The Phoenix

Chapter Six

Chapter Six

Mac's POV

"Here's where we found the den. It's right in the middle of the hiking trails." Stiles pointed out, Allison, Scott, and I staring at his tablet.

"Well, that's could narrow it down. Coyotes travel in fixed trails." Alison pointed out, "But I think you're right about her not going back to the den. Coyotes don't like wolves. And they're really smart. If they don't want to be heard, they actually walk on their toes."

"Coyotes tip-toe?" Stiles asked.

"They tip-toe." Alison confirmed. The bell rang and Allison headed to her class. Stiles and I headed to our seat as Kira walked up to Scott. When we sat down, I looked at Stiles.

"Did you not have a nightmare last night?" I asked. I surprisingly woke up in my own bed. Meaning, Stiles' screaming didn't wake me up.

"What do you mean?" He asked.

"Cause, well." I stopped hesitating.

"Cause I didn't wake you up with my screaming?" He finished and I sheepishly nodded, "No I didn't, because I didn't sleep last night. I didn't get home till really late and just decided to stay up."

"Oh okay." I replied and went to take my books out of my bag.

"All right, everyone. Let's get started. We were just talking about internment camps and prisoners of war. There's a passage in our reading that I'd like to go over in more detail Who would like to come up and read aloud for us?" Mr. Yukimura said, starting class. He looked around for a second, not seeing a volunteer. His eyes landed on Stiles. "Mr. Stilinski, how about you?"

"Oh, maybe someone else could." Stiles stuttered out.

"Everyone participates in my class, Mr. Stilinski." Mr. Yukimura said sternly. 

"Okay." Stiles whispered and walked to the front of the class. He looked at me for a second, fear in his eye. I watched nervously. I hope he's okay up there. He stared down at the book and looked up like he was about to pass out.

"Stiles?" I asked cautiously. Scott then looked up, finally noticing his best friend.

"Stiles? Stiles are you okay?" Scott asked slowly walking toward him. Stiles didn't answer instead he stumbled and Scott walked up to him, steadying him. Stiles breathe seemed to come quicker and quicker.

"I should take him to the nurses' office." Scott said and Mr. Yukimura nodded quickly. Scott put Stiles' arm around his shoulder. I got up to help them, putting Stiles' other arm around mine. We walked until we came onto the boy's bathroom and Stiles ran into it. Scott and I quickly followed.

"Stiles, look at me, man. Is this a panic attack?" Scott said, but Stiles didn't look like he was listening. Stiles grabbed onto the sink and looked at himself in the mirror.

"It's a dream, it's a dream. This is a dream." Stiles said to himself. I looked at Scott in worry.

"Stiles, you're not dreaming." I said softly. Stiles breathing didn't change.

"No, it's not. This is real. You're here. You're here with us." Scott said. Stiles didn't respond.

"Okay, what do you do?" Scott asked, "I mean, like how do you tell if you're awake or dreaming?" Stiles didn't respond at first.

"Stiles." I said, touching his shoulder. He turned and gripped my hand, still breathing roughly.

"Finger. You count your fingers.  You have extra fingers in dreams." Stiles finally spat out.