Downside Up [W.Byers]

002

"When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me. Speaking words of wisdom, let it be. And in my hour of darkness she is standing right in front of me, speaking words of wisdom, let it be." Ruby sings quietly as she watches Will drink his water silently.

"The Beatles? Why them?" Will asks with a cough. "That's the only song I heard when I was in the lab. I don't know any other songs."

"Well, the lab has terrible taste." He states. Ruby scoffs. "Excuse you, but I like this song.  You probably shouldn't talk too much. Your skin is growing pale." Ruby warns. "There's was this one song that my brother showed me. It's called Should I Stay Or Should I Go."

"How does it go?" Ruby asks. "Darling, you got to let me know. Should I stay or should I go? If I go, there will be trouble. And if I stay there will be double. So come on and let me know. Should I stay or should I go?" He sings weakly, coughing in between the lines.

Ruby's eyes sparkle as she beams towards the boy. "That sounds like a cool song. Maybe I could listen to it one day." She chuckles. "You know, before I got here, I was playing D&D with my friends. I miss them."

"Who are your friends?" Ruby asks. "Lucas, Dustin, and mike." He sighs, wrapping the blanket tighter around his body. "I'm sure they're worried." She reassures him, placing a hand on his shoulder.

All of a sudden, a loud crash is heard outside, along with the pitter pattering of rainfall. "It hasn't rained here in months! Quick, pass me the bucket." Ruby instructs.

Will passes it to her, and watches as she slowly leaves the fort, collecting the drops. "Stay in there, Will. I'll be right back in." She says, excitedly watching the rain fall as she soaks herself in the cold droplets.

Once the bucket is full and she enters once again, she gets straight to boiling it. "What's it like, living here for a year?" Will asks softly. "Lonely." She shrugs.

Will awkwardly looks away, clearing his throat. "Uh- it gives me a lot of time to explore, though. I've walked pretty far sometimes. I mean, I sort of have to, right? How else would I find a way to get out of here?" She chuckles nervously,  trying to avoid the awkward silence.

Will doesn't respond. In fact, he's not so sure what to respond. Ruby opens her mouth to speak, yet stops herself. "It's getting awfully late. I'm gonna get to sleep, alright?" She says quietly, lying herself down on the tough dirt.

"Yeah." He coughs. "Just wake me if you need anything."

"I don't think that's how it works." Ruby chuckles as her and will explore the area, courtesy of the curious will. "I feel much better though!" He argues. "Yeah, but the sickness doesn't just go away that fast, will." She playfully rolls her eyes, climbing over a small rock.

"Maybe you were just weak." He jokes. "You're funny, you know that?" She raises her eyebrows, causing the boy to chuckle lightly. "Hey, will. Since you know some good songs, why don't you sing some to pass the time if you're feeling sooo much better." She beams.

"Sure thing. Darling, you got to let me know..."

"Should I stay or should I go." Ruby cuts in, causing the boy to smile. "There you go!" He exclaims. "If you say that your are mine. I'll be there til the end of time. So you got to let me know.. Ruby, you've got this one!" 

"Should I stay or should I go!" She laughs, as does will. "It's always te-" before will finishes the sentence, he trips back, falling into a small puddle of water with a shout.

"Will!" Ruby runs over, crouching beside the boy. "Are you okay?" She chuckles, pulling him up. For a moment, he seems stunned, and of course cold, but a smile spreads across his pale face. "Come on. You're already sick. This isn't gonna make it better." She sneers.

"I'm telling you, I'm not sick anymore!" He whines. "Yes you are, Will." She takes his hand, pulling him back towards the fort. "That's enough exploring for today."

"You're acting like my mom."

"And you're acting like a child."