𝒞𝒶𝓉𝒶𝓈𝓉𝓇𝑜𝓅𝒽𝒾𝒸 ℒ𝑜𝓋𝑒 •BILLY HARGROVE•

CHAPTER XXX

THE CAR WAS QUIET except for the occasional gasp from Melanie as she cradled her baby against her chest, her body still trembling from the emotional strain of what had just happened. The small, fragile body in her arms breathed shallowly, each tiny gasp like a ticking clock. Every breath reminded her how close they had come to losing her.

Melanie looked down at her daughter's face—so tiny, so delicate. Her baby's skin was pale, but her bright blue eyes fluttered open briefly, and in that moment, Melanie saw Billy in her. The same piercing gaze. The same vulnerability. But this time, she would protect her.

Jonathan glanced at the rearview mirror, his knuckles white as he gripped the steering wheel. He was driving faster than usual, the urgency burning in his chest. Nancy sat beside him, her face pale and tense, her gaze flicking back to Melanie and the baby every few seconds.

"How is she?" Nancy asked softly, trying to keep her voice calm, though the worry was evident in her eyes.

"She's breathing... but it's not enough," Melanie replied, her voice breaking. Her fingers trembled as she brushed a strand of hair from her baby's forehead. "She needs help. If we don't get her back soon..." She trailed off, unable to finish the thought.

"We'll make it," Jonathan said firmly, his eyes locked on the road. "We'll get her there in time."

The baby stirred in Melanie's arms, letting out a small, whimpering cry. Melanie's heart twisted at the sound, and she held her closer, rocking her gently. "Shh, it's okay baby... you're okay baby. Mama's here... I've got you." she whispered, her voice soft and soothing, even though her own heart was breaking. This was the first time since her baby was brought into the world that she was able to hold her.

Nancy reached back, placing her hand gently on Melanie's arm. "You're doing great. Just hold on a little longer."

As they drove, the weight of what had happened back in the warehouse pressed down on them all. Billy had handed over the baby, but the darkness in his eyes hadn't gone away. He was still out there—still lost to the Mind Flayer. And as much as Melanie wanted to focus on her daughter, she couldn't shake the image of him, staggering into the shadows, alone.

They pulled up to the hospital, and the doors slid open as Jonathan rushed out to help Melanie from the car. She clutched the baby tightly, refusing to let go. Nurses rushed toward them as they entered the hospital, wheeling over a small incubator and swiftly transferring the baby from Melanie's arms.

Melanie's hands shook as they carefully placed her daughter into the incubator, hooking her back up to the oxygen. Her tiny chest rose and fell with each aided breath, the machines beeping softly, a reassuring reminder that she was back where she needed to be.

One of the nurses, Marcy, turned to Melanie with a reassuring smile. "She's stable for now, but we need to monitor her closely. You did the right thing by bringing her back."

Melanie nodded, unable to speak, her throat tight with emotion. She watched as they wheeled her daughter away, her hands shaking as the weight of everything finally started to catch up to her. The exhaustion, the fear, the heartbreak—it all came crashing down.

Nancy placed a gentle arm around her shoulders, guiding her to a chair. "She's going to be okay," she murmured softly. "You got her back. That's what matters."

But as Melanie sat down, she couldn't help the sob that escaped her lips. "What about Billy?" she whispered, her voice trembling. "I saw him, for a moment, he was there. The real him. But then I lost him again."

Jonathan knelt in front of her, his expression serious but kind. "Billy's still in there somewhere. You'll get him back, Mel. But first, you need to rest. You need to be here for your baby."

Melanie shook her head, her hands twisting together in her lap. "I can't rest. Not while Billy's still out there, and not with the Mind Flayer controlling him. He's not safe. I know he's fighting it, but I don't know how much longer he can hold on."

Nancy sat down beside her, her voice calm and steady. "Billy's stronger than we think. If he's fighting, then there's still hope. But you need to focus on your daughter now. She needs you, Melanie. You've already done so much—let us take it from here."

Jonathan and Nancy exchanged a look. "We'll talk to the others," Jonathan added. "Eleven might be able to find him again, and we can track him down. He's not lost yet."

Melanie wiped at her eyes, sniffling. "I don't want him to hurt anyone else. I don't want him to hurt himself."

"We'll stop him," Jonathan promised. "We're not letting the Mind Flayer win."

Just then, the door to the NICU opened, and Joyce stepped in, her face filled with concern. She rushed over to Melanie, wrapping her arms around her. "Oh, honey... I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have left."

Melanie leaned into her mother's embrace, the warmth and comfort of Joyce's arms momentarily easing the weight on her shoulders. "I'm so happy you're here mom," she whispered. "Billy took her, but I think... I think in his own way, he was trying to protect her. But the Mind Flayer—"

Joyce pulled back slightly, cupping Melanie's face in her hands. "We'll figure this out," she said firmly. "But right now, you need to focus on your little girl. She needs you to be strong. Let us handle the rest."

Melanie nodded, her heart heavy but filled with a sliver of hope. "Her name..." she whispered, her voice breaking. "I haven't even given her a name yet."

Joyce smiled gently, brushing a strand of hair from Melanie's face. "You'll know the right name when you see her. Take your time, Mel."

As they sat in the quiet of the hospital, the weight of the moment began to settle. Melanie closed her eyes, allowing herself a brief moment of peace, knowing that the fight wasn't over—but for now, her baby was safe.

But somewhere in the back of her mind, the fear still lingered. Billy was still out there, lost in the grip of the Mind Flayer. And she wasn't sure how long she could hold on before she lost him for good.