Heliophobia (Teen Wolf/Vampire Diaries) [2]

34-Into The Inferno

Without thinking I rush forward.

"Scott!" I scream as I race up the stairs of the burning Founder's Hall. I hear footsteps behind me and I know it's Stiles following me, but I don't slow down. I'm almost at the front doors when a figure flies by me, halting me in my tracks.

It's Stefan, fear in his eyes, preventing me from entering the Founder's Hall.

"Let me through Stefan." I wheeze, my vision blurring as I smell the smoke. Scott could be dead in there now.

"If you go in there, you'll die."

"If I don't go in there Scott will die!" I cry angrily. "Damon's in there." I whisper.

At that, Stefan's face contorts into one of pure pain. No matter what Damon has done, I know that Stefan cares about him. It's his brother, and nothing is thicker than blood.

"Stefan, we have to do something." Elena says. I turn to see her and Stiles standing behind me.

Stefan nods, looking back at the doors. Without a word, he leans forward, bringing Elena into a kiss. Then he pulls away and disappears into the Founder's Hall. Elena reels back, shocked, trying to process what happened. "Stefan!" She cries, rushing forward, but Stiles and I hold her back.

"It won't do you any good to go in there." I say. "Stefan will be too worried trying to save you than himself or Damon."

Elena stops struggling, but I can see that she's not happy about it. I let her go and turn back to face the Founder's Hall. Stefan is in there to save Damon, but who will save Scott? Isaac is in there too, and I can't let him die either. I turn to Stiles, and I already see the resolve on his face.

"Elena, there's a payphone down the street. Get the fire department here."

"What are you going to do?" She says, her voice shaking as tears stream down her face.

"I have to save my brother." I whisper. I pull her into a hug, feeling her shake in my grip. We clutch each other, both of us not wanting to let go. Finally, we release each other, and Elena slowly backs down the stairs and rushes off into the night.

"Emma, you can't go in there." Stiles shakes his head.

I look up at him and find myself smiling sadly. I slowly reach up a hand and cup his face. "I have to Stiles."

"If you're going in there, so am I."

I shake my head. Every second I stand out here is another second Scott could be burning alive. "Stay here and wait for the fire department."

Stiles grabs my hand as I move away. "If you're going in there, so am I." He repeats.

And for the first time, I feel my heart truly break.

We fought Peter Hale and won. We overcame the loss of Elena's parents, Vicki Donovan, Bonnie's Grams, and Allison's mom. We've fought through jealousy, pain, blood, sweat and tears. We've been attacked numerous times by a coven of ravenous vampires and we have come out on the other side every time, winning if only by a thin thread.

But this time, it truly feels like the end. One last, final battle. It's amazing how something as simple as fire, the burning hot flames and choking smoke, is threatening everything we hold dear. Fire: the reason we're standing here in the first place. If Kate Argent never set the Hale fire, Peter would never have bitten Scott. If Peter never bit Scott, we wouldn't be caught up in this mess. One action after another, a ripple effect, like flames spreading too fast.

In the split second it takes Stiles and I to make our decision, this is all I can think about. What we've been through, how much we've fought, and how we've been together the entire time. It's only fitting that we are together now.