{Latin ^ meaning checking in} Monday, January 31st 2011 {Day 23}
{Words: 2917}
Meanwhile, in Lydia's room at the Martin residence...
Lydia lies in her bed, her gaze fixed on the ceiling. Mrs. Martin, Lydia's mother, knocks on the door and enters. She wears a smile as she speaks, "Sweetheart, Stiles, and Morwen are here to see you."
Lydia groans and mumbles, "What the hell is a Stiles and... a Morwen?" Lydia's mother gives a slightly embarrassed smile to Morwen and Stiles.
Mrs. Martin explains, "She's taken something to calm her anxiety. You can go in."
Morwen and Stiles enter the room and approach Lydia's bed. Lydia frowns and asks, "What are you two doing here?"
Stiles smiles softly and replies, "We just wanted to make sure you're okay."
Lydia tilts her head and asks, "Why?"
"Because I was concerned about you," Stiles says, scratching the back of his head.
Morwen gives a small smile and inquires, "How are you feeling?"
Lydia exclaims, "I'm feeling ffffffantastic." Stiles notices the medicine bottle on the bedside table.
Grinning, Stiles challenges her, "I bet you can't say 'I saw Susie five times in a shoeshine store' in a row."
Lydia starts to slur her words, "I saw Shusie... I'm sorry... I saw..." Her attention wanders. Stiles sits beside her on the bed, observing her changed appearance and behavior.
Frowning, Stiles asks, "What?"
Morwen looks at her with concern and curiosity, asking, "What exactly did you see?"
Lydia mutters, "I saw something..."
Stiles tilts his head, his tone filled with curiosity, "What?"
Lydia nods and simply says, "Something."
Stiles furrows his brow, a myriad of possibilities crossing his mind, "Was it a cougar or a mountain lion?" Lydia nods in agreement.
Stiles groans and hesitates, "You saw a mountain lion, right?"
"Or did the cops tell you it was a mountain lion?" Morwen interjects, skeptical.
Lydia nods and confirms, "A mountain lion." Stiles picks up a stuffed animal from her cot and holds it up.
"What is this?" Stiles asks the teddy bear, then returns his gaze to Lydia.
Lydia asserts firmly, "A mountain lion." Stiles gives up and places the teddy bear back down.
Meanwhile, deep in the woods...
Allison follows closely behind Scott as they venture further into the woods, navigating through steep and challenging terrain. Allison struggles with the ascent, but she pushes herself to keep up with Scott. They reach another ridge, and as they traverse it, Allison loses her footing, slipping over a rocky edge. Scott swiftly moves to climb over the top and extends his hand to grab her. Claws emerge from his other hand, firmly gripping a tree trunk.
Allison is slowly pulled up and towards Scott. He looks at her with concern and asks, "You okay?"
Allison grins and replies, "I think you just proved your masculinity." Scott glances at his hand once she is safely on solid ground. The claws have retracted. It's a moment of control. Allison begins typing on her phone as Scott returns his focus to her.
