My body recovers fast. The only thing that stays is the certain knowledge that Scott, Lydia and Isaac are in more danger than ever before. I can leave the clinic the next day. I only have to rest in my bed for one day while the others are at school before Isaac keeps me company. But the whole time I try to come up with a plan, with a solution. If I learned anything the last few hours, it is that I can't lose them. None of them. They're my weakness.

They got drawn into this just because of me and that makes me feel awfully guilty. It's not their history, not their problem, but they would never wanna hear me say that, so I keep my mouth shut. I just have to find an own way that will totally keep them out and safe. And right now I see only one possibility to do that. It's a horrible possibility, it's embarrassing and I demand far too much from a certain person. But it's to safe Isaac. I would do everything for Isaac, which is slightly scary and amazing at the same time.

So I make a call without telling them. And I act like I am totally fine, like nothing is wrong with me at all. I even go to school with a smile on my face.

Isaac approaches me as I get my stuff out of my locker ( this time missing my locker buddy ) and my smile turns a little more sincere at his sight.

"How do you feel?", he asks me, leaning on Stiles' locker and observing me closely.

I roll my eyes at him, just to make clear that he is totally exaggerating with all this concern. "I'm fine, Isaac. I won't freak out the next moment, don't worry."

"You didn't see yourself", he retorts and I have no answer to that. I probably looked really bad and I can't blame him.

In this moment he lifts his head a bit to look at something behind my back. I notice a glint of mischief in his eyes and am about to turn around to find out what makes him react like this. But before I can he suddenly cups my face, leans down and kisses me passionately in front of all those people.

I forget about them pretty quickly, to be honest, it just always erases my whole thinking whenever his lips touch mine. I kiss him back with everything I have, eager to show him how much he actually means to me before it's too late.

As we break apart I feel my cheeks turn red and the stares of some pupils upon me. Then I realize that Thomas' eyes are one of the many pairs that saw us kiss. And I understand.

Isaac grins brightly and I can't supress one myself.

"You just had to do this, huh?"

"Now he knows that you belong to me", he retorts, very satisfied, while Thomas frowns and takes flight.

"Easy, tiger", I warn him playfully. "I need to go to class now. I'll see you later."

He nods and flashes me another smile before we head into different directions. Seeing him later…that's all that I can hope for.

I can't concentrate on any of my classes. Of course not. All the time I expect Mike to show up and destroy my life which is slightly distracting. He doesn't, though. He is probably waiting, enjoying the torture that gives me. I grow angrier at him steadily.

The others keep an eye on me. Thy try to do this secretly but I notice it anyway. Lydia takes her role particularly serious. I am perfectly aware of the fact that she doesn't have many classes anymore. However, she's around almost every time that I am changing rooms. It's quite unnerving.

"I think we should have a girls night tonight!", she even suggests at the end of school.

I throw her an inquiring look that she returns with an extra innocent expression that absolutely can't fool me.

"What exactly are you worried about? That I will get hurt, that I will run away or that I will do something stupid in general?"

"I guess all these things", she admits. "We are just worried about you, Joe."

"I don't need a bodyguard, Lyd. I can take care of myself", I remind her stubbornly. Don't they understand that every minute I spend with them makes them an even more profitable target?

But Lydia doesn't flinch. Of course not, it's Lydia. She folds her arms in front of her chest, purses her lips and mumbles gravely. "I know that, Joe. But maybe you need a friend. We all do sometimes."

I swallow hard. The thing is that she's absolutely right and I am not happy about it. I have always been so good at dealing with stuff on my own and suddenly this has become the most horrible thing for me. They've changed me and now we all have to live with the consequences.

But tonight won't be the night that the decision will be made. At least that's what I hope for because my plan can only start tomorrow. And I don't wanna be alone. And I can't spend the whole day with Isaac again because then I threaten to spill something, that's just his effect on me. Nothing speaks against doing this, especially because I don't know how many more conversations I'll lead with Lydia.

Therefore I sigh and give in. "Alright. But I have to visit the Sherrif's station with Stiles first, his dad wants to see me. Afterwards we can do whatever you want."

A small smile tugs on Lydia's lips and she nods. As satisfied as Isaac a few hours ago.

Stiles waits for me at his jeep and we drive to the Sheriff's station together, almost in total silence, which is so unusual with Stiles. I know he doesn't wanna push me and I am thankful for that, but at the same time I wish I could tell him. He's the smart one, he'd find a way to help me, he'd know what to do. But I swore to myself that I would get none of them involved and I am holding on to this. I won't let my guard down.

His dad and Parrish wait for us in his dad's office. They bid us to sit in front of the desk and I do so with mixed feelings. I know that this is no interrogation but I am also not keen on getting reminded of the night in the hospital. Still, it has to be done.

"Are there any news?", Stiles asks as soon as Parrish closed the door.

The frown on his father's face makes me dread the answer.

"Today, Gaby Astin died on her wounds. That makes five victims in total. Five victims and we are struggling to explain how this could happen. Mind controlling teenager isn't really something that the authorities will appreciate", he replies.

"But you're still searching for him?", Stiles presses on, leaning forward in his chair.

The sheriff shoots him a dark look. "Of course we are! But we have no lead, no idea where to start! So unless you can give us some information that could help us, we are pretty much out of possibilities."

Well, there he states the obvious, something I've already realized shortly after I woke up from my hallucinations. His focus turns back to me now and his eyes feel inquiring upon me. Not suspicious, but like he knows that I'm hiding something. Damnit. I lower my gaze onto some spot on his desk and try to look as desperate and innocent as possible.

"Joe, is there anything you forgot to tell us about? Anything he mentioned on that roof that could give us a lead on him?"

I shake my head. I've already told them about the conversation I had with him, there is nothing to add.

Sheriff Stilinski sighs and runs his fingers through his short hair. Just like his son does so frequently.

"I guess that means that we are out of plans."

Out of good plans, yes. Out of plans that are save and in the right mind. Out of plans that they would consider. But I'm over them. I am already a step ahead. And while they're sinking into a desperate and depressed mood, I am becoming more and more reckless and determined. Those people are good. They're too good to lose this war that they haven't even started.

So I guess it's upon me to handle this.