I stood at the top of the staircase, that led to the bottom floor of our house. I watched curiously as two young children slowly crept to the top, peering down. I knew these two. The two kids were Scott and I. Scott was about 10, which would make me 8. I was having another memory but this time, I was watching through 3rd person, it was like I was watching a movie.

Scott, and 8 year old me sat down on the top stair, in order to be able to see more of the scene downstairs. Our parents we fighting again. Dad had come home drunk, and mom was reprimanding him for that. Mom hated when he got like this, she had warned him thousands of time that she was at the end of her rope but he never listened.

"Rafe, we can't do this! I can't have you around my children when all you do is drink!"

"They're my children too Melissa!" he snapped, his words slurred. 

"Well then act like it!"

Silence settled over the room, only being broken when Scott moved slightly, the creaking sound of the floor boards filling the room.

Our parents heads snapped towards the two young McCall children.

"What the hell are you two doing?" Our father started up the stairs towards the two of us.

I watched in horror as he grabbed a hold of Scott's arms, eight year old me took a few small steps back, as she started to cry.

Scott struggled against our father, and before I knew it I watched as he tumbled down the stairs.

"SCOTT!"

"SYDNEY!" I shot up from my bed, gasping for air, as I looked around the room.

Scott was in front of me, a terrified look on his face. "Syd-"

"It was another memory." I whispered, my eyes wet with tears, as I still struggled to catch my breath.

My brother's eyes grew wide, "Syd, breathe!" he ordered.

I shook my head, struggling to calm my breathing. It was like my lungs weren't working.  "I can't!" I tired.

"You're having one again." Scott pointed out as he pulled me towards his chest. He held me close. "Match your breathing to mine." he instructed.

I did as he said, focusing on his breathing which in turn calmed my own. Soon enough it had returned to somewhat of a normal pace. "What was that?" I whimpered, keeping my head pressed against my brother's chest.

Scott sighed as he glanced down at me, "A panic attack."

"I haven't had one in a year." I whispered, my voice shaky.

After my dad left, I started to struggle with anxiety attacks, and had frequent panic attacks. Once I turned 15 they seemed to stop. It was a weird time for them to end, considering I was starting high school, as well as dealing with everything Scott and his friends were going through, but they stopped. And now they were back.

"My asthma's back, and Stiles has been acting out, not to mention what's happening with Kira" Scott admitted, "And now you, now you are having panic attacks, and-and I feel like all of this is because of me."

"Scott," I mumbled, pulling back so I could look at him,  "It's not your fault." I promised, "It's just this whole thing with the Dread Doctors."

"It is my fault!" he boomed, causing me to flinch, "I dragged everybody into this mess and I don't know how to fix it."

It was now my turn to comfort him, "We'll find a way, we always find a way."

---

As I walked through the halls of school the next morning my eyes were red and puffy due to the excessive crying I had done, after I woke up screaming, not to mention my blow up with Liam.
Scott was beside me. Ever since I had walked down the stairs this morning he had been glued to my side, claiming he wasn't letting me out of his sight.

"Scott, I'm fine." I promised, turning to give him the most convincing smile I could muster, "I'll text you if I need anything."

Scott gave me a hesitant look before finally nodding. "I'll drive you home tonight?" he questioned, but we both knew it was more of a statement.

I gave him a nod before turning, leaving him as I made my way to my locker. As I began to put in my combination, I had to force myself to blink a couple of time in order to see straight. Only getting a few hours of sleep was not beneficial.

As I opened my locker I let out a sigh, seeing a picture of the group of us taped to the door. I slowly brought my hand up, running my finger across Liam's face. I contemplated ripping the picture down, but couldn't bring myself to do it.

"Hey, Syd."

I jumped slightly as I turned to see Sophia, a sympathetic look covering her face as she leaned into the locker beside mine.

I looked back into my locker, grabbing my books, "I'm fine." I promised, already knowing that someone had informed her of mine and Liam's argument from the night previous.

She let out a sad sigh, "Syd, how can you be fine? Having to watch the boy you love moving on? That's not easy."

Forcing a smile onto my face, I turned to look at her, "I ended things. It's my own fault" I reminded her, glancing down the hallway quickly before leaning closer to her, "And besides, I did something last night."

Sophia stared at me with a furrow brow, "What the hell did you do?" she questioned, worry overtaking her voice.

I let out a breath, lowering my voice, "I kissed Theo." I admitted, closing my locker as Sophia's face fell, her jaw dropping open.

"You did what!?" she almost shrieked, pulling the attention of several other students toward us. 

I gave her a warning look as I glanced at the kids who were milling around near us. "I was upset because of Liam," I clarified, "Theo came to check on me and- I don't know, I guess I was just trying to make myself feel better."

The shrill ringing of the bell caused me to take a step toward my class, effectively ending the conversation. Sophia was still gawking as I made my way toward history class, "You're telling me everything at lunch!" she yelled. 

I let out a small laugh as I entered homeroom, only to end up running into the back of someone. A small grunt fell from my lips as I looked up.

It was Holden looking down at me, "Sydney?" he questioned, clearly noting my dishevelled appearance.

I winced slightly as we made our way toward our seats, "Hey, Holden." I sheepishly answered.

"Are you okay?" he questioned as we slid into our perspective desks. 

I nodded, opening my notebook, "I'm fine," I responded for what felt like the fifth time today, "Just had a long night."

Holden grinned, "Studying for the test?"

I felt my heart drop, "Test? What test?"

Holden held eye contact for a minute before he burst out in laughter. "I'm kidding."

"I hate you." I grumbled, turning to face the front of the classroom.

"Come on, it was a joke."

As I spun around to glare at him, Liam walked into the classroom, our eyes briefly meeting before I quickly tore them away, focusing on my notebook in front of me.
It was going to be a long week. 

---

A week later not much had happened. There were no new Chimeras, nor were there any sign of the Dread Doctors.

None of us had really spoken to each other, save for Stiles making sure I still hadn't told Scott about the whole Donovan incident.

Despite the fact that things had been quiet for the past week, I felt more down than ever. I had barely seen any of my friends, in fact, I had barely seen my own brother. We always seemed to miss each other.

Thoughts consumed my head as I made my way through the cafeteria with Holden by my side. He was talking about some movie he wanted to see, but I had barely been listening. 

"So," he began, causing me to snap out of my thoughts, "What are you doing on Friday night?" he inquired as the two of us entered the line.

I shrugged grabbing a tray, "Not sure yet," I answered, because truthfully I never really knew what was going to happen,  "What about you?"

"Well," Holden started, his voice full of nerves,  "I was hoping you'd come see a movie with me?" he offered, giving me a hopeful smile. 

I paused mid-grabbing a chocolate milk- and turned to look at him. A million excuses ran through my mind of why I couldn't go with him. I opened my mouth, before closing it and sighing. "That's really sweet," I finally spoke, "But I'm not really sure I'm looking for-"

He cut me off, "-We can just go as friends." he promised, noting my hesitation.

I grabbed a plate of food before turning to him with a small smile,"Sure." I finally answered.

A huge grin spread onto his face. "Great!"

The rest of our lunch was rather uneventful. Sophia had come to sit with us, and the two of them talked while I zoned out, my mind elsewhere. After the bell rang, signalling the end of lunch, we split ways. As I walked to my next class of the day, two paramedics ran past me, someone laying on gurney. My eyes grew wide as Mason ran after them.

My first instinct was to think it was Liam, and that was enough to get me running. No matter how mad I was at him, I would always care about him.

"Mason!" I yelled, rushing toward him with my heart in my stomach.

"Syd-" he breathed turning to face me, revealing that the front of him was covered in metallic blood. "It's Corey- he just started spitting up blood I-"

I gave Mason a sad look as I placed my hand on his arm, trying to provide some comfort. Scott and Theo soon came rushing out, stopping beside us. 

Corey was screaming, begging us not to let them kill him. By them we all knew he meant the Dread Doctors. We had discovered that for every kid that didn't pass whatever test the Doctors put them through, there was a death.

"We've got to follow him," Theo announced, "We've got to protect him right?" he asked, as Scott stared blankly ahead.

"Scott!" Theo yelled, looking over to my brother with wide eyes,  "Scott, come on! It's what you do!"

I held onto Mason tighter as Scott seemed to snap out of whatever trance he was in, turning to Theo with a small nod. They left before saying another word, rushing into the school.

I turned to Mason, giving him a reassuring look, "He's going to be okay." I promised, noting the terrified look covering Mason's face, "Scott will protect him."

---

An hour later I was back at home, anxiously awaiting some news. I knew that whatever was happening to Corey was just the beginning, more would follow, and we were afraid Hayden was going to be one of them.  

School had been dismissed after what had happened, which left me sitting in our living room, frantically texting Sophia to let her know what had happened. 

I almost dropped my phone as Scott came bolting down the stairs, and urgent look on his face as he made for the front door. 

I shot up from my seat, "What's going on?" I demanded, fear already eating away at my stomach. 

My brother turned to look at me, his eyes full of worry, "Liam's in trouble." he panted, already pulling open the front door. 

I didn't need to hear more. I was following him out the front door before he could protest, but we both knew it was no use trying to stop me. I was coming no matter what. 

The whole ride to the nightclub where Hayden worked consisted of me trying to calm myself down. I didn't really know what we were walking into, but I could garner a guess. 

We hopped off of Scott's bike, both of us rushing to take off our helmets and make our way toward Sinema. "Stay close." Scott instructed, as he pulled open the door. 

The minute we were inside, I felt my heart plummet to my stomach. Liam and Hayden we here, and they were alive, but they weren't alone. The Dread Doctors surrounded them, no doubt here for Hayden, as Liam tried to fight them off. 

Scott let out a deafening growl as he jumped into the fight, trying to protect his beta. My eyes were wide as they landed on Hayden who was pushing herself into a corner, fear dripping from he every feature.

"Hayden!" I yelled, trying to be heard over the commotion. Her head snapped toward me, her wide eyes meeting mine, "Come with me!" I ordered, motioning for her to follow me. 

She hesitated for a moment, looking toward Liam before giving in and rushing toward me. The minute she was close enough, I grabbed her arm and pulled her into the back room, pushing her to the back and away from the door.

"Why are you helping me?" she breathed, looking up to meet my eyes. 

I turned from the door, looking to her in confusion. "Why wouldn't I?" I questioned, taking a small step back as something banged outside the door. 

Hayden pushed herself further into the room, trying to calm her breathing before she spoke, "Because of Liam and I."

I shook my head, my eyes emotionless as I spoke, "I care about Liam," I answered, "And he cares about you. So I'm not going to watch him lose you." I explained. Her face hardened slightly at my admission of caring Liam, but before she could say anything else, her eyes grew wide in fear.

I spun around just in time to see the door being throw open, the Dread Doctors marching in. I tried to turn and run, but didn't have a chance as something hard came into contact with the back of my head.

My vision went blurry as I collapse to the ground, letting out a gasp of pain, "Hayden," I wheezed, trying to push myself up, "Run!"

Just as I was almost back onto my feet, a large foot stomped on my back, sending me crashing to the ground once again. The Dread Doctor held me in place, forcing me to watch as the other masked creature stuck a large needle into Hayden's neck. 

I let out a scream as I watched her eyes turn the same metallic colour that Corey and Tracy's had done before.

The Dread Doctor released her, causing her to slump to the floor.  I let out a grunt as the Dread Doctor holding me down dug his heal into my back before lifting his foot. As quick as they had arrived, they were gone.

Liam rushed in, his eyes ablaze as they landed on the two of us. "Sydney!" he gasped, rushing to my side. 

I shook my head, lightly shoving him away, "Go!" I ordered, my voice weak, "Go to Hayden!"

As Liam reluctantly pulled away from me, rushing over to Hayden, I rolled onto my back, letting out a groan as I struggled to breath.

"Sydney." I opened my eyes to see Theo standing over me, a worried look on his face. I wasn't sure when he had gotten here, but I was thankful he was. "Here." he whispered, bending down to help pull me off of the ground. 

A pained gasp fell from my lips as he helped me toward Liam, just as Scott rushed into the room. I watched in confusion as Hayden stood beside Liam, no sign of any metallic blood, "I'm okay." she promised. 

"I watched the needle go in." I announced, turning to Scott. "Her eyes-they filled up with mercury, they turned completely sulphur."

"She looks okay. Maybe she'll heal." Theo suggested, his arm still wrapped around my waist. 

"Or maybe she won't" All of our eyes landed on Scott who was intently watching Hayden, looking for any sign that something was wrong. 

"What if something's happening to her on the inside?" Liam worried, his own eyes inspecting Hayden's face. 

After a moment of silence, Scott spoke up, "Get them to the animal clinic," He instructed Theo, "Take Sydney too." he added, "I'll meet you there."

---

Fifteen minutes later, I stood by the back door of the animal clinic, awaiting Scott's arrival. Hayden's state was deteriorating, and we needed to do something soon. The minute I heard his bike outside, I threw the door open, stepping into the rain, ready to update my brother on the situation.

Just as Scott turned off his bike, Stiles pulled up in the Jeep, quickly jumping out with an apologetic look. "Sorry, I had trouble getting the Jeep started," he explained, slamming the door as he made his way toward us, "I couldn't get a hold of Malia or Lydia."

Scott remained silent, keeping his gaze locked on Stiles. I furrowed my brow, looking over at my brother through the rain, "Scott?" I questioned.

Scott ignored me, his eyes still set on his best friend as he reached into his pocket, pulling out a wrench. 

My breath hitched in my throat as I realized that it was the wrench that Stiles had hit Donovan with that night...the night he had killed him.

Stiles' face fell as he took a small step forward. "Where'd you get that?" he demanded.

"This is yours" Scott announced, slowly extending it toward Stiles. 

Stiles hesitantly took it from my brother's hand as Scott shook his head, his face clouding in hurt,  "Why didn't you tell me?"

Stiles nodded, "I was going to." he admitted quietly.

"Why didn't you tell me when it happened?" Scott shot back. When Stiles didn't reply, Scott continued, "You killed him? You killed Donovan?"

Stiles let out a frustrated sigh, "He was going to kill my dad." he argued,  "Was I supposed to just let him?"

"You weren't supposed to do this." Scott reprimanded,  "None of us are."

For the first time since the conversation had started, I cut in, "He was going to kill Stiles," I exclaimed, shaking my head at my brother before continuing, "And me." I added in attempts to diffuse the situation.

Scott's face fell as he looked between Stiles and I, "You were there?" he snapped, his voice booming over the rain. 

My eyes widened at the realization that he didn't know I had been there. However he had found out, whoever had told him, apparently had left me out of the story. "Scott-"

"Why the hell didn't you tell me?" he snapped, taking an angry step toward me. 

I opened my mouth to speak but was cut off by Stiles who stepped in front of me, blocking me from Scott, "I told her not to." he admitted.

Scott face was inked in a mixture of anger, shock and betrayal, "It was one thing when it was just you," he announced coldly, "But now you've got my sister involved?"

I shoved past Stiles, making so I was in front of my brother, "Scott, lay off!" I snapped, shooting him an angry look.

My brother turned to look at me, his eyes angrier than I had ever seen, "Get inside." he ordered, pointing toward the door.

I shook my head, "No!" I argued, "Stiles was protecting me that night," I quipped, "You can't blame him for what he did!"

"Get inside, now." he repeated, his voice almost coming out in a growl.  

I turned to Stiles, my eyes teary as he gave me a small nod, telling me to go. "I'm sorry." I mouthed, before turning to my brother, sending him a glare. 

I burst backed into the animal clinic, angrily slamming it with a frustrated scream. We were falling apart, all of us. Scott and Stiles had never been at odds like this, and it was truly breaking my heart. 

okay first off I want to say I seriously LOVE you guys. I love going through your comments it makes me so happy! Second of all I just want to let you know I start exams on thursday, and end on tuesday, so until after tuesday there will be no update. I'm really sorry :(

ps. did anyone notice who Liam ran to after the dread doctors atttack the girls? #Lidneyforever