"MATERIAL GIRL" // Will Byers x Reader

The Enemy of My Enemy // CHAPTER 17

It's Billy. 

But he doesn't look like he did the last time I saw him. 

He doesn't look infected by the Mind Flayer. 

'Billy?' I frown, standing back. 'What the hell? Where am I?' 

'Just shut up and listen,' Billy says. He shakes his head quickly, muttering to himself. 'Sorry. I don't have a lot of time.' 

'Where is everyone?' 

'You're still in my mind,' He says. 

'Where's El?' 

'She...' Billy cuts himself off. 'she's also in my mind. But a different part, which is why you're here and she's not.' 

'Wha-' 

'Listen. Things are going to get real ugly up there, okay? I can't control him anymore..' 

'The Mind Flayer, you mean?' I ask. 

'Yeah,' Billy grimaces. 'I've done a lot of things I regret. I'm going to tell you something that will potentially help you stop him.' 

'Shoot,' I say, sitting down. 

'Appeal to my better nature,' Billy says significantly, dipping his head forward. 'There, that's it.' 

'Really? You can't tell me how to kill the giant chemical creature, or give me a new power?' I sigh. 'Appeal to your better nature..what does that even mean?' 

'It means that I'm not in control of myself anymore,' Billy explains. 'My body is there, but I'm  not. I'm the only one who can stop him.' 

'The host,' I say, my eyes wide. 'You're the host. If there's no  host, there's no...' 

'Exactly,' Billy says. 

'But that means you'll...' I trail off. 

'I know,' He says, looking away. 'And when I do, I need you to tell Max something for me.' 

'Anything.' 

His voice gets softer and softer until it's almost gone. The fog starts to roll in, coveting him in black smoke. 

'Tell her I'm sorry.'