THE NEXT ALPHA

1-Ace Of Pentacles

The young man lay in the MRI machine, eyes squeezed shut, hoping to block out the noise. He’d been in one before, but back then, everyone had said the images weren’t clear because of the Nogitsune inside him. His best friend, though, was right next to the machine, and he could hear Scott’s anxious heartbeat.

He hadn’t told anyone what happened, but he knew something had changed. When Scott had bitten the Nogitsune separated from him, it had affected him, too. The fox was still inside him. He could feel it—a dark, sinister presence consuming him from within. As the machine grew louder, the noise blocked out even his own thoughts. But then he heard that familiar voice.

“Hold on, Stiles… almost done,” Scott said quietly, but loud enough for his werewolf hearing to catch.

He needed to tell Scott what was happening before the first full moon. But how? Knowing his bite was killing his best friend might destroy him. Finally, the doctor spoke.

“Yes, Stiles, the scan is done now. I’ll help you out.” The platform slid him out of the machine. As he emerged, he saw his best friend and embraced him.

Stiles felt on the verge of tears. He knew the truth—that he was dying—but this scan meant everyone would know soon. As he pulled back, he saw the worried look on the doctor’s face. He knew what that meant… his death was officially documented. Scott, meanwhile, moved over to the doctor. Looking at the results, his eyes filled with tears, and his heartbeat quickened. Since his mother was the head nurse, he could interpret some of the findings. He was losing his best friend.

Unable to wait outside any longer, Sheriff Stilinski and Melissa burst in.

“Yes, doctor, could you tell us what’s going on?” asked the Sheriff. The doctor cleared his throat and answered.

“I’m afraid… due to a disease, nearly all of his internal organs are damaged, and it seems like it’s going to worsen.”

The Sheriff, not fully understanding or perhaps unable to accept it, asked again, “So what does this mean for my son, Doctor?”

Melissa, holding back tears, replied in a trembling voice, “Noah… Stiles… he’s dying.” Even though he was the Sheriff’s son, Stiles was also like a son to Melissa. As they spoke, Stiles was distant, but he could hear everything. After a moment, Scott returned to his side, trying his best to hide his emotions, though not very successfully.

“Scott… there’s something I need to tell you,” Stiles said.

“Aren’t you going to ask what’s happening?”

“I already know. I’m dying, Scott… and before, there’s something I need to tell you.” Scott wiped his eyes with the back of his hand and asked,

“How long have you known? How?”

There was a hint of reproach in his tone, as if he were saying, “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” Stiles glanced at his father and then back at Scott.

“Not here… not in front of my dad.” The Sheriff was doing his best not to let his son see the sadness within him. In their supernatural world, he clung to a hope that there could be a solution. Scott, meanwhile, was wondering why his best friend, who usually told him everything, kept this from him.

As they left the hospital, Melissa stayed behind for an extra shift. The two friends walked in silence all the way to Scott’s house. Stiles didn’t know where to begin, and Scott didn’t know what to ask. After a quiet journey, they arrived at Scott’s house. As Scott was fumbling for his key in the lock, Stiles turned away to take a painkiller. They entered and sat down in the living room, facing each other. Scott was the first to speak.