Chapter Text
The night was dark and windy, the rain was heavy outside and the thunder roared. Scott was troubled after the last few days, his life seemed to have become some sort of fairy tale, a horror one. He didn´t want to think much further on the implications of the whole bite thing. What if Stiles was right? What if he was now some sort of monster?
The encounter with that guy earlier didn`t help either. It was kind of unsettling, like he was staring into his soul. He was vaguely familiar, but as his best friend pointed out, he was few years older, he must have seen him at school or high school at some stage on the halls.
His thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. Why not ring the bell? Right, it broke last week and they kept saying they would get it fixed, but there was not time or money so far to do so. He sighed, dragging himself to the door.
He was not ready for what he saw when he opened the door. A dark figure dressed in all black was at the front, looking directly at him. He knew that face but hadn’t set eyes upon in years. He took a few seconds to react.
-Val? –he finally managed, still confused, thinking his eyes were playing tricks on him.
-Scott? Jeez you’ve grown! You’ll be taller than me soon- She said after studying him for a few moments. –Can I come in?- she requested. She was soaking from the rain outside, despite the coat and the big hood.
-Sure- he nodded and made a side to let her in. She took the heavy coat to hang it to dry and turned to him. It felt strange, like a fever dream. He didn’t picture her at all in this hallway again.
-Scott, who is it?- his mother’s voice took him out the trance.
-Mom, you wouldn’t believe me if I told you…- he started and he could hear his mother steps approaching.
A soft gasp came from his mother, frozen in place, the laundry she was carrying fell from her hands.
-Hola mami- Valery finally greeted her with a soft smile.
-Ay mi niña!- Melissa ran to her daughter to squeeze her, thinking if she blinked too fast she would vanish. She kissed her cheeks. –Why don´t you call anymore? You know we miss you. Very rarely visiting… You never called to tell you were coming! I know you must be busy but… - Melissa stopped to have a proper look at her. – You look tired. Are you even eating properly? – she frowned.
-That is a lot of questions in a row- she laughed.
-So what are you doing here anyway?- Scott crossed his arms.
- Excuse me? Scott you didn’t even greet your sister- Melissa looked at her son, ashamed of his reaction.
-You don’t have to- Valery was quick to add. – I wish this was a happy visit, but I am here for a funeral.
- A funeral?- Melissa was surprised. – Haven’t heard of anyone possibly passing that we know- she added after thinking for a few moments.
Scott looked at his sister. She seemed distraught and her eyes were red and puffy like she had been crying. The make up helped cover it, but he could tell.
-Laura Hale is dead- she managed to get out.
-Oh honey!- Melissa took her in another hug to comfort her.
Scott felt dizzy as the pieces connected on his head. Hale. Derek Hale. Laura Hale. He remembered her, tall, brunette, confident, always with Valery, same as he was with Stiles. He remembered Valery and Laura laughing and joking in this very spot, Laura’s face lighted by some comment as his mother tried to rush the three of them out for the match. And all of the sudden those eyes were not bright and that face was unexpressive as it laid face down on the forest, covered in blood, torn in half.
He tried to fight the nausea coming up from his stomach, he really did, but he found himself rushing to the sink, incapable of hold it in. Holly fuck, that was Laura Hale he found on the woods. No wonder that dude was so pissed about him being near to where they found her, he knew he had been there. Maybe he thought he had something to do with all that? Another wave of nausea came down from his gut.
-Scott are you ok?- his mother called.
-Yeah, it must be something I ate earlier- he turned to face them. Valery frowned a bit looking at him. –When is the funeral?
-I am not sure, but shouldn’t be hard to find out- Valery sighed.
-Here, dry yourself. We’ll find out- Melissa assured.
-Thanks mum- she gave her a sad smile.
-I am sorry to hear. I know she was your best friend- Scott finally managed, feeling a bit shit for how he gave her the cold shoulder earlier. He approached to hug his sister, which was appreciated. She smelled of sandalwood, it was nice and calming.
-Thank you- she whispered.
-Did you keep in contact with her?- he wanted to know.
-Yeah, we wrote here and there. We were going to meet next month for her birthday. I guess not anymore- she said with sad eyes. He nodded. Valery didn´t keep much contact with anybody since she left Beacon Hills, so if she kept talking with Laura that was a lot to say. She rarely called or visited them, maybe on the holidays. Sometimes it was easy to forget he had a sister at all.
-I saw her brother the other day- he blurted out of nowhere. If Stiles was present that would have gained him a warning look, he knew that.
-How was he?- she wanted to know.
-Grumpy
-You can’t really blame him- she reasoned- I would be if I was on his shoes. Did he mention anything about any funeral or memorial?- she wanted to know. That eased his tension. She didn’t know about the forest.
-It was a very brief interaction- he shrugged.
She nodded to this pensive. All of the sudden her attention was back to him, making him jump on his skin. Her eyes piercing him through like Derek’s earlier. The black eyeliner framing them was not helping either.
-Are you sure you are ok? You seem… different- she frowned.
-You are staying here for long?- their mother’s voice made them jump on their seats.
-I’m not sure yet, but I can get a room in a hostel if that is a problem- Valerie’s attention was back on their mother and he could finally breathe.
Melissa looked like she spit on her face.
-Of course not! You room has a few boxes now, but is still as you left it last time. This is your house, it seems like you are forgetting- she put her hands on her hips.
Valery sighed.
-No, I didn’t mean it that way, mami I know you are working and it’s busy here, didn’t want to offend you, I know I am welcome here- that seemed to apace the woman.
-Let me get you something to eat. Scott, you need to tidy that room before I lose my mind and put all on the trash, and you know I will- she warned before disappearing to the laundry room. That was just uncalled for.