[season 3, episode 20: echo house]
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"Stiles, what the hell," Meg whispered, pacing back and forth in front of the old brick building. "You're checking yourself into a mental hospital!"

        "It's only for 72 hours," Stiles said quickly. "It's fine. I'll be fine."

        Meg huffed, her breath lingering in the cold air. "And what, do you expect me to just follow you in there?" she asked.

        Stiles looked up, "Why would you do that? Scott probably needs you out here."

        Meg scoffed, rolling her eyes dramatically. "And you think I care what Scott needs?" she asked venomously. "I don't, so I'm going in there with you," she said, gesturing to the old building behind her. "I don't care if it's a mental hospital, I'm not leaving you alone in there. Plus, maybe some solitude could be good. I can figure out what the hell is going on with me."

        "Meg, I can't let you-" Stiles started, but Meg interrupted.

        "Yeah, no, shut the fuck up right now, and accept my help, dumbass," she cursed.

        Stiles crossed his arms, "Don't you need a parent here, to check you in or something?" he asked.

        "Yeah, that's why my mom is here," she said, pointing to the car that just rolled up.

        Stiles looked extremely bewildered, his eyes flickering between Meg and the car. "How- how did you get her to agree to this?" he asked.

        "That's a long story that I don't have time for," Meg said quickly. "Just- I'll see you in there, okay?" she said as her mom appeared next to her daughter.

        Meg's mom glanced at Stiles before looking down at her daughter, "Let's go, sweetie," Verity said, placing her hand on Meg's shoulder. "I really don't think talking to that boy is going to help your anxiety, honey," she whispered as they walked away from Stiles. "Ever since you've gotten mixed up with that group everything seems to get worse."

        "Mom-" Meg started but Verity shushed her.

        "You were crying and there were random burn marks all over your room," she hissed, pulling Meg closer to the door. "Your father and I were really freaked out, Meg. We didn't know what to do, but this seems like the best option for you. Maybe you'll be able to open up to the staff here since you don't want to talk to us. Just stay away from that book, will you?"

        Meg clicked her tongue, 'That's easy for you to say,' she thought to herself as her mother pushed forward through the door. She walked to the front desk, where two nurses were sitting. The nurse on the left looked up. "Miss Linara, I assume?" she asked, looking down at her clipboard and back up at the teen.

        Meg nodded as the nurse began to scribble down a few more notes on the clipboard, "Okay, I assume you know the drill here?" she asked. "First 72 hours there's no phone calls, no e-mails, no visitors. We will be taking you from here to a brief physical. Then in the morning, you will attend group therapy along with a meeting with our staff psychologist. You're gonna have to wear these," she said, pushing a plastic box across the edge of the desk and to the girl. Meg peaked into the box, seeing pair of stitched sweatpants and a grey pullover sweater, as well as a pair of grey slippers. "You're also gonna have to put all of your personal belonging in here as well," the nurse said.

        "I'll see you in 72 hours, pumpkin," her mother said, rubbing the small of Meg's back before the nurse led her into the unit. Meg gave her mother a small nod as the nurse pulled her up the stairs into the psych ward.

        Meg already hated the feeling that this place gave her, she felt like something was always watching her, though she didn't know what, or who, it was. The hallways were mainly empty, Meg suspected that most people were in their rooms for the rest. She didn't know how the rules here worked, and she doubted that she would learn them in the next three days. All Meg had to do was find Stiles, or rather find Void since that's who she agreed to help but the two seemed like the same person now, and everything was going to be okay. She just needed to stick by his side.

        The nurse led Meg into a cramped room at the edge of the hallway. She knocked on the door quickly but didn't wait for an answer to come in. "Malia, this is your new roommate," she said sternly. "I hope you'll behave this time, or else we might have to come up with a different rooming arrangement for you. Something a little less comfortable, got it?"

        Malia grumbled, picking her head up off of the bed, looking at Meg, and then back to the nurse. "Got it," she said, putting her head back down on the crumpled-up sheets.

        The nurse walked out of the room, leaving the two girls alone. Meg cleared her throat, "Hey, uh, weird question," she started, setting her new box of clothing on the tough mattress. "Did you used to be a coyote?"

        Malia looked up, intently staring at the girl. Of course, Meg had recognized the name 'Malia.' It was the girl that the pack had changed from a coyote into a girl. The only reason Meg had remembered the name was because it was before this whole, 'power' thing started. She also desperately tried to avoid anything that had to do with that day, but now 'that day' seemed to be staring her in the face.

        "How do you know about that?" Malia asked carefully.

        "Well, my friends-" Meg cleared her throat once more. "Acquaintances. Were kind of the people that did that to you," she explained. "I mean, I wasn't involved in it. I just heard about it, through the grapevine."

        Malia blinked, "Interesting," she said, rolling over on the mattress to face the wall.

        Meg nodded, "Okay, yeah, don't talk to me, that's fine," she muttered under her breath. "I'll just try and get some sleep." 'Before I find Stiles tomorrow,' she thought to herself. 'God, I hope he's gonna be okay.'

        "Fair warning, people don't really sleep here," Malia said, her voice amplified by the emptiness of the room. "So if you thought this was going to be a nice vacation, then you're wrong."

        "Oh great, that's great," Meg said quietly. "Great, great, great. Really great."

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        Malia was right, Meg didn't sleep at all last night. She was kept up all night because of the screaming. She had no idea where it was coming from but it kept filling her senses, she couldn't seem to keep her mind off of it. The noise didn't seem to bother Malia. Either that or it was all in Meg's head. "Listen," Meg said quickly, once Malia rolled over to face Meg's mattress. "How do get into contact with other patients here?" she asked.

        Malia narrowed her eyes, "Why would you want to talk to them?" she asked. "They're crazy."

        Meg tilted her head, "It's not that. It's just, I'm meeting a friend. Or not meeting him- my friend is also here and I need to contact him."

        "You don't really make friends here," Malia stated as Meg pulled the sweatshirt over her body. "People walk around in the courtyard, but friends? No one makes friends."

        "Can you- can you show me where the courtyard is?" Meg asked quickly.

        Malia eyed her carefully, "Strange request but sure, I have nothing better to do," she said nonchalantly.

        Meg nodded, "Great thanks."

        It didn't take them long to run down to the courtyard, though it was swimming with nurses and other required orderlies. It was easy for Meg to spot Stiles in the crowd of patients, he looked a little out of place compared to the others. But unlucky for him, Malia had also recognized the boy. "Malia?" stiles called.

        Malia looked at Stiles and then at Meg, "This your friend?"

        Meg sighed, "Unfortunately, yes," she answered. "He's always this much of an ass, if you were wondering."

        "I'm gonna hit him," Malia said simply.

        "Oh-" Meg started. "I don't think that's a good idea." But Malia had already made up her mind.

        "Hey. It's Stiles," Stiles continued. "Do you remember me? I'm friends with Scott. Remember. We were the ones that helped you out with-" Malia marched up to the boy and slapped him across the face, striking him hard enough that he tumbled backward onto the sidewalk.

        "Oh my god, she actually hit you," Meg said, her hand flying to her mouth.

        Stiles was on the ground, his hand covering the place where Malia had hit him. "I take it you've met Malia," he grunted.

        Meg nodded, "Yeah, she's- she's my roommate."

        An orderly rushed forward, grabbing Malia by the shoulders.  "Hey, Malia!"

        Malia looked back at him, "No!" she said, attempting to fight the guard. "Hey, what the hell?"

        Stiles still had his hand pressed to his face, "She hit me," he said in disbelief.

        "A few more like this, Malia, and you're headed to the closed unit," the orderly hissed trying to drag Malia away from Stiles. At the same time, another orderly came up behind the teen, trying to pull Stiles up off of the ground.

        Meg began to shake her head, "Hey, dickhead, he didn't do anything wrong!" she snapped.

        The orderly glared at Meg, "Language, young lady," he warned.

        "She's right," Stiles said quietly. "Stop, I didn't do anything!"

        "Back off!" The orderly snapped at both Meg and Stiles.

        The two teens continued to fight the orderly as he attempted to drag Stiles off of the ground. "Enough!" a voice boomed from across the courtyard. Meg looked over, rubbing her eyes to make sure what she saw was correct. It was Marin Morrell, the school's old guidance counselor, and french teacher, she had quit halfway through the fall term after what had happened to the alpha pack. "Enough," Morrell repeated, she walked up to Meg and Stiles. "Stiles," she said in a low voice. "You saw something, didn't you?"

        Stiles took a deep breath, "That basement," he said quickly, pointing through the grates in the cement. "I've been down there before."

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        Meg didn't have time to ask Stiles what he meant by his revelation that he had seen the basement before, as they were all pulled into their group therapy session. Morrell cleared her throat, looking at the five or so patients that she had in her circle. "I want to go back to the topic of guilt today," she started. "It might surprise you to hear me say that guilt is a good thing. It's a rather complex thing." Morrell looked directly at Meg's roommate. "Malia, you said something about guilt the other day. You said it came with a visceral reaction."

        Meg's eyes wandered over to Malia, who began to speak slowly. The girl had her arms crossed, a little hesitant to speak. "I said it made me feel sick to my stomach."

        Stiles coughed but didn't say anything. Morrell looked around the circle once more. "Anyone else, how does guilt make you feel?"

        A blonde girl from the right of Morrell looked up, "I think guilt scares me," she said in a small voice. "It's like- it's like I know I did something wrong, but I can't take it back."

        Morrell nodded, "That's natural, Sage," she said quickly. "And to build what Malia said, guilt often becomes physical," she explained. "You feel it in your gut. It's not just psychological. How does guilt make you feel, Stiles?"

        Stiles looked up, it seemed like he wasn't really paying attention to the conversation. Like his mind was somewhere else. "I'm sorry, what?" he asked, correcting the posture in his chair.        

        "Guilt," Morrell stated. "What does it make you feel?"

        Stiles looked around, his eyes seemed to be popping out of their sockets. Meg wasn't sure what to make of it. "Nervous," he said shortly.

        "Like a sense of urgency?" Morrell pressed, Stiles gave her a small nod. "You feel an urgent need to make up for something you've done. To apologize. These are healthy responses," she said, turning back to the group at large. "Does anyone know what we call someone who doesn't experience guilt?"

        "Sociopath," One of the patients

        Morrell nodded, "That's right Oliver." Stiles began to shudder in the spot next to Meg. Meg looked at Morrell, slightly begging her to stop the session. The therapist seemed to get the message. "I'm sorry, everyone, but we need to take a break," she said suddenly, most of the patients in the circle began to stand up. "Come with me, Meg, Stiles. I'd like to talk to you two for a minute."

        Morrell pulled the two teens into a secluded office so that none of the orderlies could overhear what they were discussing. And after a few very details questions, Stiles ended up telling Morrell everything that happened with the Nogitsune, ending with the fact that Deaton shot him up with wolf's bane. He lifted up the side of his shirt to show Morrell, who tutted.

        "It's called a Lichtenberg figure," Morrell explained, looking at the oddly shaped scar. "They appear on lightning strike victims. The fact that they're appearing on you after a shot of wolf's bane is both significant and strange."

        Stiles furrowed his brows, "By significant and strange do you mean hopeful and optimistic?" he asked.

        "Yeah, she does not mean either of those things," Meg stated, nodding at the boy.

        Stiles grimaced, "Thank you, Meg, for following me all the way into this mental hospital just to agonize me."

        "Oh of course," Meg said sending the boy a small salute. "I will be here for the next 48 hours," she stated.

        Morrell ignored the insults that the two threw at each other and continued on with her explanation. "When the marks fade, the Nogitsune's grip over you will return," she finished, handing Stiles a bottle of pills.

        He eyed the container curiously, "What are these? Sleeping pills?"

        "Amphetamines," Morrell said simply. "Sleeping is exactly what you don't want to do. You're vulnerable when you're asleep."

        Stiles raised his eyebrow, "So all I have to do is stay awake?" he asked.

        Morrell nodded, "For now. If your friends haven't figured out something by the time those marks are gone, I'll come find you."

        "To tell me what to do?" Stiles questioned.

        "No, to give you an injection," Morrell answered. "Pancuronium Bromide. It causes respiration paralysis."

        "That sounds a lot like death," Stiles stated.

        Morrell looked the boy dead in the eyes, "It's used for lethal injection, yes."

        "So when the Nogitsune takes over, you're going to kill me?" Stiles asked.

        "I'm going to do what I've always done. Maintain the balance," Morrell said vaguely.

        Stiles clicked his tongue, "Okay then. I've missed our talks," he said sarcastically. "Thanks for the illicit drugs."

        "Stiles. Stay awake," Morrell stated. "Meg," she said quickly, making the brunette jump a little. "I still need to talk to you," she insisted as Stiles left the room.

        Meg plastered on a fake smile, "Hey, Morrell. Is Eichen giving you a nice paycheck?" she asked. "A big cushy job here? I mean that's what everyone wants in life right? A big paycheck to big a nice big house. Hey, maybe you can even start a family? You just have to deal with the fact that you not only helped the Alpha Pack murder countless people, but also that you work at a place that constantly traumatizes teenagers. Congrats, Morrell."

        "Oh boy, you really haven't got rid of that sarcasm, have you?" Morrell asked.

        Meg laughed, "Oh come on, you really thought I'd be different?" she asked. "It's been like a month, Morrell, okay? I'm not like a shapeshifter or some shit."

        'Although that would make a lot of sense,' Meg added to herself.

        "Meg, what are you doing here?" Morrell asked her seriously.

        Meg shrugged, "What are any of us doing here?" she asked, trying to come up with a good enough excuse that could keep Morrell off of her trail. It was easier to do that than tell Morrell the truth. That she came to Eichen to help the thing that everyone was trying to kill. That she had a deal with the trickster, the Nogitsune, and now she can't go back on it. That she was stuck, trapped in its web of lies. She wanted to get out. She needed to get out. That's the reason why she had her breakdown in the first place. That's why her parents sent her to Eichen House in the first place, and Meg thought she would be trapped here with that thing, with Void.

        But the only problem was that the Nogitsune was gone, for now. So Meg was stuck in this modern-day prison cell for the next two days, but she couldn't tell Morrell that. Meg sighed, "I'm here to help Stiles," she said reluctantly. "To be a good friend. That's why I'm here," she said slowly.

        Morrel nodded, "Good," she said quickly. "I hope that's still the case."

        "It is," Meg insisted. "Nice talking to you," she added before walking out of the office.

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        That night Meg found herself sitting alone in her assigned room, she had no idea where Malia went, but it didn't really matter to her. Truth be told, Meg didn't really care where Malia was, she was just glad she could get some peace and quiet. Lay low until the dreaded time came. Until she had to help.

        Meg stood up from her bed and began to walk through the room, trying to wish the time away, as if that would improve her situation. The more time she spent in this place, the more she began to hate it. She hated the way the floors would creak every time an orderly would pass her door. She hated the constant screams that began to plague her thoughts. She hated that she could tell when the patients above her would move even an inch. She hated it all, and she desperately wanted to escape.

        Meg heard a creak of a door opening and she immediately turned around. A tall blonde girl stood in the middle of her room, tugging at the grey sleeves of her sweatshirt. Meg began to shake her head at a rapid pace, her breathing got heavier as she stood in shock.

        "What the fuck, what the fuck, what the fuck," Meg said quickly, backing up into the corner of her room. "Who are you, why are you in my room?"

        The blonde girl looked up, "I'm Sage Violette," she said simply. "Um, we met in group therapy today. Well, we didn't really meet. We were just in group therapy together. But you," Sage continued beginning to pace up and down the center of Meg and Malia's room. "You're Meg Linara," she finished. "I know this may sound crazy, but I've been waiting for you to get here."

        "Yeah, no, that sounds borderline stalker-ish," Meg answered. "Why the hell would you be waiting for me? You don't even know me!"

        Sage tilted her head, ceasing her pacing for a few seconds. "See that's what you believe, but Meg, we actually know each other more than you think."

        Meg blinked, "I must be dreaming," she stated, more to herself than the stranger that broke into her room. "I need to get the fuck out of this place."

        Sage immediately started to shake her head, "No, no, no you don't. It's still dangerous for you out there because you don't know how to control it. But I can help you, okay? You don't need him. You don't need his help. I can help you. I'm just like you."

        Meg furrowed her brows, "What?" she asked.

        "I'm a witch, like you," Sage stated, taking a seat on the edge of Meg's bed. "Jeez, I thought that would've been obvious by now."

        Meg's mouth dropped open, "What the fuck," she said in a low voice.

        Sage blinked, "Oh shit, my bad, you didn't know you were a witch. Dammit, well, I guess the cat's out of the bag. My fucking bad."

        "Oh my god," Mug muttered. "I'm losing my fucking mind, that's what this is."

        "No, no, that's not what this is," Sage said quickly. "I have really gone about this the wrong way, haven't I? Listen," the girl started, looking Meg directly in her eyes. "Whatever deal you made with him, you don't need to go through with it. He can't help you, when you really think about it, no one can. He doesn't have some mind spell over you, Meg. Everything you've done has been you. Forget the Nogitsune. Void. Your friend, whatever you call him because at the end of the day, he's gonna be gone and you're gonna have to be the one that picks up the pieces of the mess he made. Everyone will end up blaming you. Look, I've seen this story a million times before, and trust me, you don't want that. So you can either join up with this, what, thousand-year-old spirit. Or you can just join me. I'll help you through this mess."

        "I don't even know you," Meg stated again.

        Sage rolled her eyes, "Oh my god," she huffed, placing her feet on the dirty ground. "Is this seriously the one roadblock you're still stuck on? Out of all of them? You're willing to trust a fox but not a witch like yourself?"

        "Okay, Stiles is my friend and you literally broke into my room at a mental hospital!" Meg exclaimed.        

        Sage shushed her, "Keep your voice down," she warned. "The orderlies might hear you and this is serious. You need to stop being scared of yourself because that is the only person you trust. Besides me but that's a thing for another day."

        "Okay, it's kind of hard to trust myself when I don't know if I'm going to wake up in a room full of fire!" Meg said quickly.

        "And that's why I'm here," Sage reassured Meg. "To help you with that."

        Meg shook her head vigorously. "No," she stated firmly. "No, you can't help me. He can. Stiles, Void, whatever you want to call me. He can help me. Not some random person I met in a mental institution. I-I trust him. I do!"

        "But you shouldn't," Sage reminded her.

        "What do you me-" Meg began to ask but she was cut off by the sound of her door bursting open, the silhouette of a man standing there.

        The figure stepped closer into the room, illuminating his features. "Meg," Stiles said with a twisted smile, and the girl knew exactly what had happened. Void. "I've come back. And you know what that means. It's time for me to help you, or for you to help me, that is."

        Meg looked to her right but the blonde girl she was speaking with earlier had disappeared. But her words were still stuck in Meg's head. 'You don't need him.'

        But she did, she did need him. That was the only way for Meg to get the help that she so desperately needed. The only way she could face the monster that she was becoming. She needed to help him. Meg had nowhere else to turn. She had no one else. She needed to help Void.

so will you still want me,
when I'm nothing new ✾

Grace talks ig: Sage Violette, my beloved <3 I actually love her so much already, and dw she will be making more appearances in this book because she's the loml. Also, this is now my favorite chapter of this book. I don't know why I love it so much but I just do, and I hope y'all do too! Um, to address the elephant in the room, yes, I haven't updated in a month and I'm really sorry about that. I kind of let time slip away from me and I got super busy with work and finals. But now that I'm on break (and sick atm) I really have nothing better to do than write, so that's what I did. I really don't know what else to say, but I'll see y'all when I decide to update next. BYEEE