Worlds Apart (Teen Wolf)

20 - Countdown

Hot on Stiles' heels, I race down the stairs to the basement with Malia by my side. Mr. Yukimura stayed behind to help keep students quarantined while we went downstairs to find the vault. I chase after Scott and Stiles down the walkway until we reach the end. All of us spread out in the small area for some kind of hidden entrance. 

The room spins a little around me and I grab on to a shelf against a wall to stable myself. The virus is slowly infecting my body. It's not hitting me as hard as it did with Malia, Scott, or Kira, but I can feel it a little. Stiles places a hand on my back, shooting me a worried look. Pressing my lips together, I take a few deep breaths before continuing the search. 

"Hey, guys! Over here!" Stiles shouts. His fingers wound around my wrist, pulling me back towards him before I can walk too far away from him. I spin around, nearly colliding into him when the room tilts beneath my feet. Stiles holds me close to his side when he sees me almost lose my balance. 

Scott helps Stiles push the shelving unit that I had leaned up against to the side. I stand beside Malia and Kira, feeling better on my feet.The dizzy spells come and go at the moment. Once the shelf is slide out of the way, the spiral carved into the wall is much easier to see. A circle is in the middle of it, shaped with small holes around in, just big enough for claws.

Stiles motions to the spiral. "Look at the cracks in the wall. It's like the entrance outside, it only opens with claws." Stiles glances back at the three of us and then Scott. "Anyone's claws, right?"

The two of them share small gestures with their faces, very subtly. Slyly, I glimpse at Malia and Kira to see them not paying close enough attention to what the boys are doing. They slowly peek at Malia with a knowing look. 

"Um..." Scott turns to Malia, like he didn't want to be the one to address her. "Malia, can you try?"

I squint my eyes ever so slightly. What is up with these two boys? Stiles meets my questioning gaze and simply shakes his head. I press my lips together, knowing that it's better I stay quiet instead of asking what is going on.

"Why me?" 

"I don't have control." Scott holds up his clawless hand.

Malia looks between the two of them before shrugging, like it's no big deal. "Okay, I'll do it. But, first, tell me what you've been hiding from me."

Stiles' mouth opens a few times and then shuts. The boys share a look, very much resembling a deer caught in headlights.

"I know you think you're trying to protect me, but I can handle it." Malia continues when they don't respond. Her head bobs forward in encouragement for them to talk. 

"She's Peter's daughter, Carter." 

I nearly jump in fright until I see Aiden standing on my left. I bite down on my cheek to keep myself from scolding him for scaring me. Looks like I'll need to get used to everyone randomly showing up. Now, I know how Lydia felt when I would do the same thing to her. 

Aiden's words click in my head. Ohh. I remember now. 

Aiden cocks his head to the side, arms folded over his chest. "Did you honestly forget that?" 

I roll my eyes in response. Aiden chuckles.

"I know I'm on the list." Malia announces to everyone.

Aiden snickers at the scene unfolding in front of him. "That could have ended badly." 

"Yes..." Stiles answers, glimpsing at Scott.

"So how much?"

"How much what?"