Empath

School

Derek

"I don't know about this Amber, I still don't think it's a good idea. I don't like not being able to be there." Amber smiled at me.

"I know, but if I need you I'll call. Besides I'll have Stiles and Scott. I'll stay with one or both of them as much as I can so I'm not alone. I have to do this, Derek, even if that means my sister does something to me or my father tries to corner me. I am not afraid because you and I are connected. You'll feel if anything happens, and I know you will come. Okay?" I felt a loving warm feeling in my chest.

"Okay. If you need anything please just tell me." She smiled at me.

"I will." She leaned up and kissed me.

Amber

Stiles and I were in his Jeep and I felt nervous.

"Amber," I looked at Stiles, "you don't have to go if you're not ready. It's okay to back out."

I looked at the school doors and shook my head, "I'm ready. I can do this."

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. I felt the connections with Stiles, Derek, and Stiles Dad. They were there and the connections were strong. I knew that they all cared about me because I could feel it through the bonds. I opened my eyes and smiled at Stiles.

"I've got this, and I'm ready." He nodded and we got out of the car.

He stayed by my side as kids started looking at us and talking. We ignored most of it and I got to my locker without much issue. I finally relaxed once inside the school. There had been no sign of Allison which I was thankful for.

"You good, Amber?" I looked at Stiles.

"I'm fine. I thought I would have already seen Allison. I'm relieved I haven't," I shut my locker, "I'll be okay, Stiles. I have you and I'm pretty sure I will be okay even if I do see her. I have people in my corner. Special amazing people so I know I'll be okay."

"Amber!" I turned and saw Allison storming towards me.

"What the hell Amber? Why is mom in jail and why is there a restraining order against our mom and Aunt Kate? Why are you ruining our family, Amber?" What?

"I'm not talking about this with you, Allison. We are at school and this is not the time or the place." She looked so angry at me.

"Yes it is! You're not at home to have this discussion with me! Why is our family falling apart because of you?! Why won't you just forgive our family and come home?" I closed my eyes.

I could feel anger bubble up in my chest. I stepped closer to my sister and opened my eyes. She looked horrified.

"You want me to come home? Why? So our mother can drug me again? So our Aunt Kate can electrocute me to the point of death again," I lowered my voice, "I had to be shocked for my heart to get back into a steady rhythm. You think my red eyes are scary? Imagine being electrocuted to the point blood is dripping from your nose. Imagine hanging from a fence as a trusted family member who you are supposed to trust mocks you. I am her niece and yet she had no goddamn problem almost killing me! I'm an empath. I can feel every single emotion you feel. Shock. Fear. Anger. Disbelief. You need to wake up Allison. I am human and our family had no problem drugging and almost killing me. Our family hunts those who hunt them. That used to be their motto, but it's changed. They don't care who they kill as long as it benefits them. They enjoy killing and don't care who they hurt! So don't ever ask why I won't come home again. What did dad even tell you? Huh? Did he feed you some sort of lie? Say that the whole thing was a misunderstanding? What was it, Allison? What did he say to make you think this was my fault? I'm not coming home and I am not going to see our mother, Kate, or our father until he pulls his head out of his ass. I will not be going home Allison, and I will not forgive them. Not now, not ever. Now get the hell away from me, because any person who expects someone to live under the same roof as those who tried to kill them is fucking insane."

The fear in her eyes hurt to see. I closed my eyes and stepped away from her. I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked at Stiles. I could see and feel how worried he was. I smiled at him trying to reassure him.

"I'm okay, Stiles," I could tell he didn't believe me, "let's head to class okay?"

He nodded and we headed in the direction of our first class.

"Amber!" I ignored Allison.

It hurt walking away from her, but I wasn't going to respond. She had made her decision and she had to live with it. It still hurt though. Knowing she wanted me to forgive them and just go home. I could never do that, not after knowing what they did.

"If you continue to walk away you are no longer my sister!" I stopped in place not expecting her to say that.

We had always been so close growing up and hearing her say that hurt.

"Amber?" I spun around looking at Allison.

"Fine. Then we are no longer sisters. Go to hell, Allison." I turned back around and walked away.

I ignored Stiles calling my name and slipped into a girls bathroom. Tears slipped down my face and I hit the wall with my hand. Anger filled my body. I took deep breaths to attempt to calm myself down telling myself I was not going to be overwhelmed by this. I needed to be strong. I knew this would be hard, I just didn't expect her to expect me to let it go. To forgive them so easily just because it was my mom and aunt.

"Amber? Stiles worried. Are you okay?" I didn't recognize who asked but I nodded.

"I'm fine. I'm okay. Can you tell him I'll be out in a moment." I heard the door open and close.

I hit the wall again and screamed in frustration. The phone that Stiles' father gave me started ringing. I pulled it out and answered it.

"Amber? Are you okay?" It was Derek on the other end of the line.

He must've felt everything through our connection, "I'm okay now. I promise. I knew I would have to face Allison at some point today. It just ended up being a lot harder than I has expected it to be."

"Do you need me to come get you? Say the word and I will come, Amber." I shook my head.

"I have to stay, and you better not come here. I can't lose you too. I'll see you after school, okay Derek?" I knew he was against it letting me stay.

"Okay, just please stay safe." I smiled.

"I will, I promise. I love you." I rested my head against the bathroom door.

"I love you too, Amber." I hung up and took a deep breath.

I left the bathroom and Stiles was standing there with Scott, "are you okay?"

I nodded, "I'm okay now. Let's head to class."