Chapter 21. Holding Your Breath

"DEREK!" I shouted as Stiles continued to slap him-- hard. He wasn't moving, and didn't appear to be waking up any time soon. I have no idea what Jennifer did to him, but it obviously isn't good.

I'm trying my absolute best to keep the anxiety attack I feel coming on at bay, I really am-- so I struck Derek a few times myself, but he still wasn't moving.

Stiles clenched his hand into a fist as he went to punch him, but before he could Derek's hand shot up and he gripped Stiles' forearm. His eyes darted around the elevator, the constant flashing of the lights making it hard for his eyesight to adjust.

"Where is she?" He asked breathlessly.

"Who? Jennifer? She left with my mom." I stated, the numbness I feel when speaking about it is good. If I can continue to feel this jaded towards the subject, then maybe I can get through these next couple of hours without breaking down and hallucinating again.

Stiles nodded rapidly, "And if that isn't already a kick to the balls, Scott left with Deucalion. So we have to get you out of here, the police are on their way right now."

We both struggled to pull Derek up, flashbacks of when we tried to keep him afloat in the swimming pool last year are in the forefront of my mind, but I push them back. I can't think about things like that right now.

"Whoa, wait-- where's Cora?" Derek asked quickly.

"She's safe. Issac has her outside of the hospital in a car, I think it's the Argent's car-- I don't know, but she's okay and Peter is okay." I rambled out. It's not fair that his sister and uncle are safe while my mother and brother are both missing. Because of him.

Derek nodded as he pushed himself off the floor, "I'm gonna go find them."

"We'll stay here and keep the cops off of you for as long as we can." Stiles responded. Derek nodded once and then bolted out of the elevator.

My head was spinning and I was grateful when I sat down in the cushioned chair of the waiting room. I buried my face in my hands as I tried to collect myself enough to speak to the police. I need to keep my ability at bay for as long as I possibly be can, and it seemed to work when I would focus on things that weren't living. Or on memories with people that I love.

I'm still very much confused on what the hell Deucalion meant when he said that I should highly consider his offer. Does he honestly think that I want to be a wolf? I don't know if that had been a threat or if he is actually that deluded to where he thinks I want to be anything like him.

The sound of police sirens and radios beeping soon filled the waiting room, and I knew that the police had arrived-- they were entirely too late to do any actual saving, but I can't really tell them that can I?

I looked up to see several member's of the FBI crowded around the door, "Just perfect." I muttered, the last thing I wanted to do was lie to the FBI.

Stiles sucked in a breath and I glanced at him oddly, he fixed his eyes on me quickly, "Kasey maybe you should--" I turned back around to see what he had been looking at, and that is when I caught sight of my father.

His eyes locked on me and I knew he had seen me. I went completely still. Stiles instantly grabbed my hand and forced me to look at him, "Kasey, breathe."

My dad strolled over to us and my heart stopped as he fixed his gaze on my boyfriend, Stiles shot him a disgusted look as his grip on my hand tightened. My father has never liked Stiles, or Stiles father. I could feel my blood boiling as he opened his mouth, "A Stilinski at the center of this whole mess, what a shocker."

I clenched my jaw, "Your own daughter is here too, or do you honestly not recognize me dad. I know it's been awhile, but I don't look all that different."

My father sighed as he glanced at me, "Do you two think you can answer some questions without your usual level of sarcasm?"

"If you can ask the questions without the usual level of stupid." Stiles retorted. My father smirked and glanced off to the side, he was irritated already.

"Where's your dad and why has no one been able to contact him?" He asked with a clipped tone.

Stiles' grip on my hand tightened even more, and if I wasn't so fired up myself-- I would probably wince, or try to pull away. My father has that affect on people though, the ability to make you hate him in a split second. I would know that feeling better than anyone, so I completely understand why Stiles is upset.

"I don't know, I haven't seen him in hours." He responded.

My dad smirked, "Is he drinking again?"

Stiles let out a huff and glanced down at the ground, he was really trying hard to keep himself under control. I, on the other hand, was not.

"Careful dad, you don't want to go there. I mean, would you like me to list all of the shitty things you've done as a parent?" I remarked, my voice was cold and hard, my glare was even harder, and I am more than ready to say everything I have ever wanted to say to him right now.

My dad sent me a look, "Kasey now is not the time for that."

"Well, you just let me know when you have some free time, Rafael." I spat, using his first name just to drive the knife in his chest, a little deeper.

He shifted his gaze back to Stiles, "Is he drinking again?"

"What do you mean, again? He never had to stop." Stiles snapped, this was a very sensitive subject for him. The only reason his dad ever drank at all was because he lost his wife. My dad should not be passing any judgment when he left his wife and two kids.

My dad nodded, "No but he did have to slow down. Is he drinking like he used to?"

"You know what? How about this, next time I see him-- I'll give him a field sobriety test. I'll make him do the alphabet, start with F and end with U." Stiles retorted.

I narrowed my eyes at my dad in distaste, he was seriously a bigger asshole than he had been before, if that was even possible.

"Alright, how about you both cut the crap and tell me what happened here." He stated as he shot us both an annoyed look.

I rolled my eyes as I avoided looking at him, "We don't know what happened. We were stuck in the elevator the entire time."

"So you two weren't the ones who put the names on the door?" He fired back.

Stiles glanced at him oddly, "Wait-- what name?"

"Argent."

✠

After a totally pointless conversation with my piece of shit dad, Stiles and I were finally allowed to leave the hospital. We were going to Allison's place to warn her about the fact that someone had put her last name on the elevator, and her dad could possibly be the next target.

"Kasey--"

"I don't want to talk right now." I stated as I cut him off. I know that he is worried about me, but if I talk about anything-- I'm going to lose it. I am doing so well with keeping myself under control right now, I can't just let it all slip right now.

He sighed and increased his grip on the steering wheel, "I think you should talk right now."

"If I do, I'm going to break Stiles. I can't do that, I won't do that." I reiterated myself, as I ran my hands over my knees, trying to calm myself down. I'm already getting worked up and I haven't even began to entertain the idea of what could possibly be happening to Scott or my mom right now. And then my damn dad happened to show up tonight. Of all the times for him to pop up in my life, it had to be tonight. The universe hates me, I swear.

Stiles sighed once again, knowing that there was no point in trying to get me to speak for the time being. I will talk to him about all of this, once I feel comfortable enough to just let all of my walls down. Now is not the time for me to check out, I refuse to let the anxiety and my stupid ability make matters worse for me at the moment.

The rest of the car right was silent, and even though I wanted to turn the radio on-- I knew now wasn't the time to let my weird habits reer their head. So, I sat quietly as I sang as many pop songs I could think of in my head, trying to distract myself. For once, Stiles wasn't holding my hand, and my fingers ached to be intertwined with his. Tonight had certainly turned into a disaster.

When he parked the jeep in front of Allison's building, we climbed out and walked inside, again in silence. I wanted to apologize to him, just so I could hear him speak, but I have no reason to apologize. If I don't want to talk, then I don't have to talk. It's that simple. The elevator ride was awkward, and the walk down the hall to their apartment was even more awkward.

Stiles knocked on the wood three times before Allison pulled it open, "Oh thank god you two are alright. Derek said that you stayed at the hospital."

I nodded, "Yeah.. about that. We have something to tell you that pertains to being at the hospital. And well, we need to tell your dad too."

"Okay? Come on in," She took a step back to allow us entrance into her apartment. I can't believe that I had been here this morning. It feels like forever ago with everything that has been happening today.

Stiles then grasped my hand, and I glanced at him, offering him a soft smile. He will never know just how much he helps get me through things by just simply holding my hand. Allison had her hair pulled up into a high ponytail, and I was curious as to why her archery gloves were on and she was holding her bow... what did I miss?

"Dad, we need to talk to you." Allison spoke as soon as Mr. Argent came into view, he was making his way down the hall as well.

I nodded, "We think that you are Jennifer's next target."

"The word is Guardian, Kasey-- and Allison can attest to the fact that I haven't been much of one lately." Mr. Argent remarked as he turned the corner into a dark room, he flicked the lights on and we walked into his little office.

Allison sighed, "But she took Scott and Kasey's mom, and Stiles' dad. It can't be a coincidence."

"Yeah, also consider the fact that someone put your name in large black letters on the elevator doors. It kind of felt like a warning to me." Stiles added.

I watched as Allison walked up to the desk, "I think it might be Morell. She knows a lot more than she is letting on, and she might actually be trying to help us."

"Well she needs to get on that a lot faster, seeing as how the lunar eclipse is nearly two freaking nights away." Stiles rambled as he sat down in one of the chairs, releasing his hold on my hand. I folded my arms over my chest as I glanced at him worriedly, he is becoming unhinged. We can't both be about to lose our minds, because if that happens-- we won't get anything done.

Mr. Argent let out a sigh, "Stiles, don't give up hope."

"They could already be dead." My boyfriend stated. I tried to ignore the pang in my chest at that comment. My mom is not dead. I refuse to believe that she is dead.

Allison's dad shook his head from side to side in disbelief, "I don't think so. There's something about Jennifer's tactics. Like she's still positioning, still moving pieces into place."

"And you're one of them," I pointed out as I glanced at him wearily.

He grabbed a map off the table and sent me a smile, "Then I guess I'll wait around to see her next move. Everything she's done has been on the Telluric Current, so Melissa and the Sheriff have to be somewhere on one of those currents, right? Stiles, if we're going to find them, we need your help."

I turned my head slightly so I could see my boyfriend, he had his elbows resting on his knees and his fingers knotted together. The look on his face told me that I wasn't going to like what he was about to say.

"You seriously want to go after her? I mean what if she just takes you like the others, huh? I mean no offense but what's the difference between you and them?" Stiles snapped.

Mr. Argent lifted up his silver handgun and loaded a clip into it, "I'm carrying a 45. Maybe she can heal from a shot to the leg and a few slashes to the face, but personally I'd like to see how she holds up with half her skull blown off. Now, we've got one priority and that is to find Melissa and your dad. We've got a map and every clue we need to figure this out, the only thing we don't have is time which is why I need all three of you."

Stiles glanced up at him as he let out a sigh, "Where do we start?"

✠

"Okay so let's start with what's different with each way that the body is found. I think the placement has to do with the strength of the current." Mr. Argent stated as he moved the small LED light in his hand over the map, where he had conveniently marked the area's where the bodies had been found.

We all nodded in agreement as he continued, "There's the school, the animal clinic, and the bank."

"Wait a second, she wouldn't use the same place twice would she?" Stiles asked in confusion.

Mr. Argent glanced at him, "Only if she didn't succeed the first time." He then hit the flashlight on the spot of the map where the bank was located.

"Scott's boss." Allison stated.

Her father nodded, "Deaton. So, I have a feeling that could mean something."

"That's just one place so far we're going to need a lot more help." I said with a sigh, already knowing what was to happen next. It was time to call up my psychic partner in crime.

Allison glanced at me wearily, "What about you and Lydia?"

"Wait, what? What can Lydia and Kasey do?" Mr. Argent questioned.

I sighed, "Lydia has a certain talent for finding dead bodies, and I happen to be able to know when she's about to find one based on this weird psychic bond we have."

"So, you two are psychic?" He asked in confusion.

We aren't psychic, but I don't feel like getting into this with him right now. Jennifer called Lydia a Banshee, and well-- I'm an Admonere. So, at least I know that we aren't the same thing, but the question still remains as to why I am able to connect myself to Lydia with such ease, and without cause.

"We're something," I responded quietly.

✠

Do you know those scenes in movies when the characters seem to just pull guns and knives seemingly out of nowhere, and you are just sitting in your seat gawking at how they had managed to hide that much weaponry in their home?

Yeah, well that's what is happening right now in the Argent's apartment.

Stiles and I are standing side by side, gaping at the amount of guns that Allison and her father are pulling out from underneath furniture and out of drawers. We aren't just talking handguns here either, there are several rifles, machine guns, and even an entire case of knives being strewn into the mix.

"I thought you guys were retired?" Stiles asked skeptically as Mr. Argent held up a gun with a large scope to his eyes.

He nodded, "Retired, yes. Defenseless, no. Now make sure your phone is on, if either of you hear from Scott let us know immediately."

My boyfriend glanced at his phone, "Yeah I'm thinking that's gonna be kind of unlikely."

"You guys just remember he is doing what he thinks is right," Mr. Argent stated. It was weird to hear him actually defending my brother's actions after he has tried to kill him on several different occasions.

The sound of shoes squeaking on hardwood drew our attention and we all glanced at the door, "I'm not much with guns but I am getting pretty good with these." Isaac stated as he flashed his claws at us with a smirk on his face.

✠

"I don't believe it. Scott can't really be with them, he can't." Lydia stated. Stiles and myself were currently in her living room, discussing what happened last night and how we need her help.

My jaw clenched as I glared at her, "Lydia he left with him."

"You didn't see the look on his face though, it was just..." Stiles sighed as he tried to explain my brother's betrayal from last night. I have no idea how to handle my anger with him at the moment, but I'm opting out on trying to discuss it.

She glanced at us bother before responding, "What can I do? I mean, I get that I'm some kind of human geiger counter for death but I don't know how to turn it on and off yet. All I know is that when she tried to kill me she--"

Stiles glanced at her in confusion, "What? Lydia, what?"

"When she called me a Banshee, she seemed surprised by it. What if that's not why she tried to kill me." She stated quickly.

I sighed as I ran my hands over my face, "Then why did she?"

"That's what we need to find out."

✠

Walking the school hallways feels so pointless right now. We have much more important things going on in our lives right now that require our full attention, but no-- Stiles, Lydia, and I are at school. This stupid school.

"Aiden isn't texting me back." Lydia said as she struggled to keep up with mine and Stiles' intense pace.

Stiles stopped as he glanced around the hallways, not knowing what else to do. His phone then buzzed and he pulled it out of his pocket, I watched in confusion as his face went slack. Oh god.

"What happened? Oh god." Lydia voiced my own thoughts aloud.

"It's from Issac. Jennifer, she t-- she has Allison's father, she took him. She has all three now." He stammered as he looked up at me.

For some reason, I wasn't panicking about that like I should be. Instead that prick in my spine, telling me that something is wrong, jolted me out of my thoughts. My eyes were locked on Stiles as I watched him shakily put his phone back in his pocket, something isn't right. Something is wrong.

"There's still time, right?" Lydia asked, completely unaware that Stiles was shattering. I don't know how, but I can feel it.

He started to blink rapidly as he turned around, "Oh-- oh." He struggled to breathe properly as he continued to glance around.

"Stiles? Kasey what's wrong with him?" She asked nervously.

"I think I'm having a panic attack," He answered as his hands continued to shake. The roles in our relationship had switched, drastically. I'm usually the one that can't function and is having issues with attacks-- but now it's him, and I need to help him, just like he has helped me so many times in the past.

I quickly grabbed his hand and pulled him out of the crowded hallway in the locker room, he was sucking in air as I pulled his back-pack off of his shoulder. The wheezing sound that he was making only increased my need to help him.

"Babe, come on. Sit down." I instructed as I gently pushed him towards the ground. I ran my hands over my face nervously as I tried to think of how to help him.

"Try to think about something else, anything else." Lydia proposed as she stumbled beside us.

Stiles continued his struggle as he rasped out, "Like what?"

"Happy things, good things, friends, family--" The look we both gave her shut her up. "Hold your breath, I read somewhere that is helps if you hold your breath!" She rushed out.

"I--I can't." He coughed out.

And that was when it hit me. I grabbed his face and pressed my lips to his, that sharp intake of breath that he always takes when he kisses me was there, and I felt his chest finally fall in relief. His eyes squeezed shut as he gripped the material of my shirt in his hands tightly, he was unraveling.

"How did you do that?" He whispered as he rested his forehead against mine, he was finally breathing normally again.

This was it. After all of this time, I was finally going to reveal to him that every time our lips touch he holds his breath. I was finally going to share this small piece of information that was just my own.

"You always hold your breath whenever you kiss me, and... Lydia said to hold your breath and I--I thought it would work." I admitted quietly.

He seemed confused by my statement, "I do?"

I nodded, "You always have."

"Thanks... that was really smart." He said quietly, offering a small smile.

I smiled in return, "I didn't really know what else to do."

He then wrapped his arms around me and pulled me against his chest, squeezing me tightly. I returned the gesture, feeling all of the pent up anxiety and stress inside of me melt away at his embrace. I finally understand what he meant when he told me that I help him get through things that no one else can. I can finally comprehend what he meant after all of this time, all the while I had no idea that he has done the same for me. He has always been the only one to help me get through things.

"If she was really smart, she would tell you sign up for a few sessions with the guidance counselor." Lydia chuckled, obviously feeling a bit awkward.

Stiles then went tense in my hold and pulled back, "Morell."

I nodded and we all stood up and bolted to her office. She would have some answers, and we needed as many of those as we could get at the moment. The hallways were empty, and when we busted through the door of her office, there was already a student sitting in the chair, but Morell was nowhere to be found.

"Are you here for Ms. Morell?" I asked her.

She sent me an annoyed look, "No. I thought this was gym class."

"Sweetheart, we're not in the mood for funny. Do you know where she is?" Lydia interjected, quickly coming to my defense. Maybe she wasn't such a bad friend after all.

The girl gestured to the empty desk, "If I did I wouldn't be waiting here for twenty minutes. So how about you three back up out the door, and wait your turn."

"We're not here for a session." Lydia replied.

"Well I am, and I've got some serious issues to work on." She sassed back.

I flung my arms over my chest, "Obviously."

"Hey, hey-- wait. You're Danielle, you're Heather's best friend." Stiles stated as the recognition of the girl finally dawned on him.

She sighed, "I was Heather's best friend. We've been working on that issue three times a week."

"Hang on, did you say that Ms. Morell is twenty minutes late?" Lydia quipped.

Danielle nodded, "Yes. And I don't understand why, she always on time."

Lydia nodded as well as she turned to face Stiles and myself, "I was seeing her at the beginning of the semester, she was never late."

"Well if she's not late then she's missing," Stiles said quietly.

I nodded to myself, "We obviously aren't the only one's who think she know's something."

Stiles then made his way behind her desk, "Well I want to know what she knows." He remarked as he began to dig through her drawers.

Danielle sat up a bit alarmed, "What are you doing?"

"Trying to find her." Stiles muttered as he started digging through the drawer with all of the files.

"Those are private," Danielle stated.

Lydia nodded, "Yeah she's kind of right."

My boyfriend then snatched up a file and handed it to Lydia, "That one's your's."

I watched as Lydia grabbed it from him and began to flip through the papers, only to find that they were all just countless drawings of tree's. I glanced at it in confusion, "Lydia it's your tree."

Danielle glanced at it, "Yeah and it's a good one too."

"Thank you," Lydia smiled.

I shook my head from side to side, "No. That's the same one that you always draw."

Lydia nodded slowly, "I like drawing tree's."

I groaned as I started digging through her bag and pulled out her notebook, "No look, it's literally the same tree." Stiles stood up to get a better look at all of the pictures that I was flipping through. Every tree appeared to be identical.

Danielle grabbed her bag, "Alright you can have my session. You have bigger problems." She retorted as she made a hasty exit.

"What is this?" Lydia asked fearfully.

Stiles then grabbed the notebook out of my hand and turned it upside down. It wasn't a tree that Lydia had been drawing, it was roots of a tree. I don't know how he knew that, but he did. And that means that this is a piece to the puzzle of Jennifer and the sacrifices.

_________________________________________________________________________

i have been waiting so long to do the panic attack scene. omg. i only have the season finale left and then i am all caught up with 3a. how crazy is that?!

fan, vote, and comment!!!!!xxx