IT WAS ALMOST HIS DAD'S birthday, which didn't bring up a lot of good memories. His therapist constantly repeated the sentiment, "It wasn't your fault. You were only ten years old."

Finn knew that in the back of his mind. But somehow never believed it. Thinking back, that's  probably why he was in therapy in the first place, he wanted the outcome to be different.

But unfortunately time travel didn't exist. Yet, supernatural creatures did, guess that's where the universe drew the line.

What was worse was that he kept dreaming of that day, over and over again. He thought he jumped over that hurdle, that was until he started having those dreams.

He remembered it as if it occurred yesterday, it was eight thirty at night, Finn and Eddie waited in anticipation of their dad's arrival.

Excited about their ice cream and movie night. It never came, their dad didn't come home, and two hours had passed.

Simon hadn't returned, sure it wasn't unusual to stay late at work, but he wouldn't do so without calling and checking in on the boys.

Finn was sitting on the couch watching cartoons, there was a knock on the door, Eddie told him to stay put as he got to the door.

Opening it, and being greeted by two men in blue. Finn turned, resting his chin on the back of the sofa, glancing over at the front window.

Flashing red and blue lights, two cops standing in their front doorway. The two boys shared a look, Finn noted the expression etched on Eddie's face. Then he knew, something happened, and it was bad, really bad.

Eddie sent Finn upstairs, while Finn went to his room, he tried to keep himself occupied. "This is the residence of Simon Connor, correct?" One of the officers questioned.

Eddie nodded his head, he had this sick feeling in the pit of his stomach, was his dad hurt? Was he in the hospital? What the hell is happening?

He thought. The officer introduced himself, "I'm Officer Regan, this is Officer Ghallager. Are you related to the victim?"

Eddie's face paled, "I'm his oldest, Eddie. V.. Victim? What happened to my dad? Is he okay?"

The two men glanced at each other, Officer Regan gave Eddie a somber look, "Unfortunately, no, there was an accident. Your father's car was hit on highway twenty, he uh, died at the scene."

Eddie couldn't form words, those two words. "He died." It was as if they were echoing, his ears ringing almost like a gun went off right next to him.

None of what the officer said made sense, their dad was on his way home, he's the most careful driver he knew. How did this happen? "Son, is there anyone we can contact on your behalf?"

That snapped Eddie back into reality, he nodded his head, wiping the tears from his eyes. He told them to call his aunt.

Officer Ghallager went outside to his squad car, and Officer Regan stayed with Eddie. It hit Eddie, what was he going to tell Finn?

How the hell was he going to explain to his ten year old brother that their dad wasn't coming home? How the hell was he going to raise his brother without his father?

He had not one single ounce of parental qualities in him! He wasn't about to trust anyone else other than his aunt to help.

But god, how was he going to do this? Alone... Eddie held his head in his hands, sitting on the wooden stairs.

Officer Ghallager walked back in, and looked to his partner, nodding at him. "Hey kid, your aunt's on the way."

"Do you need help gathering some stuff for you and your brother?" Officer Regan inquired, kneeling to Eddie's eye level.

"N.. No. I got it, but... how am I gonna tell him?" Eddie glanced up at the man, his eyes glossed over.

"I'm not sure Eddie. But I can tell him something. And if he asks questions, I'll make sure the answers are easy for him to understand." Officer Regan replied.

"Don't... Don't tell him the truth. I'll do that, I just need some time. But I'll be back, I'm gonna pack some stuff and then help Finn."

Eddie said, getting up off the step and letting the officer follow him. He pointed to the little boy's room, telling him he could go in.

The man complied, reminding himself not to spill the beans and scare the kid. He saw the boy on the floor playing with his cars and action figures.

"Hey there Finn, I'm Officer Regan. Whatcha got there?" The boy turned his head, looking as the man entered his room.

He was confused, where was Eddie, so he asked. "Where's Eddie, did he get in trouble?"

Regan shook his head in reply. "Oh no, your brother's all good. He's just packing some clothes cause you guys are going on an adventure."

Finn's eyes lit up, "An adventure? Cool! What about Dad, is he coming with us?"

Regan couldn't tell him even if he wanted to, he couldn't break this boy's heart. "He got a little busy with work, so he asked me to help you and Eddie."

"Okay, I can get my suitcase. That way Eddie doesn't have to. Do you know where we're going?" He questioned Regan, as he made his way to his closet.

"It wouldn't be much of an adventure if I told where you were going, would it?" He heard Finn chuckle at that.

"No, that makes sense though." Just then, Eddie came in with his packed bag. He saw that Finn had his open and ready for Eddie to pack some stuff.

The officer made his leave and went downstairs, not before giving a sympathetic pat on Eddie's shoulder and slight nod. Eddie glanced at his brother, watching as he grabbed shirts out of his closet.

Finn didn't know anything, Eddie wished he could take this moment and freeze it. In a matter of hours, days even, he'd have to deliver the news that would ruin his world and innocence.

He wanted to curse, scream, sob, anything that would distract him from telling his brother their father was dead. "Alright bubba, let's get you all packed." He said.

Finn grabbed his stuffed bear and toothbrush from the bathroom, "Cause we're going on an adventure right?"

Finn suggested, "Oh, can we still get ice cream or should we wait for Dad? Officer Regan said he was busy at work."

"Uh yeah, we can get some ice cream. Dad promised we would, so let's get finished up and head out." Eddie replied.

After a few minutes, both boys got everything they needed, but Eddie needed to make one last stop. His dad's room.

It was exactly how he left it, even his slippers, that were snug, peeking from under the bed frame. There was no doubt in Eddie's head that his dad was going to come home.

He stifled a sob as he grabbed a picture frame with the three of them. It had six year old Eddie sitting on Simon's lap, who was helping him hold his newborn baby brother.

That photo was taken by their aunt, Simon cherished that picture. Eddie sighed, taking the photos and grabbing his father's pocket watch.

He wanted Finn to have it someday. He turned on his heels, and left the room. Taking Finn and heading outside of their house.

That's when he saw his aunt pull up, she jumped out of the car to her nephews. "Aunt Carly!" Finn exclaimed, jumping into her arms.

The woman held him and hugged Eddie kissing his forehead. "Hi sweetheart. Why don't you and Eddie go wait in the car, okay?"

"I'm gonna talk to the officers. It's unlocked so you can put your bags in the trunk." The blonde told them, which they obeyed.

Walking to the car, putting away their bags and climbing in the backseat. Eddie watched as his aunt talked to Officer Regan and Ghallager.

Eddie couldn't tell what they were talking about, but it was serious. Aunt Carly soon came back to the car, got into it and began driving away.

It was a blur, as Eddie entered his aunt's house, Finn in tow, Carly led them to her and her husband's spare bedroom.

"I know it's not much, but we can switch things up and give you guys your own beds." Eddie just made his way to the bed, sitting down on it.

Finn sat down next to him, smiling up at Eddie like he'd hung the stars and the moon.

Finn yawned, Eddie decided that the night needed to come to a close. He got Finn to get in some pjs, brush his teeth, and climb under the duvet.

And waited for Finn to fall asleep, as soon as he did, Eddie slipped out of the room to find his aunt and uncle, the two were sitting on the couch.

Noticing Eddie's presence, they wiped their eyes, but Eddie couldn't keep it in anymore. He broke down, his uncle rushed to hug him, guiding him to the couch, setting him in the middle of them.

Doing their best to comfort them, Eddie spoke up, his voice raw. "He's gone.. he's gone. What am I gonna do?"

Carly rubbed his back, leaning over and kissing his temple, "You don't need to worry sweetheart. You and your brother are safe here. I'm so sorry that you're going through this."

Eddie sniffled, "But Finn doesn't know. I couldn't tell him, I don't think I can, he still thinks Dad's at work."

His uncle, Wendell rested his chin upon Eddie's head, "Let us handle it bud. It'll be alright." The boy continued to cry. He didn't know how any of this would get better.

But he was too exhausted to think about it any further. For now, he had to trust his aunt and uncle, and pray that somehow Finn wouldn't hate him for lying.

Simon Connor's funeral would be held two weeks later. With his sons holding hands, watching as his casket was lowered into the ground.

His tombstone reading; "Beloved son, brother, and father." Simon Gene Connor April 24th 1978 - August 19th 2010.
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Stiles and Lydia filled Noah in on the news about Lydia's grandmother. She was in Eichen House. Her boathouse was constructed from mountain ash, and she left a coded message for Lydia.

The same code used by the Benefactor. Her grandmother Lorraine, and they're running with the idea that she faked her own death.

Either she's helping the Benefactor or she is the Benefactor. Noah closed his office door to continue the conversation.

The three continue talking when Noah ducked his head out and asked if anyone's seen Deputy Parrish.

An officer stated that he hadn't, going back to typing on his computer, asking the Benefactor about the wire transfer.

While he was typing, someone walked into the station, seemingly naked and dirty. It was Parrish, he walked into the bullpen and stared at Officer Haigh.

Haigh pulled his gun from his holster, but Parrish tackled him. The gun went off a few times, shattering glass. Stiles and Lydia drop to the ground, covering each other.

Haigh couldn't believe that Parrish was still alive. Parrish then knocked Haigh to the ground and started punching him.

Noah opened his office door, gun drawn. Jordan punched Haigh in the face. Haigh's gun goes off again, this time firing right at Noah and hitting him in the shoulder.

Parrish beat the living shit out of Haigh's face. But behind him, on the computer, the Benefactor responded to Haigh's message, already knowing: KILL NOT CONFIRMED.

After Parrish had a quick shower and got dressed, Lydia took him to Derek's loft for a supernatural examination. Scott's there too.

Derek basically just holds Parrish's hands and looks at them. "It's the hair and nails, isn't it? The parts of the body that are essentially dead?" Lydia questioned.

"Well, they should be gone." Derek stated.

"I was set on fire. All of me should be gone." Jordan wasn't wrong, when not even two hours ago he was set ablaze.

"Not if you're like us." Scott said, as he crossed his arms, Parrish didn't know what that meant. Derek doesn't think that Jordan is a werewolf.

While he knew that Jackson was a Kanima and Kira is a kitsune, Derek hadn't had any experience with something like this.

Meanwhile Scott hasn't been able to get hold of Chris to have a look through the bestiary. Parrish wanted to know if they're all like Lydia, psychic. Derek found it amusing.

Scott turned to him and made his eyes glow to show Parrish what they really are. Noah had been admitted to hospital.

He was scheduled for surgery in the morning; it's going to take some digging to get the bullet out of his shoulder.

Sheriff looks at the paperwork and asks the doctor about the term 'balance patient responsibility'. The doctor told him that it means some procedures and the hospital stay are not covered by insurance.

The doctor left and Noah noticed that Stiles was biting his thumb, looking worried. Sheriff assures him that everything will be fine.

Stiles admitted that he knows about the bills, the debt collectors calling about Eichen House, the advance from the department, and the credit cards.

"Stiles, are you going through my stuff?" The older man asked.

"Yeah. I go through all your stuff, especially when you keep things from me." Stiles replied.

Noah pinched the bridge of his nose, "I keep things from you because you don't need to know everything."

Stiles crossed his arms, "Yes, I do. I have to know everything. How the hell else am I supposed to take care of you?"

Noah exclaimed, "You're not supposed to take care of me! I'm the dad, you're the son. You get it? Dad. Son. I take care of you."

Stiles sunk into the chair, "We're supposed to take care of each other." Noah sighed, telling Stiles that everything will be alright.

He doesn't know that for sure but his morphine is kicking in and he's not all that worried about anything right now. He closes his eyes and Stiles whispers that he's still worried.
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That same night Liam was in bed, about to go to sleep, when his printer started shooting out paper of its own accord, dropping it onto the floor.

He got up to inspect the machine, looking at the printout and saw that it was copies of the dead pool, with all the confirmed kills crossed out.

The first dead pool list has only two names left: Lydia and Scott. Derek used to be listed between Demarco Montana and Carrie Hudson but now there was just a blank space.

He tried to turn the printer off but it kept going until he pulled the plug out of the wall.

Barely getting a speck of sleep after his printer escapades, the next morning he arrived at school. Mason saw Liam in the hallway and asked if he's going to be at the bonfire tonight.

Liam wanted to nothing to do with this conversation, but Mason claimed he had to be there; he's on the lacrosse team.

Finn had seen his two friends and waltzed up to them. "Oh hey Finn, you coming to the bonfire tonight?" Mason asked.

Finn was perplexed, "Hi guys, also what bonfire?"

Mason remembered, "Right, I forgot, you're still the new kid. It's a thing for the lacrosse team."

Finn glanced toward Liam, who seemed out of it, but he didn't say anything. He turned to Mason;

"But, you're not on the lacrosse team, and I would, but I'm not a party guy. Plus I've got plans with my brother, sorry man."

"Yes, but I'm sneaking in. It's all good dude." Liam was distracted looking down the hallway, Finn looked in the same direction, but there wasn't anything besides busy students.

"You're coming and we're going to find you a nice girl that you can embarrass yourself in front of and find me a lacrosse player."

"Because, statistically speaking, somebody on your team has got to be on my team, right?" Mason inquired, Liam hurriedly agreed to come and then rushed off.

Leaving Mason and Finn behind, the two are concerned but can't chase after him as class would be starting soon.

However Scott found Liam sitting in a stairwell, playing with his lacrosse stick. He sat down next to him, and asked if Liam's okay.

Liam told him about the previous night's printer debacle and pulled out the updated dead pool. Before Scott can read it too thoroughly, they hear Coach yelling down the hall.

They jumped up to investigate and find that Coach was having his own printer problems. The dead pool was just printing off a school printer.

"You have got to be kidding me." Liam muttered in disbelief.

Scott nabbed one of the copies of Coach's dead pool printouts. But Liam pointed out that Derek wasn't on the list anymore and his fifteen million has been reallocated: now Liam is worth eighteen million.

In the locker room, Coach called a team meeting to talk about the start of the season bonfire. It's a big deal for the lacrosse players and there's going to be a lot of alcohol there.

While he doesn't understand why anyone would want to get stumbling down drunk in front of a massive open fire, he's also resigned to not being able to stop them.

He's counting on Scott to narc on anyone who's misbehaving. The school day came and night had fallen and the bonfire's about to begin. Someone lights the bonfire with a torch and music starts.

Scott walks through the crowd and realizes that all the other lacrosse players are wearing their jerseys, while he's just in regular clothes.

And Stiles has more important things to do than dance around a fire. Scott sees Malia dancing and taking swigs from a flask. "Hey. What are you doing here?" He walked up to her.

"Getting drunk. What are you doing?" Malia replied as she bounced around.

Scott chuckled, "Trying to make sure no one gets hurt."

Malia nodded her head, "That sounds fun too." Scott had to burst her bubble, unfortunately, with their healing powers meant that they in fact can't get drunk or feel the effects of alcohol.

But that wasn't going to stop Malia from trying. She then told Scott to go tell Liam the news, since he's off trying to get drunk with Mason.

Liam chugged away at his drink. With Mason wanting him to keep drinking. "I think you should get drunk. And I mean stumbling down, fall on your ass, passed out, face in a toilet, drunk."

"Why?" Liam questioned his friend.

Mason shrugged, "Maybe then when I ask you what's going on, you'll be too drunk to lie. I'm not asking because I want to know. I'm asking because I want to help."

Liam looks over and sees Scott standing with Malia. He gets up to get another drink and says that he's getting drunk.

He just drops his bottle on the ground, and walks off. Scott tried to explain to Malia that they had their reasons for not telling her that Peter was her biological father.

Malia interrupted him, "To protect me. That's what Peter said you would say. Guess what he said next? That you were right. Does that surprise you?"

Scott shook his head, "No, it makes me wonder what he wants. Malia, we need to stay together. You, me, Stiles.."

"I don't want to talk about Stiles. I just want to dance and get drunk." She stumbles and nearly falls. It looks like she is already drunk. Scott looks over and sees that Liam is stumbling around as well.

Malia says that being drunk doesn't feel as good as she hoped. Scott asked what Malia had to drink.

Her flask is supposedly full of vodka. Scott slings Malia's arm around his neck, telling her to stay on her feet and keep moving.
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Eddie laughed, pumping his fists up in victory, having defeated Finn in the most intense battle of Mario Kart eight, Bowser's Castle.

Meanwhile Finn cried out in playful frustration, cursing under his breath. "If you keep this up, I'll have money for a new car." Eddie joked.

Finn rolled his eyes, shoving his brother to the side and getting up from the couch and taking the bowl of empty popcorn with him. While Eddie qued the movie.

For the past couple of weeks Eddie noticed Finn had been acting strangely, staying out and up really late, lying to him.

He wouldn't say it was too serious. But Finn rarely, if ever, lied to him about anything. He was still concerned about the younger Connor.

He wondered if he was thinking about their dad, this time of year was rough, they were coming up on Simon's birthday.

Eddie would admit the first few years were the hardest, Finn had a hard time grasping his death, some days even forgetting.

The then sixteen year old would find the ten year old sitting on the couch staring out the front window, waiting for him to walk through their aunt and uncle's door.

He was grateful that their aunt put them both in therapy, it helped tremendously. Finn's anger went away with time, though he'd get bouts of sadness every now and then.

Eddie was the same, it was inevitable. Finn was currently in the kitchen, and by the smell of it, was making a new batch of popcorn.

He waited until Finn got back to the couch, setting the bowl on the coffee table. Once Finn sat down, Eddie pressed play on the film.

But he couldn't help himself, and paused it. He turned to Finn who also made eye contact with him, puzzled as to why he'd pause the film.

Crossing his legs, "Finn, are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Why... are you okay?" Finn questioned right back.

"I'm okay, just wanted to know, cause you've been pretty quiet. I know this week's been tough, so I wanted to check in." Eddie replied, placing a caring hand on Finn's leg.

"I thought about him the other day, when we were driving past that Dairy Queen on Fifth and Cornwall. How he'd get a turtle sundae..." Finn trailed, before sniffling.

"Yeah, wanna hear a story from when you were little?" Finn nodded his head, scooting closer to Eddie, the older man was glad to have caught Finn's attention.

"It was a nice spring day, we were taking a walk down a few blocks. And there was a garage sale happening, we decided to look around.

"And your eyes landed on a bright red radio flyer wagon. Your heart was set on having it, so you pleaded with Dad to get it."

"Going as far as to offer up your piggy bank that had nothing but pennies. After a minute, Dad agreed, and we each took turns pulling you along in it."

The corners of Finn's mouth turned upward, he remembered that day fondly, it brought a slight chuckle out of him.

"I was so obsessed with that wagon. I honestly didn't think Dad would get it." The boy admitted.

"It was only ten bucks, and Dad didn't mind. If something made you happy, he'd have done anything to keep you that way."

"Same with me, he'd do everything he could to make us happy." Eddie wasn't wrong, their father loved them unconditionally.

If Finn had to bet there was an afterlife, their dad probably still loved them. Even if he wasn't there physically.

No matter how much time would pass, there were always going to be days when Eddie or Finn would miss their father.

That would never change, every birthday, holiday, all of the major life events. The Connor kids were never going to experience them with Simon.

But reminiscing over he memories helped ease the pain of losing him. "Bud, if you ever feel like talking about him, you can. I'll never, ever, make you feel like you can't."

Finn leaned his head on Eddie's shoulder, indicating he got the message, loud and clear. "I know Eds, I know."
——————————————————

Scott managed to get Malia over to where Liam and Mason were hanging out. He handed her a bottle of water.

Mason said that Liam hadn't had enough alcohol to be acting like this. Scott replied they had to get Malia and Liam away.

Something was wrong, suddenly, Scott started slurring. His vision goes blurry. But he hadn't had a sip of alcohol. So why was he feeling these effects?

He looked up at the DJ and focused his hearing. There seemed to be a separate, almost ultrasonic track being played underneath the music.

Scott said that he has to turn off the music somehow. He turned to Mason, informing him not to let Liam or Malia out of his sight.

The younger teen agreed, while Scott made his way through the crowd towards the DJ. Seeing him, the DJ turned up the death music.

Scott mustered to keep going, but ended up falling to the ground and was taken away by some burly security guards.

Other security guards arrived to escort Liam and Malia out for being 'overly intoxicated'. Mason, getting the feeling that the vibe was off, saying he'll go with them.

The head security guard retaliated, shoving Mason who hit the ground hard. Two of the lacrosse players immediately ran to Mason's aid.

But Malia and Liam were already being dragged away. The guards took Scott, Malia, and Liam into the hallway. The head guard, standing menacingly holding a can of gasoline.

"Haigh says we've got to burn you." He started dousing the three teens in flammable liquid. Meanwhile back at the bonfire, Mason remembered what Scott said about the music.

He looked at the DJ station, trying to figure out how to turn the music off. He needed to be quick, because Scott, Liam, and Malia were in danger. If he didn't act now who knew what was going to happen.

In the school, the guard pulled out a lighter. Mason saw the power cord and yanked it out. And the music shut off, eliciting groans and shouts from angry partygoers.

The effects wore off in an instant, and Scott's eyes were able to glow again. He reached up, twisted the guard's hand to close the lighter and extinguished the flame.

Out of nowhere Braeden appeared behind the man, and bashed the guard's skull with the butt of her gun. Derek walked in and took on the two other security guards while Braeden took out a third.

Braeden broke the neck of the head security guard. Killing him, while the two Derek handled were knocked out. Scott turned to the man, "What happened to the gun?" He asked.

Derek stated, like it was obvious, "You're covered in gasoline."

Scott looked down at himself, "Oh, yeah." If Scott wasn't a werewolf, he'd think the alcohol was messing with his head. Of course he didn't drink, so either way whatever he was thinking didn't work.

Curse the stupid music that DJ was playing, all three of them wanted the night to be over. Good thing they decided to head home.
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The End of Chapter 9