Instinct || Derek Hale.

sixteen.

Warnings: Strong language, violence. 

*** 

Alex. 

"Come on Derek, wake up." Alex urged as she shook Derek's shoulders. 

But, Derek didn't stir in the slightest. Alex was starting to fear the worst when no amount of shaking or jostling Derek would wake him. 

"Come on, Derek!" Alex said, louder this time. 

Still nothing. Alex ran a hand through her hair and let out a frustrated growl. She could hear footsteps further down the corridor, around the corner. Her heart raced with panic. Whoever was running towards them was approaching fast. 

"God damn it Derek! Wake up!" Alex yelled. Instead of shaking him this time, she slapped him sharply around the face. "I swear to God, Derek, if you don't wake up right now, I'm gonna kill you!" 

The racing footsteps got closer, and Alex worried that she would have to leave Derek behind. She shook her head. She couldn't leave Derek. She couldn't leave him when he was in such a vulnerable state. 

"You don't get to give up, Derek! Not now." Alex said firmly, slapping his cheek again. "You don't get to just lay down and die." Another slap to the face. "You don't get to leave me to fight this battle alone!" 

Alex let out another frustrated groan and slammed her fist into Derek's chest. There was still no response. Tears gathered in her eyes. The footsteps rounded the corner, and Alex bunched her hand into a tight fist. 

"DEREK, COME ON!" Alex cried, throwing her fist towards Derek's face. 

Before her knuckles could make contact though, Derek's eyes flew open and his hand caught her fist. At the same time, Stiles dropped to his knees beside Alex. 

"Oh thank God." Alex sighed, dropping her forehead onto Derek's chest. She sat up again and turned to Stiles. "I was worried you were one of them." 

"Why didn't you run then?" Derek scolded. 

"Because you wouldn't wake up!" Alex argued as she and Stiles pulled him to his feet. 

"That's not a good enough reason to stay here and risk your life." Derek shook his head. 

"Is that your way of thanking me?" Alex rolled her eyes. 

"Guys! We don't have time for this!" Stiles exclaimed. "Scott needs our help." 

"What happened? We heard the gunshots." Alex said, following Stiles down the corridor. 

"Well, Isaac and Peter got Cora out of here, so she's safe, for now." Stiles said, glancing over his shoulder at Derek. 

Derek nodded his head. "Good." 

"What about Scott and my mom?" Alex asked urgently. 

Stiles stopped walking and turned to Alex with a helpless look on his face. Alex's heart rate increased again. 

"Your mom is missing. Jennifer took her." Stiles said, swallowing hard. "Scott met Deucalion on the roof and she was already gone. It's not teachers she's taking, Alex, it's parents." 

"She's going to kill my mom." Alex whispered. 

"No she won't." Derek said firmly, placing a hand on her shoulder. "We're gonna find your mom and Stiles' dad before she can hurt them, I promise." 

Alex nodded her head. She believed him. She trusted him. She turned to Stiles, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. "What happened with Scott?" 

"Well, Deucalion said that if he'd joined his pack then he'd have known a lot sooner. Deucalion knew that the Durach was targeting parents ages ago. He told Scott he'd help him find our parents if he helped Deucalion find Jennifer." Stiles informed her.