CHAPTER NUMBER FIVE:
season number four episode muted!

・・・・・☆

OPHELIA WASN'T RAISED to be a coward. She was taught that even in the toughest moments, you keep fighting. Oliva Cooper wanted two things for her daughter: independence, and a love to last. But now wasn't a time for independence, or love. She wasn't just the weird Ophelia who thought she could see dead people — she was a supernatural creature running with wolves, hoping she wouldn't get left behind.

           She had left the hospital alone, Scott assured her that Liam would be taken care of with him, but images of his ruthless stare, and sharp wedged teeth crunching the flesh and hitting his bone had started making her think otherwise. But she had to leave. For her sanity, she needed to go home and think things through. Ophelia wished that when she went to sleep, she wouldn't wake up until everything that had happened was a simple nightmare. Though the likeliness of that happening was very slim, and she didn't have high hopes. But optimism was still there.

           Melissa McCall gave her a ride. No words were shared between the pair in the car, but Ophelia could feel her sympathy. But she didn't need sympathy — she needed answers. Ophelia wanted to find the ability to understand why she was able to see things that she shouldn't. How could she do things that could get her a one way ticket to Eichen. A place no creature should ever have to endure. But then again, maybe that's what she needed. Maybe she was hallucinating, and maybe she was making herself believe this was real. She didn't know the difference between reality and fantasy anymore.

Her blue eyes were grazed with tears. Looking over, she couldn't help but ask the small framed woman: "Am I crazy?"

Melissa offered her a gentle smile as she glanced over at her. "No. I don't think you're crazy in the slightest bit. You're just special." She hummed, tapping her fingers on the steering wheel to calm her nerves.

Ophelia played with her hands. "I'm not normal. And tonight I've seen I'm not the only one struggling normalizing myself. But what happens to me goes way beyond transforming into some dog. I'm stuck with this. There's no google searchs for things like me, or stories about the things I can do. Because I'm not special — just crazy." Ophelia breathed. Her chest feeling lighter as she confessed. "Sometimes I think I've disappointed my family. Like I wasn't born the perfect daughter who would grow up to be a doctor like my father, or a lawyer like my mother. Instead she gave birth to a girl who will never be anything other than a person who's scared of her own shadow."

            Sadness wasn't even the world to describe what Ophelia was feeling. "This thing I have is called a gift, you know. My grandmother always used to tell me to embrace what God has given me," shaking her head, she laughed humorously. "To me, it's a curse that's going to kill me."

            Melissa tried focusing on driving, but her curiosity and pity for Ophelia was significantly growing by the second. She was so detailed as she spoke, it sent her into a frenzy of wanting to know more. "I don't know much about, well anything really. However, I do know that you're a sweet young woman, Ophelia. You're not a disappointment. That's what I know."

            And that was that. Another chapter coming to a close as she stepped out the car and waved her away sadly. She wished she could tell her everything. From her first time she could talk, to her first stubbed toe. Melissa had this easy way of taking you under her wing and making you feel like you were someone worth fighting for. Her mother–like nature was comforting, and that car ride was the highlight of her night. The familiar white SUV was parked out front, meaning her father was home early.

           Ophelia breathed in and tried to steady her breathing. Wiping away all the dried up tears to look somewhat presentable to her father. The wounds she had before had been clean, and bandaged by Melissa, but the copper like substance was stained against her clothes.

Her heart hammered in her chest as she walked into the front door of her house, automatically checking around her house. "Dad?" She called out softly. When receiving no answer, she quietly walked up the stairs, and heard the light sound of the shower. She chuckled upon hearing an old classic song falling from the shower curtains.

Her green room helped calm her down gently. She took the small bobbypins from out her head, pulling down the blonde hair from it's tight held ponytail. She tore her battered clothes off of herself, leaving her to stand in nothing but her bra and matching underwear. Ophelia walked to her mirror — the one that showed every flaw every scar, and every memory.

"Ophelia!" A voice gasped, and her head turned to the right to see Allison. Her eyes wild with worry. "What happened?"

She looked down, refusing to cry for the second time that night. "I called out for you. You left me alone. Liam got hurt, and he almost died, Allison. I couldn't save someone who was three feet away from me. What makes you think I can save you?"

Allison felt her deadly heart break, and grabbed Ophelia's shaking hands. "Look at me, O. Take a good look at me." She cooed, reaching up to cup her face. "I've known Ophelia Cooper for exactly three days, and so far all I have seen is someone amazing. You are so kind, and beautiful, and strong. I'm here because I believe in you." Gently grinning, she placed a small kiss to her forehead. "You're the first real person to see me like this. A image that isn't even here — but foreshadowed."

For the first time in forever, Ophelia had a small piece of hope that she was salvageable. It was weird because even if Allison wasn't there the pit of her heart said she was, and to her that's all that mattered. "I'll do it," she said in a small voice. "I'll save your friends, only if you stay with me."

Allison knew she couldn't stay. She would need to pass on and see the light. But for now she was here for a good while, and in those few months Ophelia would be okay. "Always." Allison promised pointing to left side of her chest. "I'll always be with you."

Ophelia was the first one to pull away from their hug. She took a deep breath in and walked towards her dresser. Yanking out a loose shirt and leggings, she quickly pulled her clothes on. "I'm going see my dad, real fast. You'll be here when I get back?" She asked and was responded with a nod.

She walked out the room, looking from side—side to see if he was near. "Dad?" Ophelia called, and he popped his head in the stairway with a goofy smile.

"Hey Princess," he grinned. "Where you were all night? I tried to call but you left your phone on the kitchen counter," he asked. Ophelia wondered if he was mad at all, but his relaxed features told her the answer.

"My friend got hurt during lacrosse practice. He's new to school and doesn't have many friends. I went to see if he was okay." Ophelia shrugged. "That's not a problem, is it? Because I didn't know when you were coming home so I couldn't tell you where I was going."

Her dad shrugged, a small smirk on his face. "I'm quite happy you did that. That's kind of you, baby. But I'm wondering who's this friend you went visit?" Ophelia chuckled softly, pushing back the images of what happened. Her dad didn't need to know that.

"He's a freshman!" She said, quickly. "And we're also just friends."

Laughing, her dad placed his hands up at her defensive demeanor. "Whatever you say. Want some leftover pizza from three days ago? It's been in the fridge so it isn't molded."

Ophelia shrugged. "What the heck. Let's warm it up in the oven and see if it'll get hard."

―•―•―•―•―

THE NEXT DAY OPHELIA went on a search for Liam. As soon as she got out the car of her Dad's vechile, her eyes scanned the courtyard for him. It took her awhile, but she finally spotted him by a dark—skinned boy who was nervously twitching around. "Liam!" Ophelia shouted, running up to him.

He whipped around, eyes wild. His friend stood confused as Liam hurried to shoo him away and jog towards the blonde. "You're back at school? Your arm needed stitches?"

Liam forced out a smile. "I could say the same for you. I wanted to call you when I got home, but I didn't have your number. As for the stitches. . . I — uh lucked out."

Ophelia smiled slightly, and tucked a strand of hair away from her face. "I was worried about you," she admitted. "I didn't want to leave you, I hope you know that."

He had shook his head, and placed a hand on her shoulder. "I don't blame you, Ophelia. I was worried about you too."

Ophelia let out a breath of relief. "What happened when I left?" She asked the question that had been dying to slip. "Scott promised me he wouldn't hurt you."

Liam scratched the back of his neck uncomfortably. "Nothing really. I'm fine now. I don't want anything to do with what happened last night. I just want to forget about it and I think you should too."

"We can be friends still though right?" Ophelia asked. She would understand if he didn't want to — after what happened: who would?

"You'll always be my friend now." Liam vowed. "We almost got eaten alive together, how can we not?" He chuckled with a cheeky smile on his face.

"Okay then I'll see you at lunch? You can bring that boy you were with earlier. I'd love to meet him." She grinned, turning around.

Liam nodded, and waved her off. Ophelia caught sight of Scott watching them carefully. She picked up her hand, and waved at him, but Scott flicked his head to the side signaling for her to come over. She chewed on her bottom lip, before deciding to make her way over to him.

Her feet moved painfully slow, almost scared to step in front of him. "Hey." Scott spoke first. "Are you alright after last night?" He asked. That was his first and for most important question. He needed to make sure she was okay. She was fragile — like fine china, and he refused to let her fall without being right there to catch her.

"I think so," she replied. "I mean I'm okay as I can be after everything. I didn't get that much sleep, I was worried about Liam." Ophelia told him, and Scott's forhead was creased — his face showing nothing but concern.

"He's fine," Scott rushed. "I'll make sure he stays that way, too." His bag was slung off his shoulder, a way he always held it. Ophelia played with her fingers, looking at the ground.

"So, you're a werewolf?" She muttered, a small laugh escaping her lips. "And an alpha at that," she joked, bashfully looking at him through her eyelashes. "You're a weirdo."

Scott chuckled, watching her intently. His brown eyes scanned her face. He saw the light flecks of blue and green in her hazel eyes, and small freckles hid underneath a light layer of concealer she didn't need. Her beauty had yet to cease to amaze him, and she left him speechless every time they talked.

"If something's going on with you, I want you to know that I'm here. I can find out whatever is happening and find out why," Scott assessed, checking to see if she was offended. "You don't have to go through this alone."

Ophelia laughed dryly and looked at the ground. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you." She grimaced, looking up at him. Without notice, she inspected him. Scanning the crooked jaw, and puppy dog eyes he possessed, she found something in him she couldn't find anywhere else. He was kind, and always willing to be there for someone he didn't know. It showed her that his heart was pure.

"Who wouldn't believe you?" Scott said, honestly. "You've given me, or anyone else, no reason to not trust you."

Ophelia breathed in deeply, shrugging. "Maybe one day you'll be the lucky winner to hear about the quiet girls problem."

Scott beamed down at her, and winked. "One day," he repeated. "I'm having, well my friend is having a party tonight. You should come. Liam's coming with Kira."

Ophelia looked like she was thinking it over, and searched in her bookbag for a pen. "I'll think about it. Here's my number. . ." She grew embarrassed by the look on his face. "To — uh — to talk about Liam! Yeah, Liam!"

Scott twinked as she quickly jotted the number down on a small piece of paper from her pocket. "Yeah, Liam."

Something has definitely changed.