Nightmares

19

During school the next day, Allison and Tabitha met up with Scott and Stiles in the library between a set of shelves on separate sides. Allison passed a tablet through the shelf for the boys to see. "It's everything Lydia and Tabitha could translate. And trust me, they were pretty confused."

Scott nodded while still looking at it. "Yeah, what'd you tell her?"

Allison glanced at Tabitha who stifled a laugh. "That we were part of an online gaming community that battles mythical creatures."

"I am part of an online gaming community that battles mythical creatures," Stiles informed seriously.

Tabitha smiled lightly while Allison frowned at him. "O-oh. Great."

Scott let out a sigh. "Okay, does it say how to find out who's controlling him?"

Tabitha shook her head. "Not that I, we, could find. But Stiles, you were right about the murders."

Stiles pumped a fist in the air. "Yes!"

Allison continued reading. "It calls the kanima a weapon of vengeance. There's a story about this South American priest who uses the kanima to execute murderers in his village-"

"All right, see?" Stiles said. "So maybe it's not all that bad."

Tabitha shot him a warning look and Allison continued. "Until the bond grew strong enough that it killed whoever he wanted to."

Stiles shook his head. "All bad, all very, very bad."

Allison nodded. "Here's the thing, though. The kanima's actually supposed to be a werewolf. But it can't be--"

""Until it resolves that in its past which manifested"," Scott finished.

Stiles scoffed. "Okay, if that means that Jackson could use a few thousand hours of therapy, I could've told you that myself."

"What if -- It has something to do with his real parents? His real parents," Allison said.

Tabitha frowned, glancing at her. "Hang on. Jackson's adopted? What happened to his folks?"

Stiles glanced at her. "Lydia might know."

Scott frowned. "What if she doesn't know anything?"

Allison shrugged. "Well, he doesn't have a restraining order against me or Tabitha, so -- we'll talk to him ourselves."

Stiles narrowed his eyes. "Absolutely not, Tabitha. I don't trust him."

Tabitha met his eyes. "I can spell him. I'll be fine."

Scott sighed and gave Stiles a look before asking, "Okay, but seriously, what do I do?"

Allison looked at him. "You have a makeup exam, remember?"

"Promise me. If he does anything, you run in the other way."

"Like Tabitha said, we can handle ourselves."

Scott shook his head. "Allison, if you or Tabitha get hurt while I'm busy with some stupid test, someone's going to need to take care of me. If he does anything-"

"Like?"

"Anything -- Weird or bizarre -- anything."

"Anything evil!" Stiles exclaimed as he was pushed back. "Ah -- Ow!"

While Tabitha walked with Allison, Stiles suddenly grabbed her arm. "Please be careful, Tabi."

"I promise, Stiles."

Allison waited for Tabitha and they made their way to the locker room. Tabitha opened the door to the locker room, and a boy she'd seen a couple times left the locker room.