Chapter Text
It was quiet after everything happened, all those years of just… Running around, trying to kill that bastard after so long. Finally achieving that with his campaign. Mike has been trying to adapt to a new life. A much quieter life.
Mike wasn’t even sure if he wanted to go to college. Everyone else in his campaign had already started attending. He was still in his parents’ house, still telling his mom that he was waitlisted. Well, the thing is.
Mike hasn’t even filled out a single application for college yet.
College was supposed to be next for him; his mother went to college, so of course, he had to as well. Everyone had already figured out what to do with their lives, such as Will studying fine arts at UPenn, Dustin studying physics at Princeton, Lucas studying medicine at Pitt, and Max, who was even going to college, despite being hospitalized for two years. Mike was behind, even though he typically came first. He was the leader of the party.
Maybe he was able to study creative writing? He still knew how to do that, after all, he had been DM a few times when Will couldn’t be there for some campaigns.
Besides, writing was one of his ways of coping after all of that happened.
He hasn’t been in touch with anyone recently. Mike forgot everyone existed; he was ‘self absorbed’, or in other words, didn’t care about anything. Mike was fixated on himself for the current moment, or well. The past 3 years.
3 years flew by after El died.
Typically, the phone rang almost every day. He heard, of course, but never answered the line; when someone called on the line, his mom would always pick up. She would always yell Mike’s name, seeing if he was home, which he always was. It's that he waits till that person, you know. Hangs up if it's for him.
Going from hunting a hell-bent being to now: being normal. It's that he didn't know what to do after all of that.
Sometimes the days were blurred together, or a loop in his eyes. Typically, he wakes up, starts writing till Holly comes back from school. That’s when he had to eat with his family. Sometimes Karen asked him if he’d heard from Will. He always said no.
But with some loops, things change. Sometimes, once a week or once a month. Holly sometimes brings her friends down to their basement, the same one where the original campaign started & took place, memories being passed down to a new campaign — one to tell their story. He always heard from his room upstairs, mostly the yelling from one of her friends when they mess up a D12 roll, or sometimes cheering. It depends on how far they are. It reminded him of the past.
Mike still believed she was still out there, alive. He was always someone who was stubborn, or, well… Let's say the Wheelers were always stubborn. Mike didn’t really know what to do. He was practically doing the same thing every day, Mike didn’t really interact with anyone; he was just busy.
Mike was so fixated on his own goals that he forgot about his mom and Ted. He disliked Ted, almost ratting out El, when they first met. Mike kept her in his basement for refuge. Or, in other words, to keep her safe.
…
✫・。.⋆˚ੈ✩‧₊࿐࿔
Mike sat there, his hands clasped at first, as he then scratched his head. He was confused about what to write, especially after ghosting all his friends for 3 years. He felt embarrassed even writing this, as if he was sorry in the first place. Mike felt like he was in the right. Leaving everyone hanging, especially since he didn’t know how to cope after all of that.
Why was he that busy? Was he trying to distract himself, maybe?
He glared at the empty letter as it had the heading.
“ TO WILL BYERS.”
Mike stared at it. He felt embarrassed at the attempt of writing a simple paper, stressed for no reason, too! He sat still for a while as his thoughts clogged up, till the phone line rang.
[ RING , RING , RING , RING ! ]
He stopped thinking as he listened to the phone ring. Maybe he could pick it up? Maybe it was just Holly’s teacher ringing Karen to come to school for a meeting. He didn’t see the risk of answering that. He walked out of his room, picked up the phone, and before he could talk himself out of it.
“Who is this?”
Mike asked on the line, listening for a response, till he heard someone.
“Mike!? Oh my god, thank god you picked up!”
That voice was- familiar. He couldn’t think for a moment when he then realized it was his best friend. His eyes widened as he responded,
“Holy shit, Will! How’s college going, and how’s everyone? Like, is the upstate nice?”
Mike asked with excitement as he twirled the phone line. It had been long since he caught up with the others, that he couldn’t even tell how Will was slightly frustrated at him. His tone sounded like it.
“We are doing well- how about you, Mike?”
… He stayed silent for a while as he took a breath. He didn't know how to respond. Mike was clearly dealing with shit, but he didn’t want to say it. He felt like he would let down the others by accident.
“Pretty good, I think.”
“Just… busy with stuff.”
Mike responded in a monotone voice. He could hear Will sigh on the other line, clearly he was expecting something from him. Mike wasn’t really gonna give the answer Will wanted.
“Say uhm… Mike,”
“How's college going over there? You were like- said you were busy.”
Mike went silent for a few seconds.
“Yeah, I was busy.”
“Oh, so busy that you couldn’t even answer our calls!?…”
Will’s voice grew with slight frustration— he was clearly mad at the fact that Mike never called back or even picked up the phone. Mike didn’t know how to answer; he was struggling with his own mental health, going through a drought.
“Listen, Will. I was-”
“Don't tell me you were busy, I already know that.”
“Mike, is everything okay???”
. . .
Mike was quiet for a while as he mustered up the courage to speak.
“Yeah, everything is okay over here.” He spoke in a quiet tone. Will took a breather as he was about to ask something. Mike didn’t want him to ask questions, so he decided to cut the conversation about himself. Even though, yeah, he loved attention.
Only in a specific way.
“I'm transferring from college so I could go undergrad for Carnegie Mellon-”
“WHAT!??”
Will’s voice burst from the phone line. He was shocked that Mike was gonna throw away his so-called education for a top school like that. Which was no issue! Besides, Mike hadn’t even gone to college yet.
“ISN'T THAT LIKE-”
Will paused, possibly catching his breath as Mike heard someone yell in the background,
“WILL! STOP YELLING!”
Mike could hear a feminine voice in the background, it itched inside Mike’s head. He was silent as Will spoke.
“Okay! Sorry…”
…
That voice sounded familiar. Mike went silent as his head started to throb.
“Will, just. Give me a second, please.”
Mike spoke; his voice was panting. He sounded like he was gonna go hysterical, but. He wanted to make sure it was really her. Mike got stuck on a thought train.
“No way that's her. If it is, then holy shit! She’s alive!? Wait, don't just jump to conclusions, you dumbass. What if Will is dating a gir-”
…
He snickered as his cheeks got puffy.
“Yeah, that isn't happening. What if she is his dorm mate- Shit! Only men can be in the same dorm unless you request to have one with a specific person, which means she could be in the same dorm as him.” Mike thought to himself. He didn’t really know. Mike needed to hear her voice one more time. He believes it's her; it's the fact that he might have to find a way to confirm his own suspicions.
He took a deep breath as he came back, grabbing the dangling phone as he put it to his ear.
“Back. My nose got runny.”
Mike spoke as he scrunched his nose, pretending to make it sound like he actually had one.
“Hope you feel better. Mike, why are you leaving to come to this university?”
“Isn’t that like, super far-”
“The only good thing about it is the fact that it makes me closer to you, and they have creative writing available, unlike this shit community college."
He sighed as he spoke. Will went silent on the other line.
He wasn’t gonna let the rest of his life go to waste. Mike already spent like 3 of his years doing nothing. Writing a book about his campaign. Besides, if he decided to go to Carnegie Mellon University, it would A. benefit him for his major being there, and B. He can finally reconnect with Will and see if she’s still alive alongside the others.
He had hope that she was still out there.
He believed afterall.
“Will, Hello?”
“ . . . ”
“EARTH TO WILL!!!”
He yelled out as he finally heard Will speak. He snickered as he heard him drop the phone as it slammed into the wall by accident.
“MIKE! Don't do that, you actually scared me-”
“Well, you shouldn’t be stargazing while on the line with me.”
“It's not like you're actually watching the stars, Will.”
Mike cut him off as he scoffed. He didn’t really mean it rudely; he was kidding, after all. They were both silent, and the atmosphere felt awkward as Mike finally broke the silence.
“I’ll probably do my application tonight, and then submit it by mail.”
“It's still application season, thankfully.”
“I’m going to apply early decision, just to get there faster.”
“That's great, but. How are you even gonna make it? Isn't it like, a 30% chance to get in-”
“Listen! I have my ways with writing essays! Just write some batshit crazy essay, and I'll make it, alright?”
“Alright...”
“Can't wait to see you, Mike!”
“Same goes to you, Will. Just sorry that I wasnt able to pick up the phone.”
“It's, well. Not okay, but I guess I can understand since the workload you have to do is kind of a lot, hah…”
“...Yeah…”
“I'm gonna go now, okay? Just tell the campaign I said hi.”
“Alright, see you later-”
Mike hung up the line as he walked to the living room, sitting down as his hands were clasped. He had to write that essay to make sure he was right.
Just to change bad habits.
He wanted to break these old habits before college even started.
To make it right with everyone.
✫・。.⋆˚ੈ✩‧₊࿐࿔
He had some ideas on what his application could be about. Mike could probably write about how playing d&d got him into writing, yeah! That could be his essay, but- He probably had to call the university and get the application packet, which will take about give or say, 6-7 days. Today was September 12th, 1991. Early applications end around early november or so. He had to stop his whole antics and get to his grind.
Mike stood up as he went to the kitchen, finding the phonebook as he checked the table of contents. Reading as he flipped pages.
“Ughh… I have to pay to call. I’ll maybe. Leave the cash on the table for mom so we could be equal I guess. This whole call might take like 15 or more minutes, which — SHIT, I owe her like, 30 dollars then.”
“I can't wait till it's late — the office closes, which fucks it all up.”
“Meaning, I have to pay for the regular fairs.”
Mike sighed as his hand was on his forehead, screw it. He had to work and get it all done FAST. Yeah, he could be on break till the papers come by OR follow up with his ‘I want to change’ ordeal and plan his essay. Mike found the number as he took the book with him, turning the rotary dial as he waited for it to stop after every number. Mike finally finished entering the number as he took the phone from its rest, holding it next to his ear as he waited.
[ 11:06 AM ] .
The phone was silent as it buzzed, meaning he was actually waiting now. Mike waited for a pickup when he finally heard a voice.
“Hello and Good afternoon, This is Amanda with Carnegie Mellon University Admissions office.”
“How may I assist you today?”
Mike took a breath as he spoke on the line,
“Hi Amanda, thank you for answering. I’d like to ask for an Undergraduate application packet for the Fall 92’ semester.”
“Will do, Name please?”
“Michael Wheeler,”
“Mailing address, please?”
“It's 1224 Maple Street. City, Hawkins, the state is Indiana, and the postal code is 765.”
“Alright — thank you, Wheeler, for your compliance. Give me a moment to write it all down.”
“Got it.”
Mike was waiting in line as he tapped his fingers on the wall. He was focused on getting it done fast so he could cut the cost of the fair he would have to pay for his mom. He felt nervous while calling since he didn’t know if the person he was calling would grade his application, which, spoilers! Isn’t likely. Time was ticking on his side as he finally heard the voice on the other line once more.
“Asking another question, if you don't mind, for the application process.”
“What major will you be taking, Wheeler?”
. . .
“I’ll be interested in taking Creative Arts.”
“Got it, give me a second.”
He was able to hear papers flipping as he waited once more. Mike sighed as he cracked his knuckles. He got bored already, yeah. He was patient, but he needed it to be done fast.
“I'm going to make a note to include the Department of English supplemental brochure that will have the specific requirements for the writing track.”
“Okay, just a question. Do I like, need to send in any of my personal works with the application?”
“The general application packet will run you through the explanation, but typically, for creative writing. There is a separate portfolio requirement. You’ll see a blue or yellow sheet in the packet that explains how to submit your manuscripts by mail.”
“Understood, thank you.”
“One last question before I hang up the line, are you a Domestic or an International Student?”
“I'm Domestic.”
“Understood, Okay Wheeler. I’ll have you down for a Fall 1992 Packet. You should be receiving it in 7 to 10 business days. Do you have any questions?”
“I think that's all, thank you for your time, Miss.”
“You’re welcome, Wheeler. Good luck with your application and goodbye!”
The phone line disconnected as he placed the phone back. Mike sighed with relief as he checked the clock, praying he at least spent 15 minutes.
As he checked, it was [ 11:21 AM ] .
He realized he didn’t even spend longer, and his estimated time was right. Mike had a smirk on his face. One thing he realized.
‘There is a separate portfolio requirement.’
Mike realized he had to finish his book campaign, which made him ecstatic. He was basically tasked to finish it, and it was needed! He grabbed the phone book as he placed it where he found it, and he placed down 30$ as a way to let his Mom know “I actually used the line, sorry for it being out of state or whatever.”
Mike walked over to his room and sat down, glaring at his desk. It was full of papers he written. The whole desk was such a cluster. Mike typically didn’t care about it, but. It drove him mad for some reason. He sighed as he picked up all his papers and put them on his bed, sectioned for each chapter. He assumed there was like 200ish pages since the group of papers were big, and because he was working on this for 3 years.
He had many rough drafts, but now. He was writing the polished version.
The version where people will read his tales and adventures in his campaign. Maybe he could inspire Holly on how to make her campaign more enthusiastic and better. Mike finally sat down as he took his glasses and started to write; he didn’t really think of what to do. He was using his final draft as a reference to polish up the text. He was almost done with the book afterall, he only had to publish it as a ‘fictional’ piece of media.
Even though everything about it was real.
[His typewriter dinged after each row, continuously.]
Mike wished he had a quiet typewriter.
He knew it was all real, and so did the party. Everything about Vecna, the Mindflayer, the Demogorgons, and the Upside Down was shut down by the government. Even El’s existence was deemed fake.
As he continued to write, his mind was drifting. He hadn’t caught any sleep recently since Holly wanted him to do her English assignment. He didn’t have time for that, but. He was willing to make some time for her; English was his strong suit after all. That's why he was pursuing a major in it. Easy for him, Nothing bad can happen while attending university, right? Yeah! Of course not.
While he was writing, he heard the front door being banged on. He rolled his eyes as he checked the time, just to be met with the clock reading [2:45 PM] . He didn’t even realize how time flew by as he groaned, standing up as he walked over;
“COMING! GIVE ME A SECOND.”
Mike yelled out as he walked over, opening the door. He wasn’t met with Holly, but her whole Party as Holly spoke.
“What took you so long! We have a whole session to do before Derek's dad decides to yell at him for not making it home with his stupid curfew!”
“HEY! Its not my fault, my dad is a bitch!”
The two clammered as they walked in, Mike sighed as he felt a warm feeling in his heart. It was nice seeing what it was like, a family tradition, even though Holly and Mike were the only people to endorse Dungeons and Dragons in their household. Nancy was fine about it; she wasn’t fixated on it like those two, though. As Mike was lost in his thoughts, he saw the kids run downstairs with their shoes on.
“GUYS, I SAID NO SHOES IN THE HOUSE FOR CHRIST'S SAKE!”
Mike yelled out as Holly ran up the stairs, tossing her shoes at him. Mike gave out a disgusted look.
“I'm not the shoe drawer, Holly!”
“Yeah, I know!!”
She yelled back at him as she was running to the fridge, grabbing some orange juice as she took it downstairs. Always in a rush, typical Holly. Mike watched as she saw her going downstairs. He clenched his fist as he asked her something.
“Holly, I was wondering if I could watch how you dm for your campaign.”
“Is that like, okay with you?”
“Yeah, sure! Only thing is that dont dm for me, I have plans.”
“Real good plans!!!!”
Holly spoke with enthusiasm as she walked downstairs. Mike followed as he saw everyone there, sitting at the table, while he stood there watching.
“EVERYONE! Sit down! We gotta start this before Derek’s dad decides to be an ass again. Let's do this!”
She spoke as Mike crossed his arms, listening in. Holly started establishing the past conditions of the last session. Of course, Debbie was lost in the fact that she was restrained by Derek’s character. Holly sighed as she explained how Derek had to hold her down for accidentally achieving a rune of fortune, which caused misfortune.
Debbie was yelling as Holly finally shut it down. Mike couldn’t help but snicker at the sight. It felt all nostalgic to him. The sight of it made him smile. Glad that his own hobby can be passed down to Holly and her friends. It was nice. Really.
Mike wondered if he was able to do a campaign again, but. He knew everyone was now busy, busy with college. He was lying about it in the past, so instead of keeping a lie like that. He would commit to the lie, apply for a college that is prestigious to make sure his mother would be proud, and Nancy. Mike went up the stairs as he leaned on the railing, watching everyone in suspense as they were praying that their character didn’t have bad faith.
Typically, Dungeons and Dragons relies on the die. Sometimes, your character could be out of the campaign due to your die roll being shit. Mike remembered when Lucas’ character accidentally got poisoning from raw food, and his character died from it in the future. It was quite funny. Typically, they die out in such tragic ways, but sometimes it's lame because of the choices you make.
Anyone's choices can be a life threatening. Anything can happen.
He stood there, listening to Holly. He assumed this would be the final session or the second to last one.
“You could HEAR the misfit of war walk into the manor as she eyed you all. Especially for Jane. She was someone who had her eyes on. All of a sudden, she LUNGED UP AS SHE CAST A RUIN SPELL FOR PHYSICAL DEBUFF!”
“SHIT!!!”
Mike heard Derek yell out as he snickered.
“She has now lowered everyones magical defense by 10 stats! To Joshua and Derek, it seems like a NIGHTMARE! Too bad their characters were made to rush in for damage!”
“WAIT! I CAMARON ROLL A DICE FOR MY UHM…”
“Whatever the fuck potions I have and USE THEM ALL!”
The whole party went quiet in shock as Derek took the die as he kissed his hand for good luck, praying it would work. Debbie, Mary, Joshua, and Debbie were full of fear as Holly had a fat grin on her face. Hoping to see if it would work or completely flunk.
Derek threw the die as it spun. He was praying for it to land a 15 at least. In some miracle.
It landed a 20.
Everyone started yelling in joy, especially Derek.
“HELL YEAH! SUCK MY DICK YOU MISFIT AND FACE THE WRATH OF WHIRLING CAMARON!!”
Derek yelled out as Holly spoke.
“Camaron drank ALL the potions in one go, gulping each one and throwing them onto the ground as the glass shattered! Camaron obtained A 20 PLUS STAT INCREASE FOR ALL HIS STATS!”
“SEE I TOLD YOU HOARDING ALL THOSE POTIONS WERE NEEDED!”
Derek yelled out as Holly continued on, narrating the scene.
“The misfit COWARDED as she spoke.”
“ ‘No way, how did you not suffer from any drawbacks?!’ ”
“I ATE SHIT AND LOOK AT ME, NOW ATTACK!!!”
Derek yelled out as Joshua took the die, rolling it as they all planned to attack the Misfit together.
Mike assumed wrong; this was the closing of Holly’s first campaign.
It was nice seeing them all yell in joy, ready for action. He never knew Holly was pretty good at narrating. She always picked his leg whenever he was narrating, probably because he was yelling, and Holly had to study for her finals once.
It felt nice to hear all the laughter, yelling, anger, and sorrow from a campaign. Everyone could say that if they ever played Dungeons and Dragons the way it was intended to.
…
There will never be a time to play D&D with his original party. Maybe in the summer, if everything is planned perfectly. Hopefully, there will be another time for it.
All of a sudden, he was daydreaming now, stuck in his own thoughts.
“I do miss the times when we all played, had fun, yelled at each other, and got mad over d&d. I just feel jealous that I can't have this moment like how everyone else is, but. They are kids, I shouldn’t even be FEELING jealous about this. Hell, I should just, let them have their moment.”
After finally catching off his daydreaming session, he noticed how everyone was packing up. Mike was confused as he asked Holly.
“Wait, the campaign finished already?”
“Yep! First campaign I ever first dm’ed in!”
“I feel proud of how, like, good I did!”
Holly spoke as Mike had a smile on his face. She did well, actually. It felt interactive too, her moving her hands, giving gestures, and even making a voice for the villain. Everything in his eyes felt right. She didn’t even use a template for how a campaign should be! She eyed it, and in his opinion.
“You didn’t even do good.”
“You did outstanding, Holly!!”
Mike paused as he saw Holly smiling, full of joy, as he hugged her. Holly hugged him back as she broke the hug, asking Mike for a favor.
“Mike, I was wondering since everyone already left and placed their binders in their own place.”
“Could you help me clean up the whole place before Dad comes back?”
“Even though he is a lazy prick…”
“Yeah, sure, why not?”
Mike nodded as he walked over to clean the table, and while doing so, he saw his party’s binders. He had a smile as he felt each one, rubbing his finger as the dust that was collected was now wiped off. He couldn’t believe how time flew by that fast. Mike was reminiscing about the moment as Holly spoke once again, this time telling him to clean the table.
“Mike, I asked you to clean the table! Don't crop dust your old binder!”
“Okay, on it. Jeez.”
He walked to the table and packed the map up, getting each piece for the npc as he placed them in the boxes he had. Mike continued cleaning, grabbing the glasses as he stacked one on top of another, as he saw the d20 die. He felt like he wanted to roll it, for that same feeling he had back.
So, why not? The table and almost everything else were clean, excluding the stack of cups that Mike placed on the table and the orange juice that was there. Mike walked over to the table, grabbed the die, and rolled it on the table.
It rolled a 1.
Mike glared at it as he looked around, seeing if Holly was looking. After checking that she wasn’t there, He scoffed as he flipped the die number to 20, then picked it up, tossing it onto the box of die’s he had stashed as he grabbed the stack of glasses that were placed on the table, and then went up the stairs.
Turning the lights off as he closed the door right behind him.
✫・。.⋆˚ੈ✩‧₊࿐࿔