Beacon Hills 1983

Chapter 38: Shady

(The chilling adventures of Sabrina)
7 November 1983, Friday

Just after Nes ran off...

Lucy felt like she was made out of cinder blocks.
The kanima venom could take up to half an hour to ease away, and she was starting to feel cold.
Irritated, she thought out loud, "Should've brought a warmer jacket."

Just then, she heard a noise.
Fear crept on her like a grim reaper.
All Greendale witches are used to defending themselves, but she couldn't possibly do that now- immobile.
Lucy regretted telling Nes to go, but figured Taylan was probably in more danger. She didn't want anything to happen to him.

Shuffling, again.

She took a deep breath and put on her toughest voice, "Who's there?"
Lucy Henderson was not one to be afraid. She'd come across many freakish things- even the dark lord himself after her dark baptism.

A boy emerged. He was skinny, tall and with dark hair. She couldn't directly look up at him, so she wasn't sure who it was.
But then, he leaned over.
"Lucy?" He peeked.
"Timothée?" She shot back, more surprised than ever.

"Why are you..." He wasn't sure what to ask, seeing the girl just lying on the soaked earth.
"I can't get up." Was all she said. Lucy wasn't prepared to give full answers.
"Ok, let me help you-" Timothée offered.
"No, I literally can't move." She cut him off.
He paused, unhesitating, and lifted her up, swiftly in both arms.
She was amused with how strong he was, despite being lanky.
It made her wonder,

Was Nes right?
Does this strength come from him being the kanima?

Or did she just underestimate his muscles?

"What are you doing?" Lucy would've slapped him if she could.
"Taking you back to the hotel." He answered in a low voice.
There's something about Timothée's character that's striking, yet in a way, humble and submissive.

They were quiet for a while.
Lucy didn't want him to ask questions, but niether did she want silence.
"Aren't you going to ask what happened?" She sounded somewhat desperate.
"You don't look like you want to talk." He replied.
"I always want to talk." She spoke quickly, and without thinking.
Timothée smiled. She felt beatific.
"Okay," He decided, "Then what happened to you?"
"I..." Lucy thought of a lie. "I'm having an allergic reaction to something."
Timothée raised his eyebrows, doubtful.
"Interesting."

After what felt like an eternity, they reached the hotel. Just as they entered, Lucy narrowed her eyes with returning suspicion.
"What were you doing in the bayou?"
At that, he did hesitate.
"I... um... went out for some fresh air."
"At this time of the night?" Again, Lucy spoke without thinking.
"I could ask you the same." He smartly replied.
She swallowed, unsure what to say next. But luckily, Timothée didn't press for an answer.

He's the Kanima.

A voice in her head insisted.

Kanima disappears.
Timothée comes out of nowhere.

He even hesitated to answer why he was in the bayou.

Lucy felt a chill up her spine.
If the boy carrying her was the lizard-like creature they'd just seen...

This could solve, but also create a lot of problems.

For one, it was clear Nes was acquainted with the boy. She wouldn't accept the idea of putting him down, (put down meaning "death" or "isolation" in Lucy's terms).

Secondly, according to her father's bestiary, if progressed to the kanima-alpha-form, he would grow into a far more lethal... scary... demonic creature...

Lucy glanced up.
She couldn't picture the delicate, suave teenager as the horrid beast he was yet to become.

Breaking her trance, Timothée turned to the receptionist, and shrugged, "She got tired on a walk."
The lady hadn't even noticed she was the same girl who left with Nesrin Hale.
The two laughed, leaving Lucy in an awkward position.

Timothée started climbing the stairs, and for a split second, she felt nervous, as if he might drop her.
Lucy wasn't fond of being carried.

They were halfway up the first floor when she realized,
"How did you know my name?"
Timothée shrugged again, and she moved in his arms. "I know everyone's names."
He smelt like old pages in a spellbook; wood and vanilla.
"Well, you don't just know people you haven't met."
"I do."
He had about as much emotion as a rock when he said, "Never had friends, so it's easier for me to watch people. I know things."
Lucy felt creeped out.
The boy was a stalker.

"That's..." Lucy didn't have the words.
He laughed softly, realizing what she must think, "No, not like that."
He shook his head.
"Sorry, it came out wrong."
Colour rose to his cheeks.
"What I'm trying to say is, I'm observant. I don't watch people for fun- that's weird."
Lucy let out a sigh of relief.
"Then what do you do?"
"Draw, write. Spend most of my time in the library, either reading or researching."

No wonder he smells like books.

"Researching what?"
"Nothing of much value, honestly." He says sadly. "Supernatural things. Myths."
Although she was frozen, shivers ran through Lucy's body.

As they neared the second floor she asked, "What kind of supernatural myths?"
"Greek. Sometimes Japanese. Urban legends. Anything I can get my hands on, really."
Lucy was quiet, thinking.

Kanima's don't know they're own identity. If Timothée's the creature, he wouldn't know at all. There's no way his research could have anything to do with... himself.

Could it?

"What floor is your room again?"
"Fourth."
Timothée stopped to lean against the wall.
"Are you going to be ok?" He looked into her light brown eyes with his droopy green ones.
"Yes. Just take me to my room. I'll be fine."
He nodded, then continued up the stairs.

Lucy was convinced- too many shady things pointed in Timothée's direction. She hated to admit Nes was right, but couldn't help it. It's all too obvious.

Timothée is the kanima.