Beacon Hills 1983

Chapter 36: A Walk With Lucy

(Teen wolf + The chilling adventures of Sabrina + The Originals)

"Oh great, you're leaving again." Lucy turns to look at me just before I step out of our room.
"Something's wrong- I heard my brother-"
"He's in Beacon Hills." She says flatly.
Nerves bite at the back of my mind.

He should be.
But that was him. I know it was.

"Apparently not." I say then proceed to walk out the door.
"I'm coming with you." Lucy laces up her shoes.
I sigh, not in the mood to argue.

We make our way through the passage and then down the stairs.
I wish the hotel had an elevator, but it's been the same since the 1800's.
"Where did you run off to earlier? It looked like you were about to have another 'wolf-attack'." Lucy snickers at Natalie's made up word.

"Billy."
A ticklish sensation runs down my spine, as I reminisce his lips on my cheek... jaw... neck...
"Hmm." Lucy smirks. "Billy."
I roll my eyes, unable to resist a smile, "Shut up."
"What happened?"
"He aggravated me. From the balcony."
Lucy bursts out laughing and I have to remind her that everyone is asleep.
"How could he possibly do that?" she giggles.
"He showed me the middle finger."
Lucy looses it.
"Shhhh! Lucy!"
"Sorry... Nes..." She breathes, trying to pull herself together. My cheeks redden with embarrassment.
"Okay. Okay. I'm okay." Lucy settles.

"I'm a werewolf. Even little things tick me off."
"But I don't understand you, Nes. How do you so easily want to murder Billy while knowing you like him?"
Fire burns in the pit of my stomach.
"Because... I..."

Because I love and hate him at the same time Lucy.

"Its okay. You don't have to answer that." She pats my back.
We reach the bottom of the stairs and notify the receptionist that we're going for a walk.
Mrs. Barron specifically told us to always check in with the short lady behind the desk if we were to leave the hotel at night.

The rain has finally stopped, and streets are now full of little rivers. The chill in the air bites my fingers, so I put them in my jacket pockets to keep warm.
Suddenly Lucy speaks again, "What exactly did you do to Billy?"
The hairs on the back of my neck stand.

Should I tell her?

Yes. She's your best friend.
What's the harm?

"I... ah..."
"You...?"
"Confronted him."
"About what?"
"Why he's mean to me."
"What did he say?"
"He envies me."
"Why?"

There's the harm.
The reason you shouldn't tell Lucy anything, is because she won't stop asking further.

Give her a finger, and she pulls your hand.

"Some long story about a first impression. He thought I had everything he 'ever wanted'."
"What do you have that he doesn't? The guy's totally tubular- he literally drives a Chevrolet-"
"Materialistic things, aren't really what he's jealous of, Lucy."

She takes a minute to think. I decide against telling her about... the rest of it.
We turn towards the bayou- I heard Taylan's signal from that direction.
"If it's company or loyalty you're implying, can't be either."
"Why not?" I ask, actually curious as to how Lucy came to this conclusion.

Even before knowing Billy's family background, I always figured he was an unhappy, lonely person who found joy in hurting others.
Why would Lucy think otherwise?

"He's got friends who would die for him. Girl's who'd..." She searches for a word, "worship him." She finishes.
"You can't possibly tell me he envies you because people care about you."
I shake my head, realising where she went wrong.

"He's not interested in all that praise."
"Then what's his problem?"

I think carefully about everything he said, then respond,
"Billy doesn't want attention. He wants to be loved. He wants safety. Niether of which his fake friends can provide him with. They might glorify him, but it's just for their own status. None of them actually care about him."

My friend is quiet for a while.
Then says, "Hmm. I've never realised that. But then again, I haven't known Billy as long as you do."
We pass a dimly lit store called Jardin Gris Voodoo Shop, and Lucy's eyes light up with excitement.
"I can't believe it!"
"What is it?"
"Only the best voodoo shop of all time!" she points to the open doors.
"Does it have something to do with witches?"
"Yes."
"But isn't magic banned here?"
Lucy sighs. "Yes."
"So... witches don't run the place?"
Lucy rolls her eyes in annoyance.
"Of course they still do, Nes. Just because they don't practice magic doesn't mean they can't still embrace their culture. New Orleans witches are quite staunch, to be honest. I'm sure they secretly do magic now and then."
"That's..." I trail off, thinking carefully not to offend my friend.
"competent."

A little while later, we're in the Bayou.
I find a trail of Taylan's scent, yet somehow, we're unable to find him.
"Taylan!" I call out. "Taylan where are you?!"
Lucy and I look around and then at each other.
"Are you sure it's him?" She asks
"Yes." I whisper, suddenly frozen, questioning myself.

But... it HAD to be him.
I even found his scent. I know a pack member when I sense them.

"Taylan!" Lucy tries, and then like a lamp in darkness, he shouts back.
"Lucy?!"
"C'mon, he's this way!" I scramble, while following the path of his voice.
"Taylan! I'm coming!" I say, instincts warning me of danger ahead...

Just before Lucy and I come to a clearing, my brother shouts, "Wait! Nes! Get back!"
But it's too late.

Sure enough, there's danger.
But oddly, no Taylan.