cursed (2022)

chapter thirty-five: comatose

When I wake up, I'm back in Vecna's lair. I'm against a broken window and vines are holding me up. I look over and he's saying something to El. She's tied up too, but against the door. I hang my head down, accepting my defeat. I'm going to be the reason everything goes to shit, and there's nothing I can do. So I cry.

I was so sure that we were going to win this time. Everything was going fine. We had a solid plan. There were so many things I was thinking of doing after this was all over, and it's not even all about me. I'm going to die and Vecna's going to get what he's wanted this whole time. He's going to hurt my friends and the world. Even after I die, I hope they find a way to stop this. If I have to be positive one last time, I'm glad it's me and not anyone else.

Vecna starts to walk over to me again. I lean my head back as tears fall from my face and my lip quivers.

"Don't be afraid," he wipes my tears. "Try and stay very still."

"No..." I mutter between sobs.

"It'll all be over soon."

"Max!" I hear Eleven scream as Vecna starts to hover his hand over my face.

I feel my eyes start to roll back again. No Kate Bush, no Eleven. I feel my life flash before my eyes for the last time. Everything is going black. This is it. The last thing I feel is Vecna digging his fingers into my head. I look up and I can't feel anything anymore, all I can see is red.

Out of nowhere, I feel myself fall to the ground before I hear a mixture of screams in the distance. I try my hardest to stay awake, but I feel weak. I try to get up, but I can't. I give in and let my eyes close.

It's quiet for a while.

"We need a doctor!" Lucas' voice echoes. "Call an ambulance! Hurry! Call an ambulance!"

I'm still alive. I open my eyes, but everything is black. I try to move but my body won't let me. I can't feel any pain, or anything at all. I feel numb.

"Lucas..." I mumble.

"Yes, yes I'm here. I'm here." he says.

"I...I can't feel or...see anything." I say in between my sobs.

"I know, I know. It's okay," he says in attempt to console me even though I can tell he's equally as scared. "We're gonna get you some help, okay? Just...just hold on."

"Lucas, I'm scared. I'm so scared, I'm so scared."

"I know, I know, I know," he says tearfully.

"I don't wanna die," I cry. "I'm not ready, I don't wanna-" I can't finish my sentence because my sobs start to overpower.

"You're not gonna die," he promises. "Please, just hang on."

"I don't wanna go!" I shake my head. "I'm not ready..." I can't say anything more, as my sobs take over again.

"You're not gonna die!" Lucas says. "Just...just hang on!"

I don't say anything else. I try to keep my breathing steady so I can stay. So I can stay with him. Things were just starting to get better, I can't go now. I try to catch my breath, but it's like I don't have control over my own body anymore. I can hear Lucas repeating my name and begging me to stay. I desperately try to gasp for air, but I can't. The last thing I hear clearly is Lucas calling for Erica before the noise starts to fade. When everything goes completely silent, I hear the clock chime four times. I can't feel much, but I can feel my body finally giving out.