FERAL PHASE

not so little brother.

"You've gotten... Tall." she added, clearly astonished at just how much Ian's little brother had indeed grown.  

He had to be at least six foot three and solid, with evident muscle, visible through his heavy work-clothes.  But that familiar squint in his hazel eyes was still there, despite the absence of those crooked little glasses, that he used to wear.

He gave an uncomfortable little chuckle, removed his work gloves, and rubbed his neck.  "Yeah, I went through a growth spurt in high school. Believe me, I'm thankful. It meant the bullies left me alone.  Why are you are here? -I mean, it's been a long time. I don't blame you for leaving but..."

She gave a little huff. "I promise, I'll tell you all that I can. You, of all people deserve to know.  But I don't think I should say much in here." she added, looking around the semi-busy grocery store.

He shifted on his feet and lowered his eyes for a moment; then raised them to met her gaze. "...It's about that local couple getting torn apart, isn't it?" he said just above a whisper.

"Yeah," she replied, using equally hushed tones and she could tell that she didn't have to add what she suspected. 

"I'm consulting with the FBI-"

"-Because of what happened to Ian."

It wasn't the entire answer, but it was enough. "Yes."

He sighed and nodded with understanding. "Well, I'm glad you're in on it too.  It's good to know someone's working on this who gave a damn about him. They think this had something to do with that. -Maybe, the same killer?"

She answered this carefully.  "...It hasn't been ruled out."

"Yeah, well.  When you do get that sonofabitch. Please..."

She stepped closer to him and  gently squeezed his hand. "I'll make certain that you're the first to know, Jackie."

He blinked a bit at hearing that nickname. 

Only Ian and Shayna called him that.

~.~

"Hey, look I'm not the only who's changed," he said, keen to switch subjects and eyeing the pastel librarian get-up she had on now, -soft muted pink cashmere sweater, blue jeans and barely any makeup.

She rolled her eyes, but not unkindly.  "Yeah, the students would have a field day, if I wore my old Urban Decay stuff to my classes.  We all have to grow up sometime, right?"

It didn't escape her that Jackson was maybe three or four years removed from being an undergrad, himself.  -Still, a twenty-something.

"So, I see you've managed to make your fascination with building things into a career," she said.

"Yeah, well close enough, anyway.  It pays the bills.  ...I wanna thank you for helping me along when you could.  I remember when you got me that Erector Set on my eleventh birthday. I know it probably didn't seem like much at the time, but it meant a lot to me," Jackson replied.

The faintest hint of a little flush crept into his cheekbones that took her right back to that shy little boy she remembered, and much more innocent, carefree days.

"I'm just happy to see that you're doing well," she replied.

"Where are you staying?  ...Up with the Ketterlings?"  he asked, knowing the bed and breakfast property was up in the mountains, just outside of town. Only a fifteen minute drive away.

"It works for my needs." Shayna replied.  

He nodded.  "Well, if you need anything else, holler... I can pop over anytime. I'm still in the family home."

"Honestly I'm surprised Agent Bryce hasn't gotten in touch with you, yet. He's sure to want to chat, if you're up for it."

"-Agent Bryce?"

"The FBI Agent, I'm consulting with.  He's good at his job. So, if there's anything connecting this with Ian, he'll find it.  He's actually been working on his case for awhile."

"That so?  I've never heard of him. I did my best to keep up with everyone who worked on it."

"He started on it, after it was deemed a cold case."

"...Huh. Well, sure. Whatever's needed. I'm there." he said, with a nod.

"I have to get back to my shopping..."

"-Wait, hold on.- Tommy!" Jackson, called out.

A lanky young man, with longish dark-hair, poked his head from around the cereal aisle. 

"This is an old friend.  Make sure you help with her groceries when she leaves."  

He gave a wink and a sarcastic little salute and went back to whatever he was doing on the other aisle.

"Well, it's really good to see ya' here.  Honestly.  If you ever get a break from this... Maybe, we could have a drink, -catch up." Jackson, said.

He was letting a little nervous tell slip as he spoke.  Rubbing the phalanges of his rough work-worn hands together.

"Sure. I'll make sure to find time," and Shayna gave him a genuinely assuring smile, before steering her cart back around to finish shopping.

Jackson lingered for a second before returning to his ladder, taking one last glance as she disappeared around an aisle just as he started to climb back up.


~.~


It hadn't taken long, for her to finish up, and though he seemed distracted, Tommy did keep his word and helped to load her groceries into the rental.

She tried to tip, but he shook his shaggy head and said, "Jackson wouldn't want me to take that."

"Well, I won't tell him if you don't," 

After a beat, he took the money and quickly pocketed it. "Thanks, uh-"

"-Dr. Shayna Wells," she corrected, before getting into the car.

"Thanks, Dr. Wells," he added, squinting a bit, as he'd most certainly recognized the name. She being an urban legend around town.

~.~

Night had fallen, and there was a light misty rain, so she turned on her headlights and wipers, and paid special attention to roads. The curves could surprise you, going up the mountain.

Extremely tall evergreens bordered both sides of the road, on the right side sloping upwards. along jagged exposed rock.

 There were no light posts.

She was cruising along, listening to the local radio, when she spotted what she first thought was a bear.  But then, for the briefest moment, the creature's eyes were on hers and she was absolutely certain that it was no bear.

She swerved hard, her heart thudding in her chest and spun off into the dirt bordering the trees.  She put the car in park and caught her breath.

She glanced backwards to the gap in the trees where she first saw it.

Whatever it was. It was gone.

But, seeing this resurrected a memory. 

She knew she had to hurry back to the cabin and do some research into lycanthropy.