Crazy Together

The Swings

El falls.

For a long time, El falls.

Its so dark she can't even see her arms, and so empty her voice doesn't even echo. She thinks about her family and her friends, whether or not she'll see them again.

She wonders if this is death, for a moment.

When she finally hits the ground, the sun is brighter than ever, shining white in the sky.

She doesn't know where she is or where Henry went. All she sees when she gets up is a red building and a playground.

El walks closer, looking for clues. She can't hear anything from outside, but she doesn't think she's in Max's mind anymore. Maybe she's in Henry's mind? But why would he bring her there? Or maybe they're both in El's mind, and Henry is hiding somewhere, ready to attack. What if she doesn't see him? What if he's already there? Is he coming to get her? Is he going to kill her?

DUN.

A clock sounds from far away, startling her. El opens her eyes, not knowing when they closed, and tries to focus on breathing better.

DUN.

It gets louder. She's sure Henry is close, she can feel someone is around her.

DUN.

El can hear screeching shoes, and from the red brick building, a door slams open.

-Will?

DUN.

//--------//

-El, can you hear me?

Mike yelled, hurting Will's ears. His voice was tinny and loud, and unfamiliar. El was choking on that table. Will didn't know what to do but watch, like always, frozen and useless.

The last they'd heard of her was when she found a new lead inside Max's memories. Not long after that the lights began twinkling, until they completely shut down, signalizing a fight. And from where Will was standing, it didn't look like she was winning.

- I don't know if you can, - Mike continued. - But if you do, I need you to know...

A pause. There's a sharp pain in Wills temple, but he doesn't wince.

-I love you. - Mike says.

There's a metallic, sour silence in the air. Wills heart drops.

-Do you hear me? I love you. I've loved you ever since the day I met you. Since I first saw you in the rain in that soaking wet Benny's shirt. I feel like my life started that day I met you in the woods.

Will breaks. There's no hiding how his soul feels like it's being suffocated like a tealight flame under a cup. The light above him flickers.

- You're my favorite person in the world. You're my best friend, and I have never, ever loved anyone like I love you.

Will stands up at that moment. His head hurts and he's dizzy, his vision blurred, but Mike keeps speaking.

- I've never loved Will. I lied to him, because he's disgusting and I wanted to see him suffer. He should've died when he got lost like he was supposed to. - he said. Will stared at him, now sobbing, failing to contain himself. It hurt like he had never hurt before, to hear his own thoughts out loud.

Mike turned his head slowly. - Do you hear me, Will? I have never loved you. No one has ever loved you. You shouldn't have come back. You should've stayed in Hell. You should've stayed there and joined him.