ʰᵉˡˡᶠⁱʳᵉ ᶜˡᵘᵇ

𝟐𝟎

I trusted Nancy on this one, so why did this plan sound risky? It was. But taking the risk was the right thing to do. "Okay.I wanna run through it one more time, Nancy says. Everyone nods.

"Phase one."

"We meet Erica at the playground."

"She'll signal Max and Lucas when we're ready."

"Phase two."

"Max baits Vecna. He'll go after her, which will put him in his trance. (Y/N) will fight him in her mind."

"Phase three?"

"Four."

"We head into Vecna's newly bat-free lair, and...flambé, Robin replies. Nancy adds," Nobody moves on to the next phase until we've all copied. Nobody deviates from the plan, no matter what. Got it?"

We reply in unison, "Got it." I didn't think this would work. Considering Vecna was always one step in front of us. I didn't even know if this would even work to be honest. But we needed to do this.

So, I put my doubt beside me, going with Max and Lucas in the house. But not in the upside down. I nervously fidget my fingers, which helps me calm down kind of. Not entirely. "We can do this, (Y/n), Max insists.

"I hope so."

We explore with the only light we have, lanterns. We couldn't even speak, communicating with notepads. The floor kept creaking while we walked. It bothered me but i showed no emotion. Erica led us to the flashing lantern, which meant only one thing. Everyone's lanterns were glowing, my eyes widen in surprise, kind of. On her notepad, Erica wrote:

Phase one?

We nodded, but i had so much doubt, this might go horribly wrong. Trying to be positive, I thought of things that were when I was the happiest. It helped, my doubt slowly going away. Now just sitting down, the silence was . Running Up That hill was playing, so we heard it.

Waiting seemed like forever, my impatience getting to the best of me mentally. The song echoing in my mind. But nothing could prepare us for this fight. Not even me. Hell, I might not even be strong enough to fight him off myself.

The mood changed, I smile noticing Max and Lucas were smiling. They were being happy right now, which made me feel good. It helped me know everything would work out in the end. We got up, the flashlight blinking, meaning she copied.

I glance over to Max, then Lucas copies, too. God, I wasn't sure if I could do this. But if Max is with me, I think i could help. El too. The blindfold clutched in my hand while we walk up the stairs. The song playing still. But seeing the flashing lantern, I sensed his presence.

I bit my lower lip nervously, the song stopping. Completely quiet. "Hey! Max says loudly."Asshole! I'm here. No more music. No more games. Do you hear me?" Nothing. No response. Coward.

"What are you waiting for, huh? Come on! Do you want me or not? She demands. The lantern buzzes, then fades, continuing to buzz. I nervously grip on the blindfold tighter. This might take some time.

We crept quietly back upstairs. I was shaking. Everything would hopefully, go to plan. Unlike El, I didn't need cold salty water to go into the void. The one thing that differed me from her. Her losing her powers, too.

I did have my own limits, but if i needed to push them to defeat Vecna, then so be it. I've pushed them before, leading me into a coma. This time, I was willing to risk it. No longer fearing anything. Not even Papa, who is dead.

God, why I do still call him that? Dr. Brenner is his name.

Entering the attic, I felt El's presence. She must've been in the void. I knew she was. This means she'll fight Vecna too. The buzzing dies out, when we were in the attic. So, bingo. His presence was there.

"What are you waiting for, asshole? Max demands. "hmm? I'm right here. I'm right here!" She adds, "I know you can hear me. I know you can read my thoughts. Even the worst ones. Maybe mostly the worst ones."

I sit down beside her, scooting slightly further, tying the blindfold on my eyes, zoning out Max's voice, only echoes. But there I was. The house. I still sit there. I patiently wait for something to happen.

Something does.

"Is that all true? You wanted Billy to die?"

I try moving, but I'm stuck, i opened my eyes, frozen there. I can't get up, like something glued me there. My fear creeps from inside me. "Max! I exclaim, while she tries to run. Lucas forms into Vecna, his true form.

"Just watch... He tells me, his voice booming. The next thing I knew, I wasn't in the home anymore. "Help! I scream. The red fog indicated where i went. His mind. His sick twisted world. I didn't know.

Something went wrong, of course.

I should've known.

The vines from the ground, twist around my ankle. Harshly pinned to some wall from the house, they twist around my arms too. They grip my neck softly. The grip on me was soft. Not strong enough to kill me.

Why?

I see where Max is. The house still, but running for her life pretty much. I try to get out of the grip, but no use. Vecna wasn't going to kill me. But his sick twisted obsession was just as terrifying. Maybe even more.

I wish i was dead right now. I see Eddie too, using his guitar to get the bats, before that fades back to Max. She was in her positive memory. But seeing it from here, She couldn't hide for long. I couldn't just be here doing nothing. The soft but tight grip on me kept me from going. I tried too many times.

I yell her name multiple times but Max can't hear me from there. My eyes were filling with tears, but I didn't cry. I couldn't show any vulnerability. I kept trying to move, but couldn't. Even with powers, I feel so weak.

I needed to get out of his mind. and help Max.