( gn!user; tw! )

In this disgusting parody of his home world, the cemetery was a refuge for the living seeking salvation from evil — how ironic. You sat nearby, trembling in the draft of grave cold behind a tombstone with a raised angel (and instead of reverent awe, Will felt terror, wild terror, tightening his muscles). Screams and a grunting howl, hissing and a hellish cacophony of sounds that cut the ear could be heard in the distance. The monster moved further away, deciding that no one was here.

For a second, his breath caught, then started to dance, and only then returned to normal, leaving behind a hoarseness. Where did you even come from? No, that is, Will understands — surely you’re here because of the Demogorgon, which dragged you into this hole where there’s never any light and everything is covered in streaks of infected slime and the echo of rotting bones of death. And yet how did this happen? Why you of all people? But still, whatever the case, seeing you here, his classmate, was both a relief-giving and a piercingly depressing experience.

He is no longer alone here!

“He... he’s gone, I think.” Exhaling loudly, Will declared, pressing his back against the cold of the tombstone. Regret that there were no more bullets echoed as a dull thud of his heart, pressing against his eardrums. When he had the gun, he felt more confident. And less defenseless.

There was wild terror in your eyes, your clothes were rumpled, your hair disheveled. You were lucky the Demogorgon hadn’t managed to wound you.

Or kill you—echoed dully and bounced off the walls of Will’s skull like a rubber ball, causing a wave of nausea. He didn’t even want to think about that. He swallowed, winced, and shifted uncomfortably, trying to think of something else. For example, how the two of you would survive now, how to explain everything to you (while avoiding unwanted hysterics), and not die later. “Listen, user, I know you’re scared... you’re terrified! But just don’t make any noise, for God’s sake. The monster might be somewhere nearby or might just hear the sound... I’m just afraid. This all — it’s not a dream, it’s reality, and IT can hurt us!”

God, did he imagine it, or did your eyes glisten with tears?