Blind

Chapter 4

El's POV:
I slowly sat up, trying to figure out if my mind was playing tricks on me. But I saw Max open her eyes slowly. Even though it was pretty dark in the room, I could tell her eyes looked a lot lighter than they had in the void. They were still pretty though, they looked like the sky on a hot day.

"Max?" I whispered, standing up carefully so I didn't wake up the boys. I walked up to the bed and sat down on one of the chairs, the one on the opposite side of Lucas.
I slowly put my hand on Max's, and she flinched for a second before quickly putting it back. "El?" She asked, her eyes meeting mine.
I felt tears form in my eyes, I hugged her so tight, but I made sure I wasn't hurting her. "I'm so sorry." I sobbed quietly.
"It's ok Ellie." Max whispered, rubbing my back comfortingly.

Suddenly, I heard more movement and Lucas had woken up. "Max?!" He asked.
He pulled Max out of my gentle embrace and into his tight one. Max inhaled sharply, "Lucas... it hurts." She said.
He let go immediately, "Oh sorry, you've already been hurt enough." He said, throwing a dirty look in my direction. He's right, I put my best friend into a coma. But fuck that hurt.
I looked down as a tear fell down my cheek, I don't want Max to see me cry, if she can see that is. She's going through a lot more right now. She doesn't need to worry for me too.

Max's POV:
What the fuck was that? Even though I can barely see right now, I know Lucas' comment was aimed at El. And I know that hurt bad. "Lucas what the hell?!" I asked angrily.
"Leave it Max-" El tried.
"No! What the fuck was that meant to mean?" I asked, looking in the direction I think Lucas was.
"You already know what it means. El was the one who did this to you, she is the reason you were in a coma." Lucas said, as if I was ridiculous for even asking.
"Vecna did this to me, not El!" I shouted, not caring if I woke anyone up.
"She didn't save you-" He tried.
"She's the reason I'm awake right now!" I interrupted.
"You would've been awake this whole time if it wasn't for her!" Lucas shouted very loudly. I was about to say something back when I heard sobbing to the right of me. El's side.

"El...?" I asked.
Before she could answer, I heard the boys waking up. "Max?!" They all shouted at the same time. They all got up and hugged me tight, not as tight as Lucas but not as gentle as El. I was so happy everyone was here with me, even sleeping in the room with me, but right now I wanted to make sure El was ok.

"El, are you ok?" I asked.
"She's fine." Lucas said sternly.
"I asked Eleven." I answered back, already getting pissed at my ex.
"I'm ok." El said, I could hear the sadness in her voice though.
I didn't want El to lie to me. "El please don't feel-"
"Can you see?" Dustin asked, interrupting the moment.
"Uhh..." I looked around, "Not really. I can only see the light coming in and faint silhouettes." I answered.
"Shit. Are you gonna be able to fix your vision?" Mike asked.
"I don't know." I said, trying to see El beside me again. But she wasn't there. "Where's El?" I asked.

"She's over there." Will said, gently holding my hand and pointing it in the direction of where El was meant to be. She had moved from beside me to the other side of the room.
"Why is she there?" I asked.
"She's not the happy El we know anymore. She's been having panic attacks, nightmares... she's been distant recently." Will said softly, I could tell he was upset too.
"Oh... El!" I said loud enough so she could hear me.
I heard her sniff, "Yeah?" She asked quietly, "I can go if you wanna talk to the boys-" She said. What? Why would I ever want her to leave?
"Come here Ellie." I said, I could feel Lucas tense up beside me at the nickname, but I really didn't care. I know El needs someone too.

I heard her walk so she was beside me again, and I opened my arms invitingly. She immediately held me close, burying her head in my chest. I could smell her as I always did before falling asleep in the cabin, she smelt like warm eggos and vanilla. I wanted to stay here forever, with her in my arms. I heard her sobbing again. "You're crying?" I asked.
"Happy tears." She sobbed in my chest, I smiled and held her closer.

A few minutes later, we pulled away but El stayed beside me this time. We talked for a while, but I noticed El wasn't talking much. El was never really a chatterbox, but she would always be telling jokes she saw on TV, or at least talk about eggos and why they were the best food to ever exist or something. But this time she was basically silent, only agreeing with some of the things the boys were saying, while making sure to not interrupt Lucas.

What's up with Lucas towards El? He seriously doesn't blame her right? Why doesn't she defend herself anymore? What happened to the happy El I know? These were only some of the questions racing through my mind right now.

Obviously I was also thinking about myself. Like if I was gonna be able to see properly again, or if I could ever walk again. But that was nothing compared to the big question in my head. The one overpowering the rest.

What's happened to Vecna?

El must've read my mind, since she answered me. "Don't worry Max, Vecna's gone forever. I promise." She said. The promise part meant a lot to me, since I know El never breaks promises. Even if it means risking her life.
"T-thank you." I said, happy tears rolling down my cheeks now too.
I felt El's tender hands gently wipe the tears away. "I beat his ass." She chuckled, making me laugh too.
"Good." I said, holding her hand.

I was happy I was awake. I was happy the party was here. I was happy El was here.