56. Weaponized

"After entering the IP address, you will be connected to an untraceable bank through a Dark Net portal. Once logged in, enter your account number to receive wire transfers. The IP address will deactivate with each transfer. You will be assigned a new IP address if you choose to continue down the list. Remember: visual confirmation is always required for payment." 

This played on the tape but we didn't understand it so we kept the tape back in the bag and started counting the money and it was a total of $500,000. 

"Why would someone use all this money just to kill us?" 

Scott exclaimed.

"Someone wants you dead, dude. Badly." 

Stiles stated the obvious, and Scott glared at him to which he just shrugged. Scott then started to put the money back in the bag saying that he needed to go to bed early as tomorrow was our PSAT, and he suggested that we do the same, which I agreed to but Stiles then addressed the important question, should we give Derek and Peter back the $500,000 from Garrett? Stiles thought that we shouldn't since he doesn't like Peter, but as expected Scott being moral compass said that we still should. Since they both disagreed with each other they looked at me to give the final verdict. "Don't look at me like that, I agree with both of you. I think we should give the money back since it's Derek's money as well, but then I think we should keep it as it's Peter's money as well." They both gave me looks but I just shrugged, then before we could discuss this more Scott told us someone was coming, so we shoved the bag back under Scott's bed and stood up awkwardly. Scott's door opened and Malia walks in, drenched. "God, are you okay?" I asked as Scott passed a towel to Stiles and he wrapped that around Malia. She then told us that she and Derek found Satomi's pack but they all were poisoned and they found Branden there, who was shot but Derek took her to the hospital. After that we called Derek asking if he needed any help. He told us that he got everything and we should just focus on our PSAT. Then we all went our home to rest for sometime. 

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The next day at school, Scott, Kira, Stiles, Malia and I were waiting in the line to take PSAT. Malia asked me where Lydia was and I told her that she took the test in freshman year, which I was also suppose to take but I got sick that week. Then Malia started whining about how she could've taken this another time. Scott then reminded her that she studied harder than any of us. 

"Doesn't mean that I'm going to do good."

She said and Stiles and I exchanged looks which she picked up on and asked us what happened. 

"It's 'do well', not 'good'."

Stiles corrected her, 

"Oh god, I am going to flunk." 

She cried, and I side hugged her at first she looked like she was going to eat me so I backed up but then she placed her head on my shoulder so I smiled and patted her head. 

"You're doing this because while we're trying not to die, we still need to live. If I survive high school, I'd like to go to college. A good college."

Scott said trying to encourage her. 

"Beside, It's only three hours. We can survive three hours." 

Kira added and Malia nodded. After that we had to use an ink pad to mark our fingerprints down on attendance sheet and then submitted our phones to Mrs. Martin who had marked bags with her to store our phones. 

"All the best honey, not that you need it." 

She said to me while patting my head as I submitted my phone to her. "Thank you." I said smiling. Then others came and she wished them all the best as well, then we picked the pencils and we went and sat on our seats. After everyone was settled the invigilator started to tell us about different sections of the exam. After he finished, he turned to Mrs. Martin and mentioned that there was supposed to be another teacher with him. She said that Coach was supposed to be here, and she'll just go down his office and check what was keeping him. After few minutes she returned and they both talked about something. Soon, the bell rang and the test started, and as I opened the question paper a smiled appeared on my face as the test was very easy and I couldn't wait to go home and brag about it to Isaac, who also had exams because of which we couldn't talk for past few days, but today was his last exam. 

As the test was going suddenly someone fell of their seat, I turned to see Sydney on floor. Mrs. Martin rushed to her and helped her get up. After she stood up, Mrs. Martin asked her if she was okay, and she said that she was but she just got a little dizzy. Mrs. Martin then gabbed her arm and asked her about the rash she had on her arm, but she just looked confused like she has never seen the rash before. The invigilator asked if they should stop the exam but Mrs. Martin assured him that it was fine and instructed us to stay in our seats before grabbing her phone and walking out of the room. I looked at Scott and Stiles and just shrugged, but I could feel that something was wrong. After a few minutes we heard Mrs. Martin yelling so everyone got up from their seats and we walked out but then Mrs. Martin yelled at us to go back inside and started talking on phone. Scott used his werewolf hearing and told us that she called CDC (Centre for Disease Control). 

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After that our test was officially stopped, and as we still didn't know what was happening, Stiles, Scott and I stood outside the classroom with couple of more kids as CDC agents walked down the hallway in yellow biohazards suits and Mrs. Martin also called Mr. Yukimura to help her in controlling students. The CDC teams set up two rows of beds in plastic tents in the classroom and they were quarantining all the sick people. Since we were not sure what was happening Scott told us to stay in the class while he would go and see Sydney as he's less likely to get sick and even if he does, he would heal. After Scott left I went in the back of the class and sat down alone as I was panicking a little and I didn't want Stiles take anymore stress, but after sometime I felt a hand on my shoulder so I raised my head and saw Stiles standing there. He then came and sat beside me and grabbed my hand from one hand and then cupped my face from other, 

"We're going to be okay, Rue. I promise, I'll protect you." 

He said comforting me, "I... I am just scared." I whispered and Stiles hugged me, 

"It's okay, I am here, I told you I'll not let anything happen to you." 

He said and I nodded against his chest. Soon Malia and Kira also got there and sat across us and we started discussing what this all could be. 

"When we were outside, I heard someone from CDC say that it could be small pox." 

Stiles told us. 

"It's unlikely since smallpox was eradicated worldwide in 1979." 

Our invigilator said who obviously overheard us. 

"So, it's a good thing, right?" 

Malia asked, Stiles and Kira nodded while I said, "It is, unless the disease is something worse." Then I noticed Stiles scratching himself, I asked if he was okay and he assured me that he was fine and it was nothing. After a while Malia tried to hear what was happening outside, Stiles and I went to look for our mobile phones so that we could call Dad. 

"Don't bother. They would've shut off any access to all outside communication by now. No cell service, no Wi-Fi, no starting a panic. Looks like we're all just going to have to wait her and see what happens." 

The invigilator said and Stiles and I looked at each other in disappointment but we still kept looking.  After a while we were instructed to form a line so that CDC people could take out blood and test it. Stiles and I were sent first so after we were done, we standing there waiting for Malia and Kira. "Sty can I ask something?" I asked and Stiles nodded. "Are you ever going to tell Malia that she's a Hale? I understand why you don't want to tell her that Peter is her real father, but I think it's not our secret to keep, and also if being a Hale means she'll get Peter as father it also means she'll get Derek as an elder brother, and trust me Derek is as good as you at being a brother." 

"I know, I think when we get out of here, I'll tell her." 

Stiles said and I nodded. Once Malia and Kira came I noticed Malia had her claws out. "Malia, your claws." I said and then when she tried to change she couldn't. Before we could react to that Mr. Yukimura came and took all of us to locker room, where Scott was because, apparently he could also not control his change. When we entered the locker room Scott was standing there with bright red eyes. Then Mr. Yukimura told us that since this virus was affecting Scott and Malia that way it was not affecting other people, they had to stay out of sight. Then he said that they couldn't stay in the locker room in case they get violent like on a full moon, a classroom won't hold them and the basement has too many possible exits. Then as were thinking of a place Stiles suggested that Hale vault. "Yeah, that could actually work. There has to be another way in, the Hales always have an escape route." I agreed with Stiles. Then Mr. Yukimura got us a blueprint of school based on where the school sign is, the second entrance will probably be somewhere in a basement hallway. Then as we were discussing our plan Stiles suddenly collapsed, Mr. Yukimura and I helped him get up and then Mr. Yukimura checked his wrist and he also had a rash which was growing, then he checked my hand and I similar growing rash on my forearm. Then Kira asked how we all were sick expect for her and Mr. Yukimura said that he believed that it was affecting her neurologically, then he showed her PSAT sheet to us and she hadn't filled even one bubble instead, there are a bunch of black pencil marks to the side of the answers.

After that we finally head to the basement, looking for the secret entrance to the Hale vault. Stiles found it almost immediately behind a set of metal shelves. When we pushed the shelves away, we saw a triskele carved into the wall and there was a little metal grate like the one in the school sign. Stiles said that it should open with claws, Scott and I looked at him as we knew it would open with Hale claws, and we had a Hale with us but she didn't know, so we came up with a excuse to ask Malia to try and open it since Scott couldn't control his shift. 

"Okay. I'll do it. But first tell me what you've been hiding from me. I know you think you're trying to protect me but I can handle it." 

Scott, Stiles and I looked at each other ready to tell the truth but then she cut us and said that she knew she was on Deadpool list. We released a relieved breath, then she asked us how much she was worth. "Four million." I told her. Then Stiles asked her if she was okay, she nodded and reminded us that Scott and Kira were way more worth than her so those guys would take them before her. She then stepped forward and shoved her claws in the metal grate, swivelling it around until the wall slid to the side, revealing the vault. The five of us then step inside and the wall closed behind us.

Stiles, Kira and I decided to stay in the vault with Scott and Malia. Scott sat with Kira, while Stiles sat in the corner cradling Malia's head in his lap and I was sitting in other corner looking at photos of Isaac and me. As I was looking back at my memories with Isaac a tear escaped my eye as I knew there was chance that I might not make it out of here and see him again.

"How do you even change bearer bonds into cash?"

Kira asked, as she was going through the jars sitting there, "A bank, I guess. They just let it sit here the whole time collecting dust." I said my voice cracking a little but luckily no one noticed. Stiles then pointed that bearer bonds were basically extinct but that money could solve a lot of problems for us; the Eichen House and the MRI bills that were crushing us. Scott then added that the money could help out his family as well.  After a while Kira and Malia were huddled on the floor while Scott, Stiles and I were standing near the wall as Scott was listening to people outside as they were looking for us and he said that someone has to go out. Then Scott looked over at Kira and Malia and said, 

"We need to tell her the truth about Peter. She's going to see the rest of the Deadpool eventually." 

"Try to remember that Peter's the one name missing on that list, which either makes him incredibly lucky or the Benefactor. If she finds out about him, she's going to go to him; you know she is. And then he's going to twist his way into her head like he does with everyone, including us. We let him walk around like nothing ever happened, like he's one of the good guys. Scott, he's not one of the good guys. If she finds out about it, she's gone. That's probably what he's waiting for. And then he wins, we lose."

Stiles argued and Scott told us that we're already loosing. He showed us his hand and black grossness was seeping from Scott's fingernails. Then I looked back at my hand and the rash had spread all over and few tears again escaped my eyes as I was sure I wasn't seeing Isaac again. 

"Rue, are you okay?" 

Scott and Stiles asked, I wiped my face, "Yes, it's nothing." 

"You're missing Isaac?" 

Scott asked and tears again started forming in my eyes. 

"It's okay, I am going to figure something out. I promise you're going see him again." 

Stiles said as he and Scott pulled me in a hug. After our hug Stiles decided that he'll go out but I knew he was also growing weaker because of the virus so I decided to go out with him. After deciding this Stiles went to say goodbye to Malia while I said goodbye to Scott and Kira. "You guys take care of each other and we'll be just outside, okay?" I said and then as I started to move to get Stiles Scott grabbed my hand and pulled me in for a hug. 

"I love you, Rue. Thank you fo...." 

Scott started but I stopped him in the middle, "No. We are not doing this Scott, not right now. You guys are going to be just fine and mark my words next week we all would be laughing at this." I said as tears streamed down my face. Scott cupped my face and tried to wipe my tears but they just kept coming. 

"I know, I trust you and Stiles. However, I just wanted to tell you that I love and thank you for not only being my sister but my support system all these years especially after Allison died. She is your bestfriend and it was hard on you too but you still took care of me." 

"Of course I did, you idiot, I love you." I said and hugged him once again. Then Kira also hugged me. 

"Thank you so much for helping me when I was alone and making me part of this wonderful group." 

"I love you." I told Kira and after that I just grabbed Stiles hand and we both walked out as we knew that if we stayed longer we wouldn't be able to go out at all. "They're going to fine." I said my voice choking a little.

"I know." 

Stiles said reciprocating my emotions. Stiles and I found Mrs. Martin in the CDC quarantine tent area. Brushing off her comments that we looked ill, we asked her where Mr. Yukimura was. She assured us that he was fine and helping other students, so Stiles and I started to leave but then we saw Coach lying in one of the quarantine tents and hit me that he was the only adult infected. I told my observation to Stiles and he said that he was also wondering the same.

Stiles and I searched Coach's office for a reason as to why he was infected and we found nothing but then we saw a pile of permission slips that have been stamped with red ink. As we flipped through the paper, we saw that the red ink fade until Coach switches to blank ink. We looked down and saw that there were black ink fingerprints on Coach's coffee mug and then we remembered that we used the black ink pad at the beginning of the PSAT. Suddenly our invigilator appeared on the door with a gun in his hand and startled, Stiles dropped the coffee mug on the floor.

"I was wondering how that idiot got sick. I'm also wondering where your friends are since in order to get paid by the Benefactor, I need to have proof that they're dead."

He said. "Visual confirmation." I said and he nodded and then pointed his gun at us. Then he dragged us to the locker room and shoved us in it. He assured us that the virus won't kill humans and he would let us live if we tell where Scott, Malia and Kira were. "I think we might have seen them in the library or the cafeteria." I spat. 

"I'm going to count to three and then I'm going to kill you both." 

He said pointing his gun at us again. 

"Think you can scare us?" 

Stiles challenged. 

"No, I think I can kill you. I just thought the countdown would make it more exciting."

The invigilator said and pressed the barrel of the gun to my head and started counting. Stiles started yelling at invigilator to kill him first but he ignored him and kept counting. I grabbed Stiles and gave him a small smile. "I love you." I said and then squeezed my eyes shut thinking about how I couldn't tell all the people that matter to me that I love them especially Isaac and Dad. The gun finally went off and my and I felt blood all over my face but I didn't feel any pain, so I opened my eyes and saw that the invigilator had been shot in the head and when I looked behind him I saw Agent McCall standing with a gun in his hand. Stiles and I looked at him in shock but then he told us that Melissa called him, he didn't know what it meant but she said that there was an antidote—reishi mushrooms—in a jar on one of the shelves in the vault. Stiles and I quickly sprinted out of there to the vault.

Stiles and I hammered on the wall, unable to get in unless someone opened it from the inside. We called out the information about the reishi mushrooms, banging on the door, screaming but no one was responding. Stiles slid to the floor defeated but I kept banging that blood started to come from my knuckles. Stiles saw that a tried to stop me and when I didn't he yelled at me. 

"Just stop Ruth. We did everything we could." 

I slid next to him crying and he wrapped his arms around me as he cried as well. The door suddenly opened and Stiles and I jumped in relief as we saw Scott stumbling out. When we went inside everyone was healed. Scott and I helped Kira get up who was very shocked to see my face covered with blood while Stiles went to Malia. As I was explaining them why my face was covered in blood we saw Malia leave in anger and when we looked back at Stiles his face was filled with regret and he was crumbling a piece of paper which at that point had to be Deadpool list.