𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞 | 𝐬.𝐡

015. Funeralgate

IF WAS EARLY IN THE MORNING WHEN MAVIS FOUND HERSELF IN A FLOWER SHOP. Browsing through the sections trying to find the right bouquet. She was on a time crunch as she had to make it to the funeral.

After browsing for what felt like hours she settled on a bouquet of blue flowers, not really sure of their name or anything else. Just that they were pretty. The guy behind the counter rung her up and she was on her way. Making sure to hide the flowers in her bag so no one questioned her about them.

When she made it to the funeral she scanned the crowd, and when her gaze fell on Nancy she made a B line to her, giving a wave to Mike, Dustin, and Lucas on the way.

She felt odd being there, as did most of those attending. It seemed like everyone just wanted it to be over with. Those closest to Will could not seem any more emotionally distanced from the funeral than they did.

In fact, they all seemed to be acting odd, each clique having a different odd set of behaviors going on. Each hiding their own secrets.

Yet there was a looming consensus among those in the know that whatever lie in that coffin was not Will Byers.

Once the funeral was over Jonathan, Nancy, and Mavis made their way out of view, crouching down. They sat in a row with Jonathan sitting in the middle. He was showing them a map marked with X's on every location where the creature had been seen.

"It's all so close," Nancy said.

"Yeah. Exactly. I mean, it's all within a mile or something," Jonathan said.

"Whatever this thing is, it's... it's not traveling far," Mavis said. "We've gotta go out there," Nancy said. It was decided, that they would meet up later.

As they began to leave Mavis began walking the opposite way, further into the cemetery. "Where you headed?" Jonathan asked. "I just have to go do something," she said, both of them got the hint.

Joyce and Lonnie had waited for Jonathan at the edge of the cemetery, when he had approached and Joyce had seen Mavis going the opposite way, she became worried. "Is she going to visit them?" she asked. Jonathan shook his head yes. Without thinking, Joyce began walking after her, slowly but still.

Mavis now uncomfortably stood in front of them. Her parents.

"Hey," she said quietly, almost like a question. "I know it's been a while and I know that in order to get me out here one of my friends had to die... Or not die, I'm not really sure yet," she scrunched her face at her rambling.

"My point is... that it's been a while and I'm sorry... It's been harder recently, I took up smoking again. But don't worry I'm still a straight-A student..." she liked to think that they'd be proud of her for that. "Uncle Jack's good too, you know doing the best he can, still a pilot," she paused. She looked up for a few moments, now feeling embarrassed. She didn't even believe in all of this stuff. It's not like they could hear her.

"Maybe this is stupid. I don't know, sometimes I feel like I'm talking to a void you know, I've never been one to believe in all that extra stuff... I don't know, I love you guys though... miss you too. I think. I don't really know," she said biting her gum. She never really knew how to speak to them. It always just felt like they were standing there, judging her.

Part of her wished they could talk back, but the wishes seem wasted as the sun shined on their graves. A single tear fell down her cheek, being wiped away about as quick as it fell.

She just stood there for a few moments before feeling like she was being watched. She turned, surprised to see Joyce. She sent her a warm smile.

Joyce walked over, "Hi sweetie." "Hi, Joyce." They both said leaning in for a hug.