Through the Dark // S.S. [Book One]

Chapter 14

"Megara, please!" Percy begs. "You have to go!"

I struggle from my spot and attempt to break the rope, but it's tied too tightly. I can already feel rope burns forming. Annabeth is sobbing, worried for Percy's safety, worried for mine.

I don't even have enough strength to reach my sword, close as it is. The cyclops picks me up by the arms and places me over the fire.

I can feel the heat traveling up my body and I let out a hiss of pain, causing the cyclops to smirk with delight. "You make good meal."

I thrash about, but remain above the pot.

A loud scream wakes me up and it takes a moment for me to realize it's my own. Hands take my arms and rub them gently, but I roll away, still screaming.

Another set of hands pulls me into a hug, and keeps holding me as I thrash about. I relax and finally open my eyes to see Stiles holding me tightly. I grip his shirt between my fingers as heavy tears escape my eyes.

Stiles silently dries them and when I've calmed down he asks quietly, "Do you want to talk about it?"

"I get these dreams sometimes where I can see something bad happening or that sort of thing. Gift of the gods, you could say. Awhile back, Percy, Annabeth and I were taken by a C-i--S-y--Ugh! Anyway, we were taken by that thing and I was almost eaten. Luckily, Annabeth managed to rescue me and we escaped, but I was almost monster chow, and that's not something easily forgotten. Thanks for coming."

Stiles runs his hand through my hair. "When I get a call saying one of my friends is screaming and not calming down at two in the morning, I'm gonna be there. That's horrible. Anything I can do?"

"No. Nothing works. The price of demi--de--"

My pulse quickens as the events of my nightmare flash through my mind. I feel numb, completely paralyzed, as if the monster is preparing to eat me.

Stiles' voice registers and I hear him saying, "It's okay, Megara. You're safe now. The monster isn't here. Just breathe. Breathe with me."

He begins making exaggerated breaths and I focus on repeating him, and feel myself calming down. I rest my head in his lap. "Thank you and...I'm sorry."

Stiles brushes my hair back. "You never have to apologize. I know how scary panic attacks can be. I used to get the a lot after my mom died."

"Stiles, I'm so sorry."

He shakes his head. "It's okay."

"Can you stay with me tonight? I just...after that nightmare, I don't want to be alone and you help in a way Scott and Melissa can't."

Stiles presses a gentle kiss to the top of my head. "Of course I'll stay with you, Meg."

The next morning, I walk with Lydia and Allison into the school. Allison glances at Lydia. "You really don't remember anything?"

Lydia shakes her head. "They called it a fugue state, which is basically a way of saying "We have no idea why you can't remember running through the woods naked for two days." But personally, I don't care. I lost nine pounds."

"Are you ready for this, Lyds?"

She turns her gaze to Allison. "Please. It's not like my aunt's a serial killer."

"Lydia, be nice." I warn.

As soon as we walk inside, everyone's gaze turns to Lydia. Countless sets of eyes meet the three of us and zone in on Lydia in dead silence. "Maybe it's the nine pounds." Allison says quietly.