chapter eighty-three
sundowning

━━━━༺❀༻━━━━

Eight-year-old Kennedy held onto a man's hand, a stuffed bunny in her arms. Next to her, was a woman.

Present day Kennedy followed her younger self and the strange woman into the boy's locker room. Young Kennedy's big hazel eyes looked at the boy on the shower floor. Present Kennedy paused, looking at the familiar face. When the boy looked up, his eyes were their werewolf electric blue, and his fangs were bared. It was Derek Hale. Young Kennedy shrunk back in fear, but the woman comfortingly rubbed her back. The man turned off the water as the woman grabbed Derek by his shirt. Both Kennedy's watched as this strange woman lifts Derek with a simple tug. Her eyes turn red, and instantly Derek's eyes turn back to their normal green.

Who were these people? Why were they with Kennedy and Derek? Why was Kennedy with Derek at all? She barely knew him before Scott was turned, she thought as she looked around in confusion.

"I thought," The young Derek breathed heavily, catching present Kennedy's attention. "I thought I could control it."

The man looked at young Derek with a ferocious look. "All this risk? Just for a basketball game?"

Derek shook his head. "It's the finals. They need me."

The young Hale pushed by. The woman scoffed. "To do what, exactly?" Kennedy turns as she watches Derek stumble onto the lockers. Her younger self held onto the stuffed bunny tightly. "Rip someone's throat out on the court?"

"Even born wolves have to learn control on a full moon, Derek." The man said, standing next to the woman. Kennedy looked at them. She knew them, but how? Who were these people and why couldn't she remember who they were?

"Yeah, but it's supposed to be easier for us, why does it hurt like this?" Derek snaps, looking up at them both. Young Kennedy held on tighter to her stuffed bunny. Present Kennedy looked at herself and the adults in confusion. Why did these people bring her along? Kennedy was only eight, and she definitely didn't know anything about the supernatural.

The man walked over. "Did you bring it?"

"It's not working-"

The man cut Derek off. "Did you bring it?" Derek breathed heavily as he reached into his pocket. He pulled out an object. It had a triskele symbol. The Stallard sucked in a breath. She had a necklace with that same symbol. "Go ahead."

Panting, Derek looks up at the couple. "I told you, it's not working."

The woman slams her hand on the locker, her claws scratching at the metal. "Do it!" She shouted. Older Kennedy flinched at the volume, looking over.

Derek glanced at young Kennedy, who silently sat there, staring up at him. "Alpha, Beta, Omega,"

"Again."

"Alpha, Beta, Omega," Derek fell to his knees, and both Kennedys saw the emotionless look on these peoples faces

The woman rose a brow, as if she was bored. "Again."

"Alpha, Beta, Omega," Kennedy looked at Derek fearfully as his eyes turned blue, and his teeth were bared.

"Again!"

"Alpha, Beta, Omega. Alpha, Beta, Omega," As if timed perfectly, The woman put her hands over young Kennedy, ears, the loud scream from Derek being muffled. Older Kennedy stumbled back as she looked over in astonishment.

The young girl pulled away from the woman. Kennedy frowned, watching her eight-year-old self trot up to the screaming Derek. Derek's electric blue eyes landed on Kennedy as she reached out, holding out her small hand. Derek seethed as he looks at her. She wasn't scared of him, even with the glowing eyes, pointy teeth, and claws. He was just Derek.

Kennedy woke up covered in sweat. She couldn't stop thinking about everything she saw. These people, she knew them. Perhaps they were taken too, she thought as she got ready for the day.

Scott poked his head into her room, smiling softly. "Hey,"

Kennedy looked over, packing her bag. "Hi," She chirped nervously, standing up straight. "You don't have to come pick me up every day. I have a car." She informed him as he walked further into her room.

"Well, with everything going on, I don't want to lose you," Scott confessed as he reached to wrap his arms around her. Kennedy visibly tensed as he did. The sadness brewing in Scott's eyes were hard to miss. "You're still thinking about who we're missing."

The girl pursed her lips. "You didn't see what I saw, Scott. I was into this person. Hell, I was in love with him. He and I slept together the night you got bit!" Kennedy peeled Scott's arms off of her like toxic glue. He frowned as she stepped away from him.

Scott shook his head. "That doesn't mean anything to me, Ken. I know you." The girl watched as her boyfriend took steps toward her. "I've been in love with you since we were kids. There's nothing that can change that."

"Are you sure?" Kennedy whispered. "What if, we remember who we're missing, and it's someone that could end all of this? What if you two had some crazy deal after he slept with me that I was completely off limits and it would be groundbreaking if one of you broke the deal? What if I caused some horrible fight between the two of you and you'll have to choose between me or him? Or what if I dated this guy and we were totally in love until I cheated on him with you and now we're in this god-awful storyline where we are horrible friends? Or what if-"

Scott cut off Kenney's ramblings, placing his lips against hers softly. For a moment, the Stallard expected to melt into his arms like putty. But she didn't. She pushed her lips against his on instinct, but to her core, she knew it was wrong. Scott pulled away, his hands framing her face. His eyes which reminded her of melted chocolate stared into her hazel ones. "I don't care about the what ifs. Not right now." Scott's hand pushed Kennedy's hair back, a small smile on his face. "You're everything to me. You know that." The Stallard nodded her head as she swallowed the lump in her throat. "And you know I will do everything I can to let you know that. It's me and you til the end, just like always."

Kennedy smiled softly. "No matter what?" She asked, her voice quieter than usual.

"No matter what."

The Stallard girl nodded her head, biting her tongue. "There's something else." She said finally. Scott frowned as Kennedy pulled away. She hopped onto the small platform where her desk was, picking up a notebook and handing it to Scott. It was a drawing of a family. A family of three, to be specific. It was a woman and a man. They were young, maybe in their early twenties. The woman had long dark hair and dark eyes. The man next to her had lighter eyes and a mischievous smile. In the woman's arms, was a small baby, wrapped in a blanket. Scott looked at Kennedy for a moment, taking the drawing from her hands. "I don't think our friend is the only person I know taken by the Wild Hunt."

Scott looked up at her in confusion. "Who are they?"

Kennedy stepped off the platform, looking down at the photo. "I don't know. But I knew them." She looked up at Scott, clenching her jaw. "And so did my parents."

༺❀༻

༺❀༻

"According to the Merriam-Webster, Stile means one of the vertical members in a frame or panel into which the secondary members are fitted." Danielle Tyler read, sitting with Lydia, Scott, and Kennedy in the library.

Scott spoke up next, "Stile, an arrangement of steps that allows people, but not animals, to climb over a fence." He read off, looking towards the girls of his group.

Lydia pursed her lips tightly. "Yeah, somehow I don't think these are the stiles we're looking for." She said quietly.

Scott turned towards the computer again, "Maybe Malia's found something." He offered, glancing at Kennedy.

"No. She's been taking a make-up test all morning." Kennedy said, shaking her head.

Danielle shrugged her shoulders, "Maybe you guys could try another automatic writing thing." She said, gesturing to Kennedy. "You're the seer that's getting visions of the guy, shouldn't you be the one doing them?"

"Because apparently if I force the visions I'll trigger whatever chaotic mess a Seer is, like I did in Eichen House." Kennedy explained, waving her hands.

"But you didn't do anything bad. You just went a little bonkers." Danielle pointed out.

Lydia sighed, "Because, luckily for us, Kennedy isn't very tapped into the seer stuff, other than visions." She said as she looked back at the computer. "According to Deaton, Kennedy's powers can be way stronger than we know, but we won't know until she does something herself." A howl throughout the school causes the four teens to look up. Malia. Lydia looked around, grabbing her things. "I'm guessing the test isn't going well,"

The four teens walked down the hall. "I don't get it. Ken, aren't you her anchor?" Scott asked as he looked towards his girlfriend.

Kennedy shrugged, "Yeah, but whoever missing was the person who helped Malia through the full moons. So they probably also had a strong connection and with him gone, everything off balanced," She explained as they rushed down the steps into the basement of the school.

A coyote snarled in the corner. Danielle took a few eerie steps forwards, Scott next to her. "Malia. It's okay. You're safe." Malia snarled in reply to Scott. Noah Stilinski (called by Natalie martin), and Ms. Martin came down the steps after Lydia. "I'm not gonna hurt you." Scott tilted his head. "I think she's calming down."

"Maybe you should growl back?" Noah Stilinski offered. Kennedy looked at her coyote friend in confusion. "Scott, you're the Alpha. Can't you just make her a little more docile?"

Danielle shook her head. "She's not the problem. We are." The girl with pink hair said as she looked between them. "This is her territory. So we need to go this way."

Everyone was gestured a safe distance away from Malia and her area of the basement. Lydia looked at Noah and Natalia. "Malia came here to get through the full moons. Then we started using the lake house."

"I thought you said a wild animal got in the lake house." Natalie Martin said with a frown.

"Just be happy about all the things I don't tell you." Lydia hissed, looking from her mom awkwardly. Kennedy turned her head as she heard a small sound from the coyote. In a matter of moments, the four-legged creature was on two legs, and a naked Malia Tate stood there in confusion.

Everyone quickly looked away, avoiding looking at her. "It's all right. I'm okay." Said Malia. Natalie walked through, holding the girls clothes.

"Any idea what made her shift?" Noah asked the group of teens.

Scott shrugged in thought. "She's under a lot of pressure. School, her life after graduation."

"Her mom trying to kill her." Lydia added. Kennedy frowned, thinking back to that. Malia wasn't the one who stoped Corinne, so who was it?

Danielle shook her head. "That shouldn't make her shift." She pointed out, "So maybe Ken was right and it's connected to Stiles?"

"Hard to tell since we don't know what a Stiles is." Lydia said as she looked at the girl with pink hair.

"It's a he."

Kennedy whipped her head towards Noah. "Who?" She asked quietly.

Noah Stilinski shrugged his shoulders. "Stiles." Kennedy felt like she was going to be sick as she listened. "It's a family nickname. I never used it but, uh, my father did."

༺❀༻

Danielle Tyler sat next to Lydia Martin, keeping her hands in her lap. She watched as Kennedy sat on the arm of Scott's chair, avoiding his touch. Kennedy watched Claudia Stilinski walk into the room and hand Noah a tin box. Kennedy frowned as she looked around the familiar home.

"He was an Army engineer." Noah explained to the four teens as he handed the McCall a small photo. "Ended the war one bridge at a time." Kennedy looked at the corner of the photo, seeing a word scratched on.

"And he went by Stiles." She said softly, looking up.

Noah nodded, "So, what's this got to do with the Wild Hunt?"

Scott looked over at Lydia and Kennedy, who both nodded. "We think that somebody was taken from us." He replied.

"Any idea who?"

Kennedy speaks up. "The Ghost Riders would have erased our memories. It's a way to remove the person they take from our lives." She explained as she talked with her hands.

"Well, now, that's convenient." Muttered Noah.

Kennedy smiled awkwardly. "It is, but I think with time and effort we can find him." Claudia eyed the girl in confusion. Noah shrugged, not following. "I'm having visions of the person we're missing. It's only a matter of time before I can remember him completely. Until then the only clue we have is the word Stiles."

"And that's why you wanna talk to Elias?" Claudia asked the auburn-haired girl. Kennedy looked over, frowning at the annoyed expression on the woman's face.

Scott shrugged, "Yeah, maybe he can help us figure it out." He suggested to the couple. "Maybe he knows who we're lookin' for."

"Now this is someone your age?"

Scott stuttered with a yes as he looked at the others. Lydia leaned closer to Danielle, "I think he was my friend." The boy trailed off, looking at the ground as he felt Kennedy's eyes on him. "Maybe he was my best friend." He. added under his breath.

Noah sighed, standing up. "I can guarantee you, my father can't help you." He told the group as he took the photo from Scott's hand.

"Couldn't we try?"

"Scott, he lives in a nursing home three towns over. Hasn't had a visitor in years." Noah told the teenage boy.

Kennedy shook her head. "Not if this person we're missing visited him." She offered. "He's been erased completely, no sign of him. Meaning there is always a chance of the idea that whoever missing knew your father." She explained to the Sheriff of Beacon Hills.

"Can I use your bathroom?" Blurted Lydia.

Claudia looked at the redhead. "Sure." She said with a nod. Kennedy watched as Lydia quickly got up, and walked down the hall.

"Ken, if someone was visiting my father, I'd know."

The auburn-haired girl scoffed, standing up. "Are you hearing yourself? We just told you this person was erased from everyone's memories but suddenly you're special enough to remember if he paid a visit to your dad?" She asked with a shake of her head. "Your dad might at least give us the right direction on finding out whos missing!"

Lydia came out from the hallway as Noah turned towards the Stallard. "You're not hearing me. Trust me, you don't wanna talk to him."

"We just need a few minutes." The True Alpha tried to reason, standing next to Kennedy.

"Scott, my father can't help you."

Kennedy shook her head. "Just a few questions. Five minutes to see if he has any idea-"

"You know, what? You don't just talk to this guy. Okay?" Noah raised his voice, causing Kennedy to clench her jaw. "Find another way."

"But, what if this is the only way?"

"Scott, you have your answer." Claudia said.

Kennedy shook her head. "I don't like the answer," She snapped, "Sheriff, please,"

"Kennedy," The Stallard girl whipped her head around to the front door, seeing her parents standing there. Amanda Stallard gave her daughter a half smile, but it wasn't a welcoming kind. Kennedy was in trouble, she could tell by her fathers crossed arms as he stood in the Stilinski house.

She looked back at the Stilinskis, shaking her head. "I'm going to find him." She said before walking away. Scott stuttered, moving to say something until Kennedy is already towards the door.

She paused, looking down the hall. Kennedy frowned as she stared at a small portion of the wall that randomly went in. All that was there was a table with some decor, and just across the hall was the door to the guest bedroom she stayed in. Why did she stay with the Stilinskis? Kennedy flinched as she felt her dad's hand on her arm. Tugging away, Kennedy pushed through her parents, stomping to the car.

༺❀༻

"Dad, you're not listening to me. People are missing!"

"Kennedy, I've heard enough," Snapped Ben Stallard. He was driving his car, Amanda next to him, with their daughter in the back seat.

Kennedy scoffed in frustration. "I don't care if you've heard enough, too much, or nothing! I am having visions of these missing people and I feel like I'm going insane!" She threw herself back into her seat, her hands over her eyes. Her head hurt. Hell, her eyes hurt. It was like she had the worlds worst migraine.

Ben sighed loudly as he looked in the rearview mirror. "Ken, look," The auburn haired girl pulled her hands away from her face. "I love that you want to help everyone, and you will." Amanda nodded in agreement, smiling softly. "But harassing the Sheriff is not going to get you what you want. You are still a student, and you still have a life outside of the supernatural I need you to balance out with." Kennedy clenched her jaw, looking out the window. She was doing just fine in school. Hell, she'd be halfway done with college by the time she graduates high school.

Amanda slowly turned her body towards Kennedy. "We just want you to be successful as a human and as a supernatural." She explained softly. Kennedy furrowed her brow in confusion as she looked at the soulless look in Amanda's eyes. Her skin began to crawl and her head began to hurt even more. Something was wrong. Oh so very wrong.

The SUV slowly pulled up to Beacon Hills High School. Kennedy climbed out of the backseat, slamming the door behind her as she did. She knew Scott, Malia, and Lydia were likely heading off to the nursing home. Danielle would either be with Kennedy or them. So, Kennedy headed to the library where she knew Liam, Hayden, Mason, and Corey would be.

Liam frowned in confusion. "You're not with Scott?"

"I'm babysitting you guys." Kennedy deadpanned as she sat down. She took the spot next to Liam and rested her arms on the table. "So, whats the plan with the Gwen girl?" She asked. Gwen was a girl on the across team. Her sister was taken by the Wild Hunt, and Gwen had seen the Ghost Riders. Meaning, she would be taken too.

Kennedy turned to look up at the top floor of the library, watching Gwen asking people about her sister. "Until we find a safe place for Gwen, we need to know her location at all times."

"Okay, that's great while we're at school, but what happens after that?" Asked Mason as he looked at everyone, "She could go anywhere."

"Hayden could ask her." Suggested Corey. He looked towards Hayden, who sat at the head of the table.

The Romero sat up straight. "We don't have to. I know where she'll be tonight." She said in realization. Everyone leaned into the table as Hayden held out her phone with a flyer on it. "Nathan's party. I mean, she's been asking everybody in school about Phoebe. I'm sure she'll do the same tonight."

"We can't keep her safe at Nathan's." Liam pointed out as he clasped his hands together. "We need a place where supernaturals can't get in."

Kennedy spoke up, "Easy. Scott's house." She said as the sophomores looked at her. "Theres mountain ash everywhere. We get inside, Mason borders the doors, and nobody's coming in or out." The auburn haired girl explained as she rested her head in her hands.

Corey nodded, "But Nathan won't want to throw the party there," He pointed out to the girl.

The Stallard rose a brow. "You think I'll need Nathan's permission to throw a party?" Whipping her head around, Kennedy grabbed the wrist of a passing classmate. "Hey, I'm having a party at Scott McCall's house tonight, spread the word for me?" She asked as she batted her lashes. The teenage boy seemed fidget at the girls touch. After all, it was Kennedy Stallard.

"Yeah! Yeah, definitely,"

Kennedy turned back to the sophomores with a smile as the classmate started mumbling about the party to his friends. She tilted her head, "I hope you guys know how to set up lights."

༺❀༻

Okay, so maybe Liam Dunbar didn't like parties that much.

After Kennedy forced him, Mason, and Corey to set up the lights for the party, and people started filing in, he began to wonder how he got himself into this mess. And more importantly, how he was going to get himself out of it. Kennedy, on the other hand, was finally basking in the memories of being Beacon Hills Queen B. After all, this was her final year, and afterwards she'd be no longer able to have the crown. She danced around with classmates, the music blaring loudly throughout the house.

"Hey. Not there!" Liam shouted in dismay as someone placed their cup on the table by the front door. He grunted, frustrated. He picked up the cup as the front door opened. Liam's eyes widened as a picture of Melissa and Scott fell from the wall. Liam jumped over, catching it.

Nathan Pierce looked over. "You stole my party.." Liam barely had time to react before Nathan had him by the throat, pressed against the wall. "What, are you gonna steal lacrosse captain, too?"

"I didn't think you'd be mad."

"How'd you think I'd take it?"

"Nathan!"

The boy whipped his head around as Kennedy walked over. She had taken off her jacket and pulled her top down. Liam rose a confused brow at Kennedys flirtatious grin as she walked over. "So glad you could make it." She whispered as she placed her hands on Nathan's arm. She looked over. "Liam and I were hoping you'd take this party in hundreds."

Nathan turned further, seeing Mason holding money. "Funny way to buy my attention, Kennedy." He chimed as he snatched the money from the sophomore.

"I don't need to buy anyones attention." Kennedy deadpanned as she winked. Nathan chuckled, walking further into the party as he cheered.

"I'm starting to think this wasn't a good idea." Liam said as Mason and Kennedy stepped closer.

Mason chimed in, "Scott told us to do whatever it takes to keep Gwen safe." He reminded the beta.

"Now what if Melissa shows up? She already doesn't like me."

"She's got the night shift. She won't be home until 4:00 AM," Mason took the photo from Liam and hung it back up on the wall. "We'll have this place cleaned up way before then."

Kennedy looked over, "Scott told us to protect Gwen. And that's exactly what we're going." She reassured the Dunbar.

Mason gestured to the front door. "And putting her in a house lined with Mountain Ash," Mason opened up a glass jar, laying down the black substance along the floorboard. "Is a good plan. Believe in the plan." He hummed before shutting the door.

Kennedy turned around at the sound of someone shouting her name. Kennedy looked over. "I'm gonna take shots with Nathan and keep an eye on Gwen. You guys do the same thing." She said as she pointed at them both.

The party continued exactly as they said. Liam hung around Hayden, Mason talked to people. Kennedy kept party people distracted as she and everyone else kept their eyes on Gwen.

Liam leaned back on to the counter, watching Hayden walk after Gwen. Kennedy walks over, sipping a soda as she sighed. "Hey, should we go after her?" Kennedy asks.

"No," Mumbled Liam, sighing. "Are you watching the back door too?"

Kennedy nodded, "Hayden is going upstairs so she's got that. Mason and Corey will cover the front." She explained to the boy.

Liam cleared his throat awkwardly. "So, about all these missing people," Kennedy turned towards Liam with a raised brow. "Do you think you remember them?"

"Parts." She hummed quietly. "I remember memories, but I don't remember who they were to me, what they were." Kennedy sipped on her soda as she swallowed a lump in her throat. "But I have this feeling. Like somethings not right here. Like, like someone or something is lying." She hugged herself as she looked across the party. "I think I'm living a lie."

There's a loud boom, causing both teens to look up. "Thunderstorm?" Asked Liam, looking over in alarm.

"I think it's more than that." Liam followed Kennedy's gaze to a strange pattern on the roof. It was like a black pit. A loud scream causes both werewolves to run toward the stairs. Gwen came rushing down. Hayden close behind her. Gwen stumbled right into Liam. "What's wrong?"

"I saw him." Gwen cried out. Kennedy's eyes were wide as she looked back toward the stairs. She tried to see something, anything. "He's right there." Kennedy looked at Liam, but there was nothing. "Don't you see him?" Gwen suck in a big breath as she made a run for it.

Hayden turned after her. "Wait! Slow down!"

Corey sunk into the wall, turning invisible. He turned his head, seeing Kennedy and Liam walk toward the crowd to look around. "Guys, it's a Ghost Rider!"

"Where?" Liam called out. Kennedy looked around as she made her way through the dancing teens.

"Headed for the kitchen." Corey watched as the Ghost Rider stepped in front of him. Right there!" Unsure what else to do, the boy grabs onto the Ghost Rider's arm. Kennedy gasps as Corey becomes visible again, but so does the thing that's been taking people. A Ghost Rider.

It was tall and it looked like a cowboy. Except it had dark pits for eyes and his mouth was shut. the Ghost Rider grabbed onto Corey, shoving him into the wall. Everyone gasped or screamed. They could see him. They could all see him.

Kennedy narrowed her eyes. The Ghost Rider looked at everyone, before settling his eyes on Gwen. "Everybody out. Now!" Corey shouted. TeenHers began to scream as they runs for various exited Kennedys eyes turned blue as she growled lowly.

Hayden stood in front of Gwen protectively, unsure what she's going to do. Mason ran with a jar of Mountain Ash, putting it in front of the kitchen door. The Ghost Rider touched the border, seeing what had happened.

He couldn't get through.

"Kennedy?" The girl turned toward Liam. His eyes were wide with worry. "Your eyes."

Kennedy looked toward the glass picture on the wall, seeing her eyes turning blue. She didn't do that. She turned toward the Ghost Rider that was trying to get through the border, investigating it. It was in this moment Kennedy realized she had no control, just like Malia. Except Kennedy had a target.

"We can't let him get through." Kennedy shouted. Liam rushed to the lamp on another table. He threw it onto the Ghost Rider, trying to shove him to the ground. They couldn't use their powers. Not in front of Gwen.

But Kennedy wasn't sure if she had a choice in the matter.

She grabbed the Ghost Riders arm, shouting as he shoved her into the wall. Liam fell to the floor. "Guys, he's breaking through!" Mason called out. Corey ran to grab the Ghost Riders arm again, Liam grabbing the other. Kennedy jumped onto his back, her claws coming out involuntarily. She dug into his chest. He threw both boys into the wall and the floor whams slammed Kennedy into the wall, causing her to fall off.

Mason took Gwen's hand, running toward the back door. Kennedy crawled back to her feet, her eyes turning blue again. "Guys!" Hayden looked at Kennedy with worry. "I cant hold it!"

Gwen and Mason ran back inside. The Ghost Rider whipped the barrier again. This time, Kennedy watched the whip break through. It wrapped around Gwen's ankle, sending the teenage girl to the floor. Hayden and Mason grabbed onto Gwen tightly, pulling the other way.

"Kennedy!" Mason shouted as he looked up. "Don't hold back!"

Kennedy Stallard snapped. Her eyes turned blue and her claws came out. She growled lowly as she jumped in the air. The Ghost Rider stumbled to the floor as Kennedy grabbed him. She clawed at his chest as they wrestled. The whip released Gwen, and Hayden and Mason pulled her away. Kennedy snarled as she kicked the Ghost Rider off of her.

His whip went through the air, smashing through Kennedy's front side. She fell onto her back, shouting in pain as she did. Liam slowly pushed the DJ equipment off of him. Corey rolled onto his back as he looked over. The whip came at Kennedy, and she grabbed it with her hand. It wrapped around her arm like a snake, and the girl screamed as she was pulled against the ground.

"Freeze!" Kennedy slid across the wood floor, looking over at Jordan Parrish with his gun. The Ghost Riders back faced the deputy. Kennedy pulled at the whip, trying to break free. "Let her go!"

"Shoot him Parrish!" Liam shouted, looking toward the growling Kennedy on the floor.

"Everyone down, now!"

Gunshots rang through the air as the teens ducked down. Green smoke came from the Ghost Riders back, and the whip was released from Kennedy's arm. Her eyes turned hazel and her claws were gone. She pushed herself back, leaning against the wall as the Ghost Rider looked in Parrish's direction.

Nobody moved. The Ghost Rider gathered his whip and stepped toward the hellhound. "On your knees!" Jordan shouted. The Ghost rider walked, coming straight to Jordan and his gun. "On. Your knees." Liam looked up, waiting for everyone's next move. Jordan waited, aiming his weapon at the creatures face. Kennedy watched as suddenly there was wind around them, leaves circling the Ghost Rider and Parrish. Then suddenly, the Ghost Rider was gone.

Kennedy breathed heavily as she leaned back, closing her eyes tightly. They had did it, but barely. They had saved Gwen.

༺❀༻

Scott stood in his house. Kennedy was leaning against a table, holding ice to her hand. Where the whip had got her, it hadn't healed yet.

"You said to find a safe place. So we brought the party here." Liam explained.

"Who said to throw a party at all?" Scott countered.

Kennedy frowned, "Yeah, it sucks, but at least we saved Gwen." She pointed out toward her boyfriend.

Scott looked at her with wide eyes. "But you saw one of the Ghost Riders." He told her, looking at Kennedy then Liam.

"Corey made him visible so we could fight him." Liam explained.

"Yeah, but doesn't the book say that if you see the Wild Hunt you'll be taken too?"

Liam frowned, "Everyone at the party saw him." He said. Kennedys stomach sunk and Scott's eyes widen. "Does that mean that,"

"They're all gonna be taken." Scott said as he looked at the glass crunching underneath his feet. "I should have been here."

Kennedy shook her head as she stood up. "Scott, I'm sorry, but we did what we could. There were no other options and we had to think fast." Scott walked past the girl, walking up the stairs. Kennedy clenched her jaw, looking back at Liam. They had messed up, big time.