Cursed: Volume 4: THE FINALE
Summary: Vecna has you trapped. Is this finally the end?
Warnings: Girl... If you need warnings still, you in danger..
SERIES NAVIGATION
A/N: ooookay.. So, hi! It's been (checks calendar) almost four years since I've updated this series.. My bad. I feel like I need to explain myself. In '22 my Father died suddenly. His death really messed me up and I really haven't been the same mentally since. I had a beautiful baby in '24 and his birth has unfortunately come with a lot of challenges medically, but we are so in love and he is absolutely precious.
After battling a horrible years long mental health crisis, I am back, thanks to my happy pills and a very loving husband.
I truly hope if you are reading this that you enjoy every second of these 8.3k words. I am so happy to finally say, VOLUME 4 OF CURSED IS HERE!!! I love you, thank you for reading my work, you angel <3
“Daughter?” The unfamiliar word slips from your lips as you gawk at the stranger standing in front of you, clad in a brown three piece wool suit. You stand across from him in a large hallway next to a grand staircase.
The man’s blue eyes gaze at you through his brown rimmed glasses. His dirty blonde hair lay perfectly quaffed on his head. He seems to tower in front of you with his hands firmly clasped in front of him.
He smiles, “At long last.”
“Who are you?” Dread washes over you as you take a step away from the stranger; the swollen ankle you thought you had sustained just a few minutes ago was somehow gone. Eddie’s ripped Hellfire shirt and the blue jeans you were wearing were replaced by an ornate plum dress, something looking right out of 1950.
The stranger stands unmoving with a soft smile still spread across his face. “I- am Henry.”
“Henry.. “ you try to swallow down the dismay you feel. “Where are my friends?”
“Your friends are completely fine,” he says. “You can trust me.” He steps towards you.
You mirror his movements, carefully aligning your strides towards the front door of the home as you slowly back away from the man, “Henry.. I’m scared, please- what’s going on?”
“All is well,” his hands fly up in surrender. “There is no need to be frightened.” He takes another step towards you. “I have simply brought you home.” He reaches out to you and gently strokes your cheek - “Finally.”
“I don’t understand,” your body recoils, face sharply jerking away from the stranger’s touch as you stare at him wide-eyed.
“I can explain everything,” he pauses and motions towards the sitting room, “Please, let me ease your worries. Come, sit with me.”
Your gradual steps backwards lead you towards the stained glass front door of the house as the person calling himself Henry matches every step you take, deliberately backing you into the door as he comes chest to chest with you.
The glass of the door is cold against the backs of your arms as your hand fumbles around for the doorknob.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Henry growls as his strong hand wraps around your wrist, violently yanking you from the door and forcefully pinning you against the wall. Fleshy vines quickly snake around your wrist, creeping up your arm and trailing up your neck, forcing you to look at the man in the brown suit.
A scream tears from your throat as you come face to face with the monster that has haunted you for days.
Vecna.
“Why must you make things so difficult?” The creature’s deep voice booms.
Parasitic tendrils wrap around your leg, inching up around your torso with a flick of the entity’s marred hand. “After everything I have done.. For you.. For the future- our future.. This is how you choose to treat me? By running from my safety?”
The black vines restrict you even tighter as you fight against the villain’s constraints. “Let me go!”
“Never,” it growls.“They took you from me,” Vecna’s charred fingers caress your cheek. “They had no right to keep you from me in the first place… To keep a father from his child..” The monster seems to study you. “No one will ever take you from me again.”
“Please, I don’t- I don’t understand,” you whimper as another vine snakes around you, pulling you even closer to the grotesque monster.
“You will," long fingers spread above you as the creature’s clouded eyes roll to the back of its head, letting out a distorted growl that seemed to shake the ground.
“Please..” Your eyes squeeze closed as you brace for what Vecna would do to you.
Has your time finally come?
Blood-curdling screams ring out from all around as your eyes snap open.
Fluorescent lights twinkle from above as you stand in an empty hallway, white tiles seem to go on forever as you follow the haunting shrieks.
An empty nurse’s desk sits in the middle of an intersection of sterile hallways, a calendar on the desk reads: Tuesday, January 25th 1966
“Please, please - don’t do this! I don’t know what you’re talking about!” A nurse’s desperate pleading startles you. She’s petrified as she looks right at you - no, right past you.
You turn sharply, flinching as Henry stands directly behind you, staring right through you as he glares at the nurse.
“Don’t lie to me!” He screams as he motions his hand, snapping the nurse’s neck.
Your scream is drowned out by the wailing of the nurse still sitting behind the desk as the lifeless body of her coworker slams against the tiled ground with a thud.
“Where is the baby?” The man turns towards the remaining nurse, his wild eyes bloodshot as he gawks at her. “Answer me!“
Her body heaves as she sobs, now cowering behind the desk where she had sat, “I- I- don't know..”
“Liar!” He roars. “Where is she?!”
“D- Doctor Brenner keeps her on the fourth floor, west wing. Please, please don’t-“ With a nod of his head the woman's neck twists violently before her limp body falls to the floor.
Henry stalks towards the dark hallway leading to the staircase as you whirl around, screaming at him, “I don’t understand!”
Henry growls as he continues down the dark hallway leading to the staircase.
Frantic whispering faintly echoes down the hallway to your right, drawing you attention towards the scarlett glow in the distance.
The voices beckon you to a small room; a nursery with no windows, illuminated only by the red glow of the exit sign above the door to the hallway.
The shadows of two nurses dance across the floor as they move around the room hurriedly grabbing diapers and a blanket.
“We have to go..” The taller nurse whispers. “I don’t hear him anymore, he must have gone looking for her elsewhere.” He says, pulling his mask down as he approaches the nurse standing beside a clear bassinet.
You almost choke as you see the man’s face. “Grandpa?”
He looked so young.
“What if they find us?” The woman retorts, “They will kill us, Howard. You know they will kill us! She has his blood running through her veins, and if they find out she survived.. Howard-” the nurse pulls her mask down, “You and I both know that they will hunt us down...”
“Grandma?” Hot tears form in your eyes. You can’t remember the last time you heard your grandparent’s voices.
“When are we going to have a chance like this again, Lois?” Howard asks, gently picking up a small baby from the crib, cradling the tiny piece of perfection in his large hands. “We have to do something right for once. We can protect her from all of this.. From Brenner.. From him..”
“Howard, you and I both know that Martin will never stop trying to recreate him,” tears stream down her face, “He will just start a new program with new subjects.”
“I know.. but we can save her. We can try in some small way to make this right,” they both look at the baby before gazing at one another. “We can be happy. You, me and-“ The two pull apart as commotion is heard from the hallway.
“Go, Lois!” Howard urges as the three quickly slip past you and out of the room, the entire vision turning to black as you come face to face with the blonde man again.
Tears fall from your burning eyes as you stand in the black void, just you and Henry.
“It was a shame that I had to kill them… But, they took you from me,” Henry scowls as he adjusts his button up shirt and brown vest. “Dr. Brenner tried to make me feel crazy. He told me over and over how I should have no reason to believe I had a child..” His nostrils flared, head shaking violently as he grimaced, “He said that the entire trial died during birth. Even the mothers.. But I knew you had to exist. I felt you.” The look on his face is wild as he points to his head. “I felt you in here.. My own flesh and blood..” He reaches out to stroke your face, “My child.”
The knots in your gut tie even tighter, feeling nauseous as you continue to cry. “You can’t be my father, you’re a monster.. you’re lying!”
“No, my dear daughter - I would not lie about such a thing,” his scowling quickly morphs into a pained smile. “You and I will be happy together.” He wipes the tears from your face. “We can create a new world together just you and I.”
“I just want to go home,” your voice trembles. “Please..”
Henry’s palms rest on top of your shoulders as he peers down at you, “You’re home with me now.”
“My home is in Hawkins..” stinging radiates from your ankle as you step away from Henry’s touch. “My home is with Max..” you choke out. “And Eddie.. and Steve and Dustin..” Your shaking hands wipe the tears from your face. “I have a family... And they are going to find me.”
Henry’s smile fades as his palms slam down on the tops of your shoulders. “Do you not get it?” He flashes a psychotic smile, “You are home."
Your heart beats violently against your chest, as you shove away from the man, “Don’t touch me.”
“If you do not stay, I will kill every single person you hold dear,” he threatens. “I will pick them off one by one, and you will be there to watch each of their deaths.”
“Shut up..” you choke out.
“Maybe I will start with the ones you care for most..” He smiles maniacally. “ I’ve been in that head of yours, dear daughter, and I know who to go for first. How fortuitous that she happens to be number one on my to-do list.”
“Fuck- you..” The low humming that has haunted you for days reverberates throughout your cranium as Henry continues, “Do I kill the babysitter or the dungeon master once I’ve killed Maxine? I don’t think you could decide if I made you choose.”
The humming in your head rages, roaring into a tortuous ringing. Your jaw tightens as you wince.
The man calling himself Henry pauses, cocking his head to the side as he watches you, noticing the all too familiar look of pain he had experienced long ago. “Embrace that pain.. There is so much power on the other side of your pain.” He smiles, stroking your cheek - “See? If you stay with me I can teach you how to harness your abilities. I can show you who you really are.”
“No,” you shove away from Henry. “Leave me alone.”
He grimaces, “You will join me.”Fleshy onyx tendrils creep from Henry’s palms, climbing towards you.
The incessant ringing throughout your head grows, bringing you to your knees as your hands tightly cover your ears.
Henry tsks, a sickeningly sweet smile spreads across his face as he watches you cower below him, “My poor girl.. you are in so much pain.” He kneels down, taking your chin in his hand. “Stay with me and let me guide you..”
“Please -“ You try to stand, but Henry’s grip grows tighter. “You’re hurting me..” you inhale sharply. “Let me go.”
“Either you join me on your own accord, or I will have no choice but to force your hand.” his voice booms.
“I will never join you,” you hiss.
"Fine,” he growls, shoving your face from his grip as you remain on the ground.. “You want to do things the hard way.” He begins rolling up the sleeves of his shirt. “We can do things the hard way.” Henry’s hand begins to morph into a monstrously haggard claw as his blue eyes roll upwards.
An agonizing prickling sensation radiates all over your body as you begin to levitate. Your heart races as you brace for Henry’s killing blow. You exhale as your eyes close, just as a small, “ahem” causes your eyes to snap open, surprisingly meeting Steve’s chocolatey gaze as he flashes you a tired smile from across the coffee table.
Crickets chirp outside as the two of you sit in silence on the carpeted floor of your living room.
Steve’s head nods towards the couch to where Eddie slept, sprawled out and peacefully snoring. Both of you giggle.
You scan the room, watching your sleeping friend’s chests rise and fall.
Max sits at the kitchen table, focused on writing her notes. You smile because you know that at this moment everyone is safe. Safe with you.. And you felt safety too. For the first time in years, you could rest.
The painful ringing calms into a humming energy, emanating across your entire body. The prickling sensation from before feels like a warm tingling now as you open your eyes.
Your smile quickly fades as you realize the familiar painted brick walls of Hawkins Middle School surround you. “Every Breath You Take” hauntingly echoes down the dark, empty hallway where you stand, finally back in the clothes you were wearing earlier.
“Trippy..” the sound of the music leads you towards the gymnasium.
The double doors squeak together as you push through them. Blue and silver streamers hang alongside string lights from the rafters of the dimly lit gymnasium, a painted paper banner placed above an empty DJ booth reads: Hawkins Middle Snow Ball 1984.
“What the..” you stop dead in your tracks as you see Max sitting alone at a table. “Max?!”
“Wha- How are you here?” Max’s eyes are wide as she runs to you, her arms wrap around you as she buries her face into your neck. “Where have you been? Steve, Robin, Nancy and Eddie searched all over the Upside Down for you.. We thought.. We thought you were dead..”
“What do you mean?” your brows lace together as the two of you pull apart. Your finger moves stray hair behind Max’s ear before cupping her cheek.
“Vecna took you three days ago.. He dragged you into The Munson’s trailer and we haven’t seen you since,” she says as she puts her hand on yours. “But it’s okay now. You’re here.. Seriously, though, how are you here?”
“I- I don’t know,” your head shakes. “I was with Henry one second and the next, I’m here.”
“Wait- You were with Henry?” Your eyes dart away from Max’s gaze, “Yes..”
“What’s wrong?” She asks, her hand grabs yours. “Did he hurt you?”
“He didn’t hurt me..” Shame is all you feel as you muster up the courage to murmur, “He says that he’s my father.”
Max stares at you, gobsmacked, “What!?”
Suddenly, one of the balloons on the table beside you and Max bursts open - blood spurts everywhere.
A second blood-filled balloon pops, oozing off of the table and dripping onto the wooden gymnasium floor.
Then another pops.
And another.
Every single balloon sprays crimson blood.
The two of you back towards the DJ booth. The sounds of The Police morph into Ella Fitzgerald’s “Dream a Little Dream of Me”, just like during your vision of the Creel House. Streamers begin to fall from the ceiling and the flowers on the table quickly wilt. A cool breeze wafts through the room as white particles begin to float around you.
Lightning strikes as you both stare at each other. “We need to barricade the doors,” you stalk towards one of the tables, quickly grabbing a folding chair and walking it over to the double doors to the gymnasium. “We gotta be quick.”
Lightning continues as the two of you stack chairs in front of the doors. Max stops dead in her tracks as she sees the stained glass door from the Creel House now where the gym doors were.
The wooden door slowly opens.
“You can’t hide from me, Max” the familiar grizzly voice echoes off of the walls of the gymnasium.
Instinctively, you shove Max behind you, keeping her as close to you as possible as you stare at the door. Max closes her eyes as you stand protectively in front of her, your hands balled up into fists of rage.
“You don’t think I see what you’re doing?” He says slowly “-What both of you are doing?”
You step backwards, gripping Max to keep her close behind you.
“You think I don’t see everything?” Vecna growls. “You thought you could trick me.. You thought your friends could stop me?”
You can hear Max gulp as the villain continues. “I see them… I see your friends just as clearly as I see you.”
“I can feel them.. I can feel them dying,” you both stand frozen as Vecna growls out. “It's time, Max.”
“Stay behind me,” you whisper as you see the humanoid creature appear from the shadows. “If you want her, you’re going to have to go through me,”
Vecna gawks at you. “Come on, Henry.”
“Okay,” he shrugs as he flicks his hand, throwing you across the gymnasium. Your body hits the ground with a thud.
“You can no longer run from me, Max,” Vecna motions his charred hand again, this time throwing Max against the back wall of the gym. She cries out in pain, whimpering as her arms remain pinned against the wall.
The monster slowly makes his way towards Max, his heavy feet slap against the ground with every sluggish step he takes, stalking her like a predator would its prey. “You are brave, Maxine. Much braver than your brother. But in the end… you are weak and fragile just like him.. Just like the rest of them. And you. Will. Break,” He says as his clawed hand raises above her head. His ghastly eyes roll to the back of his head, Max’s eyes follow suit.
Everything felt like it was happening in slow motion as you see Max struggle under Vecna’s spell. She wasn’t going to make it if you didn’t do something.
Just as Max’s bones begin to crack, Vecna is quickly thrown across the room by some invisible force as Max hits the gymnasium floor. The villain levitates mid air, his body contorting as if someone had him bound.
His body rotates slowly, facing him towards a girl with a buzzed haircut standing with her arm stretched towards Vecna, holding her open palm out as she seemed to be the force holding the villain in the air.
“You,” Vecna growls.
“Hi,” she says plainly before she moves her arm to the right, violently throwing Vecna across the room and into the wooden bleachers.
Eleven.
Her nose was bleeding just as The Party had described. She really was incredible.
Before Vecna could make a next move, you’re on your feet, scrambling to get to where Max laid on the floor. Eleven makes her way across the gymnasium as you help Max to her feet.
“Max, are you okay?” Eleven asks as she cups her friend’s face. Her brown eyes meet your gaze. The two of you exchange quick smiles before her attention is back on Max.
“Huh?” Max is stunned as she touches Eleven’s head, then her cheek and her chin.
“Are you okay?” She repeats.
“Yeah,” Max nods, “Are- are you real? Did I make you?”
“I’m real,” Eleven sweetly takes Max by the hands and holds them to her beating heart.
“How?” She shakes her head. “I piggy-backed from a pizza dough freezer,” Eleven says. Max trades a puzzled look with you before turning back to Eleven, “What?!”
Wood creaks, cutting Eleven and Max’s reunion short as Vecna emerges from the wooden rubble of the bleachers, growling as he stands, bracing on the seats below him. He cracks his neck before walking towards the three of you.
Eleven stands protectively in front of both you and Max, “Stay back.” She glares at the monster as she starts towards him, their pace matching as they slowly approach one another. The air is thick with anticipation waiting to see who would strike first.
“If you touch her again, I will kill you again,” she says as they slowly circle each other.
“Is that what you did? Hmm?” It almost sounds like he wants to laugh. “Did you kill me?”
Eleven snarls, the blood seeping from her nose touches her top lip.
“I am so glad you are here, Eleven. This.. is going to be beautiful.. So beautiful,” Vecna raises his arms, summoning large pieces of broken wood from the bleachers to levitate behind him. “-And it’s all thanks to you.” He throws his arms forward, the wood chips zoom towards Eleven. She shields her face before throwing her arm, redirecting the wood across the room and piercing the bleachers on the other side of the gymnasium.
Venca pushes his flat palm out towards Eleven, throwing her across the room. Her body hits the DJ table before violently crashing to the ground. He nods, dragging Eleven across before her body is thrown through the air and hurled onto a table.
You and Max stand frozen, watching helplessly as Eleven gets thrown across the room again, this time colliding with a wooden prop, breaking it apart.
Vecna slinks towards Eleven, wet feet slapping against the floor with his hand at the ready as he grows closer to the wreckage where she lay.
Suddenly, his slow steps halt, his heavy feet make a quick squeak against the gymnasium floor as his body is pulled backwards, ever so slightly.
The villain stands frozen as Eleven rises from the wreckage, her brows lace together inquisitively as Vecna’s stiff body slowly rotates away from her, gaining a growl from the beast as his line of sight falls upon you.
Your shaking hands are spread wide with arms extended out in front of you as you direct all of your energy across the gymnasium. Your wrists twist, turning your palms inward towards you as Vecna’s body fully rotates, now facing where you stand.
Your eyes remain on the villain as a small smile spreads across your face, the blood running from your nose takes like copper in your mouth.
Your eyes quickly glance Eleven’s way as you give her a small nod. She returns the gesture before her arm raises, hurling Vecna across the room with ease. She makes quick work of running over to where the two of you stand.
The creature rises as Eleven steps back in front of you and Max. His head tilts, suddenly throwing Max across the gym again. Her body hits the brick wall, rendering her unconscious as her body hits the ground..
Eleven’s arm raises in retaliation, her efforts falter as Vecna’s arm raises too. Her head is pulled back as her body stiffens. You can hear her bones beginning to crack as she starts to levitate.
With a twist of his wrist, Vecna brings Eleven towards him.
Hearing Eleven’s whimpers made your skin crawl.
Your arms extend out in front of you as you try to muster up the energy you tapped into before. But Vecna was too quick. His opposite arm quickly stretches towards you, flinging you across the room.
Vecna is now face to face with Eleven, he leans even closer and says “Before I kill you.. I want you to watch.” He throws Eleven towards a glowing red portal before he begins walking towards where Max lays.
“Don’t touch her,” you growl as you stand, shoving your palm out towards the creature. A force slightly pushes him, causing him to falter from his path towards Max.
The creature grumbles before lazily flicking its wrist towards you, sending you falling through what felt like layers of energy.
You scream as your eyes screw closed, your arms shield your head as your body finally hits a solid wall.
Wait.. Is this a floor?
Immediately, you recognize the carpeted floor of the Munson’s trailer… Or some decaying version of Eddie and Wayne’s trailer.
Your eyes follow the fleshy vines that have grown up the walls of the mobile home, every black tendril seems to lead up to the same crimson tear you had gotten dragged through before; positioned on the ceiling right above you. White spores float through the air as shrill shrieks come from outside, startling you.
Is this real?
Someone utters your name from the shadows. You turn, expecting the worst and seeing, “Dustin?!”
He was standing in the door frame of the trailer, wearing some kind of bushy camouflage suit as he gaped at you. Tears fall down his face as he quickly limps towards you, his arms flying around you as he hugs you tightly, “We thought you were dead…” he sobs before abruptly pulling away. His eyes are wide as he blinks out large tears, “Eddie… We have to go after him..”
“What do you mean?” your voice shakes as you watch Dustin panic.
“We need to go right now,” he urges as he pulls you towards the door and out into a horrifically warped version of the trailer park you called home. The shrill sounds from before echo, stopping you in your tracks as a swarm of what looked like bats fly off into the distance. Red illuminates the sky above, a flash of electricity branches out in the heavens as a deep rumble shakes the ground.
“Eddie!” Dustin’s voice cracks as he wails, trying to hobble faster towards something laying on the ground a few yards away.
You run after him, almost tripping over black vines on the ground as you near the scene.
The breath is knocked out of your lungs as you see Eddie lying on the ground, surrounded by the lifeless bodies of otherworldly creatures. Another strike of lightning spreads across the red sky above you.
This has to be a nightmare.
You can see Dustin’s shoulders heave through gasping sobs as he struggles to help Eddie up from the ground, his attempts futile as he cradles his friend’s broken body in his arms.
The knot in your stomach tightens the closer you get to your friends.
Blood is.. Everywhere.
Ruby liquid pours from Eddie’s mouth as he smiles through tears, choking as he asks, “Bad, huh?”
Your knees hit the ground first before releasing a pained cry, tears hit leather as your hands ghost over the bloody gashes covering Eddie’s body. “Eds, wha-what happened to you?” your wide eyes burn as you continue to sob, trying to assess the lacerations.
This is far too much blood..
Eddie’s warm palm covers your shaking hands. His teeth are bloody as he smiles weakly, his doe eyes crinkling as he breathes, “Hey, Princess.”
Hitching gasps rack your body as you grab his hand and cradle his handsome face in your other palm, “Eds - I-I need you to get up, okay? We can.. We can get you to a doctor..”
His quivering hand points at your chest as he lets out a breathless giggle, “You’re wearing my shirt… Hot.” Somehow, even in this moment, Eddie Munson made you laugh through sobs. You nod, “Y- yeah, It’s gotten me through.”
“I knew.. I knew you weren’t dead,” a tear falls from the far corner of his chestnut eyes as his attention turns to Dustin, who was a sniffling mess. “You’re gonna have to look after those little sheep for me, okay?”
“No, you’re gonna do that yourself,” Dustin cries.
“Nah, man,” Eddie chokes. “Say ‘I’m gonna look after them’... Say it..”
“I’m..” he blubbers. “I’m gonna look after them.”
“Good..” He gives Dustin a knowing look. “-’Cause I’m actually gonna graduate.” He chuckles weakly. Tears brim in his tired eyes, “I think it’s finally my year..” Eddie struggles to speak, “I love you, man.”
Dustin blinks through tears as he holds Eddie, “I love you, too..”
Between rattling breaths, Eddie’s eyes lock onto you, “You… are the best thing.. that has ever happened to me.” His blood soaked hand raises, holding your wet cheek in his palm. “I’m s-sorry I won’t get to take you on that date.” He lets out an exhausted breath as he chokes on the blood pooling in his throat.
All you can do is cry as you lay your head on Eddie’s chest, “P-please stay with me.” You sob as you feel the rhythmic beating in his chest slow. “I love you so much, Eddie.” His breathing becomes more shallow, “I- I love you more.”
A final breath escapes Eddie’s parted lips as he drifts off into the cosmos.
Dustin’s fingertips gently close Eddie’s eyelids before he sits back in disbelief, still tightly holding onto his friend’s lifeless body.
Your continued weeping is all that is heard throughout the desolate plain as you cling to your lost love. Dustin’s quivering hand begins to stroke your hair.
“Please… Please don’t leave me..” You plead between violent sobs. “Please.. Please wake up..”
Dustin’s sniffling ceases as he murmurs, “What the fuck..” He whispers your name, gaining your attention as you slowly sit up and see him staring wide-eyed at something in the distance. “We need to move right now,” his eyes remain transfixed as the ground begins to rumble.
Your head whips towards the sound of loud cracking, The Muson’s trailer slowly rips in two as the earth falls into itself, glowing red as the tear begins to grow towards where you sit.
Dustin is on his feet first, pulling at your Hellfire shirt as he begs you to stand, “Please, we will all die if we don’t move right now!
You take your friend’s clammy hand as you clumsily stand to the ground. “Dustin, I can't leave him here.”
“Good,” he grunts as he begins to pull Eddie’s body away from the cracking earth, “That was never the plan. Grab his feet..”
The two of you struggle to drag the fallen paladin to the tree line of Forest Hills before both stumbling to the ground, panting as you watch the tear in the earth continue to rip its way towards the heart of downtown Hawkins, demolishing everything it touches.
“Wait,” Dustin stares at the cracked earth, “Oh my god..” his tearful eyes meet yours.
“What is it?” your stomach drops as you begin to panic. “Wha- What’s happened?”
Dustin gulps as he stares at you, he lets out a shaking exhale, “If, uh… If the gate is open..” he shakes his head, his eyes close as his fingers massage the bridge of his nose. He can’t seem to look at you as he whispers, “He won.”
“What do you mean?” Your heartbeat pounds in your ears.
Dustin’s brows furrow as his eyes close again. “Vecna,” he murmurs. “He needed the fourth gate to open in order to create a dimensional barrier from here to Hawkins.” His eyes finally meet yours as he says -
“If Vecna won.. Max is dead.”
“What?” Your hands roll into tight fists as rage begins festering in your gut. If your jaw was clenched any tighter, you’d crack all of your teeth. You stare at Eddie’s body, frozen, as angry tears begin to fall to the ground.
Dustin’s walkie-talkie goes off, Steve’s voice comes over the line “Henderson.. Henderson- Come in Henderson. Shit has gone sideways.. We’re almost to Mirkwood - Over.”
“This is.. Dustin…” he clears his throat. “We’re at the tree line. Over.”
Dustin yanks off the ghillie suit he wore before tenderly placing it over Eddie’s body. The both of you share the same horrified expression as you sit in silence.
“Oh my god, they found her!” You can hear Robin’s muffled voice as your ears begin to ring. The rage that was rotting in your stomach feels like bile coming up your throat as you continue to stare at the form under the ghillie suit.
This was all your fault.
Max is dead. Eleven is probably dead.. Your grandparents, Hopper.. Now Eddie…
His bloody smile and tired eyes haunt you. You try to make the thoughts stop, try to calm yourself - but there is nothing left. No solid ground to stand on.
Ringing ricochets off of your skull as pins and needles prick your skin. Your vision becomes hazy and the ground feels like it could swallow you whole. You try to stand, but your legs are too weak. You can hear the muffled voices of your panicked friends as the ringing bellows, you try to reach out for help-
And then it all goes black.
—
You wake up gasping as you sit up, wide eyes hurriedly scanning your surroundings as your vision lands on the warm eyes of Steve Harrington. He sits on a couch in a living room you had never seen before. It was empty for the most part, other than two lamps, the couch where you lay, and the couch where Steve sat; Robin sleeps sprawled out beside him.
“Is this real?” you ask, swallowing hard as you continue to scan the living room, crickets chirp outside as your eyes land back on Steve’s gaze. “Are you real?”
“Yes ma’am,” he nods. He looks so sad as his tired eyes linger on you.
“Where am I?” Your voice is small. Is this another one of Henry’s mind games? “My parents' house. Well.. technically, now my house since they decided to leave Hawkins,” he breathes as his hands rake through his chestnut locks.
“How the hell did we get out of The Upside Down?”
“Well.. you passed out after we found you guys.. So, I carried you…” he shrugs slightly.
“Where is everyone else?” you panic.
“Nance is with her family.. Henderson is- well, Dustin is at Hopper’s cabin,” his eyes scan the carpeted floor of the living room, illuminated by the two lamps, glowing amber in the dark home.
“Why would he be there?” your brows furrow.
“Well..” he blinks, lips pursed together as he says, “He’s.. he’s with Eddie. We, uh- we decided it would be for the best to bury him out at Hopper’s cabin… He’ll be safe there.” His tone is gentle as his chocolate eyes look back at you. “I can take you there if you want. We can go right now.”
Eddie’s bloody smile flashes in your thoughts, bringing you right back to The Upside Down. Brimming tears burn your eyes. And then it hits you.
“Oh my god…” your stomach drops as your hand slowly covers your mouth. Silent tears fall, dripping off of your hand as you remember Dustin’s words as The Upside Down tore apart; “If Vecna won, Max is dead.”
“Max…” your voice breaks as you let out a breathless sob, trying to keep quiet so you don’t wake Robin.
Steve is up immediately, making his way over to you and dropping to his knees as he breathes your name. “I need you to look at me, please,” he says as his warm palm lays on top of your shaking hand. “Max is alive. She’s really hurt, but she’s somehow still alive. But, I need you to know..” he sighs, his chocolate eyes linger on his hand that covers your arm, “You need to know that the Doctors think that Max is brain dead..”
“What?” you choke as your hand drops.
“The Doctors don’t know if she will wake up. They’ve never seen anything like this before,” he shakes his head.
You let out an exhausted sigh before your tears turn into sobs. “He did this because of me,” your shoulders heave as you hold your hands tightly covering your mouth to muffle your cries.
“Hey, hey, hey,” Steve breathes your name again, his thumb rubbing against the skin of your forearm. “None of this was your fault. Hey, look at me,” he croons as your tearful eyes meet his affectionate gaze, “Absolutely none of this was your fault. I need you to know that. Max and Eddie are dead because of Vecna and no one else.”
Your arms fly around Steve as your face buries into the dip of his shoulder to stifle your sobbing. “It’s all my fault, Steve.”
“Why on earth would you think that?” His hands hesitate, hovering at the small of your back as you sit up to take a breath between heaving cries.
“Because.. He’s…” you can’t even bring yourself to say it.
“What happened?” Steve’s voice is laced with concern. “Did that motherfucker hurt you?”
You shake your head as you swallow back your tears. You can’t even look Steve in the eyes as you murmur, “Henry says that he’s my father.”
“No,” Steve makes a face as he barely shakes his head. “There is absolutely no way Henry Creel is your father.”
Your eyes remain on the carpeted floor, “He’s convinced me.”
Steve inhales slowly before he says, “That’s okay.” He bends his body to let his eyes meet yours, “Okay, so who cares if you’re an evil villain’s daughter? You’re still you.” A small, tired smile spreads across his handsome face as he continues, “You are the kindest, most beautiful, most loving person that I have ever met. You could be a direct descendant of Satan himself and I couldn’t care less.”
A small, breathless giggle escapes your lips before your hand slaps back over your mouth as you stare at Steve, who shared your same horrified look before you both let out a chuckle.
God, it felt so wrong to laugh right now.
You both sit in awkward silence, your eyes fall to the ground again.
“Steve,” Hearing you say his name made him weak. “I… I don’t know if I can do it right now.. I don’t know if I can see Max without falling apart and I.. I can’t fall apart right now. I- I really just need to go home, if that's okay. Could you drive me? I have gas money at my trailer.”you stand, hissing as your bruised ankle bends.
Steve’s sturdy arms catch you before you can fall, helping you stand as he looks down at you, his eyes weak. “You can’t..” he sighs, his head shakes. “I am so sorry.. Forest Hills is gone.. Vecna destroyed it, and half of Hawkins when he opened the Gate.”
“What?” you breathe, feeling light headed as you reach down for the couch cushion. “Wha- Where am I supposed to go? I have no home..” your head shakes as reality sets in. “I have no one..”
“You have me,” his voice is gentle as he sits you down on the couch. “Uh- and- and you have Robin, too.” He stumbles over his words as he looks down at his hand that was holding yours, retracting his touch as he clears his throat. “I- I was actually kind of wondering if you would want to live here with me.. And with Robin. Her family skipped town, too. This house is far too big for just Robin and me.”
“You’d take me in, just like that?” you ask, your tearful eyes meet his.
“I mean, of course I would.. I love you,” he says, his eyes grow wide as realization washes over him. “I- uh, I meant I would love to have you here.. With me, and Robin.”
You nod, still unsure if all of this is real or if it was another one of Henry’s mind games. Your eyes scan over the room, looking for some small sign that he had crafted this moment together and he had entered your mind yet again.
Steve notices your panicked expression, his warm palm lays on your forearm. Your watery eyes blink out searing tears as you look at Steve.
His voice is soft as he brings your hand to his beating heart, “I’m going to keep you safe.” He swallows as he wraps his other hand around yours, “No one is going to hurt you while I’m around.”
“What if he comes back?” you ask, your tired eyes focus on Steve’s warm gaze.
“Who? Vecna?” he scoffs. “He has to go through me in order to get to you,” he flashes a small smile at you.
Steve’s confidence made you smile, though you knew Henry was capable of atrocious things.
“I’ll stay,” you say as you and Steve sit in the amber glow of the empty living room, the crickets chirp outside.
A small smile spreads across Steve’s striking face as he glances over to where Robin lays sleeping on the other couch, “Okay.” His brown eyes meet yours, “Roomies?”
You nod, “Roomies.”
—
Your heart races as your palm grips cold metal as you push the hospital door open. Steve gives you a small nod as he stands at the threshold of Max’s hospital room.
Your feet lightly tap against the linoleum floor as you near the bed where your friend lays motionless; bandages and casts cover her body. Your skin crawls as you try to hold back your rage.
“I’m going to kill him,” you say, matter of fact as your hand gently lays on Max’s head, your fingers instinctively stroke her orange locks. “He said that he was going to kill everyone I loved.. But, he has another thing coming if he thinks I’m going to let him win.”
The monitors beep, Max’s heart rate is slow. “I am going to find him, Max. And when I do, I’m going to make him wish that he never touched you…” your eyes fall to the floor. “-Or.. Or, Eddie.” Your head shakes as your thumb strokes Max’s forehead, “I love you.. I’m- I’m going to figure out how to find you, Max. I know you’re in there still. I know you’re a scrapper. You’re in there somewhere..”
The door opens as a nurse walks in, stopping in her tracks as she sees you, “Oh, hi there, I’m Rita, Maxine’s night shift nurse. May I ask who you are in relation to the patient?”
You choke before clearing your throat, your hand falls to your side, “Well, I’m..” your eyes look at Max, studying her features as she sleeps peacefully. “I’m her sister.”
“Well, it's nice to meet you. I am so sorry to be meeting you under these circumstances, but I am so happy Maxine has another person to be here for her,” the nurse smiles. “Please let me know if you need anything. Just press this button right- here.” She points to the bed, turning on her heels as she heads towards the door.
“Um, Nurse Rita?” “Yes?” She turns back to you, eyebrows raised inquisitively. “Who else visits Max?”
“Her little boyfriend. He is precious. I want to say his name is Luke? No, no, no.. Lucas. Sweet kid. I’m actually shocked you missed him and his sister, they were just here.” she gives a small smile. “Any other questions?”
You shake your head. “No, ma’am. Thank you.”
—
Leaves crunch under your feet as you, Robin and Steve make your way deep into the forests of Hawkins. The sun perfectly placed in the sky shone golden beams through the trees as you traverse into the woods.
You stop dead in your tracks as you see a figure in the distance. Your heart begins to race, wondering if Henry had found you again.
“Steve.. He still hasn’t gone home?” Robin sighs, shaking her head. “Do we even know the last time he’s eaten anything?”
“Look, we have all tried to get him to go home,” Steve says. “He refuses to leave.”
“Let me talk to him,” you say, gaining both Steve and Robin’s attention. They both nod, staying behind as you walk towards where Dustin sat, slumped over beside the fresh dirt of Eddie’s grave, still wearing the clothes he had on in The Upside Down.
“Hey,” you breathe as you awkwardly step beside where Dustin sits. “I- uh, I hope it’s okay to be here with you. I.. I just, please tell me if I need to leave.”
Dustin looks up at you, the sun reflects off of his glossy eyes. “It’s- it’s okay.”
“Okay,” you nod as you slowly sit beside your friend. “Thank you for letting me be here.”
“You’re- you’re welcome,” all of the sudden, Dustin’s arms fly around you as he begins to wail.
Your hands wrap around Dustin, bringing him close to you as your fingers try to run through his tangled curls. “It’s okay, Dustin. I’m right here, I’m not going anywhere.”
“He loved you, you know,” Dustin says between sobs.
“I know,” you whisper as you rub Dustin’s heaving back. “And, he loved you, Dustin… so, so much.”
He sobs. “Why did he have to go and be so stupid? Why- why did he have to go and get himself killed!?”
You try not to cry, but you can’t help but to join in on Dustin’s sobs before you pull away, looking him in the eyes. “I don’t know.. I don’t know why he would do that.. I wish I did. I really do, because to me.. To me, trying to fight off demobats by yourself sounds like a death sentence.”
You and Dustin share the same look as your eyes fall to the fresh dirt on the ground.
“I hope Eddie knows how much we love him,” you breathe. “I hope he knows that he was my best friend and that I cherish every moment I spent with him.”
“All I have ever wanted to be is like him,” Dustin says. “He took us sheep in.. He cared.”
A sniffle comes from behind where you sat, you and Dustin both turn, seeing a tall boy with black hair crying, "Eddie Munson was the best of us.."
Dustin stands immediately, throwing his arms around the boy, “Mike! Mike.. you’re alive.. Thank god you’re alive.” Another boy with a bowl cut steps out from behind the boy called Mike, “Will!” Dustin hugs him, “What are you doing in Hawkins!?”
“We came back home.. We.. Hawkins needs us,” Will says, stumbling over his words.
“What happened?” Mike sniffles as he eyes the grave.
“It’s a long story,” Dustin shakes his head.
Squeaky breaks are heard in the distance, “Who the hell is that?” Mike says as he starts towards the sound.
“Wait,” Dustin grabs his arm. “Let me go with you.” The two start off towards the cabin Steve had parked his beamer in front of.
The boy named Will turns towards you, giving you an awkward smile, “Hi.”
“Hi,” you say with a smile, introducing yourself with a hand extended the boys way. As he takes your hand flashes of memories fire off in your mind.
A little boy is pinned against a wall, black vines wrapped all around his body, even going down his throat. You can see Vecna standing in front of him, eyes rolled towards the back of his head as particles leave the vines and enter the child’s body.
You can feel his fear as he sits in a hospital room, surrounded by medical personnel. But you could feel him.. Feel him lurking in the shadows of Will’s mind.
You quickly pull your hand away, looking wide-eyed at Will. “You can still feel him, can’t you?” you ask.
“What?” he chokes as his hand palms the back of his neck.
“I feel him too,” you say. Will’s eyes snap to your gaze. “He’s still alive, creeping around somewhere. I don’t know where, I've tried to find him… but I know without a shadow of a doubt that he is still alive.”
Will looks up to the sky as black smoke billows.The familiar particles from The Upside Down begin to float in the air.
“What the fuck..” you turn to see Steve and Robin approaching where you and Will stand. “We need to get out of here right now. I don’t know what’s going on,” Steve says as he motions towards where he parked his car.
A loud rumble grabs your attention as your head whips around towards the noise.
“None of this can be safe to breathe in,” Robin says, panicked as she grabs your hand. “We should really get out of here.”
“What the hell is the rumbling about,” you begin towards the noise again, your feet picking up the pace as you start running towards the continued booming in the distance; Steve follows closely behind.
The tree line ends as you find yourself standing on the side of a grassy hill overlooking the destruction of Hawkins.
A familiar silhouette stands at the edge of where the luscious grass begins to decay.
“Eleven?” you breathe, brows furrowed as you take another step towards the girl.
She turns, her eyes widen as she begins your way. The two of you embrace as you both begin to cry.
Eleven pulls away, looking you in the eyes as she says, “I- I can’t find Max anywhere when I look for her.. I.. She can’t be dead..”
Your head shakes, “Max Mayfield doesn’t die that easily. I believe she’s still there, somewhere.. We’ll find her.” You grab Eleven’s hand, “You and me.”
She nods as a familiar voice says, “Hey, kid.” Your stomach drops as you turn, meeting the face of “Hopper!?” Your arms wrap around him, “You’re alive.. How are you alive?” You cry.
“It’s a long story,” he smiles, his hand rubbing the top of your head. “How in the world have you gotten wrapped up in all of this with all of us?"
You give him a weak smile before glancing at Steve who stands a few yards away with Robin, “It’s a long story.”
“Well, we will have time to share our long stories,” he smiles as his arm wraps around Joyce Byers. You beam at their embrace. “Yes sir,” you nod before turning back to Eleven.
“We’re gonna find him,” you say to Eleven as you look to the sky. “And when we find him, we’re gonna kill him.”
She snarls as she bends down to touch a wilting flower, a perfect example of the destruction Henry has caused all of you.
“We kill him together,” she says plainly before she stands, her hand wraps around yours as you all stare at the havoc you once called home.