He didn't know who noticed first. Nor did he care. Everyone was too wrapped in their own worries these days. Throwing Stiles into the background was easy. Maybe it was Lydia when she commented on his shoulder. Days after it had happened. Before they walked into those nightmare inducing halls of Eichen. Then, it was only a bite wound. A constant ache.
More than likely Theo. Spending way too much time together in the close quarters of his Jeep. Talk of Wendigos and punishments. Maybe his punishment was more than losing Scott. This, was all he deserved. Then, it was a slow healing wound. Aggravated by being tossed over in his vehicle.
Now it was something much worse. Darker. Infected. Black lines taking over where healthy veins used to be. Criss crossing with his faded lichen mark. His shoulder was on fire; barely able to move. Lacrosse was a no go. School was hard enough.
It was the day after being left in the rain when his worst fears were realized. Worse than being turned into a monster; was his body not wanting to be a monster. The morning after Scott turned away from him, Stiles spent a hour spitting black sludge into the sink of his bathroom.
