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THE NEXT DAY WAS A BLUR, FINN felt like he was going through the motions. Attending his classes, the photography club, and helping volunteer at the hospital.
It was starting to burn him out, he soon needed a break, but evil doesn't rest. And his newfound friends needed all the help they could get.
He slung his backpack off his shoulder, not in the mood to start any of his homework right now. Deciding against it, he slugged off his shoes.
Kicking them off to the side, and made his way to the kitchen, scouring in the fridge to find something to eat. Guess he'd have to remind Eddie they needed to go grocery shopping.
He realized he had to cook, with the number one rule being, 'Don't burn the house down.' That was the last thing he needed, his brother to come home and find their house set ablaze.
He pulled out ingredients to make spaghetti, first working on the sauce, and letting it cook. Moving on to boil the noodles. Whilst jamming out to a playlist.
Finn figured he'd be by himself for the rest of the evening, Eddie's shifts seemed to get later and later each night. It wasn't considered a bad thing, because Eddie can handle himself.
That didn't really stop the boy from worrying about him, he wondered if he should tell Eddie the truth. While Finn felt guilty, he didn't want to risk putting him in danger.
Actions have consequences, they also speak louder than words. So he wasn't sure how long he'd be able to keep up the lies. Maybe he could ask his friends what to do.
He finished making a bowl of food and fixing up some for Eddie too, writing on a sticky note, letting him know he can bring leftovers with him on his next shift.
Then he made his way to the couch, he'd get to his homework after he ate, and not to pat himself on the back, his food was great.
Finn ate it all, grabbed his backpack and began working on his assignments. Coach Finnstock would have a strongly worded letter on his desk by Friday.
Whoever thought the concept of the education system was the best idea since sliced bread was the worst person to ever walk the earth. He sighed, finishing the work sheet and moving onto his notes for a project.
He stopped when he noticed his phone ringing, picking it up, he read the caller I.D, it was Eddie. He answered, "Hey Eds, what's up?" He asked.
Eddie greeted, "Hey bubba, just checking in while I'm on a short break. Are you doing okay?"
"Yeah, I'm good. Made spaghetti for dinner, did some homework. Now I'm on the phone with you." He replied.
Finn could hear the faint sound of the PA system, "Good. That's good, I'll be home in a couple hours."
"As always, I'll be here. See you when you get home." The two said their goodbyes and Finn hung up the phone.
Time passing as slow as a snail, Finn soon completed all of his schoolwork for the night. He turned off the tv, uninterested in whatever was on.
He might as well start his bedtime routine. There wasn't much to do now, maybe he could begin reading that new sci-fi novel Stiles recommended when he was done and in bed.
Once he changed into his pj's, brushed his teeth, he climbed into his bed, pulling out his book. He turned to the first chapter. Letting his mind drift into the fantasy world.
It was way better than the real one anyway, after a few pages his eyes started fluttering shut. So he paused on reading.
Setting his book on his bedside table. Slipping underneath the covers and falling asleep.
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That night, at Liam's house, he and Mason were playing a video game, he wasn't bothered that it was a school night, he just wanted to hangout with his friend.
Mason jokingly asked if Liam had been practicing or developed superhuman reflexes, Liam quickly replied with the latter. It was late, Mason had to go, groaning about their history test tomorrow.
He had yet to study for it, but Liam jumped up, eager for him to stay. Mason asked if he was okay, instead of answering Liam said he should probably study too. He'd see him later.
After Mason left, Liam hopped into bed, hesitant when he had to turn the light off, looking around the room checking if anyone was there or hiding in the shadows.
Finally, he turned off the light, the sound of rain hitting the window. The creaking of the floors were playing into his fears, and he imagined a Berserker standing in his room.
It began walking towards him, he shut his eyes, repeating to himself that the Berserker wasn't there, over and over again.
It loomed over him, close enough to feel its breath. Liam opened his eyes, turned on his lamp, but... the room was empty.
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The next morning, after debating with himself and his Mom, Scott took the bag of money to Derek's loft. The second he saw it, the older man didn't blame him for wanting to keep it.
"Okay. Don't you wanna know why it took so long to return it? How much do you make at the animal clinic?" Derek asked.
Scott answered, "Minimum wage."
"That's why. Everyone can be tempted, Scott. Even a true alpha." He told the teen.
The kid was confused, how and why was he so calm? "You're not angry?"
To which Derek shook his head, "It's not even mine. It belongs to Peter."
"Where's your money?" Scott questioned.
Derek answered, "You're standing on it." Scott looked down, thinking it was another vault. But no, he owned the building and had his own bank accounts.
All the money from the vault was most likely better if the rest of it never returned. The conversation switched, when Scott brought up he knew Lydia was at the loft the night before.
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Finn sighed, flipping through his camera, deleting the unnecessary photos he nor the club needed to hand over to the newspaper club for print out.
Claire came over to him, "Hey, are you busy?"
Finn looked up, "Just deleting photos, other than that no. But I do have class in a few minutes."
"Oh okay then I'll ask Mark if he can help me out. But remember that some of the team photos need to go up on the BHH website." Claire replied.
"I'll do that in a second, don't worry Claire." Claire smiled at him, and walked away to find Mark. He continued working on the task at hand.
Doing as Claire requested, going to the school website and posting the team photos. That's all he really had to do, the club was running a little slow.
He might as well go to class, he wondered what shenanigans Coach Finstock had planned. Walking down the hall to his home room Finn spotted a familiar face.
Stiles approached him, "Finn, hey."
Finn greeted him with a small smile, "Hey Stiles, what's up?"
Stiles scratched the back of his neck, "Nothing much, you're just the person I was looking for."
Finn wore a quizzical expression, "Really?"
"Yeah, are you busy after school?" The older teen asked.
Finn shook his head, "No, I'm not, why?"
Stiles glanced around, making sure no one was around, "Me and Malia are studying, but I also want to catch you up on supernatural stuff. Would you wanna come over?"
Finn thought about it, he wasn't busy, Eddie was working late... again. So his proposal was something he could do. Instead of being bored at home.
"Sure, I've got nothing to do since Eddie will be at work. I'll just tell him not to pick me up." He replied.
"Okay cool, thanks. I'll see you later." Stiles said before heading the opposite way. Finn kept walking and made it to class with five minutes to spare.
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Later, and true to his word, Eddie didn't plan on picking Finn up, so he, Stiles, and Malia drove to Stiles's house. The younger of the three found his white board and many colored strings intriguing.
Most people would think Stiles was crazy, but Finn wasn't most people. Especially when he and Liam got chased by a dude with no mouth and got kidnapped all in the same night.
"Honestly, I can't believe a computer hidden behind a room in Lydia's house was only half of the story." Malia breathed out, fiddling with her pencil.
"Yeah and that Meredith who we thought was dead, was the one behind it." Stiles added.
"If the person hasn't been double tapped, consider the fact they may be alive." Stiles did admit he had to agree with the shorter boy.
An older man appeared in the doorway, "Drop what you're doing. I'm taking you both out to dinner. Whatever you want."
Stiles looked at his father from his desk, "Dad, I don't think a man with your debts should be treating anyone to anything."
"Well, there's one debt we no longer have to worry about." He replied, holding a letter in his hand.
"What is that?" Stiles asked.
"A letter of apology from Eichen House. Apparently, they've decided to forgive our debt due to..."
"Well, you and Lydia almost getting murdered." The man answered.
"They can do that?" Finn was surprised at that too but he had a feeling it was possibly a half-assed sorry attempt at a response.
Noah interrupted his son, "They can do it and they did it."
Stiles jumped up to hug his dad, "I have never been so happy to have almost been murdered."
Noah wore a small smile, "Well, we're not out of it yet. But... we're going to be okay."
"And at least for the moment, I can afford to take my son and his girlfriend out to dinner. Malia, what's your favorite food?"
Malia answered in delight, "Deer."
"Pizza. She likes pizza. Dad, you're forgetting that we have another child here." Stiles said, gesturing to Finn who was sitting on the floor.
Upon hearing Stiles refer to him, Finn glanced up from his book, "You're only two and a half years older than me Stiles."
Stiles ignored him and persisted on, "Dad, this is Finn. Finn, this is my dad."
Finn jumped to his feet and shook Noah's hand, "Nice to meet you sir."
"Nice to meet you too Finn, I'm sorry about my son, he can be a pain in the ass sometimes." He finished with a wink.
Finn played along, grinning at the man. "It's okay Mr. Stilinski, sometimes isn't the word I'd use personally."
The two looked back at Stiles, chuckling noticing his feigned offense. "Anyway, would you wanna join us for pizza Finn?"
"Oh I wouldn't want to impose." Finn said, nervously.
"You're not imposing anything. I always make time to get to know my son's friends." The teen had a sneaking suspicion he wasn't allowed to turn down the offer.
"Okay, if you insist." Noah clasped his hands together, gathering the three of them and into the car. Finn asked if he could be dropped off at home once they were done at dinner.
Noah agreed and drove him home after dinner, saying bye to Stiles and that he'd see him at the game tomorrow. He opened the door, locking it behind him.
Finn immediately went upstairs to his room, deciding to watch some YouTube to pass the time. Noticing when his phone started sounding off an alarm.
It was ten thirty, he needed to go to bed, or else he wouldn't be rested enough for the game. He turned off his lamp and fell asleep.
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The next day was relatively the same, minus the hustle and bustle of the club room getting ready for the game. Once Finn had all his equipment, he went to the locker room to find any of the guys.
He found Liam and Stiles talking to Coach; he didn't want to interrupt them, so he stood within listening distance. Clearly he missed part of it. "What are they doing?"
Stiles hesitated with his reply, "They're doing something that's going to make them slightly late."
Coach stared incredulously, "What could Scott and Kira be doing right now that's more important than playing in the first game?"
Finn caught on quickly when Stiles' tone shifted to pity, "Oh, Coach."
Coach dismissed them and left the room, Finn made his presence known, walking up to the two teens.
Finn grimaced, "Thanks for the mental image Stiles."
"You went there first, not my fault." He replied.
Finn questioned, "So Scott and Kira are MIA and you're about to play?" Watching as Stiles shrugged his shoulders. Liam too inside his head to register what he asked.
The players left out to the field and Finn over by the bleachers to set up his camera, he took a couple shots of the crowd, holding up their signs.
He saw his friends sitting on the bench, Liam was nervous, anyone could see that from miles away. Meanwhile Stiles appeared to be hyping him up.
From the mountains of research he's done since meeting them, the full moon was set to come tomorrow night. So Finn thought Liam could be worried about that.
But he didn't know, he was still new to the supernatural world, as long as Liam didn't rage like the hulk they were in the clear.
Though he didn't have time to think about that as he had a job to do. On the field, Stiles's 'really good' still got him knocked over and humiliated by the opposing team.
Finn winced watching him go down. Liam crouched down next to him and Stiles told him he'd call Scott again.
The game went on with Beacon Hills being wrecked. Finn kept taking pictures of the home team. Right before halftime Devenford Prep scored a goal.
Since neither Scott or Kira were answering their phones, Stiles decided to leave and find them. Liam overheard Stiles go off with his dad.
While Malia offered to stay and keep an eye out for Scott in case he showed up. Finn watched Liam gain the upper hand for a second.
Brett missed the ball but scooped it back up, and headed for the goal. Liam ran forward ready to tackle someone when he stopped. Finn, like the rest of the crowd shouted.
Brett passed him and scored the goal, Finn hoped Liam would get his head in the game, slowly losing hope since the scores were more in Devenford's favor.
At the next play, Liam had the ball racing toward the goal, when he's shoulder-charged by Brett, Finn gasped, flinching as Liam took a pretty big hit.
It looked like they were talking, Liam rose to his feet as the ref ran over to check and see if he was okay. The teen nodded and the game continued.
Of course they lost, but they tried, winning isn't always the endgame. Finn packed up his gear and went inside the school, deciding to talk to Liam. He hoped he was okay.
In the locker room, Brett approached Liam, asking if he was okay, Liam pointed out that they lost, so it was pretty evident he wasn't. "But you're okay, right?"
Liam's nostrils flared, "Why'd you do that? Why'd you help me?"
Brett crossed his arms, "Because of Scott. He saved me. He saved all of us. Do you know how lucky you are?"
Liam asked, "What do you mean?"
"Scott's a true alpha. That means he didn't get his power because he was born with it. He didn't get it by stealing or killing someone." Liam listened.
He continued, "He earned it. You're not strong just because you can lift a lot of weight now. You're strong because you endure. Satomi calls it strength of character."
Brett's eyes held a glint of respect for the alpha. "You're lucky to have him."
Liam almost scoffed, "Then why isn't he here?"
Brett didn't have an answer for the beta, instead offering him a sympathetic smile and leaving the younger teen to gather his things.
Another voice called out, "Liam, you here?"
Finn came into view holding his camera bag on his shoulder, "Hey Finn." Liam zipped up his duffle and adjusted it in his hand.
Meeting him halfway. The two walked together, Finn spoke first, "What happened at the game? You just... froze. Why?"
"I don't know, it's stupid really." Liam said, rubbing the nape of his neck.
They stayed in step with each other, "It's not stupid, something obviously happened."
Liam folded, "I saw a Berserker, it was coming right at me. Killing everyone in its path. I froze. And I hate that I did, what would've happened if it was real?"
Tears brimmed his eyes, "What would've happened if it were any of you guys?"
Finn stalled in his step, he stared at Liam, empathy lacing his every word. "Li, I trust that you'd protect us."
"Fear is normal, no one's gonna fault you for feeling that. But you can't let it control every decision you make. Or else that'll make things worse." He explained.
Liam really pondered about what he was saying, and Finn was right, his fear was controlling him. Liam smiled, "Thanks Finn, you're a good friend."
Finn returned his gratitude with a smile, "No problem, glad I could help."
They continued walking, reaching the front of the school, "I'll see you later Finnie."
Calling out as Liam walked out, "Finnie? Why do you call me that?"
Liam spun around, grinning, "You call me Li, I call you Finnie."
Finn chuckled, "Seriously?" That was three times in the last month, not that he was keeping track..
Liam shrugged, "I don't make the nickname rules!" Finn shook his head fondly, rolling his eyes, before waving his friend goodbye.
He waited for Eddie to roll up, and got in the car when he did. The teen was exhausted, all he wanted to do was fall asleep in his bed.
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Scott's eyes fluttered open, it was dark, the only light was streaming in through a giant window. He couldn't get up, finding that he was bound to a stone slab by rope laced with wolfsbane flowers.
Kate's voice rang out, her heels clicking against the concrete floor. "Tell me, Scott. They ever teach you the myth of Artemis and Actaeon in school?"
Scott laid there confused, but she continued. "No? I didn't think so. Well, Artemis was a goddess. And Actaeon was a hunter that happened to see Artemis bathing naked one day."
'Where is she going with this?' Scott thought.
"This did not make the goddess too happy. In fact, she was so angry, Artemis turned Actaeon into a deer and sent his own hounds into a frenzy."
"He was actually torn apart by his own hunting dogs." Kate picked up a bone mask, Scott noticed it resembled what the Berserkers wore.
Panic rose within his chest, "What are you doing?" He asked.
She chuckled darkly, "I'm not gonna turn you into a deer. But you are about to become something unrecognizable to your friends."
"They won't know what they're fighting. Or killing." Scott struggled against his binds, while a Berserker held him down.
He pleaded, but his cries were ignored, as Kate rose the mask into the air and slowly brought it down to rest on Scott's head as he screamed.
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The End of Chapter 11
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