chapter five
❝ she can barely see the pavement ❞
the tell

━━━━༺❀༻━━━━

"You want me to go pick up a movie?"

Kennedy looks at her dad, raising her brow in confusion. Ben groans, "We don't own any new ones, Ken, so someone needs to go get one."

"So? You're the parent!" Kennedy argues, following her dad into the kitchen.

Ben puts a plate in the sink, glancing back at her. "And you're still grounded for sneaking out to hang out with Lydia and Allison."

"You knew that we were going to Lydia's to study."

"And I said no because you were dressed to go somewhere that was not Lydia's house." Kennedy huffs, watching her dad throw her her own car keys. "Go,"

And that, is how Kennedy ended up at a local Video Store.

She walks through the Sports Section, picking up the movie Hoosiers, she wonders if her dad would enjoy it. "Can somebody help me find The Notebook?" She looks up, seeing Jackson.

"Jackson? Why are you looking for a chick flick?" She asks, smirking at him.

Jackson rolls his eyes playfully, "Lydia wants to watch it again," He explains, pointing to the car.

Kennedy hums in thought, "Well, sorry, I bought the movie when it came out." She explains, walking by. The works phone begins to ring, the two standing by one another. "Hello? Is anybody working here? My friend needs some help here," She calls out, looking for a worker of any kind.

"You gotta be kidding me." Jackson scoffs. "Come on, maybe they're in the back," Kennedy raises a brow, following him from behind. "So, since when did you leave the house in over sized shirts and slippers?" The brunette could practically hear the smirks on his face.

She rolls her eyes. "I'm wearing shorts, perv," The two stop, and she lifts the large shirt to reveal a pair of black nike shorts. "And I'm just looking for something for my dad and I," She explains to her ex. The two begin to walk again, and Kennedy cant help but smell something strong.

"Kenny, look." The girl with blue eyes looks up, seeing feet on the floor, as if someone was laying down. Well, that's not normal for a Video Store, she thought. She looks at Jackson, who protectively moves in front of her. On instinct, Kennedy grabs onto his arm, the two slowly approaching the pair of brown shoes. As they edge closer and closer, the smell was pungent in Kennedy's nose, almost unbearable. Jackson stops her the isle before, stepping closer to see. "Oh my god,"

"I don't want to see it, do I?" Kennedy hisses. Jackson shakes his head, stumbling back in horror. Without realizing it, Jackson stumbles into the ladder behind him, causing it and the light to fall. Kennedy squeals, Jackson dodging the light, and pulling Kennedy out of the way. He holds her close to his chest as the two breathe heavily, the lights now flashing on and off.

Jackson breathes heavily, holding onto her tighter. "Do you hear that?" He whispers ever so softly in her ear. Kennedy nods slowly, the two turning around slowly. It was to their horror, that they saw something lurking in the shadows. Kennedy noticed, however, its glowing red eyes, and its monstrous growl. Jackson grabs her, pulling her behind a shelf of movies. Kennedy slowly pulls out her phone, pulling up Stiles's contact.

Kenny Blue Eyes: you & scott need to come rescue my perfect self from getting eaten by the alpha @ video store. thank u x

She quickly messaged Scott as well.

Ken: ALPHA ALERT AT VIDEO STORE. GONNA DIE??

Jackson snatches her phone, turning it off. She sends him a glare, opening her mouth to snap at him, but Jackson wraps his hand around her mouth, pulling her into him. A shelf behind them gets to shake, and Kennedy closes her eyes tightly. Was she seriously going to get murdered? By a wolfman?

Before she could even reply to her thoughts, the shelfs behind them started to fall over, one on top of another like a set of dominos. "Kenny, you need to run," Jackson says

"Run where!?" She hisses.

"Go!" He screams, shoving her out of the way just as the shelfs land on him from the waist down. "Kenny, run!"

Kennedy turns on her heel, stopping in her tracks when she looks down. She sucks in a heavy breath, seeing the stuffed teddy bear at her feet. She recognized it as one of the stuffed animals from the Hales house. The little girls room Kennedy had been so drawn to. Kennedy kneels down, picking up the studded bear. She spins around, seeing the alpha stepping towards Jackson. Kennedy purses her lips, looking around for something, anything. When she realizes she has nothing, she does all that she can.

Distract.

"Hey, asshat!" The monster looks up at her, its claws pulling away from Jackson. Quickly, Kennedy runs towards the door, grabbing the ladder and shoving it towards the alpha. She pulls away from the monster, screaming as it grabs a hold of her wrists, its claws digging into her arms as she cried out in pain. Its claws dragged themselves down her wrists, blood trickling down her arm until the creature let go to grab her by the neck, lifting her off the ground. Tears pricked her eyes as she looked at the front door, praying someone will walk through it.

And, well, nobody came in, but somebody came out of the building.

Kennedy screams as her body is thrown through the window, the sight causing Lydia in the car to scream in terror. Lydia screams further as a strange black creature storms by, a body sprawled next to her car. Lydia quickly rushes out of her car, horrified to see her best friend lying on the pavement.

༺❀༻

Stiles mindlessly eats his food as his dad drives towards the Video Store. The radio turns on, "Unit One, we found another body,"

Noah Stilinski picks up the radio, "Any identification?" He says.

"Unit One, the body appears to be a young female, brown hair, blue eyes." Stiles frowns, looking at his dad with concern. "Unit One, body has been identified as Kennedy Stallard."

Stiles pauses, dropping his food into his lap. Noah clenches the wheel, "Is the body deceased?" He asks. The Unit doesn't reply, and Stiles reaches into his pocket, urgent to look for his phone. His heart suddenly drops to his stomach when he realizes he got a text from Kennedy only 10 minutes ago.

"Unit One, she appears to be alive," Stiles lets out a breath of relief, Noah leaning back slightly.

They get there rather quickly, Noah looking at his son. "Stiles, stay here."

"But Dad,"

"Stay. Here." Noah says, getting out of the car. Stiles curses under his breath, sitting forward in his seat. He's surprised to see Lydia and Jackson, but his eyes land on the shattered window, and the bloody pavement. He's confused when he sees a circle of people around a specific area, including his dad. However, he soon realizes whats going on when he sees a hand on the ground.

Without a second thought, Stiles rushes out of the car. He pushes his way through just to see his best friend on the pavement. Her body, covered in blood and cuts. Her usually soft brown hair was matted and bloody. The EMT's move people aside, slowly picking up the girl and placing her on a gurney. Stiles notices how the side of her face is bruised, and he could even see a remaining piece of glass in her cheek. He follows the gurney, pushing by people. "Ken, hey, Kenny, you're okay," Kennedy groaned, hearing his voice through everyone else's. "You're gonna be alright, Ken, okay? I'll see you at the hospital," Stiles stops following as his friend is shoved into the ambulance. He sighs, feeling horrible. He had gotten the text from her, and yet he didn't do anything.

༺❀༻

Kennedy's heart monitor beeped slowly as she stared at the hospital ceiling. Melissa McCall opens the door to her room, Stiles close behind. "They gave her some pain medications, so she might be a bit loopy," Melissa explains. Stiles nods, walking into the room. He couldn't help but feel guilty as he looked at the bandaged all over her arms, he could still see some curs on her hands, and her face was more purple than the night before. Her brown hair cascaded over her face, and her blue eyes were droopy as she gazed at him.

"Stiles," She chirps, smiling wide.

"Hey, Kenny," Stiles mumbles, walking over. "How, how are you feeling?"

The girl groans, leaning back in her bed. "Like I was just thrown out of a window," She mutters. Stiles says nothing as he sits down. Kennedy shifts, turning so she faces him. "Stiles, why did you come?"

"Because, I wanted to make sure you're okay. I was worried,"

Kennedy looks down, "What did you see?" She asks, looking at him with a soft look. "In the parking lot, what did you see?"

Stiles looks up at her, observing her features. She was out of it, but she was fighting it. That much Stiles could tell. He could see her fighting to pay attention as he searched for what to say. "I saw you." He says finally, clasping his hands together. "I saw you lying there, on the pavement. They were too scared to move you until the ambulance came." Stiles purses his lips, "I thought I lost you," Kennedy says nothing, her eyes drooping for just a moment. "And, I felt so guilty, because I never even saw your text, and I could've done something. I could've gotten there faster, or-" His thoughts are cut short as Kennedy reaches over, placing her hand on his own.

"Stiles, there was nothing you could have done." She whispers, looking up at him. "I texted you that because I knew you would be the one to know what happened." She purses her lips, looking past him. "Grab my bag."

The Stilinski frowns, standing up and walking over, grabbing her bag. He hands it to the teenage girl, who sits up straight, pulling out a phone that isn't hers. "This is Lydia's, I saw Sheriff accidentally put it with my things when I was in the ambulance."

"So, why does it matter?" Stiles asks, the phone suddenly goes off, and the boy frowns as Kennedy opens it.

"Watch this."

Kennedy hands over the phone to Stiles, letting him watch whats on the screen. He watches in horror as he watches Kennedy's body fly through the window, and shortly after the alpha running through the screen. Stiles looks up, wide eyed. "How do you know about this?" He asks.

Kennedy shrugs, "Because it's Lydia, who was busy taking videos and selfies of herself while her boyfriend and I were being mauled by a werewolf." She says, nonchalant. Stiles nods in understanding. "So, what do we do with it?"

Stiles looks up. "What do you mean?" He asks her.

"Well, should we delete it?" She asks. "This is Lydia's phone, how do you think she will react when she finds out that theres this scary video of a monster on her phone." Stiles looks up at her, and he's surprised by how not loopy she suddenly was.

Stiles frowns, "Yeah, I guess we should." He mutters to himself. The boy stays quiet for a moment, before looking up. "Whats that?"

Kennedy looks at the bag, seeing the small teddy bear. "It was at the scene, just like the elephant." She mutters, pulling it out slowly. "Stiles, the alpha is leaving these things there, for me."

"How do you know they're for you?"

The brunette looks over at him. "I'm the only one who would be able to recognize where these came from. The elephant, the bear I'm the only one who's seen them." She answers, looking up at Stiles.

The boy looks at the old bear, silent for only a moment. "When do you leave?"

The teenage girl smiles softly, "My dads going to take me home before conferences. He thinks I should be home resting in my own bed instead of a hospital." She explains. Stiles nods in agreement, thinking quickly.

"Well, yeah, thats perfect, I think you could help me with some stuff when both of our dads leave." Kennedy frowns as she watches Stiles gather his things, rushing towards the door. "I'll see you at your house, tonight?"

Kennedy smiles softly. "Tonight."

༺❀༻

Stiles sits in Kennedy's room, studying files on the Hale fire. "So, why are we looking into this?" Kennedy asks, looking up. She had now changed into a tank top and shorts, her arms and legs wrapped up still from the incident. Her hair was up in a messy bun, and she was on her laptop while Stiles was on her bed.

"Because, it all links back to this. It has to." Stiles says. "The Argents, The Hale Fire, The Alpha, it's all connected." Stiles explains, looking up at her.

Kennedy purses her lips, "We just need to find out how."

Meanwhile, at Beacon Hills High School, Ben Stallard sits across Bobby Finstock. "So, Kennedy, one of my favorites."

"I thought teachers weren't supposed to have favorites." Ben hums, looking at the teacher.

"Well I do, and Kennedy's one of 'em." Finstock replies. "She's sassy, she's smart, and she's got amazing balance." He explains.

Ben frowns. "Balance? Like with school and friends?" He asks, confused.

"That, and physically. Have you seen that girl throw a ball? I'd let her join the Lacrosse Team if she'd try out." Bobby explains. "She's one of my smartest students, which is surprising considering she hangs out with a bunch of idiots." Ben snorts, but quickly covers it up with a cough.

Back at the Stallard house, Kennedy walks down the stairs to grab her and Stiles some snacks. The kitchen was dark until the girl turns on the light, a scream escaping her lips when she see's a figure rush over to her, covering her mouth. "Don't. Scream." Derek whispers, moving out of sight.

Stiles takes a few steps down the stairs, seeing the kitchen light illuminating the floor. "Kenny? Everything okay?"

Kennedy looks up at Derek, who pulls away slowly. "Yeah, I, um, tripped over my dads shoe." She says. "I'll be up in a second." The two stand still as they listen to Stiles walk back upstairs. Kennedy slaps the shirtless Derek, glaring at him. "What the hell are you doing in my house? I should be calling the police."

"Look, I just need a place to sleep," Kennedy's eyes widen. "Hunters came to my house and tried to kill me, alright? Please, Kenny." The brunette looks up at him, the way he said her name sounding familiar. Not in the sense its an old nickname, but like he's called her that before.

Ignoring the looming feeling, Kennedy sighs, "The basement has a fold out couch," She mumbles. "But if you tell anyone I did this for you, I'm going to kick your ass." Derek smiles softly, waking past the girl to her basement. Rolling her eyes, Kennedy grabs a bag of chips, making her way up stairs.

When she approaches her bedroom, she sees Stiles staring at his phone. "Something happened at the school." He mutters.

Kennedy frowns, placing the chips on her dresser. "Stiles, what are you talking about?" She asks, walking over.

"There was a mountain lion at the school, and my dad got hit by a car, and almost got attacked by the thing." Kennedy's eyes widen in shock as she listens to Stiles.

"Well, is your dad going to be okay?" She asks softly.

Stiles nods, pursing his lips into a thin line. "Yeah, but, Scott was there." Kennedy sits next to her friend, "Just like how he was there after you were attacked." The Stilinksi turns towards her. "Has he even came to check on you?' Kennedy shakes her head slowly. "He got the same message I did, showed up, saw how bad you were hurt, and hasn't even asked how you're doing?"

Kennedy shrugs, "He's been busy, Stiles," However, the boy cuts her off.

"Ken, you were attacked by the same thing that turned him into a werewolf! You could have died!" Stiles shouts, standing up. "For someone who was in love with you for as long as he was, he wasn't very thoughtful of your safety." The Stilinski grabs his bag, walking by the brunette.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm going home to check on my dad."

Kennedy scoffs, grabbing Stiles by his wrist. "Stiles, stop," Stiles turns, looking over at her. "This isn't the time to cause fights." She mutters. Stiles looks at the girl, and observes her wrists.

"Your bandages are bleeding." Stiles whispers, taking her wrist in his hand. Kennedy purses her lips, wincing as Stiles slowly unravels the bandage. "Kennedy, these are super deep, are these just from the glass?" The brunette thinks back to that night, the creature digging its claws into her arm, her blood dripping down her skin. "It wasn't just the glass," Stiles whispers in realization. Tears pricked the girls eyes as she leaned onto the Stilinski.

Stiles brought the girl into his arms, walking her to her bathroom across the hall. He quickly turns on the bath water, setting it at a warm temperature. Quickly, he adds epsom salt foaming bath formula. He turns around, blinking as she stares at him, her eyes red from tears. The boy is silent as he finishes unwrapping her arms, the bruises and cuts all over her making him even more upset Scott never even tried to help their friend. She mindlessly stared at the wall as Stiles helped her sit on the counter, and he kneeled down to unwrap the bandaged on her legs. Kennedy couldn't take her mind off the creature, not any more.

"Ken," Stiles whispers when he's done. Kennedy looks up, "I'm going to leave so you can get in the tub, but I expect you in there when I come back with clothes and a towel." He points a finger at her, and he notices the smile tugging on her lips. Stiles smiles back, sliding out of the bathroom.

When he walked into her room, he wandered to her dresser where most of her T-shirts are. Looking through the shirts, Stiles grabs one he recognizes. He chuckles, knowing all to well it was his dads. When Kennedy was younger, she'd have to spend the night at the Stilinski household, and Claudia Stilinski gave Kennedy one of the Sheriff's shirts. Stiles grabs it, and then opens a drawer full of shorts. He decides to get her a pair of red loose shorts. When he walks back into the bathroom, he watches as Kennedy sits there in the bubbly water, knees to her chest. He sighs as he kneels down, putting his hands on the girls face.

Kennedy looks up, her blue eyes lost in his light brown ones. "Thank you," She says, her voice just above a whisper.

Stiles frowns, "For what?" He asks, pulling away from her slightly. She remains silent for a moment, looking at the boy with the buzz cut for a long while.

"For caring."