Momma, What's a Moon Crystal? [Sterek] [Short Story]

Chapter 7

"Stiles, we've been driving for almost 14 hours; we have to be there by now." Lydia groaned, watching another gas station pass by. It seemed like they were in the middle of nowhere. Every gas station that they drove past either didn't have a working bathroom or no bathroom at all.

"Lydia, you're a Banshi, not a Whineshi." Issac groaned, leaning his head back against the seat. Between Lydia and Erica, he wasn't sure who was complaining more. 

"Well, that was rude," Lydia pouted, sitting back in her seat. 

"Enough! We're almost there! So, either you all shut up, or you can get out and either walk home or walk to the campground!" Derek shouted as he gripped the steering wheel so tight his knuckles were as white as snow. Everyone seemed extremely scared of Derek's outburst and made a silent pact not to say another word to the Alpha for the rest of the car ride.

"Derek, in two miles, you'll take a left into the campground; there should be a huge sign about half a mile before the turn," Stiles explained, looking at the directions he printed out. He guessed that there wouldn't be phone service part of the time, so he wanted to make sure that he had a back up for when that happened. 

"Thank you, Stiles," Derek breathed out, trying to calm himself.

"Oh! There it is!" Stiles exclaimed, watching the large sign come into view. "Mt. Hood National Forest!" 

"Finally!" Derek groaned; he began to slow down for the turn into the campground. There were many campgrounds in the National Forest land, so they picked one that was smack dab in the middle of the map Peter drew out for them. 

As soon as the van was moving slow enough that everyone thought they wouldn't get hurt, they jumped out, wanting as far away from the Alpha as possible. Stiles silently chuckled to himself, waiting until Derek stopped before he stepped out of the van. 

"I wasn't sure if I was going to make it much longer with them at each other's throats," Derek muttered, grabbing his duffle bag from the back of the van where Stiles stood trying to pull his from the bottom of the pile. Derek chuckled, pulling the bag out with ease handing it to the flustered boy.

"With how many times you threatened to turn around or kill them, I'm impressed we made it." Stiles laughed, helping Derek grab a tent and air mattresses. Long before they left Beacon Hills, they placed pairs into tents so that no one would fight over it once they were at the campground. Stiles and Derek knew it was best for the two of them to share a tent, seeing as Stiles would have to keep Derek from killing everyone on this trip.

"I thought since everyone took off the second we got here, the two of us could set up our tent and then take a look around. I figured tomorrow we could go into town and see if anyone knows anything helpful." Derek said, setting down the tent and his bag.

"Sounds like a plan to me. I'm excited to explore, even if we don't find anything." Stiles grinned, helping Derek with the tent. 

Derek nodded in agreement, but he prayed to find a Moon Crystal in the coming days. 

Ω

The following morning Stiles and Derek left the pack at the campground and took the van into the small town around half an hour from camp. They smiled, finding a restaurant open; this would be the perfect place to ask questions and get Derek some coffee. 

"I've never seen you two before, so you must be visiting our small town," The waitress smiled. 

"We are; we're camping a few miles up the road with our friends," Stiles answered, looking at the menu.

"Oh, how nice," The older lady smiled. "If you have any questions, feel free to ask me. I've lived in the area my whole life."

"Well, there is one thing," Derek said before she left with their orders. "This is going to sound strange, but do you know anything about Moon Crystals? We heard that they're common in the area." 

"Well, I only know a little, but the museum across the street has one in it; the director might be able to answer your questions." She told them with a bright smile.

"Thank you," Stiles smiled back. "It's a start."

"It is, and if the coffee is this good, I don't know if I'll want to leave this town." Derek grinned happily, taking a sip.

"Well, Derek, you're drinking my hot chocolate with caramel." Stiles snickered. Derek sighed, setting down Stiles's cup, and grabbed his own. "So?"

"It's still good," Derek grumbled.