DEAD MAN!
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT.
when did erica get hot?

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ADRIAN SHIFTED IN HIS BED THAT NIGHT, HIS FACE CONTORTED UNCOMFORTABLY. Flashes appeared before his mind, making his breathing pick up unknowningly.

The woods. The Beacon Hills woods. That's where Adrian was. Yes, he knew that much. A dark skinned man stood alone, a motorbike next to him.

It seemed as if he was just about to leave, however . . . Adrian would never know if he was.

Something swiped him off his feet, causing the man to fall and caress the back of his neck. He was alert however, raising his gun in warning as he stood back up.

Adrian's heavy breathing matched his, the panic and fear of the situation bubbling inside him just like if he were there.

The man held the back of his neck as he walked cautiously through the woods . . . then it all went downhill.

The Martin boy could feel the immobility in his body as the dark skinned man's body shook until his hand could no longer hold the gun and his feet could no longer stand on ground. He dropped to the floor, defenceless.

Then, another flash came. Adrian's face scrunched up in pain from the transition . . .
but what came next was worse.

A hand. A hand too animalistic to be human hung dangerously in his sight, it's claws that of daggers as clear liquid dripped from it. Adrian could feel his blood run cold . . . as the man's scream shook him awake.

The redhead awoke with a start, a gasp for air coming from his throat as he sat upright. He was alone and safe, back in the comforts that was his own room and bed.

The teen released a sigh when reality hit that he was safe, feeling his hands shake as he gripped the covers. What the hell was that dream?

❚ ❚ ❚

"Come on, Tobs, almost there." The Martin boy encouraged, grinning proudly to himself as he unclipped his harness for the next person to climb the wall and race against their paired partner.

"I-It's just really, really high." The blonde complained, grunting with effort as he tried to lower his skinny body down the wall. "Ugh! I can't believe you put me up to this!"

"It's part of the class, Valack! It's required!" Coach yelled out to him, hand on hip. "Hurry up now!"

"Hey, Toby! Jump and I'll catch you!" The redhead joked, holding out his arms in a bridal style position.

"Screw you, Martin!" The blonde called over his shoulder. Eventually- after much more teasing and struggling- Toby got there and unclipped his harness. "I've never been so thankful for the ground." He panted, doubled over.

Adrian chuckled and ruffled his hair. "Stop being so dramatic. It's a damn climbing wall!"

"Exactly! It's not like I'm gonna beat anyone anyway- especially you! I mean, you have lacrosse training to your advantage!" The Valack boy complained, groaning as he stretched his back.

Adrian smirked. "You're right, I do have good muscles."

"Wha- I never said that!" The blonde quickly denied, brown eyes wide as he frantically shook his head no.

"Relax, Tobs." Adrian nudged him. "I'm messing with you." He smiled.

"Adrian!" A new voice spoke, a beaming Stiles running over to give him a quick hug. Adrian stiffened up at first, then accepted it as he hugged back. "Congrats, man."

"Thanks." The boy smiled awkwardly as he pulled away, lowering his voice so only the boy with the buzzcut could hear him. "What was that for?"

"No reason." Stiles smiled simply, shrugging.

"McCall! Argent!" Coach yelled suddenly, pointing to the other secret couple. "Up on the wall!" The couple grinned at each other, moving onto the wall to get clipped in.

Adrian and Stiles watched as they began to descend, talking to one another while doing so. Stiles couldn't help but feel a slight jealously burn in his stomach. Scott and Allison- despite having to keep the relationship on the down low- could show as much affection towards one another and no one would care.

Stiles yearned to do all the cute and basic things all teen couples do. Hold hands, kiss in the hallways, walking each other to class, cute cheek kisses before bounding off . . . and saying 'I love you'.

The problem is, Stiles and Adrian weren't public- not even to their own family. Sure, a few people knew but that really wasn't a large circle of people. They were only allowed to be the real Stiles and Adrian behind closed doors.

And Stiles was fearful that's how his boyfriend wanted to stay.

"Hey," a soft voice speaking beside him broke him out of his thoughts, Adrian's face appearing in front of him. "you okay?"

Stiles blinked, putting on a smile to soothe the Martin teen. "Yeah, I'm fine."

A small yelp made the two boys look away from one another, seeing Allison kick Scott's ankle to make him stumble. The tanned boy fell from the wall, his harness doing a good job by saving him last second as everyone laughed. The teenage boy breathed heavily, hand over his heart to calm down.

Finstock laughed aloud, walking over to one of his star players. He bent down to his level. "McCall, I don't know why, but your pain gives me a special kind of joy. Right?" Allison grinned in victory as she came down, unclipping herself. "All right, next two. Stilinski, Erica, let's go."

"Go get em', Stilinski." Adrian patted his boyfriend on the shoulder, squeezing shortly before letting the excited boy go.

Stiles' partner however, Erica Reyes, didn't look too keen on climbing. The blonde anxiously looked up as she shook with nerves, fiddling with the sleeves of her oversized sweater.

"Good luck, Erica." Toby smiled politely at her, appearing by Adrian's side once more. The blonde haired girl pursed her lips and gave him a small nod in thanks.

"Erica! On the wall!" Coach yelled impatiently, startling the frizzy haired teen. Erica nodded and headed over, beginning her slow climb.

Adrian smiled proudly as Stiles climbed up the wall with no trouble, letting himself down just as Erica got halfway up. He took his harness off, attaching himself to his boyfriend's side once more.

Erica, however was still struggling. She shook against the wall, a crowd forming down below. "Erica!" Coach yelled up to her. "Dizzy? Is it vertigo?"

Lydia came to stand beside Coach. "Vertigo is a dysfunction of vestibular system of the inner ear." She informed him, rolling her eyes. "She's just freaking out."

"Erica, it's okay." Toby tried his best to comfort her, a worried expression painted on his face. He felt sympathy towards the scared girl, knowing what it's like to feel so scared your body becomes frozen.

"Why can't she just come down?" Adrian grumbled, folding his arms. The question wasn't directed at anyone in particular, but Toby- being right beside him- heard.

The redhead received a smack to the arm. "She's epileptic, Adrian!" The Valack boy scolded through a hiss, Coach hearing his words.

"Why does nobody tell me this stuff?" The teacher groaned, looking up towards the scared student. "Erica, y-you're fine. Just- Just kick off from the wall. There's a mat to catch you. Come on."

Erica's hands shook as she slowly let go of the wall, coming down with the help of her harness. Her body trembled as she touched the mat, Coach reassuring her she was okay over and over.

People began to snicker and chuckle at the girl, Adrian included. He couldn't help himself, honestly. Seeing someone so terrified of a simple climbing wall seemed outrageous to him; especially when there was so much more to fear.

Toby glared at him, stepping forward to help the frizzy haired girl who had a glistening line of snot coming from her nose. "Erica," but by the time the Valack boy bent down, Erica Reyes was already running off.

❚ ❚ ❚

Adrian jumped when Coach used his fingers to whistle and gain the attention of the other players. "Listen up." He looked down at the clipboard held in his hand. "Anybody sees Isaac Lahey, you immediately tell the principal, get a teacher, or you call me. Except for you, Greenberg. Don't call me for anything. I'm not kidding. Don't call me. You shouldn't even have my number."

"Isaac?" Scott questioned as himself, Stiles and Adrian walked away.

Stiles made a face. "It's Derek's problem now. Besides, tonight is a night free of worries."

Scott winced as they all stood in front of their lockers, getting changed. "I don't think tonight's a good night."

Stiles stopped, mouth gaping open. "What do you mean, tonight's not a good night?" He tugged on his shirt collar, lifting it over his head just as Scott opened his locker.

"I don't know." Scott mumbled as Adrian's train of thought went astray, too focused on his boyfriend's bare chest to think straight. I mean, this whole time Adrian thought Stiles was nothing but a skinny, limp noodle . . . but he actually had some muscle to him. Very distracting ones at that. "That thing we saw last night, Isaac's missing, Allison's grandfather, all this stuff happening with Derek, I just . . . Doesn't feel right."

"Wait," Adrian blinked, snapping out of his trance. He looked between the two boys, confusion evident on his face. "What's this about?"

Scott sighed. "Stiles wants us to go spend some time at the ice rink after hours tonight."

Adrian's eyes widened, giving his boyfriend a taken back look. "And you were going to tell me this when?"

Stiles gave Scott a small glare before turning to the redhead, cheeks heating up. "It was supposed to be a surprise." He mumbled.

"Well, I'm surprised." Adrian chuckled, throwing a new shirt over his bare torso. "Thanks for the invite, Stiles, but I'm gonna have to decline as well. Ice skating isn't really my thing."

Stiles, now changed into a dark hoodie, shook his head. "No, you're not backing out- either of you. Do you want to know why?" Stiles turned to his best friend, words directed at him. "Because you and Allison are obviously having quite a good time together. And do you know who else wants to have a good time? Stiles! Stiles wants to have a good time. Many, many times. Several times in a row. In several different positions."

"Stiles," Adrian deadpanned, the boy turning to him. "you're making it weird now."

"Sorry." He apologised shortly, turning to face a spaced out Scott McCall. "Are you even listening to me?" Scott's hand began to shake, making the two boys share a glance. "What is that?"

"Something's wrong." Scott frowned, looking up at the two in alarm. "Erica." And without another word, he bolted towards the gym.

Adrian and Stiles raced after the boy, entering the gym just in time to see Scott catch Erica in his arms as she fell from the climbing wall that was still up. Students crowded around them as he set her down.

"Put her on her side. Put her on her side." Allison instructed, her boyfriend doing as she said as the blonde spasmed. "How'd you know?"

"I just felt it." Scott explained, his hand on Erica as her breathing strained.

❚ ❚ ❚

"Hey, Adrian!" Allison greeted the boy cheerfully as she sat down beside him in the lunch hall the next day.

"Hey, Allison." Adrian smiled at her, taking a sip from his water bottle. "Have you seen Lydia around at all? I haven't seen her all day."

The brunette hummed in thought, shrugging it off. "I think I saw her go into the bathroom at one point during the day, but I'm not sure." The redhead nodded, trying not to overreact. Ever since Lydia got bitten by Peter, the teen had become very overprotective of his sister. But, could you blame him? The full moon had just happened yet Lydia didn't show any sign of aggression . . . so what does that mean? "So, are you excited?"

"Excited for what?" Adrian questioned with furrowed brows, taking a bite of his sandwich.

"The ice skating. Stiles is getting the keys off Boyd just now. He says you're coming." Allison explained as if it were obvious, giving the boy a 'duh' look.

Adrian rolled his eyes. "I told him no." He muttered under his breath. The redhead should've known better than to think Stiles would have taken his words seriously.

"Well, I'm looking forward to it." Allison beamed, crossing her arms. She bit her lip, as if she wanted to say something else. "Besides, you and Stiles get to spend some time together . . . you guys seem close."

Adrian paused mid-chew, biting the inside of his cheek. "Yeah, we are." He said slowly, suspicious as to where this conversation was going.

"I'm glad you guys are friends. You're really good together . . . like really good together." The tall girl nodded, eyes facing anywhere but the teen sitting beside him.

Adrian straightened up, a sigh escaping. "How do you know?" He bluntly asked.

Allison bit her lip, hiding a grin. "Scott told me. Sorry."

"I'm going to kill him."

"I swear I haven't told anyone!" The girl was quick to defend, embracing the smile on her pink lips. She nudged the redhead. "Plus, I think you guys are really cute together."

"Don't say that." Adrian cringed, shaking his scrunched up face. "You make it sound like we're some cheesy newlyweds meeting each other's family for the first time.

Allison laughed. "Well, I happen to find that adorable." She beamed. "I'm happy for you, Adrian. You both deserve each other."

Adrian blushed, hanging his head low as he stared at his food. "Thanks Allison." From the corner of his eye, he saw Stiles taking a seat beside Scott; a pair of keys in hand. "If you'll excuse me."

Without another word, Adrian got up and stalked towards his boyfriend. Stiles grinned when the Martin approached him, straightening up. "Hey, Adrian! I-"

"I don't want to go ice skating." The boy bluntly stated, swinging down beside Scott with a straight faced look.

Stiles frowned. "What? Come on! Why?" He whined, throwing his head back.

"I-I just . . . I'm not a skater." The boy stuttered, slightly embarrassed to admit so. Truth be told, the Martin boy was terrible on the ice.

"Neither is Scott!" Stiles gestured to the tanned werewolf, who looked up innocently. "Come on, Adrian! It'll be fun! It's our first date." He said the last part more quietly, knowing better than to blurt it out.

"Last time I went ice skating, I fell and broke my leg. Everyone called me 'peg leg' for a good year because of my cast. Even you guys called me it!" He glared between the pair, Scott chuckling at the memories.

"We were ten!" Stiles declared, rolling his eyes. "You got me back anyway when you tied my shoelaces together secretly in gym class."

"Good times." Adrian smiled, staring off into the distance fondly; recalling the memory.

"Can you please just come? You're probably way better than you were when you were ten, I guarantee it." Stiles persuaded, pouting at the redhead. "Please, for me?"

Adrian stared at the boy blankly for a few seconds. His mind was screaming in his head no, knowing going would only give him pain and embarrassment . . . yet his heart wouldn't let him say no.

"Fine." The boy gave in, Stiles looking like he had just won the lottery. "If it'll get you off my back and make you happy, I'll go."

"Great!" Stiles grinned, rubbing his hands together. "I'll pick you up tonight and I'll pick Scott up after work, okay?" When both teens saw the tanned werewolf distracted by something else, they turned to the lunch hall entrance where his eyes were trained.

Adrian's eyes widened when he saw Erica Reyes. Instead of her frizzy hair, baggy clothing and plain face, Erica had switched to a whole new person. Her makeup was done in a rather bold manner, her hair curled perfectly as she strutted confidently in one of the tightest skirts Adrian had ever seen.

The blonde walked over to a table of freshman boys, picking up an apple and taking a slow bite from it.

"Geez." Adrian was first to speak out of the three boys. "When did Erica get hot?" Stiles smacked him on the arm. "Ow!"

Lydia suddenly appeared by their table, slamming her hands down while looking at Erica. "What . . . the holy hell . . . is that?"

"It's Erica." Scott breathed out, pretty shocked at the girl's overnight transformation. There could only be one good reason why the teenage girl had changed so rapidly . . . she had been bitten.

They ran out of the lunch hall, following the blonde out to the main entrance. They exited just in time to see Erica turn round and shoot them all a grin, climbing into a car Adrian knew well.

Derek turned in the driver's seat, grinning at the three shocked teens as they sped out of the school parking lot.

❚ ❚ ❚

"Hey, Tobs! Sorry I missed your call earlier, I was talking to Stiles. What's up?" Adrian asked his friend over the phone as he raked through his closet, grabbing the first article of clothing he could find.

"I-I could really use your help here on something, Adrian." Toby mumbled through the phone, a tremble in his voice. He sounded scared, mainly upset as if he'd just been crying. "Can you come over?"

Adrian hissed through his teeth, pacing around his room. "I'm actually going out tonight. Maybe some other time?" He suggested.

"Y-You can't ca-cancel?" Toby shyly asked, a certain grogginess to his tone.

"Nope. Sorry. I promised Stiles I would go and not back out." Adrian lightly chuckled at the antics of his boyfriend, the buzzcut teen entering his thoughts. Just then, a beep came from outside the Martin household. "Speak of the devil, that's him now. I gotta go."

"W-When will you next be free?"

"I don't know, Toby. I'll see you at school though, yeah? Goodbye." He hung up without another word, jogging to meet up with his boyfriend without a second thought on the phone call he had received.

A U T H O R. N O T E
i like erica and all but i can't help but imagine what people would react like if this were to happen in a real school. like, sis would be laughed at for that apple move.

i'm quite sad at the lack of toby scenes in the second part of this book so i added him in a bit more just because he's a bean and makes me happy.

GIF MADE BY ME !
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