OF DEATH AND LIFE

Overcoming fears

"Finally, you're out of that hospital!", Elaine exclaimed, happy to see Conrad and Belly back with her in her room.

"I'm surprised they let you go before us. You almost looked worse than us.", Conrad pointed out, continuing to pack his things. Him and Belly were now able to move into their new apartment.

Scott knocked on Elaine's open door. Stiles was by his side. "Hey, Mom says dinner is ready in 10.", Scott informed his cousin.

"Okay, thanks.", Elaine said with a smile, helping Conrad pack his things. Without Elaine's help Conrad would just throw his stuff in the suitcase, creating a huge mess.

"Oh, Stiles! I guess you three haven't really met yet.", Elaine said, noticing that Scott and Stiles were not leaving. Conrad and Belly momentarily stopped packing their things and turned to look at Stiles.

"This is Belly and Conrad. My friends from New York.", Elaine introduced them. They gave each other a small wave. "Best friends even. More than that too.", Elaine added.

"What- What does that mean?", Stiles asked, standing up straight.

"Oh, they're also my protectors. Protecting me from evil spirits and all.", Elaine shrugged continuing to pack her friends' stuff.

"Protectors?", Scott was the one to ask, him and Stiles confused on what Elaine was talking about.

"Yeah, I found out a few things that has to do with me being supernatural, but let's talk about this after dinner, yeah?", Elaine suggested, putting the shirt she was holding, neatly into Conrad's suitcase and going downstairs, ready to eat some food. Leaving Scott and Stiles dumbfounded behind her.

After dinner Belly and Conrad left to go to their new apartment, leaving Elaine alone in informing the two boys about what she had found out.

Sitting in her room on her bed, she informed Scott and Stiles about what Belly and Conrad had told her. "So, yeah. They're protecting me from evil spirits trying to attack or influence me. But it's all still pretty new to them and me too, and the book that my mom gave them, apparently, they still have not gotten through it completely. There are still things to be discovered."

"And your mom told them a month before she died?", Stiles asked to be sure.

"Yeah, around that time, I guess. I think my mom knew something was going to happen to her."

"They are your protectors. Do they know what you are?", Scott continued to ask, what both him and Stiles were thinking.

"No... But I think I figured out what one of my abilities could be!", Elaine exclaimed happy and excited.

"What is it?", Scott asked curious.

"It's healing, right?", Stiles was faster than Elaine.

"It is. How'd you know?", Elaine asked confused.

"Uh, I noticed your hands literally glowing above your wound the Oni gave you when we were in that Illusion.", Stiles explained.

"Oh. I didn't even notice that I was doing it at that moment.", Elaine admitted.

Melissa needed Scott's help with something, so now Elaine and Stiles were alone in her room. Stiles was subtly looking around Elaine's room, not having been in it before. Elaine was fiddling with her bracelets, not knowing what more to say.

"Uh, do you- do you remember that Halloween party at Derek's loft?", Stiles broke the silence between them, turning to look at Elaine.

"I drank so much alcohol that night I don't remember much from before I got tested by the Oni.", Elaine lied.