The Fire Within

Chapter 28

*Third POV

*Two Weeks Later*

Scott walks into the school alone. Again. Usually he would walk in with Stiles or at the very least meet his friend by their lockers, but Stiles hasn't even been at school for the past two weeks. Scott feels empty without Stiles here. He keeps his head down and tries to focus on his schoolwork. Of course, he still has his other friends around to talk to, but it's not the same. Besides, there has been a heavy feeling in the air ever since Malia died. Even the teachers are acting differently. They always ask Scott if he knows where Stiles is, but they don't push it. They know that Malia and Stiles were dating and were very close with each other.

As for Scott, he is dealing with the death okay. It's very sad and he has cried a number of times of course, but that's normal. Generally though, Scott is okay with it. Especially after the funeral. It really celebrated Malia's life and all of her friends and her adoptive dad made great speeches. Everyone was there... Except for Stiles. Scott tries to convince him to go by talking to him through Stiles' door once (since Stiles always keeps it locked and refuses to let anyone enter), but that didn't work very well. Stiles just ended up yelling for Scott to go away, so he did. Scott has been trying so hard to help Stiles, but he is shutting him out. He is shutting everyone out. Scott just wishes he knew why.

Stiles is sitting on the corner of his bed, his face ducked into his hands, crying quietly. After México, Stiles somehow made his wings appear and flew all the way back to Beacon Hills. He was very surprised that he did that, considering the last time he succeeded with sprouting wings was when his mother was alive, but he didn't have time to dwell on it. Ever since Malia died, he hasn't left his room. He is constantly causing unintentional fires with everything that he touches and he can't get his eyes to stop glowing. At first, he freaked out, but as the days passed he managed not to touch anything or leave his room. He's turning into a real monster, just like he was afraid of being. Stiles isn't strong like his mother. He can't control this and he doesn't think that he ever will. Stiles is terrified that he will hurt someone and be responsible for the death of another loved one. He never even got to tell Malia that he loved her back.

His dad has tried to get him out, at least to shower, but Stiles refused with a warning growl that left his throat unintentionally. He only eats once a day, getting out of his room only for the bathroom or food when his dad isn't home. Scott and everyone has tried to get to his room but for the ones that tried to force their way in, Stiles heated up the door handle and Stiles heard their hisses of pain as their hands got burned. It doesn't phase Stiles. He feels so numb to the outside world now. He refused to go to Malia's funeral, even though Scott asked him to and promised that it would make Stiles feel better. First reason he wouldn't go was because of his out of control powers. Stiles is completely terrified of himself and his powers, which he is now starting to call a curse. Second reason was because he didn't want to see Malia's body or hear everyone give their lovely speeches about Malia and her life. It would make everything too real. It would send Stiles into another wave of grief. So, Stiles shouted angrily at Scott to go away, which thankfully he did. After Scott had left, Stiles had started crying, but what was new really? These days, it seems like he is always crying.

On a miserable Saturday night, Scott parks his motorbike in front of Stiles' house. He gets off the bike and pulls off the helmet, the rain soaking through his clothes, chilling him to the bones. Scott grips his helmet tightly as he walks up to the front of the house. Scott notices that the Sheriff's car is gone, meaning that he must be at work still. Scott walks up to the front door, pulls out the key to the house and unlocks the door quickly. Good thing that both boys had keys made for each other's houses a couple of years ago. Scott enters the house, closing the door behind him, the rain still able to be heard pattering down loudly. Scott places his helmet on a table in the hallway before walking up the stairs towards Stiles' room. Scott takes a deep breath before knocking on Stiles' door.