Disseminating Moon:
Gratitude, sharing, enthusiasm.
Armed with the translation Allison and I entered the library purposefully. Her heels announcing our arrival to the students closest to the door. I wondered what they thought as they turned to inspect us. Did they think we were an odd pair? I did. With Allison pastel outfit and famine heels next to my chunky boots and distressed jeans. As we continued toward the allotted meeting place I couldn't help but notice the security camera above the door trail after us.
Plucking a book from the shelve in-front of me I smiled at the boys peering through the newly made made hole. I nodded toward them before turning to rest my back against the selves. Without looking at it I opened the book and flipped the pages thoughtless, I was too busy glaring at anyone who tried to come down our aisle.
As Allison had been the one to type up the translation onto her iPad I had taken on the role of look out while she explained it all to the boys. Plus I didn't what to get into how Lydia had found the pages just yet. "It's everything Lydia can translate. And trust me, she was very confused," Allison said as she passed the tablet through the gap in the books.
"Yeah, what'd you tell her?" Replied Scott's edger tones. How they hid their relationship from anyone was beyond me. It was easy to tell that Scott was staring at her in endearment with his over sized puppy and I had my back to him!
"That we were part of an online gaming community that battles mythical creatures," the lie rolled of my tongue as easily as it had when we had used it on Lydia. Scott and Allison chuckled together at the idea.
An offended Stiles joined the conversation with a huff, "I am part of an online gaming community that battles mythical creatures."
I turned my head slightly to peer over the row of books behind me. My lips twisted as hazel eyes met mine, "yeah, you seem the type." We might have only been able to see each other's eyes but from the way his brows knitted together I'm pretty sure he realised I was smirking at him.
Before he could shoot back a response Scott had interrupted, "Okay, does it say how to find out who's controlling him?"
Allison shook her head, "Not really. But Stiles was right about the murderers," Stiles gave a cheer of triumph at her words, " It calls the kanima a weapon of vengeance. There's a story in there about this South American priest who uses the kanima to execute murderers in his village..."
She was cut off by the excited ramblings of Stiles, "all right, see? So maybe it's not all that bad."
With a shake of my head I let out a sigh, "wait for it."
Allison looked just has disheartened as I felt. She took a deep breath before continuing, "the bond grew strong enough that it killed whoever he wanted it to."
As Stiles began to mutter under his breath I twisted my body back round in time to spot the librarian starting to make her way towards us. Allison seemed to notice as well as she stiffened beside me. Squeezing her lightly on the arm I encouraged her to continue as I pushed myself away from the shelve. As I walked away from them I couldn't help but chuckle as Stiles made some snarky comment about Jackson needing therapy.
As the Librarian went to pass me I reached out to tap her arm gently. She paused momentarily before turning to face me. It was only then that I realised I didn't recognise her. Was she another hunter stationed to spy on us or was she simply new? It seemed like to much of a coincidence to let her get any closer to Allison and Scott.
"Sorry to be a pain, I've got a paper due tomorrow on Shakespeare's star crossed lovers. Any chance you could help me find a copy? I've looked everywhere for it," I plastered the softest smile I could image onto my face and waited for the elder woman to reply. Her eyes where still focused on the brunette behind me and as the camera was still pointed on the entrance of the alcove it didn't take a genius to figure out she had been asked to check on us.
Despite the pleasant smile she sent my way I could see her annoyance. Her polite smile didn't quite reach her eyes as she spoke to me, "of course I can help honey. Shakespeare is just up the stairs to the right."
Actually it is down stairs by the east entrance, I corrected her in my head. They hadn't even bothered to replace the librarian with someone who new the place. Had they just picked her because of her owlish looks and tight bun? As she took a step forward I took one backwards blocking her path. Frowning at her instructions I took my time to reply.
"Up those stairs," I repeated as I pointed at the only stairs in the room, "and to the right?" I purposely pointed in the wrong direction as the words left my mouth.
"Yes, up the stairs and to the right," she repeated herself through gritted teeth as she moved my hand away from her.
I moved again to block her path, "I'm sure they where down stairs last time I found them."
"No I'm quite sure they are upstairs and to the right," her polite mask dropping slightly with each word.
We continued to dance backwards and forwards until I spotted a grinning Allison giving me a thumbs up from her new spot near the western door of the library. Clearly they had sorted everything out. I let out a gasp, "oh I'm such an idiot," I almost laughed when the woman before me nodded at my words in agreement, "I have a copy in my locker!"
I darted out into the hall as quickly as I could, I had no intention of being in the library when the woman realised she had lost Allison. Ignoring the yells from the group of girls I had stumbled straight into I shot through the corridor. I had every intention of meeting up with the others and finding out what had been decided but Matt found me before I could.
He had caught me unaware during my search for the others. A too big grin split curled is lips upward as he sprang towards me. He was too preoccupied with whatever he want to tell me to question my presence in the sports department. Quickening his pace to match mine he let out an excited yelp, "Em! Guess what."
Without turning to face him I replied bluntly, "finally going to confess your love for me?" I didn't slow down as he beamed away beside me. My eyes still scanning every hallway, room and corner for someone to explain the plan that had been created in the library.
"I've got a date with Alison," his words made me pause.
I turned to face him curiously, part of me wondered if he had finally lost it as he grinned back. I couldn't keep the scepticism out of my voice as I questioned him, "really now?"
Matt bristled at my words. He didn't like my challenging tone, he bit back almost instantly with a childish remark, "don't believe me? Go ask her."
"I just might, where is she?" Sure I had said the words to tease him but I also needed to find Allison. Despite not believing a word of Matt's tale, he was still probably my best shot at finding the young hunter. Continuing down the hall I took the turning Matt had appeared from.
Matt scurried after me yelling as he followed, "wait, you can't be serious, Emma!"
I have never been fond of sayings and idioms but it would seem that one about buses seemed to fit here. I had spent my time waiting around for my friends and now they all arrived at once. I almost didn't realise it was them amongst the chaos. Erica and Stiles hovered on one side while Allison clung to the locker room door frame. Her eyes wide as she pleaded with Scott to stop. It was only then that I gave the boys on the floor the attention they deserved.
Jackson, clan in only a pair of workout shorts, was being pinned to the floor by a livid looking Scott. With more strength then he should possess in his human form Jackson shoved Scott to the side and went to pounce. His fist caught Scott in the chin forcing the boy to stumble backwards, before he could land another hit he was grabbed roughly by Erica. While Stiles shot forward and grabbed his best friend preventing the teen from retaliating. During all this I had moved forward to rest a hand on Allison's arm keen to check she was okay.
However before any of us could find out what had happened a stern voice cut through the air, " What the hell's going on!" Jackson! Calm down! Mr. McCall, you wanna explain yourself?" Even with the arrival of Mr Harris Scott struggles against Stiles. Angry rolling off of him menacing waves. I had never seen the werewolf this angry before, whatever Jackson had done it must have been bad! Harris, annoyed at being ignored roared at the pair of fighting boys, "You and you - actually" he paused before gesturing to the rest of us, "- all of you - Detention. Three o'clock."
I was annoyed at our teachers generalisation and punishment but I had stopped sulking after lunch. Matt however was still glaring daggers at Scott's back as we entered the library with our little group. It felt like the beginning of some cheesy teen flick. I would have made a comment about it had Matt not looked like an angry rattlesnake.
As the group divided to fit around the tables I purposely picked a seat away from the group. I knew Matt would just spend the time whining about how unfair Mr Harris was being. Plus if I was alone I could is the time to read some of the books that had sat at the bottom of my bag since finding Lydia. I had only skimmed them back then in hope of finding something that could help but know I wanted to have an in depth exploration of the pages. My plan was ruined unfortunately as Jackson felt it was necessary to throw a tantrum about Stiles and Scott being too close to him. Had he really gotten a restraining order against the boys? I can't imagine the sheriff would be too pleased about that. In order to shut the spoilt teen up Mr Harris moved the troublesome duo to table. Stiles eyed the collect of books I was shovelling back into my back as they arrived.
"I'm gonna kill him," Scott declares as he sent a heated glare into Jackson's back.
"No, you're not. You're going to find out who's controlling him and then you're gonna help save him," Stiles replied sinking into the seat on the other side of me. His head fell onto the table frustration.
Scott continued to glare at Jackson as the boy started up a conversation with Allison and Matt. My own eyes had found their way to that table as I watched Matt try his best to impress the brunette. I couldn't help but snort as he awkwardly offered her a crisp.
Stiles' eyes had also landed on my dear friend. Though it would seem he didn't hold the same fondness for Matt as I did, "hey. What if it's Matt?"
My head whipped around to snarl down at him, "excuse me!"
"I mean, this whole thing comes back to the video, right?" Stiles sat up as he tried to justify his accusation.
"Matt was the one who found the two hours of footage missing," I countered
Throwing his hands in the air he let out an annoyed, "Exactly!" He was acting like Scott and I were the ones who were sprouting nonsense not him. Shaking his head as if it were the easiest thing in the world to understand he continued, "he's trying to throw suspicion off himself."
Scott jumped in before I could answer. From the cautious look he gave me I knew he sense the angry bubbling in me as I gripped my hands around the edge of the table. Whatever his reasoning the young wolf asked exactly what I needed him to, "So he makes Jackson kill Isaac's dad, one of Argent's hunters, and the mechanic working on your jeep?"
"Yes!"
"Why?" I couldn't stop the biting tone as the question lept from my lips.
"Because," he paused trying to find the right words, "he's evil." Those were definitely not them!
I had been about to kick the idiot when Scott's words made me stop, "you just don't like him"
I turned to face Stiles fully. I and known he wasn't fond of Matt but did he honestly harbour such strong feelings against the boy? He wouldn't meet my gaze has I pinned him with an inquisitive look, "you don't like him?"
"Bugs me. I don't know what it is. Just look at his face," I had felt my eyes narrow at his words. I drop foot back down onto Stiles' foot forcing him to yelp pathetically. Sure I might have liked Stiles, more than I'd let to admit out loud, but that didn't give him the right to bad mouth my best friend. Again!
Disbelief dripping from my words as I replied sharply, "his face? What are you 5?"
A sudden movement caught the attention of everyone in the room. Unsteadily Jackson scrambled to his feet, his head hanging low as his hand crawled at his temples. He had gone pale and his brow seemed to glisten with droplets of sweat. Stubbornly, he shunned any help that was offered to him as he stumbled toward the door. Brushing Mr Harris off with a few mumbles excuses as the teacher stood to follow him.
Using the movement to escape from Stiles idiotic and completely impossible theories I strolled toward Allison and Matt. As I reached the table I snaked a hand over Matts shoulder and dipped it into the open bag of treats before him. I smiled back at him ignoring his protests as I stole a handful of crisps.
"Miss King sit down!" I settled into an empty seat beside Matt as Mr Harris jerked a threatening finger at each student in the room, "no one leaves their seats." With that he left after the pale faced teen.
Matt lent into me and asked, "what are they whispering about?"
"How best to sell their Girl Scout cookies," I retorted still annoyed at Stiles' insinuation.
"Funny, seriously what is up with them. I mean did you hear what they did to Jackson? Of course you did… did you have something to do with that to?" A strange expression crossed Matt's face. Was that worry or fear? I could place it but whatever it was it made my stomach churn slightly. "Come on Em what is going on. I mean I've never disapproved of your poor life choices but Stilinski, the guy, I don't know what it is. Just look at him. He bugs me." Out of the corner of my eye I could have sworn I saw Scott glance back at us from his spot next to Erica.
"I assure you the feeling is mutual and do you mind not talk so loudly," I muttered back. I could see Allison's head tilted to the side slightly as if she were trying to solve a great mystery. " We are in a library after all," I added quickly. If he knew I was worried about people over hearing us talk about Stiles he would only start talking louder.
Matt scoffed at my comment, "like you care."
Honestly, I didn't care about the noise in the library. I just didn't what anyone putting two and two together. I already got enough stick from Matt about this stupid crush the last thing I needed was someone else figuring it out. Well someone who might actually act on the knowledge. My eyes shifted to watch Scott, I was positive the boy had made the connection but so far he seemed to be sitting on the information.
It wasn't long before Harris and Jackson returned. Though our beloved teacher didn't hang around for long. Once he was certain we were settled and understood our job he left us to restock the library shelves. I had started moving books and switching labels the moment he had left just to spite the imposter whose job we were having to do. I had purposefully avoided going down the same row as Stiles. His suggestions that Matt was evil had rubbed me up the wrong way and I couldn't help but notice it wasn't the first time he had shown a dislike towards my friend.
"It means he was born after his mom died - by c - section. They had to pull him out of her dead body," as Stiles' voice carried through the books beside me bit back my stubbornness and chose to rejoin the group.
Pushing a set of books aside I rested my folded arms on the shelves between us and peered through the gap at them. "Who was born after their mom died?" I questioned. The others had noticed my appearance so my words didn't have the same startling effect as they did on Stiles.
Stiles whirled around to face me. His arms knocking various books of the shelves as he yelped out in surprise, "Oh my god, what is your problem?"
Leaning forward until my chin rested on my arm, I sent a lazy smile his way, "according to the guidance counselor I have a few." He let out a dry laugh in return. I turned to the others and asked again, "who are we talking about?"
"Jackson," supplied Allison before returning to the conversation. "So was it an accident or not?"
"The word all over the report is inconclusive," replied Stiles.
"Then his parents could have been murdered?" Scott questioned clearly annoyed that no one seemed to be giving him a straight answer.
Stiles nodded solemnly back, "If they were, then it falls in line with the kanima myth. You know? It seeks out and kills murderers."
But who was choosing the murders? Was it Jackson or who ever was controlling the boy? My mind busied itself with possible what ifs and maybes. How were we, a group of 16 year old kids, ment to figure this out. Surely there were adults who could do this instead, adults how wouldn't just kill Jackson. I pressed my lips together and let out a low hum as I tried to think of a plausible next step.
"We have to talk to him. We have to tell him," Scott finally declared after a moment of silence.
Allison called after him as he started to move. Did he really think Jackson was going to listen to him? Before we could find out all hell broke loose. A terrifying noise echoed through the room as a partially scaled Jackson leapt into the air. Scott and Erica looked ready to pounce the the creature, no as Jackson, bounced across the tops of the shelves. His weight sending the shelves crashing down like dominos.
I rolled forward as the books tumbled to the ground around me. Landing awkwardly on my back I stayed spiralled out on the floor there for a moment.I had been lucky enough to make it back into the open seating area in the centre of the library before the shelves I had been nestled between had collapsed entirely. Letting out a long breath I eyed the rest of the room slowly hoping everyone else had been as lucky and I had.
Erica had been hit by something but the others seemed fine. Allison had been pushed behind Scott and Stiles was reaching out to me. I pushed myself up into a seated position with the intention of grasping his hand but a noise stopped me. All eyes turned toward the centre of the room. There in front of the blackboard stood Jackson, his body half transformed. We all watched as his claw cut into the black surface.
'Stay out of my way or I will kill you all'
We continued to stare at the words even after Jackson had left. It was only the sudden arrival pain filled moans pulled our attention away from the Jackson's ominous message. Though part of me doubted the message was actually from Jackson. Turning to see who was was hurt. My eyes skimmed over Erica's shaking form and settled on the limp body of my best friend.
My blood ran cold as I shot forward. Ignoring everything else around me I grasped at his jumper and flung him onto his back. The tension that had encased my entire body sank away in relief as I spotted the shallow rise and fall of his chest. With a heavy sigh I fell forward letting my forehead rest against his. One thought filled my mind as I clung to my oldest friend. What would I do without Matt?