Chapter Text
“Mom, we’re back. Are you home?” Maddie yells to a seemingly empty house.
“Maddie?” Sandra says emerging from her bedroom “is everything alright?”
“Yeah, everything’s fine, just wanted to talk to you about what we talked about with Mr. Anderson” Maddie explains.
The three take various seats in the living room and Sandra focuses her attention towards Maddie and Wally.
“Mr. Anderson suggested we maybe use the cabin for the spirits to stay in for a short time” Maddie says “I told him I wanted to bring it up with you before agreeing since it’s your name on it”
“I guess it’s fine, but it’s not exactly fancy living” Sandra answers.
“That’s what I said” Maddie says in response “Mr. Anderson said he’d be willing to arrange it so it’s more home-y”
“He also said you should feel free to reach out to him directly if you have any concerns” Wally adds.
Sandra hesitates for a moment before responding, “if he’s willing and able, then I don’t see why not”
“Cool” Maddie says pulling her phone from her pocket “I’ll let him know”
After Maddie texts Mr. Anderson, she and Wally alternate telling Sandra about their time at the mall. Repeating their experience with the electronics employee for a second time makes Maddie recognize how impressive her quick thinking was. Realistically, nothing would’ve happened had she not spoken up, but it would definitely be helpful in a more dire situation.
“I’m excited to meet them” Sandra says after hearing all about the twos outing “it’s been you, Simon, and Nicole against the world for years. You deserve more, all of you”
“Thanks, mom” Maddie says giving Sandra a deep hug “we’re going to go see Simon later this afternoon, did you want to come with?”
“No, no, thank you” Sandra says gently shaking her head “bring him by once he’s out, you deserve to have your own time together”
The conversation coming to a natural end, Sandra retreats back to her bedroom while Maddie and Wally struggle to keep busy until it’s time to go see Simon again. The times when nothing is happening is the most daunting, being forced to listen to all the ‘what ifs’ flowing through their minds.
…
The time finally comes when it’s acceptable to visit Simon and Maddie and Wally are there not a moment later. There’s a split second of confusion when they step in the hospital room to see the bed empty, but is quickly dissipated when they spot Simon pacing the opposite side of the room.
“What are you doing?” Maddie asks Simon.
“I’m going insane in here” Simon responds not stopping pacing “they want me to stay for another two days for physical therapy, but they won’t listen when I say I don’t need it”
“They’re the doctors, Simon” Maddie tells him gently “they know what they’re talking about, maybe you should just-”
“They don’t know what we do” Simon interrupts “it’s not gonna be the same as a normal case. They said it was like I had several days of over exertion when I didn’t, which means I don’t need as long to bounce back”
“I get what you’re saying” Maddie says back “but you still need to take it easy”
Simon concedes and sits back on the bed “fine, tell me what you’ve been up to”
Maddie had told Simon she would text him but it seemed to slip her mind, and also his somehow. She was hesitant at first, but keeping Simon in the dark and treating him like glass isn’t going to help anyone.
“Janet said we’re in the last few steps, but they’re big steps” Maddie starts “the spirits need to gain access to crossover. She said that Rhonda appears to be the closest, but even then it’s gonna be tricky to find the hidden exit”
“You did it” Simon says towards Wally “can you not just teach the rest how to get out?”
“I don’t even know how I did it” Wally responds “the most I can do is tell them what I did and hope it’s similar”
“Janet has the spirit end of things covered” Maddie adds “we have to cover the living side of things”
Maddie goes on to tell Simon everything that took place the prior days, focusing mostly on what Mr. Andersons role is planning on being.
“Are you sure that’s a good way to lay low?” Simon asks “he’s not exactly been an outstanding citizen, what are the chances that he gets in more trouble and puts the spirits at risk?”
“Half of it was Mr. Martin” Maddie points out knowing that it doesn’t matter in the eyes of the law, but still wanting to mention to make sure Simon doesn’t forget that he’s one of the good guys.
“Speaking of Mr. Martin” Simon adds “what are we going to do with him?”
“Leave him” Wally says matter of factly.
“No” Maddie says in response to Wally “if we leave him there, especially in the scar, we’re no better than he is”
“He’s not gonna be sharing a roof with any of us and we can’t just let him walk” Wally argues “it’s safest for everyone to leave him. Maybe not in the scar, but in the school. Dead”
“If we leave him in the school and more people die, they’ll be stuck there with him and his whole evil plan would start all over again” Simon points out “we can figure out a way to use him to our advantage”
“How are we supposed to get him out?” Wally asks.
“He and Janet share a scar location” Maddie begins “they both go in with their individual keys and both leave from Janet’s exit”
“Are they that closely related death wise?” Simon questions.
“Only one way to find out” Wally responds “when do we want to go back to the school?”
“We should include everyone” Maddie says “Claire and Nicole too”
“Everyone, huh?” Simon mutters.
“Don’t start getting pouty” Maddie scolded “you’re going to be there once it’s safe and not a second sooner”
“They don’t want me out of here for another three days” Simon argues “everything could change in that amount of time”
Simon leans back in the hospital bed before continuing
“If you just tell them I don’t need to be here, convince them I’m back to normal-”
“Simon, no” Maddie sternly interrupts “we can either have you on speaker phone, or we can even set up a video chat if it makes you feel better”
“Don’t even bother” Simon grumbles “just go do whatever”
“Don’t be like this-”
“Just go” Simon interrupts “you know I’m fine, I know you’re fine, just go”
He knows he’s being ridiculous, but he’s just so frustrated that he let himself get like this, that he’s here in the first place. It feels as if Maddie were fully disregarding his feelings.
“I understand you’re upset and that’s fine” Maddie gently says “but you need to understand where I’m coming from”
Maddie continues while Simon avoids eye contact.
“When Wally took that mask off of your face, there was no life in your eyes. When you collapsed and didn’t wake up I thought you were dead, I thought I let you die”
Simon was shocked at Maddie’s words, the last thing he fully remembered was stepping into the scar. He hadn’t considered what had happened in the span of time he didn’t remember and clearly it wasn’t good.
“Be mad all you want, I’d rather you be mad than be dead” Maddie finishes and turns to leave the room.
“Maddie, wait” Simon says stopping Maddie in her tracks “I’m sorry, I didn’t stop to think how terrifying it was for you. I was too focused on how I was effected that I completely dismissed how you were effected”
Maddie turns to look at Simon “I don’t want you to be sorry, I want you to think about yourself for once. We’re supposed to be a team and we can’t do that if you push yourself to death”
“You’re right, you’re right” Simon responds “I get it. Call Nicole, call Claire, call Xavier, do what you need to do and come back, I’ll be here”
“Thank you” Maddie says giving Simon a quick hug “I promise we’ll be here immediately after”
Maddie walks out the door, Wally close behind, nose in her phone already making plans to gather at the school.