the view between villages // a stranger things choose-your-own-adventure

PAGE 54: Run like hell

You aren't going to stick around. You bolt to the right, cutting through the Wheeler's kitchen and escaping through a side door.

You end up in a different world. The ground is sticky with crimson blood. The sky is cloudy and red, and debris floats high above you. You see stained glass window shards, wooden beams, and stairs that ascend to nowhere.

You try to navigate through the confusion, but Vecna catches up to you much too quickly. He has you pinned against a gnarled tree trunk and says, "This is the end for you."

He lifts his clawed hand above your head and you try not to cry. Suddenly, a sound cuts through the barren landscape: the lyrics of your favorite song.

"Here's wishing you the bluest sky, and hoping something better comes tomorrow ..."

You whip your head to the right and see a pinprick of light. You grab one of Vecna's squishy tentacles and yank, causing him to howl in pain. You use the distraction to run for your life toward the light source.

You slip and slide on blood as you sprint. Memories of you with Steve and your friends motivates you to keep going, to keep dodging debris Vecna chucks at you with telekinesis.

The song continues: "... Accept your life and what it brings. I hope tomorrow you'll find better things. I know tomorrow you'll find better things!"

The closer you get to the light, the more you can see. Steve, Lucas, Max, and Dustin are shouting at you to wake up. You, on the other hand, are unconscious and floating in the air. That's right, floating in the air. You can't quite believe it. You can't believe any of this is happening.

You pump your legs until every muscle hurts, but it's worth it when you make it to the light and snap awake in the real world. You plummet to the ground and Steve catches you clumsily. He gently pulls headphones off your ears, though you have no idea how they got there.

"Hey, I got you," he says, panting. "You're okay. You're good!"

You can't say anything. All you can do is shake, wrap your arms around Steve's neck, and sob into his shoulder.

He rubs your back and lets you cry your heart out. He turns to Dustin and mumbles, "Get Robin on the walkie and tell her Waldenbooks is okay."

"Are they okay?" you hear Lucas whisper.

"I'm fine," you choke out through tears. "I'm here. I'm right here."

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