Lady in Red [Max Mayfield]

[18] Max's POV

BAM, BAM, BAM

The sound makes me shoot up in fear. Alex does too, and our eyes meet each other's. What the fuck was that?

BAM, BAM, BAM

I look around the room, and everyone is sitting up, and seems to be shaking with fear.

Joyce runs out of the guest room, and motions for us to stay quiet. I doubt she was even asleep before the sound.

I cling onto Alex in fear. What am I supposed to do? What if it's Billy? I can't put Alex in that type of danger again.

BAM, BAM, BAM

Murray comes running down the stairs, wrapped in his robe, "What the hell is that noise?" He yells.

"Shut the hell up!" Joyce whisper screams.

Murray glances around the room and seems to understand what's going on. He sprints over to his bulky computer, and clicks a few buttons.

His face drops. Oh no. It's Billy, isn't it?

"J-J-Joyce." Murray waves his hand weakly, and Joyce runs over.

Murray points to the computer screen, and Joyce glances at it fearfully. Soon, her face drops as well.

Murray holds down a button and says in a scared voice, "W-What is your name."

He releases the button and in seconds a voice answers.

"Jim. Jim Hopper."

No. There's no way. Joyce. She saw him. She-She saw him die!

Eleven stands up and walks slowly over to the computer screen.

She turns her head to look down, and her face drops and lightens at the same time. This can't be real. He's dead!

Well, that is a bit hypocritical. I did just see my dead brother walk, and talk, and breathe earlier.

Murray presses the button again, "I don't believe this. Jim, is that really you?"

"Murray, let me in, damn it! It's freezing out here." He yells.

"Oh my god, it is him!" Murray says, delighted. He runs to the door and unlocks his army of locks.

Instead of prying the door open, he just stands there. He turns to look at Eleven and motions for her to open it.

She takes a few steps towards the door, and grabs the giant handle. She starts to pull it open, when a thought goes through my mind.

"Wait! What if it's Billy, tricking us?" I grab El's arm.

El turns to look at me, "It's okay. I can fight him." she promises.

I nod, trying to believe her. I want to believe her so badly, but I'm not sure she's ready to fight the upside down again.

El takes the door handle, and pulls the door open slowly.

When it's fully open, I close my eyes. There's no way it's Hopper. I'm so scared to open my eyes. It has to be Billy. He has to be tricking us.

"Hop?" El squeaks out. I force myself to open my eyes, and to my surprise, Jim Hopper stands on the other side of the door.

"Eleven." Hopper smiles, and tears full his eyes. El runs to Hopper and engulfs him in a hug.

There's silence until El starts to sob, "I thought y-y-you w-were dead. I-I-"

"Shhh, it's okay." Hopper tells her.

I look around the room, and the party just stares in shock. This can't be happening. He's dead!