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The party walked down the steel corridor, whispering amongst themselves as the future Mike Wheeler and their Mike conversed with one another, following right behind them. Right now, they were making their way to the control room where the military was supposedly holding Vecna. The rest of the group was unaware, sleeping peacefully in their respective homes. They had managed to save Max from Vecna’s curse, but his presence still lingered, leftover ash settling amongst the group of friends like a dark cloud. Ravines were created amongst the streets, and monsters would claw their way out of there, hitting the streets, devouring anything in their path. Months have passed since Henry had shown his face again and during that time Hopper became strict on everyone. As soon as he became the chief of police once more, his first order was to implement a curfew time, ordering the town of Hawkins to stay inside as soon as the sun went down.
Despite the older man’s warning, El snuck out of the cabin in the middle of the night. She had overheard Hopper’s talks with Joyce and Murray about catching a glimpse of a chained up van speeding down the road towards the military base. He had described the vehicle’s white paint peeling off, accompanied by deep slashes on the van’s side door, unveiling the aluminum alloy underneath it. Her dad had concluded that they must have captured Vecna after he had been wounded by Nancy’s gunshot, causing him to be left vulnerable and up for grabs. So, after two weeks of staying hidden in her cabin, she had managed to tiptoe out of her room, carefully opening the door, and slipping through the crack. El did not let anyone else know, not wanting to put any of her friends in danger.
But the party never leaves anyone behind.
As though they had telepathic powers, the rest of the party got their backpack straps on, tossed in some flashlights, and hurried over to meet El halfway. She had to give them props, they lurked behind her for a good ten minutes, and it wasn’t until she heard the crunch of a tree branch that she found herself face to face with her friends. It was Dustin that had alerted El, and as she had opened her mouth to interrogate him, the others started to scold the boy for being clumsy. El tried to persuade her friends to go back home but no one was budging, acting like gargoyles on standby.
“So, we end up cutting our hair, huh?” Mike asked his counterpart and the boy smiled softly at him. A new development that felt strange on the usual frown faced Mike Wheeler.
“Yeah, it was getting way too long…” The future Mike trailed off, reminiscing. A small light flickered in his dull eyes.
Mike frowned, twirling around his own hair strand. Ever since high school Mike had let his hair grow out, allowing it to reach the top of his shoulders. He couldn't help but be inspired by Eddie Munson. Everything from his hair, style, and interests, Mike had incorporated into his own shell. However, ever since the group’s first battle with Vecna had come to pass, it felt painful to think about the man. All Mike could envision in his mind was Eddie tragically fading away from the land of the living, laying rigid in Dustin’s arms. His friend's happiness took its last breath that very same day, gliding down a one way detour.
“Nancy cut it?”
His counterpart nearly stumbled, feet skidding to a halt, throat tightening and acid burning his insides. “Huh? ”
“C’mon!” Mike grinned warily, not ignorant to the panic taking over his counterpart. It’s his future self, kind of hard to conceal anything from yourself. “Our sister has a specific way of trimming.” he continued, “She cut it, didn't she?”
“Nance…” Future Mike’s voice broke, his legs forcing the rest of his body to continue plodding along the now dread filled corridor. “Yeah..” His voice was quiet, small, like a mouse hiding in the bushes. “She did.”
Mike nodded timidly, understanding his future self did not wish to speak about it further. He couldn’t stop the shivers running up his spine, a sensation similar to tiny spiders crawling on some dusty old shelves. In front of them, Max had her Walkman still on, Kate Bush ringing in her ear. Lucas was standing shoulder to shoulder with her, keeping an eye on his girlfriend while talking to Dustin.
“This is so bizarre, man.” Lucas hushed out to Dustin, ear tingling, listening in to ensure the cassette type was going strong.
Dustin nodded, still freaked out by the whole ordeal. He tried to do a subtle look over his shoulder towards them, and in response, both of the Mikes freakishly shot him the same expression of ‘you’re not being subtle’. Dustin shuddered and turned back to talk to Lucas who mirrored his action. “He looks like our Mike but not at the same time…”
“Do you think it’s true?” Lucas stopped walking and grabbed onto his friend’s shoulders, panicked. Max and El kept up their pace with the two Mikes, not wanting to lag behind them, both of them unsure of how to approach the future Mike.
Dustin stiffened and narrowed his eyes, “What is?”
Lucas let out a shaky breath, “That this Mike comes from a future where Vecna wins and Hawkins is set to ruin?” His eyes darted to the floor, face falling into shadow, and now Dustin was just as alarmed as him, “Is it possible that we won't win..?”
“I-I..” Dustin’s words stuck to the back of his throat, Eddie’s death still spinning in his mind. They had to win or else Eddie’s sacrifice would’ve been for nothing. “Don’t say that!”
Lucas’s hands crumpled up the top of Dustin's’ sleeves. “But that’s what he said!”
“Stop it!” Dustin covered his ears and Lucas couldn’t help but huff at the childish action. “I’m not listening!”
“You can’t avoid this, Dustin!”
“Just leave it!”
“No! This is serious! We have-”
“I know it is! But you’re just making everything worse!”
“Dusti-”
“Hey…guys…”
At the quiet intrusion, the boys stopped their arguing, and sulkily turned their heads to look at Will.
“We’ll be okay….” Will said gently. His feet were planted firmly on the ground, hands buried in his jacket’s pockets, trying to stay somewhat rational. Seeing a double of anyone from the party is never a good sign. “This Mike is going to help us. He said so himself.”
Lucas sighed, letting go of his friend. Dustin massaged his shoulders, face scrunched up. “But-”
“It’s true.”
The familiar yet eerie sound of Mike Wheeler’s voice reached their ears and everyone momentarily stopped their relentless pace. Dark shadows were present underneath his eyes, lighting strikes drawn over his skin. Someone’s jacket was wrapped around his shoulders, but the left sleeve hung loosely. Future Mike tugged at his right one out of nervousness, revealing his bruised knuckle.
No one dared to comment on any of it.
Their Mike stood to the side of him, a bright more optimistic version compared to his counterpart, and Max couldn’t help but for once yearn to seize the future one into her arms. To throw her shredded blanket over the boy, hoping that her leftover light would be enough to bring the boy back to life.
He looked like he needed it.
“I’ll help you all as much as I can..” The future Mike uttered out. His voice was weak, like a music box that had its cylinder shattered into pieces. “I know the future may seem deem but at least I know what Vecna wants.”
“Mike..” El said softly, helplessly staring at her friend. Something was terribly wrong with this Mike. They had met the future version of their friend when they were trudging their way towards the base. The future Mike Wheeler had waltzed out of a lit up opening created within a tree, followed by cutting winds tearing apart the grass, and tiny fizzed stars filling the air.
However, this Mike seemed more forlorn. Nearly bawling at the spot when he first saw them and begging on his knees for the group to take him with them and hear him out. At first they thought that Hawkins Lab was now messing with duplication experiments. But apparently, the future Mike had done everything in his power to reach them so he could warn the group that Hawkins was in grave danger.
“I’ll make sure you all survive…” Future Mike croaked out and Will’s stomach squeezed.
“What? What do you mean?” asked Max, praying she might’ve misunderstood the implication.
Their Mike straightened up, filled with the missing knowledge. He seemed hesitant at first but eventually the restraints broke, freeing him. “He told me that I’m the only one who survived in the future.”
Everyone gasped sharply.
“What…god..” Lucas breathed out and Dustin swayed where he stood.
Max was baffled, gaping like a fish out of water. “There’s no way! You’re not like El! You don’t have powers! Or, no offense, survival skills. H-how did you survive!?”
Future Mike, titled his head down, his soft curls shading him into a shade of grey. He gazed at Will, whose heart was currently bleeding out.
“Will saved me.”
“Will?” Max repeated, then studied the shocked brunette, “Will Byers?” El’s lips tightened into a firm line, confusion taking over her. Lucas raised an eyebrow, trying to imagine such a scenario taking place, unfortunately, it seemed damn near impossible.
“No way…” Dustin breathed out. Mike immediately shot a concerned look towards his Will, ready to rush over to him just in case his best friend were to suddenly become weightless and fly out of his reach.
Future Mike nodded weakly, unable to look anyone in the eye. “He fought to keep everyone safe until the very end,” He blinked rapidly, the ground turned blurry, colors meshing into a tragic blue color. “You kept me safe even when it was hopeless, you-” Future Mike’s breath hitched and Mike stepped closer to himself, hoping to comfort himself.
Quite ironic.
El’s face turned ghostly and Max’s eyes bulged out of her sockets, mouth dropping. Lucas and Dustin spared a look at Will to gauge his reaction. They were greeted by the sight of the same little kid that got rescued from the Upside Down all those years ago. Lost and scared.
Future Mike wiped at his eyes, tiny teardrops plummeting onto the metal ground, creating puddles of heartbreak right beneath him. “Y-ou went straight for him. And all I could do was watch! I wished you would let me go with you….but I just lost my arm and I couldn’t move. I couldn’t stop you…”
The party analyzed the loose sleeve in horror. Mike had lost his left arm. The question being, how, and if it was someone’s doing, was it Vecna’s? God, just how horrible was their future?
Mike gulped, subconsciously wrapping his hand around his left arm, terrified to have learned that in the future Will ends up dying to protect him. Not only that, he couldn’t help but wonder why Will would even fight Vecna. Will was not only book smart but also street wise. Considering he survived a whole week in the Upside Down, it wouldn’t make sense for his best friend to go rushing into a losing battle with no weapon.
Just what led to Will having the ability and confidence to do such a thing? Why would he protect him? And how? The possibilities terrified Mike.
Will nearly died at the spot as the future Mike grieved.
It felt fresh. Pulsating. Alive.
It didn’t matter to Will what happened to him in the future. Hell, he could learn that he’d lose an eye and Will would not allow it to register in his mind, too focused on the Mike in front of him. It was uncanny, watching the strong Mike Wheeler fall apart into stretched out yarn. Not only that, his Mike ends up losing an arm? All of this was too much to bear, let alone listen to.
“He doesn't regret it.”
Tentatively, future Mike lifted his head and the brunette gave him a small smile once their eyes met. “I would never regret protecting you. Nor trying to save the people I love and care about,” Will stepped towards the now bewildered future Mike and his Mike stepped to the side. Will reached for future Mike’s hand, interlocking their fingers, and squeezing tight. “I would’ve protected you in all the timelines just as you protected me. I promise you that.”
There were no windows on the side of the corridors, shrouding everyone in slight darkness, saved only by the dim ceiling lights. Yet, somehow, future Mike got blinded by the gleam radiating off his best friend. His Will was gone, shredded into pieces, and turned into dust. He must’ve done something right though, because right now it felt as though it was his Will talking to him. Comforting him and reminding him that what he did was out of undying love. Mike’s heart ached as his lover’s past words passed through him, the same ones he said before charging into the chaos.
‘Mike, it’s okay, you’re losing a lot of blood. You stay here.’
‘No! Will, you will die if you go in there!’
‘But you can’t-’
‘Don’t do you dare stop me! I-shit!’
“Mike, you’re hurt. It’s okay. We’re in this together. You told me we’d go crazy together, remember? Well, we can’t do that if he gets you…’
‘He could kill you…’
‘I won’t let him. I’ll come back for you. After I’m done with him for what he did to everyone. To our friends. Our families. Stay here.’
‘Will, don’t go..’
‘I love you. I’ll always love you. I’ll be right back.’
‘I-I love you too..that’s why you can’t go!’
‘Stay put. It won’t take long.’
‘Wait! Will! Shit! Will-stop it! Will!’
A sniffle echoed within the corridor, causing everyone to flinch as agony’s arrow got shot straight through their hearts. The future version of their friend was now quietly weeping. “I’m sorry! I’m so sorry! I-I-” Future Mike’s hand flew up to shield his bloodshot eyes. The boy’s bruised knuckles gleamed white, the jacket sleeve rolling down to his elbow, revealing burns marking his pale skin.
Lucas wiped at his eyes with his sleeve and Dustin raised his head to the ceiling, blinking away the hot tears springing up in his eyes. Max turned down the volume, wanting to hear every word from her friend, not daring to miss anything this Mike choked out. El was holding on to Max, biting her lip hard, set on a mission to not break down from where she stood. Mike was speechless, all the new information regarding their future teared apart the roadmap he had built everyone. He was often told he lived in his head way too much, sneaking away into his dreamland and fairy tale stories, where evil loses and good prevails.
Lord of the Rings
Star Wars
The Hobbit
Superman
All of those innocent lessons cackled at his ignorance. The brutal truth chipped away at all his fragile sides, leaving nothing but a skeleton of his inner self.
Will’s lips wobbled and he couldn’t help but gently brush the boy's bangs to the side. “Shh, Mike, it’s okay..” Will Byers was in love with Mike Wheeler, his best friend, but right now he didn’t care how obvious he was being with his affection. His future self did everything to protect this Mike and seeing Mike suffering in such a way caused all his insecurities to turn into a desire to become his best friend’s fortress.
At the reassurance, future Mike sobbed harder. It was his lover’s voice. There was no doubt. The vibrations were way too familiar. His tongue was holding ancient texts of the one and only Will Byers. It’s silky tone and warmth oozing out of him as smooth as butter. The same voice that promised he’d come back for him.
And he never did.
“Will…” The future Mike breathed out, managing to stop the tsunami from hitting the brig. Will pulled him into a hug, rubbing his hand down future Mike’s back, desperate to ease the tension that found its way in. Within the embrace, Will couldn’t help but grimace when he could not feel his best friend’s left arm. He would not allow this to happen to Mike. It's a promise he’d keep to his death bed. “Will, there’s actually one more thing I have to tell yo-”
“Aw…isn’t that sweet?”
Everyone froze, turning on their heels to meet the intruder. It was Vecna holding out his hand, a sinister smile planted on his face.
“Time is such a strange concept, for it’s the one thing that can never be reversed, stuck in its current state and mocking us till our final day.” He stared at Mike, keeping the future one in his peripheral vision, aware of the fact that this boy knew of his plans. Future Mike glared holes into the man, anger flushing up his skin from seeing the monster responsible for so much despair in the world.
“Henry!” El stood in front of her friends, palm facing towards him, ready to strike the man down.
“Hello, Eleven,” Vecna’s body seemed to be disintegrating from where he stood, flakes of skin floating into the air, a huge wound present in his stomach. “So, I assume you came to stop me. Funny, considering you just gave me a vital opportunity.”
Lucas took a hold of Max’s arm, holding her against his chest protectively. Mike observed his counterpart, curious as to how he’d react being in the presence of the man responsible for everyone's death in the future. To his delight, thunder roared around his future self, and Mike was glad he still had the spirit to fight. After all, someone had to avenge his loved ones, and Mike was never the type to allow himself to take the audience route, not if he could help it.
Will rushed over to stand next to El, not feeling comfortable with her so close to the monster. Dustin held himself back from charging at the man responsible for not only Eddie’s death but also for nearly stealing Max out of their grasp.
“This is between you and me.” El said, fuming, shoulders pulled back, legs in position to pounce.
Vecna laughter boomed, bouncing off the walls, vibrating terror into their bones. “You should’ve never come here, especially not with another prime target.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” Sneered Dustin, fists clenched.
Vecna held out his finger and everyone’s eyes trailed the direction at where he was pointing to. Their hearts stopped once they landed on their Mike. Mike’s eyes widened, bewildered. “I know that boy is important to you! To all of you!” His grotesque arm transformed into a spike and El barely had time to react.
“LET’S SEE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE HEART IS OBLITERATED!”
The sharp edge of the spike was shot towards the ground, drilling into the steel, making its way underneath. Everyone watched in horror as the ground broke apart from beneath them and the vicious attack crawled its way to their friend, purposefully avoiding the rest of them .
“MIKE!!!”
Mike gasped out sharply, then attempted to run out of harms’ way, only to find his legs as stiff as wood. “Shit!” Mike looked down and cried out when he found himself staring at a lake of blood. Despite that, his whites were still hidden in the back of his head, and his body had not started floating above the ground.
Vecna had a hold of him, keeping him in his arm’s reach just in case the attack missed.
El attempted to use her powers only to be forcefully held up in the air, her scream resounding in the hallway as she fought against his right arm. Max ran to drag her friend down, jumping up and catching El’s hand. Lucas spotted Vecna’s other hand responsible for El’s predicament and ran to strike at it with his fist. Dustin stood frozen, all of his courage was left in the Upside Down with Eddie, sinking into the realms dirt, the same filthy soil that snatched his friend into Death’s casket.
Will recognized there wouldn't be enough time. The humanoid spear was coming swiftly, too fast to stop it. Despite that, Will reached for it with all his might, hand outstretched. With one last attempt to grab a hold of it, only to miss it just as it flew by him. He lost balance and fell face first into the ground, scrambling to get on his knees, heart breaking out of his chest in peril.
It was dark.
Then bright again.
The lights were flickering in the base. Will desperately tried to find Mike’s silhouette in the dim corridor and everyone screamed in terror as they heard the spike strike.
“NO!”
The lights turned fully on and their Mike was laying on the floor safe and sound, his hands covering his head. Blood dripped onto Mike's face, trickling down his forehead, and rolling down his chin onto the steel ground. Mike’s stomach churned at the liquid and he looked up in confusion, letting out a silent scream to find his future-self impaled straight in the stomach, body limping over the top.
Max’s hand flew to cover her mouth, eyes wide with shock. El forced down the bile coming up her throat, she had the full view of her friend impaled from where she floated above him. Vecna kept her suspended in the air for a few more seconds before dropping her. Lucas stopped his movement, tripping over his own feet, and Dustin ran immediately to the future Mike. “NO! MIKE!”
Will stood as still as a statue, unable to breath. Vecna retreated his hand allowing the future Mike to fall onto the ground, satisfied to get rid of the one who could spoil his plans.
“No!” Mike ran down to kneel next to himself where Dustin was already sobbing. His friend had future Mike nuzzled in his arms.
“Mike..shit! You’re going to be okay! You’re okay!” Dustin observed the amount of blood leaving his friend. It was way too much.
The future Mike coughed out more specks of red, spotting his now revealed army vest. The jacket the boy wore had fallen off, surrounding him like a flower crown, full of poppies and dahlias. “Dustin…”
“NO! NO! Don’t you dare,” Dustin adjusted Mike in his grasp, smoothing out the curls, and tightening his hold. "You're going to be okay. You-you always are. Shit happens to us but we end up surviving them…” Dustin’s tears hit Mike’s face, washing away some of the blood running down the fading boy’s lips.
“Why are you crying?” Asked Mike softly, reaching towards his cheek, not hearing Lucas’s shaky legs making their way to him. “I’m not your Mike.” He tenderly traced his friend’s dirt spotted cheek, hand resting against the side of Dustin’s face.
“But you’re still Mike!” Dustin cried out, shaking his head violently, curls sagging around him. “Our Mike!” He whimpered out, and a waterfall had officially started to fall from his eyes. He was reliving losing Eddie all over again, but he never thought it would be Mike in his arms. Never, ever, even in his cruelest of nightmares, did he think this would happen. The same boy who accepted him, assured him that he was also in fact Mike’s best friend, and never saw him differently. The same little kid who made him feel welcomed and seen was now dying right in front of him.
The future Mike’s eyes crinkled, wiping away the tears from Dustin’s cheeks so softly one would think his hand was made out of a swan’s feathers. “I’m so glad I saw you all one last time,”
“Mike…” Lucas fell down onto his knees, and the boy turned his head towards his friend, sniffling when they made eye contact.
“Lucas, I’m so glad I could see you again. It’s been so long..”
“Mike. Do-n’t speak. You have to ke-ep your energy!” Lucas’s knees burned from practically throwing himself against the hard ground. His hand hovered over the gushing wound in the boy’s torso. It was huge. “We’ll figure something out. I promise! We have to!” Lucas struggled for breath, unable to stop himself from letting out a high pitched whine.
“There’s no point,” Future Mike uttered out softly, hand still wiping away Dustin’s tears. Dustin was long gone, unable to see anyone else in his blurry vision, only concentrated on hearing his friend’s shallow breathing. “My friends and family are long gone. It was so lonely. I’ll finally get to be with them…” Future Mike then gazed at his counterpart, who was trembling like a leaf.
He was seeing himself die.
His counterpart sniffled, determination still dancing in his eyes. “Tell everyone how you feel. Don’t lock yourself away. Don’t be a fool like me.”
“You-you’re dying,” Mike stuttered out, voice raw, eyes locked on the blood pooling around his future self. “I-” He scooted closer to his counterpart, heart stopping upon seeing the absence of his left arm more clearly. Mike helped Dustin grab a firmer hold on his counterpart, not noticing the way Dustin was now holding onto his back, successfully having both Mikes within his hold and away from danger.
“Mike…” Max had tiptoed over, her face wet.
“Max,” Future Mike chuckled weakly, wheezing in between, and El could be heard sobbing in the distance. Will was cradling her to his chest, shielding her from the gruesome scene. “Come here..”
Max obliged, no protest.
“We can still fix this..” She whispered, kneeling down next to Lucas. Dustin’s hands were covered in blood and her boyfriend was unresponsive, face drained of any color.
Future Mike shook his head, closing his eyes, feeling somewhat content. “No, you can’t. But it's okay,” He reached for Max’s hand and the red head grabbed onto Mike’s hand as fast as lighting. She felt his warmth dwindling, cold creeping up on his skin. “The last time we talked was before Vecna got you,” Mike whispered sadly. “I’m so happy to finally see your eyes looking back into mine.”
Max lost it. Hiding her face into her boyfriend’s shoulder as she started to bawl.
“Ple-please,” A hitch in her breath. She threw her arms around Lucas, needing his strong fortitude to rub off on her this very moment. “D-don’t do this Mike!” Her voice cracked, shattering into a million pieces, and Lucas’s fingers gripped at Max’s jacket. “Don’t die in front of us..”
Rapid footsteps ranged out within the corridor and El crumpled over the future Mike’s body, shielding him as though she could undo what just happened. Her weak sobs rumbled against the boy below her and Dustin started to whisper soft reassurance to the ravenette, unable to stop his own rainfall from coming down once more. After rubbing down El's back in comfort, Mike raised his hand to Dustin’s cheek one last time. He then lifted his head slightly to tenderly gaze at Will.
“Will…” Will slowly turned to look at the fallen boy. The brunette’s soul was absent like a ghost, phasing through the walls, and into the murky outside. Will’s eyes were squeezed slightly, unable to stop the tears from forming and escaping onto his cheeks. “You shine just as much as you did back then,” Future Mike hushed out, then reached out to hold his counterpart's hand now. “He glows, Mike. Keep him safe.”
Mike's curls quavered as he nodded, snot running down his nose, eyes wide in perturbation. He could barely breathe, unable to stop regret clawing at his insides. “I-I will. I always planned to.”
“I wish I had more time with the rest of you,” Future Mike gave everyone one last glance, his hand on Dustin’s cheek losing strength. Everything started to turn white, silhouettes bursted into dandelions, and their pleas were distorted into mindless noise. “I’m sorry..f-for everything,” After years of concealing his emotions, pushing them into a cage, and sealing them into the abyss. The future Mike finally broke the lock, allowing his tears to flow down freely in front of all his friends.
“I-I love you all,” One last exhale left his body and Mike’s body went limp in Dustin’s arms, his eyes wide open, the light extinguishing after years of suffering.
“NO!” Dustin wailed out, shaking the boy in his arms, as though it would bring him back. “Mike, don't do this! Stay with us! Mike!”
Everyone continued to silently sob. Max had completely fallen into her boyfriend’s side, small whimpers escaping her.
Mike stared into his future’s eyes, shaken to the core, and suddenly El held him close to her chest, glaring at Vecna, terrified of losing their own Mike that very second. Will’s legs trembled making their way to his Mike, almost collapsing when seeing the future one not moving. He then stopped, turned around dangerously, and glared at Vecna. “You will pay for that.” He choked out, hot tears spilling out of his eyes. “You will pay for making us watch our friend die right in front of us.”
“Oh, I’m sure you will, William. But until then, you all better run,” Vecna thundered out, jaw stretching down to his torso, his claws scratching at the air. “RUN! RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN! OR ELSE I’LL TAKE HIM NEXT!”
El helped Mike onto his feet and Will started to urge Dustin to get up. “Dustin! We have to go!”
“We’re not leaving him here!” Dusitn cried out, hugging Mike so tight everyone got scared he’d crush the boy into smithereens.
“Dustin, stop it.” Lucas said weakly, and Max continued to cry at the display.
“Mike, you’re okay buddy,” Dustin brushed aside the dark locks, fingers gently closing the boy’s eyelids shut, hand tracing Mike’s jaw in careful motions. “Yo-you just need some rest. Yea-h that’s it! Y-ou- a-re going to be good in no time..”
The rain hit Lucas, hard. Each of the droplets pulled him under, eventually drowning him under the sudden weight of grief. The only reason he was able to stand was because of Max holding onto him, acting as his anchor.
Dustin was now putting the jacket back onto Mike, zipping it up, concealing the evidence of the blazing injury. “We’re here. You’re no-t going t-o be alone any-more.”
“Please! Just leave him be Dustin!” El yelled out in a raspy tone, hands wiping at her eyes vigorously.
Will couldn’t take it anymore.
His knees buckled, causing Mike to yell out for him.
“Will! What happened?! Will!?” Will was bawling his eyes out and a scream tore out of his throat, echoing down the hall. The brunette's hands were fastened against his ears, not allowing anyone or anything to reach him. “Oh my god, Will!”
Mike fell down in front of him and tried to gently pry his hands away.
“Talk to me..Will...hey. I’m here..I’m okay.”
Will lifted his head up and yanked Mike into his arms causing a surprised yelp to escape the boy. Will glared over Mike’s shoulder, staring Vecna down. He was going murder that monster with his own bare hands. Will’s hand got tangled up in Mike’s curls and Mike let out a shaky breath, his own arms flying up to wrap around his best friend. “I will not let you out of my sight. You hear me, Mike?”
Mike nodded tearily, hiding his face into Will’s shoulder.
“Guys! We have to go!” El forced future Mike out of Dustin's arms, her heart breaking as Dustin called out for his friend and set him gently down on the ground. El gazed upon him one last time, kneeling down on one knee, and placing a gentle kiss on her friend’s forehead. “You were always brave, Mike. I hope you finally find peace.” Pushing down the urge to stay with him, she jumped up to her feet and started leading the group out of the facility.
“Mike! No! We can’t leave him!”
Lucas had captured Dustin in his arms, pushing him forward, taking every kick and punch to the face with no complaints. Mike helped Will up, throwing an arm over his shoulder, mirroring Lucas, who after successfully forcing Dustin to continue running, was doing the same to Max. Mike blinked, and suddenly found everyone circling around him, keeping him shielded as they ran down the corridor.
"Goodbye, Mike.” Dustin murmured, choking at his words, glancing one last time at the boy laying lifeless on the ground. From this distance, Mike had started to turn into a shadow. Vecna stepped over the body, ready to sprint down the corridor.
“Mike! Stay close to us!” Lucas ordered, stepping close to his right side, ready to block any attacks.
Max nodded grimly, still situated in her boyfriend’s grasp. “I swear, Wheeler. If we even catch you lagging slightly behind us I will kill you myself!”
“Thanks, Mayfield! Feeling the love!” Mike said dryly and Will wrapped his arm around the ravenette’s waist, fingers digging into the boy’s blue cotton shirt.
“Mike…I’ll keep you safe,” Will breathed out in a daze, so quiet that no one heard it but Mike, who couldn’t stop his heart from racing upon hearing those words. “I swear.”
“Nothing will hurt you.”