Shattered Bonds

The Escape

"Move," Derek barked. His eyes flashed, and the pack immediately followed suit, pushing forward with an urgency they hadn't felt before.

They reached a door at the far end of the hallway. The sound of muffled voices filtered through, and Stiles' name was mentioned-just enough to send a shock of recognition through Scott's body.

"That's it," Scott muttered under his breath. He was so close to his friend. So close to getting him back.

But as Scott reached for the door, it slammed open. A shadowy figure rushed out, knocking him to the ground before he could react.

"Scott!" Lydia screamed, but the figure was already on top of him, a vicious snarl on its lips. It was one of the kidnappers-armed, dangerous, and determined to stop them at all costs.

Isaac and Derek lunged forward, but the attacker was faster, stronger. A fight broke out in the hallway, fists and claws meeting with the sharp sound of bones cracking. The rest of the pack scrambled to get the upper hand, but the situation was slipping fast.

"Get to Stiles!" Derek shouted, his voice barely heard over the noise of the fight.

Scott's heart pounded in his chest as he scrambled to his feet, pushing through the chaos. He couldn't lose focus. He couldn't stop now.

Through the haze of the fight, he heard another scream-Stiles' voice, calling out weakly for him.

"I'm coming!" Scott shouted, his voice hoarse, his body screaming with exhaustion. He reached the door, heart hammering in his chest, and flung it open.

What he saw inside nearly stopped him in his tracks.

Stiles was slumped against the far wall, his clothes torn and bloodied. His wrists were bound tightly with thick ropes, and there were bruises darkening the skin of his neck and arms. His eyes were wide and panicked, filled with a mix of fear and relief.

"Scott!" Stiles gasped, his voice rough. "Took you long enough."

But Scott didn't hear him. All he could focus on was getting to him. He rushed forward, quickly cutting through the ropes binding Stiles' hands. Stiles winced, his body clearly in pain, but he managed to flash that trademark smirk-weak, but still there.

"About time you showed up," Stiles muttered, trying to sit up but immediately falling back against the wall, too weak to move.

Scott's hands trembled as he helped Stiles sit up. "We're getting out of here. You're going to be okay."

But before Stiles could respond, a loud crash came from the hallway. The rest of the pack was still fighting, and the kidnappers weren't going to give up easily.

"We don't have much time," Derek said, stepping into the room. His face was covered in bruises, but his eyes were steady. "Let's move. Now."

They rushed down the hallway, with Stiles leaning heavily on Scott, the adrenaline still coursing through their veins. The kidnappers were hot on their heels, and the pack had to fight their way through every floor.

But they were close. And with Stiles back in their care, there was nothing that could stop them from getting out alive.

The sound of footsteps echoed through the crumbling hotel as the pack moved with urgency, their bodies battered from the fight but their resolve unwavering. Scott kept a firm grip on Stiles, who, despite being weak, was trying to keep up, his face pale and drawn. Every time they rounded a corner, the sound of footsteps in pursuit grew louder. The kidnappers weren't far behind, and the pack needed to get out before they were trapped.

Derek led the way, his werewolf senses alert to every sound, every shift in the air. "We're almost there," he growled, voice tight with the strain of the ongoing battle. "Just keep moving."

Scott nodded, though his mind was racing. His focus was entirely on Stiles. He kept glancing over at him, seeing the way his friend's breath came in shallow gasps, the way his body trembled with exhaustion. Every part of Scott screamed to stop, to make sure Stiles was okay, but there was no time. Not with the kidnappers closing in.

"Come on, Stiles," Scott urged, his voice soft but firm. "You're almost there. We're not leaving without you."

"I'm not going anywhere," Stiles muttered, a grin tugging at his lips despite the pain. "I'm not *that* easy to get rid of."

Scott felt a knot loosen in his chest at that. The fact that Stiles was still trying to crack a joke, even in this state, was a small victory. They hadn't lost him yet.

Ahead, Lydia was already at the exit, her hand hovering over the door. She turned back, eyes wide with fear. "It's locked!" she said, a note of panic creeping into her voice.

Isaac rushed forward, his muscles straining as he slammed his shoulder against the door, but it didn't budge. The kidnappers were only seconds away, their footsteps pounding closer.

"Move," Derek ordered, and with a growl, he pushed Isaac aside and took the door with his own strength, slamming his shoulder into it. There was a crack of splintering wood as the door broke open.

The pack rushed through the doorway and into the night air. They stumbled out into the dark, the moonlight casting long shadows across the empty parking lot. They were outside, but they weren't safe yet.

Scott helped Stiles into a nearby car, pushing him gently into the passenger seat. Stiles' head lolled back against the headrest, eyes fluttering.

"You okay?" Scott asked, his voice low, his hand resting on Stiles' shoulder.

"I've been better," Stiles said with a weak chuckle, but it was clear he was struggling. His voice was hoarse, his body battered and bruised. "But I'll live. Probably."

Before Scott could respond, a loud crash sounded from inside the hotel. The kidnappers were following them, and they were angry. Very angry.

"Go!" Derek shouted. Isaac slammed the door shut, and in the next instant, the car roared to life, speeding away from the hotel parking lot.

Scott's mind was still spinning. The terror that had gripped him during Stiles' absence was still fresh, the fear of losing him still raw in his chest. But he couldn't let himself focus on that now. They were being hunted, and they needed to get to safety.

"Where are we going?" Isaac asked, glancing over at Scott from the back seat.

"Anywhere but here," Scott replied, his voice tight. "We'll go to the loft. Get Stiles someplace safe."