𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 | derek hale [ON HOLD]

49 | e c h o h o u s e

Stiles POV:

The car ride is silent. It's dark out. The air is heavy. The night is heavy.

When we pull to a stop in front of the gates, I turn to see the scared and dreadful look on Dad's face.

I have to stay strong. I can't show him my own fear.

Our footsteps are the only sounds as we approach the gate when a bike approaches.

"Stiles!" I welcome Hana's small, tight embrace as she and Scott rush over to us.

"Why didn't you tell me? Tell us?" Scott's eyes are pleading as he glances between me, Dad, and the building.

"Because we wanted to avoid something like this," Dad sighs, glancing at Hana's heartbroken and scared state. She whimpers and hugs me tighter.

I can't help but hug her back. She's afraid. So fucking afraid. I am too.

"It's only 72 hours," I shrug, as if it's no big deal.

But it is a big deal. It's a major deal. An evil spirit is in possession of my body and I need to get it out before it kills me. Before it kills the town. Before it kills everyone I care about.

The fox loves chaos, and I can't let it corrupt my life any longer.

"This is the same place Barrow came from- the guy who had a tumor inside of him filled with flies," Scott reminds us.

"You don't know everything yet," Hana stares up at me with her doe-like eyes. Her unshed tears glisten and I know if even one of them falls, I could crack.

"I know enough," Dad says, his decision unwavering and evident in his tone. "Nogitsunes, kitsunes, oni, or whatever they're called."

"Wow, that was actually all surprisingly correct," I nod at him, impressed.

Well, he is the head of the Sheriff department. He has to be good at this kind of stuff, I suppose.

"Scott, Hana, I saw an MRI that looked exactly like my wife's," Dad sighs. "And it terrifies me." Hana swallows and a tear sheds down her soft cheek. It takes everything I have to not turn around and tell my two best friends that I'm actually terrified and hate this idea. But it's for the best. I have to do this.

For them. For Dad. For me.

"I'm headed down to LA tomorrow to talk to a specialist," Dad tells them.

"Then why are you putting him here?" Hana whispers, her voice trembling. I give her an apologetic look.

"He's not," I confess. "It was my decision."

"Stiles, we can't help you if you're in here," she shakes her head in refusal.

"And I can't hurt you guys," I give her a small smile, hoping it will help the situation at all. But I know it won't.

"Deaton's got some ideas. Argent's calling people," Scott tells me. "We're going to find something. And if we can't..."

"If you can't..." I swallow, putting on my brave face. "If I can't, then you have to do something for me, ok?"

"Whatever you ask," Hana nods.

"Make sure I never get out."

Hana and Scott stare at me like I've just given them a death sentence.

I guess I have. Mine.

But I would rather die than hurt anyone else.

"Come on," Dad sighs, beckoning me towards the gates.

Hana and Scott watch, their eyes pleading, as I walk up the steps to Eichen House.