SIDELINES

____________

EMERY WALKS OUT the door to her English class, flipping through the assigned chapter. Her eyes skim through the pages, concentrating on the words as she makes her way through the main hallway to meet Allison at her locker.

The girl struggles to remain focused on the book while her mind travels to the topic of Isaac, who she hasn't seen in over a week now. Despite Erica telling her that he was alright, Emery can't help but worry about him. She can practically feel her worries eating her alive.

For the past nine days, Emery has been unable to think about anything— anyone else. Everything in her life is consumed by her endless thoughts of Isaac and his safety, knowing the Argents are aware of his existence in Derek's pack. She can't keep him safe when she doesn't even know where he is.

Suddenly, Emery's thoughts are interrupted when her forehead slams straight into somebody's chest, and she stumbles away while clutching her head. The person reaches out and grabs hold of her arm to help steady her. "Shit, I'm sorry—"

Her apology fades to nothing but a shocked silence when her gaze meets Isaac's, whose eyes are slightly wide with surprise as he looks down at her. "Sorry," he blurts. Then, Isaac tries to use his hand to move past Emery.

She gapes at him, shaking her head and clasping her fingers over his wrist. "I haven't seen you for an entire week and that's all you have to say to me? Sorry?"

"I can't talk right now, Em," Isaac hesitantly says. His attention is directed at something down the hall, and Emery turns to find Erica waiting by the door to their chemistry class. "I'll call you, okay?"

Without giving her a chance to argue, Isaac slides his hand out from hers and strides over to Erica. They walk into the classroom together, leaving Emery by herself. When was Isaac acquitted as a suspect in his father's murder? When did he come back? She can hardly register what has just happened before the bell rings.

Allison approaches Emery with a slight grin. "Hey, everything okay? I was waiting for you."

"I just saw Isaac," Emery informs.

"What?" the brunette furrows her brows. "I thought he was still hiding—"

"I guess not," she shrugs her shoulders lightly. Emery begins to cross the hall, Allison following suit with a sympathetic expression.

"Did he tell you that he was back?"

They enter their chemistry class to see Isaac and Erica sitting behind Scott, Stiles, and Lydia at the lab stations. Stiles has awkwardly pulled up a chair to the side of the desk, as though he's guarding the strawberry blonde. The girls narrow their eyes at them.

"Nope," Emery says while taking her seat beside Allison. She drops her bag to the floor, glancing back at Isaac. "He didn't tell me anything."

"Einstein once said, "two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe,"" Mr. Harris speaks. "I myself have encountered infinite stupidity." The man places a hand on Stiles' shoulder, "So, to combat the plague of ignorance in my class, you're going to combine efforts through a round of group experiments. Let's see if two heads are indeed better than one— or in Mr. Stilinski's case, less than one."

Lydia smiles at the boy as he rolls his eyes at both her and their teacher. Mr. Harris inhales, "Erica, you take the first station. You'll start with—" Slight sounds of commotion echo through the room, and he looks up to find more than half of the class's hands raised in the air. "I didn't ask for volunteers. Put your hormonal little hands down. Start with Mr. McCall."

Then, Mr. Harris pairs everybody up with their partners for the first rotation, and Emery ends up next to Stiles. "What's going on?" the witch asks, pouring the vials into the larger beaker.

"Derek wants to test Lydia," Stiles tells her in a hushed tone. "He thinks she's the kanima."

"What about Jackson?"

"They already tested him this morning. Apparently, he passed."

Emery presses her lips in a tight line, breathing out deeply. "And Isaac and Erica are supposed to do it? Right now?"

"Mhm, great timing, isn't it?" He sighs in annoyance, his words drenched with sarcasm.

"And we're trying to protect her?"

"That's the plan," Stiles nods. He glances at Isaac, who sits at one of the back tables with another student. "You think you can keep him away from Lydia? Or distract him?"

The dark-haired girl twists her neck to look at her boyfriend. His gaze suddenly snaps up to meet hers, and Emery whips around immediately. The blood rushes to her cheeks. "I'll try."

Mr. Harris presses his palm against the bell, the ringing echoing off the walls. "Switch."

Chairs scrape against the tiled floors as everyone moves to their next stations. Scott hurries to take the seat beside Lydia. Emery places herself at the table towards the very front of the classroom, sending a reassuring nod to Stiles, who sits next to Allison.

Then, a body slides onto the other stool, and Emery turns to find Isaac looking at her with a smirk on his face. She rolls her eyes, swiping a bottle and unscrewing the lid, pouring the substance into the mixture.

"You're not gonna talk to me?" Isaac questions in a teasing manner, adding to Emery's irritation.

"You first."

The beta chuckles, his smirk forming into a grin. "Well, what do you want me to say?"

Emery shrugs her shoulders lightly, continuing to add the chemicals to the compound on the surface of the table. "Maybe tell me that you won't hurt Lydia."

"Just testing her," Isaac states. Then, he reaches over Emery to grab another vial, and the girl pauses when she realizes the proximity of their faces. She keeps her gaze locked on his eyes, while they flicker down to her lips. "If she doesn't pass, I might have to hurt her, though."

Emery pushes his chest slightly, forcing him to move away and put some distance between them. "Uh—huh," she says. Isaac adds the chemicals into the beaker, and Emery briefly peers over her shoulder at Erica. "So, how's living with Derek?"

"Kind of rusty, but it's fine." Rusty?

"Hm," the girl hums. "And Erica?"

Isaac tilts his head at this, eyebrows raised slightly. "What, are you jealous?" Emery shakes her head, refusing to look at the amused smile on his face. Then, as Mr. Harris dings the bell to call for the final switch, Isaac leans close to Emery's ear, whispering, "I can hear your heartbeat, you know."

Then, he strides over to Lydia's station, the strawberry blonde giving him a cautious look. Stiles tries to leap up from his stool, crying out when their teacher whacks a wooden stick across the table. "If you're trying to test my patience, Mr. Stilinski, I guarantee it'll be a failing grade."

Danny chuckles, and Emery manages a slight grin before averting her gaze to Lydia and Isaac. An unsettling feeling emerges in her stomach, fully aware of the conflict that could occur within the next few minutes.

"Aren't you glad he's back?" Danny asks, causing the witch to turn towards him. She knits her brows together in confusion. He motions to the dirty blond. "You missed him, right?"

"Oh," Emery gapes slightly. "Uh, yeah. I missed him, but it's just a little weird right now."

Danny nods in understanding, passing her the last ingredient to the experiment. "Is it because of Erica? I noticed they're kinda... close now."

Emery hesitates, glancing at the blonde-haired girl sitting beside Allison. Then, she sighs. "No, not necessarily. If anything, it's because of him — not her."

Emery isn't lying when she says this. Isaac barely gave her a minute before leaving her in the hallway to do more of Derek's bidding, and he hadn't bothered to tell her that he was back at school. Only the small details are bothering her, but they matter all the same to Emery.

"Time," Mr. Harris announces. "If you've catalyzed the reaction correctly, you should now be looking at a crystal. Now, for the part of that last experiment I'm sure you'll all enjoy... you can eat it."

Scott and Stiles pick up their beaker to find a thick yellow blob within the glass, both of them frowning at the sight. Danny offers a piece to Emery, who thanks him as she bites into the mineral. The taste is surprisingly sweet.

However, Emery's enjoyment fades when Isaac passes the crystal to Lydia, noticing the tinted venom coating it. Scott abruptly jumps up from his seat, shouting out the girl's name. "Lydia!"

She startles, a drip of the venom falling onto her tongue while she looks at Scott with perplexed eyes. "What?"

Scott stammers slightly, waiting for Lydia to collapse with immobility. A moment passes before he carefully grabs his stool, sitting down once more. "Nothing."

Then Lydia fully takes the crystal into her mouth, crushing it between her teeth. Allison and Emery watch their friend in contemplation, while Stiles has a defeated expression on his features. Lydia failed the test, which means Derek is going to kill her.

____________

They reach the McCall House within minutes, Stiles parking the jeep at the front and helping Emery, Lydia, and Allison climb out from the backseats. Jackson, who they somehow convinced to help them, stands on the sidewalk with an agitated face.

"If we're studying at Scott's house, then where's Scott?" Lydia asks, walking up the short staircase leading to the door.

"Meeting us here," Stiles tells her. "I think— I hope." Then, he uses his key to unlock the door, allowing everyone enter before closing it behind them. Stiles twists the locks to both doorknobs, as well as connecting the chain. Lydia narrows her eyes at him. "Uh, there's been a few break-ins around the neighborhood."

He spots a chair at the corner of the foyer, and hurriedly pushes it underneath the knob of the door. Emery struggles to keep a straight face, muffling her smile with the palm of her hand. Lydia gives him another pointed stare. "And a murder"—Jackson exhales, his exasperation clear—"yeah, it was bad."

Allison cocks her head towards the stairs, her actions directed towards Jackson. He stifles an eye roll. "Lydia, follow me. I need to talk to you for a minute."

"Seriously?" she sighs, trailing after him as he strides down the hall. "What is going on with everyone?"

When Jackson and Lydia's footsteps are no longer in earshot, the three remaining downstairs let out deep breaths. Allison hangs her coat on the rack by the frame, and Emery moves their bags to the living room. The witch takes out Allison's miniature crossbow from the pouch, handing it to her a moment later. Stiles continues to hover by the windows, holding part of the curtain to the side in order to peer through the glass.

The sun has started to set, the sky changing to colors of purple and a soft orange shade. The light paints stripes over the wooden floors in the house through the curtains and blinds. Suddenly, four figures appear on the other side of the street, and Emery's stomach clenches when she sees Derek and his betas staring back at them.

"Call Scott," Emery demands, reaching down to the collar of her boot. Her fingers wrap around the handle to her pocketknife, swiftly pulling it out from within her shoe.

Stiles passes his phone to Allison, who dials his number. He answers instantly. "It's me," Allison speaks in a stiff tone. "You need to get here now. Right now." Then, she ends the call.

Another twenty minutes pass before the moon rises, casting shadows over the entire house. The streetlamps light the darkness of the outside, making the pack visible to the teenagers. Allison and Emery stand by the right window, while Stiles hunches by the left.

Emery meets Derek's intimidating stare, and she raises her hand to make an obscene gesture. The man shows no reaction, while Boyd seems to be amused by her action.

Allison clutches her weapon tightly, holding her cellphone in the other hand. Emery and Stiles notice the nervous expression on her face, her thumb hovering over the screen.

"What're you doing?" Stiles questions.

"I think—" Allison hesitates, using her sleeve to wipe her nose. "I think I have to call my dad."

"No," Emery disagrees. "Not happening."

Stiles straightens. "But if he finds you here, you and Scott—"

"I know. But what are we supposed to do? They're not here to scare us, okay? They're here to kill Lydia," Allison's breathing is unsteady, her words trembling with fear. Emery reaches out with her free arm, lacing her fingers with Allison's to comfort her.

"I can try something," Emery suggests. "A protective dome— around the house. It should be able to keep them out."

Allison and Stiles glance at each other. "Have you done it before?"

"Not really, no." They seem to refrain from the idea, and Emery holds in a scoff. "Deaton told me how to do it, and I'd rather try than just let them kill Lydia."

Allison looks to Stiles, desperation clear in her eyes. "It's better than nothing."

The boy presses his lips in a tight line, resisting a groan before nodding. "All right, do it. Just be careful. I don't need you passing out or something."

The witch agrees, releasing Allison's hand and stepping away. Then she raises her pocketknife and flips her other wrist over, slicing the blade over her palm. Blood oozes out from between the cut, crimson smudging her skin. She folds the knife and shoves it into her jacket pocket.

Stiles grimaces, covering his gaping mouth with his fist and whirling to the window. "Okay, maybe I might pass out."

Emery ignores his comment. A stinging sensation pervades the opening to her skin, and she inhales sharply to prevent herself from squirming. Emery shuts her eyes, envisioning the outline of the property. "Custodire domum."

She moves her arms further apart, slowly bringing her hands closer to meet in the middle. Drops of blood splatter onto the carpet, creating a small puddle at the witch's feet. A luminescent mist of purple circles around Emery's fingertips. Allison rushes to a window in the kitchen, tugging the curtain aside. "Oh my God," she gasps, a smiled forming on her lips.

A dome of plasma has begun to form around the house, the color of which fades from violet to translucent once it completely obscures the outline. It starts at the back of the house, slowly making its way to the front with each movement of Emery's palms. The witch grits her teeth together, trying to keep the image of the force field clear in her head.

"It's working," Allison informs, walking towards the window by the door again.

Stiles gives a nod, swallowing hard while looking at the crossbow. "I got an idea," he whispers to Allison. "Just shoot one of 'em."

"Are you serious?"

Emery bites the inside of her cheek, almost drawing blood as she drowns out his and Allison's hushed voices. She tries to keep her mind free of any distractions. It becomes more difficult as they continue to speak.

"We told Scott we could protect ourselves, so let's do it. Or at least give it a shot, right?" When Allison doesn't respond, Stiles adds, "Look, they don't think we're gonna fight. So, if one of them gets hit, I guarantee they'll take off. So, just shoot one of 'em."

"If I'm doing this for nothing, I'm gonna kill you," Emery says with a strained voice. She twists her wrists slightly, preparing to seal the dome outside.

Then the brunette hesitantly peers through the curtains. "Which one?"

"Derek," Stiles decided. "Yeah, shoot him. Preferably in the head."

"If Scott was able to catch an arrow, Derek definitely can."

"Okay, uh, just shoot one of the other three."

Allison furrows her brows. "You mean two."

"No, I mean three." Stiles frantically searches for the betas. "Where the hell is Isaac?"

Emery's eyes snap open, her arms falling to her sides. "What?" Then she realizes her mistake. The vision of her force field around the house has vanished, and the mist surrounding her fingers retreats into her skin. She hurries to the kitchen window, grabbing a hand towel to clasp over the slice on her palm, and finds that the dome has evaporated into air. "Fuck—"

A crash sounds from the foyer, and Emery spins around immediately. She runs toward the commotion as Isaac shoves Allison aside, her crossbow clattering a few feet away. When Stiles attempts to throw a punch to his face, Isaac sends him flying to ground with ease. His eyes are a vibrant gold, baring his fangs as he approaches Stiles with a growl.

Emery looks at her surroundings before snatching an empty flower vase off the dining table, rushing forward and pulling Isaac by his shoulder. "Hey!"

He whirls around to face her, his irises returning to their normal color. He notices the blood-soaked cloth in her grasp. "What—?"

"Vide nihil."

The boy stares at her in confusion for a moment. However, when he starts to blink rapidly, Emery knows that his vision has blurred. Then, muttering an apology, she smashes the vase against his side. Isaac lets out a yell, staggering away as the glass shatters over his shoulder.

Emery pushes past him, the pieces crunching beneath her boots. She hurries to Stiles, looping her arms under his as she yanks him upright. "Run," she breathes.

The boy doesn't hesitate to sprint around the corner, presumably hiding in the living room or another part of the house. Emery sees that Allison is nowhere to be found downstairs, assuming she's made her way to the second level of the house with Lydia. The witch stays put, watching Isaac stumble around blindly. "Isaac," she says. "It's only temporary."

"What the hell did you do?" he gasps, arms reaching out for something to hold onto. Furniture and picture frames clatter as he struggles to find his way around the house.

"Blinding spell."

"Spell?" Isaac's features contort into an expression filled of confusion and frustration. "What are you talking about?"

Emery pauses, brows knitting together. He doesn't know. "Derek didn't tell you—?"

"Guys, it's here!" Allison hollers from upstairs. Emery's body goes rigid, her fingers wrapping around the soaked bundle of fabric.

Suddenly, Scott appears behind Isaac and uses his fist to knock the beta unconscious. The dirty blond collapses to the ground, unmoving as Scott looks to Emery. "Are you okay?"

Emery manages a nod, her mouth hanging slightly ajar. Then, the werewolf rushes up the stairs to find Allison and Erica, while Emery searches for Stiles in the living room. The boy holds an umbrella in his hands, raising it defensively when she rounds the corner.

"It's me!" Emery exclaims.

Stiles lets out a relieved breath, lowering the umbrella and dropping it to the carpet. "Where's Scott?" he asks.

"Upstairs."

Then Scott descends the stairs with Allison in tow, dragging a paralyzed Erica towards the front door. He grabs Isaac by the collar of his shirt, hauling him off the ground. Allison opens the door while Scott tosses them at Derek and Boyd's feet, their bodies landing on the grass.

"Well, now he's downstairs," Emery breathes.

She stands behind Scott along with Allison and Stiles as he steps onto the patio of his house, glowering at Derek and his betas.

Derek sighs, frowning deeply as he stares at the teenagers. "I think I'm finally getting why you keep refusing me, Scott. You're not an Omega — you're already an Alpha of your own pack." He grins smugly, "But you know you can't beat me."

"I can hold you off until the cops get here."

The man's grin falters at the sound of sirens approaching the neighborhood. However, when heavy footsteps and hisses appear from above, the group scurries off the porch. Everybody cranes their necks as the scaled creature crawls across the rooftop.

It pauses momentarily, staring at them with its menacing eyes. Then, releasing a horrific roar, the kanima leaps off the house and runs down the street. No one attempts to chase after it.

"Get them out of here," Derek tells Boyd, motioning to Isaac and Erica.

Suddenly, Lydia comes storming through the front door, her cheeks stained with tears. "Can someone please tell me what the hell is going on?"

Emery gapes at her in shock.

Scott looks in the direction of the kanima, realization dawning on him. The only other person who had been with them the entire night. The person missing from the scene right now. "It's Jackson."