Here Comes Goodbye.

Part 3, Isaac

Isaac yanked open the door to Derek's loft and rushed in. "Derek!" He called. His voice echoed through the loft, but he got no response. He couldn't even hear anyone's heartbeat. No one was there. "Damn it." He mumbled in frustration. He really needed to find Derek. They had figured out how to kill the Oni and possibly defeat the Nogitsune, but they needed something of Derek's to do so.

With a sigh, he plopped down on the couch. As he tried to think of where Derek could be, he couldn't help but look around the loft. Derek was a very minimalist person. He didn't need much. A bed and side table in the back corner by the window. The couch Isaac's currently sitting on behind a coffee table and two side chairs. A table desk with a few stools and a lamp centered a few feet from the window. There wasn't a television, artwork, or even much lighting besides a few lamps.

It was definitely a far cry from what the area looked like a few weeks ago for Danny's blacklight Halloween party. At least a hundred people dressed in bright colors and covered in glowing paint filled the entire floor. The DJ and his gear took the place of Derek's desk. Black lights covered the walls. Paint stations and a makeshift bar were also set up. It was the perfect place to let loose for a while.

Then the memories of that night hit Isaac like a ton of bricks. Showing up with Allison. Bickering with her. Painting neon flowers across her shoulder, up her neck and the side of her face. Dancing with her. Their warm breaths mixing. Her hand at the nape of his neck, pulling him in closer. Inhaling her intoxicating scent of French lavender and honey. Focusing on their matching heartbeats instead of the thumping of the house music, like they were the only two in the room.

If Isaac focused hard enough, he could still feel Allison's hand on him, smell her perfume, hear her heartbeat. It's funny how a single place can do such a thing. That night might have ended up in total chaos, but it's one he'll hold onto. It was one of their last good nights before everything really went to hell. Now, he'd give anything to go back in time, to feel her against him, to hear the rhythm of her heartbeat.

The last few days have been like a blur. He'd tried to be like Argent and compartmentalize his emotions. Instead of replaying that fateful night over and over in his head, he'd chosen to focus on everything else going on, like killing the Oni and trying to save Stiles. It's what Allison would have wanted and done anyway. Only she had more strength than him.

Right now, as he sat in Derek's loft, truly alone for the first time since that night, the heavy sadness blanketed him once again. He hadn't cried since that morning when he and Argent returned the apartment, but now he felt the tears coming once again.

Leaning forward and resting his head in his hands, he let them fall. They came harder and faster with each passing second, eventually turning into quiet sobs. Every feeling, every ounce of heartache, every painful image of that night poured out of him for the girl he fell in love with. The girl who died saving him. The girl he couldn't save in return.

"Shhh..." A soft voice cooed as her gentle hand rubbed his back.

Isaac instantly jerked back at the familiar touch. It couldn't be. "Allison?" Even seeing her sitting there beside him left him in disbelief.

She smiled softly at him and he could see the tears building behind her eyes as she gently wiped a few tears from his cheeks. "It's okay, Isaac."

He was stunned speechless. He could see her, hear her voice, and even feel the warmth of her touch. One difference stood out, though, that told him this wasn't as real as he hoped. He couldn't hear heartbeat.

"But it's not. It's not okay." He muttered as he shook his head.

"Why not?" Allison knew this was a stupid question, but she had to make him understand that everything would be okay.