The Supernatural Asset

another case

Stiles Stilinski's phone buzzed insistently in his pocket. He had just stepped out of Derek Hale's new home in Virginia, a picturesque house nestled among tall trees, trying to catch his breath from the whirlwind of kids' laughter and family banter. Derek had recently moved here with his two kids, and Cora and Peter had tagged along, making the place lively and chaotic in a way that was both heartwarming and overwhelming.

Stiles glanced at the caller ID: it was Hotch from the BAU. His heart skipped a beat. Stiles had been juggling his duties at the BAU and his deep-seated ties to the supernatural world ever since he joined the team. He answered the call, his mind already shifting gears from domesticity to the hunt.

"Hotch, what's up?" he answered, trying to mask the tension in his voice.

"We've got a new case," Hotch replied, his voice as steady and authoritative as ever. "It might be right up your alley. A series of unusual murders in Maryland. We need to determine if this is something we can handle or if it requires... your other expertise."

Stiles' brow furrowed. "Details?"

Hotch quickly briefed him on the case: victims found in remote areas, strange symbols carved into their bodies, and the unnerving presence of local legends and folklore. It smelled like a potential supernatural case, but Stiles knew better than to jump to conclusions.

"I'll be there as soon as I can," Stiles said, already heading back inside to grab his go-bag.

Inside, he found Derek lounging on the couch, reading a book to his kids. Cora was in the kitchen, and Peter was fiddling with something that looked suspiciously magical.

"Derek, I've got to go. Work stuff," Stiles said hurriedly, throwing his bag over his shoulder.

Derek looked up, concern flashing in his eyes. "Be careful. If it's supernatural, you call us."

Stiles gave a quick nod, then ruffled the kids' hair as he passed by. "Stay out of trouble, you two," he said with a grin, though his mind was already on the case ahead.

As he drove towards the BAU headquarters, his mind raced through the possibilities. He had seen enough to know that not everything that looked supernatural was. But he also knew that the BAU would need his unique insight if things took a turn for the otherworldly.

Arriving at the office, he was greeted by the team—Hotch, Emily, JJ, Morgan, Reid, and Garcia. They were all gathered around the briefing room table, the air thick with tension.

Hotch wasted no time. "Stiles, we need you to take point on this. If there's anything supernatural about these killings, we need to know. And fast."

Stiles nodded, scanning the case files spread out before him. The symbols, the remote locations, the whispers of old legends—they all pointed to something beyond the ordinary.

"I'll need to visit the crime scenes," he said, looking up at the team. "There might be traces that only I can see."

Morgan gave him a reassuring pat on the back. "We've got your back, man. Whatever it is, we'll handle it together."

As the team headed out, Stiles couldn't shake the feeling that this case was going to test the limits of both his worlds. But with the BAU by his side and his supernatural allies on call, he was ready to face whatever darkness lay ahead. The BAU's SUVs pulled up to the crime scene, a dense forest area cordoned off with bright yellow tape. The sun was setting, casting long, eerie shadows through the trees. Stiles and the team exited the vehicles, surveying the area with practiced eyes.

Hotch led the way, his expression unreadable as always. Stiles followed closely, his senses heightened. As they approached the center of the crime scene, the first thing that struck them was the overwhelming silence. The usual forest sounds—birds, rustling leaves—were absent, replaced by an unsettling stillness.