"Young love tends to be based on nothing but feelings. The couple has not yet faced and overcome a challenge or difficulty together. They are passionate about each other. They think about each other constantly and want to spend all their time"
Isaac...
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After Angie's meltdown, somehow Derek managed to get her to fall asleep. He knew the girl needed rest for what was coming. The weight of everything pressed on him — Ava was missing, Angie was barely holding it together, and now Cora's life hung by a thread. He wanted to believe Ava could handle herself, but that didn't stop him from tearing through every possible lead to find her.
"Where is she?!" Lydia burst through the loft door, breathless and pale.
Derek hung up a call as she entered, his expression as grim as the others gathered. Isaac, Allison, and Chris were scattered across the room, working through scattered notes and maps.
"In her room. She's sleeping," Allison answered softly, making her way to Lydia. "How'd you get here? You should be resting."
"Peter drove," Lydia explained quickly, glancing around the room. "He was trying to get Cora up here with Stiles once he found out about Ava. We had to rush over. I knew Angie... I knew she'd be falling apart."
Her gaze settled on Derek, and the worry written across his face made her stomach drop.
"We're trying to find her, but there's no luck yet," Chris spoke up, looking up from the map spread out before him. "I'm hoping Scott has better luck wherever he is."
Before anyone could respond, Peter came into the room, carrying Cora in his arms. Derek's stomach sank at the sight of her — pale, barely conscious, clinging to life by the thinnest thread.
"Why is she still like this?" Derek demanded, moving toward them.
"I don't think she's going to heal," Peter snapped, urgency thick in his voice. "She's too far gone, Derek. You have to do something — now."
Derek's jaw clenched as he gently took Cora from Peter, carrying her to the bed. He laid her down, brushing hair from her face. So much was spiraling out of control, and he felt like he was barely keeping up, barely breathing.
"Are you not hearing me?!" Peter's voice rose again. "If you don't act, she's going to die!"
"I know!" Derek shouted back, his frustration boiling over. "But Ava is missing too! What am I supposed to do when Angie wakes up and finds out she's not here? She'll lose it!"
"Alright — calm down," Chris cut in firmly, stepping between them. "I want to believe Ava can hold off for a while. She's smart. She knows how to survive. I know she's alive. And the rest of it — we'll buy enough time to deal with Cora. I'll handle the rest. One problem at a time."
Peter stepped closer, his face grave. "There's a way to save her... but it's going to cost you."
