Chapter Three:

John wakes up to hear someone banging at the door. He wipes the crust from his eyes with his hands before getting out of bed to go downstairs and check who's at the door. The person doesn't stop knocking.

"Wait just a damn minute! Jeesh!" John exclaims.

"It's me Scott!" Scott's voice rushes in a panic. The sheriff opens the door to see him standing there. He looks down to see his blood stained pants.

"You got your period or something?" John says jokingly.

"No, it's a long story." Scott brushes off the joke. "It's about Stiles."

"What about Stiles?" John yawns.

"She ran away. She just skipped town." Scott tries to tell him with his shaky voice.

"But that's impossible. She's upstairs in her room." John replies.

John goes through the house, up the stairs, and into Stiles room down the hall. Scott follows him after he closes the front door. Stiles is missing! She's no longer there. Everything is in place except one thing. There's a letter sitting on the computer desk, which has the words "Dear Dad" on them.

"The hell?" John goes over to read the letter. He's completely confused.

"Dad, if you have found this letter, it means that I'm gone. I'm so sorry, but I had to leave. For too long I have been a burden on you and my friends. I jeopardized your career and I disappointed you way too many times. I will always love you and miss you, but it's for the best."

Love,

Stiles

It takes John a moment. That's when he sees Stiles phone sitting in the dark corner of the desk. Slowly, John sits on the bed while reading the letter to comprehend it better. Scott is worried about the Sheriff breaking down at this point.

"No." John won't accept this. "No, no, no, no, no, no. Stiles!" He places a hand over his eyes. A deep breath is released from his lungs.

"I'm sorry." Scott says. "I tried to catch her."

"This can't be happening." John says. "Why?"

It pains him that his own daughter would think of herself as a burden. After a brief moment, the distress hits his chest and head. His daughter is gone.

"Stiles baby, why didn't you say anything to me?" John's words tremble from his dry lips. His breath shudders. "You could've came to me."

Scott just looks as the Sheriff begins to shatter with a broken heart. The only thing that is his mind now is to find Stiles and bring her home. John cries silently. He can't take the feeling of his heart breaking. Scott goes over to sit beside him. He places a hand on John's shoulder and comforts him.

"We'll get her back." Scott promises. That is all he can say as the night fades away.


(...)

The Next Morning

Derek's Loft

The pack is meeting. Everyone has arrived. Lydia and Isaac are the last ones through the door. The only two who are not here are Erica and Boyd. They've gone to Santa Monica to stay at Erica's family beach house for two weeks.

"She could be across two states by now." Derek states.

"Her dad is putting out everything. He's doing everything he can, so he can find Stiles." Scott says. "I tried to track her scent after she stabbed me, but I lost it."

"What can we do?" Lydia questions. "If you can't catch her scent, then what else is there?"

"She left her cell phone, so we can't track her." Scott shakes his head thinking of it. Stiles is so damn smart for that one.

"What about social media?" Lydia brings up. "Maybe we can track her through her posts and profile. We can use her email address to see if she has signed up for anything new or whatever."

"Stiles doesn't usually like social media. The only thing she had was her profile on Narutobase forums and her GMOD account." Scott says. "Using her email to track her would be a good idea, but Stiles is always smart enough to cover her tracks."

"We'll start there. It's the only thing we got for now." Derek agrees with Lydia.

"Does Stiles and her dad have any family?" Isaac questions.

"Only her grandfather, who is estranged from them." Scott replies. "They hate each other. There's no reason for Stiles to approach him."

"Then what's left? She has nowhere to go or run." Derek thinks. "Let's just use what we have for now. Call when you've found something." And with that, the meeting is adjourned.


(...)

Sunset

Two Days Later

New York City

Stiles is driving through the city. She's finally made it. It took her some time as she stopped every so often to rest, but she's finally here. Arriving in the city brings back so many happy memories of Stiles touring the place with her parents before her mother had died. The city was full of life and has interesting rich history.

It's not long until she arrives at Hotel Mulberry, where the viewing of the city is just dazzling. She parks her jeep somewhere safe and soon walks inside the hotel's front entrance. Stiles is riddled with nervousness. This is the first time she has been on her own. A part of herself is scared, but she soon realizes that she has to be strong in order to survive. That is what the world has taught her. You either adapt or die.

Stiles approaches the front desk of the luxury hotel and is greeted happily by the hotel receptionist. It's a man in his early to mid 30s, dressed in a standard suit.

"Hello and welcome to Hotel Mulberry. How can I help you?" The receptionist smiles.

"I would like to rent a room." Stiles' reaches into her bag strapped to her right shoulder.

"Okay, what kind of room can I get you?"

"Are there any Deluxe King Suites available?" Stiles asks. The reception searches for any availability on the computer near the front desk.

"Yes, there is." The receptionist answers. "It is $200 a night."

"Then I will take one." Stiles pulls out the fake I.D she got from the dealer along with some cash.

"Okay, I will need some identification and uh, how long will your stay be?" The receptionist questions.

"Most likely three nights." Stiles responds.

"Okay." The receptionist places the information inside the computer while checking the ID with a scanner. The ID checks out clearly. It's a good fake. The two hundred dollars is then deposited before he addresses her. "Alright, Claudia Reynolds. Everything seems to check out. Do you need any assistance with your belongings?"

"Uh, no, but thanks." Stiles smiles.

"Here is your key." The receptionist hands Stiles the card key to her room. "Your room is on the sixth floor labeled 604. Have a nice evening."

"Thank you." Stiles says before heading to one of the elevators.

Moments later, Stiles enters her deluxe king suite. It's perfect. The room has a fantastic view of the park. It features a large king sized bed, view of the lower west side, and all the standard amenities. It's a great room as Stiles tiredly sits her bag on her bed and flops down on it. She's sleepy from the long drive. Her eyes are heavy and after getting comfortable, she falls asleep.


(...)

Late Night

Village Underground

The club is lit with a indie house band jamming on the stage as people drink beer, party, cheer the band on, and have a good time. Stiles enters the place through security. She's finally been able to rest up after a long trip and now, she wants to explore the city and have fun.

From afar, a young man who sits on one of the club sofa's catching something in the air. The young man is well built, wearing black clothing, has fair skin, blue hazel eyes, and cropped raven hair. He's handsome and is in his early 20s as five o'clock shadow spreads around his strong jawline. Stiles' scent entices him. There's a young woman, who sits next to him. She's model-beautiful. She can smell Stiles' scent too.

"What can I get you?" The bartender yells over the loud music.

"A beer." Stiles hands the bartender her fake I.D. The bartender gives it back to her and gets her a fresh, cold beer. Stiles hands her some money as payment for it. The band is rocking the place. Stiles can only feel her pulse blending with the bass.

Suddenly, the young woman who was looking in her direction is standing next to her. Stiles is a little shy as the woman smiles down at her and sits.

"Hey, what's up? I'm Ioanna." Her accent is foreign. It's Greek.

"Stiles." Stiles decides to reply. The woman finds the name strange.

"So are you new to the town?" Ioanna asks.

"Uh, why you ask?"

"Because you look like an outsider. It's your body language." Ioanna says.

"I-I might be from out of town." Stiles stutters from the nervousness slamming the pit of her stomach. Her mind screams danger.

"Where from?"

"Cincinnati, OH." Stiles lies.

"Oh, cool." Ioanna nods.

"Wait here. I'll be back." Stiles lies again, getting up and somewhere further from where she is now. In her mind, she thinks about leaving. Besides, it seems as it Ioanna's expression says she knows Stiles is lying to her. Stiles pulse races. Maybe the woman is supernatural. Oh, God! She doesn't want to be killed for smelling like the competition.

Stiles stands in the corner a few feet from the club entrance. She's still debating on whether to leave or not. That's when a guy walks up to her. He's obviously had one too many drinks in his system. His mouth gets close to her ear.

"Hey, I'm Finn. I saw you over at the bar. I just wanted to come talk to you." The guy's nasty hot breath makes Stiles' head back away in disgust. "So, are you new here?"

"Not interested!" Stiles lets him know.

"I-I-I mean, it's okay if you're new here. I'm just….try-yyy-ing to be f-friendly." The guy slurs. "We can be friends, can't we? Do you have a place, because we can work something out."

The guy inches closer to Stiles. He's a little too close as his body presses against Stiles, causing her skin to crawl. Stiles is forced to shove him to the ground with tremendous strength.

"GET OFF OF ME!" Stiles yells. Some people within the crowd are caught by the situation. Stiles rushes and leaves the club.

She storms further and further until she reaches her jeep that is parked over at the next block, which is empty. And before she can open the driver side door, she is slammed against it. It's the guy that she just shoved. Stiles is turned to face him. The guy is embarrassed.

"I was just trying to be friendly." He says in a drunken haze.

"GET THE FUCK OFF OF ME!" Stiles tries to push him away a second time, but is not strong enough.

Out of nowhere, a shadow blurs past them, taking the guy with it. It the young man who was staring at Stiles before. He has the drunken guy in his grasp. His hand is wrapped around his throat. Stiles is mentally and physically stunned by it.

"Be nice to the lady." The sclera around the young man's eyes suddenly turn pitch black as his irises gleam with a dark blue hue. His accent is thick and charming. Multiple fangs glisten as a snarl rips from his throat.

"Don't play with your food, Drake." Ioanna appears!

"Oh, come on now, little sister. Where's the fun in that?" Drake's laugh is deep and seductive. Stiles is terrified. Her body will not move itself. "Don't hurt her. Take her back to our home."

Drake gestures to Stiles before snapping the guy's neck. Before Stiles can register anything, she's knocked unconscious, not knowing where the situation will lead her next.