𝒞𝒶𝓉𝒶𝓈𝓉𝓇𝑜𝓅𝒽𝒾𝒸 ℒ𝑜𝓋𝑒 •BILLY HARGROVE•

CHAPTER XXIX

MELANIE SAT ALONE in her hospital bed, the oppressive weight of the night pressing down on her. The sterile smell of the room mingled with the cold fear gnawing at her chest. Her baby was out there—somewhere—with Billy. She could feel it in her bones, the growing sense of dread, knowing that her baby, born too soon and too fragile, was in grave danger.

She swung her legs over the side of the bed, her body trembling from the effort. Every muscle screamed in protest as she forced herself to stand, the memory of Billy's words ringing in her ears. She's safe. I took her somewhere warm. But Melanie couldn't shake the terror that gripped her heart. Billy wasn't himself—he was flayed. She had seen the flicker of humanity in his eyes, but the darkness had taken hold again, and she couldn't trust that their baby was truly safe.

Melanie took a deep breath and began pulling out the IV drip, wincing as the needle left her arm. Her hands shook as she grabbed her hospital gown and threw on her coat. She knew she couldn't just sit here, waiting for answers. She had to find Billy—she had to save her daughter.

As she made her way down the hallway, the familiar voices of Jonathan and Nancy echoed down the corridor. They rounded the corner, surprised to see Melanie out of bed. Their faces immediately shifted from confusion to concern.

"Melanie, what are you doing up?" Jonathan asked, rushing over to her. "You shouldn't be walking around. You're still recovering."

Nancy stepped forward, placing a gentle hand on Melanie's arm. "Are you okay? What happened?"

Melanie swallowed hard, her throat tight. "Billy... he was here," she whispered, her voice shaking. "He took the baby."

Jonathan's expression turned dark, and Nancy's eyes widened in horror. "He took her?" Nancy asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "Where?"

Melanie looked down at the floor, her hands twisting nervously in her coat pockets. "I don't know where exactly. He said he took her somewhere safe, somewhere warm. But she's too weak, she... she can't survive without the machines. I don't know what to do."

Jonathan and Nancy exchanged a glance, understanding the gravity of the situation. They knew what Billy had become—another pawn in the Mind Flayer's web. And if he had taken the baby, it wasn't just a matter of finding her—it was a race against time.

"Billy's under the Mind Flayer's control," Jonathan muttered, his jaw tight. "We've seen it before with Mrs. Driscoll. He's not in control of himself, Melanie. If the Mind Flayer wanted your baby..."

Melanie's breath hitched, her fear spiraling. "No," she interrupted, shaking her head. "I felt him, Jonathan. For a moment, Billy was there. The real Billy. He was trying to protect her. I know he was."

Jonathan's expression softened, but he remained firm. "We know the Mind Flayer is targeting people who are vulnerable, and that includes Billy. He's dangerous, Mel. Even if he has moments of clarity, it won't last. We need to find them before the Mind Flayer uses him again."

Melanie clenched her fists, tears welling up in her eyes. "I don't care what he's become. My baby is out there, and I'm not just going to wait here while that thing controls him."

Nancy stepped closer, her hand resting gently on Melanie's shoulder. "We'll find her. You don't have to do this alone. But you can't push yourself too hard, you've just been through a lot. Let us help."

Melanie wiped away a tear, her hands still trembling. "I'm coming with you. I don't care how weak I am. I need to find her."

Jonathan sighed, glancing at Nancy, who nodded in silent agreement. There was no way they could leave Melanie behind—not when her baby's life was on the line.