𝗯𝗲𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗻.

thirty nine.

THE BRIDGE

edited.
3702 words.

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"Max! Can you hear me?" Lucas held the girl as she lay on the counter. "Yes! Yes! Open your eyes! Max! Stay with me! That's it!" His voice brimmed with hope, his eyes overflowing with tears.

Slowly, the redhead's eyespened, shallow breaths leaving her lips. "Lucas?"

"Yes, it's me. I'm right here." Tears ran down his cheeks, his hands shaking. "Are- Are you okay? Do you hurt anywhere?"

"I... can't feel much." She whispered.

"Do you feel this? Do you feel my hand?" He asked, taking her hand in his.

"A little."

"C-Can you see?"

"The lights...are really, are really bright."

Charlie held a shaky hand to her lips as she watched a tear run down Max's cheek. She was here. Talking. Crying. Smiling. Every night she dreamed she'd get to see her best friend again. And now she was here, awake.

But how was she supposed to face her?

She'd failed her. Promising she'd be okay. It was all a lie. Max was in a coma for a year and a half because of her. She was coming back to a Hawkins she wouldn't recognize because Charlie couldn't keep her word.

"I knew you were there." Lucas whispered. "I always knew you were still there."

"I saw you." Max sobbed. "Waiting for me. Playing my song."

"You bored of it yet?"

She shook her head, laughing. Charlie hadn't heard her laugh in so long. "Are you?"

Lucas grinned, nodding.

"It turned out, this whole time. I didn't even need it. I just need you."

Lucas broke. He scooped Max up, holding her close to his chest. The girl sobbed into his sweatshirt, moving her arms just enough to embrace him back.

At the sight of Charlie over his shoulder she began to sob even harder. "Charlie?"

"Max-" She choked as Lucas released her, stepping to the side and allowing the girl to step closer. "I'm so sorry. I should've saved you- I couldn't save you."

"It's okay." Max shook her head. "It's not your fault."

Charlie felt her heart break, letting out a sob as she hugged her best friend. She squeezed her tight, everything else falling away. She thought she'd never see her again. She really thought she'd never see her again.

"Oh my god!"

"Max!"

Charlie's eyes widened. "El!"

The girl quickly joined their hug, holding them close. "You're here. You're really here."

"I'm here."

"Took your sweet time, didn't you?" Mike smiled.

"Screw you, Wheeler." Max rolled her eyes. "Where am I?"

"That would be confusing." Robin nodded. "We were seconds away from being the demodogs' lunch when Mrs. Wheeler came and did the laundry."

"Holy shit mom!" Mike looked at his mom in disbelief.

"Vecna." Max sighed. "He'll be angry. He'll try and find me. He'll know we escaped."

"Where's Holly? Where is she?"