Work Text:
mike took a breath. it was hard to see any further than arm’s length.
had richie left already?
no, couldn’t have, i would’ve noticed the clubhouse door open, not to mention the fresh breeze which should’ve rushed in like when after the others left.
still, checking won’t hurt.
“rich, you good?”
for a moment there was no answer. the soft sizzle of burning wood was interrupted by dry coughs from across the room
“richie?”
“yeah, im alright. what about you mikey?”
the hanlon boy let out a small sigh of relief, which unsurprisingly turned into soft coughs of his own. “alright, too”
the boys sat in silence for a minute longer
“you know how you said the room feels bigger?” mike spoke, “i think you’re right. i can’t see you anymore”
“i can’t see you either. you sound further away too”
richie laughed and turned his gaze back up toward the small open window above: “any visions yet?”
“not yet”
though, mike felt it was going to happen. they just have to endure a little longer. my eyes burn. no surprise there, the clubhouse was practically drowning in fumes at this point. the air sitting this still does nothing to help either. just a little longer.
they hear bill calling down if they need out.
not yet.
the room feels even bigger. almost the size of a ballroom.
mike calls out for richie again.
instead of an answer, mike feels richie grab his hand.
he closed his eyes, the smoke was unbearable at this point
just a little longer..
“mike”
“yeah”
“where are we?”
--
the boys were still firmly holding hands, unable to let go in fear of getting lost in the green.
they were in the barrens, except, it wasn’t how they knew it. for one, the clubhouse they had just been in a few seconds ago was gone and everything seemed so much more vibrant. the trees and grass towered over the boys reaching toward the impossibly blue sky.
--
“richie, richie, my god!” mike shouted over the deafening hum. not even sure if the other boy could hear him. both of them had covered their ears in an attempt to shut out even a small amount of the noise.
“we have to go!” he tried again. but tozier stood frozen, gazing up at the burning moon crashing closer and closer by the second. mike could feel his nose bleeding by now, the hum keeps getting louder.
--
hand in hand once again. this time running. though, mike felt they wouldn’t be fast enough. it’s getting close. too close
--
“-ke, oh my god”
“please be okay”
the sound of ben’s voice snapped hanlon back. back in the smoke hole. he clutched onto the larger boy with a death grip and ben was more than happy to return the hug. looking over the blonde’s shoulder mike saw bill dragging richie out the door with little difficulty.