WLCSU-One Step Ahead

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"Allison, I would like to introduce you to Artemis. Artemis, this is my niece Allison." Mr. Argent introduced the two girls the second Allison entered the house. She was a little taken aback by it all, surprised to see the girl from earlier standing right in front of her now but she straightened out when her grandfather arched an eyebrow, the suspiciousness clear in his piercing eyes. It made Allison wonder at times if her grandfather knew about Scott being a werewolf. Scott wasn't part of Derek's pack but to Mr. Argent a werewolf was a werewolf, they all were the same to him and he would shoot them down without a second thought, she told herself. In the midst of Allison's thought, Artemis merely held her hand out towards a fellow teen archer and smiled.

"It's nice to meet you," said Allison as she received the handshake, her eyes taking in the other girl's appearance. Artemis wore a slim neon green graphic tee with dark skinny jeans, an ornamental belt hugging her hips. Her feet were covered by ankle high combat boots and her wrists were decorated in various colors of bands and bracelets. Allison took note that Artemis' hand felt little more rough then hers and by the squeeze exchanged she could tell that Artemis, in fact, was a little bit stronger than her despite the fact Artemis was younger. Who knows how long she has known of her family's heritage and how many years she spent honing in on her skills? But wait . . . Aren't hunters suppose to carry the surname Argent?

As if he was reading her mind, her grandfather mentioned, "She's a hunter just like you and me, she just comes from a different branch, which there are a lot of. She has acquired the necessary skills for a hunter. In fact, she might even be able to teach you a few tricks if you ask nicely."

"Okay," Allison mumbled and with a small laugh, "Guess I better stay on your good side then."

Laughter filled the air then, most of it coming from her grandfather while Artemis laughed awkwardly. Actually, since the conversation began this was officially the first time Artemis had showed any type of emotion, the few free curls of her hair bouncing lightly as the laugh vibrated throughout her body. Weird, even for a teenager, Allison thought. Mr. Argent then gave Artemis a slight encouraging push towards his granddaughter, clearly urging the girls to socialize a bit more. "Don't be shy, she doesn't bite," He laughed. Before leaving, the older man suggested, "Allison, why don't you take Artemis to the lacrosse game tonight? I'm pretty sure she would enjoy getting a look at Beacon Hills' best team. They're pretty good I tell you."

The corners of Artemis' mouth curled upward in a small smile as she looked to Allison. "If it's not too much trouble, I would like to see this lacrosse team he's been boasting about."

Allison returned the smile and agreed, "Yeah they are pretty extraordinary this year. I wouldn't mind taking you to actually see one of their games. We have some spare time so I could show you around the school as well if you'd like." Showing the new girl out the door, Allison led Artemis to her car, talking about all the positive things that Beacon Hills had to offer. She keeps a cheery face on and talks about anything she could come up with to keep the conversation going. At one point she noticed that Artemis had a bag, the strap coming across her chest while the actual bag rested against her hip. It looked like any other ordinary bag, designed with peace signs in a multitude of colors. Maybe it was the nerves getting to her, but Allison did begin to wonder what Artemis could have hidden in that bag. It was big enough to carry though little dart things she saw in her father's hand earlier and maybe a bow and arrows. Regardless, Allison knew taking Artemis to this game wasn't just a chance to see the team in action for her. It was an excuse for Artemis to keep a close eye on her and, for some reason Allison, felt very strongly Artemis would also keep a close eye on her friends as well, once she was acquainted with them that is.

With a heavy sigh mentally, Allison started the car. Trying to see Scott just got a whole lot more complicated.

.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.

They're not ready! None of them are ready! Derek snarled, throwing a punch at a nearby pillar. He had been holding back his new acquired strength so as not to deal heavy damage but he damaged the pillar regardless. Chunks of stone fell with heavy thuds from the impact but to Derek it felt like he had just punched a mirror, his knuckles unscathed from the action because he had been that simple. Control, Derek told himself as he took deep breaths.

He had just finished training for the day with the new members of his pack, Isaac, Erica and Boyd, but sadly by the end of the session he felt angered and utterly disappointed. At this point, none of them stood a chance against the hunters, even at close range. If they didn't learn how to survive in the little time they had graciously been given all of them were screwed. "I'll be damned if I die by their hands," grumbled Derek.

He didn't need more pack members, he knew that but what he hadn't expected was the difficulty with teaching them how to fight and survive. Maybe it was because he had been born with his werewolf abilities naturally. He's learned to control his instincts and animalistic side since birth; he's sharpened his instincts throughout the years to use them to his advantage so in a sense he was a master at this kind of stuff but the difference being it was natural for him. Erica, Issac, and Boyd are like newborn pups that need to be potty trained and taught new tricks. Despite all of that Isaac's question still hung over the Alpha's head like dead weight because he too wondered why the hunters weren't attacking them yet. They're planning something but just what? Are they waiting for something? Hiding something?

Frustrated with no answers to his questions, the Alpha took a seat on top of a stack of old wood, his head falling between his knees as his hands ran through his hair before resting on the back of his neck, fingers laced together. He hated this feeling he was getting, feeling lost with few options to get out of this situation. He was the Alpha now, he was a leader of his pack, or rather he was supposed to be. A leader would know everything and would always know what to do and be able lead their pack. But with the little progress his pack was making in survival, he couldn't help but be somewhat grateful that the hunters were on hold for the moment because charging into battle now would be like committing suicide. "Damn it," cursed the Alpha, a soft groan slipping pass his lips.

Think Derek, think! You're the leader! You shouldn't let the current circumstances overwhelm you! You don't play by their rules; you play by your own rules. You create your own path and if obstacles come your way you fight them head on.

If the hunters are stalling you need to find out why and make good use of time now. Knowledge is power and leaders should always have power.
If you want to know what's going, seek the knowledge out yourself.

.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.

As the sunshine began to disappear behind gray clouds, a black Mazda Six rode along a twisting road, two girls settled in the front seat. Turning the music down a little, Allison decided she should try to get to know Artemis better. She started with a typical question to break the ice. "So where did you live before coming here?"

"I'd been living with one of my aunts and her husband in a house down in South Carolina for about a year," said Artemis, "Before then I had been living with my Dad and his girlfriend along with my brothers in New Jersey."

Allison asked, "Older or younger?"

"One older, the other younger," Artemis answered. "And in case you're wondering why, I ran away from home to live with my Aunt."

Allison glanced with a disbelieving look. She was a runaway? Wow. Though running away from home wasn't the best idea in the world, Allison couldn't hide her interest in that moment of Artemis' life. "What made you decide to run away from home?"

Artemis shrugged as she watched the houses and plant life fly by her window. While resting the heel of her sneaker against the dashboard, she explained. "Well long story short, my dad was an ass, his girlfriend was a bitch and we didn't get along very well, my older brother tried to help me out when he could but in the end it wasn't enough and one fine morning I packed my things and ran away. That's basically all there is to it."

Upon hearing her reason, Allison was sort of at a loss for words at first and a little surprised by the colorful words that drifted off Artemis' tongue with ease but then again all teenagers curse like sailors. But running away from home like that? Maybe it was a Jersey thing? Before she could even respond, a sincere laugh rang throughout the car, the sound coming from Artemis surprisingly.

"I figure you haven't met many runaways so I understand if you're a little . . . speechless." The way she said those words was in a joking manner, a smile on her lips when she glanced over at Allison. She added smugly, "I seem to have that affect on many people."

Allison laughed, "You could say that. Hopefully you won't have a reason to run away while you're here in Beacon Hills."

"Oh don't worry about that," Artemis assured yet in a lower tone she added, "I'm through with running."

Now the atmosphere between the two had changed from fun and laughs to tense mixed with awkwardness. The only sounds exchanged then were a few coughs and some throat clearing here and there. Unexpectedly a ringtone broke the awkward silence, Allison letting out a light sigh of relief as the tension reduced.

It turned out that the sound was coming from Artemis' phone and though she pulled out the slim cell phone from her back pocket and checked the caller ID, she never made a move to answer it. Allison would glance at her occasionally with a puzzled look as the ringtone continued to play. Why wouldn't she answer it?

A few more seconds went by before the sound came to a stop and Artemis placed her phone back into her pocket casually as if nothing had happened. At the same time Allison had just pulled the car into the school parking lot, grabbing a fairly close space near the lacrosse field. For once Beacon High was deserted; no sign of teachers or students strolling around but then again what poor soul would want to visit Beacon Hills High on a Saturday? It's a good thing Allison had an excuse.

"Okay so," Allison mumbled while she unbuckled her seat belt. With a hand gesturing towards the school and a smile on her pink glossed over lips she declared, "Here we are!"

"Here we are," Artemis repeated to herself softly as she leaned in towards the dashboard to get a better view of the school she would be attending soon. Allison then unlocked the car doors before exiting, Artemis following after, grabbing her peace sign color coated bag as she exited. Taking in her surroundings, Artemis caught sight of the field. She guessed, "So that's where the game will be held tonight?"

"Yep," confirmed Allison, the sound of closing doors following after as she walked around the front of the car. Artemis met her halfway, still looking around. Taking a quick glimpse at her cell phone for the time, Allison then suggested, "So let's get started on that tour of the school, shall we?"

.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.

In the Argents' house where the sunshine soon vanished and made the house appear darker,  the eldest Argent had taken his usual seat in the living room, the weapons he had been cleaning early hidden away for the day as ordered by his son in case they received unexpected visitors. The house was unusually quiet but he found no need to complain for he was used to it. A little silence ever now and then didn't hurt and it gave him time to think over anything that came to mind.

Werewolves, he thought, it being the first thing that came to his mind.

Smiling to himself, he reviewed his plan to wipe out Hale and his pack once and for all. The only thing missing to set his plan in motion was a Seeker but that would come soon, Artemis assured him of that.
"Listen carefully okay? On Monday morning I want you to take three of these," Gerard motioned to the dart between his fingertips before continuing, "Filled with the blood of the Alpha I want to you choose three students and be discreet because as the principal of Beacon High I can't have teenagers running their mouths off to parents about being attacked. I don't care how you do it but make sure when you walk into this house that none of these are on your person.  Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes sir," Artemis nodded as the eldest Argent placed the first dart in her hands, her finger coiling around automatically.
He smiled at the young hunter. He then reminded her softly, "Choose wisely and remember that I'm counting on you, Artemis."

Werewolves, they were all the same, monstrosities that need to be destroyed. They were devious, lying mutts disguised as humans, taking innocent people and manipulating them with empty promises and fake endearments. How his recently deceased daughter, Kate Argent, had fell for one of them even after he warned her countless times, it truly was despicable. Then again, Kate was always one to go against his wishes, always rebellious in her own way. Now she had left that rebellious trait of hers to her niece, Allison. Gerard Argent made a point to watch his granddaughter closely now, to make she never follows down the same path as her aunt.

With a small laugh to himself the eldest Argent had to admit that burning the majority of the Hale family to death hadn't been Kate's smartest idea since it had been flawed with three members surviving. If only she had perfected her plan so that all of them perished that day. . .She had done the world a great favor but what does she get for it? She's never recognized or honored for her actions, no, she's put down for going against the code and receives nothing. So it was only a matter of time that revenge would be sought but she did not deserve to die the way she did. So what if she set a little house full of werewolves on fire? So what if she killed over ten people, reducing their bodies to ashes? They deserved it. Their kind deserved to burn in hell.

The Argent began to wonder how the Hales sounded when they died a slow and painful death that night. Their blood-curling screams were probably music to Kate's ears. How he wished he could have stood there by her and listened. It was like cleansing Beacon Hills of all evil, well most of it. But he would do his daughter a favor. He, the eldest Argent, would finish where Kate left off. He would rid the world of Derek Hale. For good.


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