Chapter 1
Stiles could hear the conversation in the next room. Parrish was never exceptionally quiet, but tonight it was like he was screaming.
“Two joggers found it in the woods, but here’s where it gets interesting, it’s only half. It’s torn in half at the waist. The only identifying mark is a tattoo on the ankle. It says ‘The only way out is through’ and it’s wrapped around the bone. What you want us to do?”
Stiles’ stomach dropped.
“I’m heading in now. Start organizing a search party. We have to find the other half.” Stiles heard his father’s phone snap shut before he poked his head through the kitchen door. “Parrish called, it’ll be a late night. Let your sister know.”
“K, be safe.” The Sheriff nodded before leaving the house. As soon as the door closed, Stiles was sprinting up the stairs. He pushed open Lydia’s room without knocking.
“Jesus Stiles, couldn’t you like knock?” Lydia was sprawled on her bed in her pajamas reading. Her lips twisted into a frown. “Did Dad leave?”
“Yea, some joggers found a body. Get dressed. We have to beat them.”
“I’m aware of the death , but just why would I do that?” Lydia asked, focusing back on her book. Stiles had heard her last night, and made her cocoa afterward.
“Because the body was ripped in half. And because the legs that were found had a tattoo on them.” Stiles said. Lydia raised an eyebrow, waiting for how this was important. “Tattoo around the ankle bone, says ‘The only way out is through.’” Lydia’s head snapped up.
“Laura,” She breathed. Stiles left her alone to change. In his room he grabbed his red hoodie and a flash light, before going downstairs to wait for Lydia. He had hopped the final stair when there was a knock on the door. He pulled it open to find Scott.
“Hey dude, ready for some- wait are you going somewhere?” Stiles had totally forgot Scott was coming over.
“Yes, change of plan. Get in the Jeep Scott. We are going hunting.” Lydia said airily, squeezing herself past Stiles and strutting toward the jeep. Scott stood dumbfounded as Stiles locked the door behind him.
“Uh dude, why is Lydia coming,” he tried to whisper.
“Because Scott, I thought it sounded fun.” Lydia placated. Stiles snorted and she shot him a glare. Scott swung into the back seat as Stiles turned the key. Lydia leaned back in her seat, but didn’t relax. She loved the jeep. It was her mother’s car, but Lydia was not the type to drive it, hence why it was mostly Stiles’. She glanced at her brother and sighed. His jaw was clenched and his muscles were taught. His hands were clenched so hard; his knuckles were white. Lydia knew only a Hale could pull this reaction. Oh the Hales, she thought to herself. As children, she and Stiles had spent most of their time on the Hale property. They had grown up there, but when their mother died, so did that tie. She reached over and twined her fingers with the hand Stiles had on the gear shift.
Scott noticed the gesture, but didn’t say anything. Something was up with the twins, but he couldn’t figure out what. For one, Lydia was wearing sneakers, and two, Lydia rarely spoke to Scott, let alone wanted to hang out with them. Scott knew Stiles and Lydia were close, but you couldn’t tell by looking at them. They never spoke at school and most people had forgot they were siblings, let alone twins. Scott didn’t even think Jackson knew. It was really weird when people thought Stiles was into Lydia because they thought he looked at her abnormal amounts of time and tried to talk to her. Scott would probably look at his twin that much too, just to make sure they were okay, especially with their mom. He sat back and waited for the night to proceed.
When Stiles pulled off the road, Lydia slipped out gracefully from years of practice. They searched for hours, but to no avail, that’s when the Sheriff caught them. Scott was behind a tree when it happened.
“Stop! Those two are mine.” Lydia and Stiles froze at the sound of the Sheriff. “Stiles I expected, but Lydia, what the hell?” Scott heard the blatant confusion in the Sheriff’s voice. “We are going to have a long talk on the way back to the jeep.” They trudged away, hoping Scott would find his way back to the jeep. Once it was just the three of them, the Sheriff stopped. “Okay explain.” Lydia pressed her lips together and ducked her head, a gesture the Sheriff rarely saw. It made him stand up straighter. He knew there was one hell of an explanation.
“The body,” Stiles started. His voice cracked slightly and Lydia took his hand again. “It belongs to Laura Hale.” The Sheriff watched as his daughter leaned into her twin. He knew about the bond they both shared with the Hales.
“How do you know? We only found her legs.” He crossed his arms.
“The tattoo,” Lydia whispered. He could see the pain his children were in and stepped forward, putting his arms around them.
“Go home. I’ll let you know if we find anything okay?” Stiles rarely heard his father’s voice this soft. He nodded and began to pull Lydia toward the jeep. She wrapped her hand around his upper arm and walked closer to him.
“Who do you think did it?” She whispered.
“I don’t know. But we have to find out.” Stiles’ voice was hard with determination, and she believed him. They had to find out.
Stiles tried to call Scott about twenty times to no avail. Finally, he picked up.
“Dude where are you?” Stiles half screamed.
“I couldn’t find the jeep, so I trekked home, but dude, I was attacked by a giant wolf thing, I think. The stupid thing bit me.” Scott sounded winded.
“It bit you?” Stiles choked on air.
“Yea it’s not too bad though. I’m going to have mom look at it tomorrow. I’ll see you at school tomorrow.” Without a word, Scott hung up. Stiles climbed into the jeep, but didn’t start her.
“Stiles what’s wrong?”
“A large wolf type animal, bit him.” Stiles’ words were even and measured. Lydia knew he was trying to keep calm.
“Okay well it’s very possible he won’t turn, you know that. There’s a greater chance it was a beta.”
“I don’t think so Lyds. Whomever killed Laura, bit Scott, meaning it was an Alpha. I can feel it.” Lydia hung her head. They were twins, but they definitely had different gifts.
“Okay, we’ll just have to keep an eye on him, and help him through the change.” Lydia took his hand again as he drove them home.
“Someone has to call her.” Stiles whispered as he closed the door behind them.
“I will,” Lydia whispered before she kissed her brother on the cheek. “See you in the morning.” Stiles grabbed her arm and pulled her back. He wrapped her arms around her and squeezed. Lydia nuzzled into his chest and sighed. “We’ll be okay Stiles.”
“I know, now go get your beauty sleep.” Stiles gently pushed her towards the stairs. Lydia gave him a sad smile. She knew her brother better than anyone knew, and she knew he wouldn’t sleep tonight.