"If 99,9 % of our DNA sequence is the same as other humans, what could account for the missing 0,1 % difference? Theo?" Mrs. Finch asked and I looked at Theo sitting next to me.
"Um.. Nucleotides."
"That's right." Kira raised her hand. "Yes, Kira?"
"Can there be more than one species in the same DNA?"
"No, but there can be multiple sets of DNA in the same individual. We call that a chimera. Anyone know where that term comes from?"
I leaned to Theo. "It's a hybrid from Greek mythology. It had head and body of a lion, as well as the head of a goat that was attached to its back, and head of a snake for tail."
"Greek mythology. It's a lion with a goat coming out of its back."
"That's right Sydney. Do you want to read us the full Wikipedia entry off your phone?"
I chuckled and looked at Theo. "See?"
"You are such a nerd. So do you think that Tracy was a chimera?"
I shrugged. But we didn't have any other explanation.
"But that does get us into the next topic of mutation. As you know from the reading, DNA is a fragile molecule. Isn't it, Scott? Or did you miss last night's assigned reading?"
"Kind of."
"Kind of or yes?"
"Mostly yes."
"Well, then thank you for another helpful transition in topic. Drop forms. All those now acutely aware that they do not belong in this class," She slammed drop forms on some students' desks. "you should fill one out. The rest will be on my desk."
Everyone took their stuff and left the class. I saw Scott how he walked to the desk and now was looking at the drop forms.
"Don't do it." I said to him.
"There is so much happening right now."
"But how about being a vet. Sometimes you have to think about you and what do you want. You are always looking after other people... helping them, saving them. Do something what you want for once." He looked at me and paused for a minute. But then he grabbed the drop form and headed out of class and I followed him. Kira was waiting for us and we headed to library. We were supposed to meet Stiles and Malia there. I started looking for some books about Greek mythology. Maybe we can find more about chimeras.
"Did you get to see Lydia?" Scott asked when Stiles showed up.
"No. I tried using my free period but she's still in the ICU and no one outside family is allowed in.
"We got one thing." Malia said. I walked to them and saw the Bestiary on the table.
"Anything in here about half-werewolves, half-kanimas?" Kira asked and started flipping through the book.
"The chimera." Scott said.
"Um, what?" Stiles asked confused.
"Chimera. It's a creature made of incongruous parts. And if Liam said he found two burial sites, it means Tracy's not the only one."
"But who is the second chimera?" I asked.
"And why would they bury them?" Stiles added.
"Deaton thinks it's part of their process."
"The people in masks." Malia said.