Demons - Stiles Stilinski (Teen Wolf)

Chapter 8: Ride Home

Standing in front of the house of my best friend in a black dress that ended mid-thigh and was form-fitting around my chest but flared out at my waist wouldn't be so bad had I not been just pulled from the confines of the box by my twin and had bandages wrapped around my still very bruised and cut up waist. They were difficult to disguise in this particular dress, but I have managed to smooth them out enough that you wouldn't notice them unless you knew the bandages were there in the first place.

I can't believe I came to this. I think I've lost it. My whole body aches from being cramped in that tiny box and I can't move properly due to all the bandages Isaac had to wrap around my stomach to cover the cuts He had inflicted. Why did I have to agree to come to this party? This is the last thing I wanted to do, but it was better than facing that man tonight. At least he allowed me out to keep up appearances with some of my friends.

The pounding beat of the music could be heard from a few streets over and the flashing coloured lights where almost mesmerizing. A few people already lay unconscious on Lydia's front garden red solo cups either still clutched in their hands or lay surrounding them. The party had only just started but it was not surprising that some of the attendees were already so far gone this was a famous Lydia Martin party.

I climb the stairs with a little difficulty due to the pain in my stomach and the black high heeled boots I had decided to wear like the genius I am. Pushing open the wooden door I am instantly assaulted with the smell of various types of alcohol and sweat. The only available light came from the flashing strobe lights and the doorway that lead to the back yard where Lydia told me she would be.

I slowly made my way through the crowd of the writhing bodies of my classmates, doing my best not to jostle my wounds, towards the back but as I pass through the doorway, I bump into someone's chest.

"I am so sorry," I apologise profusely before looking up to be met with the slightly concerned look on my dorky best friend's face.

"Carter! I was so worried why weren't you in school? What happened? Are you alright? Never mind we can talk later right now we have to worry about Scott. Something's going to happen to him. Something big," Stiles rambles getting a firm grip on my upper arms, his words stumbling over each other, his breathing frantic. His caramel-coloured eyes, swimming with concern and worry, stare directly into my own.

"What? What's wrong with Scott?" panic began to rise in my chest. What could have happened in the day I was confined to the box? What could have possibly worked Stiles up so much?

"You remember that joke from the other day?" Stiles asks and I nod in reply," Yeah. Not a joke anymore. And tonight's the full moon. We need to find Scott. He's somewhere here with Allison."

"Alright, okay. We'll split up and see if we can find Scott and Allison. If you see them text me where you are and if I find them, I'll text you okay," I suggest taking a few steps backwards ready to begin my search. He nods in response before frantically disappearing into the crowd of unknowing teenagers, I swiftly turn once I have lost sight of him only to be met with another solid chest.

I slowly look up to see the person that I have walked into an apology on my lips only to meet the very puppy-dog eyed teen I was about to go looking for. "Scott," I exclaimed my hands resting on his upper arms a pained expression clear on his face, sweat forming on his brow and his usual brown eyes seemingly lighter and more golden. An overwhelming feeling of concern takes over my body as I look into the face of my best friend. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine. I just need some fresh air," he says seeming to choke out his words, pushing past me and Stiles but hesitates before getting swallowed into the mass of writhing bodies turning back towards us. "Carter. Make sure Allison is fine and gets home okay." He only stays long enough to see my nod before taking off.

"Scott," I hear Allison yell and I follow her voice only to find the sweet girl looking frantically for the boy who had just rushed away.

I have to fix this. If not for my bet with Stiles, then for my newly bitten friend. As she got closer to me making her way towards the door, I reach out for her arm and call for her, "Ally."

"I have to find Scott. He was acting strange," she mutters distracted slowing down only slightly, eyes still locked on the door that has been left open. I follow her out just in time to see Scott drive away in his mother's car. "Did I do something?"

"No, Ally. Stiles said he's been sick all day. Trust me. I've never seen him so into someone before in my life," I reassure, wrapping my arm around her shoulder.

"He was my ride home," she murmurs in sadness and disappointment. You've really screwed up this time Scotty, haven't you?

"I'm sure Lydia wouldn..." I'm cut off by the rough voice that I've only ever heard once before.

"Allison," the dark stranger named Derek called out, a charming smile replacing the stern look he had the last time I ran into him greeting me and my saddened new-found friend, "I'm a friend of Scott's. My name's Derek."

His demeanour is a lot more friendly than it had been last time, if a little awkward, as though he hadn't had to be personable in some time. His hands tucked into the pockets of his leather jacket as he strode towards us.

"He's sick and asked me to give you a ride home," Derek stated striding passed us towards a black shiny Camaro, turning only to see if she was following, "you too Carter."

The way he said my name causes chills to run down my spine. He must have overheard us yesterday. He nods his head in the direction of the car and turns once again. Stiles comes running out of the house, breathing heavily, still panicked.

"Carter! Allison!" he calls out, quickly approaching us. As he opens his mouth to launch into some sort of ramble, I cut him off.

"Scott's away homesick. Me and Ally are going to get a ride with Derek. Go check on him, Stiles," I mutter, gently pushing Allison towards the dark stranger, "I'll see you tomorrow."

I rush Allison forward, only looking back once I'd reached the car to see Stiles fumbling with his car keys at the door to his Jeep. Sliding onto the leather of the front seat of Derek Hale's car, I glance back at Allison, her face reflecting her discomfort and sadness, her black blazer folded carefully beside her.

The entire journey to the Argent household was shrouded with tense silence. Derek's eyes fixed firmly on the road, while Ally stared wistfully out the window, likely wondering what she could have possibly done wrong.

The car gently glided to a halt, the bright light coming from the wide windows of the house we had stopped in front of alerting the girl in the back seat to our arrival. She carefully opened the door and swung her feet out and hesitantly turned back, "Thank you for the ride, Derek. I'll see you tomorrow, Carter."

Derek barely nods in acknowledgement whilst I reply, "See ya, Ally."

As soon as the brunette girl has opened the double doors of the giant house, the car begins to move again. The silence, suffocating. The street I had grown up on more ominous in the dark as my own personal hell becoming clearer with each passing second. My heart rate began to rise as the battered car of my father became clearer.

The car came to a stop and I pause, take a deep breath and then open the door. I swing my legs out of the car and then feel a soft warm hand on my arm. I am met with piercing eyes when I turn to see what it was.

"Be careful," he mutters after a moment of hesitation, releasing me and returning to staring straight ahead.

"Thanks."

As the door clicks shut, the engine of the sleek Camaro revs and swiftly races off into the night. With a sigh I turn towards the darkened house and prepare to sneak in, slipping off my heels and slowly and gingerly opening the door to prevent it creaking. Home, Sweet Home.