Word Count: 1635
Changes where made in chapters Six and Seven (7/16/19), if you haven't read them please do. I don't mean for any of this to be confusing! I'm sorry for my mistakes!
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The shed wasn't made for so many people. But we all manage to be in there anyways. Taping and stapling cardboard and tarps up on the walls and the floor, and the ceiling. Hiding anything Will might be able to recognize from view. We put up our brightest lights to flood the room. and Hopper carries Will out. I watch as he ties him to the chair. I don't notice I'm shaking until mom grabs my hand.
"Go inside, Francis."
"Mom."
"No. No buts this time." She cups my face in her hands for a moment and just, looks at me for a long moment. Finally she presses a kiss to my forehead and walks me out of the shed. I stand out in the cool night air for a few minutes. Not being able to will myself back into the house. But when I hear Will's loud, ragged gasp when he wakes. I run inside.
When I get inside, I can feel Will's panic and fear tugging on the string. I slap the back of my neck when it won't stop, only to get stared at by Max and Lucas when I do. I turn away and walk into my room before either of them can say anything. I can hear them talking in the hallway about what will happen if Will realizes where he is.
When the lights start flickering throughout the house, I quickly go out into the kitchen so I can look out the window at the shed. I can't stop the tears from slipping down my cheeks as I stare out there. I can feel Will's fear and panic. All of it. But I can't tell what's him and whats the mind flayer.
"Frankie." Nancy puts her hand on my shoulder and I press my hands down against the counter to lean on them. "Why don't you go in the other room?"
"I can feel his fear, Nancy." I whisper and glance over my shoulder at the older girl. "When we were kids, all I felt was his laughter, and now-" Nancy wraps an arm around my shoulder and carefully leads me into the living room. She sits me down on the couch and kneels in front of me with her hands on my shoulders.
"Your family is one of the strongest I know, Francis." Nancy says slowly, and that's all she can manage but I nod and try to smile. Forcing the smile is one of the most nature things, but right now, I know everyone can see past it. Nancy stares at me for a minute longer before she squeezes my shoulders and walks back to the kitchen.
I lean back into the couch and squeeze my eyes shut. I just want it all to end. When the couch sinks next to me, and I don't have to open my eyes to know who it is. Max leans back besides me so that her shoulder is pressed against mine. I don't really know why, but it's comforting, just like it was on Halloween night.
"Thank you." I just barely whisper it, but I know Max hears me.
"For what, Byers?"
"For just," I take a deep breath before shrugging and letting my head lull to the side so I can look at the redhead. "For just being. For being who you are."
Max smiles at me and it looks like she might say something, but the back door opens and we both get up. Hopper grabs paper and pen before dropping heavily down into a chair at the table.
"What happened?" I ask, quickly coming around the table to Hoppers side.
"I think he's talking, just without words."
YOU ARE READING
ZOOMER GIRL // MAXINE MAYFIELD
Science FictionHawkins is supposed to be a boring town in Indiana. Just over a year ago, it was. That was before Frankie's best friend, her twin brother, went missing and came back a different person. Now, it's been a year and everything has changed. This is about...
