𝐂𝐑𝐀𝐙𝐄𝐃 𝐖𝐎𝐋𝐅 ━━ LYDIA MARTIN

49

DEATON EMPTIED A packet of ice in a tub of water while Reid, Lydia, Stiles, Scott, Allison and Isaac watched, the other tubs were already filled and ready.

"All right," Deaton faced the group, "what did you bring?"

"Um, I got my dad's badge," Stiles showed them the badge, "Jennifer kind of crushed it in her hand, so I tried hammering it out a little bit. Still doesn't look right."

"Well, it doesn't have to look good if it has meaning," Deaton assured with a small smile as Isaac glanced at what Allison was holding, "is that an actual silver bullet?"

"My dad made it," she informed, "it's kind of a ceremonial thing. When one of us finishes learning all the skills to be a Hunter, we forge a silver bullet as a testament to the Code."

"Scott?" Deaton turned to Scott who showed them a watch, "my dad got my mom this watch when she first got hired at the hospital. She used to say it was the only thing in their marriage that ever worked."

"Reid?" Deaton looked at Reid who frowned, "what?"

"What did you bring?"

"For what?" Reid's frown deepened once he realised what he meant, "oh, no— absolutely not."

"Your mother—" Deaton was cut off by him, "— can die for all I care. Besides, I have nothing of hers."

Reid ignored the confused looks being exchanged around him as he went to lean against the wall and watched.

"Wait, your mom?" Stiles repeated, his brows furrowing, "you have a mom? I mean, she's still here? Has she been taken too? Oh my god, why have we never heard of her?"

"She doesn't matter."

"Of course she does, she's your mom!" Stiles exclaimed, "you don't want to save her?"

"No," he cleared his throat, "I think you three are enough to do that and find them all."

Deaton glanced at Lydia who then glanced at Reid who shot her a look, telling her not to push it. She bit her lip and then turned back to Deaton who sighed, looking at the others, "Okay, the three of you will get in. Each of us will hold you under until you're essentially— well, dead. But, it's not just someone to hold you under— it needs to be someone who can pull you back, someone with a strong connection to you. A kind of emotional tether."

Allison and Lydia exchanged a smile only for Deaton to say, "Lydia, you go with Stiles." Stiles grinned at Lydia who smiled back at him. They've known each other since they were kids and treated each other like siblings, it only made sense.

"Are you sure?" Allison was unsure, "I mean, Scott and I both have to go under."

"Well, you've got Isaac here." Reid spoke, his tone teasing as he stared at the two. Both Allison's and Isaac's faces heated up at his words as Allison glanced at Scott who smiled, "it's okay."

The three then began getting inside the tub while the others watched. Their bodies shivered and they gritted their teeth together as they finally sat down in the tub, freezing..

"By the way, if I don't make it back and you do, you should probably know something—" Stiles looked at Scott who gave him a confused look, "— your dad's in town. And Reid told him that we made out in the hospital's elevator."

"You did what?" Deaton asked, looking at Reid who shrugged, "it was funny."

"Right? He's never going to be able to look at us the same." Stiles chuckled in amusement but ended up hissing when he shivered again while Scott shook his head at the two, not sure how to feel about the fact that his father was back in town.

However, they had bigger things to worry about. Slowly, Lydia, Deaton and Isaac began lowering Stiles's, Scott's and Allison's head under the water, keeping them there long enough for them to stop breathing then they waited.