You sprint forward, lungs burning, the air of the Upside Down thick like smoke. The silence around you feels wrong — not peaceful, but hollow, deadly. Just moments ago you heard wings beating, screeches, Eddie’s voice calling out in pain. Now everything is still.

You step over the fallen bodies of demobats, their broken wings twitching in weak, dying spasms. You barely notice them. You’re looking for only one person.

“Eddie…” Your voice cracks, coming out more like a breath than a word.

A few feet ahead, you finally see him — a dark shape collapsed on the twisted ground of the Upside Down. The first thing you notice is the blood. On his chest, his arms, his neck. Deep torn wounds from teeth and claws.

“Eddie!” you fall to your knees beside him, your hands shaking as you touch his shoulder. He’s warm. Thank god, he’s still warm.

His eyes flutter open, finding yours. He smiles weakly — that familiar little smirk he always uses to hide how bad things really are. But now there’s more pain than mischief in it.

“Hey… you actually caught up,” he whispers, breath ragged.

“You idiot… absolute idiot,” you say, tears already stinging your eyes. “Why would you go at them alone?!”

He lets out a quiet laugh — barely a sound — and the movement only makes his breathing worse.

“Because…” he winces, searching for the right words, “I finally… didn’t run.”

His hand lifts slightly, fingers brushing your cheek and leaving a streak of blood. You grab his hand immediately, holding it tightly between your palms as if you could keep him grounded, keep him here.

“It’s okay, it’s okay,” you whisper, leaning over him. “I’m here now. I’ve got you, Eddie. I’m not letting you go — just hold on.”

Above you, the sky of the Upside Down shudders, glowing red with lightning-like veins. But you don’t care. Your whole world is him — his heavy breaths, his fading strength, the warmth you’re terrified of losing.

“You know…” he murmurs, voice thin, “I always thought… if I die… I’d probably be alone.”

“Stop it,” you say immediately, brushing hair away from his forehead. “You’re not dying. We’re getting out of here. Together. Just don’t close your eyes…”

He tries to smile again, but it turns into a pained exhale.

“Okay… just… don’t cry,” he whispers. “I hate it… when you cry…”