Contingency~TW/TO~ Lahey

Chapter 23: The Upbringing

Steam surrounds the bathroom as I slide the shower curtain back to exit the tub. A shower had been necessary after my night out binging at my regular club.

The crimson red that covered my body now flows through the pipes, taking care of any remaining evidence that I left my apartment at all for the night.

I reach for my towel and take it off the hook to wrap the warm, soft fabric around my body. Moving to the mirror, I look myself over before entering my room to change. I rummage through my drawers to find everything I need to sleep comfortably for the night. But as I reach for an oversized teeshirt that Isaac had left behind, my phone begins to buzz on the nightstand. I had left it here while I went out, having forgotten about it, but also not caring to take it with me for this reason; I had wished to not be bothered by anyone in the night.

Walking to the nightstand, I grab my cellphone and see Isaac's name in bold lighting up my screen. My eyes roll once, unsure as to what he is doing up at three in the morning. More importantly, what does he have to involve me in that is this early? Something must be happening for him to have to call me this early in the morning. Also, I can not miss out on an opportunity that may present itself useful on my behalf.

I press the phone to my ear. "What?"

"What the hell have you been doing?" He questions me.

"Nothing of your concern."

"You didn't get any of my calls or messages?"

I pull the phone away to look over my notifications and find six missed calls and multiple texts from him and Derek about their precious Stiles going missing. The spastic teenaged boy had contacted Scott about not knowing where he is an hour or two ago and requested his best friend to find him. But they still haven't managed to find him it seems.

"I've received them now," I tell him after reading through the messages and placing the phone back to my ear.

He sighs, "Scott and I tried the hospital with Derek, but we didn't find anything, just his Jeep. Derek is headed to the school, Scott is staying with the Sherif at the hospital, for now, to keep searching, Lydia is searching for clues in his room, and I'm headed to you and Allison."

"And I should care what happens to Stiles, because...?" Why would I want to help find him when his Alpha is more than capable of doing so?

"You don't have to care," He throws back. "But you helped us when searching for Malia-"

"And I had my reasons for doing so," I respond with a shrug that has me readjusting my towel. "This situation, however, does no sort in benefiting me."

"Renee, please," He begs through my speaker.

As the word 'no' is about to slip from my lips, a thought occurs to me, "Scott is still at the hospital?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Fine, I'll partake in your arid search," I give in. "How far are you?"

"I'll be there in fifteen."

"See you then," I respond to him before hanging up without giving him a chance to speak.

I must change quickly if I want to reach the hospital uninterrupted.

✵ ✵ ✵ ✵ ✵

I pull into the Beacon Hills Hospital parking lot, fully prepared for tonight's intents. I step out of my vehicle, scanning the parking lot for Scott or the sheriff. Their cars are still here, so they mustn't have left yet.

Entering the building, the lobby is scattered with deputies waiting for orders and nurses attending to the wounded that wait patiently for the doctor. No one looks over at me as I stride past them into the hallways in search of Scott. Isaac had not mentioned to me where in the hospital he would be, but with my enhanced hearing, I should be able to find him quickly.