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chapter four:

⤵︎ ⤹
⤷ MAGIC BULLET ⤶
01 x 04

❝ WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM SCOTT ?? ❞

❝ YEAH, AND WHY WOULD WE TELL YOU ?? ❞

❏❐❑

ADRIAN MADDEN DIDN'T KNOW why his mother had called him so late at night. But as soon as she'd mentioned his sisters name, the man had dropped everything. He'd quietened down his teammates in the background as Crystal's words sounded out through the speaker in his phone.

"I don't know what's been up with her recently. She came home late the other night from her friends party, you know, Lydia. She looks tired, like she's not getting enough sleep. And you should see how she's been acting with Richard lately. I can't tell when she's just going to snap."

Adrian listened to her words, and it was safe to say that he was more than worried. His sister wasn't acting like herself, and Richard being there definitely wasn't helping.

"You're the only one who can get through to her. She'll listen to you . . ." By now, Crystal's words were slightly shaky. It was clear that she was more than worried about her daughter and her wellbeing. But how was she supposed to help if she wouldn't speak to her ?? "Do you think you could come back Beacon Hills ??"

The brunette sighed and stood while pinching the bridge of his nose in consideration. Really, he wasn't supposed to leave. They had a meeting tomorrow, and his career would be riding on it. But . . . his sister was more important than the fame would ever be. "Alright, I'll be there tomorrow." After all, he wasn't too far from the town he'd grown up in.

And then, he could find out what the hell was going on with his sister.

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CORDELIA HAD GOTTEN HOME early in the morning after her hangout with Stiles. They'd managed to get through the first two star wars films. That being because she'd repeatedly been asking questions. And every time, Stiles would pause the film to explain it to her so she didn't "miss anything of value." But hey, his words not hers.

And so, when she'd opened the front door, it had been a similar case to the other night. Her mother was there waiting for her, though thankfully Richard was nowhere to be seen, yet another figure was sat in his usual seat. One with similar features to her own.

"Adrian ??" The single word left her throat in a quiet yet relieved tone.

He smiled at her, though it was short and nowhere near as warm as they used to be.

"What are you doing here ??"

The man in mention peered up to his mother with a knowing look. It seemed she understood their silent conversation and left the room, seemingly going back to Richard.

"What are you doing here ??" She asked once more, but this time, her voice held a slight bit of sterness in it. No doubt she was surprised and, of course, happy to see her older brother after all this time, but Cordelia just knew that Crystal had been the one to get him here. He was supposed to be living his life and enjoying it, not having to come back to this town just to look after her. She was sixteen, not six.

"It's been three years, Cordy. Can't I just come visit my little sister ??"

Three years . . .

Those words hurt. Had it really been that long ?? Though she supposed it had. Each year for Thanksgiving and Christmas, he wouldn't be there. Though every year, a spare seat was left for him along with a plate of food that would always go cold due to his absence. Though Cordelia would wait by his chair just in case he came knocking at their door in the dead of night. He never did . . .

She shook her head vehemently. "Don't kid yourself. I know the real reason you're here. And I don't want to talk about it."

Adrian sighed. This wasn't at all how he'd expected this conversation to go. Though he supposed that she'd changed in the three years since they'd seen each other. She was no longer the sweet and bubbly thirteen year old he'd once known. But now a brooding sixteen year old who liked to drink, stay out late for parties, and, apparently, worry her mother. "Cordy ━━━"

The brunette cut him off with an annoyed glance. "Just don't, I don't want to talk about that right now. I'll see you later." By later, she meant at breakfast, aka her eternal hell. And it was only bound to be even worse with the addition of Adrian. After all, everyone in that house knew of his deepfound hatred of Richard Trevino, except for seemingly the man himself.

"You can put your stuff in your old room. We haven't touched it since you left." She said as she turned to walk away and up the stairs and into her room. Leaving Adrian Madden all alone in the kitchen of their house. How was he going to get through to her now ??

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THE NEXT MORNING CORDELIA wasn't feeling rather sociable. Though who could blame her, really ?? Her brother, whom she hadn't seen in three years, was back. And was now most likely sat downstairs with Richard and her mother, making polite conversation all while glaring at the man sat beside him.

However, the teen knew that she wouldn't be able to leave the house without any one of them seeing her. Then suddenly, an idea popped into her head. Admittedly, it was incredibly far fetched. But you don't even want to know the lengths she would go to to avoid breakfast and any situation that included her having to be in the same as Richard.

Cordelia glanced to the door before moving across her room and opened the window. The white lacy curtains billowing backwards into her face due to the cold morning air. She grimaced at the feeling of them on her face before pushing the fabric back harshly so they'd stay out of the way.

Now, if Allison could do it, surely she could too ?? ( that was rhetorical ).

Cordelia spared one last glance to her bedroom door before turning back to the window and beginning to take a step outside the window. But then, her door opened. And she immediately scrambled back inside and leaned back on the window sill nonchalantly, like she hadn't just been about to climb out her window and run across the roof, just to escape breakfast. Yeah, she had problems.

"Are you coming down ??" Her brothers voice spoke. The brunette had been too busy trying to make it look like she hadn't been doing anything to even notice it was him.

"Uh yeah." Wait, what ?? Her eyes widened. "I mean no ! No, I'm not coming downstairs. I was just . . . admiring the view ??" She spoke, but it came out as more of a question.

Surprisingly, the man bought it and sent a small, regretful look her way. "Yeah, I figured. I don't really want to be down there any longer if I'm being honest." A pause. And then a soft glance. "So, you want me to drive you to school today ??"

Cordelia peered to him and thought for a moment. She hadn't seen him in three years, but here he was, trying his best to repair their seemingly broken relationship. And how could she ever refuse that ??

At the wide smile present on his sisters face, he immediately knew her answer and beckoned her to come with him. She just nodded and grabbed her bag from the ground and followed him out the door. Maybe today would be a good day after all . . .

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AS HE PULLED UP TO THE
school building, Cordelia thanked him and got out of the car but turned to him as she was about to leave. "Don't let anyone see your face." She warned with a teasing smile. "Or you'll have all the girls fawning over you and the guys asking you to sign their everything."

He chortled at the statement. He could imagine it now, and it sure wouldn't be pretty. "Alright, just go ahead now. You don't want to be late."

She sighed but obliged anyway, just looking forward to seeing him again after school. The teen turned around and hurried up the steps, watching as he stayed there, not leaving until he saw the girl enter the school.

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HER FIRST FEW LESSONS HADN'T been too eventful, the incident from the lacrosse game plaguing her mind constantly, as well as the fight with Richard. The way her mother gazed at her sent a feeling of dread through her body each time the brunette thought about it. But it was all she could think about. And it sucked.

Though, the company of Jackson always made her feel better. She had been accompanying him for a little while now while he was getting some things from his locker. The pair talked about how their shared date night went, his annoyance on the subject paramount.

"I mean, you should've seen McCall in the beginning. 'I'm a great bowler'". He mocked, a small smirk pulling on his features as he recalled the memory of Scott fumbling each bowl. "What a load of bull."

Cordelia chuckled at that. She could just imagine Scott now, utterly humiliating himself while Lydia and Jackson shared snide comments at his lack of bowling abilities. "I'm sure he was just saying that to impress Allison." She replied, feeling a pang of sympathy for the boy, just trying to make it with the girl he liked. "Besides, you said he got better in the end, right??"

Jackson grumbled at that, still rooting around in his locker for something. Who knows what.

She sighed and checked her phone for messages. She had one from her brother telling her to stay safe at school and that he'd pick her up later from school. But that was it. She frowned and pocketed her phone as she leaned against the lockers, crossing her arms against her chest as she did so. "Just what are you looking for exactly ?? Because you've been rooting around in there for ages."

The jock sighed and was about to reply when a rather sickly sounding voice came from next to him. He pulled his head out of his locker, standing in front of Cordelia as he eyed him wearily, noticing the blood dripping from underneath the sleeve of his leather jacket.

"Where's Scott McCall ??" The voice asked again when he got no response from the two, recognising them as people Scott knew, so surely they'd know where he was. Right ?? Well, he sure hoped so.

"What do you want with Scott ??" Cordelia questioned, stepping closer, her eyes narrowing in on his form as they glanced up and down at him. What on earth would someone like this need from Scott ?? Was he on drugs ??

Jackson seemed to agree as he spoke, his voice rough and questioning. "Yeah, and why should we tell you ??" The lacrosse player scoffed lightly.

Derek huffed at their responses, not expecting them to be so difficult. His time was running out, and if he didn't find him soon, then he'd most likely drop dead. "Because I asked politely, and I only do that once." His tone seemed to transfer into an unfriendly one as he staggered closer to the pair.

Jackson didn't appear to be threatened by the man as he challenged him. "Hmm. Okay, tough guy. You know, how about I help you find him ?? . . . If you tell me what you're selling him ??" He compromised, knowing that Scott didn't just get good overnight. That was impossible. It had to be a boost of some sort. It just had to be.

Derek just stared at him blankly, not knowing what he was talking about, watching as Jackson moved closer to him.

Cordelia eyed the pair apprehensively, not wanting a fight to break out or for Jackson to get hurt. "What is it? Is it, uh, dianabol? Hmm ?? HGH ??"

The leather clad man frowned impatiently when he realized just what the jock was implying.

"Steroids ??" He scoffed as though the idea was ridiculous. Because it was. To him, at least.

Deciding he'd had enough of teens today, he turned to walk away but was held back by none other than Jackson. The teen grabbed his arm as he scoffed, retorting in a sarcastic tone of voice that was becoming all too common with him nowadays.

"No, Girl Scout cookies. What the hell do you think I'm talking about ??"

Cordelia and Jackson exchanged glances, finally taking in Derek's appearance. Pale skin, dark circles under his eyes. And not to mention the fact that he could barely seem to hold himself up as he leaned against the lockers for support.

"Oh, and, uh, by the way, whatever it is you're out selling, I'd probably stop sampling the merchandise ━ you look wrecked." The Whittemore boy noted, looking at him with disgust.

Cordelia frowned and swatted his shoulder lightly at his cruel words but also couldn't help but agree. He looked like shit. 

Derek sighed, clenching his fists tightly, knowing he wasn't going to get anywhere with these two. He huffed and turned around, beginning to walk away. "I'll find him myself." He muttered angrily.

Derek walked past the pair and headed further down the hallway, but Jackson, not willing to lose his chance to find out what Scott's secret was, turned to stop him, reaching out to grip his arm again.

Eagerly, he spoke up, not wanting to let him leave yet. He'd find out what Scott's secret was, even if it was the death of him. "No, we're not done here ━"

Jackson grabbed Derek on the left shoulder to try to turn him around, only for Derek to spin out of his grip, grab Jackson by his own left arm, and pin him face ━ first into the locker, his bloody hand holding him down by the back of the neck. The jock groaned in pain when he made contact with the metal door. While Derek didn't seem fazed, his eyes narrowed in anger, seemingly having snapped.

Cordelia's eyes widened as she jumped backwards at his sudden outburst. How the hell could Scott be friends with a man like this ??

Derek, seemingly noticing the two teenagers' shocked expressions and wide eyes, realised what he was doing. His eyes fell to the claws pertruding from his fingers, digging into Jackson's neck. The man only pulled away when blood started to trickle down his skin, staining his skin a crimson red. Derek suddenly pulled away, appearing to be surprised at his own actions as he took a step back. And then another before moving down the hall in a desperate attempt to find Scott.

"Holy shit ! What a psycho !" Cordelia cried, noting the wounds on the back of her friends neck. She pulled him down to examine them slightly. "You alright ??" The brunette asked wearily, knowing that he most probably wasn't alright.

Jackson just shakily nodded, not really paying attention to what she had just said, clutching his wound, and watching as Derek disappeared down the hallway.

"I can't believe that Scott's friends with that maniac." She grumbled while picking up her bag and closing his locker. "You should get you checked out." Cordelia added, noting how blood was still steadily trickling from the marks on his skin.

Again, her friend just nodded, and they moved to leave the school.

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AFTER MULTIPLE REASSURANCES that he'd be fine, Jackson managed to convince Cordelia that he did not need to go to the hospital, and only would if his wounds got any worse, which he sure hoped wouldn't be the case.

And so, the pair said their goodbyes and watched as she got into her brothers car, a wide grin on her face as they began talking.

A sudden honk of a car horn interrupted the pair, and Adrian peered behind them, taking into account all the cars that were also waiting to leave the school. "What's the hold up ??" He questioned frustratedly, tapping his hands against the wheel impatiently.

Cordelia just frowned and shrugged lightly. "I'm not sure." She trailed off lightly in confusion.

After a few minutes, Cordelia huffed in frustration and got out of the car, ignoring her brother's protests as she walked down the line or cars, unsurprised to see Scott and Stiles. Joint with the man who she was informed by Allison was his Scott's friend. Which probably meant, by extension, he was also Stiles' friend, too.

"You should probably get him to a hospital." Cordelia commented, motioning to the sickly looking man on the ground.

Scott and Stiles' eyes suddenly shot up at the sight of the brunette. Stiles chuckled nervously and nodded while Cordelia's gaze fell to the leather clad man, her eyes narrowing. She still hadn't forgotten about the incident between him and Jackson. As if sensing her eyes on him, Derek peered up. He himself still didn't know how to feel about the girl. He'd overheard from Scott and Stiles that she'd been stalked by a monster with glowing red eyes. The alpha. Yet she wasn't directly involved with the supernatural. She didn't even know about the existence of werewolves. So what did he want with her ??

"Yeah . . ." Stiles rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "That's what we are going to do . . . take him to a hospital because that's what he needs . . . a hospital . . ."

Cordelia frowned confusedly before another figure joined her, peering down at the scene with furrowed brows and crossed arms. "What's going on here ??" He questioned, his gaze falling to Derek on the ground and then to the two teens on either side of him.

Stiles' eyes widened as his grip on Derek loosened, and he fell back to against the ground, leaning all his weight on Scott ( who sent him a low glare, now was really not the time to be fan━girling over Adrian Madden right now ).

"Oh my . . ." He trailed off, looking up at the man in awe as the sun created a gleaming glow around him, making him look almost angelic ( although perhaps that was just the fact that he was in shock of meeting one of his idols ).

Adrian chuckled lightly at the attention, but his focus was still on the situation at hand.

Scott frowned and nudged his friend, side eyeing the man who was now only in his grip. Silently telling him to pull it together !

The pale teen fumbled slightly and nodded, quickly gripping Derek's arm once more and pulling him up. He dismissed Cordelia and Adrian as they went over to his Jeep, only to bump into Allison, who was also confused about what was going on.

The pair watched before heading back to his car. Cordelia reached to put some music on as the cue of cars in front of them lessened and began moving but frowned as Adrian gently slapped her hand away, grinning smugly. "You know the rules." He teased, hands on the wheel as he pulled out of the school and onto the road, trees and the cold autumn air passing them by.

The brunette just sighed and sat back in her seat, folding her arms against her chest, clearly not impressed. "Yeah yeah I know. Driver picks the music." She paused for a moment before speaking. "That's such an outdated rule you know."

Adrian chuckled and turned up the music that had begun playing. Tear You Apart by She Wants Revenge. Not the kind of music you'd expect someone like Adrian to like but she had gotten used to it.

Cordelia settled back in her seat as the song continued playing, feeling relaxed with the presence of her brother. The low hum of his voice to the lyrics, his fingers tapping against the wheel rhythmically and the low breeze tousling her hair was enough to create a safe atmosphere. To make her feel calm. But no good things last as Cordelia Madden should know all too well by now.

She peered out the window as the car drove past, causing the trees to blur, her eyes falling upon the beast that prayed upon her, that was taunting and stalking her, that was probably reveling in her fear.

The beast quickly faded out of her vision as the car whizzed past, though its blood red eyes did not. They lingered even as they headed further down the road, her head turning back to face it. Only disappearing as they rounded a corner. And she was terrified of where she'd see it next.

Cordelia suddenly couldn't help but feel the lyrics to the song had a deeper meaning as they rang in her head.

I want to fucking tear you apart . . .

Hearing this, only made the brunette dread what it had in mind for her. She was definitely not eager to find out.

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ODI SPEAKS ━━━━

SO, THIS CHAPTER WAS MOSTLY
a filler chapter in preparation for events that will occur in the next two chapters 'the tell' and 'night school'. So, just be prepared lmao.

I ALSO HOPE THIS GETS THE same kind of attention that it did before as it's been around four ━━ five months since I've posted. Fingers crossed 🤞🏻

I HOPE YOU ALL ENJOY, AND please don't be a ghost reader ! I love reading comments and interacting with my readers ! So please leave a vote and comment !

coast_by_coast