That Girl (A Derek Hale Love Story)

Chapter 29

EDITED

"What do you think your doing?" Scott asked as they moved slowly through the hallway.

"Look. Derek might not be dead. So if he is alive then he might just be unconscious and we could really use the help." She tried to convince even herself the suggestion was for all of their benefits, but the truth was she needed to go out there to him. To see him, feel him. Feel the pulse in his neck or lack of. "Either way I'll get the car keys and we can all make a run for it."

Scott nodded and then sighed, still keeping his voice low in the all too quiet hallway. "So if you go to Derek and I go to Donny, we're heading in opposite directions." Haylie nodded. "So what happens when the alpha sees one of us?"

Haylie hand found the bracelet round her wrist. "Take the beaker with you. I'll be fine." Scotts eyes found the rope he had noticed she had for the same amount of time he had been a werewolf. "Derek gave it to me." She said quietly, not pulling her fingers away from the memory of when he gave it to her. With a promise of protection. "It hides my scent so the Alpha can't track me." They reached the stairway where they had to go their separate ways and paused. "He'll be focusing on you. I promise I'll be fine."

She didn't have a choice in being fine right now. "Plus I want you to use this nifty little science project on him the first chance you get."

Scott couldn't help staring at her. The girl he knew his whole life and yet she was almost a stranger until recently. "Haylie what if he finds you first." She shook her head and forced a smile but before she could tell him it wouldn't happen he moved forward and gripped her hand. "I know you're scared." He might not be able to scent her, but he could see it. The shake of her voice and her eyes flickering every few seconds.

She shook her head again. "Then I'll buy you some time. Get the keys. Get everyone out."

He shook his head in return and tightened his grip, feeling her pulse in her wrist at odds with her words. "You don't have to do this."

"Yes. I do."  She said sharply forcing confusion to cloud his puppy eyes. "Scott, he killed Derek. He wants to kill my friends, let me help protect them." He didn't say anything at first, just felt the pulse start to slow. The determination in her eyes is the only thing that allowed him to start to nod his agreement.

"How are you even going to get out there?" Haylies eyes drifted up towards the ceiling. "Haylie no." Scott said when he saw what she was thinking. "The fire escape isn't even on this side of the building, you'll break your legs."

The idea of a broken leg used to be the scariest thing in the world to her. Not anymore. "I can get to the other side if I go over the roof. It's not that far."

"It's far enough!" Scott tried to keep his voice low but he needed her to know he wasn't okay with this plan.

"Scott. We don't have time for this. Go. I promise I'll meet you outside." It was one of the first times in her life she had been able to meet someone's eyes when she wasn't sure of the words she was saying. She would try. Her determination would aid her but she had no idea what Scott would face if he found the Alpha before her.

He knew they were running out of time too. So instead of more arguing, he pulled her into his arms. He felt the beat of her heart on his chest but he had to let it go the same time he released her. "Thank you." He whispered before pushing her away from and turning to head in his direction without looking at her face.

Haylie knew why he thanked her as she jogged up the stairs. Scott felt alone in this and even though he had confided in the twins they had no idea what he thought he had to do on his own. Sharing the load this one time hurt him but he was more grateful than she could understand.