chapter seventy
❝ would you love me more
if i killed someone for you? ❞
status asthmaticus

━━━━༺❀༻━━━━

Kennedy Hale was broken.

It was a statement that seemed to slice into Kennedy's skin like a knife. She wasn't an Alpha anymore. She slowly looked over at Stiles, who focused on the rainy road. Kennedy looked back down, staring at the wrench in between them. They didn't know what would come next, and that seemed to be their new norm. However, they usually had Scott by their side.

"I'm sorry," Kennedy croaked, turning to look at Stiles again. The boy looked over in surprise. He hadn't expected her to speak, or say that at all.

"Ken, it's not-"

The Hale cut her boyfriend off. "It is my fault," She said finally, "And my eyes are evidence of that."

Stiles exhaled loudly through his nose when the Jeep suddenly began to sputter. Smoke began coming from the hood. "No," He muttered as he slapped the wheel. Kennedy looked over as smoke began filling up the inside of the Jeep. Both teens began to cough, and Stiles immediately looked at Kennedy. Her eyes are wide as she looked around. The smoke filling her lungs reminded her quickly of the fire that started all of this. Stiles immediately pulled over, "Ken, get out of the car," He said. Kennedy began to heave as she coughed uncontrollably. She wasn't with Stiles anymore, she was in the Hale House. Stiles shook his girlfriend, trying to pull her out with him but she shoved him away, unaware of her surroundings. Every time he touched her, she shoved him into his door, nearly scratching him with her claws. Stiles opened his door, tumbling out coughing as smoke followed him. Stiles scrambled around to Kennedy's side, pulling on the door. "Kennedy!" He shouted, realizing it was locked. "Kennedy, come on!"

Seventeen-year-old Kennedy coughed as she watched her eleven-year-old self the bars on a window in the basement, pulling as hard as she can. She snapped her head as she heard loud, familiar, screams. It was Aunt Talia. Young Kennedy's eyes widened in horror. She began to pull on the bars harder and harder. "Dad!" She screamed out, hoping he was outside, ready to rescue her. Present-day Kennedy felt tears rolling down her face as she shook her head. "Daddy!" Young Kennedy screams as she turns around, seeing the door ignite into flames. Present-day Kennedy stumbled backward, looking at the flames in shock. Young Kennedy stayed on the dresser, cradling herself in the corner. She could hear her mom's howls of pain, causing Kennedy to scream and cry. She coughed and coughed as smoke filled her lungs, her face covered in hot tears.

The little girl cries as she hides in the corner, her entire family burning alive. The fire was inching close, but she kept trying to crawl away. "Dad!" She screams. "Dad!"  Present-Day Kennedy looked around, trying to get out of this bad dream.

Peter Hale cried as he cradles his dead wife in his arms. He is head snaps at the sound of his daughter's cries. "Kennedy!" He slowly puts down Sloane's body, now prioritizing his daughter's life over his own. "Kennedy, where are you!?"

"Dad, I'm scared!" Kennedy cried. She wanted her mom. She wanted her dad. She wanted Auntie Talia or Auntie Kate.

"I know, Bunny, I'm coming," He pants, looking around. Peter ran through the fire, slamming open the door. His eyes eventually fall on the ten-year-old girl, cradling her stuffed bunny. Present-day Kennedy watched the man that used to be her dad run through the flames, ignoring the scorching pain he felt as he grabbed his little girl. "I got you, Bunny, I got you." The voice that once comforted Kennedy echoed in her ears as she cried. She watched Peter run out with her younger self, and she began racing after them.

Young Kennedy clutched onto her dad, hearing him scream as his body burns in the flames. He protects the little girl, who clutched her bunny tightly. As he carried her away, Kennedy saw the basement. The bodies are everywhere. People her family knew. Her face was covered in tears as she saw Auntie Talia, who was severely burnt. Both Kennedy's eyes landed on a familiar face.

Her mom.

"Momma!" Young Kennedy screeched, reaching her hand out. Teenage Kennedy came to a stop in horror. Peter felt tears well up in his eyes, wishing he could've prevented the little girl from seeing that. Sloane's body leaned against the wall, the fire beginning to take her over. She had died from smoke inhalation, but the fire wasn't much help either. Kennedy watched her mother's red eyes flicker to a blue before to their natural brown. Sloane was no longer an alpha. Present-day Kennedy frowned as she stared. How was Sloane an alpha now? Her thoughts were cut off as young Kennedy screamed and screamed as she realized everyone was dead. Her aunt, her cousins, her friends, her mom.

Everyone was dead.

Present-day Kennedy raced up the basement stairs, watching Peter getting through a destroyed basement door. Kennedy followed, watching the Hale man stumble to the ground, cradling Kennedy.

"Daddy!" Young Kennedy yelled as she looked at her dad. He didn't look like himself. His skin had been so badly burned. Present-Day Kennedy looked down at her dad, seeing the look of agony on his face.

"Kennedy!" Both versions of the youngest Hale whipped their heads around. Laura Hale came running with another figure. Ten-year-old Kennedy seemed unsure who he was, but seventeen-year-old Kennedy knew. It was Ben Stallard.

Little Kennedy sobbed as she looked at her cousin. "Laura! Daddy's hurt! And Momma-" Present-day Kennedy watched with tears down her face as Laura scooped the younger Kennedy up in her arms. Ben Stallard began speaking into his police walkie-talkie. Kennedy stood next to Laura Hale, who cradled the child as she looked back at the Hale house. Kennedy looked over, watching the house burn, burn, and burn.

It was like whiplash. Kennedy was snapped back into reality as Stiles tugged her out of the Jeep, both of them falling into the grass behind them. Kennedy's eyes are wide as she coughs loudly, Stiles sitting up immediately to look at Kennedy.

"Kennedy," Stiles said as he looked her over. Kennedy looked over, then back at the Jeep. "I'm sorry," He knew what happened, even when she didn't say it. Stiles had helped her with the nightmares for months, and he knew things that triggered the memories. Smoke, Kate Argent, Hale House, and her parents.

Kennedy licked her lips as she looked at Stiles, her hand on his chest. "The Jeep," She was able to muster out. Stiles glanced upwards, jumping to his feet. Kennedy pushed herself up slower, watching Stiles grab his toolbox from the back of the Jeep. The two of them met at the front.

Stiles pulled up the hood, Kennedy looking at the inside. Stiles pulled open the toolbox, stopping. He noticed all of the wrenches, his eyes landing on an empty slot. His mind went back to that night. In frustration, Stiles chucks the box. Kennedy flinches as she watches the tools all clamber against the pavement. Kennedy stumbled back into the grass as Stiles stormed back to her side of the Jeep, pulling the door open. Kennedy watched as Stiles came back out, holding the wrench. Stiles stormed past, preparing to throw it with the others. He paused, looking back at the Jeep. Kennedy didn't move as she watched her boyfriend look between the wrench in his hand and the Jeep. Suddenly, Kennedy gasped as Stiles swung the wrench forwards. Kennedy watched the tool smash against the windshield, shattering part of the glass.

The Hale girl looked over. "Did that make you feel better!?" She shouted, scolding Stiles. The boy rolled his eyes, turning away. Kennedy stormed forwards, tugging his wrist and forcing him to look back at her. "God, Stiles, we have to pay for that!"

"No, I have to pay for it!" Stiles shouted. "Because I'm the one that fixes everything! I fix everything for you!"

She paused, slowly turning towards him. "What the hell are you talking about?"

Stiles threw his arms in the air. "Face it, Ken! You're a werewolf and you do werewolf business, but I'm the one that cleans up the mess! Donovan, Matt, Peter, Everything!" He shouted. Kennedy was taken aback by his words. "I have risked everything for you!"

Kennedy stormed forwards, "You don't think I've done the same thing?" She asked coldly. "Stiles, I have almost died for you! So many times!" She shouted as she pointed at herself. "I killed someone for you, and you don't get to rub it in my face!" She said as she shoved him back.

"I didn't ask for that, Ken. Just like I didn't ask you to not trust your dad when he came back to life, just like I didn't ask you to not talk to Isaac, just like I didn't ask you to stay instead of going to France. Just like I didn't ask you to become just like your parents every time something goes wrong!"

His words seemed to slam through the cold air like a rock against a stone. Kennedy's hazel eyes narrowed as she frowned. "What the hell are you talking about?" Her hoarse voice seemed to crack under pressure. Stiles rolled his eyes, his tongue pressed against his cheek as he scoffed.

"Every single time you've ever had a problem, you turn into Peter. Or Sloane, even, I don't know." Stiles tossed his hands up. "You turn into something that's not yourself. You end up hurting people or not caring if you do. You lose it, Ken. You did it when you fought the Nogitsune, you did in London, you did in Mexico, and you did when you killed Donovan."

She squeezed her eyes tight, fighting back tears as her eyes bored into Stiles. "I am not my parents."

"You so sure about that? Tell that to the people you killed in London."

Her body ran cold.

Kennedy's forehead creased as she shook her head. "I didn't kill anybody in London." She said softly.

"The guy at the bar," Stiles said. The rain poured over his words like nails on a chalkboard. "You told Malia that Jackson stopped you from killing him. You said that's why you dyed your hair, so he and the authorities would be less likely to identify you."

The werewolf nodded, "That's because that's what happened Stiles-"

Her boyfriend cut her off. "Ethan erased your memories of what happened that night," Stiles told her. His jaw clenched as his brows stitched together as he spoke. "He told me what really happened shortly after. The man made the comments about Ethan, causing him and Jackson to leave the bar. You snapped at the man, and he snapped back. You lost control. You killed the twenty-two-year-old asshole in the middle of a bar in London. Tore him to pieces. Needless to say, it was deserved." Kennedy breathed heavily as she tried to remember. Stiles's voice caused her to look back up. "But when you were finished, the bartender ran to grab the phone. You tore his throat out with your teeth. It was then Jackson and Ethan came running back to the bar after hearing the screams from down the street." Kennedy's tears mixed with the rain on her face as she shook her head, her mind trying to tug at the memories.

"I didn't do that, Stiles. I didn't kill anyone-"

"Kennedy, do I look like I'm lying to you!?" Stiles grabbed the girl's shoulders, causing her to jump as her hazel eyes met his chocolate ones. "You know it's true."

Kennedy's heavy chest heaved as she sobbed. She shook her head as she pulled away from Stiles. "I'm not Peter, Stiles. You know I'm not," Kennedy choked out as she waited for Stiles to take back what he said. He stared at her for a long moment. He knew, the entire time, he knew what she had done and it had never changed anything before. What changed now? Was it Theo? Sloane? Was it Donovan? Or did he finally see what everyone was saying all along? Kennedy sniffled again as she nodded slowly. Her shoulders slouched as she looked at Stiles. Stiles opened his mouth to say something, but slowly shut his mouth as he watched Kennedy walk down the street. Stiles walked back towards the Jeep, slumping to the ground next to it.

It was their first fight in a while.

༺❀༻

༺❀༻

The problem with calling a cab home is that Kennedy didn't have a home. Not really. Stiles's house was Stiles's home. Hale House wasn't around anymore. Ben Stallard's home was sold a month after his death. Derek's apartment wasn't accessible. So, Kennedy went to the only place she could think of.

Peter Hale's apartment.

Inside, it was cold. The open space seemed unwelcome to Kennedy now as she stood in the middle of the living room she once spent nights doing dance battles with Kira, Malia, and Lydia. Or the nights she and Stiles cuddled up and watched movies. She looked around as she wished she never trusted her dad because now she was just like him. Alone.

Kennedy walked towards the shelves upon shelves that were along the living room wall with the TV in the center. She stared at the photos Peter had of her from a young age up til even recently. There were a few photos of her and Derek, or her and Cora, there were even, surprisingly, photos of her and her friends. Her eyes swelled with tears as she cried silently, leaning against the bookshelf as she thought about all that was said to her. Maybe everyone was right. When you're the mere product of two killers, maybe it is only a matter of time before you're just like them.

A familiar scent filled the air. Perfume and mercury, causing Kennedy to spin around to look at the stairs. There stood Sloane Valet-Hale, who began walking down the steps slowly. She was wearing a burgundy leather jacket, which was the most noticeable thing she was wearing. Sloane had a calm, gentle closed-mouth smile on her face as she walked down, step by step.

"I was wondering when you'd show up," Sloane said, her voice slightly echoing in the space. "Your father was always much more the modern type."

Kennedy stares at Sloane. "You've been living here." She said finally, looking at the kitchen which was in dirtier condition than when she left it.

"Oh, just coming and going," Sloane said as she stepped onto the main floor. "I wanted to see how your father treated you while I was gone. I see he did fairly well,"

Kennedy rose a brow. "I lived with him for a few months," She deadpanned. "Ben was the one that raised me."

Sloane clicked her tongue, walking towards a piano, "Right, Benjamin. I always liked him," She said calmly as she looked around. "He was a good choice." Kennedy didn't reply. Sloane looked over, tilting her head. "I have a lot to tell you, Bunny." She said finally. Kennedy scrunched her face, throwing her hands to her side.

"God, stop calling me that!" She snapped, looking at Sloane. "I thought you were dead for eight years, you don't get to act like my mom when you're not." The words seemed to flow out of Kennedy with ease like they had been waiting to come out this entire time. Sloane clenched her jaw, looking at the ground for a moment. Truth be told, Kennedy didn't know her mother's reasons for her actions. But there weren't many excuses Kennedy would accept regardless.

"Of course," Sloane said finally. "My apologies." Sloane looked at the walls of shelves with the TV in the middle, which Kennedy now stood in front of. She picked up a picture, looking at it. "Who's this handsome fellow? Much cuter than that Stilinski boy."

Kennedy walked over, snatching the frame from her mother's grip. "His name is Isaac, and he lives in France." She said snarkily, putting the picture back on the shelf. She looked over at Sloane. She tried to find the right words to say. "How did you survive the fire?"

Sloane tilted her head, turning away. "I didn't." Kennedy frowned as her mother walked through the living room, towards the kitchen. "I really did die, Kennedy. My last breath was me praying you would be saved. And you were." Kennedy didn't say anything. She watched as her mom grabbed two wine glasses. "I didn't know about the Dread Doctors, but they knew about me. They found me, and restored me."

"Cool, we've added resurrection to the list of things they can do now," Kennedy muttered as she crossed her arms. "Why didn't you say anything? Why did you leave me alone?"

"I had to-"

Kennedy cut Sloane off. "Do you know what Ben told me when I asked about you?" She asked as she stepped closer. Sloane didn't move. She didn't know. "He didn't. My mother's name was Amanda Stallard and she died in a car accident when I was a baby. He said she was driving because my mother left for another man. Granted, it was true, you did leave me and Peter for Deucalion, but the entire time I thought you abandoned me. You did abandon me."

Sloane scoffed. "I was letting you become the truest version of yourself."

"What are you talking about!? What are you doing here? All you've done is kill people and make my already crappy life ten times crappier!" She shouted bitterly. Kennedy was furious. This woman was brushing everything off like it was nothing.

Sloane's eyes widened, "No, my darling, no." She said with worry. "I don't do what I do to harm people, I do what I do to help people like us."

Kennedy frowned in confusion. "People like us?" She said slowly, looking her mom up and down. A smile spread upon Sloane's face, and the following words seem to turn everything Kennedy knew upside down, again.

"The true Chimeras."

Mother and daughter stared at one another as the words settled in the air. Kennedy narrowed her eyes, "What are you talking about?"

"A chimera has more than one distinct genotype." Said Sloane. Kennedy backed away, her mom following her. "The ones like Donovan and Hayden are fakes, made by science. But you and I, Seers and Werewolves, we are true chimeras. True hybrids of the supernatural."

"What does that matter?" Kennedy asked loudly, looking at her mom in confusion. Lights flickered around, causing Kennedy to look at the front door. The Dread Doctors were here.

"Valack told you about our fates. Two Generations of Theroux Alphas cannot co-exist," Sloane explained calmly. "I needed my strength back. The Alpha strength the was ripped from me when I died." Kennedy flinched at her mother's touch. Sloane's hand trailed down the youngest Hale's face. "But you had it all along, and when you killed Donovan, just like I knew you would, it all came back to me."

Kennedy tilted her head slightly, stepping back. "You took my-" Kennedy sucked in a heavy breath, realizing what her mother was saying. Sloane had somehow, with the help of Theo and the Dread Doctors, stolen Kennedy's Alpha title for herself.

Sloane stepped backward again. "I had a vision of tonight. You were supposed to be the one killing your friend, Scott," Kennedy was taken aback by Sloane's cruel words. "But things changed. The Dread Doctors had different plans." The entire building shook, causing Kennedy to stumble back. Sloane smiled wickedly at her only daughter, "I was a success, Kennedy. And you will be too," Kennedy looked over as the door bursted open, three Dread Doctors storming in. Kennedy's eyes widen as she backs away. "We will be warriors!" Kennedy watched as Sloane's eyes turn red. "They have activated the Beast." The Hale's eyes widen as she watched the Dread Doctors come toward her. She had only one option: run. Kennedy spun around, running towards the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Kennedy covered her face with her arms as she shoved her body through the window. The air rushed around her, gravity grabbing at her ankles. Sloane ran to the window, watching Kennedy fall. Kennedy's hair floated around her head, the Hale having one and only one thought.

Stiles.

"They think you and Lydia might be able to save Jackson?" Stiles Stilinski asked. He stood in front of Kennedy Stallard. It was Sophomore year, the Kanima was Jackson, and was being controlled by Gerard Argent.

Kennedy Stallard looked at the text on her phone again. "Lydia's on her way to meet with them." She whispered.

"No way, he could kill you."

Kennedy scoffed. "I don't care, Stiles," She said blandly. Stiles watched as Kennedy pushed passed him, walking towards the door.

"See, that's the problem." Stiles blurted. Kennedy turned her body towards him, confused. "You don't care about getting hurt. But you know how I'll feel? I'll be devastated." Kennedy sucked in a breath, "And if you die, I will literally go out of my freakin' mind." Kennedy pursed her lips together as Stiles spoke. "You see, death doesn't happen to you, Kennedy. It happens to everyone around you, okay? To all the people left standing at your funeral, trying to figure out how they're gonna live the rest of their lives now without you in it?" The brunette girl looked down. "And look at my face." Kennedy stared at Stiles, the injury on his face. "Come on, you actually think this was meant to hurt me?"

Kennedy, who had only been sixteen for a few months, looked down at Stiles's lips, back up at him. "That was unnecessary." She whispered.

Stiles paused, "Yeah, yeah it was." He replied in realization. His eyes trail down her face, her pink lips. "Would this be too?" He asked her, stepping closer.

"Maybe." Kennedy's heart began to beat faster as she looked up at him. "Stiles-"

"You know when you asked me if I believed in soulmates?" He cut her off. Kennedy looked at him, nodding. "I think I do now." His hands raised to her face, his thumb grazing her cheek. "And I think I'm looking at mine."

The teenage Kennedy smiled softly, the moment settling in. She leaned forwards, her lips connecting with Stiles's. It was instant her body calmed down, but at the same time ignited. Her arms wrapped around his neck as she embraced the one thing she'd been hiding from this entire time.

Loving Stiles.

A couple walking down the street, laughed as the boyfriend told a joke. Suddenly, a crash causes the woman to scream, followed by more screaming.

Kennedy Dawn Hale had landed on a car. The impact caused every bone in her body to snap around her. The car fractured around her body like a picture frame. It captured the beauty of death.

The couple ran over. "Oh my god!" The woman screeched. The boyfriend looked at the teenage girl. She was covered in cuts and blood. He looked up at the building. How far did she jump? He looked back at the girl with auburn hair. "Is she dead?"

The boyfriend reached over, placing his fingers on the neck of the girl. There was a pulse. "She's alive." He said slowly. The girlfriend sobbed in relief as she looked away. "We gotta call an ambulance," He said finally. As he reached into his phone, Kennedy's eyes sprang open, her eyes an electric blue as she sat up straight.

The couple jumped back in horror. Kennedy looked around, feeling her body slowly healing. "Holy," Kennedy trailed off, looking up at the building. She looked back, seeing the couple staring at her in bewilderment. Kennedy looked between them, "Do either of you have a car?"

༺❀༻

"Your dad was looking for you, Stiles." Theo Raeken said as he held up the library card with the Stilinski's picture on it. "He found me instead."

"Where is he?"

Theo looked at the boy, the two circling. "I covered for you. This was taken care of. If Melissa didn't find it at the hospital...Guess even the son of a cop can make mistakes."

"Did you hurt him?" Stiles asked finally.

Theo stopped walking. The two teenagers looked at one another. "I never lied about why I came to Beacon Hills." He told the human. "I'm here for a pack." Stiles tilted his head slightly. "I came for the werecoyote. The one whose first instinct is to kill." Stiles thought about Malia, wandering where she was now. "I came for the Banshee, the girl surrounded by death." Lydia Martin, Stiles thought, Kennedy's best friend who was attacked by Peter Hale. "I came for the dark Kitsune, the Beta with anger issues, I came for Void Stiles." Stiles rose a brow. "I came for Kennedy Hale, the natural-born Chimera descended from the strongest werewolves. That's the pack I want." Theo snapped. Stiles was right, All along, he was right. "Unfortunately, it doesn't include Scott."

Stiles glared at the Raeken. The chimera looked him up and down. "Your heartbeat's rising, Stiles. It's not because you're afraid." He said smugly. Stiles didn't say a word as he reached into his pocket, his fingers slipping around his phone. "Nogitsune is gone, but you've still got more blood on your hands than any of us."

"I'm about to get more," Stiles said as he thought about Kennedy. Where was she now? Was she safe? Was she looking for Scott? Something told him she was. If Kennedy had found out what he did, she'd be going to the Alpha first.

"I'll tell you where your dad is, if you promise not to help Scott," Theo said as he placed the library card on the table. Stiles swung his fist, hitting Theo. Theo stumbled, laughing. He turned around. "There he is! That's Void Stiles. It felt good, didn't it?" Instead of answering, Stiles hits him again. This time, Theo falls to the ground. Theo looked up, "We won't tell Scott. 'Cause you can't lose your best friend, right? Cause Kennedy can't lose him?" Theo noted, "Even though we both know, you never needed him." Stiles shouted as he came down, grabbing Theo by the collar. Theo panted, looking at the Stilinski. "You hate me now, but you'll get it eventually. This is the hard part." He said to the human boy. "'Cause, you can't help Scott and save your dad's life." The words seemed to swallow Stiles. "You've still got time, Stiles. You've still got time."

Stiles tilted his head. "You forgot one thing," Stiles said slowly. "Kennedy has time too."

Theo seemed confused at first, looking at the ground. Stiles's phone laid there next to the truck, in the middle of a phone call with a contact. It read Kennedy Hale.

༺❀༻

Kennedy Hale ran. She ran to the school where she somehow knew Scott would be. She used whatever power she could muster to get to Beacon Hills High School as fast as she could.

She ran to the doors of the library, rushing inside. Everything came to a slow stop as she saw a figure. Scott. He laid on the stairs, covered in his own blood. Kennedy sucked in a deep breath, rushing closer. Mason regained consciousness, pushing himself slightly off the ground as Kennedy ran over. "Scott!"

The McCall didn't answer. He was gone. Kennedy fell to her knees as she pulled him off the stairs. "Scotty, Scott, wake up," She said as she held his head in her lap. Scott didn't move. Kennedy sobbed as she looked around, seeing blood everywhere. "Scott, I'm so sorry. Please, wake up." She shook him slightly, Mason pulling himself to his knees. "Wake up!" Kennedy sobbed as she held Scott McCall in her arms. She held onto the boy who was her best friend, her family.

Melissa McCall came running in. "Scott!" Mason looked up as Melissa saw her son and the girl she considered her daughter. "No, no, no, no, no, no, no..." Kennedy slowly placed Scott on the ground. Melissa fell to her knees, pressing her fingers to her son's neck. "Okay." Melissa looked between Mason and Kennedy, putting her hands on Scott's chest. "One, two, three, four, five,"

"What are you doing?" Mason asked as Melissa continued. "What are you doing?"

"Bringing him back."

Mason stammered as he looked between the McCalls. "But his... His heart. He... He hasn't had a pulse in over 15 minutes." He said, shrugging his shoulder. "You can't bring someone back that's-"

Melissa looked at the boy, "He's not someone. He's my son. And he's an Alpha. And he's too strong to die like this! Come on!" Kennedy cried as she looked back at Scott, "Open your eyes and look at me, okay? Come on. Breathe, baby. Breathe."

Kennedy and Mason watched as the woman tried multiple CPR methods on her son, "Melissa, it's,"

"Shut up!" Melissa cut Mason off. "He's too strong to die like this." Melissa looked back at Scott. "Come on. You can do this. You're an Alpha. You're an Alpha." Kennedy's eyes flickered back to Scott's. "Come on, Scott. Roar." Melissa said. "Come on, Scott. Roar!" Melissa held up her hands, slamming them down into Scott's chest.

Scott McCall's eyes snapped open. They shined in their bright red, Scott raising up his head to let out the loudest roar any of them had heard. Everyone slid back, and Kennedy's eyes involuntarily turned blue. Mason looked at Scott in disbelief. Kennedy looked at him. Scott fell back onto the tile. Kennedy scooted forwards, looking down at the McCall.

Scott's brown eyes flickered, looking over at his best friend. Kennedy smiled softly. "Hi, Scotty," She whispered. Scott looked up at her, taking her hand in his.

"Hi, Kenny." Scott mustered out between heavy breaths.

Kennedy looked at him for a long moment. A festering rage bubbles up in her chest. "Theo did this. My mother did this." She said quietly. Mason and Melissa both glanced at the werewolf girl. Kennedy Hale slowly stood up, walking towards the door.

Mason stood up, taking a few steps to follow her. "Where are you going?" He called out.

Kennedy's eyes flashed white as she walked. She could see flashes of Theo. He had Lydia. Lydia. Kennedy took in everything around Lydia. The Dread Doctors lab. They were in the lab. Kennedy stumbled, watching Theo grab Lydia, striking his claws into the back of her neck.

Melissa helped her son up as they and Mason stared at Kennedy. She slowly turned around. "I'm going to tear Theo Raeken apart."

༺❀༻

Stiles followed the ambulance in his rental car, looking at his phone. He reached for it, fumbling with the buttons. "Kennedy?" He answered.

"Theo has Lydia. I'm going after him."

Stiles was taken aback by her words. "Ken, what? You can't."

"Stiles, Theo killed Scott and he hurt Lydia and he hurt your dad!" Kennedy said, "I know where he is, and I can catch him off guard before he even knows I'm there."

"What about your mom?"

Kennedy shook her head. "She's not with him. She's with the Dread Doctors." She explained. Kennedy swallowed the lump in her throat. "I'm going to do this Stiles. Whether you like it or not." Stiles listened to Kennedy's voice. She was serious. More serious than ever before. She was out for revenge.

The human boy sighed as he tapped on the wheel. "Where are they?"

"Currently? On the road. They're looking for the nemeton." Kennedy explained to Stiles.

"Wait for me, we can catch them off guard."

The Hale paused. "Stiles, no. I'm not waiting. I can't wait. You wanna see the product of Peter and Sloane? You're about to get it." She said quietly as she looked at the road in front of her.

Stiles tossed up a hand. "Kennedy, just wait-" He stopped as he realized the line went dead He pulled the phone away from him, "Damn it!" He cursed, stomping on the brakes as he spun around the car.

Meanwhile, Theo Raeken glanced at the back seat of his car where a shivering Lydia Martin laid. He knew something happened to her, but he didn't care. His eyes traveled back to the road, and the chimera quickly stepped on the brakes at a figure standing in the road. His car came to a stop feet away from the standing person in the middle of the road. Theo narrowed his eyes, looking to see who it is.

"Oh, hell," He muttered with a glare. Kennedy Dawn Hale stood in front of him, the headlights shining in her face as she stared at Theo's silhouette.

The driver's side door opened, and Theo slid out. "I should've known you'd be the last man standing." He said as he circled the car. Kennedy tilted her head, saying nothing. "You know, I really like you, Ken. God, I had the biggest crush on you in the fourth grade." The Hale narrowed her eyes as he took a step closer, fiddling with her hair. "It's a shame you're so into Stiles. We could've been so good together."

Theo paused as Kennedy snatched his wrist in the air. He glanced down, seeing her nails were now claws. A smirk on his face, Theo glanced up to see Kennedy's glowing blue eyes. "Sorry, I'm not really into fake werewolves." She said cooly.

Kennedy used her free hand to swipe at Theo. He stumbled back, growling as he flicked out his claws. He swung at Kennedy who ducked under his arm. She used the time to kick Theo in the stomach. He fell onto the pavement, watching as Kennedy stood over him.

Slowly, Kennedy kneeled down over Theo as he breathed heavily. She leaned close to his face, her breath fanning his cheek. "If we see each other in Hell, let me know how it felt as you slowly died, and the last thing you saw was me." She said lowly. Claws struck into Theo's chest, causing him to howl out in pain. Kennedy's lips pulled back into a gentle smile as she dug deeper.

Until she stopped.

Theo choked out a laugh as Kennedy slowly looked down. There it was. Theo's claws in Kennedy's side. The Hale girl furrowed her brows as the pain failed to register. She looked back, Theo striking her other side with his free hand. Kennedy pulled her claws out of Theo's chest, her claws becoming nails as she realized the mistake she had made.

And the price she was going to pay.

Kennedy rolled to the asphalt as Theo slowly crawled off the ground. She crawled back when Theo stomped on her leg. She screamed out in pain, tears rolling down her face. Theo kneeled down, grabbing Kennedy by her face. He dryly laughed, "Let me know how it feels, Kennedy, dying and the last thing you ever saw, was me." He whispered as he struck her with his claws again. Kennedy cried out in pain as she fell back. Kennedy's blood splattered onto Theo's face as he struck her again. The Hale stared up at the sky as she felt her body trying, and failing, to heal.

Was this the end?

The stars didn't seem to make any particular constellations. Kennedy laid there in the road, unmoving. Theo climbed back into his car, muttering something to an unmoving Lydia. A tear escaped her eye as she stared at the back of his seat. She couldn't see Kennedy's body, but she felt it. The sinking feeling of death.

Time was a construct built by humans. Kennedy had truly failed to realize how much time had passed between now and Theo Raeken speeding down the street. She could feel the coolness of the night air over her body like a blanket. Her blood which began to pool around her stained her clothes, her skin. She could feel strands of her hair on her face, but she couldn't move. She didn't even know if she could talk.

This wasn't like only a few hours prior. An unusual occurrence where a teenage girl would manage to survive jumping out a window. No, this wasn't like that. A hot tear rolled down the side of her face as she thought about all the things she'd never be able to do. She'd never be able to have that big 18th birthday party she always wanted, graduate, go to Stanford, have kids, get married. She'd never be able to see Malia at her first job with a frown on her face. She'd never be able to see Lydia finally happy with someone. She'd never see Scott or Stiles again. The two most important people in her life were soon to be ripped away from her.

Lights entered Kennedy's vision, but she didn't move. She stared up at the stars once more as she heard the sound of a car door opening and shutting, and running footsteps.

"Kennedy!"

It was Stiles. His heart sank as he stumbled to the scene. Blood. There was so much blood. He sank to his knees, seeing Kennedy's struggling breaths as he pulled her upwards. Finally, a sound escaped the girl's lips as she whimpered in pain. Her hand wrapped around Stiles's arm as she flung on to him.

Shaky breaths escaped her lips as she looked up at him. "I'm sorry," She quietly said.

"No, Kennedy, no," Stiles panicked as tears threatened to spill. He shook his head. "You'll be okay. You're gonna be okay."

Stiles's eyes finally met here. Hazel meeting brown. He could see it. The light fading. She smiled softly, "Stiles, I need, I need to-"

He shook his head. "No. Ken, please,"

"I need to tell you I'm sorry," Kennedy said as she inhaled deeply. "And I love you. I, I didn't-"

"Ken, I can't. I can't lose you." He told her. Stiles's clothes now stained themselves with blood. There was so much blood. The regrets of their last conversations sunk into his skin. All the awful things he said. He was just so angry. And the last memories he'd have were of him telling the love of his life she was a killer. Stiles held onto her body closer as he looked down.

Kennedy smiled weakly. "You'll never lose me," She said as she reached up, her hand softly touching his face. His skin was soft under her touch. Stiles cried as he slowly shook his head.

Stiles's mouth parted slightly as he watched the light finally disappear into nothingness. Kennedy's hand fell from his face, landing on the bloodied pavement. A sob. That's all that could be heard. Stiles sobbed as he pulled Kennedy close. His face buried into her neck as he cried. That's all he could do, was cry. "Please don't leave me," He said quietly.

Another car pulled to a stop in front of the couple. The doors opened and closed. Melissa McCall, Mason Hewitt, and Malia Tate all stumbled forwards. Stiles had called them. He thought they had more time.

He thought he and Kennedy had more time.

Malia took a few steps forward, her eyes glossing over as she realized what happened. Her sister was gone. Her anchor and her source of humanity. Malia's face fell as she slowly sank to the ground, tears rolling down her face. Melissa kneeled to Malia, pulling the girl into her arms. Mason stared at the scene unmoving. He cried but he didn't move as all he could do was stare.

Stiles's fingers raked through Kennedy's hair. He cradled her body as he prayed to whatever higher power there was. He couldn't lose her. She deserved more than this. She deserves so much more.

Despair had sunk into the roots of Beacon Hills that night. Even as Scott McCall sank into his bed that night, waiting for a call from his mom to tell him everything was okay. He never got that call. He never would.

Because Kennedy Hale was dead.