Worlds Apart (Teen Wolf)

17- Scream

 Eichen House was only a place I had originally visited when I was dead. When Stiles had admitted himself during the whole nogistune thing, I never left his side during that. This place sent chills down my spine every time I found myself in it. Now, with a beating heart in my chest, I feel even more freaked out by this place.

I think the main reason Eichen House bothers me is because when I was dead, I wasn't completely invisible. There were a few patients who claimed to see me and were just treated like they were crazy because who sees dead people these days.

Parrish, dressed in his deputies uniform, was easily able to get us inside of Eichen House with no problems. The man behind the desk was even able to led us to Meredith's room with no questions asked after Parrish showed him his badge.

As we passed by a door, where a patient was being ushered inside of their room by an employee, she had caught my eye and waved. That part didn't bother me, but what she had said next made me wish I had stayed in the jeep. "I'll keep your secret."

Stiles tugs harder on my hand when I freeze in the hallway, eyes locked on the girl. She was one of the ones that had seen me when I was dead.

After a few more minutes of walking, the man stops in front a white door and takes the key ring out of his pocket to find the right one. The hallway is rather narrow and the four of us find ourselves with our backs against the wall while the man searches for the key to Meredith's room.

"Oh, no." Stiles mumbles from my left side. "Not this guy."

All of us turn to see who Stiles is talking about. A tall man with an aggressive look on his face rushes down the hallway to us. My upper lip curls in disgust as I remember the man from when Stiles was here last. Brunski. He had treated Stiles absolutely horribly.

"What the hell are we running here?" Brunski demands, eyes lit with a fire. "A bed and breakfast? We do not just open the door for anyone with a badge." He snatches the keys out of the man's hand, who slowly slithers away, realizing he had screwed up by bringing us in here.

"We need to talk to Meredith Walker." Parrish straightens up. "It involves a murder investigation."

"Well, you can talk to her all you want, but these three," Brunski motions to the three of us, eyes lingering on Stiles with hatred. "Especially that one...They're out of here."

Parrish glances at the three of us. "They're crucial witnesses in an ongoing investigation. I wouldn't have brought them here if it wasn't absolutely...crucial."

"Okay, Deputy." Brunski sizes him up with his arms firmly crossed. "How about you come back with a court order, then I'll listen." His body angles towards Stiles next. "As for you, Mr. Stilinski, how about you come back with payment in full. That's right. Daddy may be the Sheriff, but he's late on the bills. I guess those government jobs aren't as reliable as they used to be, huh?"

Anger flashes through my body at his harsh words towards Stiles. My body steps forward, but I'm quickly tugged back by Lydia and Stiles on either side of me.

Without missing a beat, Parrish replies, "But, they do help when you need a favor. Like, how a month ago, Canaan P.D. helped you get home after blowing point one on a breathalyzer."

In awe, Stiles glimpses between a slightly smirking Parrish to a pale faced Brunski. "No..." He breathes.

Brunski takes a small step back. "Alright. I'm not against a little quid pro quo." He sticks the correct key in the lock and unlocks it before stuffing the keys away in his pocket. "Not at all. Not at all."