𝐇𝐀𝐘𝐋𝐎𝐅𝐓| Mike Wheeler [COMPLETED UNTIL SEASON FIVE]

xiii. grieving

𝐉𝐀𝐂𝐊𝐈𝐄 𝐖𝐎𝐔𝐋𝐃𝐍𝐓 𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐕𝐄 𝐌𝐈𝐊𝐄𝐒 𝐑𝐎𝐎𝐌. She was heartbroken. Her best friend was dead. They were supposed to go with the others to look at the Creel house, but Jackie wouldn't move. She was mentally unstable. Jackie felt like if she moved from his bed, her powers would destroy everything in her path. Mike sat at the edge of the bed, staring at her sadly. "Stop staring at me, Michael. You look like you're stalking me," she quipped as Mike quickly looked away, gazing at the floor.

Mike thought for a moment. He knew that Jackie hadn't seen Kylie in a long time, and she was her other best friend before she moved. Kylie and Jackie had a lot of fun together, but when El and Mike broke up, they had drifted. So, he decided he was going to have Jackie teleport them to her. El, of course, would be there, right? Girl advice from El! She could obviously help her grieve since El's been through this. The idea took shape as Mike considered how to support Jackie during this difficult time.

Mike pursed his lips, a sigh escaping. "Okay, Jackie. Get up. I have an idea," Mike announced, shaking her gently as she ignored him. He bit his lip nervously, getting an idea. "Jackie, think of Kylie and how she could get back at Vecna with you." The mention of Kylie and the prospect of seeking revenge against Vecna injected a spark of determination into the heavy atmosphere, prompting Jackie to consider the possibilities.

Jackie clenched her eyes closed, thinking of Kylie. Mike quickly grabbed Jackie's hand, anticipating she might accidentally teleport them somewhere. Dust particles surrounded them, and they found themselves immediately in a van.

Arygle, Jonathan, Will, and Kylie screamed, making Jackie shoot her eyes open and glance at Mike. "What the hell!? What are you guys doing here?" Jonathan yelled from the passenger seat as Jackie smoothed her hair. "I—I don't know. I was thinking about... about Kylie, and me and Mike were shadow-jumped here." The unexpected teleportation left everyone bewildered, but the focus shifted to their current situation.

Kylie cracked a smile, pulling Jackie into a hug, and Jackie hugged her tightly. Will smiled at Mike, and Mike gave him a side hug. Kylie departed from the hug, realizing Jackie was crying. "Hey... what's wrong?" Kylie asked, concern etched across her face as she turned her attention to Jackie's emotional state.

Mike nodded somberly at Jackie, silently acknowledging the pain she carried. As Jackie let out a sob, Kylie turned her attention back to Mike, a mixture of curiosity and concern in her eyes. "We... we have a lot to talk about," Jackie stated.

"Us too," Will nodded. "Elli... Elliana is gone. Thi—This... this monster killed her. Vecna," Jackie explained between sobs, making Kylie curse under her breath. "Oh my god, I knew I felt him being back," Will gasped. "He's back? Mindflayer is back?" Jonathan asked, making Arygle give him a confused look.

"Yo, my dudes and dudettes. Who is this dude? This your boyfriend, Jack?" Arygle asked, finally speaking. "Okay, um, yeah," Jackie nodded, her eyes swollen from all the crying as she used her sleeves to wipe the tears away. Arygle's light-hearted comment provided a momentary distraction in the midst of heavy emotions, allowing a brief respite from the weight of the conversation.