•×Epilogueו

Are you insane?

Are you mad?

Or are you just crazy?

Just one? Or all three?

Stiles always loved Batman, when he was younger he wanted to be Batman. But things change as time goes on.

He was in his teens and he wasn't the Batman he wanted to be. He wasn't planning on being the Joker either.

Yet here he was ready to be admitted into the Arkham Asylum of Beacon Hills:

Eichen House.

He was the generation Z Joker.

The worse part about it is that, Stiles didn't even know if he was the real villain or the victim.

He knew he was the one who sent the message to the killer about Kira. Sure he doesn't remember it but it was his handwriting.

The nightmares, the attacks, the subtle signs.

It only lead to two options:

He was either crazy or he was the bad guy.

It didn't make sense to Stiles but all he knew was that he needed to do something before someone else he loved got hurt because of him.

It was times like these he wished Sweet Pea was alive who most likely will slap him and tell him he's being an idiot.

"Shut up Shaggy, grow some balls and stop playing the victim "

It was something he would say or along those lines. He knew that if Sweet Pea was here he would at least be able to have someone tell him he as being a drama queen or something. It was something he desperately needed right now.

•••

Stiles knew that his dad didn't want him in Eichen House, but it wasn't going to stop Stiles.

Which is why as they drove closer and closer to their destination they sat in silence.

Both with different things on their mind.

One worrying about his inner demon coming out to play. And it won't play nicely.

The other worrying not only for the mental and physical health of his son; as well as his son uncovering a secret that will surely put their relationship on the line.

'Eichen House'

Both men get out of the car and onto the sidewalk where entrance of the psychiatric hospital stood.

Before more was said the True Alpha pulled up and quickly removed his helmet. Disbelief written across his face, "Why didn't you tell me about this."

It wasn't a question, it was a demand. Stiles was not his best friend, Stiles was his brother and as a brother you are required to be notified if something changes.

"It's only 72 hours."

Scott shook his head, 72... 48.. 24 hours whatever long it didn't matter, Stiles didn't belong here, not Stiles.

He wasn't crazy, he wasn't insane, he wasn't mad, he was Stiles.

Even after losing Sweet Pea and the occasional break downs Stiles wasn't evil he wasn't the bad guy.

Stiles wasn't the villain in their story --no not this story-- no Stiles was the glue that holds them together and was always the one to figure out the clues.

He wasn't Shaggy Rogers, he was Velma Fucking Dinkley.

But no matter what, Stiles was going through with this. Because he knew the truth, he --Stiles himself-- knows the demon inside him, he seen the demon in his nightmares.

But he didn't know how capable his demon was or how strong it was... and it scared him more than he wants to admit.

Deep down, Stiles knows that despite what everyone believes, he wasn't Batman but he also wasn't the joker.

He was inbetween, he was Batman and the Joker like a mix between Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde.

Or in such modern times, he was becoming the next Kevin Wendell Crumb.

"...Make sure I never get out."

•••

The door creaking open, slamming shut repeatedly was enough to make Noah Stilinski stand up and tell his son 'no'.

There was no way he would let his son stay here, his son didn't belong here.

This place was for the criminally insane.

Sure, his son showed signs of an illness that took his wife but there had to be something. Supernatural or not, he needed to do something to help his son.

"Your pillow, we forgot your pillow."

Stiles knew it was an excuse --valid-- but still an excuse for him not to be admitted here.

Yes, he couldn't sleep without his pillow but a good night sleep was nothing in the past weeks but the safety of everyone he cared about was.

"I haven't got a goodnight sleep in weeks."

When Stiles finished taking out everything from his pockets and putting on the issued slippers the nurse took him down the hallway.

Not looking back, he followed the women knowing if he did look back he would see his father's lost and worried gaze and it would be enough for him to turn around and go home.

But he needed to do this, he needed to do this cold turkey style.

•••

"What would a Shugendo scroll look like?" Allison asked as she tries to recall everything within the past weeks.

Deaton shrugs as he tries to describe it but remembered he had a roll of papers that would be a better example, he shows Allison the roll of paper.

"Can these come in any size?"

Nodding did Allison have an idea on where the scroll would be. And hopefully she was right.

•••

"I'm Oliver."

The restrained boy introduced as he looked to the new kid. His new roommate... of sorts.

Recalling the echo he heard minutes earlier he questions the dark hair boy. Confirming his theory, Oliver informs the newbie about the suicide rates on Mondays.

Recalling the previous "incidents" that always happens, especially on a Monday.

"Everything echos."

Since they were going to stay in the same room for a while might as well fill in the newbie on the way things run here.

He didn't have many friends here that you would say close, especially with the recently new resident a few floors below.

"It's why they call it... Echo House."

•••

Stiles seemed like one (of very few) of the most sane person at this hospital.

Or so Oliver thought as he shows him around the place. Explaining who was who and what their in for.

"You'd be surprised at how many Jesus we get!"

Suddenly Stiles was pulled towards Oliver, surprised and slightly uncomfortable with the sudden closeness, "Uh-Oliver?"

"Sorry, but whatever you do stay away from him. There's rumors about him killing his own family and being a leader of a cult."

The description reminded him of Sweet Pea and it got his heart racing as he eagerly looked to where Oliver nodded.

A boy similar to his age with dark curly hair shot him a look and a small deadly smirk playing on his lips.

"He goes by Malachi. Don't go near him or mess with him." Oliver warned as he let Stiles go.

•••

Stiles needed to leave. He was wrong and he needed to get to a phone now.

He thought this would be a good place, a safe --in a sense-- place for him but after seeing the nogitsune last night all that as thrown out the window.

It followed him here, it was here and if he was here there would be no way in saying how long before it takes over him again.

How long would it be before the hoarde takes the light and Stiles Stilinski would be in the backseat?

"One of them... is standing right behind me..."

Stiles eyed the girl as she walked past not sparing a glance at either of them.

After finding out who was that and the phones are turned off for 24 hours did Stiles get desperate.

He needed to leave.

"Malia?"

The said girl turns around looking to the boy. Stiles thinking otherwise begins to recall their meetings but he read her expression wrong.

Of course she recognized him, he and his buddies ruined her life.

So she did the only thing she could do, she punched him.

•••

Arrested.

In custody.

It could scare people, especially if it was your first time behind bars.

But for Chris Argent and Derek Hale being behind bars and being arrested in general was nothing.

It wasn't the first and it wasn't going to be the last.

But being in a holding cell did have it's perks especially if you have a handy-dandy werewolf to listen in on cops for you.

"Did they say anything about the murder itself?"

Derek explained everything he heard from the deputy, Jordan Parrish.

They begin to talk about the current problem at hand:

Was it really Stiles who killed those people or was it the nogitsune?

"Would you feel any remorse putting down Stiles?"

"Stiles, yes; Nogitsune, no." He answered truthfully.

•••

Therapy.

Some love it, some hate it.

It helps some people and others find it useless.

Stiles was one to consider therapy, especially after the loss of his mom and Sweet Pea. But the only person who actually gave good advice was Ms. Morell and he came to the sudden fact she was a druid to the Alpha Pack.

So his trust in therapists are little but now as he sat in a circle with other patients in a group therapy with Ms. Morell herself as the therapist Stiles would've said no.

But Ms. Morell and his lack of trust in therapy was far from his mind.

The nogitsune plagued his mind as he kept looking all around to see the figure once again.

"I'm sorry but we're going to take a little break."

Stiles stops fiddling and turns to Ms. Morell who looked at him with a silent signal, one where he got the message.

After leaving with the bottle of pills Ms. Morell gave him, he walks out the door but stops for second.

"Stay awake, Stiles."

•••

Trying to stay awake so an evil fox spirit doesn't overtake you is hard enough. But running into the girl you turned back from a coyote who also punched you made it harder.

"Relax Stiles, you didn't just accidentally walk into the girls restroom."

Sighing in relief but not turning around he questions why she was here, in the boys room.

Answering the questions --very bluntly-- reminding him of Sweet Pea, swallowing the pain he continues the conversation.

"... So thank you very much!" Malia spits as she glares at the boy in front of her.

Turning the conversation into a different direction Stiles try to convince Malia to help him.

"You help me, I'll help you."

•••

"Then we attac-"

"NO!"

The two girls in the Scooby Gang look at each other questioning themselves on why they need to depend on these two.

They needed the metal finger and it was up to them to get it back. Even if it meant getting the twins to help.

"We need to do this."

•••

Distraction is key.

If you're going to steal anything you need a good distraction.

Getting two patients to pretend to fight so they can get close enough to get the keys is a pretty good distraction.

Just as Malia slipped the keys into Stiles's hand he put it in his pocket before the nurse saw it.

"You okay?"

Malia nods as she pulls away. Her and Stiles making their way outside, so Malia can get her end of the deal.

Malia walking away from Stiles as she spots the guy she warned to stay away from, even if she could take him. Not noticing the guy before him Stiles looked to Malia in question.

Why did she move aw-

Next thing you know Stiles was on the floor groaning in pain, holding his jaw.

Someone had punched him, but who?

As he looked up he saw the same guy with the curly hair, Malachi.

But someone stood in his way, from the floor this person looked tall, just as tall as Malachi.

The deep voice made Stiles's heart stop and goosebumps spread over his skin like fire.

•× ᴛʜᴇ ᴇɴᴅ ו