Alone • Liam Dunbar

Twenty-Nine

When Theo and I return to the house, tension remains heavy in the air. It's uncomfortably quiet, a reminder of an existing absence we had yet to fill. No one was left in the kitchen, but as we venture further inside, we find Malia, Stiles, and Mason in the living room.

They had been sitting in silence, staring at nothing until they heard us enter. They all turn, searching for any signs of a miracle, and promptly deflate when they discover nothing but the same. It's almost painful to watch their hope fade in a millisecond.

"Scott here yet?" I ask, desperate not to linger in their reaction.

"No," Stiles replies. "But he should be soon. He left the station about ten minutes ago."

"Did he say anything about Kira?" Theo adds.

Malia and Stiles glance at one another. Neither of them responds immediately, as if trying to decide who gets to break whatever news they're resistant to vocalize.

"Mister Yukimura's taking the fall," Malia finally says.

Their apprehension is more than clear to me now. Mister Yukimura had an even kinder heart than his daughter. He always had a smile on his face and his nose in a book. No one would ever believe he was a murderer, especially the sheriff. His false confession, no matter the reality of what actually occurred, would only cause more friction.

"What did your dad say?" I ask Stiles.

"I don't know, he won't pick up any of my calls," he admits while glaring down at his hands. It's as if that's easier for him to do than to look at any of us.

Sensing his desire to shift attention, I quickly work to change the topic.

"Is he Corey here?" I ask.

"With Lydia in Scott's room. He's reading the book, but nothing's happened yet," Mason says.

It's difficult for me to look at him as he speaks. He's a prominent reminder of Liam, and his somber eyes only make my guilt grow.

"He won't see anything until he finishes it," Stiles explains. He keeps his tone delicate, wanting to be gentle with Mason considering he was still new to all of this.

The Hewitt boy only nods numbly in response, too respectful to admit how unfair all of this felt. He didn't want results eventually, he wanted them now. He couldn't admit that, though, as it would seem like a statement against our efforts, and he would never even dream of doing something so brash.

"Why don't we go check on them?" I suggest to Mason.

He nods again before standing, moving to follow me upstairs. Theo takes his place on the couch, choosing to stay with Malia and Stiles. Stiles appears consistently apprehensive of his presence, but Theo seems to have grown on Malia, considering she didn't snarl when he sits beside her. Saving someone from getting run over typically has that effect.

Mason and I climb the staircase to the next level of the house, but before we get too close to Scott's room, I stop. Mason stops, too, but only because I'm blocking the hallway. He raises his dark brows, questioning my sudden halt.

"I'm sorry," I tell him, forcing the words to pour out of me.

"For what?" he frowns.

I hesitate, bowing my head shamefully to avoid his eyes.

"I gave you my word that I would keep him safe," I whisper.

Mason pauses, remembering the night he made me swear to protect Liam. It was the same night I finally kissed him. Everything changed after that, and in truth, it was because of Mason, because of the assurances he had me make. They forced me to confront my own emotions and finally confess to Liam how much control he had over my heart.