No Surrender | Eddie Munson

Chapter Nine: The Bathtub

CHAPTER NINE: THE BATHTUB

THROUGH THE EYES OF A CHILD — AURORA

Darker times will come and go
Times you need to see her smile
And mothers' hearts are warm and mild
I would rather feel this world through the skin of a child

TW// Hospital setting, mentions of cancer, hair loss

——————

"It's gonna be okay," I try to reassure Eleven as we sit on the desks of the middle school's science lab. My wrist still feels hot and puffy, even slight movements causing pain despite the sling limiting me.

She smiles weakly and holds out an ice pack that we'd managed to find. Flinching at first, I ease into it and let her press it against the bruised skin. "I know you." Her whisper is accompanied by a tentative glance to the still-open closet that Joyce bustles around in.

Reluctantly meeting her gaze, I nod. "Yeah, I guess you do. Wish I remembered."

"Really?"

Her question brings a laugh from my aching lungs. "Probably not. Look, I thought all those nosebleeds were a symptom but maybe I'm not sick again. Maybe I'm like you. Did they ever put me in that 'Bath'? Could I try instead, save you the energy?"

The door closes with a sharp click and she quickly straightens up. I shift over to let Joyce sit with her, watching as she holds out a pair of safety goggles covered in duct tape. "This will keep it dark for you, just like in your bathtub." Her gaze softens. "You are a very brave girl. You know that, don't you? Everything you're doing for my boy — for Will — , for my family... thank you." Sighing, she takes Eleven's hands in hers and says, "Listen. I am gonna be there with you the whole time and if it ever gets too scary i-in that place, you just let me know, okay?"

"Yes."

"Ready?"

Her eyes flit over to me once more. "Ready."

—

The Bath is ready when we arrive in the gym.

Eleven slips off her shoes and socks, passing her digital watch back to Mike. I offer my best smile to encourage her before she puts on the goggles and lies down. The water catches her body and holds her head above the surface.

Kneeling by the edge, I catch sight of Hopper out of the corner of my eye. He is right beside me. Brenner's words fill my head again and I feel sick, wanting nothing more than to be away from him. It seems ridiculous but a part of me wishes never to see him again. Everything was fine until this point — not good, what I remember of my life has never been good, but it was fine. I could handle it.

The lights buzz overhead, the noise forming a heavy pressure in my ears. We are plunged into darkness. Only the moon illuminates the large hall.

"Barbara?" she asks.

My breathing grows more laboured by the second. I can hardly think.

A hand rests on my shoulder, blue irises meeting mine. "You okay?"

"Yeah," I murmur, looking up at him through half-lidded eyes that drift out of focus. Steady drumbeats pound in my ears. "Don't... f-feel so good."

The lights pulse and go out again. "What's going on?"

Shrugging, Mike glances over to his sister. "I don't know."

She shifts closer. "Is Barb okay? Is she okay?"