"Kid, get off the ground. Spit your blood, and bare your teeth; go down a savage, go down fighting. "
- Unknown
"Jonathan!"
The shout echoed through the dense, shadowed woods, its urgency clear despite the chaos.
"Em?" The voice was faint but distinct, tinged with desperation.
My pulse raced as I sprinted through the undergrowth, each breath coming in sharp, ragged gasps. Branches whipped at my face, and the distant growl of the Demogorgon reverberated through the trees. I dared not look back, knowing that even a moment's hesitation might mean disaster.
"I'm right here, Em, just follow my voice!" Jonathan's call pierced the dark, the sound muffled but unmistakable.
I skidded to a halt, trying to orient myself in the engulfing darkness. The fear clawing at my chest was almost as tangible as the threat behind me. I turned my head sharply, straining to pinpoint Jonathan's location. Just as I did, the grotesque silhouette of the Demogorgon emerged from the shadows, its monstrous form moving with predatory grace.
Panic surged through me, and I sprinted toward Jonathan's voice with all the strength I could muster. My feet pounded the ground, my breaths coming in quick, shallow bursts. The crunch of leaves and twigs underfoot was almost deafening in the stillness that followed each terrified cry.
Ahead, I spotted a massive tree, its gnarled branches resembling twisted fingers reaching out to ensnare me. I ducked behind it, my heart hammering so loudly I could barely hear the Demogorgon's growl, which seemed to be drawing nearer. Pressed against the rough bark, I struggled to slow my racing heart and steady my breath, each moment feeling like an eternity.
"Em? Em? Just follow my voice," Jonathan's call echoed, now sounding distorted and close. It came from a tree nearby.
Summoning the last of my courage, I darted towards the sound, pushing through the sticky webs that clung to my skin. My hands reached out, trembling as I felt the cool touch of Jonathan's hand.
"Jonathan!" I gasped, relief flooding through me.
His grip tightened around mine, and with a swift, practiced motion, he and Nancy pulled me into a narrow, dimly lit tunnel. The space was tight and webbed with strange, glistening strands, making each movement a struggle. I stumbled forward, Jonathan's reassuring presence guiding me through the constricting darkness.
Suddenly, the pressure on my chest eased as the tunnel's exit came into view. We emerged in a small clearing, and I collapsed onto Jonathan. He held me tightly, his warmth a stark contrast to the cold terror that had gripped me moments before. My body shook uncontrollably, a mix of fear and relief.
As I disentangled myself from Jonathan's embrace, I turned to look back at the tree. The tunnel was gone, vanished as if it had never existed. The tree stood there, silent and unremarkable, its dark branches swaying gently in the breeze.
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Jonathan and I were nestled on Nancy's bed, the room bathed in the soft glow of a bedside lamp. Nancy was in the shower, the faint sound of running water providing a steady, calming backdrop. Jonathan moved with quiet determination, draping a blanket over me with gentle care, his eyes filled with concern.
"Thanks," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Yeah," he replied, his tone subdued but reassuring.
YOU ARE READING
Heatwaves
Fanfiction"Sometimes all I think about is you, late nights in the middle of June." A Stranger Things story Ember Zhen Sterling, who has been missing for ten years suddenly wakes up in the middle of nowhere not knowing what happened to her. With the help of Jo...
