The ride back to Liam's house with Kira and Malia was mostly quiet. Kira's usual bubbly persona was replaced with a more reserved demeanor. Malia was dead asleep in the backseat, with her body splayed across the bench like a starfish. She was peaceful looking, though her mouth was wide open and every so often she was switch. Kira kept her eyes glued to the road and both hands on the wheel with a tight grip. Liam knew Kira had only been dealing with this stuff for about six months or so. He wondered how difficult it was for her to find out she too possessed a supernatural ability, but he decided to go a bit lighter for the conversation.
"So you and Derek," Liam inquired. Kira's thoughtful expression was quickly replaced with a bashful grin. Liam smirked.
"Things haven't really been moving forward," Kira admitted. "I think he may have lost interest."
"Have you talked to him about it," Liam asked. Kira chuckled.
"Derek's not really the type of guy you express your feeling to," Kira said with a smirk. "I don't know if you noticed that."
"Yeah, he seems pretty intense," Liam agreed, choosing his words carefully. "What happened to him?" Kira shrugged and rolled her eyes at the question.
"His crazy ex-girlfriend, who we all thought his Uncle Peter killed, but had really turned into a were-jaguar, kidnapped Derek out of revenge and nearly killed him," Kira explained. "His been in kind of a pissy mood ever since." Liam let out a chuckle, which caused both of them to begin laughing uncontrollably for several minutes. After they calmed down a bit silence fell back into the car, though this time Kira brought it.
"When I first moved here I was actually really into Scott," Kira confessed with a laugh. Liam grinned with embarrassment at her words.
"What happened," Liam asked but wondered if it was a sore subject. Kira sighed heavy, but continued to smile.
"Well after her mother died, Allison broke up with Scott and became really serious about her hunter training, so he just kind of got into his wolf stuff too. I don't think Scott was looking to start something with someone else, but I could tell he was kind of interested in me. But Isaac of course had a thing for Scott too, which I think Scott was also intrigued by. The three of us just kind of got in this weird flirt tringle," Kira explained. "But then this crazy stuff with Stiles being possessed by a Nogitsune happened, and I found I was a Kitsune, so I kind of took my bid out of the running," she trailed off. Liam nodded in understanding. All of that did seem pretty heavy to deal with.
"Also Allison and Scott's relationship from what I understood was very intense at times, considering her family wanted him dead. I think Scott wanted something a little lighter."
"And Isaac was light," Liam mused.
"Yeah," she replied with a giggle, then her face became serious. "Plus Scott being bi, kind of threw me off. I know that's pretty closed-minded," she said.
"No, I get it," Liam said in support. "You were dealing with a lot already anyway, I'm sure completing with a guy for another guy's attention took a lot of energy." Kira didn't respond to the statement but seemed grateful for Liam's understanding.
"Anyway," she said with a sigh. "Derek was kind of easier to bounce off things with in those days. Once I tapped into my power, my mom got pretty zealous about me learning about my fox persona. I think Derek could relate to that. His mom was also very serious when it came to him managing his wolf responsibilities. I never really planned to fall for Derek but I don't know him opening up to me made me feel special I guess." Kira smiled at the thought. By then they had made it to Liam's. Liam thanked Kira for the ride and the further insight into the dynamics of the pack.
"Liam," Kira called out from her car has Liam walked to his porch. Liam looked back at Kira who seemed to be choosing her words very carefully. "Don't worry about Derek, or Isaac, or Allison's ghost or anything else." Liam took a deep breath thinking about all the obstacles that seemed to be in the way of him and Scott having a normal relationship. He couldn't imagine how he would not let it all get to him.
"Scott really like you," Kira assured. "I know he really wants what's going on between you two to work out. It's not light for him, with you." She finished. Liam smiled big. Knowing that Scott wanted more out of their relationship then Scott had with Isaac and that Scott was ready to commit to something as serious as he had with Allison gave him more confidence about everything.
"Thanks Kira," Liam said and watched her drive off.
The next several days Scott's focus was all over the place. Though he kept Liam informed with everything that was going on Liam barely got to see him outside of practice and passing him in the hallways. When they did have moments alone Scott seemed distracted. Liam decided to not press the issue but do his part to help figure out what killed the three men.
The coroner's report and forensics analysis revealed that the first two men were young, roughly in their twenties. One was a black guy, who was fairly athlete and the other was a white guy who seemed to be less active. The third guy Deaton examined was also white, but slightly older than the other two. The sheriff's department had only identified the first guy, a former Beacon Hill's athlete who'd been working as a personal trainer at a local gym. He went missing weeks ago and his wife recent found out she was pregnant with their first child. It was all really sad, but the sheriff ruled out the wife as a suspect. The only thing she remembered was going to bed with her husband and waking up to him gone. He didn't leave a note, and all of his stuff was still in place at their home.
The other body in custody had yet to be identified but the sheriff's department put out a wide search in the missing person's data base hoping to find someone to match. Stiles and Deaton were on the hunt to find out the identity of the third but weren't getting anywhere. Scott and Derek patrolled the city most nights keeping an eye out for any usual activity. Kira and Malia were on Lyida duty, spending most nights with her. So for his part Liam helped Melissa keep an ear open in the hospital. He picked up a couple of more volunteer shifts and stayed close to areas of the hospital such as the psych ward, and the comatose patients. His thought was if the person didn't know what they were doing they were probably in an area of the hospital where no one would suspect a person breaking out. The rest of his time he spent with Mason.
Mason was still skeptical of Scott, but Liam assured him that Scott was on the up and up. Whatever reservations about Scott Mason had, Liam's new found availability seemed to ease Mason's worries. The two spent a lot of time studying and hang out at the coffee shop. Liam had to admit spending time with Mason made dealing with all that was going on a lot easier.
"I figured it would be awhile before I got to hang out with you this much again," Mason confessed afternoon after school while they were studying at the coffee shop. "Usually couples in the honeymoon stage are MIA." Liam laughed.
"Technically we're not a couple though," Liam explained. "I mean we haven't really had that conversation yet. Scott's been busy at the vet's office and submitting college applications. I'm not pressing it."
"That's cool of you I guess but don't you want more," Mason asked. Liam sighed knowing that his and Scott relationship was so complicated even he had a hard time explaining it to himself. "I mean you told me he was the guy you want to, you know." Mason trailed off giving Liam a sly expression. Liam blushed and grinned.
Yes he was desperate to sleep with Scott. It had been almost two weeks since their intense make out session in his room, and the two had only shared a few rushed kisses since. Liam was dying to touch Scott more intimately, but couldn't seem to get Scott to sit still long enough. At this point Liam was considering a quickie in the janitor's closet of locker room at school. His standards for a romantic setting to have his first time were waning.
"It's not the best time," Liam answered. "Once the semester is over hopefully things will die down."
"Yeah but then there are the holidays, the most stressful time of the year," Mason mused. Liam nodded his head in agreement.
"Hey guys," the boys conversation was interrupted by Eric Nichols, a senior who played on the lacrosse them. He also had French with Mason so he knew him just as well as he knew Liam. Eric sat down in an empty chair the boys were seated at, pushing over a few of the textbooks to make room for his coffee mug. "What's going on," he asked once he got situated.
"Nothing much man," Mason admitted. "Just trying to figure out this French stuff.
"Classe de français vous déprime mon ami," Eric said, his French tripping effortless off his tongue. Mason face went blank.
"Yeah, whatever," Mason said. Both Liam and Eric laughed.
"Well at least the new French teacher is a smoky hottie," Eric said with enthusiasm. "French is so much easier to learn from a super-hot chick."
"I don't like subscribe to that type of hot teacher," Mason confessed, he himself being gay. Eric winced slightly.
"Oh yeah that's right, you're gay," he said, then looked at Liam. "Oh shit did I interrupt date night." Liam and Mason both began laughing hysterically.
"That would be like dating my sister," Mason choked out.
"Hey, you bitch," Liam shot back. "You're way more sissy like than me Miss Queen."
"Yeah well, Liam here is dating Scott McCall anyway," Mason said to Eric.
"Really I didn't know you two were a thing," Eric said. Liam's face went serious.
"It's still kind of new," he confessed bashfully. At this Mason changed the conversation back to French. Liam was grateful for the save. The three studied and hung out for a couple of more hours before deciding to call it a night. As they packed up their books, Liam's phone went off. It was Stiles. Liam quickly answered it.
"Hey where are you," Stiles asked.
"The coffee shop," Liam replied.
"Great stay there I'm coming to get you," Stiles informed. "Scott wants us to meet him at Derek's place." Before Liam could reply Stiles hung up.
"Do you need a ride home," Mason asked.
"No Stiles is picking me up," Liam said. Mason grimaced. Liam cursed himself for admitting this to Mason, knowing that it would come with an integration so his just told him exactly what Stiles said to him.
"Scott wants us to meet him at his friend's house," Liam said. "He didn't say why." It was the truth, though Liam figured it had to do the mummified bodies. They said their goodbyes and Liam went outside to wait for Stiles. It didn't take long for Stiles' jeep to come chugging along in front of the coffee shop. Once Liam got in the two were off to Derek's. Liam hated Derek's loft. Although it was kind of cool in a minimalism, Zen vibe, Derek's closed off persona made brought the mood of the place way down.
Walking into the loft Liam noted the girls were also there. Once his eyes landed on Scott Liam's whole body shivered. He quickly rushed over to Scott who was standing at the table they often used as a conference table. When Scott looked up from what he was reading to find Liam coming toward him, he gave Liam the biggest smile.
"Hey," Scott said. In response Liam caught Scott's mouth with a sweet kiss. Scott wrapped an arm around the smaller teenager. He moaned in approval into the kiss, before Liam broke away. Liam looked up into Scott's eyes. They were full of joy to see Liam, but Liam could also tell the older boy was tired. Whatever they were discussing Liam made up in his mind that afterward he was taking Scott home to rest.
"What's going on," Liam asked Scott. "Stiles said you needed me here." Scott frowned and glanced over at Deaton who was staying on the other side of the table. Liam looked over at Deaton as well. Deaton still had his calm expression.
"First we're still having trouble identifying the other two victims, however we do believe our initial theory of the type of shape-shifter we're dealing with has changed," Deaton explained. "At first we thought it was a Sárka Koróido, which translates to Flesh Sucker in Greek. They're rare creatures although they don't normally kill their victims."
"Why don't you think it's one of them," Kira asked. Deaton picked up a picture from the table and passed it to Kira.
"That bite mark on the third victim's neck," Deaton stated. "We never would have seen it on the other two bodies. Sárka Koróidos don't leave those types of marks. I first thought it might have been once that had gone rouge but, another Sarka Koroidos don't do is feed so quickly. They take their time."
"Maybe it's a vampire," Liam said with a smirk. Deaton wasn't fazed by the suggestion.
"No vampires only suck out the blood, these victims were completely drained of all liquids," Deaton explained.
"Wait a minute vampires are real," Liam asked shocked.
"Yes, however they're not the confrontational creatures they're made out to be. Werewolves are usually enemies with other werewolves then vampires. Which is another reason why I ruled them out. If a vampire coven were in the area they would have sought Scott out, seeing as his the alpha. They would have tried to negotiate a treaty with Scott that would allow them to hunt, but only for a short period of time. It's been weeks now and the creature we're dealing with hasn't tried to reach out to us. Thirdly the bite mark isn't consistence with a vampire's or the Sarka Koroidos." Deaton said.
"It looks at a hickey," Malia stated when she saw the picture. She made a disapproving face and passed the picture to Lydia who quickly passed it to Liam. Looking at the photo Liam could see what Malia was talking about. The darken mark on the victim's skin looked as if someone bite down and sucked on the skin.
"Sarka Koroidos in fact scrape their teeth across the skin of their victims and suck it up. It would look like a rash, while vampires leave two small holes that overtime have a ripple effect with the bruising. Both those creatures take their time with their victims like I said, but they also have very distinct tastes and methods of attacking."
"What do you mean," Liam asked. This is where Stiles interjected.
The victimology is all over the place," he said excitedly. "One victim was a successful, well-built, African American guy with a family. The other two victims were white not so physically intimidating and probably had no real relationships, since no one matching their descriptions has shown up on any missing person's report. Then there's how they were attacked. None of the bodies should signs of a struggle or defensive wounds that means there was no skin under the finger nails, or no sign that they fell down or punched at what killed them. But with you Liam, there was definitely signs of danger."
"What do you mean," Liam asked. Stiles walked over to him.
"Okay, you know how with the second body his arms were up over his chest," Stiles asked then demonstrated the pose. "It was as if he was cradling something." Liam nodded his head in agreement remembering the body he saw in Deaton's clinic. "One however had your hands up protecting yourself, plus you fell and scraped your knee and arms. You were running away." Liam allowed the information to sink in. He couldn't remember how his hands were positioned but he could remember feeling very afraid for his life.
"That's where you come in Liam," Deaton said. "We need to know what you remember from that night, so we can figure out what type of creature it was."
"I don't remember," Liam protested. "I mean I remember being afraid, seeing something freaky, but everything else is a blur. Didn't you say you killed it, can't you just examine it?" Everyone began to fidget at Liam's suggestion.
"We can't," Derek answered. "It changed back into human form after I killed it. Most shape-shifter remain in the form they're killed, but not this one." Derek handed a photo to Liam. Liam examined it. It was a picture of a pale, blonde man. His eyes were wide open and glazed over, which lead Liam to the conclusion he was dead. Taking the picture in thought Liam recognized something about his face, and suddenly he remembered.
"I've met this man," Liam shouted. Everyone's eyes got big. "He was at the hospital."
"When, how do you know him," Scott questioned eagerly.
"It was this summer. He pretended to be a volunteer and snuck into the newborns unit," Liam explained. "Someone called security but he escaped before they could get any information. We were all questioned about him at the sheriff's station, but nothing came of it."
"Why," Stiles asked. Liam thought for a moment.
"Honestly no one could describe him," he said confusion in his tone. "Looking at him now I remember almost every detail of his face. He was gorgeous, and had these kind eyes. He made you feel safe. It's weird but as soon as he was gone I forgot about him."
"That's strange," Stiles stated. "That description sounds like someone who would seduce his victims first, which is consistent with the three victims."
"So if he met Liam before, why didn't he just try to seduce him again," Lydia asked, the first time she'd spoken that night.
"That's what we're going to find out from Liam," Deaton answered.
"I told you I don't remember anything," Liam insisted.
"You remember more than you think, we just need to access it," Deaton said, then he grabbed for two items off the table. He held a wooden cup and very small wooden box. "With your permission I want to try and get you to remember."
"How," Liam asked. Deaton held out the cup.
"This is a type of liquefied peyote it will help open up your mind freeing you of whatever it is that's blocking your memory," Deaton sat the cup back down and opened the small box. Inside was something that looked like black shrubs. "This will sedate you, help make you feel safe."
"Will it hurt," Liam asked concerned. Scott grunted low, but Deaton didn't pay him attention.
"No it won't hurt," Deaton said assuredly. "However when I start questioning you about that night it will feel very real. The peyote will put you right back in that situation, without the sedation you could hurt yourself trying to escape from here." Liam sighed deeply. He wanted to help but the idea of going back to that feeling scared him completely. Remembering what he could of that night made him shiver even now.
"You don't have to do it," Scott spoke up. "We can figure out another way to do this."
"By that time they'll be another body," Derek said coldly. Scott glared at Derek disapprovingly."
"He's right, Scott," Liam said. "For right now I'm your best shot." Liam grabbed the cup from the table and the box for Deaton's hand. "Let's do this."
Deaton directed Liam to lie down on Derek's couch. First Liam drank the peyote, which tasted awful, and then he took the shrubs, which tasted like mint. Scott sat on the floor next to Liam, holding Liam's hand firmly.
"When does this stuff start to work," Liam asked, but as soon as he said the word he felt his head start throbbing. Everything in front of him all of sudden moved in slow motion. He looked at Scott. "There's two of you," Liam exclaimed excitedly. Scott grinned back. "Hey would you both want to have a three-way, I'd be so into that." Liam shouted, thinking that he was whispering. Scott chuckled.
"Sure," Scott replied with a smile. "But after we're done." Liam grinned and started to giggle.
"Oh my god you two are so hot," Liam stated with a laugh. "I can't even."
"Liam why don't you close your eyes for a moment," Deaton suggested.
"Okay dude," Liam shouted. He wanted to make a gesture but he couldn't left his arm up. Liam squeezed his eyes shut. The light from overhead seemed to bleed through his eyelids.
"Liam I want you to think back to the night you were almost attacked." Deaton requested, but his voice seemed far away. Liam felt as if he were spinning and falling down a deep hole.
"I feel sick," he stated.
"Just focus on that night Liam, trust me," Deaton voice called out. "Tell me the first thing you see." Liam's eyes fluttered open. Suddenly he wasn't in Derek's loft anymore, but at the bowling alley. Freaked out Liam stood up quickly knocking the drink he had in front of him off the table. The paper cup fell to the floor, but it didn't make a sound. Liquid and ice splattered all over but, nothing got wet. The floor seemed as dry as it was before. Liam looked around the alley. There were people everywhere, but he couldn't make out their faces or their voices. He stepped away from the table and as he did he felt his body connect with something. Spinning around he found himself bumping into another person, a girl. He reached out to prevent her falling, but his hands couldn't grasp hold of her. However she didn't fall. The girl simply kept walking as if Liam wasn't there.
"What do you see Liam," Deaton's voice called out from a distance. It scared Liam because he couldn't tell where it was coming from. Everything around him seemed so real, but not real at all. All the edges were fuzzy, but in the middle everything was clear. He couldn't hear anything, yet he knew there was sound. Deaton's voice repeated out from a distance.
"I'm at the bowling alley," Liam replied back. The sound of his voice was muffled to his own ears, it was like being under water.
"What's happening," Deaton asked. "What are you doing?" As Liam walked around he noticed a clock on the wall. The time was 8:15 p.m. and suddenly Liam remembered Scott was supposed to be here over an hour ago. Liam became angry as he watched the hands of the clock slowly tick away.
"I'm being stood up that what I'm doing," Liam said frustrated. The anger inside him was building like helium in a balloon. It didn't make sense to Liam, however because he knew he had forgiven Scott for not keeping their date. Still he was as angry in this surreal state as he had been that night.
"All right," Deaton called out. "You're angry, Scott didn't show up for your date. What did you do then?" Without hesitation Liam began walking toward the entrance to the bowling alley. He just wanted to get out of there. He knew if he stayed he was going to explode. "Liam what are you doing? You have to talk to me."
"I'm leaving, before I fucking break something," he shouted. "I can't believe I'm such a fucking idiot." Liam wanted to cry. His whole body was shaking with anger, and he couldn't catch his breathe.
"Okay you're walking outside," Deaton said. "Did anybody talk to you?" Liam was so embarrassed he tried to avoid eye contact with everyone on his way out the door.
"No," Liam replied. "I'm just leaving. I don't talk to anyone." Liam reached the door and went to grab for the handle, but it was already opened. Suddenly Liam found himself once again bumping into someone, however this was different. He could actually feel the contact of the other person. He looked up and there was the blonde dead man from the photo, inches from Liam's face. "It's the dead guy," Liam said. He was looking right at the man who seemed to also be looking at Liam though didn't respond to what Liam had said. The man smiled and suddenly Liam's anger went away. He felt happy, giggly. So he did, Liam giggled.
"Liam what's happening," Deaton's voice called out.
"He's so gorgeous," Liam said at the dead man. "I'm just so happy to see him here." The man said something to Liam, but Liam couldn't understand it. The man continued to walk inside of the bowling alley and though Liam wanted to follow, he didn't. "I feel weird," Liam said. "It's like I felt at the hospital."
"What's wrong," Deaton's voice was concerned.
"Well I was angry and then I wasn't but now I am again," Liam said. "I think he did something to me." Liam continued to walk toward the parking lot. He dug in his jean pocket to pull out his keys but something stopped him. He turned around and found himself further away from the bowling alley than he thought he was. He looked out in the distance and saw something coming. He couldn't make out what it was, but whatever it was it was big. Liam could feel the ground shake underneath his feet. Suddenly he heard a loud shrill shriek. It vibrated in his head which made him want to vomit. He looked back at the thing that was coming at him, and now he was able to see it better.
It was man, with a misshapen face, as if the flesh were melting off. His eyes were bright yellow and they glowed. His teeth looked like jagged needles and they protruded from his mouth.
"His coming," Liam whispered.
"What was that," Deaton asked.
"He coming," Liam shouted. "He is coming to kill me." Liam took off running. He ran as hard and as fast as he could. His feet felt like lead, and no matter how hard he tried to pick them up each step felt like he was running in sand. Afraid and unable to breathe, Liam felt himself falling. He didn't know why but suddenly the ground was getting closer to his face. He landed hard on the ground, but he couldn't feel anything. Quickly he rolled over and looked back. There was the misshapen man behind him.
"I can't get up," Liam shouted. He started to cry. Liam cried harder than he ever remembered crying before.
"Liam what do you see," Deaton asked calmly.
"I'm never going to see him again," Liam cried to himself. "I'm never going to see my parents again or Mason. I'm never going to college or have a family of my own." Liam was hysterical.
"I know this is hard but please Liam what to do you see," Deaton called out. Liam wiped the tears away from his eyes and tried to compose himself. He looked at the creature who was coming at him. The creature seemed to move both quickly and very slowly. Liam focused on the creature's face and noticed something strange.
"He's scared," Liam said. "His eyes are scared." Liam kept looking and saw as the creature looked over his should. Liam tried but he couldn't see what the creature was running from. No matter how hard he tried to strain to see around the creature Liam couldn't.
"Something's chasing him," Liam called out. He was crying again. "Oh my God, I'm going to die." Liam cried.
"Liam, you're alright," Deaton assured, but Liam didn't believe him. He saw the creature, it was big and scary, but whatever was chasing him had to be worse.
"I never told him," Liam said this time in a somber voice. "I never told Scott I'd fallen in love with him." As the words left Liam's mouth he raised his arms up to his face and closed his eyes tightly. He screamed, and as he did he felt himself falling and spinning again.
Suddenly he felt the tight grip of two hands on his arms. They were trying to pull them away from his face. Then Liam heard Scott's voice. At first it was far away but then it got closer, so close it felt has if it were in front of his face. Liam opened his eyes and put his arms down. He was lying down on Derek's couch. As he became aware of his surrounding he looked up and into Scott's eyes. They were wet and full of fear.
"Scott," Liam breathed. Scott pulled Liam upright and hugged him close. Liam's tense body relaxed in the embrace.
"I'm right here," Scott assured. "You're safe. Don't worry." Liam did feel safe, and completely exhausted.
"That's enough," Scott growled. "He isn't doing it anymore." Those were the last words Liam heard anyone say, before drifting off to sleep.
Chapter 6: Maintaining a normal life is getting harder as Liam is sucked deeper into Scott's world. Also an attack of a friend provides new clues to the case.