Kids in the Dark [S.S. Book One]

Sixteen

Stiles was frustrated with the mechanic for toying with his Jeep. It had been going on for awhile. "Hey! Hey? Wh--what do you think you're doing? All I needed was a starter."

The mechanic nodded. "Yeah, but it looks like your whole exhaust system has got to be replaced here."

Stiles frowned. "Why do I get the feeling you're slightly over-estimating the damage?"

The mechanic shrugged. "It's probably gonna run you around like $1200 parts and labor."

Stiles ran a hand through his hair. "Are you kidding? This thing doesn't have a catalytic converter. And yes, I know what a catalytic converter is."

"Do you know what a limited slip differential is?"

"No--" Stiles began.

The mechanic interrupted him. "Yeah, coming on more like $1500."

"Okay. Just finish. I'll be back here, seething with impotent rage!"

Stiles ran his hands up and down his arms. "$1500. I can't afford that, Als."

I took his hands. "We'll figure it out, Stiles. If I need to, I'll help."

"No, I can't ask you to do that. I can't ask you to help."

"Stiles, you're not asking. I'm offering. But only if you need it. I won't force my help. Hey, what's on the door?"

Stiles walked over to the door handle and touched it as he said, "Oh. Nice. It's real sanitary. Quality establishment you're running here."

He fell to the ground and muttered, "Figures."

"Stiles, what's going on?" I asked worriedly.

"Don't touch the doorknob. You need to find a place to hide, Ally. I'm gonna call the police."

Stiles struggled to get his finger on his phone so he could dial 911. It almost seemed like he's paralyzed? What the heck? I heard Stiles start speaking again. "No. Hey. Hey! Hey! Uh."

I peeked into the other room where the mechanic is. He was under the Jeep and there was a reptilian figure with beady yellow eyes. The Jeep began falling and the mechanic began begging for his life. "Help me. Help me. Help! Help--Help me. Help me. Help me."

Then, all fell silent. The Jeep had fallen on the mechanic, killing him.

The operator finally answered. "911, what's your emergency?"

Eventually, the police showed up. Sheriff Stilinski looked down at his son. "What happened you two?"

Stiles gave a small shrug. "I told you, I just--we just walked in and saw the Jeep on top of the guy, that's all."

"What's wrong with your hand?"

I bit my lip in case Stiles said something. Thankfully, he was too smart to reveal anything. "Nothing. Can we just get out of here now?"

"Look, if there's something you don't think you can tell me--"

"You think we're lying?" I asked in a frustrated tone.

Sheriff Stilinski shook his head. "No, of course not. I'm just worried about the two of you. Now, if you saw someone do this, if you're afraid that maybe they're gonna come back and make sure you don't say anything about it--"

"We didn't see anything," Stiles interrupted. "At all. Can we go now please?"

"Sure," Sheriff Stilinski decided. "But not in your Jeep. We're gonna have to impound it. Sorry kid, evidence. I'll see you at home."