Contingency~TW/TO~ Lahey

Chapter 30: The Destraction

I lean forward, watching the dark road ahead in Stiles' jeep as we race to the internment camp, 'Oak Creek.' With the sun already set and most of our day being used to drive Meredith back to Eichen House, our timer to rescue Lydia is running short.

Now that the back seats are no longer cramped, I am able to move more freely with Isaac being the only one occupying the seat next to me. I take in the two quieted boys in the front, their scents both reeking of anxiousness. Isaac shifts, his knee bumping my own, telling me he noticed, too.

Stiles glances over to Scott with a concerning look, "Hey, you okay?" If anyone should be asked that question, it is Stiles with his appearance. The bags under his eyes stand out more than ever now with his pale complexion. Scott told us he is in constant pain and never seems to be able to warm himself. If that doesn't scream red flags, I don't know what does.

"Yeah," Scott nods with a sigh. "You don't have to worry about me."

"Then I will say it," I chime in, not wasting time to understand the situation at foot. "You look like your dying. You're pale, thin, and you seem to be getting worse with each second. We're all sitting here thinking it. When we find your doppelgänger, is he going to look healthier and stronger?"

"What happens if he gets hurt?" Scott adds.

"You mean if he dies, do I die?" Stiles then shakes his head and shrugs. "I don't care. Just so long as no one else dies because of me. I remember everything I did, Scott. I remember pushing that sword into you. I remember twisting it." He then looks into his rearview mirror and stares at me for a split second before being his attention back to his best friend.

Scott gives a sympathetic look, "It wasn't you."

"Yeah, but I remember it," he argues back and a ting slightly pierces through me at the understanding of what Stiles is going through. He had still been present while being possessed. He didn't wield the sword, but it was still his hands that held the weapon. He feels responsible for everything, and I can sympathize with that. "You guys gotta promise me. You can't let anyone else get hurt because of me."

I connect my eyes with him through the rearview mirror again, a nonverbal agreement setting between the two of us like he knew we had an understanding and that I will follow his wish if it comes to it. And I will. Not because he can annoy me so easily, but because I can tell if someone doesn't, it will haunt him for the rest of his life.

Just like my own actions will do to me.

✵ ✵ ✵ ✵ ✵

We arrive at the caliginous camp that once held so many people before their deaths closed in swiftly. Scott had explained the nogitsune had caused chaos, strife, and more pain than anyone wanted to encounter in this very spot. He slaughtered every living thing left in this camp before Kira's mother had ended him herself. Yet, she is the one that called for him. She wanted him.

I exit the jeep, Isaac giving me a hand as I slide out of the back seat and into the crisp air. Something about this place sends a chill down my back, but I restrain myself from the feeling. It's a simple plan; get Lydia, and get out. Nothing more than that.

We walk to the gate, staring past the bars at the fallen leaves and empty, rotten crates that haven't been touched in years. The building around us has already begun its disintegrating process. And in another fifty years, it may become nothing but dust.

"We've done this before, guys," Scott encourages us. We stand around him, silent as he looks at each of us. "A couple of weeks ago we were standing around just like this and we saved Malia, remember? That was a total stranger. This is Lydia."