Great Losses [Spurious Sequel] ✶On Hold✶

[13] When Things Start to Get Really Repetitive

Claire:

No matter how much I shake his body, Derek doesn't make any indication to waking up anytime soon.

"For crying out loud! Someone can not be this knocked out." I huff out a shaky breath, my mind racing at a pace that's quick even for me.

"Here let me try something." Stiles crouches down -- and proceeds to smack Derek square in the face.

Apparently he's tried this before because one more good smack and Derek is full on awake. I'm not even gonna ask....

Derek's still surprised, to say the least, as his eyes slowly scan around the elevator that's only occupied by the three of us. "Where's is she?" He questions, watching as Stiles and I both get to our feet.

"Jennifer left." I cross my arms across my chest to hide the obvious shake from my hands. "And she took my mom too." Derek's distress over the situation shows through the still quite prominent haze his mind is surrounded in.

"Yeah, and if that's not enough of a kick to the balls, Scott left with Deucalion." Stiles informs him. "So we gotta get you out of here. The police are coming, and we gotta get you the hell out."

Stiles moves Derek quickly to get up on his feet. The only thing that happens is that he almost tips over from having been out for so much time. I help Derek lean up against the wall and he takes a moment to steady himself.

"What about Cora?"

"She's with Peter, and Isaac. They took her in a car to a safe spot." I answer, letting his mind be at ease from at least one thing. We don't have any more time for Derek to catch his breath so we start walking towards the exit.

Once we reach the waiting room Stiles stops in his tracks. "I'll stay here to buy you guys some time, but you need to go now." I open my mouth to argue, but shut it when I see how stubborn Stiles is going to be about this.

"Alright but call me as soon as you leave this place." Stiles' response is a nod before hurrying Derek and I off.

I rush up to my car and thank myself for having had the odd thought of leaving my keys in my pocket. Although that luck soon runs out.

The shakiness in my hands is so overwhelming that I can't stop it enough to put the keys in the ignition.

Letting out a pained breath, I clutch at my chest in despair. A rush of dizziness over takes my head and I can't help but let fear wash over me more then it already is.

The horrifying thought of not knowing where Scott or my mom are, and if they're safe, is enough to have my lungs buring in a matter of what seems like seconds.

"Claire, just breathe. Breathe." Derek instructs. Although I can't seem to tell where he's at from the sudden tunnel vision I'm having.

His hand tightly grasps mine, hoping to calm my obvious distraught nature. I take deep intakes of air that offer relief to my lungs after a couple tries. The pounding in my chest and head eases away, leaving me dazed for a few seconds after.

"Are you alright?" Derek's question causes me to lift my head up to meet his eyes.

"Y-ya I should be." My gut twists at my own words but a worse thought simmers up. "I should have been quicker. I mean, what good is it that I'm this smart if I can't even keep the people I care about safe?"

"Don't be so hard on yourself, Claire." Derek reassures. And I wish I could pay attention to the rest of his words. Words that despite being ones meant to soothe some part of my worried mind. They only fall deaf to my ears.