what."

"'What' what?"

"That look you were giving."

The Stone looked between her two friends with an exacerbated expression. She was walking alongside the boys as they made their way to the party. It was dark and pretty cold but she didn't pay any mind.

"I didn't give a look."

"Oh, there was a distinct look, Scott."

"What look?"

"The look that says that the last thing you feel like doing right now is going to a party," Stiles shot his hands up in exclamation.

"It's not that," Scott denied, shrugging, "it just seems a little weird going to a different high school's party."

"What? Would you—," Stiles let out a groan at his best friends' attitude, "God, one drink, all right? You'll be fine. I went to nursery school with this girl, okay? She promised to introduce us to all of her friends. So tonight, no Allison, no Lydia. Tonight we're moving on."

"You're right."

"That's right I'm right."

"So, what am I doing here then?"

The boys turned to their blonde friend who looked lost beyond belief. She knew about the Scott and Allison situation, but didn't know anything that had to do with Stiles and Lydia.

Odessa watched as the two stuttered for a response before the Stilinski mustered up one, "you are here... to... experience the right of passage in a teenagers life that is a party."

It was silent between the trio as Odessa studied the two boys before her face went neutral with a shrug, "okay," and made her way ahead of the boys.

Stiles and Scott watched her go, the former looking intrigued while the latter just looked amused. They both wondered what she was like when she had her memories. If she was any different when she knew the ways of the world.

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The boys caught up with Odessa, who waited for them at the front door. She didn't know what to do when entering a party and didn't want to embarrass herself. She wanted to have fun and maybe meet some girls her age.

The trio made their way through the front door and was immediately greeted by another blonde, her hair lighter than Odessa's, with a blue solo up in hand, "Stiles! Hi!"

"Hey," Stiles greeted as she made her way toward him, "there's the birthday gir—"

He was cut off by the girl pressing her lips against his. Odessa watched the awkward exchange with wide eyes, Scott the same way next to her.

The Stone leaned into her friend to mutter, "is he always greeted like that at parties?"

The boy shook his head aggressively while still watching the exchange in front of him.

"So glad that you made it."

"Me too."

The hostess of the party motioned her head toward a door, "come downstairs with me and help me pick out a bottle of wine."

"Yes," Stiles answered instantly before glancing behind him at his friends. He didn't hesitate to let his childhood friend drag him away by his hand.

After watching Scott strike out with Heather's friend, Odessa began to look around to observe her surroundings. The music seemed to ring in her ears uncomfortably as she watched people her age down cup after cup of what the blonde could only assume was alcohol. It wasn't long until she locked her eyes on an abandoned solo cup. Not seeing Scott, who was already watching her, she sneakily walked over to the cup. Before she could grasp it, however, someone had already grabbed it.

She looked up with wide, innocent eyes and smiled at Scott who was looking down at her with narrow eyes.

"Don't even think about it."

Odessa was about to respond when her ears rang uncontrollably once more, causing her to wince.

The McCall's eyes softened, looking down at his phone for a moment before making up his mind. He placed a hand on his new friends' shoulder, "come on. Allison and Lydia are here."

Odessa didn't have time to question why the two girls were here, already being practically dragged by Scott through the heavy music and raging teens. Her face scrunched as the pain in her head grew worse and worse. It only lightened when she felt the cool wind the backyard provided. She tried to smile at Lydia and Allison but it was received as a grimace.

Lydia furrowed her brow at the blonde, "is she...?"

"I'm fine," Odessa dismissed, her head no longer pounding.

Scott watched Allison carefully before speaking, "this isn't the talk we were gonna have, is it?"

The Argent shook her head, not meeting his eyes. She seemed to regret the fact that that talk wasn't happening as soon as she wanted, "I need to show you something," she lifted her sleeve to reveal a bruise.

Odessa and Scott shared a confused and concerned glance at each other. The Stone thought the bruise was too specifically patterned to just be a simple bruise.

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"I don't see anything."

It was Monday morning when the friends met in an empty classroom to show Derek Lydia's and Allison's matching bruised wrists. Odessa sat at the desk next to Stiles as she watched the exchange in front of her. The Stone could practically feel the tension in the room and she didn't really know why there was any.

"Look again."

Derek scoffed at the McCall, looking down at the bruised wrists again, "how is a bruise gonna tell me where Boyd and Erica are?"

"It's the same on both sides," Scott reasoned, "exactly the same."

"It's nothing."

"Pareidolia," Lydia mused, "seeing patterns that aren't there. It's a subset of apophenia."

Scott leaned in to Derek, seeing as the strawberry blonde's words didn't seem to change anything, "they're trying to help."

"These two," the Hale looked between the three before turning completely to the girls in front of him, "this one, who used me to resurrect my psychotic Uncle. Thank you," he nodded to Lydia sarcastically before turning to the former hunter, "and this one, who shot about 30 arrows into me and my pack."

Well, Odessa definitely knew why there was tension in the room by then. She pursed her lips together as Stiles spoke from next to her, "okay, all right, now, come on. No one died, all right? Look, there may have been a little maiming, okay, a little mangling, but no death. That's what I call an important distinction."

"My Mother died," Allison reminded sourly, her eyes not leaving the Alpha.

"Your family's little honor code killed your Mother," Derek dismissed, "not me."

"That girl was looking for Scott. I'm here to help him, not you."

"You wanna help? Find something real."

Odessa watched Derek start to walk away, Scott hot in his trail. The blonde leaned closer to Stiles, "that went well, I think."

"Could've been worse."

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Coach was definitely Odessa's favorite teacher at Beacon Hills High School. He was blunt and not afraid to call out any student and she loved the way he taught. The Stone sat attentively in her seat in front of Stiles and diagonal to Scott. The two boys didn't understand why Coach was her favorite out of all the teachers in the school but was happy she was enjoying getting used to her new life.

Coach slammed a textbook on his desk, making his students jump, which he ignored, "the stock market is based on two principles. What are they," his question made Scott raise his hand, "yes, McCall, you can go to the bathroom. Anybody else?"

Scott blinked, "uh, no, Coach, I know the answer."

Watching Coach wheeze a laugh was also the highlight of Odessa's day. She put her hand over her mouth to silence any laughter she had in her. She had only sobered herself when Stiles flicked her head from behind her. The blonde was about to retaliate but was interrupted by Coach's laughter subsiding when he saw Scott's face, "oh, you're serious."

The McCall nodded, "yes. Risk and reward."

"Wow! Who are you? And what have you done with McCall," Coach exclaimed, "don't answer that. I like you better. I like you better," the man brought his attention to the rest of the class, "does anybody have a quarter?"

"Yep," sounded Stiles, who dug in his pockets.

Then, next to her on the floor, Odessa heard something drop, and it didn't sound like a quarter. She was the only one in the room not laughing as she furrowed her brows at the small packet that read 'XXL CONDOM'. She looked up to Scott, who shook his head excessively at her confused expression.

Coach raised his brow and picked up the packet, "Stilinski, I think you, uh... you dropped this," he handed the packet back before leaning into the mortified boy, "and congratulations. Risk and reward. Put the quarter in the mug, win the reward. Okay, watch Coach," the man blew on the coin before flicking it to the ground, letting the coin bounce straight into the cup. Odessa clapped enthusiastically along with her classmates, "huh? Huh? That's how you do it! Okay, Danny," he threw the coin to the boy, "risk, reward."

"What's the reward?"

"You don't have to take the pop quiz tomorrow."

"Coach, it's not a pop quiz if you tell us about it."

"Danny, you know, I really expect more from you at this point. Really," Coach approached Scott, "McCall. Risk, reward. The risk: if you don't put that quarter in the mug, you have to take the pop—the—the quiz. And—and you have to write an essay. Risk, more work. Reward, no work at all. Or choose not to play."

"But isn't this just chance?"

"No. You know your abilities. Your coordination, your focus, past experience—all factors affecting the outcome. So what's it gonna be, McCall? More work, no work, or choose not to play?"

Scott put down the coin.

"No play," Coach announced, moving to the front of the room, "okay. Who's next? Who wants the quarter?"

From behind Odessa, the Stilinski banged on his desk and stood, taking the challenge.

"There ya go! There's a gamblin' man! Come on! Step up, step up. All right, Stilinski."

The blonde was about to watch Stiles, the door opening caught her attention. Sheriff Stilinski walked through the doorway with a grim expression. As Stiles went with his Dad, Odessa turned to Scott for some kind of answer. However, it seemed Scott didn't have a clue either.

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"So you think they kidnapped Heather to turn her?"

As soon as the bell rang, Odessa and Scott joined Stiles in the hall, the latter looking shaken. The Stilinski told his friends about his friend Heather, the girl who kissed him, and how she was missing.

"Derek says it's easier to turn teenagers," Stiles pointed out as the three walked down the hall.

"But what would a pack of Alphas need with a Beta?"

"Scott, I don't know. I don't care. All right? This girl... our moms were best friends before mine died, all right? We used to take frickin' bubble baths together when we were three. I gotta find her."

"Then we find her," Odessa spoke up for the first time, causing the boys to glance toward her, "whatever it takes."

Scott nodded at the blonde, "we need Isaac to remember."

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Odessa's hands were freezing from the bags of ice she continued to pour into the bath. They were all at the Animal Clinic where she met Scott's boss, Deaton, who greeted her with a handshake and a warm smile. The man gave them a way for Isaac to remember where he was and what happened to him. She continued to pour ice as Deaton spoke to Isaac directly.

"Obviously, it's not going to be particularly... comfortable," Deaton told the boy, "but if we can slow your heart down enough, you'll slip into a trance-like state."

Isaac stepped forward, gazing at the tub full of ice, "like being hypnotized."

"Exactly. You'll be half transformed. It'll let us access your subconscious mind."

Scott spoke up as Isaac knelt down, coming face to face with the ice, "how slow does his heart rate need to be?"

"Very slow."

"Okay, well, how slow is very slow?"

Deaton shrugged at Derek's question, "nearly dead."

The werewolves in the room looked at each other with wide eyes as Isaac hissed at the temperature of the water.

Odessa eyed the tub warily, "it's safe, though, right?"

"Do you want me to answer honestly?"

"No. No, not really."

Just then, a snap was heard from across the room. Stiles fit his hand into the glove snuggly as he was met with the unimpressed expressions of the others in the room. He blinked, "what," when the expressions never wavered, the boy ripped off the glove.

The Stone watched Isaac exhale shakily as his Alpha spoke to him, "look, if it feels too risky, you don't have to do this."

Isaac didn't say anything but take off his shirt, indicating he was ready. After exhaling a second time, he climbed into the tub, gasping at the icy temperature. Scott and Derek took their places behind the boy, grasping his shoulders. After a nod between them, they shoved the Lahey all the way in. It only took a few seconds for Isaac to start fighting the grip on his body and transform, his eyes glowing yellow.

Odessa leaped in to help and hold his legs as Deaton instructed, "get him back under," when he saw Isaac was still fighting, and winning, he spoke again with his arms crossed, "hold him."

"We're trying!"

The group pushed him all the way under a third time and felt Isaac struggle cease. The Clinic was silent as they watched the boy float up to the surface, seemingly in a trance. Deaton signaled for everyone to stop, "now, remember, only I talk to him. Too many voices will confuse him and draw him out," he glanced around at them all before starting, "Isaac? Can you hear me?"

"Yes," Isaac's lip quivered from the cold, "I can hear you."

The looks of astonishment were ignored, "this is Dr. Deaton. I'd like to ask you a few questions. Is that all right?"

"Yes."

"I want to ask you about the night you found Erica and Boyd. I want you to remember it for me in as vivid detail as possible, like you're actually there again."

"I-I don't wanna do that," the lights started to flicker while thunder rumbled outside, "I don't—I don't wanna do that. I don't wanna do that."

"Isaac, it's all right. Just relax. They're just memories. You can't be hurt by a memory."

"I don't wanna do that."

"It's all right."

"I don't wanna do that."

Without thinking, Odessa squeezed Isaac's leg. As if instantly, he relaxed. The blonde's head shot up to see if anyone saw, and it didn't seem like anyone did, so she kept it to herself for now.

"Good," Deaton continued, thinking his words calmed the boy, "now let's go back to that night. To the place you found Erica and Boyd. Can you tell me what you see? Is there some kind of building? A house?"

"It's not—it's not a house. It's stone. I think marble."

"That's perfect," the Doctor praised, "can you give me any other descriptors?"

Isaac shivered, "it's dusty, so empty."

"Like an abandoned building," lights flickered heavier than before while thunder roared, "Isaac?"

"Someone's here," the boy trembled and latched onto Scott's arm, "someone's here."

"Isaac, relax."

"No, no, no, they see me, they see me," after shuffling in the tub, the Lahey let out a scream. Odessa looked around uneasily before squeezing his leg once more.

"Just memories," Deaton remained calm, "you can't be hurt by your memories. Just relax. Relax," and just like last time, Isaac calmed down, "good. Now tell us what you see. Tell us everything."

Isaac's eyes moved under his eyelids before opening them, "I hear them. He's talking about the full Moon, about being out of control when the Moon rises."

Odessa locked eyes with Stiles at the words of the full Moon and control. She knew the full Moon was tomorrow night. She also knew that she was most likely going to be going through it alone. Odessa just hoped she would make it through without ripping someone's head off. Morbid, she knew, but anything could happen on a full Moon.

"Is he talking to Erica?"

"I think so, I can't—I can't see her, I ca—I can't—I can't see either of them."

"Can you hear anything else?"

The lights hovering over the e tub flickered once more, "they're worried. They're worried what they'll do during the full Moon. They're... worried that they're gonna hurt each other."

Derek glanced up, "if they're locked in together on the full moon, they're gonna tear each other apart."

"Isaac," Deaton spoke clearly, "we need to find them right now. Can you see them?"

"No."

"Do you know what kind of room it is? Is there any kind of a marker? A number on a door? A sign?"

The group jumped as Isaac lurched forward with a gasp. But he seemed to still be in his trance. He whispered, barely audible, "they're here. They—they—"

"It's all right."

"No."

"Just tell us—"

"They see me. They found me. They're here!"

Derek looked to Deaton with panic in his eyes, "this isn't working. Isaac, where are you?"

"I can't see them. It's too dark!"

After watching Derek and Deaton go back and forth with the yells of Isaac in between, Odessa could see Isaac wasn't getting better. In a split decision, she moved forward and took his hand, ignoring the bewildered looks they gave her.

"A vault! It's a bank vault," the boy gasped again, but seemed to be more calm than he was a few moments prior. After a couple moments, he shouted something else, then launched forward, "I saw it! I saw the name," with the help of Scott, he got out of the tub and was wrapped in a towel. The group was concerned about two things—the last thing Isaac said while in his trance, and why Odessa's touch seemed to affect the boy. Isaac inhaled sharply, "it's uh... B-Beacon Hills First National Bank. It's, um—it's an abandoned bank, and they're keeping them locked inside, inside the vault," the boy glanced around at the sunken expressions around him, "what?"

"You don't remember what you said right before you came out of it, do you?"

Isaac shook his head at Stiles, "no."

The Stilinski shifted his stance, "you said when they captured you that they dragged you into a room and that there was a body in it."

"What body?"

"Erica. You said it was Erica."

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Odessa had been watching Derek pace for exactly 21 minutes. They were all still trying to process what Isaac saw. Odessa had never met Erica, but could tell that she meant a lot to Derek and Isaac. She took her place leaning on the metal table next to a drying Isaac.

"She's not dead," the Hale denied.

"Derek, he said, 'there's a dead body. It's Erica,' doesn't exactly leave us much room for interpretation."

"Then who was in the vault with Boyd," Derek exclaimed to Stiles.

"Someone else, obviously."

"And maybe it was the girl on the motorcycle," Scott shrugged, "okay, the one who saved you?"

The Lahey shook his head, "no, she wasn't like us. And whoever was in the vault with Boyd was."

"What if that's how Erica died," Stiles offered, "they, like, pit them against each other during the full moons and see which one survives. It's like werewolf a thunder-dome."

"Then we get them out tonight."

"Be smart about this, Derek," Deaton spoke from the other side of the Clinic, "you can't just go storming in."

"If Isaac got in, then so can we."

"But he didn't get through a vault door, did he?"

The McCall nodded, "we need a plan."

"How are we gonna come up with a plan to break into a bank vault in less than 24 hours?"

"Uh, I think someone already did," Stiles read from his phone, "'Beacon Hills First National closed its doors three months after vault robbery.' Doesn't say here how it was robbed, but it probably won't take long to find out."

"How long?"

"It's the internet, Derek. Okay? Minutes."

The girl in the room had been quiet throughout the whole conversation, and someone took notice.

"Is no one gonna address our second problem?"

Almost as if she knew they were talking about her, her eyes locked with the Hale's before glancing around the room, seeing everyone else's eyes on her, "don't look at me. I'm just as clueless as you guys. No memory, remember?"

Scott crossed his arms, "what even happened?"

"I just squeezed Isaac's leg and he started to calm down," the girl shrugged, "I thought it was from Deaton talking but then I did it a second time and it worked again. So when I saw him freaking out again, I took it up a notch and grabbed his hand. Then I guess he snapped out of it."

"He snapped out of it, all right," Deaton spoke with furrowed brows, observing the girl, "your touch took him out of his trance."

Odessa locked eyes with Isaac, the latter only gazing at her, studying her, making her look away from his intense stare. She shifted uncomfortably, "so... what do we do about this?"

All eyes turned to Deaton, who pursed his lips, "give me a few days."

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ooo odessa's not some ordinary werewolf after all!!
what're ur theories??
don't be a silent reader!