Mike and Lucas trudged through the woods. The rain was hitting them pretty hard, it was getting dark. But they slowly got closer and closer to castle Byers. Mike spotted a light, immediately running towards it. Castle Byers was demolished. Smashed to pieces.
"Will!" He screamed as loudly as he could.
Will wasn't there. Lucas caught up with him. "What the hell?" He muttered. "Do you think it's the storm?!" He yelled over the thunder. Mike shrugged his shoulders turning in circles and using his hand as a barrier from the rain.
"There he is!!" Lucas yelled, pointing. They ran towards him. When they reached him his back was turned. Mike put a hand on his shoulder and walked in front him. Wills body shook with horror. His eyes were closed. His hands curled into fists.
Mike shook him.
"Will?"
His eyes moved rapidly under his eyelids. "Will wake up!!" He yelled. "It's the mind flayer. He's back!" Lucas said, fear all over his face.
"WHAT DO WE DO?!"
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Will sprinted down the halls slamming into the walls. He was in Hawkins lab. He turned to look back, the black figure pursuing him. He was breathless. But he continued to run.
"STAY AWAY!! GET AWAY." He screamed, throwing open doors. The halls never seemed to end. The lights flickering and the floors littered with dead bodies. He could've swore he'd seen his friends amongst them. But nothing stopped him.
Memories were flooding his mind. Memories of him being strapped to a bed. Memories where he was treated like something other than just a human being. Wills legs hurt like hell. His body was giving out.
It was right behind him. He was going to die. The mind flayer was gonna take him again.
He turned.
"What do you want from me?! I don't understand!" He cried. The figure surrounded him and he could hear its deep hissing voice.
You are the perfect host.
I need your body.
Strong. Young.
Let me in.
"Please just let me go!" Will screamed.
Never
Goodbye for now
————————————-
Wills eyes shot open. He was cold, wet, and suddenly staring at Mike. Mike pulled him into the tightest hug. "I thought I lost you. I can't lose you. I can't lose you." He repeated whispering. He was crying.
"Will what happened?"
The voice startled Will, turning and realizing that Lucas was there. "I don't know. I was fine." Wills eyes hit the ground. "Then I wasn't." He muttered. He felt sick.
"Let's just go inside." ————————————-
They walked up to the house. "Wait. Let's go in through my window. My mom will freak." Will said. Mike and Lucas nodded in agreement. Wills feet ached. He was covered in mud. His body seemingly caked with it.
When they reached the window Will pulled it open slowly. A few inches at first and then the rest of the way. He crawled in first, getting stuck halfway and the windowsill digging into his waist. He groaned in pain, pushing himself off and inside. He hit the floor catching himself and somehow managing to be decently quiet. He helped the others in. Lucas grabbing his hand and having the same problem as him. Mike struggled too, even hitting his head on the window multiple times.
Once they were successfully inside Will closed the window and locked it. Lucas sat in a chair in the corner. Will sat on the bed, Mike next to him. "Will. What'd you see?" Mike asked, quiet and gentle.
He shuddered. He really didn't wanna talk about it.
"I was in the lab. And the shadow monster was talking to me. Going on about how he needed me. How I was the 'best host' and then he said he'd he back." Will said with a sigh. His words clear. "He just let you go?" Lucas said in disbelief. "Yeah. I mean he's probably just playing a game." Wills eyes felt heavy.
"Listen Will I'm sorry." Mike apologized, and Will knew exactly what for.
"Save it mike. Not right now. You guys should just go home. I'll tell you if anything happens." Will said, still pissed off.
Lucas shot them both a look.
"I need to go anyway. We'll figure out a time to meet up and talk about this." Lucas said, standing up and unlocking the window he crawled out of it, not bothering to say goodbye and closing the window back.
"Will I'm not leaving."
Will sighed. "Mike. I get it. It was an accident. I mean nothing to you and we're just friends. It's fine just go." Will bit his lip. He was fighting back tears.
Don't cry don't cry don't cry.
"That's bullshit."
WHAT.
"Will you mean so much more to me than just friends. I did mean that kiss. I'm apologizing for saying I didn't mean it. I really did. I really wanted to. I like you in a way i thought I'd never be able to. You make me feel so damn alive." Mike finished, staring into Wills eyes.
Suddenly they were kissing again. It wasn't sexual at all. It was an act of love entirely. It was soft and gentle. Calm and not needy at all. It was the best thing ever. Will didn't want it to end.
But will could still hear that voice in the back of his head.
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Another small update bc I know someone's waiting for it!
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