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Black smoke loomed over the town of Hawkins, the cracks in the ground hiding the secrets of the small town, and the monster hidden behind it.
Eleven held a flower in her hand, watching it decay in her hold. She looked up, noticing what seemed like snow falling, she gripped the flower tightly. A newfound determination in her eyes, behind her Mike and Will watching in worry at the black clouds growing bigger by the second.
Eleven turned back seeing all the people she loved standing there, ready to fight against Vecna, ready to defeat him. The monster that made their life living hell.
There was no turning back now.
“Mike, let’s go.” Eleven called and walked closer to him.
“Huh, where-”
“House.”
She walked past him, heading towards the house, Mike following close behind her. Will watched as they headed back, yet, he couldn’t find it in himself to move. He had a bad feeling in his gut, his throat felt dry, and his palms were sweating.
Maybe he was imagining things, maybe it was not real and that was the curse of the trauma that Vecna forced him to indulge. He hated the feeling, that familiar feeling he had back when the Demogorgon got him, it was the feeling of dread and fear, endless fear...
Will felt a hand on his shoulder, it was Jonathan. Nancy beside him, a look of worry barely showing on her features, if it wasn’t for the furrowed brows Will wouldn’t have even guessed she was even worried.
“Everything okay?” Rang Jonathan’s soothing voice in Will’s ears.
He smiled at him and nodded his head, “Yeah, yeah I’m good.” He started walking after Mike and Eleven.
Jonathan looked at Nancy and then turned towards Joyce who was still holding tightly onto Hopper's hand, walking slowly. He started walking himself, something wasn’t alright and he knew, but he didn’t want to push it, Will knew Jonathan was there for him, they had a talk and that was all Jonathan needed, he trusted Will.
Will was walking quickly trying to catch up to Mike, the need to be close to Mike in case something does happen, getting stronger by the second. Mike always was there for him, always. Who else would Will go to?
No one.
Because he had no one, even Lucas and Dustin seemed distant. Max in the hospital, Lucas probably by her side, too busy to even care about Will, and Dustin dealing with the death of a close friend, maybe Will did have his brother, but it didn’t feel the same as it did with Mike, or to be exact.
They weren’t Mike, and that’s precisely why it didn’t feel right.
Precisely why, Will needed Mike.
Will still couldn't believe he lied to Mike, it felt like it was going to bite him in the ass soon, but that he could care. He just wanted to be closer to Mike again, whether it be his friend or his...
He shook his head, this wasn’t right, Mike’s his best friend and he had a wonderful girlfriend who loved him more than herself, sometimes it even being too much to see. Will wanted to cry again, just something to let out the pain but he wouldn’t. He couldn’t.
Vecna was on the run, ready to strike at any moment, to break their hearts. And Will couldn’t bear that, not anymore at least..
A creek broke his train of thought, the sound of Eleven walking up the steps to the house, right. They had a mission. Will should stop worrying, and yet he can’t.
“Hey El.”
Will called, after they got inside.
“Yes?” She looked at him.
“I uh, sort of have a bad feeling.” he quickly said, making sure not to and alarm her.
Eleven furrowed her brows, “What is it? Is it Vecna is he here?!” she looked around the room, as if that was going to help.
“No, no its just, I have a bad feeling this won’t end well. Like something is here you know?” He said looking her dead in the eyes. She looked back at him and frowned.
“I see, alright.”
Will nodded and turned away from her, “So what are we going to do?” a familiar voice asked. Mike.
He walked past Will and took Eleven’s hand in his. She smiled at him, but only for a moment. “I don’t know, but we should probably contact Lucas and Dustin, don’t you think?”
Mike nodded, “Yeah probably should, let them know they should be careful.”
“Exactly.” Came Hopper voice from the door, he was leaning against it. “How about we eat something first?” he asked, Joyce sighed but looked over at Hopper dreamily, she didn’t feel like this for a long time, she felt like a teenager all over again.
“Sure, that sounds nice.”
Nancy walked over to Mike leaning closer to him clearly whispering something into his ear which no one could make out what it was, but it seemed to make Mike slightly upset, shaking his head in distaste at her and whispering something back. It seemed like they were bickering, even after all these years they were still the same.
Always bickering, but they still loved each other, even if they wouldn’t say it. They made it quite obvious though, to the point where it made Jonathan walk over to Will to give him a side hug.
This felt surreal, too good to be true.
There had to be a catch coming but there wasn’t, not yet at least. Will didn’t feel the horrible gut feeling he had before, and the fear was gone, his palms weren’t sweating. He didn’t feel cold, or anxious. It felt like he was floating, like this was the one time he could get a moment of peace without worrying about Vecna or think about his feelings.
It felt good, it felt relieving. It felt good to be alive even if for a few seconds, he felt good. Yet he could feel a slight tug in his heart as he watched Mike holding El’s hand once again, after finally leaving him alone.
The feeling of melancholy now washing over him. Just like when they were kids, Mike was helplessly in love with Eleven and it hurt Will’s heart, but he stayed quiet just like when they were kids. Just like he always did.
“Will?”
“Will!”
“Will are you oka-”
Mike’s voice cut off, fading. But it shouldn’t be fading away, it shouldn’t have stopped. Will jumped, he felt lightheaded.
What-
What was happening?
Where was he what is this, what is this place? Could this be- but no, no it couldn’t have. He isn’t where he thinks he is right now.
Will looks around in a panic, he tries looking for an exit, but everything seems run down, broken. It was the house, but it was broken. Torn into pieces, everything was dark, dark red clouds loomed over Will.
He tried running towards the door of the house but nothing, it wouldn’t budge he pulled harder. Fearing the doorknob might break from how hard he’s pulling but nothing.
“William.”
He stopped, he didn’t want to turn and look at... him no not again. Never again, he hoped he would never be back here.
“Don’t tell me you are scared Will.”
The monster said as Will turned around. “I- I” Will stuttered out.
He tried backing away, but his back hit the door, which was covered in vines, everything seemed to be covered in some sort of vines or whatever the fuck Vecna seemed to be made of, Will couldn’t think, and he didn’t care, he just needed to get out of here.
“You sensed me, and you couldn’t see this coming? I’m quite disappointed Will.”
The creature walked closer to him, its long arm rising.
Will gritted his teeth, but before he could do anything he felt something pull his leg, he looked down. A vine? It abruptly tied itself around his ankle and stuck to the door. Before Will could even run a vine wrapped around his arms binding so he couldn’t escape, the feeling of something creeping around his neck made him squirm as he tried to rip the vine off, but to no avail.
“Don’t try Will, how about you make this easier for yourself.” Vecna said, standing in front of him.
Will furrowed his brows, the vines around his neck making it hard to speak.
“N-No, I have to-” he was light-heated more and more.
“You know, you are making things harder for your friends. For Mike.”
Will went rigid at the sound of Mike’s name.
“M-Mike?” His voice was a mere whisper, at the mention of his best friend.
Will felt his bottom lip quiver as he looked at the creature in front of him.
“Yes, don’t you think he’s tired? Of the mess you created. You were the first victim who survived, who started this mess, you are the one making him suffer.” he said, and placed his hand in front of Will’s face, tracing his cheekbone with his sharp finger.
Will tried to move his head but he couldn’t. Was this really his fault? But Mike saved him, Eleven saved him. Everyone did...
Was it just because they pitied him, or because Eleven only saved him to get closer to Mike... did Jonathan even really mean what he said? When he told him he’d always be there for him, was it all a lie?
Did Mike hate him?
“Will! Hey-”
“Will-”
Will snapped his eyes from Vecna, to a bright bursting light in the back someone was standing there, was that... Mike?
“Hey! Will can you hear me?!” Mike looked at Will, grabbing his cheek. “Will! Why aren't you guys helping!? Do something!” he looked back at them.
Jonathan quickly ran to try and find something that’ll play music, preferably a radio. Eleven and Nancy behind him to help.
“Honey? Can you hear me?!” Joyce called out for him, tears in her eyes as she looked at him. Mike held Will tightly, looking him up and down trying to do something.
Mike didn’t know what to do, does he talk? Does he call out Will’s name? What does he do?
“Will, c-can you hear me? Are you there?” He couldn’t look away from Will’s face, he could feel his hands shaking as he tried his best to calm down, he felt tears stinging at the brim of his eyes.
“Hey! This isn’t funny come William!” His breath quickening as he looked at Hopper for help.
“Mike- just calm down, Byers! Did you find something!” he yelled for Jonathan.
“I’m trying to!” he yelled “Isn’t there anything here?!” Jonathan panicked; he didn’t even know if he had a cassette tape for the song, but he hoped he did.
Nancy ran out, “Mike here!” she said, and showed him the radio. Mike never seemed more relieved.
He took it. “Jonathan come over here, you have the song, right? Please tell me you do-”
Jonathan grabbed his bag and looked inside, photos of Will when he was smaller falling out. He cursed himself for keeping those in there at a time like this, why’d they need to show up now? He was already panicking at the thought he already might lose his brother.
He found it; it was a little scratched, but he hoped it still worked.
Mike grabbed the cassette tape from him, shoving it inside. A loud sound of static broke out, making him wince. But he couldn’t care, he grabbed the button and tried rotating it to get some sort of music out of this old thing.
“God- fucking come on! You stupid piece of shit!” he grunted, and fumbled with the radio, looking at Will every second he could.
“Try hitting it a little Mike.” Jonathan’s voice came from beside him, as he heard Joyce’s weak sobs. Eleven trying to calm her down.
The sounds of drums and a voice singing appeared from the radio.
“Darling, you got to let me know!”
“Should I stay, or should I go?”
Mike smiled, “Haha it worked! Will look! You hear that?!” He looked back at Will just to see him floating up in the air.
“What the fuck-” he panicked almost dropping the radio, he turned it up as high as it could go.
Will’s eyes widened in shock at the familiar song, he wanted to smile, but he couldn’t. Mike was calling out his name, Will felt stronger. Mike was there, Jonathan! And Eleven. Mom, Hopper, even Nancy was standing there.
He could escape they were there!
“You belong here with me, Will.”
Vecna spoke.
The vines surrounding Will tightened, and he gasped barely breathing. “N-No, I have t-to!” he coughed, feeling the sweat drip down his brow.
Vecna shook its head.
“All the monsters belong here Will, just like me, just like you.”
Will shivered.
Monster? Him? No, he wasn’t a monster. He didn’t want to be one, he wasn’t like Vecna he didn’t want to be like him. They didn’t really think that did they? They were his friends, his family...
“Mike thinks you are a monster Will. Why do you think he avoided you all this time?”
“He hates you.”
“He could have had a normal life; they all could have.”
“But you ruined it, just think of Bob, he sacrificed himself so you could live, and you just forgot about him?”
“You think you’re not the monster, but you are, you are disgusting.”
“Do you really think Mike would want to love someone like you.”
Will felt tears slip down his face. He was right...
They could have had a normal life, if he’d just not survived. Maybe Vecna would of went away by itself but no... that’s not- they must defeat him. It wouldn’t go away by itself.
Will sniffled.
“N-No, you’re... y-you're wrong!” he cried out, sobbing pitifully.
“Am I will?” Vecna asked in its deep voice, Will couldn’t even look at him, the disgusting vines moving around it, it made him want to puke, to just die. He couldn’t do this, the song was becoming less and less loud, it was just background noise now.
Will couldn’t feel anything, the vines were getting too tight, he felt his eyes closing, it became hard to keep them open.
“You’re... w-wrong..”
He coughed out, feeling more tears fall down his face. The smell of blood, and death covering his nose, he looked at Vecna, and the light that shined brightly beforehand was smaller.
Too small.
He was gone for there was no way out of here.
He hates this, he tried he really did, he hates Vecna.
He hates himself...
“Why isn’t it working!?” Mike yelled loudly as the song was ending.
He watched in horror as Will’s eyes rolled even farther into his head.
Mike looked over at Jonathan who had the same look of horror on his face everyone did. Even Eleven.
They were fucked, he couldn’t lose Will! He can’t.
Will meant too much to him, Will was his best friend. The one who played D&D with him, the one who liked art, the one who gave him that painting. The one who is always by his side, no matter what. Even if Mike acts stupid, Will is his rock.
He can’t lose him now.
No.
No.
No please! He can’t! He couldn’t! Vecna can’t do this!
*CRACK*
He froze.
Mike looked up; tears rolled down his cheeks as he watched the scene in front of him unfold.
Will’s arm twisted backwards, so did his legs as his eyes bled blood not tears. Mike wanted to puke, no, no this wasn’t happening not now, he needed Will! This had to be a nightmare...
“Will! Will!” He screamed.
Hopper grabbed him holding him close, “Don’t get close Wheeler!”
Mike tried pulling away from Hopper, but Hopper wouldn’t budge.
“Stop please! Don’t do this Will! Will!”
Mike cried out, desperately.
Joyce watched as her son died in front of her and she can’t do anything. What kind of mother is she?
Eleven clenched her fists and gulped down the sobs that were trying to escape, while Nancy ducked her head down not being able to look, the sound of bones snapping making her want to puke.
A loud thump was heard, as the song finished, so did the sounds of bones snapping, the torture was over, that’s what everyone else thought but not Mike.
He finally got out of Hopper’s grip, running to Will’s body on the floor.
“Will! Hey, please answer me!” he dropped to his knees grabbing Will holding him tightly.
He looked at Will’s face, the blood covering his face, his white eyes. No this isn’t real...
“Will? Please.. Hey this isn’t funny, you can’t...” A sob escaped him, hot tears dripping down his face faster than before.
“Please? You can hear me, right?” he whispered, holding Will closer to himself. “I... I- We n-need you Will.. Please.”
Joyce walked closer to him sobbing. “S-Sweetheart he’s, he’s not h-here anymore.” she sobbed harder, breaking down holding tightly onto Jonathan, who was shocked at the scene in front of him, Nancy hugging him, shaking. While Eleven stood next to Mike and Will, holding Mike’s shoulder.
Mike was shaking.
Mike was nothing. Will was his rock, just as much as he was Will’s. Will can’t just leave he couldn’t. He survived once, he could do it again...
But he didn’t, he’s here lying in Mike’s arms. Dead. Mike raised his hand, gently holding Will’s cheek like he did before, brushing the slight blood dripping from his eyes, and his tears staining Will’s face, but he couldn’t care he couldn’t believe.
He didn’t want to believe, he couldn’t and wouldn’t.
But Will was right there.
Will his best friend, the person who was there from the beginning. The kid who gave his toy truck away for some girl who was crying, knowing he couldn’t buy a new one. But he still did it.
The person who cared more for others than he did himself.
“I’m sorry...” he sobbed, his voice a whisper.
“I’m so sorry.”
“I love you so much..” he whispered the last part, so only Will could hear him.
So only Will could know.