Void (The Youngest, Book 3.B.)

Chapter 七 (B)

Scott, Stiles (with Kylie in his arms), Kira, and Lydia all stood outside the power station, watching as squad cars pulled up in front of them. The flashing lights painted the scene in blue and red, a stark reminder of the severity of the situation. The Sheriff stepped out of his car, his gaze locking on Stiles, Kylie, and Scott as he walked over, his expression a mixture of worry and frustration.

"What happened here, Stiles?" he hissed as he approached. His eyes flicked over to Kylie, who was still contentedly clutching onto Stiles. "Why is Kylie here with you? And who is she?" He nodded towards Kira, whose gaze was downcast, her shoulders drawn inwards. "And why did Barrow take her?"

Stiles gave a tired sigh, rubbing his face briefly. "Do you really want the actual answer to that, Dad?" he said, his voice edged with resignation.

The Sheriff looked at him, then at Kira. Scott took a step forward, his arm still around Kira's shoulders as if to shield her from everything happening. He gave the Sheriff a look, one filled with the same veiled intensity as when Stiles had explained Lydia's involvement earlier.

The Sheriff's shoulders slumped slightly. "You've gotta be kidding me," he muttered, his exasperation seeping through. Twice in one day.

Before he could say more, Kylie tensed in Stiles' arms, her gaze sharpening as she stared ahead. "Dad," Stiles called out, and the Sheriff turned just in time to see Agent McCall's car pulling in, his posture already tense.

Within minutes, they were gathered back in the Sheriff's office at the station, the dim light from emergency lamps casting shadows across the room. The power had yet to be restored, and the atmosphere was heavy, an uneasy silence filling the gaps between words.

Scott, Stiles, and Lydia sat in front of the Sheriff's desk, recounting an abridged and vague version of what happened. Agent McCall leaned against the wall, arms crossed, his expression growing more and more skeptical with every passing second. It was clear he wasn't buying any of it, and the Sheriff, seated behind his desk, watched with disguised amusement as McCall tried to piece it together.

"So, when did you get there?" McCall asked, his voice laced with irritation.

"At the same time," Stiles replied, his tone nonchalant.

"At the same time as who?" McCall pressed.

"At the same time as me," Scott chimed in.

McCall looked between the two, his brow furrowing. "By coincidence?" he asked, his voice rising slightly.

"What do you mean coincidence?" Stiles asked him.

"That's what I'm asking you," The agent said, his patience wearing thin. "The two of you arrived at the same time. Was that coincidence?"

That made all of them just look at him.

Scott squinted at McCall, as if unsure whether he was being serious. "Are you asking me?" he asked, genuinely confused.

Stiles looked over at him. "I think he's asking me."

"I think he's asking the both of you," Lydia snapped with a roll of her eyes.

"Okay," McCall clenched his jaw, clearly frustrated. "Let me answer the questions." That made the friends all widen their eyes at him, except Kira who just looked down as she twiddled her fingers silently and Kylie, who giggled. Behind him, the Sheriff tried to keep a professional composer but he still hid his smile behind his hand. "Let me ask the questions," McCall corrected himself. "Just so I have this absolutely clear. Barrow was hiding at the chemistry closet at the school and someone left him a coded message on the blackboard telling him to kill Kira. Then Barrow took Kira to a power substation and tied her up with the intent to electrocute her which blacked out the entire town."