!due to the mature theme of this chapter, readers discretion is advised!
!also prepare to cry i'm torturing you from here on out!
but happy birthday to dylan o'brien cant wait for our proposal & the wedding<3

chapter forty-four
❝ i want you bad but it's come down to nothing ❞
echo house

━━━━༺❀༻━━━━

Usually, when your boyfriend tries to kill you, you stay away. Unless you're Kennedy Hale. In fact, in Kennedy's case, she's decided to stay closer. Peter looked at his daughter. "I cant believe I'm letting you do this." He mumbled.

"Someone needs to keep an eye on Stiles." Kennedy told him. The two of them stood in the lobby of Eichen House. Stiles would be there in an hour or so. Until then, she would spend her time getting checked in.

It was a weird plan, actually. Stiles wanted to spend the weekend there to protect everyone from himself, but Kennedy had forced him to agree to let her tag along. That way, he wouldn't be alone, and she could stop him if he did go Nogitsune on the other patients. They kept this a secret to everyone but their own parents. Peter didn't want to agree, especially after realizing Kennedy has another sibling out there somewhere, but he didn't want to slip that he had cheated on Sloane either. So, here he was.

Peter sighed, handing her her stuffed bunny. "Alright, fine." He said slowly, pulling her into a hug. "If something happens, call me as soon as you can." Kennedy slowly nods, hugging her dad tightly. She was wearing a gray shirt and sweat pants, like most people here. The nurse standing at the door waits for Kennedy. She smiles softly at her dad, walking away.

Kennedy looks around, "Okay, so would it be wrong if I said this looks like a nightmare?" She said sarcastically to the nurse.

"Nope, thats what most people say." The woman stated blandly. Kennedy rose a brow, nodding slowly. "This is your room." She bummed, opening what practically looked like a cell door. A girl was already in the room, but she wasn't looking at Kennedy. "Doors will be locking in thirty minutes."

"Thanks," Kennedy mumbled, turning to the girl on the other bed. "Hi,"

Turning around, a surprised look is on the girls face. Even Kennedy is surprised. "Kenny?"

"Malia?" Both girls give each other bone crushing hugs. Pulling away, Kennedy looks the girl up and down. "What the hell are you doing here?"

The Tate purses her lips. "My dad sent me here." She said sadly. After Malia was completely honest with her dad, he thought that her time lost really affected her. So, he sent her to Eichen for a few weeks so they could determine what's wrong.

Kennedy furrows a brow. "Oh my god, I had no idea." She quietly mumbled, "I'm so sorry."

"Don't be, it's not your fault." Malia said. She paused, looking at the girl. Kennedy wasn't crazy, and everyone who cared enough knew she was a werewolf. There was really no reason for her to be locked up. "But why are you here?"

The Hale girl shrugged, "It's a long story." She looked back at the door, realizing Stiles would be there soon. "Look, I have to actually go find someone, but I'll be back. Okay?" Malia nodded, happy she was finally going to have a friend.

Kennedy walked out of her room, and down the stairs. She heard a boy mumbling something as she walked by, but she didn't give it much thought. She made it almost the entire way down when she was overcome with a familiar scent. She smiled wide, running the rest of the way down. Stiles looked up to see Kennedy running towards him. He ignored his nurses shouts of protest, running over and wrapping his arm around her. She shoved her face in his chest, grateful he was with her.

Stiles's nurse waited for the two of them. "Come on," Stiles waved her along. Kennedy followed him up the stairs.

"You're on a higher level than me," Kennedy whispers, the couple passing her hallway.

Stiles shrugged, "That's okay. We don't need to be right next to each other. I think." He paused in thought, but the sound of someone above them causes them to look up.

"I'm the part of the bird that's not in the sky." A man above them chants over and over.

Stiles and Kennedy stand next to each other in confusion. "Hey, do you see that?" He asks.

"I'm the part of the bird that's not in the sky."

Kennedy recognized the guy from before. She walked passed him on her way down the stairs. How did he get up there so fast? "That's not normal," Kennedy mumbled. A nervous feeling settles in the girls chest.

The two teens begin rushing up the stairs. "Stiles, wait for me." The nurse scolds. He ignores her request, trying to make it up there before the guy did something.

"I'm the part of the bird that's not in the sky." The man began to wrap what looked like a bed sheet onto the railing of the top floor.

"Hey, stop it!" Stiles screamed.

Kennedy pushed herself to go faster. The man was going to kill him self. "Stop! Wait!" She yelled out.

"I can swim in the ocean,yet still remain dry. I can swim in the ocean, yet still remain dry. I can swim in the ocean, yet still remain dry." The man stood on top of the railing now. Kennedy could hear her own heartbeat in her ears.

"Stop! Somebody stop him!" Stiles shouts, but it's no use. As the man stepped off the railing, Stiles grabbed Kennedy by the shoulders, pulling her into his arms. Kennedy felt her face land onto Stiles's chest, his arms around her protectively. Kennedy screwed her eyes shut, hearing he mans neck snapping from above. The nurse yells in surprise. Stiles looked down, seeing the patients all around on the main floor. He exhaled sharply, seeing what looked like the Nogitsune in the crowd. Kennedy pulled away from Stiles, looking down at the crowd of people, too scared to look up.

It was then Kennedy was sent directly to her own room, where Malia seemed to patiently wait. "What happened?" Malia stood up, seeing the distraught on Kennedy's face.

"Someone killed themselves." She whispered. Malia's face softened, and she put a hand on Kennedy's shoulder. "Is it always like this?"

Malia shrugged. "Sometimes." She looked around, trying to think of something better for Kennedy. The door suddenly shut behind them. "Looks like it's time for bed."

Kennedy scoffed, "Like I can sleep after that." She mumbled. Malia watched Kennedy sit on the bed across from her.

"We don't have to sleep." Malia offered. Kennedy looked up, furrowing a brow. "We could talk about stuff."

Kennedy smiles, "Well, I do have lots of drama at home." She mumbled. The rest of the night, the two girls shared stories. Malia shared crazy hunting tales, and Kennedy talked about the ridiculous events that occurred in Beacon Hills.

༺❀༻

The next morning, Kennedy and Malia walked through Eichen House together. "That breakfast was disgusting." Kennedy complained. Malia laughed. The two girls walked outside. "Thank god, I needed air." Kennedy closed her eyes for a moment, letting the dull son wash over her skin. Maybe it was her inner werewolf, but the urge to run around like a small child sputtered up inside her. Like a burst of energy. Malia noticed this, as she has had it every day since becoming human.

Malia looked around. "We can't do anything crazy active. They'll think we're trying to fight." She explained. Kennedy groaned, leaning onto the brick in annoyance. "I wanted to run around the yard, and they tackled me." Malia confessed. Kennedy looked around.

"Can't we just color or something?" Kennedy crossed her shoulders over her chest, looking down at her shoes.

"Only with crayons. They won't let us use pencils."

Kennedy furrowed her brow. "Why?" She asked.

"Because you can stab someone with a pencil or something." Malia answered. Kennedy tilted her head in thought, realizing that it was a fair point.

"Kenny!" The Hale turned around, smiling wide when she saw Stiles. However, before she could react, Malia moved in front of her. "Hey, Malia." The Tate girl looked up. "It's Stiles. Do you remember me? I'm friends with Scott and Kenny." The girl narrowed her eyes in distaste. "Remember. We were the ones who helped you out with-" Siddenly, Malia throws a fist at Stiles, sending him to the ground.

Kennedy gasps wildly as people come running over, shoving Stiles to the ground and another pulling Malia away. "A few more like this, Malia, and you're headed to the closed unit." Stiles struggled on the ground. Kennedy looked at Malia, who had an angered look on her face. Malia is pulled away, and Kennedy watches her boyfriend struggle on the ground.

"Enough!" A voice yelled. Kennedy looked up, seeing Ms. Morrell shoving through the crowd. The guard climbed off Stiles, Kennedy kneeling down to name sure he's okay. "Enough." Stiles seemed more focussed on whatever was below them. Kennedy knitted her brows together in confusion. The woman looked down at the teens, "Stiles. You saw something, didn't you?"

"That basement." He breathed. "I've been down there before."

༺❀༻

Kennedy sat next to Stiles at a group therapy session. "I want to go back to the topic of guilt today. It might surprise you to hear me say that guilt is a good thing. It's a rather mature emotion." Ms. Morrell turned to the Tate on her right. "Malia, you said something about guilt the other day. You said it came with a visceral reaction."

Malia's eyes drifted to the ground. "I said it made me feel sick to my stomach." She said slowly. Kennedy studied her friend, wondering what Malia dealt with on a daily basis.

"Guilt often becomes physical. You feel it in your gut. It's not just psychological." Ms. Morrell continued to stare at the Stilinski. "How does guilt make you feel, Stiles?"

Kennedy turned to her boyfriend, seeing his nervousness lost in his own mind. Stiles snapped out of his thoughts. "I'm sorry, what?" He asked weakly. Kennedy purses her lips together, feeling empathy for the young boy.

"Guilt. What does it make you feel?"

The teenage boy bounced his leg up and down, feeling the Nogitsune haunting him. "Nervous."

"Like a sense of urgency?" Stiles blinked, feeling the Nogitsune behind him. "You feel an urgent need to make up for something you've done. To apologize. These are healthy responses." He adjusted in his seat, trying to focus on something else. "Does anyone know what we call someone who doesn't experience guilt?"

Kennedy looked at the counselor. "A sociopath." A boy answered. Kennedy looked over, it was a boy Stiles had told her was his roommate. She couldn't remember his name.

"That's right, Oliver." Ms. Morrell spoke. She looked over at Stiles, noticing his urgent movements, and then the markings on his neck. "I'm sorry, everyone, but we need to take a break." She blurted. Everyone slowly began to disperse as Morrell walked towards the couple. "Come with me, you two. I'd like to talk to you for a minute."

Kennedy and Stiles share a look, following the woman to another room. "What's going on?" Kennedy asked.

Morrell looked over. "I need Stiles to lift up the back of his shirt." The two teens shared a look, but Stiles obliged. Kennedy watched as Stiles pulled up his gray shirt, showing a strange pattern all over his back.

"What the hell?" Kennedy faltered, walking closer to see it.

"It's called a Lichtenberg figure." Morrell commented, tracing the design slowly. "They appear on lightning strike victims." Stiles pulled down his shirt, turning around to face the woman. "The fact that they're appearing on you after a shot of Wolf Lichen is both significant and strange."

Stiles looked at Kennedy, who had an expression of confusion. "By significant and strange do you mean hopeful and optimistic?"

Morrell looked at her shelf. "When the marks fade, the Nogitsune's grip over you will return." Kennedy kept her mouth shut as Morrell walked back over. She handed Stiles a bottle of pills.

"What are these? Sleeping pills?"

Kennedy took the bottle from his grasp, reading the label. She didn't know how to pronounce it, but she knew what family of medication it belonged to. "Amphetamines." She specified, looking over at her boyfriend.

"Sleeping is exactly what you don't want to do. You're vulnerable when you're asleep."

Stiles takes the bottle back, "So all I have to do is stay awake?" He asked.

"For now." Morrell addressed. "If your friends haven't figured out something by the time those marks are gone, I'll come find you."

"To tell me what to do?"

"No, to give you an injection. Pancuronium Bromide." The woman held up a small bottle with a clear liquid. "It causes respiratory paralysis."

Kennedy's eyes narrowed in confusion. "That sounds a lot like death." Stiles weary stated.

"It's used for lethal injection, yes."

"So when the Nogitsune takes over, you're going to kill my boyfriend?" Kennedy scoffed, sending the woman an angry look.

Morrell looked at the Hale. "I'm going to do what I've always done. Maintain the balance."

Stiles exhales through his nose, "Okay then. I've missed our talks. Thanks for the illicit drugs." He grabbed his girlfriends hand, tugging her towards the door.

"Stiles." The boy came to a halt. Kennedy turned around, glancing at Ms. Morrell. "Stay awake."

༺❀༻

"I win!" Malia cheered, holding up her last pair of cards. Kennedy groaned, leaning back onto her bed frame. "I'm getting good at these card games."

"Yeah, yeah." Kennedy muttered. The girl shivered, catching Malia's attention.

The Tate girl studied the Hale across from her. "Youre cold." She deadpanned.

Kennedy flicked her eyes up. "Aren't you?" She inclined.

"Yeah, but that's because I had fur. You're cold because of something else."

Kennedy shrugged, fiddling with the bottom if he pants. "I think ever since I literally got hit by a bomb, took like my friend and my coach's pain, and almost got strangled to death, it kinda screwed me up." She confessed. Malia's face softened as she watched Kennedy study the ground. "I haven't been able to get properly warm in a while."

Malia rolled her head in thought. She stood up, walking to the corner of the room. Kennedy watched as Malia held up a long sleeve shirt. "I get it,"
Malia held out her arm. "The boys bathroom had warm water. Shower in there and you can wear this." She stated matter-of-factly. Kennedy slowly took it, smiling softly.

The halls of Eichen were quiet. Most people were running around, doing normal things, but Kennedy needed to warm up. The boys bathroom door squeaked as she opened it. She used her werewolf senses, detecting nobody was there with her. The line of showers towered over her. She put all of her things in the corner, making sure the clothes weren't at risk of getting wet. Turning on the faucet, Kennedy stood to the side and undressed as she waited for the water to warm up.

Water washed over Kennedy, causing her to close her eyes. She loved hot showers. Her fingers ran through her hair as she continued to bathe. She looked around, realizing because she wasn't supposed to be showering, she had no shampoo or conditioner. Little gross, she thought, but the warm water lead her not to care anymore.

Stiles walked in, not acknowledging that another person was in the bathroom. He popped one of the medications in his mouth. He turned on the sink, cupping his hand under the faucet. He had to stay awake. He shoved the water in his mouth, swallowing the pill. Stiles had to stay awake. His eyes shifted behind him, seeing the naked girl in the shower. Stiles turned around, making sure he wasn't hallucinating.

Kennedy smiled at him, the steam pretty much covering her entirely. Stiles's face paled at the thought of what bathroom he walked into. Kennedy turned back to the shower, "Don't worry, Stiles, you didn't just accidentally walk into the Girls' Room." She assured him.

Stiles choked out, "Thank God." Looking away from her. He didn't know how to react. Sure, they were dating, and he's seen her naked plenty of times, but this still felt different than usual. "Okay, so what are you doing in the Boys Room?"

"Showering."

Stiles rolled his eyes. "I can see that. I mean I saw that." He paused. "Well, actually I didn't see anything really. I just-There was too much steam to- No t that I would prefer there to be less steam-"

"Stiles, I don't care." Kennedy laughed, "They keep the water temperature in the Girls' Room too low. So Malia told me to shower in here." She explained. Stiles kept his eyes on the floor, figuring that made sense. "I haven't really been able to keep warm lately."

Stiles shrugged in thoughts "Maybe you just have a low core temp. You know, you might just be sick or-"

"I almost died like three times in the span of five hours."

"Or, it could be, hey, it might be that. It's probably that." Stiles said awkwardly. Kennedy turned off the shower, reaching for the towel. Stiles stayed looking away, trying not to watch as she strolled over, slowly wrapping her towel over her body.

Kennedy smirked, "Now you're staring." She teased, covering her body with the white fabric.

Stiles glanced up to the ceiling. "I, uh, I wasn't." He lied. Kennedy tilted her head.

"Then what are you doing?"

The human boy swallowed thickly, unsure what he was going to say. "I'm trying to stay awake, you know?" He choked out. The Hale girl hummed, reaching her finger tips to his jaw. Stiles's head turned towards Kennedy.

"I can think of a few ways we could do that." She whispered. Stiles's eyes glanced to her lips.

"Well, uh, I need to get to that basement."

Kennedy batted her lashes, "Why?" She asked.

Stiles's hands wrapped around her waist. "I remember being down there. I have to find out why." He explained. "I need to get into the basement. Which means that I need to get the keys off of that orderly. The big one."

"Brunski." Kennedy and Stiles turned around, seeing Malia leaning on the door frame to the bathroom. She walked into the room, "Kennedy and I can get it."

The Hale girl smiled, "Yeah, yeah we can." She says, turning to Stiles. She kissed her boyfriend, grabbing her clothes. "I'll see you tonight."

༺❀༻

Malia walked into the main room of the institute, Kennedy close behind. "How are we going to get Brunski's keys?" Kennedy asked, eyeballing the bigger guard.

Oliver walked by, coming from the direction Stiles stood. "Maybe he can help," Malia said. The Tate rushed over, grabbing the boy in brown. "How crazy are you?"

"What?"

"You know what Stiles wants, right?" Kennedy asked. Oliver slowly nods. "We're trying to help him. But if you-" Before Kennedy could continue, Oliver screams. Her eyes go round when the boy tackles her to the ground.

He held her arms back onto the ground. "You're lying! You're a liar!" Oliver shouts. Malia steps back, unsure what exactly the boy was doing.

Brunski runs over. "What the hell is going on!?" He shouts. Stiles watched from the back of the room. Kennedy struggled under Oliver's grip.

"Get this nut job off of me!" She screeches, Kennedy's amazing acting pulling off. "Help!"

Guards began grabbing onto Oliver, pulling him away from Kennedy. "No! She said that they drill holes in your head." Kennedy swiftly lifted her hand, grabbing the key from Brunski's pocket. "She said they're gonna put a hole in my head!" Stiles rushed over, him and Malia helping Kennedy up. The Hale placed the keys in Stiles's hand. "Please, come on! Please, don't," Oliver gave them a small smile, knowing the plan must have worked. "Please don't drill a hole in my head."

Oliver was carried away. Stiles looked at his girlfriend. "Are you okay?" He asked, running his hand through her hair.

"Better than okay, that was awesome!" Kennedy beamed. She sighed, "You going to go to the basement?"

Stiles nods, "Yeah, you two stay here, alright?" Kennedy nods, watching Stiles walk down the hall.

Malia patted Kennedy's arm. "Come on, we should go make sure that Oliver guy is okay." She explained. Kennedy nods, walking with the Tate.

༺❀༻

Dinner time rolled around, and Kennedy hadn't seen or heard from Stiles. She glanced at Brunski. Her eyes landed on his pocket, seeing the imprint of the keys. Her mouth parted in realization. If he had the keys, where was Stiles?

Malia walked over to the table, sitting across from Kennedy. The Tate studied her in confusion. "What's wrong?" She asked.

"I think something happened to Stiles." Kennedy confessed. "Brunski has his keys again, but we haven't seen Stiles in hours." Malia looked around, glancing at Brunski and the other patients. "He has to be locked up."

The Tate shrugged. "But how do we know?" She replied. Kennedy brought her lips between her teeth, trying to figure out a solution.

Brunski walked by, and Kennedy turned around. "Excuse me, where is my friend, Stiles?" She asked politely. The man narrowed his eyes in annoyance.

"Your friend, huh?" Brunski asked, "Well, your buddy decided to go and try and steal from me, and so he's in the closed unit for the night, taking a nice long nap."

Kennedy's eyes widened in realization. Stiles couldn't sleep. But if they made him take a sedative, then things obviously wouldn't go as planned. Brunski walked away, and Kennedy turned to Malia. "We have to get Stiles out of there."

"How?"

"I have a plan." Kennedy mumbled. "But we're going to need to find a way to keep them from locking our door tonight."

Malia shrugs, "Easy. People put gum in the locks all the time." She told the Hale.

Kennedy shrugs, "But we don't have gum." She queried. She watched as Malia reaches under the table, pulling up a piece. "Oh that's gross."

"But it's new," Malia adds. Kennedy scrunched her nose, seeing that it was in fact still a chewable consistency. "Come on."

The two girls got out of there seats, walking towards the stairs. Kennedy looked up at the many flights, remembering the person who died just the night before. Her breath shakily escaped her lungs. Malia lead them back to their room, looking at the lock. Kennedy watched anxiously as Malia manipulated the gum into the lock, making it hard to even see.

"Tonight, exactly fifteen minutes after lockdown, we'll go find Stiles." Malia explained to the Hale. Kennedy sighed, nodding slowly. The two girls walked into their room.

"Why are you helping us?"

Malia turned around, shrugging her shoulders. "You're my friend." She answered honestly.

Kennedy's forehead creased together in confusion. "But you punched Stiles in the face." She pointed out.

"Yeah cause I don't like him."

"But you like me?"

Malia's eyes glanced at the floor. "Well, yeah. You're the only person who's actually came to check up on me after what happened. You're like, the only person who cares." She confessed. Kennedy smiled softly, walking over and pulling Malia in for a hug. Malia was surprised by the action, still getting used to hugs. However, she hugged back, finding comfort in the girls arms.

The sound of something behind them causes them to look back. It was the door the staff had supposedly locked. Kennedy and Malia made eye contact, both of them rushing to the door. Malia's hand hovered over the handle, pushing on it slightly. There was no stop, meaning their plan had worked.

They were going to get Stiles, get to that basement, and figure out what the hell is going on.

༺❀༻

Kennedy paced back and forth anxiously. Malia watched, her head cocked to the side. Kennedy's arms hugged her body. There were only a few more minutes, but it felt like hours. She wanted to go and find Stiles, and get him the hell out. The thought of something going wrong caused the girl to become more and more nervous. She never should have agreed to let Stiles go here. She should have stopped him the minute he told her.

"It's been fifteen minutes."

The Hale looked at Malia, who slowly crept to their door. Kennedy pressed her ear to the door, listening into the hall. Malia did the same, both of them using their supernatural senses. "I don't hear anything." Kennedy whispered. They pulled away, Kennedy's reaching for the handle.

Their door slowly opened, both girls wincing at the sound of a small creek. Kennedy poked her head out first, then Malia. Both girls looked to the left, then to the right. Seeing nobody, they crept out of their room. Malia waved her hand along, the two of them creeping through the halls.

"Where are we going?" Kennedy asked. She didn't know where anything was in this place. So finding Stiles seemed more difficult than usual.

"The quiet room."

Kennedy's face scrunched up. "Sounds like a horror movie to me." She retorts.

"Oh, 100%."

The two reach a door that seemed to be more terrifying than the others. The pair put their ears up to the door, listening to the faint sound of crying, maybe even yelling. "That's definitely Stiles," Kennedy said, urgently grabbing the handle. Her eyes flickered red for a moment before she snapped the lock. The door pushed open, both girls rushing in. Kennedy kneeled down, shaking her sleeping boyfriend

"No, no," Stiles yelled, trying to push away.

"Stiles, wake up!" Kennedy scolds. Stiles's eyes shot open, his girlfriend staring at him. "Shut up," She whisper-shouted at the boy. Malia looked behind them, making sure nobody was coming.

Stiles panted as he felt Kennedy's hand on his face. "How did you guys get in here?" He asks, looking behind her to see the Tate.

"I broke the lock." Kennedy said, smiling.

Malia walked over, "Get up." The two girls pull Stiles to his feet. "There's another way to the basement. Through the Closed Unit. Where they keep the real psychos."

Kennedy let out an exasperated sigh. "Mhm, the psychos, exactly where I want to be right now."

The Closed Unit was just as Kennedy expected it to be. Every door they passed they could hear screaming, crying, or laughing. Sometimes different people would bang on the doors, causing Kennedy to jump in fear. Stiles kept his hand firmly intwined with hers, following Malia through the dark halls.

The three of them finally got into the basement. Kennedy looked around, realizing this space was just as weird. Stiles observes the basement, the one he had dreamed about being in. Malia looked over at him, unsure. "Do you know what you're looking for?"

Stiles nods silently. "Something to do with that." He gestures his hand. Both girls look over, confused when they see a backwards five.

"What does it mean?" Malia asks.

"It means self." Kennedy answers, touching the faded symbol on the back of her ear.

Malia's brows knit together in confusion.  "Maybe you should tell me more." She said bluntly.

"You might not like me if you know any more." Stiles says awkwardly.

The Tate raised a brow. "I already don't like you." Kennedy sighed, giving Malia a stern look. The Tate's shoulders slouched. "Try to remember that I'm a werecoyote who murdered her own family. I won't judge. I promise." She says shortly.

Stiles was hesitant, to say the least. He glanced at Kennedy, who gave an assuring smile. "I think we can trust her." She said sheepishly.

༺❀༻

Kennedy was right, as always. Malia didnt judge. It was hard to understand, sure, but if Kennedy trusted Stiles, so did she. Malia and Kennedy sit next to each other on a couch, Stiles on the floor. "This place definitely used to be a lot more fun." Malia mutters, looking through pictures and documents. "Electroshock, ice baths. Trepanation?"

"That's what Oliver was talking about." Stiles says, looking over Malia's shoulder.

Kennedy shrugs. "Trepanation is a when they drill into your head surgically. It was used in the 20th century to, ironically, relieve pain and treat head injuries." She explained in a nonchalant tone. Stiles and Malia turned to her slowly. "When I was eight, my mom had a weird book written by one of her uncles that talked about it."

Malia looked back at the papers in thought. "No wonder they don't want anyone down here." Malia said, raising a brow.

Kennedy looked over, "Hey, do you want to head back to the room? Stiles and I can finish up here. I'll be back up soon." She offered to Malia. She knew if anyone found out they got out of their rooms and came down here, Malia would be in huge trouble. Luckily, Kennedy had been on most of the staff's good side and would get in the least amount of trouble.

Malia nods, "Yeah," She stood up, "I'll see you guys," She stepped over the piles of papers, walking towards the doors. Stiles sighed as he stood up, sitting in the spot Malia previously sat.

Stiles sighs, picking up some of the papers. His brown eyes skimmed the pages, before he tossed them down in frustration. "There's nothing here." Stiles says. He looks over at Kennedy, who just sat there silently. "Could you do me a favor?"

"Yeah, of course,"

"Could you just check the lines on my back? Just tell me if they're fading." Stiles said. He turned away from her, letting her grab the back of his shirt. She slowly pulled up the material, studying the lines that now just looked like small veins.

Kennedy purses her lips together. "Yeah, they're almost gone." She said softly. She slowly pulled down the shirt, letting him turn back towards her. She rubbed her hands over her arms, hugging herself.

"Are you cold?" Stiles asks. Kennedy nods slowly, and Stiles grabs her hands. His larger, more calloused hands rest over Kennedy's softer, smaller hands. She was right, she was cold. Stiles didn't say anything, trying to warm her up even slightly. Kennedy smiled softly, looking up at him. His eyes drifted down to her lips, causing him to swallow thickly. Kennedy's eyes did the same, before clicking up to his eyes. She leaned in, pressing her lips against his. His hand reached up to the back of her neck, pulling her closer. His tongue slid across her bottom lip, and Kennedy gasped at the action, giving him the chance to slip it into her mouth.

Kennedy moved her body, slowly sliding onto his lap. His hands reached down her body, landing on her ass. Kennedy moaned into his lips, her fingers looping through his hair. She pulled back for a second, pulling her shirt over her head. Stiles's eyes looked her over, landing on her chest which was covered by a white wireless bra. Stiles's hands gripped her hips, twisting the two of them around. Kennedy landed on her back as she looked up at Stiles. He stared down at her, admiring her completely. She was the love of his life. There was no denying that. Every moment of every day he thought about her. From the minute he woke up, to the minute he fell asleep. Everything he did, was always for her.

She felt the same way. Nobody could make her heart skip a beat like Stiles did. Nobody could persuade Kennedy to do crazy things like he did. Nobody could love her like he did. And she could never love anyone else the way she loves Stiles.

As Stiles pulled his shirt over his head, tossing it into the papers, Kennedy's hands slid over his chest. His mind couldn't help but think of the Nogitsune. What if it takes over again? Kennedy would have to go through all of that again. The thought caused his heart to ache. He couldn't do that to her. He couldn't put her in that situation again. His lips attached to her neck, her moan in his ear sending shivers down his spine. Stiles struggled to think of a solution, a better one than what was right in front of him.

Kennedy pulled at the waistband of his sweatpants, causing Stiles to pull away from leaving marks on her neck. He smiles down at her, pulling down his pants as he places his lips on hers again. Deep down, Stiles knew that things after this moment could only go downhill. Kennedy probably knew that too, but she didn't say it out loud. Any remaining clothing either had was discarded. They were so in love, more in love than anything most of their friends in Beacon had ever seen. The thought that it could crash and burn never crossed anyone's mind.

But things can change.

༺❀༻

Kennedy pulled on her shirt, looking back at Stiles. He cockily smiled at her. "I cant believe we just had sex in the basement of an insane asylum." She remarked, running her fingers through her now tangled hair.

Stiles leaned back, sighing as he did. "I don't know, I thought it was rather romantic." He joked, causing her to roll her eyes. "Plus, we've done it in less sanitary places."

Kennedy held up a finger. "The janitors closet is way cleaner than here." She leaned back onto Stiles's chest, letting him entwine their hands together.

"What about my Jeep?"

"I stand by what I said!"

"What about Scott's bathroom?"

Kennedy fell silent for a moment. "You know, okay, fair point." She paused, turning back. "He doesn't know we did that, does he?"

Stiles shrugged his shoulders. "Do werewolves smell when you have sex in their bathroom?" He asked her. Kennedy looked down in thought. His free arm wrapped around her waist, the two of them in a comfortable silence.

"Stiles?"

The human boy looked down, "Yeah?" He asked, studying her facial expression.

Kennedy looked down at the ground, now playing with his fingers that were locked with hers. "What's going to happen if the Nogitsune comes back?" She asks. Her voice was small, more innocent than usual. Stiles ran his thumb over her knuckles, trying to find what words he was going to say next.

"I don't want you to see me turn into that."

His statement causes Kennedy to be confused. She sits up, turning around to look at him. "What's that supposed to mean?" Her tone was worried, confused.

Stiles slowly sat up, looking at his girlfriend. "Kennedy, that thing is what I become as soon as these marks fade. Every time I sleep I have nightmares of you dying. He's going to kill you, Kennedy." The Hale girl shook her head in disbelief. She looked over her shoulder, thinking about the symbol on the wall again. Where the symbol was, it was conveniently framed by piping on the wall. Not to mention, that it was a different material than the rest of the walls in the basement.

Without saying anything. Kennedy jumped to her feet. Stiles frowned in confusion, following her. Kennedy approached the symbol, kneeling down on the ground. She brings her knuckle up, tapping on it slowly. "It's hollow." She says quietly. Stiles turns around, grabbing the pipe that had been propped next to him. Kennedy looked at him, gesturing for him to do it.

With a swift swing, Stiles began to hit the wall. The sound was loud in Kennedy's ears, but he broke through the wood. Stiles hit the wall, again and again. Kennedy watched the new hole in the wall get bigger, bigger, and bigger. Stiles suddenly stops, dropping the rod on the ground. The two of them leaned over to the hole.

It was a whole small room, and inside of it was a body. It was a man. Bandaged, decayed, and very much dead. His face was covered completely, and his presence was very unsettling to Kennedy.

"This is him." Stiles whispered as he and the Hale stared at the body. Kennedy looked over, reaching her arm to the mans pocket. She scrunched her nose up in disgust, hoping the guy doesn't come back to life. It doesn't, and she manages to pull out a small piece of paper.  They held the picture between them. The girl in the photo looked oddly like Kira, and there was no way that was a coincidence.

"We have to get this to Scott." Kennedy says, standing up. She turns to Stiles, seeing him standing there, looking at the body. "What?"

Stiles felt a lump in his throat as he looked at his girlfriend. "I don't want you to be apart of this anymore."

Kennedy tilted her head in confusion. "What? Stiles, I am an Alpha, this is what I do." She tells him, waving the picture at his face.

"You don't get it, Kenny, if the Nogitsune takes over you have to kill him." Stiles told her, standing up. Kennedy scoffed, shaking her head in disbelief.

"No, that's killing you!" She argues. "I would never do that."

"Which is exactly why he will kill you." Stiles tells her. "I can't go through this knowing I'm the reason you died. I can't."

Kennedy raised her arms. "So what? You're going to kick me out of Eichen House? Have me move out of Beacon Hills until you're either cured or dead?" She bitterly asked.

Stiles ran his hand over his face. "No, Kennedy, I'm breaking up with you!" He shouts. Kennedy's face falls, and her confusion almost causes him to break. Stiles kept telling himself over and over he needed to do this. If things went too far south, and he couldn't be saved, he needed her to hate him enough that she could kill him. He needed her to be strong enough to do it.

"Stiles," Kennedy whimpered out. She stood there, her arms crossed over her body as she tried to keep herself warm. Was this really happening? After everything they've been through, is he really doing this? Kennedy felt like her entire heart was crumbling. Like this was all some twisted dream that she couldn't wake up from.

Stiles ran his hand through his hair, "Kennedy, look at that!" The Hale shifted her eyes to the hole in the wall. The body of the Nogitsune inside. "That is what I'll become if I don't find a way to stop this!" He shouts at her.

"We will, you know that," Kennedy took his hand in hers, shaking her head. "We always figure it out!" Stiles shook his head, pulling his hand away.

"I am losing, Kennedy! And if that thing wins, I can't promise he won't hurt you." Stiles brought Kennedy's face in his hands as he looks down at her. "I don't want you to watch me become whatever it is that thing wants me to be. I don't want you to watch your boyfriend hurt innocent people."

Kennedy felt the hot tears roll down her cheeks. She glared at him, wanting to scream, fight, argue, but she knew he made up his mind. She sniffled, pushing down every cry and every plead and festering it into anger. "Then walk away." She said slowly. Stiles clenched his jaw as he looked at her sadly. "I want you to walk away from me and not look back once." Kennedy grabbed the boys arms, tugging him off of her. "Do it."

"Ken-"

"Just go, Stiles!"

Before she can get another word out, Kennedy jumps back as someone runs into Stiles, tasing him in the side. Kennedy looks over, seeing the boy who was Stiles's roommate; Oliver.

Oliver stands behind Stiles as he falls to the ground. "You took Brunski's keys. I took his stun gun." His eyes slowly drifts to Kennedy, who was cornered between Oliver and the wall. "I also got his Haldol."

As he goes to inject Kennedy, her eyes turn red as she catches his arm midair. "Sorry, I'm an insomniac." She growls as she shoved him backwards. Stiles laid on the ground, shaking in pain. Kennedy rushed to his aid. "Oh my God, Stiles."

Kennedy feels something smack the back of her head. She groans as she turns around, seeing Oliver holding the Haldol again. "That wasn't very nice, Kennedy." He says maniacally, pressing the injection into her neck. Kennedy's eyes droop, the extreme amount of dosage causing her to pass out instantly. "Like I was saying, Stiles, I heard they used to do trepanation here."

"Oliver," Stiles breathes, "What are you doing?"

The boy turns to Stiles, giving a wicked stare. "I'm going to let the evil spirits out." He slowly held up a trepanation device, letting it run loudly as he looked between the boy and his now ex girlfriend.

༺❀༻

Stiles's eyes were blurry as he slowly woke up. Oliver stood over him, nervously laughing. "I borrowed a few pointers from the five point restraint." He sheepishly said. The human boy looked down, realizing he was restrained to a wooden chair.

"Oliver, stop this." Stiles begged. Oliver began to cough wildly, looking at his hand. He pulled away, and Stiles could see the blood on the boys lips. "Oliver, listen to me. Stop! Oliver!" The whirring sound of the device was loud as Oliver neared the tool closer and closer to Stiles. "Oliver! Stop!"

"Start with her."

The tool suddenly stopped. The human boy looked up in confusion. Oliver slowly moved out of Stiles's view. He saw the figure of the Nogitsune, hiding behind one of the tanks. There, was Kennedy. Restrained and unconscious. Stiles breathed heavily as he narrowed his eyes in realization. "You did this. You got into his head."

"Every Dracula needs a Renfield."

Stiles looked over, seeing Kennedy begin to stir. If she woke up in time, she could stop Oliver, get him out of there. "Just let her go."

"Let me in." The human boy began to struggle against the restraints. "Stiles." Kennedy groaned, the drug wearing off the True Alpha. "Do you want her to leave here alive? Do you want us to leave?" Stiles watched the Nogitsune creep around the basement. His eyes shifting between both Kennedy and the monster who had been haunting him for weeks. "We can walk out of this place."

Stiles's eyes welled up with tears, "Just let her go, please." He pleads. The Nogitsune turned to the body, staring at himself. Stiles tugged on the restraints, more and more, trying to get out. He didn't want anything to happen to Kennedy. That's the opposite of what he wanted. All of this was to keep her safe.

"Let me in,"

Stiles began to scream in frustration, causing the still sleeping Kennedy's head to snap to the sound. Oliver looked down at her, trying to figure out what to do.

"Let me in, Stiles. Let me in!"

"Just let her go, please!" 

The whirring sound of the trepanation device buzzed in Stiles's ears. Oliver moved Kennedy's hair, aiming the tool for where he wanted it to go. Stiles screamed, feeling helpless as there was no other solution to save his girlfriend.

"Let me in, Stiles! Let me in!" Stiles closed his eyes tightly, tears rolling down his face. "Let me in and I'll let her live." Stiles's body visibility relaxed, everything going limp. "Let me in!"

Oliver pointed the tool at Kennedy, who once again began to stir.

"Oliver."

The boy turned around, seeing Stiles broken out of his restraints. Oliver looked between Stiles and Kennedy, holding the device in his hands. Stiles began to walk over, fear all over the other boys face. Kennedy stirred quietly, her eyes slowly beginning to open. Stiles hit Oliver, sending him to the floor unconscious. Stiles grabbed the device, studying it casually.

Kennedy looked over, groggy, "Stiles?" She called out. The boy slowly turns around, smirking wickedly as he saw the Alpha look over at him. He looked back at the tool, twisting it in his hands as he walked back over. Kennedy groaned, looking up at him. "Stiles, what's going-"

Before the teenage girl can get anything out, Stiles turns on the device, shoving it into her side. Kennedy screams in pain, her body waking up instantly to the feeling. She struggles to get out of the restraints, her body still messed up from the drug. Tears rolling down her cheeks. Stiles grabs the back of her head, forcing her to look at him. His eyes. Her mouth opened from pain and horror as she looked into the deep, soulless eyes of what was her boyfriend. This wasn't Stiles. This was the Nogitsune.

The whirring stops, and the device slows to a stop, still in Kennedy's side. She breathes heavily, watching the Nogitsune slowly pull it out. Yelling in pain, Kennedy clenches her fists together. When he throws it to the ground, the Nogitsune stares down at the weak and injured werewolf.

"Looks like your boyfriend wasn't so strong after all." The fox spirit chimed, walking towards the exit. Kennedy breathed heavily, her head lifting up as she watched him. "And neither are you,"

Kennedy leaned her head back, sobbing from pain and emotions. She didn't know what to do. Her boyfriend was gone. Taken over by a spirit that craved murder and chaos. Not only that, but her boyfriend had just broken up with her. Kennedy cried, trying to find some sort of strength. But she couldn't. It was like the young girl had given up. She didn't care if she sat there, rotting away. As pathetic as it sounds, Kennedy didn't feel like she had much to live for anymore.

At Kennedy's fundamental basis, Stiles was her anchor. Her key to humanity. Without that, what else was there? Maybe the Nogitsune was right, she thought as she quietly sobbed in the basement of Eichen House. Maybe she was weak. And maybe it was time for the Hale to give up. Something in the girls gut told her no. She couldn't give up on him yet. There had to be away for her to save the Stilinski. Even if it killed her.

It felt like hours until someone came for her, but she knew it had only been moments. Malia stumbled down the stairs, looking at the mess that had been made. The Tate saw an unconscious Oliver. She then saw Kennedy. Her eyes widened in alarm. Malia ran over, looking over the injured teen.

"Kenny?" Malia's voice caused Kennedy to look up. The Tate's face was laced with concern. "Oh my god, what happened?"

The Hale girl was silent as Malia helped her get out of the restraints. Healing slowly, she stood on her feet, holding onto Malia for support. Kennedy looked at the couch, then the chairs, then the blood covered trepanation device on the ground. "Bad breakup."

NATALIA'S NOTES
━━━━༺❀༻━━━━

so...i...um...yeah. this is the chapter you all have been FEARING, and i don't know if it's better or worse than you expected. to be honest i only ever saw one person ACTUALLY get it right, so shoutout to @ siiredstilinskii on tik tok because you get it bestie , you understand the assignment.

i want to clarify this isn't the end of kiles (i'll just use the shipname because lydia called them that in s2). obviously it's not the end if you've seen my tiktoks. however, it took me a long time to think what would realistically happen between stiles and kennedy during this time frame. and i truly think this is how it would play out, hence why it happened the way it did. but YALL thought stiles was gonna cheat! what kind of sicko do you think i am? if that was the case kennedy would just end up with lydia at that point.

speaking of lydia, i want to give lydia an oc love interest later on in the book, maybe season 6 or so. i'm obviously not too worried about it, but just know lydia WILL get a happy ending im not just leaving her single for the rest of her life! i might even, when i get closer to writing season 6, have you guys maybe make an oc & i'll pick one to throw in, im not sure yet.

either way, i hope you enjoyed this chapter, the rest of the act is just as miserable and painful as this.i never cry writing my own stories but i have cried consistently while writing the rest of this season , & for some reason season 4. idk i'm clearly going through something HAHA. okay, okay, thank you, loves, i'll see you soon.

toodles!