𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐏 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐄 | 𝚝𝚎𝚎𝚗 𝚠𝚘𝚕𝚏

𝙵𝙸𝚅𝙴 | 𝚃𝙰𝙻𝙺

As the first rays of the morning sun filtered through the curtains of the McCall household's living room, they cast a warm, golden glow across the room. The light slowly crept up the walls, illuminating the cozy space with a gentle brightness. Amidst this serene scene, a small grunt of annoyance broke the silence. The sound came from none other than Lexie Hale, who had been sleeping soundly on the couch until that moment.

Lexie shifted under the blanket, trying to escape the intrusive sunlight that had rudely interrupted her slumber. She pulled the covers over her head, but it was no use. The morning had arrived, and with it, the unwelcome reminder that she was no longer in the safety of her own home. Instead, she was in the McCall household, having been welcomed warmly by Scott and his mother, Melissa McCall, the night before.

The events of the previous evening played back in her mind. Scott had found her, injured and exhausted, and without hesitation, he had brought her to his home. Melissa, with her nurturing nature, had immediately taken charge, tending to Lexie's wounds and ensuring she was comfortable. Their kindness had been a balm to her weary soul, and for the first time in a long while, Lexie had felt a glimmer of hope.

Now, as she lay on the couch, Lexie couldn't help but feel a mix of gratitude and embarrassment. She was grateful for the McCalls' generosity, but she also felt a pang of shame for needing their help. She had always prided herself on her independence, on her ability to handle things on her own. Yet here she was, relying on the kindness of others.

With a sigh, Lexie finally pushed the blanket aside and sat up, rubbing her eyes. The living room was quiet, save for the soft ticking of a clock on the wall. She glanced around, taking in the familiar yet foreign surroundings. The McCall household was warm and inviting, a stark contrast to the chaos that had brought her here.

As she stood up, Lexie winced at the pain in her side. The wounds were still fresh, but thanks to Melissa's care, they were starting to heal. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for the day ahead. She knew she couldn't stay here forever, but for now, she was grateful for the sanctuary the McCalls had provided.

After she came home last night, Melissa McCall, the dedicated nurse of Beacon Hills, found her son sitting on the couch, next to a familiar little girl. The sight was unexpected, and Melissa's heart skipped a beat as she took in the scene before her. Her son, Scott, looked up at her with a mixture of concern and relief in his eyes.
"Mom," he began, his voice steady but tinged with worry, "I was out on a walk in the woods, and I found her there." He gestured to the girl beside him, who was wrapped in a blanket, her face pale and eyes wide with fear.

Melissa's gaze softened as she recognized the girl. It was Lexie Hale, a name that had become all too familiar in their small town. Lexie had been through so much, and seeing her in this state tugged at Melissa's heartstrings. She knelt down beside the couch, her professional instincts kicking in as she assessed Lexie's condition.
"Lexie, sweetheart, what happened?" Melissa asked gently, her voice soothing and calm.

Lexie hesitated for a moment, her eyes darting to Scott before she spoke. "There was... something in the woods. It attacked me. I tried to fight it off, but..." Her voice trailed off, and she shivered at the memory.

Melissa exchanged a worried glance with Scott. This wouldn't be the first animal attack in Beacon Hills. The town had seen its fair share of strange occurrences, and Melissa had learned to expect the unexpected. She reached out and gently touched Lexie's arm, offering her a reassuring smile.
"You're safe now, Lexie. We'll take care of you," Melissa said firmly. She turned to Scott, her expression serious. "Scott, help me get the first aid kit. We need to clean her wounds and make sure she's okay."

Scott nodded and quickly got up, heading to the kitchen to retrieve the kit. Melissa stayed by Lexie's side, her presence a comforting anchor in the storm of emotions swirling around the young girl. As she waited for Scott to return, Melissa couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding. Beacon Hills had always been a place of mystery and danger, and it seemed that once again, the shadows were closing in.