Chapter 10: Unchained

Derek decided to drive to Jackson's house. He wasn't happy about leaving Stiles, even with the extraordinary amount of control the teen had shown so far. But Stiles had been right to be worried about Jackson. He parked the Camaro at the end of the Whittemore's street and ran through the yards until he located Jackson's room. He was just outside when something tore through the trees. It paused to look at the wolf and Derek froze. It had slit yellow eyes and skin that looked like scales. Then it was gone. Derek cursed but didn't go after it. He didn't know what it was. He didn't know how to fight it. And worst of all, he couldn't smell it. After he looked in Jackson's window to confirm that Jackson was gone, he went to leave. Darting across the street to where there was better cover. As he passed by what he assumed was Isaac's house he heard someone screaming.

 Derek sought out the sound, shifting to hear it better. The screaming was joined by scratching that Derek placed in the basement. He crept through the bushes to find a clear view of the basement. The light was off and there didn't seem to be anybody in the room, but, after a moment, Derek could hear Isaac's heartbeat coming from the freezer. After checking to ensure that the rest of the house was empty, Derek broke down the door and raced to release Isaac. The boy was still sobbing with screams when Derek opened the freezer. "Isaac, you're okay," Derek said, gently helping the frightened, injured teen out of the freezer. He could smell blood, and feel Isaac shaking. Once Isaac realized that Derek wasn't his father, he collapsed in the alpha's arms sobbing loudly. Derek slipped his hand onto the other's neck and took some of his pain.

 "Is he gone?" Isaac cried. "Is he gone? Please tell me he's gone. I can't- he'll -just, tell me he's gone."

 "He's gone, Isaac. I promise. He's gone. You're safe." Derek kept talking quietly until Isaac calmed down, shushing the boy's begging. When they did separate, Derek took in the injuries. Isaac had a large cut under his eye that was still bleeding some and a new bruise forming around his neck. The way he shifted made Derek think he probably had some bruises to his ribs too. "Isaac, I'm going to call the Sheriff. He'll help us take care of this and make sure you don't have to stay here. Okay?"

 "Do you have to do it here?" Isaac shuddered as he glanced around the basement.

 Derek shook his head. "I can do it outside." He helped Isaac to his feet, and they went outside together. Then he called Sheriff Stilinski.

 "Sheriff," Noah grunted as he answered his phone.

 "Sheriff, this is Derek Hale." Before Derek could go on Noah cut him off.

 "Is Stiles ok?"

 "Stiles is fine. That's not why I'm calling. I was checking on Jackson, and, as I was leaving, I heard someone screaming in the house across from his. I went inside and found one of Stiles' teammates locked in a freezer in the basement. No one else was in the house."

 "You heard? Is this one of those things where no one else could hear it?"

 "If anyone else were listening, they would have heard him," Derek growled.

 Noah let out a sigh. "You know the kid's name?"

 "Isaac Lahey."

 "The kid that works at the cemetery. All right. You stay there. I'll have a deputy out there in a few minutes. And an ambulance too. You and Isaac are going to have to give an official statement at the station. Tonight, if he's up for it. You know who locked him in?"

 "His father," Derek growled.

 "I'll put out a BOLO on him. Let me know if you'll be heading to the hospital or the station after you talk to the paramedics." The Sheriff hung up.

 Isaac was staring at the ground, still shaking a little. "So, are you friends with Stiles?" Derek raised his eyebrows and looked at Isaac. Isaac's eyes flicked up for a second and he shrugged. "Just wondering."

 "He's pack," Derek said.

 "Is Jackson?" Isaac looked up. Derek tensed a bit. "You mentioned that you were checking on him."

 "Jackson's something else. You don't mention Jackson or Stiles when the cops get here." Derek crossed his arms. Isaac nodded. A few minutes later both a deputy pulled up, followed closely by an ambulance. After the paramedics said that Isaac didn't need the hospital, Derek drove them both to the Police Station, sending a text to the Sheriff before they left. The Sheriff ushered Derek into his office as soon as they arrived, leaving Isaac with a deputy he called Tara. 

 "Before you say anything else, tell me Stiles is okay," the Sheriff demanded.

 "He's fine. He's not hurt, and he didn't hurt anyone else."

 "Good. Now, tell me exactly what happened. The full story. We'll edit out the weird stuff for the report." The Sheriff sat down and waited patiently as Derek told him what happened again. When he was done, they worked together to come up with a plausible reason for Derek to have been near Isaac's house. "All right. Stay here. I'm going to make sure Isaac ends up at my house." Derek frowned at him. "I'm an emergency foster parent. You said the kid knows about werewolves." He made a face at the word. "Figure it's better to keep him where I can make sure he's safe." The Sheriff left his office and went to talk to Isaac and the deputy. Derek didn't listen in even though he could have. It was bound to be a hard conversation and they deserved their privacy. He did tune in when the radio went off.

 "All units. We've got a 187 on North Tree rd. Please respond. Repeat 187 on North Tree rd."

 "Damn it. Kid, you and Derek go to my house. I've gotta deal with this. You do what Derek tells you to, got it?" The Sheriff ordered. "Tara, hold down the station." The Sheriff opened the door to his office and looked at Derek. "You know what's happening?" Derek nodded. "Get Stiles too. If this was him, I don't want him anywhere near it."