The Outbreak

Chapter 7

Stiles POV

Once Scott has pulled on his shirt again, I excitedly give Scott a tour of the hospital that I've come to call home. It's very crowded, but I don't mind. It's better than being alone. I hated being alone. I introduce Scott to a few people along the way. They are all friendly and polite to Scott and my best friend returns the favor without question. Walking past the sick and the injured is the hardest, but we manage. I'm sure Scott is used to seeing that kind of stuff by now. "This is actually a great setup here, Stiles. You have vehicles too. You're definitely well off here." Scott comments as the two of us walk around the place. The next stop is going to be one of the sleeping areas. We have many camper beds set up there. We try to minimize the people sleeping on the floor. I have a private room to myself, considering all the nightmares I have. I usually thrash around in bed too. It's better if I sleep a little further away from everyone else, since I don't want to wake them up. I also keep any important files and notes in there with me. Clues to help me find my friends and family, or anyone else's for that matter. I also keep a journal about what the outbreak has done to the world over the years and how close we are to possibly finding a cure. It's a good idea to write all my thoughts down somewhere. My head isn't always good enough to remember everything, so it's great to have a back up of the important stuff.

"So, what's it like with your group? Do you have some sort of base? How big is your group?" I ask curiously as I turn to the werewolf walking alongside of me. "Uh, it's good. A lot smaller than this, that's for sure. Not as well kept, but we survive I guess. We hide out in a warehouse. It's generally pretty good protection. The group consists of about 130 people." Scott answers. I nod in acknowledgement. Suddenly, a hopeful thought occurs to me.

"Scott... Have you found any of the other pack members? Have you... Have you found my dad?" I ask nervously, kind of fearing the answer. Scott smiles comfortingly at me. "Yeah, I found your dad as well as the rest of the pack and my mom. At first, it was just Kira and I. Slowly, but surely, we found the others and started forming a group at the warehouse. I guess I'm their leader, but not a very good one, especially compared to you." Scott replies. I let out a small cry of relief and tears quickly well up in my eyes. Dad is okay! Melissa, Lydia, Malia, Liam and the others are okay! That's all I could ever hope for. I give Scott a quick hug, burying my face into his chest. Scott hasn't been here long, yet I have let my guard down and more emotionally vulnerable than I have been in years. That's okay though. Things can't stay bottled up forever. Besides, I've always felt like I could express my true emotions and how I'm really feeling to Scott no matter what the circumstance, even when we were only kids. "Thank you," I whisper to my best friend, eternally grateful of him keeping our friends and my dad safe.

"There's no need to thank me, Stiles. I know you would have done the same thing." Scott replies as he returns the hug. I lean my head against Scott's chest and listen to Scott's heart thud rhythmically. I feel safe and at peace, here in Scott's arms. For the first time in what feels like forever, all the worries seem to be lifted off my shoulders. Somehow, I know that things are going to be okay. There will be a way out of this darkness. I know I can find it, now that I have Scott by my side again. We can figure it out together, just like old times. Eventually, I pull out of the hug and wipe my eyes a little, regaining my brave composure. "My dad... He's okay, right? He's alive and well?" I ask Scott hopefully.

"Yeah, he's doing just fine, Stiles. I know he loves and misses you heaps, but he somehow finds a way to keep going." Scott answers truthfully. I nod in satisfaction. "Good, I'm glad that he has found a way to live on without me. I would hate it if he just became a crumbling mess. He doesn't deserve that. I want him to be happy." I comment.

"Well, he'll be even happier once he knows you're alive." Scott tells me.

"Yeah, definitely. I can't wait to see him and the others. I've missed you guys so much." I reply with a bright smile. Scott hums in agreement at that. Scott and I haven't really talked about going back to his base together yet, but I think it's something we just silently agreed on because the answer seems so obvious. "Come on, let's keep going. You'll probably have to sleep here for a couple nights, so you should at least know where the beds are. Either Meg, Mitchell, Josh or I will get a bed or camper mattress set up for you when night starts getting close." I say as I continue walking down the hall, Scott quickly following behind me.