Thunder and Blood

20

Percy

Stiles is staring at us with dark, dead eyes. 

As I've said before, I'm not one to be scared easily, but this kid... this kid is terrifying. All I want is Annabeth. I just want to know she's okay. Please let her be okay. 

We all stand around Stiles, a good distance away, but close enough to see what's going on. Personally, I would like to be as far away from him and this freaky town as possible. Soon, I will be. But until then I have to put up with this. Apparently Peter is explaining to Scott how to go into Stiles' head, find him, and then separate him from the nogitsune. 

We're all watching Stiles, expecting him to try something, but he doesn't. In fact, he looks pleased with himself. Maybe Deaton was right, he does have us in the palm of his hand. 

Scott and Lydia stand behind the couch, ready to go into Stiles' mind. They have no idea how to do this, and when they asked, Peter just said, "improvise." Which wasn't particularly very helpful. I expect this to go downhill and fast. 

I look back at Stiles only to find him already staring in my direction. Our eyes lock, and the dead, angry look on his face is gone. He looks scared, petrified, even. Melissa sees this too. "Guys." She says, nodding at Stiles. We all know it's a joke, he does it to play with our emotions. He seems to like that, the sadness that crosses their faces when he pretends to be Stiles. We're all a bit done with it by now. 

Why does he keep doing it? He knows we won't believe him. 

Yet another tear falls down his cheek, followed by more. We all watch him fake it, unfazed by his tricks. Deaton give Scott a nod, telling him to go. 

Scott plunges his claws into both Stiles and Lydia's neck's, they gasp, becoming unconscious where they stand. Almost immediately, their noses start to bleed. Melissa steps forward to help, but Peter stops her. 

"Don't interfere. Not until they're done." He says, she steps back. I lean against the wall, regretting not taking Stiles and booking it when I had the chance. Now I have to watch their stupid little experiments and-

I slap the back of my neck, bringing my hand down to see if I had gotten the bug that had just bitten me. But there's nothing on my palm. I rub the skin it had been on, making sure it hadn't just stuck to my neck. But there's nothing there. 

I look at my hand once more, finding blood smeared on my callused fingers. The bug had broken the skin, causing me to bleed. I touch my sleeve to the wound, soaking up some of the mess. I find that there isn't much blood, about as much as you'd expect from a splinter. I leave it alone, it's not big enough to need healing.

"How long is this supposed to take?" I ask, obviously impatient.

"Not sure." Peter responds. "It depends on how fast they find him."

"In his own mind? What if he doesn't want to be found?" I say, everyone turns to me. "If Void's in control of Stiles' mind, surely he'd make it hard for them to reach Stiles. I mean think about it. Stiles is just a host, Void won't just let you friends waltz in." Deaton thinks about my words. "He's going to make them play his game, and Scott doesn't even know the rules."

Silence washes over the group. "They'll be fine." Melissa says, but she's uncertain, nervously tapping her foot on the ground. 

"I hope you're right." I mutter, looking away. I need Void alive to complete my quest. I need him alive so I can see Annabeth. I can't let them kill him. No, I have to get to him first. I'm so close to getting what I need; but Stiles is the only thing in my way. 

At least I thought so. 

That is until a voice echoes inside my head. 

Not anymore, Perseus Jackson, not anymore.