Home (Sciles AU)

Chapter 34

Scott POV

After a few hours of searching and finding nothing, I'm starting to get really desperate and panicked. I feel so helpless, just sitting in the car with the Sheriff, driving from house to house, asking people all these questions, seeing if they know James at all. We have had no luck so far at all. My hands are clenched into fists, my fingernails digging into my palms, almost drawing blood. My stress and panic levels keep rising, and I have a feeling that Noah is too. He's just a lot better at concealing his emotions than I am. I try to take deep breaths to keep myself calm.

"This feels pointless!" I eventually exclaim in annoyance as we drive away from yet another house.

"Well, what else do you want us to do, Scott? Where do you want to check?" The Sheriff asks tiredly.

"I don't know, but there must be a better way of doing this." I reply, closing my eyes for a moment, to keep myself calm and collected.

"Wouldn't James maybe go to his house or something?" I ask as I open my eyes again hopefully, turning over to the Sheriff.

"Maybe. James could have moved houses. Besides, it has been so long since I've been to James' house, I don't remember where it is. I only went there once. Usually, they came to my house to visit." Noah explains to me.

"And you didn't find that suspicious, how they never invited you over?" I raise my eyebrow slightly.

"No Scott, I did not! I just thought they were really busy!" The Sheriff replies back in a huff, sounding annoyed, although I don't think it is all directed at me.

"I'm sorry... I didn't mean to upset you. I was just wondering." I apologize as I look back out the window again. I hear the Sheriff sigh quietly.

"It's fine, Scott. I'm worried about Stiles just as much as you are, and of course I blame myself for letting this get too far." Noah Stilinski tells me. I glance back over to him and see the sad expression on his face.

"It's not your fault, Sheriff. James is a manipulative man. He knew what he was doing. He knows what he's doing now. You can't blame yourself for that. You did the best you could to protect Stiles, and now, you're going to protect him and save him from James. Alright?" I try to reassure Stiles' dad. He has been trying to help me stay calm through this, so it's only fair that I help him in return. Not everyone can be strong all the time.

"Yeah, I know. It'll be so satisfying to finally put that monster behind bars." The Sheriff replies, giving me a grateful smile.

"Oh, I know it will be. I probably won't be able to stop smiling." I laugh, causing Noah to chuckle as well.

"I wanted to kill the bastard as soon as Stiles told me what James had done to him. However, I had to control myself, because if I did kill James, I would lose my job." Noah admits with a smirk.

"I don't blame you." I comment. My face falls a little as I start thinking about Stiles and Claudia, worrying about them. I just really hope they're okay. I'll never forgive myself if they get hurt.

"We'll find them, Scott. I promise." The Sheriff assures me with a small smile. I can see he's getting nervous too.

"I know. I just hope we find them soon." I sigh as I look back out the window again, the scenery flying by me in a blur.

~~~

After a couple hours, the Sheriff and the cop car behind us pull up alongside a house, slowing down to a stop. It's dark out now, making the house look extra eerie. None of the lights are on, but there is a car in the driveway. I glance over to the Sheriff and notice him looking tense.