"JULIA, WAIT!" ISAAC called out as he followed me. I had stormed away from the bench where Scott still remained, staring after us. I planned on ignoring Isaac, until his hand wrapped around my wrist and forced me to turn to face him. I glared up at him as I yanked my hand out of his, all my weight on my good foot.

"What, Isaac?!" I barked out, no longer cold in the crisp air. My anger warmed me up.

"I stayed for you," he said, exasperated, "I didn't leave with Erica and Boyd."

"Congrats, Isaac!" I snapped, "You did what any fucking decent brother would do! You didn't run away and stayed because everybody here fucking loves you and would be devastated to see you go!"

I paused for a moment, my chest heaving. Isaac seemed unsure of what to say, so I continued.

"What do you want me to say? Did you expect me to thank you?! I don't expect a thank you from you for sticking around because I'm not even fucking thinking about running away! I love you, Isaac, I really do. I would do anything for you in a heartbeat, yet you couldn't even bother to tell me that you wanted to run away," my voice broke slightly at the end and I only now realized that I was crying softly, tears rolling down my cheeks and warming my tinted skin.

"I'm sorry," he said softly, looking down at my hands as they shook slightly, "I love you too, Julia, I don't think I ever could've gone through with it. I need you too much."

I sniffed and nodded, wiping my hand under my eyes as I avoided looking at him, "Well, right now we all need you. Get out there, kick some ass and help Scott with Jackson. We can talk more later."

"Okay," he said with a slight nod, turning around to head back to Scott. I sighed and wiped my face again, calling out his name. He turned around with the face of a kicked puppy.

"Be safe. I mean it," I said sternly. He nodded, the corner of his lips twitching upwards.

"You too."

I watched him walk over to Scott before I turned and walked up the bleachers, struggling slightly with my crutch. I eventually sat myself down beside Stillinski, who sent me a smile and scooted over slightly to make room.

"How are you feeling, Julia?" He asked, his eyes noticeably looking at my leg and crutch. I forced a smile.

"I'm doing better," I said vaguely, though it seemed to be enough for the man as we both watched the field. I couldn't help but smile softly as I watched Isaac tackle one of their own players, forcing him to be out of the game and replaced with one of the boys waiting on the sidelines.

I easily realized he was getting rid of the boys waiting so Coach would be forced to let Scott play. Sheriff briefly asked me what Isaac was doing, to which I played dumb with a shrug of my shoulder. I suddenly shot up in my seat when Isaac collapsed, Jackson lurking nearby. I hadn't seen what happened, but there was definitely more than thirty seconds on the clock.

I quickly crutched my way down the bleachers, surprised by the fact that Melissa was following me.

"This isn't good, is it?" The woman asked me, looking slightly panicked.

"Definitely not," I mumbled, watching her walk over to Scott who was now forced to play unless we wanted to forfit.

"You can't be down here," one of the guys standing nearby said, blocking me from advancing to the field. I didn't recognize him. I scoffed, looking over his shoulder to see EMTs carrying Isaac towards the locker room.

"Can't be down here my ass, that's my brother you dickwad," I said snippily to the man, glaring up at him. He was only a few inches taller than me.

"Ma'am, please return to your seat," he said blandly. I rolled my eyes before shoving him aside, crutching by. He retaliated by grasping my forearm firmly, tighter than considered friendly.

"Hey, who the hell are you?" Coach snapped in his annoying voice, removing the guys hand from me and turning to look at me with a weird look, "You can go see him, girl Lahey."

I nodded at Coach with a quick grateful smile, sending a final glare towards the man before crutching my way towards the locker room, Isaac already inside. Once I got there I quietly pushed open the door, walking into the dark room. The EMTs laid passed out on the ground, scaring me slightly.

I tiptoed farther in, seeing Isaac on the ground, barely recovered from being paralyzed. I easily realized it must have been what Jackson did. Gerard stalked closer to him, holding what looked like a sword as two other hunters stood behind him, triangle formation.

"It was a good effort, Isaac. It was," Gerard taunted, "This would be so much more poetic if it were halftime."

I tightened my grip on my crutch, my eyes hardening into a glare as I focused on one of the unfamiliar hunters. I didn't wait another second before I lifted my crutch, smacking one of them roughly in the head. He stumbled slightly, but was knocked on his ass with my second blow to the crown of his head. One slam of my foot against his temple and he was out cold.

I flinched slightly when the other one was tossed aside, revealing Scott. We both turned to see Isaac, only now realizing that Gerard had literally disappeared.

"Where is he?" Scott was evidently shocked at the missing old man. I didn't really care as much, as long as Isaac was okay. I rushed to his side, falling to my knees beside him and placing one of my hands on his shoulder.

"Are you okay?" I asked, looking him over to make sure Gerard hadn't done any damage.

"I am now," He said, sounding a bit breathless, "Thank you."

I didn't reply as I hugged him. I couldn't even stay mad at him for nearly running away with his pack. He was my brother and I was scared Gerard had actually got him for a second there.

"We have to get back out there," Scott said from behind me. I reluctantly released Isaac and turned to look at the boy, nodding. I stood up first and then pulled Isaac to his feet.

Together, the three of us exited the locker room and approached the field again, myself using my crutch that I had picked up again. I bit my lip as we watched the time run down. I finally released my breath when the time passed thirty.

Still, nothing happened.

"We did it!" Coach screamed, "We won!"

It was true. Beacon Hills had kicked ass, though I didn't see most of it. I couldn't help but smile ever so slightly as I saw Stiles cheer from where he stood. I was proud.

"Nothing happened. Nothing," Scott said, sounding confused. I was just about to approach Stiles before the lights suddenly went out, screams erupting from everyone as they all collectively panicked.

"Scott you fucking jinxed it!" I shouted, my hand reaching out for Isaac. He quickly grabbed my upper arm, pulling me closer to him.

I faintly heard Scott's name being shouted and Isaac pulled me along after him when he took off. I huffed as someone rammed into me, nearly sending my on my ass. Isaac steadied me before we continued after Scott, the lights flickering back on.

"Mom, mom, mom, mom. Are you okay?" Scott blurted out as he reunited with his mom.

"Yeah, I'm fine, I'm fine," the good news was then followed by the opposite, "But somebody is hurt. Somebody is down on the field."

We all turned to look in sync, seeing a small group huddled around a lacrosse player. My head snapped around, not seeing Stiles anywhere.

Fearing the worst, I shoved my crutch into Isaac's hands and sprinted over towards the group. My leg burned both from suddenly moving it and the tightness in my thigh caused from running with my wound.

"Move!" I snapped as I shoved my way through, nearly collapsing to the floor as I desperately looked to the ground.

I gasped slightly as I saw it was Jackson laying on the grass, eyes shut and chest not moving. I placed one hand over my mouth in shock. I was thankful that it wasn't Stiles, yet I was worried as to why Gerard would target his little minion, and where the fuck Stiles actually was.

"Get out of the way. Move. Back off! Move," Coach barked as he pushed through the people. Isaac appeared at my side and placed a hand on my elbow.

"Jackson? What's happened to Jackson? Jackson! Jackson! Jackson, what's happening?" Lydia panicked as she dropped to her knees beside him. Though her tone and voice was annoying at the moment, it was to be expected and I didn't blame her.

"Can we get a medic over here? We're gonna need a medic!" Coach exclaimed. Melissa joined the trio on the ground and went to work on checking for a pulse and such.

"He's not breathing. No pulse," Melissa informed us. I exchanged glances with Isaac and Scott, all of us noticeably confused.

"Nothing?"

"Nothing."

"Oh, my God," Lydia cried out, "There's blood. There's blood."

"Look," Scott muttered to us, nodding towards Jackson's hands. I furrowed my brows when I saw that his fingers were covered in blood, the wound on his stomach.

"He did it to himself," Isaac spoke my thoughts. I suddenly realized that Stiles wasn't here and felt worry bubble up in my stomach. I stepped away from the two boys, taking my crutch back from Isaac as I looked around.

"Stiles?!" I called out, hoping his buzzcut would pop up out from behind one of the people standing nearby.

"Get down here," I could faintly hear Melissa snapping as I wandered slightly, furrowing my brows, "Get down here and hold his head. Tilt it up."

"Stiles. Where's Stiles?" Sheriff acknowledged what I had said, frantically looking around, "Where-Where's my son? Where's Stiles? Where's Stiles? Where's Stiles? Where the hell is my son?"

* * * * *

"I've got an APB out on Stiles. His jeep is still in the parking lot, so that means--hell, I don't know what that means," Sheriff spoke to Isaac, Scott, and I from where we all stood in the boys locker room, sounding exhausted, "Look, if he answers his phone, if he answers his emails, if either one of you see him--"

"We'll call you," Isaac assured with a polite expression.

"Look, he's probably just freaked out from all the attention or something. We'll find him," Scott said optimistically. One glance towards Isaac and I could tell we all knew it was something much more serious. I turned back to the Sheriff, seeing him looking towards me in concern. I smiled sympathetically, seemingly convincing him that I agreed with Scott.

"Yeah. I'll see you, okay?" Sheriff concluded, tossing a forced smile our direction before turning and leaving.

"This is bad," I muttered the obvious, earning a nod from Scott just before Coach showed up.

"McCall," he addressed Scott, "We need you on the team, okay? You know I can't put you on the field next season if you don't get your grades up."

"Yeah, I know, coach," Scott replied. I felt awkward as I leaned against the lockers, not wanting to be a part of a conversation on Scott's grades.

"Alright," Coach nodded before expressing an emotional side I'd never seen from the rambunctious man, "I mean, I-I know I yell a lot, but it's not like I hate you guys. Well, I kind of hate Greenberg, but, you know, that's different. It's Greenberg. I'm just saying we--I need you on the team. Get your grades back up."

"I will," Scott promised.

"I know."

"Is that everyone?" Scott asked shortly after he'd walked away. I glanced around, searching for any sign of anyone lingering in the room. Finally I nodded.

"Yep, coast is clear," I responded. I watched as Scott broke into Stiles' locker, pulling out two of his things.

"You're gonna find him by scent?" Isaac clarified.

"Yeah, we both are," Scott said, handing him a sneaker as he kept a random shirt. I scrunched my nose, the smell of sweat strong.

"But how come you get his shirt and I get a shoe?" Isaac asked, gaining a small snicker from me.

"We need to talk."

The sudden voice caused me to jump, whipping around and placing a hand over my racing heart when I saw it was Derek. I huffed, calming down from the initial scare. Suddenly Peter slid out from where he'd been somewhat hiding, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"All of us."

"Holy shit," Scott blurted, his eyes as wide as saucers as he took a step closer to the older werewolves. He subtly nudged me behind him, prompting Isaac to go to step in front of me as well at the prospect of a new threat. I rolled my eyes and forced him to stay put, "What the hell is this?"

"You know, I thought the same thing when I saw you talking to Gerard at the sheriff's station," Derek glared at the beta. I shifted my eyes to Scott out of confusion.

"Okay, hold on," Scott scoffed, "He threatened to kill my mom. And I had to get close to him. What was I supposed to do?"

"I'm gonna go with Scott on this one. Have you seen his mom? She's gorgeous," Peter smirked. I scrunched my face up in disgust over the thought of Peter and Melissa getting together.

"Shut up," both Derek and Scott snapped.

"Who is he?" Isaac finally asked.

"That's Peter, Derek's Uncle. Little while back, he tried to kill us all, and then we set him on fire, and Derek slashed his throat," Scott said simply. My eyes widened, darting over to the same guy who drove me to the animal clinic.

"Hi," he raised his hand in a stupid wave. I scoffed, crossing my eyes.

"That's good to know," Isaac gulped slightly.

"How is he alive?" Scott questioned further.

"Look, the short version is he knows how to stop Jackson. And maybe how to save him," Derek said, clearly annoyed to some degree. I raised a brow, shifting my weight.

"From being a kanima or being dead?" I asked, somewhat sarcastic.

"What?" Derek asked, unaware.

"Yeah, Jackson's dead. It just happened on the field," Scott informed them. Both Peter and Derek looked worried.

"Okay, why is no one taking this as good news?" Isaac asked dumbly. I smacked him on the arm lightly, tsking at him.

"Maybe because he's just a kid?" I suggested pointedly.

"Because if Jackson is dead, it didn't just happen. Gerard wanted it to happen," Peter countered. Of course that was the reason they were concerned.

"But why?" Derek asked.

"Well, that's exactly what we need to figure out. And something tells me the window of opportunity is closing. Quickly."

a/n

here you go lovelies i hope y'all liked it & comment how you're feeling 💖