Since the fire at the Hale mansion left indelible marks on Elias and Cora's lives, returning to school felt like a test of endurance. Although Beacon Hills High School was just a building full of teenagers, it represented an opportunity to start anew, at least on the surface. The walls of the place didn't carry the weight of pain, but for them, the echo of that tragic night resonated in every corner.
"Ready for another beginning?" Elias asked quietly as he walked alongside Cora through the entrance hallway.
She nodded, giving him a look that only he understood. Her lips formed a small smile, but the glint in her eyes revealed something deeper.
"I am, but… everything here feels strange," Cora replied, a hint of nervousness in her voice as she surveyed their surroundings.
Both knew they had made it this far only thanks to Talia, who, after that fateful night, had protected and trained them to survive in a world that would never be the same. The loss of their loved ones had been devastating, and although they were returning to a "normal" world, it was impossible to leave behind the scars.
Upon entering the classroom, they noticed Scott and Stiles animatedly chatting in their seats. Their eyes met Elias and Cora's, who offered a slight nod before taking their places at the back of the room. Curious eyes from their classmates turned toward them, especially due to their reserved nature.
"Hey, Elias, Cora, you're in this class too?" Scott asked with a smile.
Cora simply replied, "Looks like it," as she took her seat. She knew that keeping a low profile was best for both of them, but she also realized that this would only heighten their classmates' questions and curiosity—something they were willing to endure if it meant maintaining their privacy.
Mid-morning, a young girl with dark hair and a confident demeanor entered the classroom. Scott watched her, a flicker of interest crossing his eyes. The new girl was Allison Argent, and although she didn't know anyone yet, her presence seemed to spark something in Scott. Cora glanced at Elias, and they exchanged a brief look of complicity; they knew Allison wasn't an ordinary girl.
During class, Scott couldn't help stealing glances at Allison, who responded with a discreet smile, unaware of the attention she was garnering. Beside her, Stiles whispered playful comments, oblivious to the fact that both Elias and Cora could hear them from the back. They preferred to stay on the sidelines but couldn't help noticing the chemistry forming between Scott and Allison.
When the bell rang for lunch, the group headed to the cafeteria. Cora and Elias chose to sit alone at a table by the window. From there, they observed the comings and goings of students without getting too involved, though they couldn't avoid being interrupted.
"Hey, why are you guys always so apart?" Stiles asked, sitting down across from them, followed by Scott.
Elias and Cora exchanged surprised glances at Stiles's boldness. Though they knew they couldn't evade contact with their classmates, they were trying to keep the conversation superficial.
"Let's just say we like our peace," Cora replied, shrugging.
Stiles laughed. "Peace, yeah, sure… that's exactly what there isn't in this school, right, Scott?"
Scott nodded, smiling. "Don't worry, everyone here is pretty friendly."
Cora offered a slight smile. While Scott's words were comforting, both knew the real reason they kept their distance was to protect themselves. They still felt that any close contact could expose them to more pain than they already carried.
After lunch, the group returned to class for the last period of the day, where plans for the evening began to surface between Scott and Stiles. They murmured to each other about exploring the woods, which set off alarm bells in Elias's mind.
Elias leaned toward Cora and whispered in her ear, "Did you hear that? Scott and Stiles are planning to go into the woods tonight."
She frowned, clearly worried. "Do you think it's safe?"
Elias knew that while the woods might seem a common place for Beacon Hills teenagers, it was also unfamiliar territory for anyone who didn't understand the real dangers. "I don't think so," he said quietly, keeping his gaze fixed on their classmates.
At the end of class, Scott approached them, insisting they join. "Don't you want to explore a bit? There's something… exciting about the woods at night."
Cora shook her head. "I don't think that's a good idea."
Stiles shrugged, not grasping the seriousness of her words. "Come on, how dangerous can it be?"
Elias and Cora exchanged a significant look but chose not to reveal anything more. The memories of the fire were still too fresh, and they weren't willing to take that risk again.
With the last bell of the day, the school emptied quickly. Cora and Elias lingered at the entrance, gazing at the sky, which was growing darker.
"Something's going to happen tonight; I can feel it in my bones," Elias murmured.
Cora looked at him, concerned. "Do you think it has to do with Scott and Stiles?"
He nodded, worry flashing in his eyes. "I don't know why, but I feel like Scott is about to face something… big."
Cora regarded him, understanding the weight of his words. There was something in Beacon Hills, a sense of danger that enveloped everyone, even those who still didn't grasp its true nature. For Elias, school, the woods, and every corner of that place had become a constant reminder of loss and danger, and the idea of Scott being in the line of fire unsettled him.
Before parting, Scott and Stiles shouted one last invitation from a distance. "See you in the woods, guys!" Stiles called, unaware of the implications of his own innocence.
Cora and Elias walked away in silence, letting the darkness of dusk envelop their steps. The ominous feeling in the air grew with each passing second as the cloak of night covered Beacon Hills. They shared a knowing glance, aware that this night would not be like any other. Although they didn't know exactly what awaited them, Elias's intuition strengthened with each minute. He knew Scott was destined for something beyond his understanding, something that would change his life.
"What do you think will happen tonight?" Cora whispered, breaking the silence between them.
"I'm not sure, but I feel like the woods are waiting for someone," Elias replied softly, a trace of solemnity in his tone.