Old Scars, Future Hearts

19

During school the next day, Allison and Marika met up with Scott, Dmitri and Stiles in the library between a set of shelves on separate sides. Allison passed a tablet through the shelf for the boys to see. "It's everything Lydia and Marika could translate. And trust me, they were pretty confused."

Scott nodded while still looking at it. "Yeah, what'd you tell her?"

Allison glanced at Marika who stifled a laugh. "That we were part of an online gaming community that battles mythical creatures."

"I am part of an online gaming community that battles mythical creatures," Stiles informed seriously.

Marika and Allison frowned at him. "O-oh. Great."

Scott let out a sigh. "Okay, does it say how to find out who's controlling him?"

Marika shook her head. "Not that we could find. But Stiles, you were right about the murders."

Stiles pumped a fist in the air. "Yes!"

Allison continued reading. "It calls the kanima a weapon of vengeance. There's a story about this South American priest who uses the kanima to execute murderers in his village-"

"All right, see?" Stiles said. "So maybe it's not all that bad."

Marika shot him a look and Allison continued. "Until the bond grew strong enough that it killed whoever he wanted to."

Stiles shook his head. "All bad, all very, very bad."

Allison nodded. "Here's the thing, though. The kanima's actually supposed to be a werewolf. But it can't be-"

""Until it resolves that in its past which manifested"," Scott finished.

Stiles scoffed. "Okay, if that means that Jackson could use a few thousand hours of therapy, I could've told you that myself."

"What if -- It has something to do with his real parents? His real parents," Allison said.

Dmitri frowned. "Wait. Jackson's adopted? What happened to his folks?"

Stiles glanced at him. "Lydia might know."

Scott frowned. "What if she doesn't know anything?"

Allison shrugged. "Well, he doesn't have a restraining order against me, Dmitri or Marika, so -- we'll talk to him ourselves."

Stiles narrowed his eyes. "Absolutely not, Marika. I don't trust him."

Marika met his eyes. "I can defend myself. I'll be fine. Dima, stay with the boys. Allison and I will handle this."

Scott sighed and gave Stiles a look before asking, "Okay, but seriously, what do I do?"

Allison looked at him. "You have a makeup exam, remember?"

"Promise me. If he does anything, you run in the other way."

"Like Marika said, we can handle ourselves."

Scott shook his head. "Allison, if you or Marika get hurt while I'm busy with some stupid test, someone's going to need to take care of me. If he does anything-"

"Like?"

"Anything -- Weird or bizarre -- anything."

"Anything evil!" Stiles exclaimed as he was pushed back. "Ah -- Ow!"

While Marika walked with Allison, Stiles suddenly grabbed her arm. "Be careful, Marika."

She pulled her arm away. "You know how I feel about the grabbing. But I'll be careful."