I sit and glare across the table at Jackson. He avoids my gaze as much as he can, but I continue to stare and tap my fingers rapidly against the table. The sound echoing loudly around the library. Jackson suddenly looks between Scott and Stiles before turning to Harris, "Oh, uh-we can't be in detention together. I have a restraining order against these tools."
Harris nods to each of us individually, "All of these tools?"
Stiles raises his hand and motions between himself and Scott, "No, just us tools."
Harris roles his eyes annoyed before pointing to a table a few feet away, "Fine. You two, over there."
I start to grab my stuff as well, wanting to be away from Jackass. Plus, I needed to speak with Scott, hopefully sooner than later. Whatever happened in that locker room was different and at this point there is too much going on to keep from him. "Miss. Argent, did I ask you move? No. You can keep Mr. Whittemore company since you're the only one he doesn't have a problem with out of the three of you."
I can't help the look of disgust that falls over my face, "That'd be great and all, but I have a problem with him."
"Honestly, Miss. Argent, I do not care." He looks back down at the papers in front of him and I feel my eyes roll into the back of my head. Thankfully Allison is still with me so I'm not left to my own vices with Jackass.
I catch the rage in his Scott's gaze as it settles on Jackson from across the room. I needed to be over there, not here. I turn back to the table begrudgingly, noticing my sister watching the boys behind me intently. Before I can try to listen in to whatever spastic shit Stiles is saying I catch another set of eyes glaring ahead, but this time I notice the heated look directed towards Scott, coming from Matt.
I ignore the twist in my stomach as I continue to watch, but turn back. "No, we're gonna find out who's controlling him so we can help him!"
Scott's glare continues to rest on the back of Jackson's head, "No, you were right. Let's kill him." As much as I would love to take him out, Scott would never let himself live that down. Even in his anger I know he would never kill Jackson, not when there is still a possibility of helping him and stopping whoever is controlling him.
"Kanima." My blood briefly runs cold at the hushed word. For a moment I wonder if it was just another voice echoing in my head, but no. I turn back to my sister and see her watching Matt intently. He gazes down at the small tablet in his hands before locking the screen after seeing both of us observing him.
What in the hell does he have on that screen? My gut twist again and I hear Stiles voice filter through my ears, "What if it's Matt?" I glance over and see Stiles watching him with suspicion. While usually Stiles' ideas come across a little far fetched, this one makes me stop and think. I look down at my hands, waiting for some kind of sign.
Tingling, a voice, something.
What is the point of my 'gift' if it doesn't come in handy when I need it. I close my eyes and try to center myself, picturing Matt's face in my head...all those times he's just happened to be around, his weird little smiles, and how now he's obviously got some type of information about the Kanima.
"Earth to Abby," I jump when I feel cold skin rest against my hand. I yank back and open my eyes to find all three of them starring at me from around the table. I look down to see none other than Jackson's hand still being held out from where he touched me. I sneer and hold back my snark before Allison leans closer and speaks in a quiet voice, "Are you okay? Looked like you spaced out for a second there."
I just force a smile her way, not exactly being able to tell her I was trying to see if I could use some supposed powers to help figure out whoever the hell is doing this. Or cancel out who the hell isn't doing it. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just trying to make this go as quickly as I can."
She doesn't seem to buy this as she leans back in her seat and nods slowly. I notice Matt's interested stare as he watches me as well, but when I give him a look he seems to snap out of it and turn back to the table. I notice Jackson hasn't spoken and cast a glance his way. His hand suddenly reaches up and hold his head as if a sudden pain resides there. Confused, I turn to him, but he suddenly stands to his feet and throws his bag over his shoulder. "You okay?"
With his skin pale and sickly he just shakes his head, "I uh- I just need some water."
He races out the library without another word before Harris stands with a concerned look on his face. Of course if he were to ever show genuine concern it would be for Jackson, "No one leaves their seats." He then follows in the same steps and before the door can even close behind him, both of the boys move over and drop at the same table as Erica.
"Stiles says you know how Jackson's parents died." I ignore the urge to move over to the table as well, knowing damn well I can hear fine from here. My leg begins to bounce up and down with anxiety as Erica sends Scott a cocky smile, "Maybe." Seriously what is with this girl and having to play games?
Maybe she learned it from Derek.
Eyeroll.
"It was a car accident," She places her notebook down and then moves to bring her laptop closer. "My dad was the insurance investigator, and every time he sees Jackson drive by in his Porsche, he makes some comment about the huge settlement he'll be getting when he's 18."
I catch Allison's eyes watching me closely as I'm listening in to the conversation. I nod to the three of them before continuing to listen. "So not only is Jackson rich now, but he's getting even richer at 18?" Great, I'm so happy that life always works out fair for everyone.
"I could try to find the insurance report in my dad's inbox. He keeps everything," She opens the laptop, but before her search can continue we all hear the sound of the PA system coming to life.
"Scott McCall, please report to the principal's office." I wince heavily at the sound of my mother's voice. What in the hell could that be about? I meet his gaze before he glances to Allison, standing, and moving towards the door. I groan and stand to take the seat he was just occupying, but a voice stops me.
"Mr. Harris said everyone should stay in their seats." I turn back slightly with crossed eyebrows, meeting Matt's serious gaze. You're kidding, right?
I roll my eyes briefly and force a small smile, trying to keep my attitude in check, "You're right, he did say that." Matt nods, seemingly pleased that I agreed with him. That small pleased smile falls when I continue to move to the newly vacant seat a few feet away, "Too bad I just do not care."
I throw myself in the chair causing Stiles to jump startled. I send him a quirky smile and then eye the screen faced away from me, "So, what else have we found people?"
Erica eyes me silently, and I can't exactly read the expression on her face. Before either can say anything, the door opens once again. Both Harris and Jackson move back into the room and I can't help but take note of the sweat coating his face. Jackson looked like he had run a mile while simultaneously having the flu. Thankfully, Harris doesn't seem to notice the seat change either as he moves back over to the library desk.
Erica and Stiles ignore the ghostly looking teenager, continuing to search the insurance information on her computer. I sigh and turn away, something about the look in Jackson's eyes leaving me concerned. "Passengers arrived to the hospital DOA. The estimated time of death 9:26 p.m., June 14th, 1995."
Stiles looks up suddenly between the two of us with a shrug of his shoulders, "Jackson's birthday is June 15th."
Yikes. Big yikes. So not only did he lose both of his parents, but they essentially had to cut him out of his dead mother's womb to keep him alive. "Well knowing that, in my opinion, could possibly cause some issues later on life."
Thankfully we all notice Harris zipping up his bag before moving over towards us. We all stand and I sigh relieved that this hell is at least over for now. I stop at the sound of a low chuckle and we all turn to face Mr. Harris. He shakes his head lightly while sending us a smirk, "No, I'm sorry. I'm leaving, yes, but you all are not. You may all go when you've finished the re-shelving," He lays his hands on two of the very overflowed carts. I can't help but glare as he chuckles to himself again, there is no way it is mentally healthy for him to get this much joy out of torturing teens.
Without word he walks out, leaving us to put away the mountain of books in front of us. I groan while standing, "Well, let's get it over with. I would rather be able to leave here sooner rather than later."
I push one of the carts into the isle of books and Stiles stands quickly to follow me. I sigh content when I see Scott push his way back into the library. His expression was definitely giving me the strong feeling that whatever conversation he had with my mother, was not very pleasant. He glances around the room looking for one of us, I throw my hand up to catch his attention as Stiles and Allison both stand behind me. He moves over quickly and Allison starts looking over the books needed to be put away.
"So, what we've learned so far is that Jackson definitely does have a yucky past. Both parents died in a car accident, the night he was born," I turn to Stiles and he nods in a agreement with what I'm saying. "They had to basically pull him out of her dead body, by C-section."
Allison shakes her head, clutching one of the books to her chest, "So, was it an accident or not?" Stiles only shrugs looking between the three of us, "The word all over the report was 'inconclusive'."
"Which means, if they were murdered, that would work perfectly with the whole Kanima myth," I watch Erica walk passed us to the next isle over. I turn back to the group and grab a book from the cart myself. I notice the sweat coating my palms of my hands, reaching to roll up my sleeves when it suddenly feels like someone turned the heat up a few too many notches. I ignore it and continue the conversation, "Finding and killing murderers?"
Allison only lightly shakes her with her lips pursed, "But is that for Jackson? Or for the person controlling him?" Scott placing his hands on my shoulders, moving us both out of the isle as I'm standing in his way, "We have to talk to him. We have to tell him."
"Scott, he's not going to-" I don't hear if my sister finishes her sentence as a discarded book lying open on the floor catches my attention. "Scott..." I call his name over my shoulder, hoping he also notices. I move forward not waiting to see if I had caught his attention or not. I finally reach the book, not waiting to see if Scott heard me. I reach down to touch the open page...I blink slowly when I notice three words bolded in the paragraphs typed on the paper. I finally trace my hand down the paper, reading each word and putting them together. The sentence they out together making my blood run cold.
Don't. Trust. Him.
Don't trust who?
I gasp when I look up to see Matt's unconscious body lying on the floor just a few feet away. I notice the distinct slice on the nape of his neck, "Shit, Matt!" I crawl the short distance to his body before lightly shaking his shoulder, "Dude, c'mon."
Scott suddenly reaches me, lying his hands on Matt's back, "Okay, he's not waking up and we should probably get him out of here." I feel the hair all over my body raise like there is suddenly a live wire in the room. Scott reacts quickly, covering over my and Matt's body when suddenly something crashes into the ceiling above us.
Kanima.
Books, plaster, and sparks are raining down on us. I lift my head to meet Scott's glowing amber eyes. "Erica!"
I hear a deep growl come from the other side of the bookshelf, where I'm presuming she is. A body on all fours jumps over us again, me just catching the quickest glance of him. "Okay, we've officially all got to get the hell out of here, now!"
I hear Erica scream and the heavy sound of a body hitting the floor. Without thought, I begin to move towards the sound. "Abby, don't!" I ignore Scott's words and continue moving across the floor, trying to keep as low as I can. I finally get to the shelf, but before I can get to Erica a scaly hand wraps around my ankle.
I don't even have time to scream as I'm suddenly yanked back. I quickly turn myself over so my back is flat to the floor, seeing a half Kanima/half Jackson, combination standing in front of me. "Oh dude, what the hell!" I groan trying to move away, but his body keeps mine from going anywhere.
He bends down, leaning over me and my breathing begins to shallow at the closeness. His reptilian eyes lock onto mine when I suddenly remember. I feel my lips part as scenes from the nightmare replay in my head, like I'm watching the memory through his eyes.
Only this time, instead of from the view of a bystander, it was Jackson's sight. I could see the pregnant woman in front of me, begging for her life, as I crawl over. Then the distinct round belly she was cradling in protection is sole focus. A clawed hand coming out to rest a few inches away, not quite touching...then suddenly I blink and watch as Jackson is ripped from above me.
I blink away the blurriness of my vision and sit up to see Jackson throw Scott's body backwards into the discarded cart of books, causing it all to fall over. In the chaos, I all but army crawl over to Erica's body. Friends or not, I wouldn't want to be left paralyzed on the floor alone if it were me.
I look up again and see Jackson now standing in front of a chalkboard in the middle of the room. As if he's under some trance, like a puppet being controlled from a remote location, he lifts the piece of chalk and begins writing. I wince as the chalk scratches against the surface, watching as he suddenly jumps from the floor and out one of the windows, shattering the glass and disappearing.
STAY OUT OF MY WAY OR I WILL KILL ALL OF YOU
I barley have time to read it before the feeling of something moving makes me look down. I reach out when I see Erica spastically moving on the floor, and not in a cute Stiles way either. "Guys, I think she's having a seizure!" I turn her on her side and brush the hair from her face, "It's okay, it's gonna be okay."
Her eyes are filled with fear as they makes contact with mine. Stiles comes over, helping trying to control her seizing body. Allison runs over checking on Matt, who still lies unconscious on the floor in the next isle, "He's alive!"
"We need to get her to a hospital!" Stiles looks up worriedly, by now all but cradling her body in his arms. I shake my head slowly, knowing that is not the case. "No, we need to take her to Derek. He can help her."
Stiles looks a me like I'm crazy, but then Erica's weak voice breaks the tension, "She-she's right," she gasps lightly, her body still lightly convulsing. "Derek."
Scott then moves over to Allison on the other side of the shelf and I can't help but huff in slight annoyance. I love a good teenage romance, but we have a girl who could possibly be dying. So, maybe, time and place people.
"Scott!" He ignores my voice and moves to Allison anyways. I don't listen to the conversation and try to keep Erica as calm as I can instead. After a second I turn to Stiles, "Get her up, let's go!"
Stiles looks at me wide eyed and vigorously shakes his head, "What about Scott?" I groan and stand to my feet, before rolling my eyes. I throw my hands out to Erica's body and shake my head, "We don't have time for this, I said let's go."
He starts to lift her body, but then Scott swiftly moves in and carries her bridal style. "Thank you so much for rejoining us. Now, let's go please!" I turn to Ally as they start to move the girl out of the room, "I'll see you later, I promise. Call me if you need anything."
I try my hardest to ignore the sorrowful expression on my sister's head as she nods in agreement. I feel bad leaving her, even knowing she is much more devastated that the puppy eyed boy in front of me is. I turn to follow the boys, hoping to hell we get Erica to Derek in time.