Chasing Shadows

Chapter 26

Derek gave me a warning glare. "Liz, don't. If he'd killed someone, he would know."

Isaac looked between us, visibly shaken, and I could feel the tension building again. But this time, something softened in me. Maybe it was the fear in his eyes, or the realization that Isaac hadn't asked for any of this. None of us had.

"Okay," I muttered, softer this time. "We'll figure it out. But Derek, no more secrets, got it?"

Derek nodded, and for a moment, there was an understanding between us. Isaac looked up, a faint glimmer of relief crossing his face.

Tonight was only the beginning.

+

Between the fear and the rage that surged through my veins, I got absolutely no sleep. Isaac and Derek left here shortly after our conversation to try and figure out what happened, and I was told to stay here until I had to leave for school.

So when I did leave and get to school, I felt a wave of exhaustion wash over me. Dark circles formed around my eyes, bags forming right underneath them.

I slipped into my seat a minute before the bell, feeling Scott and Stiles watching me with a mix of worry and surprise. Normally, I kept myself pretty pulled together. Right now, I probably looked like I'd been hit by a truck.

"You okay?" Scott turned in his seat, his eyes full of concern. "You seemed pretty shaken up last night—"

"Didn't sleep," I mumbled, letting my head drop onto my arms on the table. "And my idiot brother seems to think keeping me in the dark is the new normal."

Scott and Stiles exchanged a look—one of those silent guy-language glances that usually meant they knew something.

Stiles leaned over, giving my shoulder a light pat. "Why would Derek pick Isaac?" Scott asked, lowering his voice to a whisper.

"You guys knew too?!" I whisper yelled at them. "Jesus, was I the last to find out?"

Scott school his head. "No, I sniffed him out in the locker room this morning after practice," He explained to me. "The sheriffs department came and took him in though, something about his dad."

"Yeah, he was killed last night," I groaned. "Wonder by who."

Stiles sighed. "But why did Derek choose him? I mean, He's kind of a like side character, no one really knows him."

I groaned, shaking my head as I sat up. "I guess fucking werewolves have a thing for lacrosse players nowadays," I muttered quietly. "Fucking fuck ass bitch."

Stiles stifled a laugh, but his eyes stayed serious. "Peter told me if the bite doesn't turn you, it could kill you." His voice softened. "Liz, do younger people have a better chance of surviving?"

I shrugged, my annoyance barely covering the sliver of worry creeping in. "No idea. And I'm pretty sure Derek doesn't know either."

"Wait," Scott spoke as if a light build just turned on above his head. "Doesn't being a teenager mean your dad can't hold him?"

"Well, not unless they have solid evidence..." Stiles began, his eyes widening in realization as he realized Jackson wasn't in the room anymore. "Or a witness..."

My eyes shot over to Jackson's best friend, Danny. "Hey, Danny," I whispered, leaning back in my chair. "Where's Jackson?"

Danny leaned over. "He's in the principal's office, talking to Stiles's dad."

"What?" Stiles's face went pale. "Why?"

Danny groaned. "Maybe because he lives across the street from Isaac?"