Destiny [D.H.]

54

"Meredith."

"The girl from Eichen? The last time you saw her, you almost gave her a nervous breakdown."

"Uh... Almost," Lydia said, defending herself.

I frowned at Lydia wondering what she was talking about and she shrugged innocently.

---

We got to Eichen House. Much to Stiles' and Lydia's protests, I'd insisted on going with them. As soon as we got to the front desk, an orderly started unlocking the door and Stiles saw another orderly and frowned. "Oh, no, not this guy."

Said orderly frowned. "What the hell are we running here? A bed and breakfast? We do not just open the door for anyone with a badge."

Parrish took charge. "We need to talk to Meredith Walker. It involves a murder investigation."

"Well you can talk to her all you want but that one..." He pointed to Stiles and glared at him. "He's outta here."

I flicked my claws and growled quietly as Parrish explained to the orderly, "They're crucial witnesses in an ongoing investigation. I wouldn't have brought them here if it wasn't absolutely... Crucial."

The orderly glared. "Okay, Deputy. How about you come back with a court order, then I'll listen. As for you, Mr. Stilinski, how about you come back with a payment in full. That's right. Daddy may be the sheriff, but he's late on the bills. I guess those government jobs aren't as reliable as they used to be, huh?"

Parrish continued, "But they do help when you need a favor. Like, how a month ago, Canaan P.D. helped you get home after blowing a 0.1 on a breathalyzer."

"No..." Stiles breathed.

The orderly sighed. "Alright. I'm not against a little quid pro quo. Not at all. Not at all."

Stiles smiled at Parrish. "You. You. I like you. I'm gonna keep you."

I glared at the annoying orderly and quietly growled.

Stiles frowned. "Ella, if you keep doing that, you're gonna have to wait outside."

"Like I'm a dog?" I scoffed. "Not a chance."

"Then stop growling at the orderly."

"But he's rude and annoying."

"You're not wrong, but please, just stop, okay?"

"Fine. I'll stop."

"Thank you."

We reached Meredith's room and she was sitting cross-legged on her bed. Lydia asked her what we needed to know and Meredith shook her head. Lydia frowned. "Meredith, what do you mean you can't tell us?"

Stiles took on a gentler tone. "We just need the third key. You can give it to us in numbers, letters, hieroglyphs. Whatever you want."

Meredith's head shook faster. "I can't."

I crossed my arms and stared down at her, probably more menacing than I meant. "Why did you help us, Meredith? Why'd you give Lydia the second key?"

She looked up at me. "I wanted to help. That's what I want to do. I want to help."

Lydia rolled her eyes. "Great. So help us now. Okay? Give us the third cipher key."

Meredith suddenly shrunk into herself. "Things have changed. I... I can't."

"Why not?" Stiles asked.

"Guys, go easy on her," Parrish told us.

Meredith looked back up at us. "I'm sorry. I can't. He... He doesn't want me to."

My ears perked up at the newfound information. "Who is he?"

Lydia's tone became sharper. "Meredith, who doesn't want you to tell us the third cipher key?"

"The Benefactor," Meredith answered.

"What's his name?" Lydia asked. "You could just tell us his name."

"Okay, you're shaking your head," Stiles stated. "What's that mean? Does that mean you don't know? Or you don't want to help us?"

"I can't... I can't help anymore," Meredith repeated.

Lydia frowned at her. "How do you know about him?"

"Guys, I think we should stop," Parrish warned.

I nodded. "Agreed. We should stop."

Lydia continued. "Meredith, a lot of people are going to die if you don't tell us."

"I don't know... I don't know. I don't know," Meredith repeated again.

"Please... Meredith, it's okay. You're gonna be all right. Please."

"I don't... I don't... I don't know."

"Meredith," Parrish said in a calming tone.

"I said I don't know!" she screamed.

I put a hand to my ear and frowned. When I pulled it away, a drop of crimson liquid was on my finger.

I made my way home to be intercepted by Evan. "Why did you not tell me or Dad that Mom was back in town?"

I frowned. "I've been a little busy trying not to die!"

"El, you should've said something. We can protect you."

"Are you saying I can't protect myself?"

"Don't put words in my mouth, Eliana."

"I don't have the energy to fight with you. Goodnight." I made my way upstairs and flopped onto my bed, soon falling into a reasonably restful sleep.