Opposites attract (Mike W.)

CHAPTER SIXTY FOUR

Act 4~Chapter seventeen: Max takes over

Avery's eyes flew open, dropping to the floor with a crash. Mike and Lucas ran over to her whilst she was hyperventilating. Mike pulled his girlfriend into his arms, silently comforting her so Vecna doesn't hear that he is there. Mike picked up his notebook and the pen, writing down a message to Lucas saying "I'm gonna take her outside to get her some fresh air." Lucas nodded and Mike pulled her up and held her around the waist, leading her safely outside the Creel House.

They got outside, seeing Erica on the old park that was opposite. The young girl spotted the two and spoke into the walkie talkie that she had to communicate to Steve, Nancy and Robin. Mike and Avery sat on the grass outside of the house, Avery took her headphones off and put them next to her, leaning her head on Mike's shoulder, her legs tucked up to her chest.

"Do you wanna talk about it?" Mike asked. Avery stayed quiet, "You don't have to, but just know that if you ever want to, I'm here to listen."

"No, I'll tell you," she said, lifting her head up off of Mike's shoulder. She explained everything that she saw when she was in Vecna's mind prison. Mike listened intently as she told him, not taking his eyes off of her. When she finished talking, she wiped away the tears that slowly began to form in her eyes. Mike brought her into a tight hug, allowing her to let it all out.

"I promise, I will always be there for you. No matter what, okay?" Mike assured, stroking his girlfriend's hair. They then saw a light from the attic window again. Vecna had taken Max again. Erica flashed the torch back and spoke into the walkie again.

"We should probably go back up there," he said.

"Do you mind if we just stay down here for a little longer?" Avery asked, getting a nod from Mike.

"Ava? Did any of us notice the bruises or anything?" he asked.

"Not really. I mean I kind of hid it from people. That's why I only wore long sleeves for most of forth grade," she said.

"Did I ever notice?"

"Once. I'll be honest, you noticing is what made me realize I liked you," she confessed, looking up at her boyfriend.

"Really?" he chuckled, getting a nod from Avery, "Why?"

"Because you cared about me. You told me that I could go to you if I ever needed anything and that  you would always be there for me. It made me realize that I could trust you with anything," she explained.

Mike smiled, saying nothing. He brought Avery into a sweet kiss, one hand on her cheek and the other on her waist. Avery quickly kissed back, putting her hands on his neck. They were rudely interrupted by a car pulling up on the road. They looked inside the car and saw Andy and Jason, the two boys who were looking for Eddie.

"Shit," Mike said, grabbing Avery's hand and pulling her to the side of the house to hide from the two basketball players. Jason made his way into the house whilst Andy went to the park to stop Erica. When they saw that Andy had his back to them, they ran back into the house, following Jason up to the attic.

"The hell have you done?" Jason asked, looking at Max who was now under Vecna's curse. Mike and Avery ran in, standing next to Lucas.

"Jason. You need to leave," Lucas warned.

"Is this what you did to Chrissy?" Jason asked, ignoring Lucas, "Did you want to do this to her to?" Jason pointed at Avery. Mike pulled Avery behind him in a protective manner.