Forty-Three

SIERRA FOUND IT CONCERNING HOW EASY IT WAS TO SLIP INTO THE HOSPITAL.

After all the supernatural damage done in the past, Sierra at least expected to run into a few security guards. However, because of Melissa, she walked inside with Lydia and Stiles perfectly fine.

They headed down the back staircase, darkness greeting them when they made it to the bottom. Sierra nervously flicked her gaze to her strawberry-blonde friend.

Lydia held a determined look in her eyes and she walked with a mission in mind. The Dread Doctors were in the operating room, they had to have been. She wanted to know who they were messing with and why.

Stiles led the way with his phone flashlight. Then, when they reached their destination, he pushed through the door.

Only one light was on, giving the teenagers a dim view of the room. A patient's chair sat in the middle, surrounded by medical trays. Different cabinets were pushed against the wall and shelves were stocked with medicine of all sorts.

Sierra swept her eyes over the space as Lydia asked Stiles to turn on the lights. Like Lydia, she desired to know what the Dread Doctors were doing in the hospital. Except because she still hadn't experienced her repressed memory, she acted with more caution. Her hand remained slightly poised at her side in case something went wrong.

"Uh, not going on," Stiles reported, referring to the lights. No matter how many times he flicked the switch, they stayed off.

"Just go ask someone," Lydia said, walking further into the room.

Stiles furrowed his eyebrows. "I thought this was more of an auditory thing?" he asked.

"I still want to see what I'm hearing."

Stiles exchanged weird glances with Sierra, who shrugged her shoulders. When Lydia got into her banshee daze, she only understood so much. "Okay?"

"Try Melissa," Sierra suggested to him. "When I called her on the way over, she said she'd be on the third floor if we needed anything."

Stiles nodded and backed away to the door. "Okay. I'll be back then."

He left, leaving Sierra and Lydia alone. The true empath stationed herself at the door and leaned against the frame, remaining silent so Lydia could focus on her powers. The banshee didn't know exactly what she was listening for, but tuned in her ears nonetheless. Her feet moved slowly about the area, until she froze.

A beep.

Quiet and slow at first, creating a rhythm Lydia recognized. She turned her head, her sight falling to the heart monitor posted by the operating chair.

Sierra glanced away from the door just to see the dazed glaze over her eyes. Her breath hitched as she watched Lydia slowly make her way to the other side of the room.

Lydia narrowed her focus, concentrating solely on the heart monitor. It continued to beep, though it remained unplugged. A click faded in. An electric buzz that raised goosebumps on Lydia's arms.

"Hayden," the robotic voice of a Dread Doctor whispered. "Hayden."

Lydia swallowed hard.

Her hand reached down, picking up the wires hanging from the machine. Then, she saw everything.

Reality glitched.

A terrified boy she didn't know sat in the chair, his wrists and ankles bound. Even another leather band strapped his head. Tears trickled down his pale cheeks as he begged, "Please don't hurt me. Please, please don't hurt me."

A dread doctor loomed over him, the sharp tool in his gloved hand inching closer to the boy's torso. The Surgeon.

Lydia felt weak at seeing his skin being pulled back, a dark blue glow emitting from his organs. All three Dread Doctors clicked--in anger or disappointment she couldn't tell. "Your condition worsens," one said.

Lydia watched in horror, unable to look away.

From where she stood the doorway, Sierra saw Lydia freeze. In her eyes, there weren't any dread doctors or a boy sobbing in a chair. Lydia was alone, her mouth agape--too petrified to move.

Sierra stepped towards Lydia in concern, but a voice called out.

"Sierra, you've got to stay awake for me, okay?"

She stopped.

Her head turned back to the door and tilted to the side.

"But it hurts," a smaller voice slurred, breaking in two.

Sierra marched over to the door, pushing it open with one hand. She stopped in the middle of the dark hallway, whipping her eyes around. Her chest tightened as the voices grew, her feet leading her away from Lydia.

"I know, little sis, I know...but you've got to stay awake, alright? Mom and Dad are coming, so you've got to stay awake."

A sharp pain ripped through her right leg. The sheer feeling made Sierra stumble, her body falling against the hospital wall. Her vision clouded, her knuckles turning white from how tightly she gripped the railing. Looking down, she cried out.

Blood. So much blood.

"It hurts," she heard the small voice cry again. "Jemma, it hurts."

Sierra fell, unable to support herself as sweat dripped down her forehead. Her palms slammed against the ground, dead autumn leaves stirring up from the impact. She could make out tall trees above her, their bare limbs stretching across the preserve.

One girl leaned over where Sierra laid, her face blurred. But Sierra felt comfort in her presence. "What happened?" the girl suddenly questioned, Sierra groaning. "Did he follow you?"

"No," a boy's voice flitted through Sierra's ears. "He just took off."

"Deucalion never just takes off," the girl argued in a hushed whisper.

"Well he did this time." There was a pause before he asked, "Is she okay?"

"I don't know." The girl sounded terrified. "I'm trying to get the bleeding to stop but nothing's working."

Sierra whimpered, squeezing her eyes shut.

"No, no, no," the girl rushed out and Sierra felt a hand grab hers. "Sierra, open your eyes."

A sob escaped Sierra, the burning sensation from her leg radiating all the way up her small body. She couldn't see the flesh shredded against her calf, the deep claw marks reaching all the way up to her knee.

"Open your eyes," the boy repeated, just as desperate as his counterpart. His voice was thick, "Sierra, it's me. Your DerBear, remember?"

Sierra didn't respond. She just kept crying. Her leg felt numb now.

"We gotta get her to my mom," the girl decided. "Can you carry her?"

The boy answered, "Yeah, I got her."

Sierra felt herself being lifted up, and she curled her body into the chest of whomever carried her. "You're okay, Sierra," the boy soothed. "You're going to be okay. Just hold on for us. Hold on."

"Sierra?"

She shook her head, unable to see anything through her tears.

"Sierra!"

Sierra's eyes sprang open, her heart pounding. Two arms kept her from sitting up too quickly as she lurched forward, trying to decipher where she was.

Her focus fell to Malia, who stared down worriedly. "What the hell happened to you?"

Sierra took a moment to respond, catching her breath.

She saw the white walls and felt the tile floor underneath her. Beeping of monitors and the chitchat between nurses filled the air.

Her body relaxed at the realization. She was back at the hospital.

Remembering she hadn't answered Malia, she stuttered, "R-repressed memory."

Malia's face washed over with understanding and she nodded. "Yeah, that makes sense. I'd ask you about it, but we have another problem."

Sierra snapped into focus. "What's wrong?"

"Scott, Theo, and I discovered another chimera," Malia said as she helped Sierra to her feet. "Some electrical wires in the school basement were completely destroyed. That's why the lights kept flickering all day."

"Kira and I didn't do it, so that's good," Sierra replied, before she fully processed Malia's words. "Wait--what? If it was at the school, why are you here?"

"Scott remembered his mom saying there were electrical issues at the hospital, so we thought we'd check it out to be safe," Malia told her. "And to check on you, Lydia and Stiles."

"So what you're saying is..."

"Yeah," Malia sighed, seeing the distress in Sierra's eyes. "The chimera is at the hospital."

"Well that's just perfect."

*^*^*^*^*^*

Just like Sierra told him, Stiles found Melissa on the third floor.

Dressed in her scrubs, she was in the middle of doing her rounds when the boy approached. Stiles didn't waste a moment in explaining the situation downstairs.

Luckily, Melissa had an answer for the lack of light. "We've been having issues for the last hour," she informed him. "Maintenance is coming to check it out. For now, that floor is down to backup lighting." She paused to grab a folder from outside a patient's door. "I thought you said this was more of a hearing thing?"

"Auditory," Stiles nodded.

Melissa shot him a weird look. "Yeah."

She continued to walk, Stiles wittily commenting, "It's also more of a Lydia thing."

"Well you guys shouldn't worry about it," Melissa brushed off his concern. "I'm sure everything's fine."

"I guess I'll head back downstairs then," Stiles sighed. "I'll see you later."

Melissa bid him goodbye, and within moments, Stiles found himself getting back inside the elevator. A stressed hand ran through his thick hair after he pressed a button. At this point, he was ready to head home and sleep the rest of the week away. The day had dragged far too long in his opinion.

However, as his eyes landed on another figure in the elevator, he knew luck wasn't on his side.

A woman, in the corner, with her head down. Her dark brown hair covered her face, and she barely came to Stiles's shoulders wearing a hospital gown. She didn't say a word, even as the elevator doors reopened.

Stiles kept an eye on her as she brushed past him, feeling an ache in his heart.

He knew her.

There was no other explanation. No other reason why he suddenly felt grief wash him over.

Stiles stepped forward, moving to follow the woman. She walked eerily, but the nurses and doctors didn't spare her a second glance. Like a ghost, she flickered farther ahead and suddenly turned the corner.

Stiles quickened his space.

He couldn't help but wonder...hoping and holding onto the idea that she was his--

"Mom?"

Stiles rushed to find where she went. Somehow, he ended up on the roof. The black sky looked hopeless without stars and there was an icy breeze that made Stiles shiver. His breath got caught in his throat as he finally found her.

She stood on top of a concrete platform, lingering dangerously close to the edge.

"Mom?" Stiles choked out. The woman didn't react. She just stared forward, lost in her own world. "Mom, what're you doing?"

"Claudia?"

Stiles jumped as his father appeared over his left shoulder. Noah's expression was grim and he ran over to his wife, ignoring Stiles. His voice softened when he got to the ladder, "What're you doing up there?"

Claudia finally turned, her eyes watering. "I, I couldn't stand to be in that room anymore." She stepped down to a lower section, next to the air conditioning units. "Not," she shook her head, "Not with him looking at me like that."

Stiles's lips parted, but he didn't utter a sound. He couldn't. His stomach twisted and he felt weak in the knees. How was his mom standing in front of him?

"Claudia," Noah said her name gently, but she kept shaking her head.

"He's trying to hurt me," Claudia swore. Her breaths became staggered and her fingers trembled. Noah moved carefully towards her. "I, I don't care if you don't believe me, but he is. He's trying to kill me," she cried.

Noah soothed his wife, reaching out to grab her hand laying at her side. "Claudia, you know that's not true. Come on down."

Noah helped her get off the platform, her grip tightening on his hand. Once she was safely on the ground, he didn't hesitate to wrap her in a hug. She clung to him and started to cry. "You have to remind yourself it's the disease," he said quietly. Noah rubbed her shoulders. "Remember what the dementia does. It gives you delusions. It makes you think people are out to get you...."

Stiles swallowed hard, blinking back his own tears. He hated remembering this version of his mom. She wasn't like that. Barely able to think clearly, and overtaken by her own thoughts.

No, the woman he remembered held the kindest soul. She had an intelligence beyond compare. However, that isn't who stood in front of him.

"No," Claudia disagreed and gulped. "You don't see the way he looks at me--"

"He's ten years old," Noah reminded her of their son.

"He's trying to kill me."

Stiles felt his heart stop. Her dark eyes glared at him. He stumbled back from the shock.

How could she see him?

He adverted his eyes, but then only felt more panic rush through his veins. His shadow cast from the emergency light--too small and too young to be his.

Stiles inhaled sharply, looking back up to his parents.

"Stop," Claudia said as soon as he glanced her way. She wrestled in Noah's grip. "Stop looking at me like that!"

She tore away from Noah, and screamed, "STOP LOOKING AT ME!"

Then, she attacked her son. Slapping her palms and beating his chest to get him to go away.

Stiles defensively covered his face, curling away from her. "Mom, what're you--" He didn't finish. Stiles fell onto his back, her nails scratching his skin. He yelled in protest but he couldn't escape.

Teeth. He saw rows and rows of sharp teeth.

Suddenly, his mom completely disappeared. Replaced by an angry chimera with rage in his eyes. Stiles didn't know who he was but didn't have time to dwell on it.

It was obvious the monstrous teenager wasn't a werewolf, due to the electrical energy spewing from the wires he had chewed. However, he still had claws and strength to launch Stiles across the roof.

Stiles collapsed into a concrete wall, pain shooting up his spine. He tried to dodge the swings that came next, but fell trapped in a corner.

A ferocious roar echoed in the air, an strong hand catching the chimera's hand before he could injure Stiles more. Stiles managed to see Theo's eyes swirl gold, his fangs grinding together.

With one solid punch to the chest, the kid went flying.

Theo raced after him, landing perfectly on his feet as the chimera stood back up. The two battled tirelessly, neither one getting the upper hand.

Stiles stayed where he was, only moving to avoid electrocution. He watched, completely shaken, as Theo twisted the chimera's arm behind his back. The bones cracked. Yet The didn't stop there.

With his other hand, he gripped the teenager's throat, his claws digging into his neck.

Stiles scrambled to stand, recognizing the crazed gleam in Theo's eyes. An image that strikingly resembled one of Peter Hale.

His mouth dropped open in protest, and he went to scream.

But it didn't matter.

One swipe. That's all it took.

Stiles struggled to breathe at the sight before him. Theo's hand...completely drenched in red. The boy, now lifeless on the ground.

"Stiles," Theo called out to him, still transformed.

Stiles couldn't look away from the horror. The chimera was just a kid, one Stiles recognized when he saw his face.

Josh Diaz. A junior from school.

"Stiles," Theo tried again. "You can't say anything. Please, don't say anything."

Stiles finally lifted his eyes and looked at Theo like he was a complete maniac. "Why not?"

"Because I never said anything about Donovan."

*^*^*^*^*^*

Scott often wondered how he ended up in particular--somewhat terrifying--situations.

When he split off from Theo and Malia, finding his mom remained top priority. The other two were supposed to locate Stiles, Sierra and Lydia to make sure they hadn't run into the chimera.

However, the moment he stepped off the elevator, the game changed.

A dread doctor slammed him against a wall. Scott's eyes widened as it pressed its hand against his neck. He gasped, his feet scrambling inches off the ground.

The lights flickered from its mere presence, and Scott recognized it to be the one who killed Lucas. The Pathologist.

Scott struggled, unable to break free as it raised its other hand. A blue glow emitted from the fingertips and then, Scott saw white.

The electricity surged, blurring his vision and throwing him into shock. He fumbled to retrieve his inhaler, but failed once it slipped through his fingers.

The Pathologist roughly grabbed him by the collar and threw him to the ground--not even letting him breathe. Scott watched helplessly as it crushed his inhaler with its boot, a smoke puffing out.

He felt frozen, his body twitching while he failed to get air in his lungs.

The dread doctor attacked him again.

This time, he was hoisted high and he wrestled to loosen the grip on his throat. But nothing worked. Black dots appeared in the corners of his eyes and he knew he was running out of time.

Then the elevator opened.

Malia growled, her fangs poking out from her mouth. Sierra stood to her right, her eyes swirling silver with red tendrils dancing around her hands.

Scott looked at them in desperation.

Without missing a beat, Sierra launched a ball of kinetic energy towards the dread doctor. It should've been knocked off its feet. However, the supernatural scientist only stumbled back.

Sierra, though surprised, continued her fight. One orb after another, Sierra threw them as hard as she could. The Pathologist dropped Scott, the true alpha coughing and sputtering after hitting the floor. With every blast from Sierra, the dread doctor stepped back.

Sierra only stopped when Scott was safely behind her, and Malia sprinted forward to take over.

Malia kicked her heel into the Pathologist's chest, forcing it to stay away from Scott. Then, with every punch and kick, she tried to take it down.

Sierra focused on helping Melissa get Scott back in the elevator. He was still clutching his heart, eyes wide and glazed with fear. His mom pulled something from her pocket and he choked, "Wait, what is that?!"

"A bronchodialator, it'll work," she assured her son and then jammed it into his leg. Scott winced, gripping the railing above him.

Sierra glanced back to see Malia struggling now, the dread doctor grabbing her wrist mid-swing.

"Malia, run!" Melissa shouted at the werecoyote as Sierra stepped outside the elevator. "Wait, Sierra, what're you doing--"

Malia managed to escape the Pathologist, who obviously was more frustrated than before. It stalked after her as she took off sprinting, trying to get to the others. Malia noticed Sierra, and automatically knew what to do.

Sierra flung out her hands, aiming a seismic wave strictly at the dread doctor while Malia slide onto the elevator. The whole hallways shook as the energy ripped by the walls. Yet right as it made contact with the Pathologist, the dread doctor raised its own arms.

It didn't fall, and certainly wasn't thrown back.

The gloves that electrocuted Scott once more glowed a bright blue, almost catching the energy and holding it.

So Sierra pushed harder.

She backed herself into the elevator, grinding her teeth. The dread doctor tilted its head. Sierra felt her arms grow weary, but didn't give up. Not until they were out of harm's way.

Scott noticed Sierra falter. "Mom, close it!" he shouted through a cough. "Close the door!"

Melissa quickly pushed the button, and with a help of Malia, forcefully attempted to close the door on their own.

The dread doctor got closer.

"I freaking hate these guys," Sierra growled, and dropped her arms. Yet she still didn't stop. She just switched tactics. Her fingers spewed red, a force field appearing in front of the elevator right as the dread doctor reached them.

It pounded against the bright energy, hitting harder with every punch.

But it didn't matter.

Melissa and Malia closed the door.

Everyone sighed with relief. Scott looked up at his friends wide-eyed. "We never should have read that book."

"You think?" Sierra wittily snapped, hunched over with her hands on her knees. Melissa worriedly straightened her back, seeing the girl's pale skin and sunken eyes. Rapid breaths escaped her.

"Sierra?" the nurse called out. "Are you alright?"

"I'm," Sierra struggled to speak. She fell to her knees, pressing one hand against the tile.

Malia crouched down beside Sierra, seeing her squeeze her eyes shut. "Sierra, what's wrong?"

Sierra's mind spun, Malia sounding a million miles away. The muscles in her arms ached, and her heart pounded in her ears.

A whimper tumbled from her lips.

Everything hurt.

"Mom, what's going on with her?" Scott asked, panic filling his voice.

"I-I don't know."

Sleep. Sierra needed sleep.

It had been an emotional day, Sierra breaking down far more than she liked. And now, she physically couldn't take it anymore.

She collapsed further, her head lolling to the ride. Her eyes fluttered shut, and she gave into what she needed.

Scott shouted the second her body fell limp.

"Sierra!"

*^*^*^*^*^*

Unaware of what happened downstairs, Stiles tried not to have a panic attack of his own. He stood frozen on the roof, Josh's dead body to his left.

Theo remained a few feet away, his eyes flicking back to hazel and his fangs disappearing. "I know what happened to Donovan," he repeated. "I know everything."

And just like that, Stiles exploded.

He stalked forward, grabbing Theo by his shirt and shoving him against the fence.

Since Theo returned, Stiles put up with his annoyingly charming act. He ignored the attempts Theo made at friendship, denied him any chance at coming close to him and Sierra. Theo was a bad guy deep down, and the words he spoke only proved Stiles's unwavering belief.

"You don't know anything," Stiles said coldly, his voice thick.

But Theo noticed Stiles's tears. Using his werewolf strength, he switched the situation. Now, Stiles glared daggers with the metal pressed against his back.

Theo held him there.

"I was there," Theo snapped back. "I was at the library." Stiles struggled against his grip but Theo didn't let him move. "Sierra already left to help Scott when Malia asked where you were. Sierra said she left you at the library. I told her I was close. I heard the scaffolding come down."

"You saw him?" Stiles whispered in disbelief.

"Just the body."

Stiles swallowed hard, his jaw locking into place. But he lowered his hands from where he had been clutching Theo's shirt.

Theo released Stiles's arms and continued to explain. "I watched you come out. I was going to say something but I saw the cop car..." He sighed heavily. "Then the body was gone."

Stiles narrowed his eyes.

"Look, I don't know who took him," Theo knew what mindset Stiles had. "I only saw what you saw and I didn't say anything because you didn't."

Stiles held back a scowl, but then his expression shifted into one of worry. Sirens echoed in the distance, getting louder with every passing second.

Theo heard them too. "It's not an ambulance, is it?" he asked.

Stiles shook his head. He couldn't find the words to speak as he stepped away from the werewolf. Too much had just went down.

His fingers trembled so he curled them into tight fists, digging his nails into his palms. His eyes darted around the roof, and he gulped when they landed on Josh.

Theo spoke, "We should get out of here."

Stiles turned back around. "We," Stiles cleared his throat to disagree. "We can't just leave him."

"Fine." Theo didn't care what they did, as long as they fled the scene. "Let's take him. Someone's stealing the bodies anyways, right? Here's our chance to find out who."

Stiles stayed quiet, too focused on how Josh had fallen. His claws were clean--no blood. The chimera hadn't hurt Theo at all.

"Stiles, come on," Theo urged desperately. "We've gotta do something."

Too calm, Stiles observed. Theo was acting way too calm despite the situation. He just wanted to leave. His voice wasn't thick with guilt, and he stood firm--showing no remorse for his actions. Almost as if he had done it before.

"You killed him," Stiles muttered, barely above a whisper.

But Theo had an answer prepared. "In self-defense!"

Stiles's mouth parted as he let out a scoff of disbelief.

"He was going to kill you and me," Theo said sharply. "If we stay, we're either going to have to tell the truth or come up with a convincing story."

Stiles bit down on his lower lip to hide his scowl. He knew Theo was right; they had to leave.

But he hated how the werewolf looked at him and said, "It's your choice. I'm not going to ask you to lie to your dad."

"Don't worry. I've had plenty of practice."

*^*^*^*^*

Hayden Romero.

In Liam's mind, she went from angry sixth-grader to girl who hates me to girl who is really cute. And now, he had another transition to make.

One that completely freaked him out in every way possible.

Hayden was a chimera.

His original plan was to give her more money he earned, flirt a little and then head home. However, a conversation he overheard showed him that every penny Hayden earned went towards her medication. She said it was from a kidney transplant, costing two hundred dollars a bottle.

She worked at Sinema so her older sister, Deputy Clark, didn't have to pay for all of it.

This set off warning bells in the beta's mind. So, he put his theory to the test.

He broke a glow stick and held it up to Hayden's eyes. If they shone a familiar hue, she was a chimera. This would lead him to explain the supernatural. If they didn't, he would accept the torture from Hayden afterwards.

And boy did her eyes shine.

However, Liam still ended up being tortured.

"Hayden, wait!" he called out, following her out of Sinema into the parking lot.

Hayden kept walking to her car, spitting angrily, "Asking me to close my eyes was weird. Sticking a glow stick in my face is even weirder, but werewolves and dead doctors?"

"Dread doctors," Liam corrected, wincing when she glared at him.

"Whatever. Get away from me."

Hayden turned to her car, opening the driver's seat while Liam begged her to listen. "What if I could prove it to you?"

She whipped her head around. "Prove what?"

Liam sighed. "This." He glanced down, letting his fangs sprout and his eyes glow. He lifted his head and let out a growl.

Except he didn't get the reaction he expected.

Hayden screamed, her fist flying and punching Liam in the face.

Liam fell to the gravel with a groan, blood dripping down from his nose. Hayden quickly got into her car and sped off, leaving him in the dust. "Well," he grunted, blinking rapidly so the dots in his eyes would disappear, "that could've gone better."

Liam forced himself to his feet, a sigh escaping when he glanced down the road where Hayden disappeared. He knew he had to go after her. If she was a chimera, that meant she was in danger. The dread doctors could appear at any moment.

He broke out into a sprint when he spotted her car stopped in the middle of the road. What alarmed him more was three figures, marching side by side. The street lamp above them surged and a familiar clicking entered Liam's ears.

The dread doctors.

"Hayden." Liam ran faster as they chanted her name. "Hayden."

He saw her struggling to get out, screaming when the glass of her window cracked. Liam leaped onto the roof of the car and landed on the hood. Using his strength, he broke the windshield that trapped her. He then tossed it aside and glanced back at Hayden, holding out his hand.

She looked petrified, her eyes wide and her body trembling.

"Come on," he urged and she snapped out of her trance. She quickly grabbed his hand and he pulled her up.

Then, they took off running and never looked back.