The other Mayfield (Will Byers X Reader)

009. Reunion

~Y/n POV~

Consciousness didn't return all at once.

It came back slowly, like something pulling me upward from deep water, each second dragging me closer to the surface whether I was ready or not.

The first thing I became aware of was sound. A faint song played somewhere close, steady and familiar, wrapping around my thoughts before anything else could reach me. The words echoed softly, like they had been there for a while, grounding me without me even realizing it.

'Live right now... just be yourself...'

The music felt safe. It was the only thing that made sense at first, clear and constant while everything else felt distant and out of reach. Then something else pushed in. A sharp ringing filled my ears, cutting through the song and distorting it slightly, like the world was forcing its way back in whether I was ready or not.

My body felt heavy. Not just tired, but weighed down, like every part of me had been still for too long. When I tried to move, nothing responded. It felt disconnected, like my body hadn't caught up with me yet.

The music started to fade, not disappearing completely, but slipping further into the background as new sounds slowly replaced it.

"...come on..."

The voice was faint at first, barely breaking through the ringing.

"...Max... come on, open your eyes..."

Lucas.

I knew that voice immediately. It sounded strained, like he had been saying the same thing over and over again, refusing to give up even when it must have felt hopeless.

More voices followed, clearer now as the ringing eased just enough to let them through.

"I swear, I think she moved—"

Robin's voice came in quickly, slightly breathless, like she was trying to stay calm and failing just enough to show it.

"Robin, just—wait, okay? Don't rush her," A new voice said, the voice softer, more careful, trying to keep everything steady. It was a girl, that's all I knew.

The music continued to fade, becoming quieter with each passing second until it was barely there at all.

I tried to open my eyes. At first, nothing happened, but then slowly, they responded. Light forced its way in, too bright, too fast, and everything blurred together. Shapes shifted above me, colors blending, black spots drifting across my vision as it struggled to adjust.

The ceiling came into focus in pieces, unfamiliar. Where was I?

"...Max... please..."

Lucas's voice cut through again, closer now, more desperate.

I tried to turn my head, and even that small movement felt delayed, like it took more effort than it should have. Across the room, I could barely make out shapes at first, but slowly they started to take form.

"Y/N?"

Robin's voice snapped back into focus, much closer now.

"Oh my God—okay, she's awake, she's actually awake—"

"Wait, really?" The other voice stepped closer, the voice lifting slightly with surprise.

I blinked again, and this time my vision steadied enough for their faces to come into focus. Robin looked exhausted, her eyes wide and overwhelmed, like she had been running on nothing but adrenaline. A ginger haired girl stood beside her, tense but relieved, her expression softer as she looked at me.