{latin ^ Up's & Downs} Thursday Night, February 10th 2011 {Day 33}
{Words: 5168}
Back at The Stilinski Residence - Kitchen...
Both Morwen & Stiles re-enter the Kitchen, just then Stiles takes the empty glass out of his drunk father's hand before it drops through his flimsy grasp.
"There are just so many questions," Stilinski groaned, his frustration evident in his tone.
"Like?" Stiles inquired, tilting his head to the side, genuinely curious.
"If Derek was planning to seek vengeance on everyone involved with the fire, why would he start by targeting his own sister, who had nothing to do with it?" Stilinski grumbled, his voice laden with confusion and a touch of anger.
"That's a good question," Stiles mused, acknowledging the complexity of the situation with a nod of his head.
"And why go through the trouble of making it all look like the work of some animal?" Stilinski questioned, his voice tinged with both frustration and curiosity.
"Also a good question," Morwen chimed in, their voice carrying a hint of contemplation. They set down their bag, their attention momentarily diverted to the sight of the half-empty bottle of whiskey and the visibly tipsy Stilinski.
Stilinski, seemingly encouraged by Morwen's presence, continued the discussion. "Which brings me to another peculiar observation. When that cougar appeared in the school parking lot, I checked with Animal Control," he began, his gaze shifting between Morwen and Stiles.
"Incidences of wild animal reports? They're up seventy percent in the last few months. It's like they're all going crazy, running out of the woods," Stilinski revealed, his voice a mix of astonishment and concern.
Stiles, absorbing the information, spoke quietly to Morwen, drawing them aside for a moment of privacy. "Or something's scaring them out," he muttered, his words hinting at a deeper mystery lurking behind the unsettling increase in wildlife sightings.
As Stiles glanced over the files, a sense of urgency compelled him to swiftly tidy them up, returning them to their respective folders. The weight of their investigations and the ever-growing enigma demanded their full attention.
"You know, I miss talking to you," Stilinski expressed, a touch of wistfulness coloring his words. "It's like we never have time--" he trailed off, interrupted by Stiles' hurried intervention.
"Gotta make a phone call, Dad. Be right back," Stiles interjected, his tone laced with urgency as he swiftly moved away, leaving Stilinski to contemplate the unanswered questions and their strained relationship, even if just for a brief moment.
"I do. I miss it," Stiles hummed, his voice filled with a hint of nostalgia as he rose from his seat, retrieving his phone from his pocket. Morwen trailed behind him, their gaze occasionally flickering back to Mr. Stilinski.
"I miss your mother," Stilinski sniffled, his tone laced with sadness, as memories of his late wife weighed heavily upon him.
Hearing Stilinski acknowledge his longing for his wife, Morwen felt a pang of empathy. They understood the pain of losing a loved one, and witnessing Stilinski's grief only amplified their own sorrow.
Glancing back, Stiles paused, his phone held in his hand. "What did you say?" he inquired, seeking clarification.
However, instead of responding, Stilinski reached for the bottle, intending to pour himself another drink. At that moment, Stiles's hand gently wrapped around the bottle, guiding it back down to the table.
