I can't sleep. I have too much anxiety in me to sleep. Tomorrow is when I try out for the Protectors and it's…  God it's annoying…

Why am I even doing this though? I mean I don't have to! My parents never prepared me to fight the supernatural. They let me in the loop because we were always surrounded by supernatural beings, they normalised the concept for me but they never wanted me to join the forces and fight off supernaturals.

I don't have to do this. I don't want to do this. This is stupid. Why can't things go back to normal? I feel the tears forming in my eyes as I try to hold them back but then I realise I was alone, no one's going to know I'm crying so I just let it go. 

I was a little surprised by the sudden sound of my phone. I know my ringtone but this late at night when everything's quiet, it kinda scared me. 

I picked it up from my side table and saw the screen flashing with an incoming call. 

Dad. The name flashed and I chuckled. Of course, he would know I'm crying. It is like that with us, every time I'm scared, crying or feeling lonely, he always gets a feeling. It's weird but it always happens. If he's around he'd come to and if he's away he'd call me right away no matter the time or place. 

I accepted the call and put the phone next to my ear. 

"You were crying, weren't you?" He asked. 

I sniffled and wiped my face with my hand as I lightly chuckled. 

I guess that answered his question. 

"It's Derek's fault, isn't it? What did he say to you? God, I can not believe him after I specifically told him-" 

"Dad, calm down." I said, interrupting him. "It's not Derek's fault. I was just feeling under the weather." 

"Did something happen?" He asked. 

I shook my head and then realized he couldn't see me. 

"Nothing happened. I just miss home. You and mom. Don't get me wrong, Meemaw is spoiling me way too much but…" 

"I get it." His voice was low. "I miss home too." He was quiet for some time. "We're gonna get through this, Ali. I promise we all can go back home."

"Any news from Mom?" I asked and I could hear him sigh heavily on the other side. 

"Nothing." He said and I sighed back. "But we're getting somewhere."

"Dad." I said. 

"Yes?" 

"I'm joining the Protectors." I said and there was silence on the other side. 

"Derek put this in your head, didn't he?" He asked. "I told him to keep you away from-" 

"I feel useless." I interrupted him. 

"Ali, you're not useless. I told you to focus on your studies. That's more important right now." 

"It's not! I don't care if I pass or fail or even drop out of school. I don't care. I just want to find mom. I want to bring her back home." I felt the tears forming again. 

That's true I'm scared out of my wits to be joining the Protectors but I do realize how crucial it is for everyone to help. She is a Banshee and if every Banshee is missing that means something big is going to happen. Something very big and bad. 

"It's okay, sweetie." He said. "If that's what you feel you have to do then I won't stop you. But be careful, I won't be able to cope well if anything happens to you."

"I'll be careful. I promise." I said. 

"Anyways, Scott is heading to Beacon Hills tomorrow." He said. 

"Why?" I asked with concern. 

"Well, it's nothing to be scared about. He just wants to check on things there. He'll be staying with the Hales."

"The Hales? Can't he stay with me and Meemaw?" I nagged and he let out a little chuckle.

"He's coming with a few of his betas. He needs space and Hales has it." He said and I sighed. 

"I'll tell him to stop by your grandma's house to see you. Does that work?" He asked and I lit up with joy. 

Heck yeah that works! I don't want to go back to the Hale mansion. First, I don't want to see Abel, second I got attacked by some werewolf girl. I think her name was Tori or something and third…  well I don't have a third reason.. No wait, the Hale mansion is way out of town. I can't really commute there without being able to drive my jeep that is still in the Hale mansion. 

"When am I getting the jeep?" I said abruptly.

"When you're old enough." 

"I am old enough."

"When you get a license."

"I do have a license."

"Wow! I thought you were still twelve."  He said in utter shock. 

"Dad! I'm in high school!" I nagged and he laughed. 

"Fine. I'll ask Derek to give you the jeep." He said and my whole cloud of little anxiety and depression turned into a giggly rainbow. 

"It's late, kiddo. You should get some sleep." He said and I felt a yawn kicking in right then. "I'll visit you soon. Just go to sleep and no more crying. No wait! If you want to cry, call me and we'll cry together."

"Quality father daughter time." I said as we both laughed. 

"I love you." He said. 

"I love you too." I replied as we said goodbye and hung up. 

I let out a breath. I feel so refreshed talking to him. He's been under so much stress and we haven't really actually talked normally since mom disappeared. I have been scared of the possibility that if mom- well if she doesn't come back I might lose dad too. I don't want to think about these things but I can't help it. I can't really stop thinking about it. I have this thing where the first thing my brain thinks is the worst case scenario. I hate it. 

I still have to think about that stupid try out for joining the Protectors. They still haven't posted the results for the lacrosse team. They said it would take two days. So it'll be up by the day after tomorrow. 

I felt the anxiety building up again and I went to the closet. I opened the little in-floor compartment. I took out a pack of caramel popcorn and started munching on it. I turned on youtube and started watching a random 'ancient algae filled cars being cleaned by professionals' video. 

I don't know why but it feels really entertaining. Wow… I guess I can get easily entertained. 

Suddenly, I felt a piercing headache as I held my head and just then I heard a scream. A sharp knife-like  scream cutting through air. I held my hands to my ears. Tears filled my eyes, the house rumbled and the loud scream died. 

I abruptly got out of bed and ran out of the room to check on meemaw. I reached the stairs and was about to rush down when I saw a figure standing by the front door. By the silhouette I can tell it was a woman wearing a long green dress, her hair was as red as mine. As I took one step down I called out, "Mom?" 

She turned with tears sliding down her cheeks. Her wide beautiful eyes looked at me with concern. 

"It really is you." I said in a low voice and was going to rush to her but she put her hand up and stepped back. 

"Don't come near me, Ali." She said and I halted. 

"Mom, what's happening?" I pleaded but she held back biting her lip, she just looked at me with longing. I could tell she wanted to come to me and hug me but she was restraining herself. 

"Sweetie, Call nine-one-one." She said and I looked at her puzzled. 

"Mom, what is it? You've been gone for six freaking months! What's going on?" 

She sobbed out a little but held her hand on her mouth. "I can't come back home. Not until… you and your dad are safe." She said, confusing me even more. 

I took another step down and she stepped back. 

"Call nine-one-one." She told me. 

"Why?" I asked. 

"Your… your meemaw, she's gone."

_________

*Writer tries to escape*

Okay I'm sorry. I know I always say that and I always tell you guys I'll be better but I'm the toxic person in this relationship who never keeps their promise. But I swear I'm trying. I want to complete this series so bad.

Anyways, how's it going? Yall heard about the teen wolf movie with paramount+ I mean I'm so excited for it 😭😭 I can't even express my excitement here.

Thank you if you're still reading with the tardy update schedule. But know that you're sexy, you're great and you're amazing.

And I love you if you would be a honey enough person to vote cuz votes really help us writers out so please I beg thee to vote and comment. Peace!