Derek Hale

She burst into his life, just like her brother - without asking, and at the most inopportune moment.

Derek was clearing the rubble of a burned-out house when he heard footsteps. Turning around, he saw a girl wearing Scott's sweatshirt. Dark hair, a tired sadness in her eyes, and not a shred of fear.

• You're Scott's sister.
• Katie. And you're that gloomy guy who scares everyone around.

She didn't leave, though he tried to shield himself with silence. She stood next to him and quietly said, "My grandmother lost her home too. Yours didn't have time to leave." Derek gritted his teeth, not wanting pity. But Katie didn't back down: she spoke of betrayal, anger, and how she understood him, unlike her brother, who only saw the world in black and white. "If you want to talk, I know how to listen," she said and left.

Two weeks later, she found him in the parking lot with two cups of coffee. One was perfect, with cinnamon and three spoons of sugar, which he'd only had once. "Just checking it out," Katie shrugged. Derek chuckled—for the first time in a long time.

Their meetings became secret. Scott would have gone crazy if he knew his sister was spending time with Derek. They sat on the roof of an abandoned warehouse, looking out over the city. She spoke, he remained silent.

• Why aren't you afraid of me? "The one who has lost everything, but continues to fight," she touched his hand. "You could become a monster, but you choose to protect."

His hand trembled. He had long forgotten such touches. They sat until dawn. As they said goodbye, she kissed him on the cheek.

• See you, sullen.

He was left alone, listening to the retreating footsteps and feeling a warmth that he did not want to wash away.