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The group managed to get to the hospital, but far too late. Thankfully, Mrs. Wheeler killed some Demogorgons by herself, somehow, to protect Lucas, along with Max, Robin, and Vickie. Max is conscious again, laying bridal style in Lucas' arms, both crying as they're reunited. Robin and Vickie stand close, not too close for anyone to assume, just close, after being nearly mauled by interdimensional monsters. Kali stands off to the side, silent. She doesn't seem like a talkative person, almost invisible. Ethan hasn't noticed her, neither has Jaeden or Hallow. In the chaos, the only ones focused on her are El and Hopper.
"Max!" El smiles, rushing to the redhead.
Max sits up, opening her arms to engulf El in a hug. They cry into one another's shoulders as Mike and Lucas bro hug. Ethan hugs Lucas once Mike pulls away, then turns to Max, waiting to welcome her back, but giving the girls ample time to reunite themselves.
"I saw you. From California. I watched you die." El mutters, pulling away from Max, "I used my power to save you, but... I thought you were gone. You weren't here," she explains, pressing a finger to Max's forehead.
Max chuckles with a smile, tears pouring down her cheeks, "I was in Vecna's mind this whole time. Will- he did something with Vecna. He helped us escape."
"Us?" Ethan questions, resting a comforting hand on her shoulder, "Who is 'us'?"
Max's face drops. "Holly. There's other kids there. He's been taking them, disguised as Mr. Whatsit."
Ethan, El, Jaeden, Hallow, Lucas, and Mike share looks. Their theory has been proven entirely correct. But now, that means Holly is stuck in the Upside Down, and these other kids that got taken are potentially still stuck in Vecna's lair.
Max scooches around the table to hug Ethan with an exasperated sigh, "God, I missed you all. So much. I-I'm never taking you all for granted ever again."
Ethan frowns, comfortably rubbing her back as Karen turns to Mike, looking for answers. Vickie does the same for Robin while Ethan, Max, and El hug. The girls cry while the boy feels tears slowly trickle down his cheeks. He's so relieved to see Max safe and sound, but he also doesn't know how to outwardly process it. He's just... so, y'know?
"Holly, I told her to wait for us in the Upside Down," Max exhales, "I told her we'd find her."
El and Ethan nod before pulling away from Max.
"Let's get you a wheelchair," Ethan smiles, "Then, we'll go get Holly, maul Vecna to pieces, and rescue those other kids."
Max nods, "Where's Will and Dustin?"
"Will's with Joyce, I think they're going back to the Squawk. Dustin's been MIA... he went to the Upside Down with Steve, Jon, and Nancy, so..." Ethan trails, grabbing a wheelchair from a little kiosk looking area in the laundry room for Max, "But I'm sure he's safe, right, Mom?"
