chapter sixteen
❝ cause the world could be cruel to us ❞
abomination

━━━━༺❀༻━━━━

Stiles grumbled as he paced back and forth in the waiting area of the auto parts store. Kennedy walks in, "What are you doing here?" He asks her.

She smiles softly as she walks over, "Well, considering I had to drop Scott off at the animal clinic, and he said your Jeep is broken, I figured I'd come see the damage." Stiles wipes a clear gel off his hand onto his jacket, "What is that?" She asks, quirking a brow.

"I don't know, but it's gross." Stiles mumbled, pulling out his phone. He goes to text his dad, his hand slowly freezing up. "What's happening to me?" He asks Kennedy, his whole body starting to sway. "Ken-"

"Stiles?" The brunette watches as Stiles drops his phone. "What the hell is going on?"

Stiles looks up at the window, "Oh my god," He utters. Kennedy turns her head to see a lizard like hand appear on the door of his keep. "Hey! Hey!" He goes to move towards the door, but falls over.

Kennedy watches as whatever this thing is, slash the back of the mans neck. The man looks back in shock, then falling over like Stiles just did. She kneels down to her friend, "I'm going to go help him!"

"No!" Stiles gasps out, "Gel-on-door." Kennedy looks at the handle, able to see the clear liquid on it. "Call-Dad."

The brunette urgently pulls out her phone, dialing 911. "911 what's your emergency?"

"Hi, I'm at the auto repair shop in Beacon Hills, and there's a man under the car and I can't get in to help him!" Kennedy cries, watching the machine slowly descend closer to the man.

"Why can't you reach him?"

Kennedy stutters, "The door into the garage is locked! It's going to kill him!"

"Help is on its way, Ma'am."

"Well it's not fast enough!" Kennedy screams, tossing her phone down. With a large shout, Kennedy punches her fist through the glass door, jumping into the room. She runs in, grabbing onto the thing above the man.

He pants as he looks at her, "Run,"

Kennedy shakes her head, "No, no I'm not letting you get hurt." She sternly says. The man continues to look behind her, and Stiles watches from the other side of the door, tears running down his face as this creature comes up from behind, it's tail going through her stomach. She cries out in pain, blood staining her shirt. Kennedy's eyes flutter as the creature grabs her, throwing her to the side. Her head bangs as she tries to crawl back up, but ends up losing consciousness.

When Kennedy regained consciousness, she was definitely more caught off guard by the fact she was in the back of her own car. She groans, sitting up to see Stiles in her car. "What the hell is happening?" She mumbles.

Stiles turns, stepping harshly on the breaks, "Kenny, you're okay,"

The brunette slowly crawls into the front, looking down at her bloodied shirt. "What happened back there?" She asks. She couldn't remember anything after the creature stabbing her. She felt guilty, risking her and Stiles's lives, and even more guilty for not being able to save the guy.

"When I finally was able to move, I brought you back to the car so paramedics didn't see you healing." Stiles explains, gesturing to her healing wound. "Kenny, you almost died."

"Thank's for the reminder." She grimaces.

Stiles turns his body, "Why would you do something like that? Something so reckless?" The teenage girl looks up at him. He should know the answer, she thought. It felt obvious, her feelings towards him. He probably knew exactly how she felt, just like she could assume how he felt. It was like this energy constantly between the two, they had some kind of connection.

"Because I care about you," Kennedy whispers, causing Stiles's heart to skip a beat or two. "I wanted to protect you," The Stilinski glances at her lips for a moment. They were tinted red from the blood that had came out of her mouth when the lizard like creature attacked her, but they still looked remarkably soft and perfect.

He thinks about leaning in. They could be something more. So much more. He knew that, she knew that. Hell, the entire town knew that. But neither of them wanted to face the reality that it may never work out for them. What if they were doomed, a werewolf and a human? Is that against some rule book? Instead of leaning in, Stiles sits back sighing. "That thing. Scott was right. It's not like you guys." He explains. Kennedy purses her lips, leaning back in her seat.

"You're right, its eyes were reptilian. Like a lizard," She replies, pulling out her phone.

"But there was something about them."

Kennedy turns bak towards her friend in confusion. "What do you mean?" She questions, not catching on.

Stiles licks his lips, trying to find a way to explain. "You know when you see, like, a friend in a Halloween mask, but all you can actually see are their eyes and you feel like you know 'em but you just can't figure out who it is?" Kennedy looks over, confusion on her face. "I think it knew us. Both of us."

The brunette sighs, "Well, thats amazing, I've always wanted a lizard best friend." She says sarcastically.

༺❀༻

Scott and Kennedy sat on the stairs at school. "I've been thinking about trying to talk to Erica again. We haven't seen her since the ice rink, and I want to make sure she's okay-"

Scott cuts his friend off, "Ken, I've been thinking about something." The girl rests her head in her hands, giving the McCall her full attention. "When Peter...died...he shoved your claws into his chest." Kennedy's face falls into one of loss, remembering that night, that moment, very vividly. "But Derek shoved you off, and killed him. After he killed Peter, he became alpha."

Kennedy nods, "Yeah. He killed Peter, taking away his Alpha powers," She explains, remembering the information from her childhood. Scott nods, afraid to mention this idea to her.

"What if, when your dad was dying, he wanted you to finish him off?" The brunette girl frowns at his statement, "Ken, what if he wanted you to be the new alpha?"

She shakes her head in confusion. "Why would he want that? I had hardly been a werewolf for 30 minutes." She points out. Why would Peter want that? Derek is a good alpha, even if Kennedy denies it. He was perfect for the role, Kennedy would have been awful.

Scott looks down, "I think I have a theory, but I need to know more about your mom." He says awkwardly. Kennedy feels like she lost all of the air in her lungs at the mention of her mom. Peter's true love, his wife.

Before either of them could continue their conversation, Stiles stumbles over, crashing into the stairs. He looks at Scott, clasping his hands together. "I'm so sorry about the other day. I'm trying." Kennedy stops moving, narrowing her eyes. "We'll get through this. Uh, I know, because I love you." The girls eyes widen, a smile on her face. "I love you more than- oh, my God. I can't," Stiles gags out. "You and Allison just have to find a better way to communicate." Kennedy laughs, now everything making much more sense.

"Come on, you're the only one that we can trust. Is she coming to the game tonight?"

"Yes!" Stiles groans. "Okay, message complete. Now, tell me about your boss?" The three huddle closer together, but Kennedy sitting in the middle felt a bit squished.

Scott looks around, "He thinks that Allison's family keeps some kind of, uh, records of all the things that they've hunted. Like a book." Kennedy frowns, unsure.

"He probably means a bestiary."

"What?"

Stiles shrugs, "A bestiary."

Scott begins to laugh, "I think you mean bestiality." Kennedy sits up straight, realization crossing her face.

"No, he means bestiary. My mom had one." She begins, "It's like an encyclopedia of mythical creatures."

"How am I the only one who doesn't know anything about this stuff?" Scott asks out loud.

Stiles rolls his eyes, "Okay, you're my best friend, you're both creatures of the night, it's kind of like a priority of mine." He explains. Kennedy snickers, nodding slowly in agreement.

Scott nods, "Okay. If we can find it, and it can tell us what this thing is-"

"And who." Stiles adds.

The two sigh, "We need that book," They both stop moving, looking at each other awkwardly, Kennedy giggles, standing up.

"Okay, boys, lets go before I get bored and make out with Greenburg." She says, pulling them both to their feet and pushing them up the stairs.

༺❀༻

Nighttime rolled around, and the Lacrosse game was going to start soon. Kennedy approached the side of the bleachers, "Hey, Argent family." She grins.

Gerard looks over, "Kennedy Stallard! How lovely to see you again!" He beams. Kennedy returns a smile, looking at Allison. "Supporting your friends on the field?"

She nods slowly. "I am! I was thinking of heading to the bathroom though," She slyly holds up her hand, the keys Allison had managed to snatch landing in her palms. She walks around, practically walking into the chest of someone. "Oh! I'm so sorry."

"It's cool, I should've watched where I was going." Kennedy looks up, surprised to see Matt. "Kenny, hey."

"Hi, Matt." She mutters awkwardly. She looks at him, realizing he had his camera on him still. "What, are you part of yearbook too?" She asks sarcastically.

The boy chuckles. "No, I just take pictures of anything that catches my eye." His smile falters for a second before he chuckles. "Actually, can I take a photo of you?"

Kennedy quirks a brow. "You want to take a photo of me? Why?" She asks him. Her arms cross over her chest as she smirks.

"Because, I think you look beautiful tonight, and you catch my eye." Matt says. Kennedy chuckles to herself, knowing that he could've been much smoother about it, but thinks its sweet. She goes to pose for the photo, when a pair of arms wrap around her waist, scooping her off the ground. She squeals in surprise as she looks down, realizing their Stiles's arms.

"Sorry! She's busy!" He calls out, carrying her down the path towards the school. Matt watches them walk away, glaring daggers into Stiles's back. He looks down at his camera, seeing the photo he had taken in that exact moment. He was disappointed at how cute the photo was, the look of surprise and the smile on Kennedy's face as Stiles looked at her as if she were a shining diamond. He wanted Kennedy to look at him that way, but Stiles had her wrapped around his finger.

Stiles continues to carry her down the path towards the school, "I don't like him," He blurts.

Kennedy hums, "Why? I think he's cute." She retorts.

Stiles scoffs, "Now I just hate him." Kennedy laughs, accepting the fact Stiles had just kidnapped her. He practically carries her all the way to the school, thinking about Matt. The guy was suspicious, and a bit creepy. Why was he wanting random pictures of Kennedy?

The two finally get to the school, Stiles setting Kennedy down on her feet before walking into the school. "Allison said it should be somewhere in his office." He explains, walking down the hall.

"Lets say we find said book, what if Gerard starts getting suspicious?" Kennedy asks, the two approaching the Principal's office.

Stiles takes the keys from Kennedy, humming in thought. "Then we'll lie our way out of it, like always!" He chimes before opening the door. The two step inside, Stiles sighing. "Okay, if you were a creepy old dude trying to kill werewolves in Beacon Hills, where would you hide a book of creepy creatures?" He questions, looking down at Kennedy. The brunette rolls her eyes, approaching a book shelf. Her eyes scan the lines of books, none of them catching her eyes. Stiles begins rummaging through Mr. Argents desk, wondering where the hell this book is.

Kennedy's hearing catches her off guard, the sound of crying from a distance. She pauses, turning her head. "Hey, Stiles, do you think you could finish looking through the room? I, uh, need to find something." The human boy nods, opening another drawer. Kennedy walks away, searching the school. She took this time to try and learn how to use her senses, to help her locate the crying. She had probably searched the entire school before it had taken her into the parking lot.

Her hearing takes her to a familiar car, and Kennedy knows exactly who it is. Lydia. She felt like her and Lydia haven't talked recently, and maybe it's because of how busy the brunette has been. She approaches her friends vehicle, mindlessly opening the door and sliding in. "Kennedy, hi." Lydia says, attempting to wipe her tears away.

"Lydia, whats wrong?" Kennedy asks, raising a worried brow. Lydia looked up, obviously not wanting to answer. "Please, Lyd, I want to help you."

The Martin scoffs, shaking her head. "You'll think I'm crazy." She mutters. Kennedy leans back, chuckling at her friend. "What?"

Kennedy shakes her head. "Trust me when I say this, there is absolutely nothing you could say that would make me think you're crazy. Especially recently." Lydia purses her lips into a line as Kennedy turns her body completely to face her. "Lydia, you are beautiful, and strong, and deserve all of the rainbows and smiles in the world. So, tell me whats wrong so I can kick somebody's ass and then give you ice cream." Lydia laughs, wiping tears from under her eyes.

"I miss Jackson." Lydia confesses, "And I shouldn't, he was a douche, but I can't help it. I really liked him, Kennedy. I think I even-" She pauses, not wanting the words to slip from her lips. Kennedy smiles softly, knowing exactly what her best friend was going to say. "I think I loved him." The brunette looks at her friend, taking her hand.

"And thats okay. You can love someone even when they hurt you, its called being human," The Stallard girl explains, "Its a part of life. Missing the boy you loved, wanting him back, wanting to run into his arms and tell him everything you've been holding back,"

Lydia cuts the werewolf girl off. "Like you and Stiles?" She questions, her voice soft and raspy from crying.

Kennedy felt her cheeks heat up, "Yeah, like me and Stiles." She mumbles, looking at her lap. She looks at her phone, seeing no texts from any of her friends. "Do you feel a little better?" Lydia purses her lips into a smile, nodding. "Good. I have to go back to the game, but I'll text you, alright?"

"Bye, Kennedy," Lydia smiles, starting her car as Kennedy gets out. Lydia was one of the only people that never used nicknames for the Stallard. It was usually something like Ken or Kenny, both of those given to her by Stiles and Scott, but Lydia always called her Kennedy.

The brunette had failed to realize how much time had passed since she left Stiles, looking around for Lydia and then talking to her. It had been nearly an hour since she last talked to Stiles, and that time felt like hours when Kennedy finally reached the principals office, no Stiles in sight.

Little did Kennedy know, Stiles was struggling hoisting up Derek Hale while the two sat in the middle of the swimming pool. And as Stiles and Derek watched the human boys phone ring, they felt a slight bit of hope.

Stiles adjusted his grip on Derek, "Don't you even think about it!" Derek warns.

"Would you just trust me this once?"

"No!"

The human rolls his eyes. "It's probably Scott or Kennedy, we could get help!" He says. "I'm the one keeping you alive, okay, have you noticed that?" He points out.

"Yeah. And when the paralysis wears off, who is gonna be able to fight that thing, you or me?" Derek snaps. "You don't trust me I don't trust you. You need me to survive, which is why you are not letting me go." The two turn to see the phone ringing again. Stiles purses his lips, letting go of Derek. "Stiles-!"

The Stilinski swam like hell to the edge of the pool, relief filling his chest when he sees Kennedy's contact. His wrinkled fingers hit the green button as he struggles to hold the phone above water.

"Kenny?"

The brunette gasps, "Stiles, where the hell are you?" She asks him.

"Me and Derek- pool- monster- help!" Is all Stiles says before hanging up. Stiles grunts as he throws his phone across the pool, swimming down to grab Derek,

The Stallard frowns, looking at her phone for a lingering moment before making her way down the hall. She dials Scott. "Hey, where are you?"

"I'm on my way back to the school, I know where the bestiary is." Scott explains, "I've been calling Stiles, where is he?"

Kennedy snaps her head to the side when she hears a loud roar. "I think he's a bit busy." She mumbles. "The monster's here, at the school, I'm gonna fight it."

"What?" Scott asks, stepping on the gas. "No!"

"Scott, I have to save Stiles and Derek. I can't wait for you!" She argues.

Scott throws his free hand in the air. "I'll be there in five minutes!" He snaps.

Kennedy's eyes grow gold as she hears another roar. "I don't have five minutes." She clicks the red button, running down the hall.

Stiles and Derek remain in the pool, Stiles's body aching in pain. "I can't stay up any longer," He pants. "I need something to hold on." He looks around, seeing the diving board. He struggles to swim as he drags himself and the paralyzed werewolf through the pool. He lets out struggling breaths as he reaches up, his fingers slipping. Stiles loses all of his grip, his body giving out. The boy clamps his mouth shut, holding his breath as he sinks. Derek unwillingly begins to sink as well, unable to move. Stiles wonders if this is it, this was how he'd die. Before he can even do much more, a pair of hands grab him by his adidas jacket. His body flies through the air as he and Derek land on the side of the pool.

His eyes struggle to focus as a blur of brown hair come over, a pretty werewolf girls face coming into view. "Are you okay?" She asks him, her hand landing on his chest. The sound of a loud roar catches them both off guard, and they turn their heads to see a werewolf Scott. She turns her head, seeing Stiles's eyes falling. "Stiles? Stiles?" She looks around, trying to find the problem. Biting her lip, she adjusts herself before leaning his head back; she pinches his nose and leans down, giving the boy CPR. Her mouth lands on his, but not in the way either of them would have hoped. Stiles opens his eyes, coughing up water when Kennedy sits back, shocked. He looks at her, his lips forming into a smile, which she returns. Before he can do much else, a quick figure tackles her to the ground. Kennedy grunts as her and the lizard creature roll on the ground. She groans as Scott leaps over, his ankle getting wrapped by the lizard's tail and throwing him into a mirror above her. Scott and Kennedy quickly get to their feet, Scott grabbing a piece of the broken mirror.

The lizard monster freezes, its eyes landing on itself. It gives a final hiss, before jumping to the wall to Kennedy's side. The group watch as the lizard monster makes its way to the sky light, making its dramatic exit from there.

༺❀༻

Stiles sat outside of Beacon Hills High School, watching Kennedy speaking to Derek from a far. Scott walks up, "You know, I'd almost say you're obsessed with her if I didn't know better." Stiles looks over, seeing his best friend. Scott sighs, leaning against the Jeep. "She's scared, Stiles."

"We all are," The human boy retorts. Kennedy and Derek are arguing over something related to Ben Stallard, from what the pair could tell.

"I mean she's scared of the truth, or truths." Scott retorts. The Stilinski turns his head, intrigued by Scott's statement. "She just found out her life is a lie, watched her cousin kill her dad, and now she's fighting every instinct she has to join his pack."

The human frowns. "You think she wants to join Derek?" He questions, not thinking Kennedy could do that.

Scott shakes his head. "No, but he's the alpha of the pack she was going to join. It's like, every instinct in her body telling her to join a pack, and she's not doing it." Scott explains, watching Kennedy with Stiles. "She's scared of hurting her friends."

"I'm worried for her, Scott. She's not the same Kennedy she was three months ago."

"And you're not the same Stiles you were three months ago, either." Scott adds, raising a brow. "So much has happened to all of us, and I think she just needs time to find herself." Stiles purses her lips, watching her as Scott pulls the flash drive out of his pocket. "You wanna see what's on this thing?"

Meanwhile, a distance away, Derek and Kennedy stand across from one another. "I don't want to join your pack." Kennedy declares, crossing her arms over her chest.

Derek sighs, "Kennedy, this was your pack at some point too-"

"It stopped being my pack the day I was nearly burned alive by your crazy girlfriend." Kennedy snaps coldly. Erica snickers, looking away. "My dad didn't want this. I know he didn't."

The Hale scoffs, "No, he wanted a teenage girl who didn't know what the hell she was doing to lead his pack." Kennedy is shocked when she hears Derek finally confess it. "Why would he choose you? Huh? You don't know the first damn thing about being a werewolf, let alone being an alpha." The brunette purses her lips into a thin line. She knew he was right, but it didn't make it hurt any less. "He's dead, Kenny. So we have to move on and try and survive."

Kennedy bites the inside of her cheek, looking around the school parking lot. "I miss him. Whether you care or not, I miss my dad, and I'm not going to stand by the same person that slit his throat." She spins on her heel, walking towards the Jeep. Derek sighs, following after her.

"Is that even a language?" Kennedy hears Stiles say as she walks over.

Scott shrugs, "How are we supposed to figure out what this thing is?" He mumbles.

"It's called a Kanima." Derek retorts, him and Erica walking over. Stiles and Scott glance at Kennedy, who is visibly annoyed and uncomfortable.

"You knew the whole time." Stiles huffs.

Derek looks at him "No. Only when it was confused by its own reflection."

Kennedy sighs, "Usually, a Kanima doesn't know what it is, or who." She says, remembering reading about it in her moms books. Derek nods, looking at his cousin.

"What else do you know?" Stiles asks them.

Derek shrugs, "Just stories, rumors." He answers.

"But it's like us?" Scott asks, confused. Kennedy looks down at her shoes, not wanting to look at the alpha.

"A shape-shifter, yes, but it's, it's not right. It's like a-"

Stiles cuts Derek off. "An abomination." He finishes. Kennedy looks up, watching Derek nod slowly.

"We need to work together on this." Scott explains, "Maybe even tell the Argents."

"You trust them?"

Scott scoffs, "Nobody trusts anyone! That's the problem." He shouts, "While we're here, arguing about who's on what side, there's something scarier, stronger and faster than any of us, and it's killing people and we still don't even know anything about it." Kennedy swallows awkwardly, knowing Scott was right.

Derek says nothing for a moment. "I know one thing," Kennedy frowns, unsure what he's gonna say. "When I find it? I'm gonna kill it."

༺❀༻

"Oh, I will so kick your ass in karaoke!" Kennedy squeals at Scott. After their long night, Kennedy and Scott had to go pick up Melissa McCall from her shift at the hospital. Kennedy had wrapped herself up in a jacket, the two singing Taylor Swift songs the whole way there.

Scott rolls his eyes playfully. "Just because I'm not as much of a T-Swift pro, doesn't mean I won't destroy you when I sing Led Zeppelin." Scott argues, rolling into the parking lot.

The two stay in the car for a moment, Kennedy looking over. "Scott, you don't mind me living with you, right?" She asks, quirking her brow.

Scott chuckles, "Ken, I don't care. You're my best friend, mi casa su casa." He says. Kennedy purses her lips, nodding slowly. "Why? Is something wrong?" The brunette looks out her window, not sure what to say.

"I don't know, I just, I know things are crazy and I didn't plan on bringing my craziness to your home." She explains. "But, either way, I appreciate you letting me stay."

Scott smiles at her, nodding. The two climb out of the car, neither seeing Gerard Argent approaching Scott. The old man grabs the McCall, spinning him around and stabbing him in the stomach. Kennedy turns her head, her breath getting caught in her throat. "Don't move." Gerard says to both of them. "Even though I can practically feel the tissue around the blade already trying to heal, you never know with a beta. Besides, we'd lose this perfect picture." Gerard smirks. "The kind old grandfather embracing his favorite grandson after hearing good news from the doctor." Kennedy looks at Scott as he whimpers loudly. "That's right. I can play the nice doddering grandpa who likes to cook and tell stories and be sweet and charming, and trust me, I can do it far better than you playing average broken-hearted teenage boy." He turns his head, seeing the frozen Kennedy. "Or, the oblivious teenage best friend." Kennedy swallows the lump in her throat, realizing Gerard doesn't know what she is.Gerard hums, twisting the blade further into Scott's abdomen. "Are you listening?"

The McCall looks over at Kennedy, nodding as if to tell her he's okay. "Yes." He grimaces. Kennedy looks over at the hospital, thankfully not seeing Melissa McCall.

"Perfect." Gerard replies. "Now, you're gonna do me a favor one of these days and you're gonna do it, because if you don't, this knife goes in both your friend and your mom." Kennedy looks up again, seeing Melissa walking towards the door, stopping to talk to a friend. "I truly believe that it's so much easier when bad things don't have to happen to good people. Don't you agree?" Scott narrows his eyes, gritting his teeth.

"Yes."

Gerard takes the blade out of Scott, walking away. Kennedy circles the car, grabbing on to Scott. "Oh my god, are you okay?" She asks him, looking at his bloody shirt.

Melissa McCall walks over, "Hey, there."She says with a smile. She notices the uncomfortable look on Scotts face. "You okay?"

"Yeah, he's fine." Kennedy answers, "He just has a headache and is gonna lay down in the back seat." Scott nods slowly as Kennedy takes the keys.

Scott nods, glaring in the direction Gerard had walked off to. "Everything's fine."