A Promise to the Dead

I lie on Liam's bed, asleep. I start hearing a video game and boys yelling. I open my eyes to see Mason and Liam playing a fighting game. I groan out loud. "Sorry, Scarlett. I didn't mean to wake you. Liam is just kicking my butt," Mason says. "By cheating."


"No, Mason just sucks at the game."


I groan again. "And Scarlett really doesn't care."


When Liam wins again, Mason leaves because he has to study. I stand up and put on my shoes. "Wait, where are you going?"


"Liam, my mom doesn't exactly like when her daughter is away from the house all the time, nights at a time."


"Can you please stay?"


I look into his gray eyes and nod. "Fine, I'll stay but you owe me breakfast."


He laughs and pulls up the sheet and lie down first. I roll my eyes and lie on top of him, resting my head on his chest. He reaches to turn the light out but hesitates. I look up at him. "Liam, are you okay? Is this about what happened on the roof?"


He doesn't respond. I wrap my hand around his hand that's on the lamp switch. I pull his hand back and put in on my back. "Leave it on."


I kiss him on his chest and snuggle closer. I wake up to him in the shower. I check my phone and see Scott texts me that he's gonna return the money to Derek. I wish him luck in my head and head home to change. At school, I meet him after his lacrosse practice. He leans against his locker and wraps his arms around my waist.  Even though he's a freshman, he's still taller than me. "How did practice go?"


He shrugs, smiling. "Alright, I guess. Coach has worked us extra hard so I am beat."


I lightly brush my lips against his. "You'll live."


I'm grabbing some books in the library with Stiles and Scott when they call me over. I get up from my chair and go in one of the aisles where they are. Scott points to the fourth shelf. "Do you have anything to do with that?"


At first I don't see what he's talking about. Stiles holds me up and I see claws scratches and marks in the shelf. When Stiles puts me down, I feel my face turn red. "What... What makes you think I had anything to do with that? I'm not the only werewolf in the group."


Scott gives me his usual cheesy smile. "You can't see the marks from where you are, right?" I nod. "But, based off what I know Liam's height, he can. Stiles can barely see up there and Malia can't either. So, while Liam is holding you up, your claws would dig and scratch the shelves."


"Did you come up with that or did Stiles?"


The two exchange looks before we all burst out laughing. After that, I have a pretty easy going day until it's time for the big lacrosse game. I go back home to change into a pleated, black skirt, a white V-neck, black leggings and black knee boots. I leave my hair out and straight. I get to the school and sit in the bleachers. I quickly notice that Scott isn't here yet. I try texting him but he doesn't respond. The wind starts blowing and I rub my arms. I go to the locker room to get Liam or Stiles' sweater. I find Liam sitting on a bench. His head is down, he has his lacrosse stick at his feet and his helmet still on. His smile from earlier is long gone. I sit next to him but don't say anything. I take out my phone and show him my picture of us when we went to the lake. He looks at it but doesn't respond. "Whatever your problem is, you have a reason to smile. Listen, I know that since you fought that Beserker, you've been losing your mind. I know what you're going through."


"I can't even sleep. What do I do?"


I take off his helmet and turn more to him. "You find something else to think about. Everyone has fears but it takes you to face it."


I lean in and kiss him softly. He deepens the kiss and pulls me closer to his body. I break the kiss and reach down and pick up his lacrosse stick. "Now, you go out there and show that preppy school Beacon High can kick their ass anytime."


He laughs, grabs his helmet and heads out to the field pulling me with him. The team has a huddle and go over their game plan.


As I 'm going to the bleachers, I see Brett staring at me. His face reads envy and hatred. He makes his eyes glow. I only make my eyes glow in return with a nod. I sit in the bleachers and realize still hasn't come. Mid-way through the game, a sharp pain shoots through my body. Scott. I run out to the front of the school and call Derek. "Scarlett? Are you okay?"


I start tearing up. "Derek, where's Scott? He's not answering his phone and I feel he's in pain."


"Calm down. He's at my loft with Kira. Do you need me and Braeden?"


I hang up and run to the loft, not slowing down or looking back. I get to the loft and can already hear commotion on the inside. I bust the door open. I see a Berserker fighting Kira and Scott bloody on the floor, Kate standing over him. I growl. She turns, in full form. She cocks her head at me. "It's about time you joined the party."


I pull out two knives from my pants. "I've been waiting for a long time to rip you to shreds and now I have the chance."


I tackle her to the ground and begin to cut at her. She pushes me off and we're both standing. She takes a swing at my stomach but I flip back. I glance to see a Berserker about to kill Kira. I kick Kate in the leg and run to her rescue. The Berserker is about to stab her with one of their sharp bones when I step in the way. "Kira!"


The bone is stabbed through my back. I gasp. I grip the blade and fall to the floor, right next to Scott...


Derek's POV


I run in and see nothing. The room is empty but my big window is broken. Braeden appears next to me. "Where are they?"


I just shrug. I walk down the stairs. I hear a soft cough. I look around to see Scarlett lying on the ground, bleeding out. I run to her. I sit, pulling her into my lap. I notice a bone sticking out her chest. Berserker. I want to pull it out but I feel like it's the only thing keeping her alive. She has blood staining her clothes, her hands and seeping from her mouth. I place a hand on the wound and she cries out.


She coughs, again, coughing up more blood. "We should take her to the hospital."


I throw her my keys. "I'll carry her."


I slowly pick her up, without removing the bone, and follow Braeden to my truck.  She drives while I sit in the back with Scarlett. "How is she?"


I keep focusing on her heart beat. "She's stable. Beacon Hills Hospital ASAP."


Scarlett starts panting and crying. It starts to reminds me so much of Paige. I start to tear up. "Derek, I...I'm sorry."


I just nod, brushing her hair from her face. Her eyes never leave mines. "She has him. Kate has Scott. You...have to promise me....that'll you'll bring him back. Promise me, Derek. Please."


I glance at Braeden and she's watching through the rear view mirror. "I promise."


I rush her to the ER and her mom freaks out. She starts screaming and asking questions. Braeden steps forward and tries to calm her down while her daughter is wheeled away.

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