The Longer I Live

Chapter 21: For Once, Let's Do Easy

Stiles sat the edge of the hospital bed waiting for the treatment to being. It had been one week since his last radiation therapy and his mom was there to support him through this process. Swinging his legs back and forth, the teen made a list of excuses to say to Derek when he saw him. Since defeating Scott McCall, he had not set foot on the reservation making it an awkward moment for them both. Small footsteps echoed in the hall as the medical professional entered the room.

Victoria Argent peeked up from the magazine she had been reading.

"Dr. Deaton, you're back!"

The African American physician shook his mother's hand as he went to examine Stiles. Inwardly, the teenager's heart sunk not seeing the Spirit Wolf in the room with him.

"Where's Dr. Hale?" Stiles asked politely.

"Dr. Hale is taking a leave of absence," answered Dr. Deaton. "Though I'm glad that he took care of you while I was in Miami. I'll be continuing your radiation treatments from now on." He pulled out Stiles's chart. "Now from the results of your last CT scan, it looks like the cancer cells are retreating. This is good news since we're trying to prevent the tumor from continuing to metastasize."

"This is good news!" Victoria exclaimed.

"Now we'll get you over to the IMRT and start the treatment," suggested Dr. Deaton.

Stiles accompanied the doctor to the radiology department. Performing the same routine, the young man had the face mask on as the device scanned his brain and attacked the cancer cells head on. As usual, he drifted off into sleep.

From the cavern of the roaring fire, Stiles examined the primitive drawings on the walls. Peter Hale, coated in animal blood, as usual muttered some incantation as large shadows darted around him. Then the same sinister voice spoke.

"Have...you...succeeded...in...finding...me...my...sacrifice..."

"No, Great Kalona!" Peter apologized. "My pack was murdered by the aningan and his allies!"

"Then...you...must...not...wait...Bring...me...my...perfect...human..."

"I shall!"

"The...blood...moon...is...soon...All...must...happen...in...time...Do...not...fail...me..."

"I won't!" Peter vowed. Bowing down, he made a few symbols in the sand.

"Soon...I...shall...be...free..."

"And I will be powerful! Unstoppable!" Peter cackled.

"And...so...you...shall...Now...find...me...my...sacrifice..."

"Yes, Lord Ravenmocker," replied the skin-walker.

The scene then changed. In place of the central fire stood the large, ivory tree with yellow, purple flowers and long roots surrounded by silver. A gentle tap on his shoulder signaled for his attention. Stiles shifted behind him to see an older woman in tribal clothes holding a small cup.

"Laura?"

"Hello, Stiles Argent," the old woman smiled. "Long time, no see."

Tears filled his eyes as the former shamaness went to embrace him. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

Laura held him close patting his back for comfort. "There. There. It's no one's fault." Clutching his face, she looked up at him and laughed. "It was my time. Death called for me and I answered. I am proud to go out in the manner that I did."