Everyone Has Demons [Teen Wolf]

21

For the next month, things went normally. I settled into life as a high school student and barely even griped about it anymore. Deaton worked with me on magic, teaching me how to cast protective and healing spells. I knew I wasn't going to be the best fighter anymore, but at least I could help people.

"Have you been training since Derek left?" Deaton asked me one afternoon.

"Yeah, I mean sort of. It's kind of hard to stay motivated when I don't feel like I'm in danger, you know." I paused. "I think that the more I mess with this magic stuff the less powerful those adrenaline rushes are getting."

"I suppose it makes sense. The cauldron wouldn't leave you vulnerable, but now that you have another way to protect yourself it's power is leaving you."

"Random protection spells, that we can't test the usefulness of, and occasional target practice in the woods. Yeah, I'm definitely one step ahead of what's coming."

"Speaking of, how are they holding up?"

I sighed. "Lydia and I have tried to get Allison to talk about it, but if she's experiencing anything weird she's not telling us. Scott and Stiles are pretty much as tight lipped about it as she is."

"I sense a but."

"Stiles keeps calling me in the middle of the night, the first time he didn't say anything and hung up. I asked him about the next day but he didn't even remember calling. He's called at least four times since then, but every time it's been to just talk. Something is definitely up with him. No one calls their friends at three in the morning to talk about school."

"Nightmares and hallucinations are side effects of being put under, maybe he's waking up from a nightmare and just needs someone normal to talk to."

"Then why me? Why not Scott?"

"Because you weren't there and you don't ask questions."

"I just want him to be ok."

"That's all he needs right now. Tell me if he says anything about the nightmares, if he tells you that means they're getting worse."

"I will. I'm meeting Allison and Lydia at the loft, so I should probably head out. Thanks for the help today."

When I reached the loft, the girls had already let themselves in. "Sorry I'm late, I got caught up at the clinic."

"How's the voodoo stuff coming along?" Lydia asked.

I rolled my eyes. "It's not voodoo." I sighed. "I don't know, alright I guess? Maybe I'm getting somewhere, maybe I'm not. I can't just sit around and do nothing."

"Because there's something coming, right?" I nodded. "I'm the banshee and even I'm not catching this great evil you're so freaked out by."

"Maybe I'm just being paranoid," I mumbled. One look at Allison told me I wasn't. "You ok, Allison?"

"Huh?" She jumped. "Yeah, I'm fine."

"Right, well, can we move on to something more sleepover appropriate?" Lydia asked. "Like boys. Ava, how is your...whatever he is?"

I shrugged. "I actually haven't talked to him at all this week. But last I heard Cora was settled and he was heading back."

"Is he traveling by dog sled? If Derek left Cora a week ago, why isn't he back yet?"

"I dunno. I'm sure he's fine. He can take care of himself."

"You're not concerned? Not in the slightest?" Lydia asked.