Chapter 20

"I don't know."

"Oh come on Diana. Why not?" Erika asked.

The two girls stood in the woods that early morning. No one was in sight. Fall leaves floated around them in the brisk breeze. A duffel bag sat between the two of them, the zipper closing it.

"I thought when you meant a weapon, I thought you meant like a gun or a tazer. I really wouldn't mind a tazer actually," Diana said. "Not a bow and arrow. How am I going to defend myself with that? Oh, hey attacker, just wait there while I haul out my bow and arrow like I'm Katniss Everdeen, so then I can shoot you?"

"I think you would be surprised," Erika crossed her arms. "Just try it. If you don't like it, I'll get you that tazer."

"Fine. Just to humour you."

Diana knelt, and opened the duffel. Inside, lay a variety of arrows; some with normal arrowheads, and others with bulky tips. Nestling among them was a silver bow. She grabbed an arrow and the bow, and nocked it like Erika told her to.

Diana admired how the bow felt like it was made for her, something in her feeling whole. Taking in a deep breath, she raised her bow arm, and pulled the string back, until it touched the tip of her nose.

She released.

The arrow flew until it found home in the heart of a tree trunk, exactly where she aimed. Diana smiled, almost not believing it. She did that.

"Felt good, right?" Erika smirked.

Diana rolled her eyes. "Yes. But I still want the tazer."

"Alright, alright, just practice with that quiver of arrows, and try to be as quick as you can."

"Yes ma'am."

…

Stiles and Liam were crouched a distance away. The younger boy yawned, blinking his eyes sleepily. He settled into the leaves, getting more comfortable.

"You can't fall asleep, Liam," Stiles said. "We have to watch her."

Liam flopped onto his back. "The Huntress isn't awake yet. We don't need to worry about her. We need to worry about protecting her."

"I know you're in love with her, but it doesn't mean it should make you blind. Watch her and tell me you don't get chills," Stiles said, gesturing to the pair a distance away.

They watched as Diana pulled back the string of her bow. She released. A bright flash ensued.

Stiles was not a werewolf, or werecoyote, or banshee. But he knew that this girl was dangerous. The spirit of the Huntress may be dormant now, but it would awaken eventually, as long as she stayed in Beacon Hills.

And seeing her in the forest, a bow in hand. He was reminded of Allison. The two girls both had the same expression when they shot an arrow. A sharp intensity, as if everything around them went still, they having all the time in the world to shoot.

Diana suddenly jerked, as if someone cut her strings. She nocked an arrow and whirled, aiming towards the two boys. But she couldn't see them from here. It was impossible.

An arrow thudded into the ground in front of their faces.

"I think that's our cue to go," Stiles said, grabbing Liam.

…..

Diana woke from nightmares once again. She checked her phone and groaned. 2 am.

Sliding out of bed, she went to the kitchen. Erika was in the entertainment room branching off it, feet propped on the table. The TV flickered, casting blue light on her face.

"I guess we're the insomniacs of the house," Diana commented, opening the fridge.

Erika turned to her and smiled tiredly. "Guess so. More nightmares?"

Diana nodded, taking out the milk and a glass from the cupboard. She raised the two in offering. Erika shook her head. With a shrug, she poured herself a glass, put the milk back in the fridge, and sat beside the taller girl, sighing as the cushions cradled her aching sleepless body.

They sat in silence, as commercials flashed in their eyes. Diana gulped down the milk, then put it aside on the table.

"I want you to be honest with me," Diana said, her eyes on the screen.

"About what?" Erika asked.

"About why you're training me, protecting me. Why I keep seeing people with glowing eyes and claws. I want you to tell me that werewolves are real. That the supernatural is real. I can't stand the lying anymore."

Erika looked to her friend, taking in the clenched jaw, the steely look she aimed back at her.

She was ready.

And with the spirit of the Huntress starting to awaken, things were looking good for her.

Erika turned back to the TV.

"It's all real," she answered. "And you are a part of this world. You just didn't know it."

Erika searched for surprise, shock, fear, anything. But Diana was not surprised. The last dream only confirmed her suspicions.

"And there is a lot you have to learn."

…..

The woods over Beacon Hills were quiet. Still. The only sounds were the wind through the leaves and the static of animals in its depths. Then it went still.

They darted through the trees, feet ghosting across roots. They gathered at the hill overlooking the small Californian town, at the lights glowing softly in the night.

A tall red headed man rubbed his palms together. His eyes glowed a deep crimson, nails lengthened into razor sharp claws.

"Well, lads. Let get to it," the man grinned, barring fangs. The werewolves howled in unison, the trees shaking with its power.