Beacon Hills 1983

Chapter 54: The Third Part

(Teen wolf + Riverdale)

"You're a werejaguar?" I stare, slightly skeptical. "How is that possible?"

"Dad was one too. I'm not sure how he turned, but it was definitely before we were born." Emel says, pushing her milkshake aside, as if it were distracting me.

Which it is. I think I might be addicted to these things.

"And that's the part I'm still trying to figure out. But anyway, Nes," She sighs, "You know I've had a lot of... issues, right?" Her cheeks redden.

"Yes. You have anger issues." I say, blatantly.
She rolls her eyes, "Apart from that. I've had a lot of... other issues. Like, depression."

Maybe I should hug her. Or say something. But it's not like anything I do now is going to change how she felt in the past. Besides, I'm not really good at comforting people.

"When I snuck around before all of this kanima stuff, it was to get... you know... high."
My eyebrows automatically raise in surprise, but I say nothing.
"There was one kid everyone knew who was dealing. He had the basic stuff, but also the rare stuff. Like Jingle Jangle."

Jingle Jangle?
Isn't that drug disguised as a candy cane or something?

"He knew me well. And I think... you know him too."

Now alarmed, names and faces speed through my mind, but too fast to pin point. It could very well be anyone I know.

Who?

As if she heard the question through my head, Emel answers,
"Timothée."

I catch my breath. This was unexpected.

"Timothée's a drug dealer?" I blurt.
Those two bickering boys in the alley...
Now it makes sense.
"But... But I would've got the scent..." My brows furrow, thinking back to all the times we were close to each other.

Including earlier today, on the bike.

"Well, I don't know how he managed to cover that up." Emel shrugs, "But I went to him more often after discovering the werejag information. In addition to Greg... it all became very stressful."

A thought comes to mind.
"Emel, have you still not told him what he is?"
She looks up, and it's all clear in her eyes.

No. Greg still has no idea that he's a lethal man-lizard, controlled by his werejaguar fiancé.

"I know I have to, but every time I think of bringing it up I just... I just can't. Literally. It's like my body won't let me."
I look down at the table and trace little circles on it with my finger, randomly. "If you need help... I'm here for you, you know."
She nods once.
Dissolving this awkward niceness, I ask, "So, anyway, how is Timothée involved?"

And more importantly, how is BILLY involved?

"That kid is obsessed with the supernatural. I remembered him telling me about the stuff he read. All these mythologies and urban legends." She looks into the distance, shaking her head at the memory. "Billy was a regular too."
His name sparks my attention. I shift in my seat.
"But we barely saw each other." Emel looks me carefully in the eye, analyzing my reaction.

Can she tell I have a thing for him?

"The bestiary said werejaguar's had control over a creature called the berserker."