Once in a Lifetime

47

Lydia, Malia, Scott and Tabitha sat in the sheriff's office, waiting for him and Robin to show.

He walked in, followed by Robin, and placed two files on his desk. "I'm not letting them out. We've got two bodies covered in slash marks. They confessed to killing two people."

"Hunters," Scott protested.

Sheriff Stilinski frowned. "People, Scott. Self-defense or not, they're still here, the other guys are dead. And there's a process I have to follow."

Tabitha met his eyes. "You know what's happening in this town. You know how unsafe it is for them."

Robin sighed. "This may actually be the safest place for them in Beacon Hills. At least I can protect them here."

Tabitha crossed her arms and asked pointedly, "And Stiles. Would he agree?"

"Especially if one of your deputies is working for Gerard?" Malia added.

Sheriff Stilinski shook his head. "I'm not buying that. I know these deputies like the back of my hand. I know their families, their kids, their brothers and sisters. I know who they are and I trust them."

"You know who they were," Liam corrected. "There's something out there. Everyone's afraid. And it's getting worse."

Scott nodded. "Yeah, you can't protect two werewolves from hunters if they're already on the inside."

The sheriff turned his gaze to the girl the teens had brought in. "It's Quinn, right?" The girl nodded. "You're sure it was a deputy who shot you? Absolutely 100% sure?"

Quinn nodded again. "I saw flashing lights. A police car. I... I saw a badge, a gun, and then they shot me. They shot me in the head and that's all I remember."

Sheriff Stilinski frowned. "There are a couple holes in her story."

"Maybe because there's a hole in her head," Lydia retorted.

Malia let out a loud laugh and noticed the looks she was getting. "I'm sorry."

Scott shook his head at her and turned back to the sheriff. "Sheriff, Deputy Young, we need to get Jiang and Tierney out here before anyone realizes that they're here."

"And take them where?" the sheriff wondered. "I can't let them go."

"But if you keep them here, they're-" Lydia was cut off.

"Look if there's a problem-" Robin began.

Robin was cut off by the sound of engines and lights. Scott and Tabitha peeked outside to see Monroe and at least a dozen well-armed hunters.

"Get away from the windows," the sheriff told them. "Put those guns away."

Parrish turned to the sheriff. "I'm guessing you know who's out there."

"I got a pretty good idea."

"They'll be armed to the teeth."

"Which is why I won't be."

"I'm going with you," Parrish told him.

Sheriff Stilinski shook his head. "No, you and Robin are gonna get some deputies, check the exits, and hope we're not completely surrounded. And keep an eye out. Let's make sure we're all on the same side here."

The sheriff walked outside, raising his hands in surrender.

Malia peeked out the window and started packing away as she said in a panicked voice, "We have to get out of here."

Scott glanced at her. "Give him a chance. He knows what he's doing." He turned back to the window, seeing the sheriff talking to Monroe.

Malia frowned. "I am giving a chance. He can talk all he wants, but we have to get the hell out of here."