Thiam - The War Is Over

Chapter 9

Liam froze as soon as his gaze landed on Theo. His expression contorted into a glare as he faced the Chimera that had caused far too many problems in the past.

"Looks like the coward finally decided to show himself," Liam scoffed.

"Oh, I've shown myself. You've just never been vigilant enough to spot me until now." Theo adjusted his hoodie sleeves, prolonging the already tense silence. Liam felt his claws dig into his palms, the same feeling of irritation from class returning.

He watched as Theo continued to fiddle with a thread hanging off his hoodie, prepared for any sudden attacks of which he knew Theo was highly capable of.

"Why're you so angry?" Theo sounded almost amused. "I haven't done anything wrong, have I?"

"I can create a whole list of things you've done wrong." Liam crossed his arms and, much to to his annoyance, Theo did the irritable, and mimicked the stance.

"That was before." Theo rolled his eyes as though for emphasis. "I'm a new person. I've taken the summer to recollect myself and change." He paused for dramatic effect- it sure as hell worked. "And I have." Liam found himself almost convinced, until he mentally reminded himself that Theo was a skilled liar and could very be deceiving him yet again.

Before Liam could come up with a retort, however, Theo spoke again.

"I know you're gonna find it hard to believe me, but you'll have to eventually. We're allies now." Theo took a step forward, causing Liam to instinctively take a step backwards, his eyes flashing with alarm.

"I trusted you once before, and it was a huge mistake. I brought you back from hell only because we needed your help, but you and I... We both know well that if I could send you back, I'd do it in a snap." Liam ignored the hurt look that crossed Theo's face; it was most likely fake, and he didn't have time to deal with anymore of Theo's lies that would not only hurt others, but kill them, too.

He waited for Theo to say something, anything, that would give him a good reason to fight, but Theo was silent, very much to Liam's surprise and dismay. Not at all satisfied despite pretty much winning the dispute, Liam gave one final angry snuff and turned away from Theo. As he walked away, he dared a glance over his shoulder. His eyes met with Theo's and he felt a tug of pity.

God, he looked like a kicked puppy.

Liam fought the urge to walk back and apologize, instead forcing himself to look forward once more and go back home.

***

Liam couldn't sleep at all. It was already past midnight and he was still tossing and turning in bed. His thoughts were on his encounter with Theo. Had he been an idiot for just leaving and literally letting Theo go like that? Maybe he should've taken him somewhere where they could contain him. Somewhere like Eichen House. Liam's nose scrunched up at the thought of the place. Okay, maybe not Eichen House, but Liam had his mind set that Theo was up to no good and would surely cause chaos again if someone didn't take action.

And by "someone," he meant himself.

It bothered him that he had to constantly remind himself that he had to take charge of things. He had never realized how much he had been depending on Hayden to be there to help him. He still hadn't heard back from her, and it pained him.

Sitting up in his bed, Liam ran a hand through his hair in frustration. Why did Scott have to graduate? He would handle things much better. Liam shook his head despite hinself, and flopped back down with a defeated huff, staring up at his dark ceiling. He really had to stop doubting himself. It annoyed him. He told this to himself pretty much every morning, but as every day passed, the doubt just grew stronger. It was like... like he was losing himself like he had been lost when he first became a werewolf.

It was because he had lost Hayden.

He had lost his anchor.

Finally annoyed by his own thoughts, Liam snatched his phone and ear buds off his desk beside his her and looked up piano music to try and get himself to sleep.

It worked for a while, but his mind began to drift off again, until he eventually came back full circle and was thinking of Theo.

Again.

Liam sighed. Why was Theo such a reoccurring thought?! He bet it was because he was creating so much stress. Ugh, something seriously had to be done-

Liam jumped as a knock came from his window, distracting him from his thoughts, his eyes flying open as he shot up. He sqinted through the darkness, making out the shape of one- no, two people. He felt freaked out and alarmed until he heard Corey whisper,"Open your window, it's me and Mason." Liam quickly scrambled out of bed and towards the window, opening it to let his friends in, then went to turn on his lamp, flinching at the sudden brightness of it.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, his voice hoarse from not talking for hours.

"We wanted to check in on you."

Liam frowned as Mason's obvious weak reply. "Why?"

"We went around asking about werewolf behavior." Liam was startled by Corey's quick, blunt response, then found himself a bit concerned by his time.

"Okay, and?"

Mason and Corey exchanged a look.

"If you guys are just gonna be staring at each other and not saying anything, you may as well leave. I have sleep to catch up on," Liam said, his voice edged with anger, directing them back towards the window.

"Okay, okay, sorry." Mason sighed and shook his head. "The most we could find out is that you're losing control of your werewolf power stuff-"

"Why is this about ME?" Liam felt the hairs on his neck stand up as his defense rose.

"You're acting weird, Liam, we just wanna help," Corey shot back.

"I don't need 'help!' I need everyone to stop causing me stress and to stop being so nosy!"