Kids in the Dark [S.S. Book One]

Twenty-Seven

Lydia sent me a text and I looked to see what she said.

From: Beauty Queen

I know it's a little late, but would you be willing to do a sleepover? I really don't want to be alone, and Allison isn't answering her phone.

To: Beauty Queen

Yeah, sure. I'm at Derek's, but I'll head over to your place.

From: Beauty Queen

Thanks a bunch, Lyss. Wait; why are you at Derek's?

To: Beauty Queen

I'm with Scott and Stiles. Who knows what they're up to.

From: Beauty Queen

Fair enough. When you get here, meet me at my car. I want to get something at the store.

To: Beauty Queen

Okay. I'm leaving now. Give me 10-15 minutes.

I pecked Stiles' cheek. "I'm headed over to Lydia's. Spontaneous sleepover. Love you."

He pulled me into a hug and kissed the top of my head. "Okay, stay safe, Als."

I arrived at Lydia's and saw her walking out to her car. We both slid in and Lydia started the engine. "Why do you want to go to the store now? It's almost midnight."

She gave me a small shrug. "I need to get out of the house."

"Hey. You're scared. What happened?"

Lydia pursed her lips then said, "I woke up covered in blood, but I don't know how. Or why."

I embraced her and she slowly pulled away. "Thank you. Now, I think I could use some more ibuprofen. Let's go."

She began driving off and as if I sensed something, I demanded, "Turn here!" I ignored the feeling and assumed we were taking an alternate route to the grocery store.

Lydia immediately did as I said and I looked at something on my phone as Lydia texted someone. I looked up from my Instagram in confusion. "Wait. I thought we were going to the store. What are we doing at the pool?"

She met my eyes with the same confusion. "You're the one that told me to turn right! Why did you tell me to turn right?"

"I--I don't know. I had a weird feeling."

"Now that you mention it, I have a weird feeling too."

We'd since gotten closer to the pool. "Lyds, what is that?"

Lydia squinted as she walked to where I was standing and her eyes widened. "Oh, God. Oh, my God, please don't be dead, please don't be dead, please don't be dead. Please don't be dead, please don't be dead."

She began CPR on the person and I frowned. "Wait a minute." I kicked the body and groaned. "Lyds, it's rubber. It's a dummy."

Lydia sighed and glared at the dummy, noticing her bloody hands. "Oh, my God. Are you kidding me? Ahhhhh!"

I followed her eyes to see a man's body above us in the lifeguard chair. "Oh, my--Holy sh--Lydia!"

She nodded as if she knew what I was saying. Knowing we were both terrified, but that one of us had to be stronger and take control, I told her, "Call 911. I'll call Stiles."

Lydia frowned. "Why Stiles?"

"Just--Just trust me on this."

She nodded as we both dialed our respective numbers. I heard Stiles' voicemail. Once I had a chance, I left him a rather annoyed message. "Stilinski. Get your ass to the Preserve pool. Now. Something's here. And turn your damn volume on!"