Chapter 8
Can you forgive an enemy?
God will forgive! Our task is
to arrange their meeting.
~Al Capone~
Grabbing his radio Noah responds, ''Deputy Stilinski responding to the 10-100, Irving Street.'' He could only groan inwardly, ''Uhm forget my order, just the coffee to go please.''
''Sure thing, here you go deputy.''
Driving over to the possible crime scene he could almost taste those curly fries. Turning the corner he spots the other squad car, parked across from the Elementary School, deputy Matthews leaning on the hood looking a little green in the face.
''So, what do we have here deputy?'' Noah asks the newly graduated deputy carefully. He doesn't respond, either to shocked or nauseas to answer. ''Matthews? You called a 10-100 over the radio, why don't you point me in the right direction while you collect yourself?'' squeezing the ever greener deputy's shoulder gently.
Swallowing thickly, deputy Matthews responds with great difficulty, ''Backyard.'' Pointing at an open fence gate.
Carefully he approaches the fence gate, passing through it he walks through a narrow path. Concrete wall on one side and an unusually high fence on the other side. Then it opens up to a backyard filled with green grass, at least he assumes it used to be green. Red and brown patches cover the grass, and he's pretty sure there is a femur to his right. Taking a steadying breath he proceeds to the backdoor of the house, startling when deputy Matthews enters the backyard looking marginally better. Together they enter the house, everything looks to be clear; the living room, kitchen, bathroom and both the bedrooms.
''House is owned by a Johnathon Baylon, 38 years old, unmarried, lives alone, no other residents listed at this address. Mister Baylon didn't show up for work this morning at the local ice cream parlor.''
''Did you hear that?'' Deputy Matthews whispers, holding one hand in the air signaling to stay quiet.
After a minute they both hear it. ''Is that?''
Nodding Noah walks towards the sound gun drawn, deputy Matthews not far behind. Throwing the hall closet doors open both Deputies brace but are met only with coats and shoes. They stand there confused for a second before hearing the cries of a child again, just below them.
''Help me get this out of here'' Noah asks gripping the shoe rack, together they throw it into the hall.
Once removed they see a latch, presumingly leading to a basement or bomb shelter. Wasting no time Noah pulls the latch and shines his flashlight down the dark stairway.
''Sheriff's department! Anyone down here?!'' Noah calls out. Shining his flashlight before switching on the light switch. With the lights on he observes what he can only describe as a young girls room, pink dresser, Barbie house, stuffed animals, a tea table and finally a pink bed.
Deputy Matthews checks the only door in the basement leading to a small unoccupied bathroom similarly donned in pink.
Closing in on the bed Noah motions to his colleague to put away his weapon, as he does the same. Whimpering sounds from underneath the small pink bed as they approach further.
Lowering to the ground his eyes meet the those of a terrified young girl, ''Hey there, my name is Noah and this is William, we are policemen. What's your name?''
Trembling the girl answers him ever so quietly, ''Sara.''
''That's a very pretty name Sara, why don't you get out from under the bed so we can talk a bit better?'' he asks softly as to not startle the girl. The little girl slowly gets on top of the bed, watching the deputies every movement.
''So Sara do you live here?''
Sara nods.
''Do you live here with your dad?''
She shakes her head.
''My first name is Noah but I also have a last name which is Stilinski, do you also have a last name Sara?''
The girl, Sara thinks about it before shrugging her little shoulders.
''That's alright, how about we go upstairs and-''
''No,…not'' the girl mumbled.
Smiling kindly, staying squatted at eye level Noah asks, ''What did you say Sara, I didn't quite get that?''
''I'm not allowed upstairs, John doesn't like it'' the girls brown eyes fill with tears.
''You know Sara, we are police, deputies. Do you know what that means?'' Noah asks. The girl shakes her head. ''That means we all get to go upstairs and no one can say otherwise.''
''But John will be angry if I try to go upstairs…'' Sara cries softly.
Deputy Matthews and Stilinski make eye contact for a moment and Matthews proceeds to go upstairs to radio the station.
''John, he's dead, he can't hurt you anymore. Do you know what dead means?''
Nodding Sara carefully gets up from the bed and lets Noah pick her up, heading outside through the front door, he hears Matthews calling it in. He'd give it to the new deputy, freshly out of the academy and handling this as well as anyone could.
''Deputy Matthews, requesting EMS and the coroner. 10-100 at Irving Street 3203 seems like a possible animal mauling. Inside the house we discovered a young girl in a hidden basement, kidnapping or trafficking victim, calls herself Sara, approximately 9 years old, caucasian, brown eyes.''
''Copy that, EMS has been dispatched.''
Sara blinks harshly against the California sunlight, Noah places her carefully in the back of his squad car, providing her with a blanket and one of Stiles' caps. Stepping back out he sees the ambulance arriving, quietly as to not draw out more spectators.
Handing her over to EMS, the deputies wait for the coroner to arrive.
''Whatever killed that guy deserves a medal.'' William Matthews says tensely.
Noah Stilinski has always believed in justice through the law, but he'd be lying if he wasn't a little satisfied by mother nature's justice in this case, ''I won't disagree with you on that.''
Once the coroner arrived they discovered something they hadn't looked for before they found Sara. Whatever had killed Johnathon Baylon had also dug up 5 graves and found another freshly dug one, most likely intended for Sara. Five graves for five girls, all approximately 9-10 years old, all at different stages of decay, the oldest body they found dated back 15 years.
They found animal hair on the scene, the coroner said it looked like coyote fur but couldn't be sure without further testing.
The children's bodies were identified as girls who went missing at 5/6 years old all over Beacon County, spanning across 18 years. The coroner concluded that each girl was held for approximately 3 years, in which time they were sexually abused, before he eventually suffocated them at age 9/10. Most likely because they exceeded his preferenced age at that point. He most likely managed to stay below the radar because he disposed of the bodies on his closed off property and because he crossed race lines.
He started out in 1984 with a black girl, Morgan Dove whom he abducted on her way home from school.
Three years later in 1987 he abducted a white girl named Emma Henderson, camping out in the woods with her parents.
In 1990 he kidnapped another black girl from a department store just outside of Beacon County, her name was Letisha Wilson.
Then in 1993 he switched back to white, kidnapping 5 year old Lauren Jacobs from a public park. In 1996 he abducted a black girl named Olivia Gray, luring her out of the safety of her own backyard.
And finally in 1999 he kidnapped another white girl, the only one to survive her ordeal, Sara Blake.
The question lingering in their minds about what poor girl would've been subjected to these horrors had Jonathon Baylon not been killed by some wild animal. He already had a grave dug for Sara Blake, did he already have a next victim in mind?
...
That evening he was supposed to go to a party, his girlfriend's family and friends were all coming, but maybe he should cancel. Frustrated he throws his paperwork down on his desk.
''What'd that paperwork ever do to you Matthews?'' Deputy Stilinski asks.
Grumbling he looks up to the older deputy, huffing. ''Five girls are dead and if some animal hadn't done our job for us it would've been six and soon probably even more!'' Sighing he quickly apologizes, ''Sorry, I didn't-''
''It's alright Will, it was a tough case today. It might help to look on the positive side, however small it may seem, that girl is going home to her parents today and five families finally have answers. We can't do more than our best and sometimes our best still falls short. My advice, try not to take it home with you that won't help anyone.'' Noah tells the younger deputy.
''Easier said than done. How am I supposed to just forget about today, about those girls. How am I supposed to go to my future in-laws party and act like it's all good and nothing happened?''
''Then don't.'' Noah answers simply.
Smiling sardonically he responds, ''Don't go to the party? Yeah sure that'll look great.''
''I meant, don't forget. They are worth remembering but don't beat yourself up over it. Don't bottle it up, remember not only the ones we lose but also the ones we save. It won't help anyone if your miserable on their account. Honor the fallen, by living.'' Noah Stilinski says before heading out, itching to see his own kid.
''Noah?''
Noah pauses, ''Yeah Will?''
''Thanks.'' William Matthews smiles slightly.
...
Thank god that awful house was woods adjacent, she wouldn't have made it through town unnoticed drenched in that perverts blood. Besides running through the woods in her coyote form felt amazing. She felt sorry for leaving the girl behind but she couldn't get her without leaving her human DNA behind. Besides she knew the deputies would find her along with the bodies of the other girls, shuddering at the thought, you never get used to the young ones.
She had to leave quickly because the bastard had screamed bloody murder in the backyard, which was an accurate reaction to being torn apart but it still annoyed her, he had no right to act like a victim.
She saw Sherrif, no Deputy Stilinski load the girl into the back of the ambulance when she doubled back into town after a much needed shower. She had no time to waste though so she proceeded to the department store as scheduled.
Walking into a big furniture store she got practically jumped by one of the sales ladies, a woman a few years older than her. ''How may I be of assistance?''
''Oh uhm,'' a bit thrown by the woman's friendliness, ''Actually yeah, you could. Malia Stitch, I'm looking for two kids beds for six year old boys.''
The woman introduced herself as Jessica Reyes and talked a mile about her daughter, ''Erica just started third grade, how old are your sons? Will they be going to Beacon Elementary?'' she asks as we walk over to the children's section.
''There not…'' Might as well get her cover story settled, ''They're not my sons, my sister in law recently passed.'' She doesn't need to fake sadness saying these words as she had experienced that loss for real, strawberry blonde hair enters her mind unbiddenly.
''I'm sorry for your loss. So you'll be helping out your brother with the children then, that's very commendable.'' Jessica says smiling encouragingly.
Clearing her throat Malia shook her head slightly, ''No, he passed a couple of years back. So I will be taking custody of them this Sunday.''
''Oh dear, I'm truly sorry for your losses. You know what, if you need someone to talk to about the kids or anything call me.'' She says handing Malia her phone number. ''Now let me help you pick out the best things for…''
''Ethan and Aiden, they're six year old's, twins.'' She says smiling softly as she thinks of Ethan. He was so sweet but he was one of the few pack members that truly understood her wild side, the side of her that was a killer.
They perused the store in comfortable silence with the occasional chit chat, Jessica pointed out great bunkbeds that are apparently all the rage with six year old's. The needed matrasses, duvets, pillows, some blankets, two soft carpets, a dresser, a toy chest, while they were at it they also got a new family couch for the living room and a proper dining table.
''It says on the sign that you guys deliver, when would everything arrive then?'' Malia asks at the register.
''Usually 3-5 business days, but I'll tell you what since we are friends I'll put a rush on it so it'll be delivered tomorrow?'' she asks winking at the friends part.
Friends.
All her friends are dead.
Is it a betrayal if she becomes friends with Jessica Reyes?
''Malia?''
A hand on her shoulder breaks her out of her thoughts, looking at the owner she looks straight into concern filled eyes.
''Compassion is different from pity, Malia'' Scott says holding her head gently, so she won't look down.
''Maybe I don't want either.'' She answered with tear filled eyes. Stroking her now empty belly, he had been right to tell her to stay away from the battlefield for a while.
Scott pulled her close then whispering into her ear, ''It's not your fault, you did the right thing protecting Alexander.''
''Doesn't make it hurt less.'' She'd cried as she thought of the baby girl she'd never get to see grow.
''Yeah sorry I spaced out for a bit there, what did you say?''
Jessica didn't mention it and just reiterated her earlier statement, ''The delivery will be tomorrow at noon, I put a rush on it. Is that okay for you?''
''That would be great, thank you.'' Malia says as she hands Jessica the money, ''See you around.''
''Yes, you will.'' Jessica responded smiling kindly.
She went to a few other stores collecting some clothes, new bath towels and eventually made it to the grocery store. There she was hit with a different challenge, too many options. Filling up her cart with all kinds of things when an elderly woman with a cane was almost knocked down by some teens rushing by, she carefully steadied the elderly woman, glaring at the teens retreating backs.
''Thank you, young lady. Teenagers…'' the elderly woman shakes her head, laughing softly,'' Always in a rush. Oh to young and in a rush again.'' She says wistfully, unaffected by their rude behavior.
''Still no excuse to push someone else to the ground, if you ask me.'' Malia said more so to herself than the other woman.
Smiling the woman responded, ''No, I suppose not. Thank you for coming to this old crows rescue dear, crows never forget a face or a good deed done you know?'' she said cryptically before walking off slowly, using the help of a cane.
Malia resumed her shopping while the elderly woman reunited with her family.
''Grandmama can we get ice cream today?'' Allison asked her grandmother pointing at the ice cream parlor, when they left the store.
Juliana Argent froze at the question, ''No.'' She answered a little to stern seeing her granddaughters face. But just thinking of the pedophile who had apparently worked there until a creature of the moon took it down, makes her feel sick. She doesn't like supernaturals, she's been raised not to, but had she been there she would've sooner helped the creature than lend a finger to that vile human.
Petting her grandchild's head she smooths over her harsh response, ''How about we get some lunch at Sheila's diner and if you've eaten well like a big girl, then maybe aunty Sheila will give you an ice cream sorbet?''
''Yes please!''
...
''Will!'' Laura, his girlfriend of 6 months waves him over when he arrives at her parents' house. The Hale estate, people trickle onto the estate, a lot of people…
He jogs up to her kissing her gently, already feeling much better by being near her.
''You okay? You seem kinda down?'' Laura asks him, hand stroking his cheek.
He smiles tightly, ''tough day at work,'' looking at all the kids running around he pauses choosing his words carefully before proceeding, ''tell you about it later, when all the children have gone to bed yeah?''
Her concerned brown eyes asses him before dragging him inside to meet everyone.
''Hi Peter, nice to see you again. No Caroline today?'' William asked, looking around for the bubbly brunet that usually accompanied Peter.
Shaking his hand Peter shook his head, ''No, she wasn't feeling so well today so she opted to stay home.''
''Uncle Peter come play with us!'' Alexander yells running past them as the other children start recruiting other adults in their game of tag. Peter leaves William and Laura to convers with other people as he goes of chasing the pups of the pack.
A few hours later when only the adults remain downstairs he explains to Laura what he witnessed at work today, leaving out any confidential information he wasn't allowed to share. Unaware that many of the houses occupants could hear their quiet conversation no matter how soft he spoke.
''That's horrible, are you okay? Should I come over tonight?'' Laura asks, eyebrows furrowed in concern.
''Just processing, my colleague gave me some good advice I intend to follow. Don't worry, I'll be fine, you stay and have fun with your family, okay?'' he says kissing her forehead.
''Tomorrow morning at Sheila's diner?''
''I wouldn't miss it.'' He walks to the door waving at the other people, ''Was great meeting you all, thanks for having me!''
Waving his thanks away Talia responds, ''Go, you have an early shift tomorrow.'' Leaving him somewhat puzzled as to how she knew that.
''Sooo, can we know discuss the rogue 'Hale' bastard or no?'' Peter asks tauntingly.
''We don't know that it was her.'' James responds calmly, still mulling over the fact that a pedophile lived right across from the Elementary School and they never noticed.
Ennis looks towards James, they had been friends since high school. ''Don't blame yourself James, you couldn't have known.''
''Question is did our guardian angel know, or did she have a different motive?'' Deucalion ponders out loud.
''You said she was a were-something but you couldn't figure out the scent and they found coyote hair at the crime scene yes?'' Talia asks, getting a nod from Laura in return.
''Were-coyote'' Kali hisses, great another desert wolf.
''But wouldn't a were-coyote avoid area's with large wolf populations?'' a younger beta of Kali asks confused.
''Usually they do, but it could be personal forcing her to come here despite the danger. Maybe this man took her daughter and she tracked him down? Would explain the overkill.'' Talia explains.
Deucalion looks unconvinced, ''That leaves many unanswered questions, such as how she managed to enter the Hale vault and why she would in the first place if her sole purpose was avenging her child.''
''Besides no matter the reason it will still bring the hunters down on us.'' An elder beta of Ennis interjects.
''Not necessarily, the Argents code is we hunt those who hunt us'' Peter says.
''So?'' another beta asks.
''So,'' Peter looks pointedly at the beta who rudely interrupted him, ''they have a six year old girl in the family, who happens to go to school at Beacon Hills Elementary School. I doubt they'd go hunting for someone who killed a pedophile, who was preying on children in the same age bracket as their own offspring.''
James wanted to agree with his younger brother in law but found he couldn't. ''I wouldn't be so sure of that, lately the Argents have gotten more aggressive. Playing fast and lose with their so called code.''
An older Hale beta adds a bit of clarity to this, ''The matriarch is ill, terminal cancer. She's gotten worse recently and wants to die where she was born, that's why they returned. The daughter in law isn't ready to take over, so Gerard has been taking over the reins slowly.''
''And thus the matriarchy becomes a patriarchy behind the scenes.'' Laura whispers under her breath.
''Juliana Argent was always more lenient and more bound by the code than her husband. But he always followed her word.'' Talia says.
''And now that she's dying?'' a beta asks fearfully.
''Things might change. And not for the better.'' Talia says leaving the room to contemplate.
''Leave the coyote to us, if she got into the vault she must have Hale blood running through her veins. Though we'd appreciate it if you give us a heads up if you spot her.'' James says ending the meeting as everyone gets up to leave.
A/N: Finally a longer chapter. 10-100 is code for a Dead body found.
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