"What do you mean they're gone!?" I almost yelled, my voice sounding hoarse.

"I mean the Dread Doctors took them Syd." Scott answered, his eyes sad.

"We have to go." I announced pushing myself up onto my feet. "We have to find him. We have to find Liam."

"And Hayden." Mason added from behind me.

I felt my cheeks warm up as I nodded, "Yeah, and Hayden."

Scott nodded, lightly directing me toward Lydia, "Syd, Lydia is going to take you back to the house. Malia and I are going to try and get their scents."

"No, no! I want to help Scott I want-" I scrambled over my words as tears started to pool in my eyes.

"Sydney, you can help by going back to the house. I'll let you know if there's anything else you can do." My older brother said, as he turned away from me to join Malia.

"Scott-" I called grabbing his arm before he could leave. "You have to find him, please."

Scott gave me a small nod as Lydia wrapped her arm around my shoulders, pulling me close as we walked out to the car. "Let's go Syd."

---

It was already morning by the time Scott got back. Everyone was gathered in the living room, with the exception of Lydia and Mason who were in Scott's room with another Chimera- Corey. They had him reading the Dread Doctors book, hoping he could remember something.

I stood in the living room with Malia, Stiles and Theo my nerves growing more and more every second I didn't hear something about Liam. Theo sensed my nerves, and gave me a comforting smile as he lightly placed his hand on my shoulder. 

A small smile came to my face as I turned to look at him, it only fell when I looked to Stiles who was watching us with a slight anger on his features. I could tell he still didn't trust Theo, not completely. 

I pulled away from Theo as the door slammed and  Scott came storming through, not bothering to stop or look at nay of us for that matter.

"Scott?" I asked rushing to follow him up the stairs.

He didn't skip a beat as he sped into his bedroom.

"Scott don't-" Lydia yelled, but he ignored her, plunging his claws into the back of Corey's neck.

My eyes grew wide as I watched Cory struggle. The rest of the group soon made their way into Scott's bedroom.

"Don't get too close." Lydia warned, causing all of them to stop.

"What is he doing?" Theo asked from behind me.

I turned to look at him, a shiver running through my body at how close he was standing, "Tapping into Corey's memory." I answered, trying to steady my voice. 

"It's usually something only Alphas do."Lydia added.

Theo brushed past me, making it so he was standing beside Scott. "Is it as dangerous as it looks?"

"Probably more." Stiles responded.

"Does anyone know if this is working?" Mason questioned.

All of our eyes turned to Scott and Corey, both of their faces scrunched up in what looked like pain. Suddenly Scott pulled back letting out a huge gasp.

Stiles and I reached forward to support him as he fell backwards. He lightly brushed us off using his dresser to support himself. "Is he okay?" Scott panted.

"What the hell did you do to me!? Corey yelled, reaching back to feel the wounds on his neck. 

"You'll be fine." Scott muttered, quickly brushing off his concern.

"There's blood!" Corey cried.

"You'll heal."

"Scott-" Stiles started.

"He'll be fine!" Scott's voice boomed, causing all of us to flinch. I had never seen my brother like this.

I took a small step back as Scott grabbed a note pad from his desk. "I think it worked, I think I saw something." he explained as he started drawing something. "There were tunnels, pipes on the walls, and these two huge blue pipes at the entrance on both sides!"

"Hold on, "Stiles started, racking his brain, "I know this place."

Lydia moved across the room so she was beside Scott, glancing at what he was drawing on the piece of paper.

"These are the tunnels I used to skateboard in. Remember my dad caught me one time, told me never to go back." Stiles recalled.

"It's the water treatment plant." Lydia announced.

"That's where they are. That's where we'll find Liam and Hayden." Scott exclaimed.

"Scott, Scott slow down, just think for a minute! Maybe we shouldn't be going." Stiles called as Scott took off the stairs, the rest of us following.

"Liam's my best friend, I'm going." Mason announced.

"And Liam's my..." I trailed off,  not really knowing what he was. "I'm going too." I declated.

Stiles turn to look at me with raised brows, "Oh, did you suddenly get werewolf powers that I wasn't aware of?"

I glared at Stiles, as Scott started speaking to him. "Well if you're not going I need all the help I can get.

"I'm going!" Stiles snapped. "As soon as I talk to my dad. He's moving the body, and he wants to make sure no one takes it this time."

"How is he going to do that?" Malia asked.

"I don't now but the last one was strong enough to flip my Jeep!" Stiles exclaimed, clearly on edge about the whole situation.

"We can bring Theo!" Malia suggested.

"Maybe I should stay here." Theo offered after Scott gave him a hopeful look. "You know, in case the doctors decide to give a little house call for Corey."

"Scott, Stiles is right, maybe we just need to slow down and think." Lydia pointed out.

"Hayden and Liam could already be dead!" Scott yelled, causing me to wince. I didn't want to think of that possibility.

"You could have hurt him Scott, really hurt him." Lydia pointed out , turning to look at Corey.

"I have to find Liam." Scott whispered before turning toward me, "Sydney, stay here, with Theo and Lydia."

"Scott no!" I argued, taking a step forward,  "I said I want to help, so let me!" I pleaded.

My brother shook his head, looking to Theo to ensure I remained in the house. "I'm not risking losing you too."

---

"Why hasn't he called yet?" I mumbled looking down my phone, only seeing a few texts from Sophia, and one from my mom but none from Scott.

"It's only been half an hour." Lydia pointed out.

"A lot can happen in half an hour." I replied, letting out a shaky sigh as I leaned into the couch. Theo sat beside me, watching as I continued to stare at my phone.

Lydia sighed as she wiped a wet washcloth across Corey's neck. "It healed, didn't it." Corey stated, although it sounded more like a question.

"Yeah, completely." Theo answered, his eyes moving to where the claw marks had been on Corey's neck.

"Okay then," Corey said standing up, "It's been fun, especially the part when a werewolf forced his way into my brain with his claws."

I looked up at him, shooting him a glare, "You're fine." I snipped causing Corey to roll his eyes at me. 

"Syd-." Lydia warned.

"We helped you, and you helped us." I continued, ignoring Lydia's warning. Corey glared at me before heading towards the door.

"I don't think leavings such a good idea right now Corey." Theo called, standing up from his seat on the couch, "Lydia's a banshee, and she can tell when someone's close to death. Lydia what happens if he walks out that door?" he questioned, turning to Lydia. 

Lydia caught onto Theo's plan and slowly nodded her head, "It will be bad. Very bad."

"I'll take my chances." Corey snickered.

"Well then give us a better chance at finding our friends!" Theo fired back, moving to follow after him,  "Tell us what else you saw."

"There has to be something else!" I snapped as I followed the group to the door. "Please." I added.

Corey sighed, racking his brain for another memory,  "There was the hospital, and they took me out of my room-"

"And then where?" Lydia asked.

"The tunnels. Like I already told you, that's it."

"Yeah nothing after that?" Theo questioned getting closer to the boy.

"No." Corey responded, shaking his head.

"There has to be more, think Corey! For one minute just think!" I snapped, letting my emotions get the best of me.

Corey closed his eyes for a minute, before they reopened. "There was a basement." he concluded.

"Where? Like in a building?" Lydia asked.

Corey shook his head. "In a house. It was old, covered in dust and there was a broken stone wall with a hole in it like a bomb went off." 

"Lydia, the werewolf with the talons, the one that attacked Scott." Theo started,  "Didn't Parrish say that it smashed through the wall of a basement? Wasn't it something like that?"

"No," Lydia whispered,  "Exactly like that."

"I'm going." Theo announced, already moving to grab his jacket 

"I'm coming with you!" I called running back into the living room to grab my own jacket before rejoining him at the front door.

Theo gave me an apologetic look, "Sydney, I don't think-"

"-Scott would like it, yeah I know but I don't care." I answered, not backing down,  "I know my way around this town, I can take you to the house."

Theo and Lydia exchanged a look, before Theo sighed. "Fine, let's go."

---

The entire car ride was spent in silence. It mostly consisted of Theo and I stealing glances at one another, neither of us really knowing what to say. But finally, he broke the silence, "You really care about Liam?"

I looked over at him, giving a small nod, "Probably more than I should." I admitted. Truth was, Liam wasn't mine to worry about anymore, but that didn't stop me. 

Theo gave me a sad smile as we pulled up the the decrepit house. I felt myself shiver as I jumped out of the truck, following Theo toward the building. "Stay behind me okay?" Theo whispered as the two of us pushed open the old wooden door that led into the house.

I nodded and took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. I continually had to remind myself that I was doing this for Liam-it needed to be done.

"Over here." Theo called pointing to a set of stairs. I stopped behind him, peering down into the basement.

"You ready?" he quietly asked, turning to look  back at me.

I nodded as I gripped onto his arm, trying to stop myself from shaking, "Yeah." I whispered. 

I followed close behind Theo and we made out way down, one of my hands still gripping to him as I held a flashlight in my other, trying to illuminate anything that might be coming our way.

As we reached the bottom of the steps, a wired cage came into view. "There!" I hit Theo's arm drawing his attention to where I was pointing.

"Liam? Hayden?" Theo called taking off towards the cage without hesitation,

"No! Theo wait!" Liam called, but it was too late. Theo grabbed onto the fence, an electric shock was sent through his whole body.

"Theo!" I gasped rushing to his side. "Theo, come on get up." I mumbled lightly shaky his body. "Theo you gotta get up." I pleaded, my eyes stealing a quick glance toward Liam. He was okay.

Slowly Theo's eyes opened. He winced as I helped him sit up, analyzing him to ensure he wasn't injured. "Are you alright?" I questioned, helping him to his feet. 

"Yeah," he breathed, "I'm okay." he promised, giving me a quick nod. 

"Do you think you can get help?" Liam asked from within the cage, worry covering his face. 

Theo and I shared a nervous look, "We are the help." Theo admitted.

Okay, looking at it we probably weren't the best help. I mean a werewolf who was just electrocuted, and a teenage girl who could do 5 push ups.

But somehow Theo took away any doubt any of us had as he stepped forward. "Sydney, you might wanna step back." he advised.

I gave him a nervous look before doing as he said, taking a few steps away from him, and the cage.

Theo grabbed the fence, ignoring the jolts that were surging through his body as he began prying open the gate. I watched with wide eyes as the pulled the two gates apart, giving Liam and Hayden as clear escape.

The minute Liam was out of the cage I had my arms around his neck. He instantly wrapped his arms around my waist, burying his head into my shoulder.

"I'm glad you're okay." I whispered as I pulled away. Hayden watched from behind us, a slightly angered look on her face.

I felt all the blood rush to my face, as I realized I was being replaced. I was no longer the one that could hug Liam after he went missing, or after he got hurt. That was now Hayden's role and I could do nothing about it.

"Come on, let's get you guys home." Theo whispered, noting the uncomfortable tone that was settling in the room.

We all made out way back up the stairs, eager to get out of the basement. Once we were safely out of the house, we all piled into Theo's tuck. Hayden and Liam in the back, Theo and I in the front.

My eyes stayed glued to the rear view mirror as I watched the two. Hayden was taking deep breaths, obviously in pain.

"Still hurts?" Liam asked.

"Everywhere." She admitted  "I'm not healing, not like I did before. It means I'm a failure? Doesn't it?"

Liam didn't respond, instead he studied her face for a moment before leaning toward her and pressing his lips against hers.

I felt my heart drop as I adverted my teary eyes back to the road. Theo glanced over at me with a sympathetic look before he reached over and gave my hand a quick squeeze.  I closed my eyes, trying to stop the tears before the two in the back noticed. 

It was official, I had lost Liam.

---

The minute Theo pulled into my driveway I was out of the truck and in the door. I walked into the living room where Lydia was sitting, waiting for all of us to return. She stood up when I walked in, a hopeful look on her face.

"We got them." I whispered, my voice sounding more defeated than joyful.

When Hayden and Liam walked into the house, Hayden immediately slumped onto the couch, her eyes drooping in exhaustion.

Moments later Scott walked in with Mason and Malia behind them. All of their eyes filling with joy as they saw the two. 

I slumped down into one of the arm chairs, and let out a small sigh. Liam met my gaze, and stood up, coming to stand in front of me.

"Can I talk to you?" he questioned, nodding toward the kitchen.

I held his gaze for a moment before nodding as I pushed myself to my feet. Everyone curiously watched as the two of us disappeared into the kitchen.

The minute we were out of earshot, Liam turned to me, an apologetic look covering his face, "I'm sorry about what happened in the truck-"

I clenched my jaw, shaking my head, "-You couldn't wait until you were alone?" I quipped in contempt. 

Liam's face fell. "Syd-"

"Don't 'Syd' me." I snapped, "Did you not think that would hurt me?"

"I forgot you were there! I'm sorry." he shot back, becoming increasingly frustrated with the situation.

"Oh!? And that's supposed to make me feel better? I snapped, crossing my arms over my chest.

"You know what Sydney?" Liam spat,  "No, you don't get to make me feel like shit! You're the one who broke up with me, for no damn reason! Remember!?" he yelled causing me to flinch.

Angry tears were forming in my eyes. "You want to know why I broke up with you Liam?!"

He stared back at me in expectation, "Enlighten me."

I let out a shaky sigh. It was the first time I had admitted my reasonings out loud.  "I broke up with you because I was falling in love with you, and-and I was scared." I admitted, my voice cracking, as warm tears fell down my cheeks. "I was trying to protect you." I explained, shaking my head, "You put my safety over your own, and I cared about you too much to let you keep doing that." I whispered, "I couldn't watch you get hurt."

My eyes flickered quickly toward the living room where my brother was. "I saw first hand what happens when you lose the love of your life. When my brother lost Allison, it-it destroyed him. So, I thought that by breaking up with you that maybe I was protecting both of us."

Liam's face fell, "Did you really think that just because you broke up with me I wouldn't do everything in my power to keep you out of danger? Or that I wouldn't care if something happened to you?" Liam questioned, "I loved you Sydney, that just doesn't go away because you ended things. You weren't protecting me, you broke my heart"

I shook my head, "I-I thought that I was doing what was best." I admitted, my voice breaking,  "I never wanted to hurt you."

Liam took a small step back, "Well you thought wrong, Sydney." he snapped, looking out toward the living room, "I've moved on." he announced, bringing his eyes back to me, "So go be with Holden, or Theo, or whoever you want. Just leave me out of it."

I felt my heart break as I stared back at him, "I'm sorry." I whispered again, my lip quivering as I spoke. Liam just shook his head, brushing past me as he made his way back into the living room. 

I tried to wipe the tears from my face as I started toward the living room, trying to make it back to my bedroom without anyone seeing. But as I entered the room, it was obvious that everyone had just heard our whole discussion. 

I refused to meet any of their eyes, ignoring their sympathetic stares as I made for the stairs. I had just made it to the top landing when footsteps sounded behind me. I spun around, my eyes still full of tears to see Theo making his way toward me.

I quickly wiped the tears, giving him a forced smile as he stopped in front of me. His face was laced with sympathy.

"Liam's an idiot." he announced, reaching out to wipe a tear from my face. 

I shook my head, taking a small step back, away from Theo. "He's right." I admitted, "I pushed him away, and now I have to live with the consequences."

"You deserve to be happy." he whispered, a small smile coming to his face. 

I didn't answer him, but instead pulled his face toward me, pressing my lips onto his.

ahhhhhh

okay so this chapter is pretty long, but I was really excited to write this one.

sydney's true reasoning as to why she broke up with liam is revealed!

who's side of the breakup are you guys on? syd's or liam's? let me know in the comments below!

ALSO, I am currently editing this chapter (as of 2020) and decided to throw in a little thydney? can that be their ship name...sure.

ily guys so much! we're almost at 1k votes! :)

-maddy xoxo