Concrete Angel

01

Emma stood by her window, making sure she wasn't visible, as she watched her mother drive away.

When the car was out of sight, she let out a breath and rolled up her sleeves to reveal fading bruises. But she knew more would come. It was only a matter of time.

Clattering sounded from outside her window and she grabbed a pen and quickly rolled down her sleeves.

The window opened.

"Why do you have a pen?" Stiles asked.

"Can't you knock on the front door like a normal person?" she shot back.

"No. I'm not normal and this is far too important to wait for you at your front door."

She began twirling the pen through her fingers. "What's got you in such a rush?"

"A body."

"Stiles, no. I'm not playing detective with you tonight."

"Please? Look, I have to get Scott. Can you just come with me? All three of us is more fun than just two."

Emma threw the pen on her desk with a huff. "Fine. But if anything goes awry, I'm getting the hell out of there."

He nodded. "Yup, got it. Thank you, Emma!"

"Don't thank me. Does your dad know you're sneaking out? Wait. Rhetorical question. He doesn't, does he?"

"Nope and you better not tell him."

"Or what?"

"Or I'll... I'll figure something out. We're wasting time. We gotta go." He started toward the window.

"No. We're going through the front door like civilized human beings."

"But that's boring."

"We won't be maimed or killed. Front door or I don't go."

"You offer a tough bargain, Rodriguez. Fine. Front door it is."

Emma smirked victoriously as they descended the stairs and out the front door. She locked the door behind her and they got into the Jeep.

---

Scott was getting ready for bed. As he laced up his lacrosse stick, he heard an odd sound. He grabbed a wooden bat and made his way outside.

Stiles Stilinski dangled from the roof, causing Scott to scream. Emma stood nearby with an amused smile.

"Stiles, what the hell are you doing?!" Scott cried.

"You weren't answering your phone," Stiles replied. "Why do you have a bat?"

"I thought you were a predator."

"A pre -- I -- wha -- look, I know it's late, but you gotta hear this. I saw my dad leave 20 minutes ago. Dispatch called. They're bringing in every officer from the Beacon Department, and even State Police."

"For what?"

"Two joggers found a body in the woods," Emma explained as she walked closer to Scott.

"A dead body?"

"No, a body of water," Stiles shot back. "Yes, dumbass, a dead body."

"You mean like murdered?"

"Nobody knows, yes. Just that it was a girl, probably in her late 20s."

"Hold on, if they found the body, then what are they looking for?"

"That's the best part. They only found half. We're going."