Puppets (Percy Jackson AU)

Hazel

Guys, FYI: Steph is really not as badass as she seems in this part. I'm not trying to be mean but admit it that if we were Steph in this we'd be terrified.

[21]//HAZEL//:

Hazel knew she had been a little cruel.

Rachel deserved what she got, and Hazel knew it. The redhead had killed two girls. It was only fair that she was locked up in a padded room.

But why did Hazel feel guilty?

It was two days before winter break. Hazel was finishing up a relatively easy history assignment. She had a paragraph left when there was slight knocks on the door. "Come in," she called out.

Frank Zhang entered the room. "Um, hi, Hazel."

"Hi, Frank." She looked at her feet. "Well, I know what you're here for," she said, with a sinking feeling in her chest.

"You do?" Frank sounded shocked.

"Yeah." She fiddled with her bracelet. "I'm really sorry you feel that way, and I understand what you're thinking-"

"I'm not breaking up with you." Frank said.

"What?" Hazel stopped fidgeting, looking up, her hair swinging around her face.

"I just wanted a quick explanation about the Rachel stuff. I mean, I heard rumours, but they aren't exactly reliable." Frank was blushing as he sat next to Hazel.

"Oh, um, yeah." She stammered. "So pretty much..." she explained the whole situation. "And yeah, I guess. Oh, and also, Piper invited us to England over the winter break."

"England." Frank's jaw dropped.

Hazel grinned. "Yup."

"I- I-" Frank seemed at a loss for words. Hazel chuckled quietly.

"I've just got to finish this and then maybe we can go out somewhere." Hazel said, picking up her pencil. As soon as she had scrawled only two words, her phone began to ring.

"I've got it," Frank said, picking up, and putting it on speaker. "Hello?"

"Is Hazel there?" Rachel's friend Steph said, sounding panicked.

"Yeah, I'm here," Hazel said, setting down her pencil. "What's wrong?"

"Meet me at that coffee shop nearby in five. I forget the name. Just do it, please. I- I have vital information that you have to know now, or maybe I won't even be around to say it tomorrow. Just please, meet me there. ASAP."

"Oh, um, of course. I'll be there. See you there." Hazel stumbled over her words, hanging up. She turned to Frank. "Can we reschedule for later? Sorry, she just sounded really panicked. I think I should help her out."

"Yeah, totally." Frank agreed. He pulled her into a hug, his cheeks red. "Text me later."

"Of course," Hazel said, slipping away to grab her coat. She tugged on her gloves and her scarf and exited her dorm. She sprinted down the stairs, checking the time on her phone. 6:23. Shit, she thought. Only three minutes until she had to be there.

She walked briskly through the snow covered sidewalk, only nearly slipping twice, until she had arrived at the coffee shop. She swung open the door, the warmth hitting her. She spotted Steph, Reyna and Annabeth at a table in the corner, discussing something over hot chocolates. Hazel walked over, sitting in a vacant seat. "What's happening?"

"Wait for Piper." Annabeth said, her eyes on the door. As though her words were a cue, the choppy haired girl burst in the door, her cheeks red, braids swinging. She made a beeline for them in the corner, sliding into the seat next to Hazel.

"Right. Sorry for the last minute warning, but not really." Steph started. Reyna and Annabeth exchanged looks and Piper rolled her eyes. "And please don't honour yourself by thinking I care that you don't like the way I do stuff." Hazel raised an eyebrow, but stayed silent. "So, I know who your little friend is. It took a while, but L's been discovered."

Hazel's hands flew to her mouth. Piper's jaw dropped. Annabeth gripped tightly on Reyna's arm. Only Reyna stayed calm. "I suppose we'll have to wait until you feel like telling us who's been stalking us vehemently for the past few months, right?" She said sardonically.

"I can't tell you. I- I got a note right after I found out who." Steph bit her lip, reaching into her pocket and extracting a note. She passed it to Reyna, and Hazel leaned over to read it.

Stephanie,

Dear, sweet, innocent Stephanie. The poor girl that was friends with that awful psychopath Rachel. The girl that's smarter than everyone thinks, and just as strange.

You've found me out, and although I hate to admit it, you're right. Clever little girl, but you can't outsmart me. Tell anyone, and you're dead, just like Bianca and Zoë. Has Lacy told you the truth about what really happened in the woods that night? You don't know all the pieces, doll. Better figure it out if you really want to stop me.

I'm like the big, bad wolf, aren't I? Going around and gobbling up those two poor girls. And you're the fat little pig in the brick house, completely satisfied with how extraordinary clever you are, foolish child. You've tried, sweetheart. Now I'm just going to huff and puff and take you down.

Tell anyone, and it's your turn. Game on, Stephanie.

L xx

Hazel's eyes widened. "Oh my god. Don't tell us."

Steph laughed. "You'll find out tomorrow. I have a plan. If it backfires on my face, then thank you all, and I've taken some precautions. 78374, by the way. Write that down if you want, I don't care. It's just my name in numbers, and it'll be extremely important later."

"B-but, you're so calm, and you might die!" Hazel stammered.

Steph laughed again. She turned to Piper. "Remember when I said I wanted to be the hero this time?" Piper nodded. Steph's hazel gaze flicked from Piper to all of them, one by one. She lowered her voice. "You either die a hero, or live long enough to see yourself become the villain." She stood, pulling on her coat. "Thank you." She smiled. "All of you. 78374." She looked over them one more time, and walked out.

Hazel was shaking. Why her? Why anyone, for that matter? She clenched her fists. "Let's just hope justice is served." She mumbled. She rose, marching out the door. She caught up to Steph.

"Steph, maybe I could take your place-"

"No." Steph said. "No one is dying for me."

"Well, how are you so certain that you're going to?" Hazel asked.

Steph laughed incredulously. "What if you were L? What if you had a master plan to make your life perfect? What if you were a cold blooded killer? Would you let some silly new girl get in your way?"

"Maybe- maybe she'll spare you." Hazel stammered.

"With as much as I know? No. Just remember, 78374. You've got to remember that, alright?" Steph said, grabbing Hazel's arm.

"Yes. I'll remember." Hazel promised.

"Good." Steph walked away, leaving Hazel staring after her, thoughts swirling through her head. After a moment of standing there, Piper, Annabeth and Reyna caught up to her. In silence, the four girls linked arms, and started to walk, the snow falling lightly on them, trudging through the snow.

That's how it is now, isn't it? Hazel thought. We're just twisted girls in a chain of lies, with our problems crumbling down on top of us like snow.

Guys, if you want the next chapter earlier than usual, then please go check out the story I just posted called Burned. I only posted the extended description but tell me what you think! After I reach a certain number of votes or comments, I'll upload the next chapter of Puppets.

Thank you so much!