Great Losses [Spurious Sequel] ✶On Hold✶

[20] Heavy Gloom

Claire:

"Is everything alright?"

It's the first thing for me to hear upon getting into the passenger side of the car. With a tight-lipped smile I turn to face my mom. She doesn't know about 'Jace' still being alive, and I plan to keep it that way.

At least until I find the right way to explain everything to her.

"I uh, fell asleep at my desk, but I kinda got woken up by a nightmare." It isn't all a lie, I mean, with Stiles' current condition, and with Jason suddenly popping up it all seems like some horrible nightmare. Unfortunately, this is one I can't wake up from it.

She nods her head once, seeming to take my excuse for why I no doubt seem and look, so out of it. I hold the jar of mountain ash tightly in between my legs as she starts the car. We've been carpooling more often since we've been working the same hours more often, and I don't trust myself to be driving alone nowadays.

"I checked on Stiles before leaving. He was still sleeping." My mom's words cause me to open my eyes that I had momentarily shut.

After getting hold of myself once Jason left, I immediately let my mom know what I thought I had found in regards to Stiles. I wanted her to prove me wrong. That I was just seeing things, but unfortunately she found the same thing that I found.

"I feel so horrible for leaving him there alone." There wasn't much more I can do seeing as how I already stayed overtime tonight, and the hospital for once suddenly decided to not let me stay any longer.

"We can always sneak in, and check in on him later." Her words hold a comforting and reassuring tone. Something that I truly need a lot of lately.

"True. Let's hope that Scott and Kira will be okay." I tighten my hold on the jar as I see us near the house.

Once we get out of the car it doesn't take heightened senses to hear the argument inside. My mom is the first inside the house as I follow closely behind. It doesn't hit me who the other person in the house with Scott and Kira is till my mom speaks up.

"Hey what's going on?" Her words cause the others to turn and face us, and that's when I see my dad.

I quickly turn the other way before any eye contact is made. That man doesn't deserve to be anywhere near my brother or mom.

"Maybe one of you should explain." His lecturing tone is directed towards the two teens. Before anyone else can say or explain anything--the entire house seems to grow immensely dark in a matter of what seems like seconds.

Everyone besides my dad, who doesn't know better, take a few steps back when a dark figure suddenly emerges from the side. The Oni are here.

"Who the hell is this?" My dad doesn't stay rooted in his spot, instead take a few steps towards the Oni.

"Dad, no!" Scott warns as another one of them materialize in the house. He doesn't listen rather choosing to continue walking towards them.

"No, wait!" It's too late. By the time I manage to say something the Oni's sword is stabbed into my dad. Kira lets out a scream as I feel my breath hitch in my throat.

Scott and my mom rush to my dad's side as he topples to the floor. The Oni prepare to continue their attack with Scott when the door suddenly opens. It gathers everyone's attention as Derek runs in.

I feel my back hit the wall as I watch the fight in front of me. The only thing I can register is the trial of blood that's left behind from where they moved my dad.

The ground suddenly feels cold as I try to make out whatever it is that my mom is mouthing to me from across the room. She suddenly comes rushing over to me and grabs the jar of mountain ash out of my grasp.