𝙅𝙪𝙡𝙚𝙨 𝙈𝙖𝙮𝙛𝙞𝙚𝙡𝙙

The End

I woke up and climbed out of bed. Max was still asleep. I went to the kitchen and heard knocking. I opened the door to see Eddie. "Hey!" I said, moving out the way so he could come inside. I closed the door behind him and he sat down on the sofa. "When are we doing our plan?" He whispered. I froze and everything came rushing back to me. It failed miserably last time so I shook my head. "I don't think it's a good idea anymore." I walked over to the kitchen and started to boil some water. "Woah! Why not?" He looked at me confused. "Because I should be making the most of my time." I turned away from him and grabbed the tea bags and sugar. He went silent and I turned around- He was gone. The door was wide open. I jogged over to it. "Eddie?!" I shouted. Why did he run off? I shrugged and closed the door, going back to make my cup of tea. Max walked out of my room, yawning. "Why are you yelling?" She asked, standing next to me and grabbing a cup out the cupboard. "Eddie just suddenly ran out the house so I was confused." I took the cup from her and made her a cup of tea. She shrugged and took it off me, sitting down. I made us both breakfast when there was another knock at the door. "Probably Eddie coming back." I laughed. I turned the TV on and opened the door. The whole party came rushing in, but I couldn't see Eddie. "Wow. Family reunion?" I closed the door and sat next to Max. "We can't... save you." Eleven whispered. I looked at her, puzzled. "What?" I responded. It was probably an evil joke. Steve stayed in the furtherest corner of the room, staring at me with a heartbreaking expression. "We tried to save Fred with music but... It didn't work." Nancy looked hopeless. I shook my head in denial. "Maybe you got his favourite song wrong." I insisted. There was no way. "Jules..." She whispered. "No. Maybe he just didn't run towards the little window thing?" I started to laugh uncomfortably. They all gave eachother a look. A look i'm too familiar with. "Oh.." I muttered. I turned around to Max who had teary eyes. "Can you give us a minute?" I asked the others. They nodded and went back outside. "I'll find a way, Max." I hugged her tightly and I felt the tears streaming out her eyes and onto my shoulder. "Let's have a day full of fun, yeah? So that's what you remember if there is no way to save me." She pulled away from the hug and nodded. "Go change." I added. She went into her room and I went into mine, getting dressed.

There were two cars; Steve and Nancy's. Nancy and Jonathan got into the front of her car, Mike, Will and El in the middle and Robin climbing into the back. Steve and I got into the front of his, Max, Lucas and Dustin sitting at the back. We had planned to go to the movies, a fast food place and then let it go from there. The whole car was silent and it put me on edge. "So.. What movie are we going to watch?" I looked at the others with an awkward smile. "Back to the future!" Steve suddenly shouted. I furrowed my eyebrows at him. "New favourite movie?" I asked. He nodded. "Me and Robin watched it when we were drugged last year." There was a wide grin on his face and I looked at the others, puzzled. They didn't seem to be confused so I shrugged it off. That suddenly sparked a conversation between us all which got my mind off Vecna.

We got to the movies and everyone bought their tickets. We went to our seats but it was pretty packed. All the kids sat with eachother, Nancy, Robin and Jonathan were sat at the back and me and Steve were left with two seats at the front. I sat down and heard Steve heavily sigh. "Worst seats ever." He rolled his eyes and I laughed. "I like the front seats. You can't see everyone getting up for no reason." I took a sip of my drink and smiled at him. He smiled back and slowly nodded. "That's a great way to think about it." He looked down at my hand and held out his. I intertwined our fingers and looked back at the screen, the movie was starting. I noticed him staring at me and motioned to the screen, he rolled his eyes jokingly and started to watch the movie.

The movie ended and we all started to leave; Steve and I, still holding hands. Max noticed and pulled a confused face, but was then pulled away by Lucas. "Best movie ever." Steve nudged me with his elbow. "I didn't understand it." I replied. He shrugged, "Neither did I when I first watched it." He dragged my towards the car and we both got in, waiting for the kids to get in too. I was looking out the window when everyone started to fade dark again. I let out a heavy sigh. "I know I haven't got long left." I told him. I turned around to see who he was going to mimic this time. Just then, Max started to talk. Of course her, I thought. "6 hours max... I'm glad you've found out that I can't be defeated. Have fun." He said. I turned back to face the window and everything went back to normal. "You okay, Jules?" Steve asked. I nodded with a smile. We pulled up at the fast food place and we all climbed out. We went inside and sat down, ordered food and started to eat. The kids were telling us funny stories and it really brightened my day. I couldn't stop laughing. Beside me, Steve had his hand on my thigh which caused my face to turn slightly red. It wasn't noticeable of course. Everyone finished eating and we piled our plates up for the waiter, but we didn't get up. We continued to talk, savouring this moment. When we did leave.. I didn't want anyone to see me die. It would be too traumatising for them. So, I told them to go off because I wanted some time alone. I feel like they thought I had a plan to escape him because when I said I want some time alone, they all had a hopeful look on their face. But I didn't... This was going to be the end. I told them I'd meet up with them in 3 hours at my house. "Jules, you're being stupid. Anything could happen in those 3 hours." He said, shaking his head. He grabbed hold of my hand. "I just want some peace for a bit and not think about Vecna." I put my hand on his cheek but he pushed it away. "No.. Jules." He started to rant which caused an argument between us. I can't exactly remember what we were saying but it was probably bad. He stormed off and got in the car, driving off.

I walked down the road, taking deep breaths and gazing around at the environment. I had to make the most of this. As I aimlessly walked around, I noticed I came across the graveyard. I should probably say bye to my dad and mom right? I walked to their graves and sat in front of them, explaining how I'll be joining them soon. After I had finished, it had been around and I stood up, waving bye and leaving. Then I came across the Creel House. It only seemed natural for my last breath to be in here. I went inside and climbed up to the attic, sitting down. "Hey, I'm here. I'm ready." I closed my eyes and when I opened them, everything around me was red. I walked towards the centre where Vecna was waiting for me. "I'm glad you came to your senses, July. Though, you are 4 hours early. But don't worry. It'll be quick and easy." He grimaced. I stood in front of him in silence as he brought his hand up to my face. I saw his eyes roll up and my head moved upwards too. When his fingers dug into my face, I gasped in pain and lack of breath. I felt my soul ripping away.

NANCY'S POV:
We had nothing to do so we decided to investigate the Creel House. Robin, Steve, Max, Lucas and Dustin were waiting for Jules at their house. We walked into the attic and what we saw made us scream. We watched as Jules' bones were snapped. Her body landed with a thud and we ran to her. Her eyes were... gone. I checked her pulse but there was nothing. I held back the tears and looked at the others, they were in shock. "Go get someone.." I whispered. Jonathan nodded and ran out. 10 minutes later, the cops and ambulance came rushing in, taking Jules away. The cops questioned us but we weren't sure what to say. That is until Hopper came upstairs. We hadn't seen him a year so we were thankful because he knew what had gone on in the past. El and Hopper shared a hug and he started to question us. We told him everything. They weren't going to put it on the news for a few hours so we took the opportunity to quickly go to the others.

We walked in and Steve asked the one question we didn't want to answer. "Where's Jules?" He asked, standing up. "They didn't..." El started but then stopped. Hopper came in behind us. "They didn't make it." He said. I saw Steve's heart drop. "Didn't make it out of the Upside Down?" He said with a painful laugh. He was trying to have at least a little bit of hope but I shook my head. Max ran out, El and Lucas followed her to make sure she's okay. Steve sat down and just stared into space. Me and Robin decided to stay to make sure he's okay.

STEVE'S POV:
I wasn't sure how to react. I tried holding in the tears as hard as I could but it was impossible. A great tremor overtook me. Hot tears started to race down my cheeks. I stood up, hoping to stop them. I could hold the heartbreak no longer and I fell to the floor in a disheveled heap as my grief poured out in a flood of uncontrollable tears. I could feel Nancy and Robin trying not to cry as they were comforting me. I was never one to cry in front of everyone. I always tried to be the strong one.. But Jules is dead. My throat tightened and I could only do short intakes of breath. Gut-wrenching sobs tore through my chest as Nancy hugged me, holding my head close to her. I covered my face with shaking hands. "I know." Nancy whispered. I shook my head angrily. "No... We had an argument! I never got to apologise." I bawled.

It had been a few months since Jules died. Max has been staying at my house as there was no adult at hers. We only ever left our rooms to eat, drink or go to the toilet. But there were a few times when we talked to each other and watched a movie. She was like a little sister to me now. The others visited every day but we didn't know what to say to them. They continued their lives like nothing happened. Max and I couldn't do that.
After a few more months, I got a job. I was recovering. Jules' grave was next to their parents and me and Max visit them every Friday. Their favourite day. On their birthday, we decided to throw a mini party with the others, still celebrating meeting them. They would love it.. I just know it. When I first visited Jules grave alone, I apologised and hoped there was a way they could forgive me for what I said to them that day. Then when the next day came around, the mood seemed brighter so I took it as them forgiving me. Max is doing better in school. Nancy is around some of the time to help her study. Life is looking up but we still miss them.
I lied. The gate just reopened in Hawkins. There has been explosions and deaths. Luckily, the party is safe. But this is the end of Hawkins. Jules can't save us this time.