PATIENT ZERO «1» Will Byers x Male Reader

-The Body - PT. 1-

❗️TW: Panic Attack❗️
⚠️ = start/end of triggered scenes

Life was cruel.

It had gotten his hopes up, then all at once, his world came crashing down.

(Y/N) had never acknowledged the fact that he had a popcorn ceiling, when it crossed his mind before, he was repulsed at the pattern, thinking it was the ugliest thing about his room. Now, he couldn't be disgusted by the rough texture, it being the only thing keeping him calm as he traced the made-up patterns in his head.
He was exhausted, crying through the night until he had fallen asleep, then waking the next morning and feeling as if every ounce of energy was drained from him. No matter what he did, how hard he tried, his mind always went back to his friend. It must've been cold, being in the water for so long - and the impact must've hurt - falling from such a steep height.

He never cared for the random feelings he had gotten, the ones that felt as if they weren't his, but he wished he could've felt what Will felt, even if it hurt, just to know that Will wasn't suffering alone.

Looking over to his dresser, he gazed at the large snake habitat that rested on it. Forcing himself up, he went over to the box, taking off its top and reaching his hand down, letting Henry slither up his arm after a second. When he took his hand out of the box, he let it fall to his side, Henry now sneaking around his shoulders. (Y/N) gave the biggest smile he could - which managed to be the smallest smile he's ever given - at the affection from the snake, taking a finger and gently rubbing its head.
The moment of peace was abruptly disturbed when (Y/N) heard a low hiss come from his beloved pet. Henry quickly leapt from (Y/N)'s shoulder onto the floor, facing him again and giving him another long hiss. (Y/N) was confused by this, trying to seem as unthreatening as he could,

"Henry, what's wrong buddy, it's just me-"

His calming words were cut short when Henry violently threw his head forward, hissing again and making sure to show his fangs. (Y/N) flinched, stumbling back and throwing out a hand to catch himself. He landed near his dresser, a large mirror falling from its place beside the dresser. He looked from his pet to the fallen item. Suddenly, he did a double take, his eyes shooting back to the mirror.
⚠️
It wasn't his reflection he was seeing. Instead, in the glass was the very friend he lost, Will. He blinked a few times, then gasped when he was no longer Will, but instead was his corpse. His eyes flew away from the mirror, his hand going over his mouth as he started to hyperventilate.

'What was that?'

'Was I-'

'What the hell!'

His thoughts raced as the room spun, he couldn't get a hold of his mind. He felt sick to his stomach, the pale flesh, dead eyes, every trait that belonged to his dead friend, it was an exact copy. He began to shake and cough; his tears accidently being inhaled as he panicked.

'No, no no no no no!'

"Fuck!"

His hands flew to his hair and pulled roughly, trying to push back multiple sobs that managed to escape him anyways. 'Will- No- Why the fuck is this happening!'
⚠️
His panic was brought down, his mind finally being able to focus as a scaley body slid up his torso. Lowering his hands, he looked at Henry, who had returned to his shoulders. Cautiously, he glanced in the mirror, sighing in relief when he saw himself. He looked at his snake, smiling only slightly,