North Starr

44

Scott and Melanie rode on his motorcycle to Eichen House and took off their helmets.

"Why didn't you tell me or her?" Scott asked.

Sheriff Stilinski sighed. "Because I wanted to avoid something like this."

Stiles looked between his friends. "It's only 72 hours."

Melanie pointed aggressively at the building. "72 hours. In that place. Where Barrow came from. He had a tumor that exploded flies." She made an exploding motion with her hands and turned to the sheriff. "There's a lot you don't know yet."

Sheriff Stilinski glanced at them, mostly focused on Melanie. "I know enough. Nogitsunes, kitsunes, Oni, or whatever they're called."

Stiles turned to his dad and said proudly, "Wow. That was actually all surprisingly correct."

"Scott, Melanie, I saw an MRI that looked exactly like my wife's. And it terrifies me. I'm headed over to L.A. tomorrow to talk to a specialist."

Scott frowned. "Then why are you putting him in here?"

Stiles turned to his friend. "He's not. It was my decision."

Melanie crossed her arms. "Yeah, well, it's a stupid decision. You're really going to the place that a guy whose brain exploded flies came from?"

Scott glanced at his friend before turning back to their mutual friend. "Stiles, we can't help you if you're in there."

Stiles sighed. "And I can't hurt either of you."

Melanie looked up at him. "We'll find something. Deaton's got some ideas, and Argent is calling people. We're gonna figure something out."

"If we can't-" Scott began.

Stiles shook his head, cutting his friend off. "If you can't... If you can't, then you have to do something for me, okay? Make sure I never get out. I know Melanie can defend herself with magic, but watch out for her. Please. If I hear that even one hair on her head gets hurt, I'll kill you. Then I'll bring you back and kill you again."

Stiles turned to Melanie. "I know you're gonna figure out a way to save me."

Melanie nodded and hugged him. "You can count on that."

"How angry was Derek?"

"I haven't told him. I probably should, but... I just need you to be okay, Stiles."

He nodded and waved goodbye to her and Scott before he walked into Eichen House with his dad.

Melanie let out a long sigh and turned to Scott. "We've got to get to the clinic. Deaton may have some ideas."

Scott handed her the other helmet and she placed it on her head. He revved the engine and Melanie wrapped her arms around his waist. He raced towards the Animal Clinic. When they got there, they saw that Deaton was on the phone with Argent and Allison waiting for them.

Allison noticed Melanie's expression and asked, "Are you okay?"

Melanie shrugged. "What have you guys found?"

Deaton mentioned a scroll and Melanie frowned. "Scroll?"

"A Shugendo scroll," Deaton replied. "The Shugendo were the ascetic mystics of Japan. The scroll had information on how to exorcise a Nogitsune."

"Where is it? Did someone buy it?"

Deaton nodded. "The man who last purchased it was named Kincaid."

Allison moved back next to Melanie. "He was with Katashi. He's the guy who met with Isaac to buy the gun."