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17 days until Veata Moon

Friendly reminder: Never swing your arm back to punch someone. It's too predictable. Especially when that person you're hitting is Isaac Lahey.

Isaac twists to the side, grabbing Aspen's arm and pinning it behind her at a painful angle. She hisses between her teeth as she feels Isaac breathing heavily against the back of her neck. "You're predictable." Isaac breaths, pushing her away softly.

Aspen still manages to trip over her tennis shoes. She angrily whips around, pulling a hair away from her sweaty forehead. They had been sparring for half an hour, and Aspen was seriously considering retirement from this whole "training control." thing.

"Well, I don't think I really have an advantage against a 6'0 foot werewolf who can push a tractor with his pinky," Aspen snaps, leaning down to snatch her blue water canteen from the ground.

"I'm 6'2, for one," Isaac winks her way, making Aspen flips him off as she gulps her water, "and two, use your power to your advantage. You're fast on your feet now make your body move with that momentum."

"Watching too many action movies, are we?"

"I'm an empirical learner, Veata. So get out of your head."

Now, everyone had things they found inexplicably attractive. Aspen's was apparently a tall, blue-eyed werewolf using the word empirically and taking for granted that she actually knew what it meant.

Isaac ambled toward the train, giving Aspen leisure time to place her hands on her hips and gaze up at the high, murky ceilings. It was depressing in there. No wonder Derek is such a pissy alphahole.

Isaac's heavy footfall indicated his return, and Aspen dropped her gaze to watch him slide on punch mitts. Aspen rose her brows, a tantalizing smile threatening to break her worn exterior. Isaac's glimpsed up momentary while strapping the gloves, laughing airily. "It's either this or punching bag. And we already know that's not an option."

Aspen rolled her eyes, cheeks flushing with mild embarrassment. "Stupid bag of sand almost broke my wrist," she grumbled, tightening the worn wraps around her knuckles.

"Yeah, it's not at all because you have fragile bones," Isaac smirked, but Aspen was not at all entertained as she threw a punch to his face. Isaac cursed as he shoved her arm to the side, eyes wide at her speed. "you can at least try to aim for my hands."

"I was going for shutting your mouth. Your option isn't effective enough." Aspen spat scornfully, striking his mitted hands roughly. While her eyes were trained on her punching target, Isaac's were unrelenting. So was that permanent smirk on his lips every time he would be forced back by the pressure of her hits.

Aspen dared to meet his eyes as she let her power drive hard punches to the mitts. His stare was intentional. "I can think of other ways for you to shut my mouth," Isaac murmured coyly, his gaze somewhere in the vicinity of Aspen's lips.

Aspen nearly glitched at his words, biting the side of her cheek. Words like that give a girl butterflies. Chills even. Isaac gave her fucking global warming.

She resumed her hits, leaving Isaac to revel in his humor. After what felt like a few seconds filled with the sound of slapping leather, Isaac cleared his throat. "Someone's controlling Jackson, right?"

Aspen peered up at him, hardly shrugging. "Yeah, from what we read. Pretty sure."

"Any ideas of who it could be?"

"Nope."

"C'mon. Isn't your hyperactive child friend a wannabe detective?"

Aspen breathed a laugh at Isaac's accurate description of Stiles, tilting her head. "Well, we're not in an episode of Scooby-Doo. It's not that easy."

"If you think about it, we sort of are." Isaac dropped his hands, indicating for Aspen to follow whim to the punching bag. Aspen threw her head back, a distressed noise leaving her lips as she squeezed her eyes shut in pain of what was to come.

"Please elaborate." Aspen's tone was akin to somebody who actually cared.

Isaac passed a smug smile, Aspen giving it right back. He nodded to the punching bag, mitts already discarded to the ground and his hands placed on either side of the "death bag."

Aspen heaved a sigh before resuming her punching. "Well, Scott is Fred, obviously."

"Fred is a blonde caucasian." she pointed out with a hard punch, making Issac huff from all the strength he used to hold the bag in place. Seeing as she was not placing any harm on anyone, Aspen has no problem unleashing her power with every swing.

Isaac shrugs in indifference. "Doesn't change that he's the leader, and every girl wants him."

"I don't."

"I would be worried if you did."

"Jealous?" a ghost of a smile hovered over aspens lips as she paused her hits. Isaac merely smiled, unaffected, as he nodded to the punching bag. Aspen scoffed. "It wouldn't be the first time."

Isaac kept his eyes at the window panels above. "And that's supposed to mean..." his voice was far away as if trying to escape the subject.

"Matt asking me on a date ring any bells? Or has dementia hit you early?" Aspen jested. But her heart stung with her joke. Her thoughts only led to her grandfather. Isaac felt her breathing shift, and he laughed softly.

"Stiles is Shaggy. Allison could be Daphnie, and you are most accurately Velma."

"So that makes you Scooby."

"You're funny."

They trained for another few minutes, resorting to basic combat. Until Aspen finally had Isaac pinned to a metal railing, her chest heaving against his back. Isaac's hands strained under her grip, and she sent air through her hand so he would feel numb. Aspen lets out a breathy laugh, leaning on her toes, so her lips are touching his ear. "Feels familiar, doesn't it?" she questions teasingly. She blows in his ear, making him chuckle and shake her away. 

"Don't think I forgot what I said then," Isaac said, swiping a towel from the wooden bench and walking toward Aspen, dapping the sweat from her head. "I'm a man of my word."

This was the moment Aspen should throw back a flirty remark. She should have. But her eyes were too lost in his seas of madness. "Boycott," she mumbles, a smile tugging on the corner of her lips.

Isaac drops his hand, leaning his head back as he lets a short laugh. "Right, of course." he then takes the towel and splays it on Aspen's face.

"Agh--gross!" Aspen cringes as she yanks it off her face and launches it toward Isaac, who is already in a fit of laughter as he dodges the sweat-drenched rag.

Their play fight would have continued if not for the notification sounding from Aspen's laptop that sat open on the wooden picnic table. They both turned their head at the sound, all laughing evaporating from the abandoned station. They toss each other a glance before moving toward the laptop.

Erica had sent her an email.

Aspen's brow furrowed, her bottom lips grazing her teeth as she looked to Isaac. She imagined they mirrored the same confusion. She tapped the file opened, a flash of pages taking up every corner of her screen. "Jesus," Aspen mumbled in shock. "why did she send me an insurance report?"

"Woah Woah Woah," Isaac let his fingers press under a title. "Jackson."

Aspen lips shaped in an "O" as she shook her head, squinting at the words she read along. Then realization sunk in, Aspen's head falling into one of her hands as she heaved a sigh.

Isaac noticed her discomfort, his eyes staggering toward the screen and her face. "What is it?"

"It's the accident report from the car accident. The night his parents died," she said gloomily, hand gesturing to the screen.

Isaca ran a hand over his chin, thumb grazing his bottom lips. "Look at the dates." Isaac pointed to the screen, Aspen leaning in to follow his finger. "His parents were rushed to the hospital on June 14. His birthday is the 15th."

Aspen's eyes nearly glossed over at the disturbing understanding that was being released upon her. Her hands cupped over her mouth as she shut her eyes. "So Jackson was born after his mom died--by c-section. They pulled him out of her dead body." her voice trembled at the thought.

"Shit," Isaac whispered, turning in his spot on the bench to let his back lean on the table. "So, was it an accident or not?"

Aspen allowed her shaking hands to move along the cursor but was only disappointed after finding an answer. "The report says inconclusive."

"Could his parents have been murdered," Isaac suggested, looking over his shoulder to meet Aspen's gaze.

Aspen scoffed a pitiful laugh, looking back to the laptop, the light making her eyes glow. "If they were, then it falls in line with the kanima myth. You know? It seeks out and kills murders."

"But for Jackson?" Isaac commented, "or for whoever's controlling him?"

Aspen drew in her bottom lips before closing the laptop. After so many years of despising Jackson, this was admittingly enough for her to feel bad for him. His persona of being worth a million dollars was dwindling until it was only a scared little boy with no identity.

"I'm sorry." the words were a thimble on Aspen's lips. A whisper tossed to the wind hoping Isaac would read the sincerity behind each syllable.

Isaac turned his head, lips parted. But he closed them quickly, looking forward once more as his leg shook. "You don't have to be June. I get it."

"I basically said I hope my parents are really dead to the guy who has no family left." Aspen snapped, moreso to herself.

Isaac read her tone and sighed through his nose. "Different situations call for different reactions. My mom--" Isaac wet his lips, leaving Aspen to slowly turn in her seat, crossing her legs in front of her to give him her full attention. "Well, she got sick, and you know, my dad became...unstable. After my brother died well, you know the rest." Isaac suddenly laughed, but then there was no joyful meaning matching his sad smile. "It sucks to miss the person who hurt you the most. I won't sit here and lie to you that my life has gotten better since he died. If anything, living just became tolerable, but it still hurts. Knowing I wasn't able to fix my dad feels like I failed him."

Aspen knew Issac wasn't looking for a worthless 'I'm sorry," nor was he looking for a response. They were two kids stripped of their parents too soon. Stripped of experience and memories and love. All there that was left was pain.

"Um, "Aspen grazed her finger over her upped lips, eyes gazing at the glass panels above, counting every one hoping the lump in her throat would stay dormant. She felt Isaac's eyes on her, trying to find the first crack of emotion he's seen from her in days. "I was diagnosed with insomnia as a kid. I would dream of my room becoming this quiet, deep ocean. And uh, a woman would swim around me while I slept. She sang to me, but I was so scared that I woke up screaming. And--" Aspen sniffled, a reminiscing smile breaking her lips. "and my dad would pick me up, and we would watch Love Lucy on VHS. We made hot chocolate, and he would always give me his marshmallows. Then took me outside, laid me on the grass, and had me count stars until I fell asleep--"

Aspen choked on her cry that suddenly racked her body. Her chest heaved as she buried her face in his hands, shaking her head. She felt the weight of the bench shift, and then a warm hand snaked up her back until it met the back of her neck. Aspen uncovered her face, eyes ringing red as she looked to Isaac. "Why do you act like you don't remember him?" he whispered.

Aspen swallowed thickly. "Because I know it's gonna hurt so much worse when Sam is gone." her words trembled at his name, and Isaac frowned, his thumb caressing her skin. "I don't want to feel this pain again. I can't take it. Not with him gone. He's all that's ever really mattered to me, and if he goes, I have nothing else to go back to."

"Hey," Isaac's thumb maneuvered Aspen's face toward him. Sadness loomed in her brown eyes. A sadness that has lived within her for so long. Isaac wished he could have noticed sooner. That he could somehow take the damage that's been done and make her forget. "The pain won't go. It won't. You just have to accept that it's part of you. It's up to you whether you let it determine how you get to live your life. Besides," Isaac's hand trails down her shoulder to let his hands interlace with her own. "you have me."

"When did this become therapy for troubled kids?"

Oh, if Aspen had a machine gun, every bullet would penetrate Derek's black heart.

"When you bit a bunch of troubled kids." Aspen quipped, wiping her wet cheeks, her voice low. She and Isaac shared a glance. A new kind of kindling light was woven into their stare. One only they shared. Something close to closure. She smiled gently, squeezing his hand.

Isaac winked, lifting her hand and kissing her palm before standing up to walk toward Derek. "Any leads on the Argents?" Isaac asked.

"No, but I gotta pretty good lead on the kanima's identity." Derek's voice was accusative, directed to Aspen, who shared his hard stare. He noticed her red ringed eyes but dared not to show sympathy. "care to say it for me, Aspen?"

"I think you knew it was Jackson already. You just wanted to make sure, so you're letting Scott take the hits. A bit cowardly for an Alpha, don't you think?" Aspen faked a smile, hands placed on either side of her legs.

Derek was not enthused and crossed his broad arms. "I had to be sure before making a move."

"You know, making a move usually means a strategic plan of saving Jackson. Not brutally murdering him."

"Killing him is strategic if it means keeping him from killing anyone else."

"Of course it does, as long as you let Scott do all the work for you while you stay in your puppy dungeon playing live-in father with your teen werewolves."

Derek opened his mouth with a retort before the door to the train station was slammed open. The three stood in defense to the intrusion, but Scott came into view, Erica in his arms. But Aspens frowned, her heart anchored to her stomach seeing Erica having a seizure in his arms. Stiles was at Scott's feet, face red. "Derek, she's having a seizure!"

"I see that." Derek's face turned to stone. He was hasty to bring Erica into his arms and lead her into the train. Aspen followed suit, her eyes only wanting to stay on Erica. "Pull her up!"

Stiles dropped to his knees on the dusty train floor, letting Erica drape her weight on his lap and chest. Isaac loomed over them all, hand squeezing a pole.

"What happened?" Aspen asked, taking a seat on the other side of Erica. The blonde's brown eyes were red with tears, but they stayed on Aspen's as if it was an escape from her pain.

"Kanima," Scott growled, face contorted to anger. But it didn't explain why she got a seizure when they were supposed to stop after her transformation. Aspen thought it might have been similar to Scott suddenly needing his inhaler.

"Is she dying?" Stiles' voice laced with urgency.

It was the first time Derek's face was laced with panic. He couldn't understand either. This shouldn't be happening. "She might, I..." he paused, hands pulling up her leather sleeve, exposing her pale arm. "which is why this is gonna hurt."

Bone snapping made Aspen's stomach churn, and she put a hand over her mouth as Erica thrashed, a wrenching scream breaking through her lungs.

"You broke her arm!" Stiles shouted, failing to hold Erica still as she cried out in anguish.

"It'll trigger the healing process. I still gotta get the venom out. This is where it's really gonna hurt." Dereks nails penetrated the skin over her broken bones, blood and venom oozing from her body.

Aspen nearly sobbed at the sound of Erica's cries and her begging for Derek to stop. She shook feverishly, screaming bouncing off the metal walls of the train. Aspen wanted to touch her. To give her a source of comfort but instead balled her hands into a fist. Erica's breathing and whimpers became belated until her eyes fluttered shut. Her body became limp, and she leaned her weight on Stiles. The boy adjusted and pushed hairs from Erica's face.

Erica breathed heavily, a weak smile on her dry, pink lips. "Stiles..." she panted, her fingers brushing his flannel. "You make a good batman."

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Scott agreed to help stop the kanima as part of Derek's pack But with one condition: no killing, and they do it Scott's way. Aspen knew Derek didn't take well with taking orders from Scott. But anyone with eyes could see, Derek wanted Scott's trust the most. That means the white flag was raised, and there was no more war between Scott and Derek. For now.

With much argument from Scott and Stiles, Aspen chose to stay the night to keep an eye on Erica. She was grateful to have known Erica before she transformed. Now, as the blonde lay in softer clothing, head resting on Aspen's lap on one of the train benches, did she finally see the old Erica.

The train station was quiet, cars honking, the night singing, dim light of the train vibrating with energy. Aspen didn't realize how sound was so prominent with her keen hearing. Isaac sat across from her, clad in gray sweatpants and a white t-shirt. Aspen borrowed one of his blue sweaters, and thankfully, she had spare running shorts in her bag.

Aspen ran her nails through Erica's tresses, hoping to soothe the girl into a more peaceful sleep. Warmth drips from her fings, making the girl hum from time to time.

With his leg propped up on the seat next to Aspen, Isaac kicked her thigh to grasp her attention. Aspen lifted her eyes to meet his sea of blue. A slight grin was fast to cover his lips before she looked away. Aspen felt her cheeks warm as she leaned her head back on a window.

"Did you know that there are endless amounts of realities?" Aspen's attempt at 3 A.M. conversation piqued Isaac's interest.

Isaac sat straight, hands in his lap. "Is that right?"

Aspen nodded with pursed lips. "There are like, countless amount of alternate realities that we all exist in." Aspen's tired smile slipped slightly as she stared at nothing in particular as if reminiscing on what could be. Isaac senses it as well. Her words came out quiet like a secret only meant to be placed in a jar. "You know there's a universe where everything is normal, and none of this crazy shit is happening and where we're happy." Aspen finally met Isaac's soft stare of longing. "and maybe, we're just the one universe where we aren't together." each word pinched Aspen's heart at the confession. Of the reality of what they really were. "there's just too much going on...for this to ever be normal. For this to ever be how it's supposed to be."

But Isaac did not let this fact dawn on his adoration for Aspen. If anything, he loved her more for it. Isaac did not frown nor smile, just let his eyes wander into Aspen's to see if she meant a word she just said. 

"So there's a universe where we're together?" Isaac inquired, brows raised, pointing a finger between the two of them.

Aspen threw her head back in silent laughter but nodded. "Yeah, the realities are continuous. Anything is possible."

Isaac's eye narrowed a fraction. "And there's a reality where we're happy?" Happy. That was a feeling that hasn't felt genuine in a while. Being happy with Isaac was all she's ever wanted. Aspen offered no reply but met his stern eyes with a sad smile. Isaac could conclude his question for himself, no matter how much it hurt to admit. "and maybe we're just the reality where we aren't together."

Aspen wet her lips. "Maybe."

A heartbreaking atmosphere is what one would expect at such a revelation. But Isaac's smug smile proved heartbreak can kiss his ass. "Just know, alternate-universe Isaac is weeping you off your feet." he bragged, crossing his arms over his toned chest with a glint in his eyes, his smirk anarchic.

Aspen's heart leaped in her ribcage. She fought the gleefully smile prying through her lips as she tilted her head, poking her cheek with her tongue. "Is he now?" she asked with mock wonder.

Isaac saw this as a challenge, jolting up in his seat. "Oh, absolutely! We'd be going on dates all the time, picnics with dark chocolate-covered strawberries--"

Aspen raised her hand, "I'm fine with the strawberries, but no chocolate."

Isaac regarded her lamely with a roll of his eyes, "We'll talk about that later," he countered dismissively.

Aspen shrugged, shaking her head, ruthless. "I won't change my mind. I will die on this hill, no dark chocolate."

Isaac swiped his tongue over his upper teeth, leaning forward with his hand on either side of his legs for support. His eye bore into her own, making her, once again, fight off the hurricane that was making her suddenly sweat under his gaze. "You'll never give, will you?"

Aspen mimicked his position. "Chocolate kills dogs, you know."

"I'm not a dog."

Aspen lulled her head from side to side with contemplation. "You basically are."

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