Just Breathe

Chapter 31

"You want us dead?" Scott exclaimed after Deaton had explained the plan to find the Nematon. Deaton sighed, rubbing his temples as a stress headache wracked his mind. Luckily, Stiles had convinced Scott to come back and try this method, leaving the Alpha pack behind. 

"No. Just nearly dead. You will be able to locate the Nematon that way. It's the only plan Scott" Deaton added, Scott sighing as he thought for a moment. With a deep exhale, he let his arms drop to his side, offering a nod. "Good. So, you each must have something important of your person's in order for this to work" Deaton explained, walking in front of Scott to analyze his object. 

Scott held up a dainty, gold watch, a small smile on his face. "It was a gift to my mother from my father. She says it's the only thing that ever worked in their marriage" Scott explained with a soft laugh. 

Deaton nodded with a smile, moving to the side where he stood in front of Allison who held up a silver bullet with a faint symbol engraved on it. "It's my dad's first bullet. As a right of passage into the hunting trade, each hunter must create their own weapon out of silver. This was his." she explained with a loving smile. 

Deaton nodded with a smile, sliding over to Stiles who held an item in each hand. "This is my Dad's badge" Stiles stated, staring down at the crushed gold badge that meant the world to him. "It's a little crushed but I tried to smooth it out. Oh and this is Emma's favorite CD" Stiles couldn't help but let a smile come over his face. 

Deaton looked at him quizzically, not understanding the CD's significance. "It was something from our first date. She takes it everywhere. Whenever we drive she plays it. It kind of takes a long time to explain the significance" Stiles rushed, knowing that their time was running thin.

"You know that won't work after it's gone under water, right?" Deaton asked, Stiles sighing as he rolled his eyes, his leg bouncing impatiently.

"I know. She has duplicates" he spoke quickly, Deaton nodding with a hesitant expression before turning his attention to everyone else who stood in the room. 

"Each person will need someone who can hold them down. And bring them back. Someone who has a strong emotional tether to them" Deaton explained, everyone's gaze shifting to the person that they thought could bring them back.

Deaton watched everyone, his lips pursed in thought.  "Derek, you go with Stiles" Deaton said, Stiles' and Derek's eyes wide as they met in shock. They just barely tolerated each other most of the time. Who knew they had an emotional tether?

"Isaac, you with Allison" Deaton explained, Scott looking a little jealous as Isaac walked over where he stood next to Allison. "And I'll hold down Scott. Lydia, you should go check on Peter." Deaton instructed, knowing that she would be more useful elsewhere for the moment.

A groan escaped Lydia, disappointed that she couldn't be a bigger help. She didn't want to leave her friends while they were doing something so crazy, so dangerous. But she grabbed her bag and left, leaving the three to arrange themselves around the buckets full of ice water. 

"I have to warn you though. This sacrifice will have negative side effects. It will leave a sort of permeant darkness around your heart. You won't feel it all the time, but it will be there. Are you sure you want to do this?" Deaton asked with a grave tone, Stiles looking to Scott and then to Allison. 

And with their confirming stares, he turned back to Deaton. "Yes" Stiles breathed, Deaton nodding. Stiles, Scott and Allison took a deep breath before placing their foot into the ice bucket, gasping at how cold it was. 

"Are you ready?" Derek asked, resting his hands on his freezing cold shoulders. Stiles took a deep breath, his body trembling before he gave him a nod. With that, Derek closed his eyes, shoving Stiles under water. Isaac did the same, Allison gasping before she was submerged. And then Deaton pushed Scott under, little bubbles emerging on the surfaces as each of them let out their last breath. Now all they had to do, was wait.