The other Mayfield (Will Byers X Reader)

005. Remember us?

~Y/n POV~

"Sorry we scared you..." Max said as she dabbed a wet cloth against Holly's bleeding knee.

We were seated beside a narrow river, its quiet current cutting through the stillness of the woods. Max focused on cleaning the wound, her movements careful but quick, like she was trying to stay practical instead of thinking too hard about everything else.

"We? No, don't drag me into that. That was you." I cut in.

"Oh my god, not right now," Max shot back, not looking up. "Just help me."

Her tone was serious, but there was the faintest pull at the corner of her lips, like she was fighting off a smile despite everything. A second later, she refocused, turning her full attention back to Holly.

"Anyway, we haven't seen anyone other than each other in... a really long time. So I guess we just got excited." She said.

I lifted a hand, holding it up like a shield as I slipped my pointer finger behind it, subtly pointing toward Max. I mouthed "she" at Holly, silently shifting the blame. Holly didn't react.

Too soon, I guess. She still wasn't talking.

Lowering my hand, I leaned in slightly, examining the cut on her knee more closely.

"Good news is it doesn't look that deep." I pointed out. "Not enough for stitches anyway."

"I bet it stings though, huh?" Max added, glancing up at her.

Holly wasn't looking at either of us. Her gaze stayed fixed on the ground, her expression tight, a lingering fear still visible in her eyes.

"You can talk to us, you know?" Max said, leaning forward just a little. "We won't bite." She added, trying to lighten the moment.

"You do remember us right?" Max asked, watching her carefully for any sign of recognition.

Holly finally looked up at us.

"We've been to your house."

"Like, a lot." I added in.

"... Your Max and Y/n Mayfeild... You both skateboard and never take off your walkmans." She finally spoke, hesitantly.

"That's us." I said. I mean, she basically summed us up.

"But—" she tried to continue.

"How are we in here when we're in a coma in Hawkins general?" Max asked.

Holly nodded almost immediately.

"Well, that's a very reasonable question." I said.

I opened my mouth to respond, but before I could, something snapped in the woods nearby.

All three of us froze.

In an instant, the mood shifted. Any trace of humor disappeared as our guard went back up.

"We should get going, it's not safe here. Come on." Max said.

We stood quickly, and without another word, started heading back toward the cave.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Where are we going?" Holly asked as we speed-walked back toward the cave.

"Our home." I told her.

"Well, I can't go far. I came here to meet Henry. Do you know Henry?" Holly asked quickly, struggling slightly to keep up with our pace.

"Yeah, you could say that." I muttered, glancing over my shoulder to make sure the bitch himself wasn't following us.