Give Me Strength 》 Teen Wolf

7 - Ice Bath

Scott and Derek each dump a bag of ice into the tub in the center of the room. I keep my back to the counters, arms firmly crossed over my chest while I watch the boys in the room. Stiles helps them dump more ice. Why is it that we never have any good ideas? Deaton and Isaac stand in the doorway, watching the boys fill the tub with ice. 

   "Obviously, it's not going to be particularly... Comfortable. But if we can slow your heart rate down enough, you'll slip into a trance-like state." 

   Isaac walks in the room. "Like being hypnotized."

   I push away from the counter to gaze down at the ice water. The boys finish emptying all of the bags and stand around the tub. Scott is the closest to me and he rubs my back once. I am very against this idea, but Deaton said it's the only way to get to Isaac's memories.

   "Exactly. You'll be half transformed. It'll let us access your subconscious mind." Deaton walks to the side of the tub.

   Isaac crouches down by the tub, resting his arms on the rim. There must be over twenty five bags of ice in that tub. Taking a few steps forward, I curl my left hand over Isaac's shoulder. His muscles are tense under my hand.

   "How slow does his heart rate need to be?" Scott questions. 

   "Very slow." 

   I squeeze his shoulder, worriedly. "Well, how slow is very slow?"

   Deaton scans his eyes over us. "Nearly dead."

   I exhale, sharply. A hand slips around my arm, gently pulling me away from Isaac. I let my hand slip away from Isaac. I smile gratefully at Scott, silently thanking him for moving me away from my brother, otherwise, he would know how nervous I am about this. Isaac needs to focus on getting his memories back. 

   Isaac touches the ice water with one hand, quickly jerking it out once it touches the water. "It's safe, though, right?"

   "Do you want me to answer honestly?" 

   Squeezing my eyes shut, I take another step backwards. I do not like this at all. What if Isaac goes in to shock? What if he dies? I've been doing so much better at being strong, but when something is going on with Isaac, I feel myself going back to the scared girl I used to be. I can't lose him. The hand that on my arm trails down until it intertwines his fingers with my own. 

   "No. No, not really." Isaac sighs. 

   Off on the other side of the room, Stiles snaps a glove on his arm that goes down all the way to his elbow. He flexes his fingers. He must have noticed everyone stopped talking because he looks over to us. "What?" Stiles frowns, yanks the glove off, and tosses it to the ground. 

   Isaac stands up, exhaling out of his mouth. He stares down at the tub. Maybe he will back out of this. I really want to find Boyd and Erica, but Isaac's life may be at risk right now. 

   Derek supports himself up with the edge of the tub. "Look, if it feels too risky, you don't have to do this."

   My brother nods. Unfortunately, Isaac pulls his shirt over his head. I tighten my grip on Scott's hand. I wanted him to back out. Isaac looks over his shoulder and sets his shirt on the table behind him. His gaze freezes on my hand in Scott's. He stares at it, quizzically. Instead of questioning it, he lifts one leg in to the ice tub.

   I let go of Scott's hand and stand on Isaac's right side. I push up the sleeves of my sweater while Scott peels his jacket off. Water sloshes around as Isaac lowers himself in the tub. Isaac makes sounds of discomfort as he sits in the tub, both hands on either side. I want to help out and let Isaac know that he can do this, but I'm so scared. Derek and Scott rests their hands on Isaac's shoulders. Isaac takes a deep breath just as they push him under.