The Protector

The Vanishing of Will Byers Part 3

The one thing that is a known fact in the Byer's house is that Maddie does not get to sleep in under any circumstances. Instead of hearing the normal loud yells produced by Will she woke up to her Mom lightly shaking her shoulder.

"Hey, good morning", Joyce quietly said. "Good morning", Maddie stated tiredly. "Did you check on Will last night when you got home?", Joyce questioned Maddie nervously. "No, the door was shut I assumed he was asleep. Why is he okay?", Maddie asked nervously. "Mads, he's not there. I'm going to call Karen and see if he spent the night at her house", Joyce said uncertainly.

Maddie got dressed at a record speed and came out to see worried looks on Jonathan and Joyce's faces. "He wasn't there was he?", Maddie questioned upset. "No", Jonathan quietly mumbled.

Maddie left the living area and went to grab her car keys. "Maddie, where are you going?", Joyce asked alarmed. "I'm going to check in with his friends and then go see Hop", Maddie stated casually. "But you have school-", Joyce started to say. "School can wait", Maddie said and walked out the door not waiting for an answer.

Maddie arrived at Hawkins Middle School after going slightly over the speed limit to get there. She approached Dustin, Mike, and Lucas who were not with Will. "Hey boys you haven't seen Will today have you?", Maddie questioned nervously. "No, we were going to ask you the same question", Mike responded shyly. "We can always ditch school and go look for him", Lucas suggested. "No you guys go to school, I'll handle it", Maddie stated with an authoritative tone.

Dustin approached Maddie while the other boys gloomily walked towards their school. "Dusty I said go to school", Maddie said a little bit sharper than she wanted it to come out. "I just wanted to give you this", Dustin stated holding out the newly fixed walkie-talkie. "This way we can communicate with each other without using the phone", Dustin said with a toothless smile. "Thanks Dusty", Maddie stated with a smile. "I hope you find him", Dustin said before hugging Maddie and walking to school. "Yeah me too", Maddie mumbled lightly.

When Maddie arrived at the police station with only six donuts Flo knew there was a problem. She let Maddie go straight to Hopper's office and wait. After about thirty minutes Joyce came in as well. Together they waited another hour before Hopper decided to grace them with his presence.

"I have been waiting here for over an hour, Hopper", Joyce stated slightly agitated. Hoper than proceeds to sigh and said "And I apologize again". "I'm going out of my mind" Joyce told Hopper.

"Look a boy his age, he's probably just playing hookie okay?", Hopper asked Joyce. "Not Will" Maddie starts, "He's not like that. He is a good kid". "He wouldn't do that", Joyce added for good measure.

"Well, you never know. I mean, my mom thought I was on the debate team when really I was just screwing Chrissy Carpenter in the back of my dad's car, so", Hopper trails off. "Look he's not like you Hopper. He's not like me. He's not like most", Joyce stated rather upset.

"He has a couple of great friends, but, you know the kids, they're mean. They make fun of him and call him names", Maddie starts. "They laugh at him, his clothes-" Joyce continues. "His clothes? What's wrong with his clothes?", Hopper interrupted. "I don't know", Joyce said tiredly. "Does it really matter?", Maddie questioned angrily. "Maybe", Hopper stated quietly.

"Look he's... He's a sensitive kid. Lonnie... Lonnie used to say he was a queer. Called him a fag" Joyce said rambling. "Is he?", Hopper asked. "He's missing is what he is", Maddie stated getting angrier by the second.

"When was the last time you heard from Lonnie?", Hopper questioned. Maddie finally snapped slamming her hands on the desk. "Does it matter?! Why do you keep disregarding our concerns for my little brother with stupid questions?! Lonnie was never here why would he be here now?!", Maddie asked. "Madison!", Joyce said shocked by her anger. Trying to remain calm Hopper kindly suggested, "Mads why don't you step outside and let me and your Mom talk?". With much reluctance and glares being given out Maddie shot out of her seat and went outside slamming the door in the process.

Maddie was sat with Jonathan on the couch while her mom was on the phone trying to reach Lonnie. "You know it wasn't your fault right?", Maddie questioned softly. "I should have been there", Jonathan stated with tears in his eyes. Maddie says nothing but hugs Jonathan and doesn't let go. That was until they heard their mom yell, "Bitch!" before slamming the phone back on the wall.

"Mom you have to stay calm", Jonathan mumbled with teary eyes. Joyce chuckles before picking up the phone to try calling Lonnie again. She tried this over and over again until Jonathan heard a car pull up. What came next made Maddie's eyes start to water. It was Hopper carrying Will's bike with no Will.

"I need to go", Maddie said frazzled before getting her bag and car keys. "Where are you going?", Joyce asked. "Anywhere but here", Maddie answered with a glum expression.

While driving Maddie started crying and reached into her bag and grabbed her walkie-talkie. "Mike, Mike do you copy, over?", Maddie exclaimed sounding like a total train wreck. After a moment of silence Maddie tries again feeling even more scared and nervous. "Mike, Mikey do you copy, over?". "Maddie, this is Mike I copy. Are you okay? You don't sound very good over", Mike questioned over the radio. "I'm okay Mike really. Can you let Nance borrow your walkie for only a couple of minutes please, over", Maddie stated desperately. "I guess", Mike huffed out.

"Nancy there is someone for you on my walkie!", Mike shouted. "I'm busy!", Nancy shouted back while helping Steve Harrington into her bedroom. "It's an emergency!", Mike said hurriedly. "Oh well, it will have to wait. Now leave me alone!", Nancy shouted before she turned her music up to block out the sounds of Mike's screams. Little did she know this was one of her bestfriends who desperately needed her.

"I'm sorry Maddie, over", Mike stated remorsefully. "It's okay Mikey, thanks for trying, over and out" Maddie said gloomily. Maddie then shut her walkie off and pulled over on the side of the road where she let all of her emotions out.

After Maddie had calmed down she turned her walkie on to apologize to Mike for being such a rude mess when they were talking. But before she could say anything she heard Mike and Lucas having a conversation about looking for Will. "I will pick you all up at Mikey's house over and out", Maddie stated starting her car and riving slightly over the speed limit to go to Mike's.

Once she picks all of the kids up they set out into the woods were Will's bike was found. Maddie really did not think this through because she was stuck looking for Will while Lucas and Dustin would not stop arguing with each other.

Finally, their arguing stops when Mike asked, "Did you guys hear that?". There was a loud rustling sound which made Maddie immediately stand in front of the boys out of protection. They then heard rustling behind them and when they turned they were faced with a small bald girl who looked absolutely terrified.

A/N: Three chapters in one day. I am honestly shocked about how fast I have been writing this story and hope to continue this trend. Love from the author. Over and out.