Mike Wheeler x Reader (platonic duh)
(Thanks for sticking around as I get my motivation together)
Hawkins lab had closed a while ago, considering the shit that happened in 1984. (Y/N) knew that, of course they did, they literally bashed demodog skulls in that very building. And yet, it seemed like the abandoned building was calling out to them. Maybe that could've been why they were staring at it from the wired fencing, grasping the wiring with one hand and holding Mike's in the other.
"So you're saying the lab called out to you? Are you sure it's not just the medicine your taking? You're mom said it was pretty strong, you know." (Y/N) looked up at Mike, seeing his concerned expression. Yeah, telling your oldest friend that the abandoned lab in your unsuspecting town called out to you was not the best idea (Y/N)'s had. But it worked didn't it? "It's not my anxiety medicine, Mike, the building literally called to me from my dreams." (Y/N) squeezed Mike's hand before he could say anything, then brought him through the opening Jim cut open to find Will. Except the two weren't looking for anybody in particular. While Mike would complain about (Y/N)'s insistent tugging, he was kinda curious to see what they meant when they said this building filled with shattered memories called out to them.
Mike flicked his flashlight on after watching (Y/N) kick a few wooden slabs in, shining the light into the now opened window. "Maybe we could've found a door?" Mike questioned before stepping through the opening. "Probably, but I don't care. No one comes around here anyway." (Y/N) muttered before climbing through after him. The two stood together, Mike shining the light down a few dark hallways before following (Y/N) down one, handing the flashlight over to them so they could point it instead of him. And of course they clasped hands again, holding onto each other with a steady grip as to not lose one another as they descended deeper into the old lab.
If there was a literal descent into madness, this would be it, Mike decided as he looked around at the decaying demodog corpses littering the floor. The stent down here was disgustingly immaculate, heavy and strong enough to knock a grown man to his knees. But Mike and (Y/N) were stronger than that, at least Mike thought so as he brought a hand up to cover his nose from the underlying stench of death. (Y/N)'s hands were obviously busy, so they couldn't cover their nose, and yet they didn't look bothered by the smell. But Mike knew they weren't focused on the smells in particular as (Y/N) kept the flashlight pointed at a steel door at the end of the hall. "Did you see that in your dreams?" Mike asked, curiosity growing the closer the two got to the door. "Yes, I've seen it at least four times now. I don't know what's behind it though."
Mike sensed fear hiding within (Y/N)'s words, but he knew in some way that he eased their paranoia. Just the same as the bladed bats poking out of their backpack. They were always like that though, fear flooded (Y/N)'s veins like a disease and they always had something to combat it with. Maybe a friend, or a concealed weapon. Or both if your (Y/N). Mike squeezed (Y/N)'s hand to ease them of their twitching, and he reached forward, taking the flashlight from their hand then kept it pointed to the door. (Y/N) didn't want to open the door, but curiosity killed the cat and they were perhaps ready to die from curiosity so they tugged the door open.
Pitch greeted them when the door was pulled wide open. Breaths seemed much more difficult to take as Mike and (Y/N) listened for any noise coming from inside. There was silence for a good moment, both kids going still to see if they could grasp anything that breathing could hide. Well, that was until a throaty, rabid growl disrupted the quiet. (Y/N) grabbed hold of the door as Mike shined the light into the pitch, his eyes widening at something they couldn't see, but they knew it scared him. The sound of claws scraping against the floor alerted (Y/N), and Mike's hand slipped out of theirs to slowly back up. The flashlight was off now, the hallway pitch black and (Y/N) couldn't see an inch in front of them. The scraping came faster now, and (Y/N)'s blood ran cold as they slammed the door shut, the bang reverberating around them as something crashed into the shut door. Mike flicked the flashlight back on and pointed it at the door, keeping it trained there despite his shaking as (Y/N) properly locked the door from the outside. Once (Y/N)'s hands left the door, Mike reached out and grabbed them, pulling them away from the door and the lab.
Their ascent from hell.
The two looked at each other and knew they had to tell Jim. No one else would after all.
