HENDERSON iii || M.Mayfield

4.9

Loretta walked behind Max inside the house. All of
them were being extremely quiet, holding up a moth
light to look around.

Max and Etta walked around the attic, trying to see
where Vecna could be using the blue lights. After a couple of minutes they came downstairs, Erica writing on a notepad that she had found Vecna.

They looked at the glowing light, Etta glancing at
Max. Max walked over, her latern glowing brighter
when she got closer.

Erica then wrote on her notepad, showing it to
Lucas then Etta. Etta looked and it said 'phase
One?'

They nodded, Erica rushing outside so she could
contact the others. Lucas nodded at the girls and
Etta took in a deep breath.

••••••••••••••••••

Etta and Max sat in the living room facing each
other, waiting for Erica's signal. Lucas sat a little bit
away, giving them some space.

Etta looked at Max, the girl sensing her anxiety
grabbed her notepad. Max wrote something on it,
turning it so Etta could read.

Hi

Etta smiled at this, Etta then wrote "hi' on her
notepad, a small smiley face next to it.

Max then began to write something else, Etta
watching curiously as she scribbled something down.

I'm glad you're here

It read, Etta's heart beat faster, her cheeks heating
slightly from the sentiment, making Max smile.

Me too! :)

Etta turned her paper to Max, making the girl smile
again Etta then frowned, beginning to write
something else on her paper.

Pizza date Friday?

Max looked at this, Etta's heart racing as she
showed no emotional indicators of what she would
write.

Etta then felt her nerves spike as Max took a long
time to reply to her question. Etta was sure she was
about to get rejected.

Max finally turned the paper around showing a
drawing. It was two girl stick figures holding hands,
sitting on what appeared to be a bed with a round
thing next to them- Etta guessed it was a pizza.

Etta smiled brightly, feeling excitement bubble up in
her stomach. She couldn't wait for Friday but knew
there was uncertainty in what would happen next.
But she tried to have hope.

There was a flashing light and they both got up.
That was Erica's signal. Etta blinked back the
response, it was time for phase two.

They grabbed Lucas, Max tying her shoelace before
they got ready. They slowly walked over to where
Vecna was, Lucas giving his friend a smile of
reassurance.

It was going to be okay, Etta kept repeating in her
head like a mantra.

Max looked to Etta, before looking back to the light.
She took of her headphones, Etta clenching her
fists.

She then heard the tape click, meaning no more Kate
Bush.

"Hey!" Max shouted making Etta's heartbeat fasten.
"Asshole! I'm here. No more music. No more games.
Do you hear me? What are you waiting for, huh?"

Etta watched as the light continued to shine, nothing
happening. "Come on! Do you want me or not?"

The lantern stopped buzzing, meaning he had moved
from his spot. Max's lantern then shone, and Lucas
and Etta followed quietly behind Max up the stairs.