OF DEATH AND LIFE

117

It was raining when they had arrived back in Beacon Hills. Scott single handedly carried teenage Derek into the vet Clinique, laying him down on the table. "Wow.", Deaton said.

"Wow. Wow, as in I've seen this before and I know exactly what to do kind of wow? Cause that's the kind of wow we were hoping for.", Stiles rambled. "I think you might be overestimating my abilities."

"He's cold. Really cold.", Elaine pointed out, having taken Derek's hand in hers.

"Do you think this is permanent?", Scott asked Deaton. "I'm not sure a medical diagnosis is even adequate. This is well beyond my experience."

"So, what do we do with him?", Stiles asked. "Until he wakes up? Probably not much. It might be best to leave him with me. He'll be safe here.", Deaton suggested.

"You mean from Kate?"

"If she's alive and she is what you say she is, then she won't be able to walk past that gate.", Deaton explained. "Why would she wanna do this to him?", Lydia asked. "Knowing Kate, it's probably for a reason that won't be any good for anyone but her."

"And bad for everyone else.", Stiles added.

"Yeah, you guys should probably go home. He doesn't look to be in any danger. So, maybe the rest of you should get some sleep. It is a school night. And you all need to start taking care of your own lives again."

"Someone should stay with you.", Scott suggested. "I'll stay.", both Elaine and Lydia said at the same time. "You need to go to sleep. I will stay.", Lydia disagreed with Elaine. "My grades are fine. Despite missing a few classes."

"I'm so not okay with this.", Stiles disagreed. "Guys. Go."

"No.", Elaine too disagreed with Lydia. "Text us if anything happens.", Scott supported Lydia.

"Nope, still not okay with this. I'm not going anywhere.", Elaine continued to disagree. But even Stiles could see that Lydia wasn't going to back down and gently grabbed Elaine by her arm and tried to drag her out, but Elaine stood still. "I said I'm not going anywhere.", Elaine said, crossing her arms.

"Alright.", Stiles mumbled and took a different approach. Stiles turned Elaine so that she was facing him and went to pick her up, basically throwing her over his shoulder.

"Hey! Let me go!", Elaine exclaimed, surprised Stiles was this strong. Elaine huffed, realizing she wasn't going to get out of this.

°°°

Elaine woke up from another nightmare, her heart beating fast, wet with sweat. The nightmares haven't stopped since Stiles was being possessed by the Nogitsune. The nightmares weren't about the Nogitsune though.

Having taken a quick shower, Elaine was quick to get dressed, Conrad already waiting on her downstairs in Belly's car. With still slightly wet hair, her waves being visible, Elaine sat down in the passenger's seat.

"Took you long enough.", Conrad said, beginning their drive to the school. "Sorry. Another nightmare.", Elaine admitted, still a bit shook from it.

"Was it the same again?", Conrad asked, now being gentler with her. "Uh, no. This time it was about the fire."

"It might surprise you to know that some of histories greatest leaders have had to endure some pretty grate failures. One you'll recognize from last night's reading. Failed in Business, had a nervous breakdown, was defeated for both houses of congress and lost as vice president bevor he was finally elected as one of the greatest presidents this country has ever seen. Who was he?", Mr. Yukimura asked the class.