By the time Jonathan pulled into the Byers' driveway, the world outside the car was quiet again—eerily quiet. No sirens, no gunfire. Just the low hum of the engine and the heavy sound of breathing.
The headlights cut through the fog, landing on the sagging porch and the front door that looked smaller than I remembered. It didn't feel like safety. It felt like a place haunted by everything we'd just left behind.
Jonathan killed the engine and sat still for a second, his hands gripping the wheel. Joyce was still staring out the window, her eyes glassy and unfocused. Jonathan reached over, brushing her shoulder gently, but she didn't move.
Mike was the first one out of the car, helping Nancy with Will, who still hadn't woken up. I stayed where I was for a moment, staring at my hands—still trembling.
The cool night air hit me when I finally stepped out. It should've felt nice, but it didn't. The air was thick, heavy, and every sound made me flinch—the creak of the porch, the rustle of leaves.
Jonathan held the door open while Nancy and Mike carried Will inside, Joyce trailing behind them like a ghost, still silent. The yellow light from inside spilled across the grass, warm and soft against the dark.
Hopper, Steve, Max, Dustin, and Lucas got out from the other car, following behind us. Lucas and Dustin not keeping quiet.
I went straight to the bathroom. Splashing cold water on my face several times, letting it run down my cheeks and chin, and when I looked up into the mirror, I barely recognized myself — pale, worn, and drenched, with water dripping down my face. (just like Draco did in the seventh movie of Harry potter)
I sank to the wall, sliding down slowly, my hands covering my face as tears slipped through my fingers. I pressed my palms to my head, trying to hold back the memories swarming in my mind. If I felt like this, I couldn't even begin to imagine what Joyce was going through.
With slow, deliberate movements, I wiped at my tears, smudging the salt from my cheeks. My shoulders rose and fell as I straightened my back, trying to rebuild the posture of someone who wasn't falling apart. I ran a hand through my hair, fixing it as best as I could. When I finally stood, her legs felt heavy but steady, like she was reclaiming control with each step.
Max walked over to me "You okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine." I replied. She pulled me into a hug, arms around me, and mine around her.
"Maybe next time, tell me you're going to a lab filled with creatures instead of leaving me to find out because of these two idiots," she said against my shoulder, before pulling away.
"I will," I chuckled, both of us walking over to the table were the others were. Sitting in one of the seats.
"Did you know Bob was the original founder of Hawkins AV?" Mike said, trying to lighten the mood.
"Really?" Lucas questioned, curiosity in his voice.
"He petitioned the school to start it and everything. Then he had a fundraiser for equipment. Mr. Clarke learned everything from him — pretty awesome, right?" Mike exclaimed.
"Yeah," all of us said in sync while Mike walked over to us and placed the game down.
"We can't let him die in vain," Mike said.
"Well, what do you want to do, Mike?! Alright, the chief's right on this — we can't stop those Demo-dogs on our own!" Dustin said.
"Demo-dogs?" Max and I questioned.
"Demogorgon, dogs — Demo-dogs. It's like a compound, i-it's like a play on words—"
"Okay," Max cut him off.
YOU ARE READING
The other Mayfield (Will Byers X Reader)
Teen FictionY/N Mayfield, Max Mayfield's twin sister, has a life that's anything but ordinary. Strange things seem to follow her wherever she goes. What happens when she crosses paths with four boys? Will she trust them... or fall for one of them? And as the st...
