Love Turns You Upside Down | Eddie Munson

Rise Up - 11

"Didiane! Eddie! Help! Oh god Max, oh god Max wake up."

"Max? Max?!" I cry out.

I push my legs as fast as they can, sprinting in the direction of Steve's quivering voice. Eddie's frequent gasps for air tell me he's right behind me, and I keep on running, dodging the roots beneath my feet that threaten to catch and trip me. My breath catches in my throat as I finally catch sight of her.

Her red hair shines in the glow of the sun beginning to fall against the sky-hard to miss. She's sitting crossed legged infront of a grave-one I can only assume to be Billy's. Steve is on her side, one hand on her shoulder, his frantic eyes looking around for me and Eddie. Lucas is kneeling in front of Max, shaking her desperately, to which she doesn't respond. From here, I'm not even sure if she's breathing.

"Max!" I scream. I finally reach her and my hands clutch the sides of her face, Lucas moving out of the way for me. The whites of her eyes are glossy, tinted red and are rolled back into her head. I can barely see her normal ocean blue.

"No no no Max? Max!" I scream and shake her.

This cant be happening. This cant. I can't lose her.

I ball my hand into a fist and press down on her chest, rubbing up and down hard on her sternum.

"What the hell are you doing?!" Lucas smacks my arm away. I push his arm back, and continue to rub.

"My mom showed me when I was young. Its called a sternum rub. It's a way to wake an unconscious person-or get them to stir if they are able. Something about the pressure on their sternum will be uncomfortable and force a response." I explain, the blur words as they come tumbling out of my mouth. I'm not even sure if he understood me. I use as much force as I can, searching for any sort of response. In the distance, I hear Dustin's panicked voice-talking to himself or someone.

"Fuck fuck Fuck!" Steve hisses, turning in the direction of our parked cars and running his hands through his hair. He yells to Dustin, standing by the car. "Dustin call Nancy and Robin right now!"

"I'm trying to! They're not answering!" He shrieks back.

I continue to rub, looking for any sign of life, any movement. Nothing. Her chest slowly rises and falls beneath my hold. At least she's breathing. But that could change very quickly.

My lip trembles, and my eyes burn as I try to keep the tears at bay. I grab her shoulders, leaning my forehead against hers. I close my eyes and give in to the tears, anguish flooding me. It's at the forefront of my mind, and everywhere in my body from my fingers to my toes. It's all I feel. Its all I will ever feel if I lose her.

"Cmon Max fight it! Please." I beg. "Stay for me Max. Just stay." I choke. The water floods down my face and my neck. I feel a hand on my back-most likely Eddie's. He grips my shoulder-letting me know he was there, offering an sort of comfort to me he could.

"Code red! I repeat code red Nancy or Robin!" Dustin cries in the distance.

"Dustin Dustin it's Robin we copy!" I hear the radio static. A spark of hope. I keep my eyes closed, listening in. A hand grips my shoulder tightly.

"Please tell me you guys have something. Please." Dustin begs from afar.

"We do. Something about music. Music can reach the most isolated parts of the mind-and it may just be enough. Play anything-her favorite song, if you don't know then play any music you guys have." Low static. My eyes pop open.