The other Mayfield (Will Byers X Reader)

005. Will the wise

We left the bathrooms, scanning the hallways for any sign of Will. Lucas and I were about to pass through the school doors to get outside when I held up my hand to stop him. He turned toward me, and I pointed toward the open field beyond the doors. A figure was standing in the distance.

Lucas and I exchanged a look, a mixture of dread and recognition.

"WILL!" we shouted in unison, sprinting toward him across the courtyard.

When we reached him, we grabbed his shoulders, shaking him gently but urgently, calling his name over and over. He didn't respond. Panic tightened in my chest.

Mike appeared at the doorway, scanning the scene. I waved him over and quickly said, "Go inside and get the others." Without hesitation, he nodded and disappeared back into the building.

Lucas and I continued shaking Will, our voices frantic, until soon everyone else arrived—including Mrs. Byers.

"We just found him like this!" I shouted, my voice cracking with worry.

"I think he's having another episode," Mike added, his tone tense but focused, already scanning for the safest way to help him.

"Will! Will! Will! Sweaty, wake up! It's mom, Will! Can you hear me? Will, please, just wake up!" Joyce shouted, her voice cracking with panic. We exchanged worried glances before turning our attention back to Will and Joyce.

"Wake up, it's mom, it's me," Joyce repeated, her hands gently shaking him. Will gasped sharply for air, his eyes snapping open. Joyce immediately ushered him toward the school doors, guiding him around to the other side of the building where her car was parked. We followed, watching as she carefully helped him into the vehicle.

"Okay, that totally freaked me out. Did that not freak you guys out?" Max asked, her voice high and tense. I stayed silent, forcing a face that looked just as shocked, even though I already knew what was happening.

"Two episodes in two days," Lucas muttered, his brow furrowed.

"It's getting worse," Mike added, his voice low but tense.

"You think it's true sight?" Lucas asked, glancing at the others.

"What true sight?" Max questioned, confused.

The rumble of Joyce's car starting up echoed across the parking lot.

"It's nothing," Lucas said quickly, ushering us along, but I could tell he was lying. I knew the truth—and it was far worse than he wanted to admit.

------------------------

We were now doing the most disgusting thing I could ever imagine—searching for Dart in the trash. Well, more accurately, Lucas was digging through the bins, pulling out bags for us to sift through while we mostly stayed out of the actual trash.

Apparently, Lucas was taking too long for Mike's liking. Mike stepped closer, hands on his hips, glaring down at him.

"Stop being a baby and do it already!" Mike barked, his tone sharp but with that familiar edge of frustration that only comes from wanting to get things done.

"This is so disgusting. Is this really necessary?" Max groaned, wrinkling her nose as she peered into the bags.

"Yeah, I agree with Max. This is disgusting—and for what? That animal Dustin calls his pet?" I added, stepping back slightly.

Mike shot me a questioning look, like he couldn't understand why I was agreeing with Max. His eyebrows furrowed, eyes narrowing as if to say "We know what it is. Why are you hesitating?"