↣ 𝘓𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳'𝘴

They had all made it to the Wheeler's basement. Sitting on the floor, Bailey perused a biography of Victor Creel, who sounded like a creep.

"Okay, be honest." Steve started by turning the page that he had been holding. "You guys understanding any of this?''

"No." Lucas answered.

"What's confusing to you?" So far, everyone Vecna has cursed has died, except for this old Victor Creel dude Nancy found. He's the only known survivor. If anyone knows how to beat this curse, it's him." Dustin explained.

"That's assuming he was cursed, which we don't even know." Steve contends. "How can Vecna exist In the 50s? It doesn't make sense."

"Far as we know, Eleven didn't create the Upside Down." Dustin added. "She opened a gate to it. The Upside Down has probably been around for thousands of years. Millions. I wouldn't be surprised if it predated the dinosaurs."

"Dinosaurs? What are we..."

"But if a gate didn't exist in the '50s, how did Vecna get through and How's he getting through now?"

"And why now?" Lucas queried while surveying his surroundings.

"And why then? Just pops out in the '50s, kills one family, and he's like, "I'm good. And poof, he just disappears. Just... gone? Only to return 30 years later and start killing random teens? No, I don't buy it."He spoke as he shifted his attention to Dustin." Straightforward, my ass. Honestly, Henderson, a little humility. now and then, it wouldn't hurt you."

"Any idea what she's writing?" Everyone looked over at the red-haired girl in the corner, who was slouched over her work, and Dustin couldn't help but wonder. "Did she sleep?"

The door swung wide, disclosing Nancy and Robin as they down the steps. "Okay, so...we have a plan."

"Thanks to Nancy's minions, we are now rock-star psychology students at the University of Note Dame." She elucidated the erroneous information being disseminated.

"I'm now Ruth." Nancy said.

"And I'm Rose."

"So we called Pennhurst Asylum, told them we'd like to speak with Creel for a thesis we're co-writing on paranoid schizophrenics..." Nancy started.

"To which they said no." Robin continued.

"But we landed a three o'clock with the director."

"Now all we have to do is charm him and convince him to let us talk to Victor."

"Then maybe we can rid Max of this curse." Nancy finished.

"About that." Steve hesitated. "We've been doing our Victor Creel homework, and, uh...we got some questions."

"Lots of questions."

"So do we. Hopefully, Victor has the answers." Nancy nodded, with a lot of confidence.

"This means we have responsibility to care for them and ensure Max's well-being." Bailey said as he turned to Steve. Who promptly acquiesced, seeking to avoid further distress for Bailey.

𐬽𐬼𐬽

The females prepared to depart, subsequently returning to the basement to reunite with Dustin and Lucas. The others resumed observing Max, while Bailey rested his head on Steve's leg as he positioned himself between them.

"I know you guys are staring at me." Max finally spoke, startling the others. "How you think your eyes boring into the back of my head is protecting me from Vecna, I don't know."

Max exhaled audibly. She rose and approached them, while Bailey observed her with caution. Lucas, Steve, and Dustin averted their gaze to feign disinterest, while Max positioned herself before them, scrutinizing them intently.

She grasped envelopes in her palm. Max advanced and distributed one to Dustin, Steve, and Lucas, before turning to Bailey and giving him one as well. He examined it in his hand, gliding his finger over his name.

"That's not for now, open it later." Max spoke quickly. "It's um... a fail safe. For after. If things don't work out." Max gulped audibly. Bailey gazed at her with sorrow, then at his letter, contemplating what she had inscribed, if it was for that purpose.

"Woah, things are gonna work out, okay?" Dustin encouraged.

"No! I don't need you to reassure me and tell me it's all gonna work out. People have been telling me that my entire life and it's almost never true. Of course this asshole curses me. Should've seen that one coming." She interrupted.

Bailey promptly extended her hand and grasped it, attempting to provide some solace. Max gazed down at him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

Max glanced at Steve. "If we go to East Hawkins, will this reach Pennhurst?"

"Of course." Dustin nods.

"Wait... why are we talking about East Hawkins?" Steve squinted at Max. She looked at Steve with anticipation, prompting his realization. "No, no..no!"

Max refused to accept a negative response; she seized her luggage and ascended the stairs, prompting everyone to follow her immediately.

"Max, Max. Seriously-"

"If you think I'm going to spend what is likely the last day of my life in the armpit that is Mike Wheeler's basement, you're out of your mind. Either take me where I need to go or tie me down, which is technically kidnapping of a minor. And if I live to see another day, Steve, I swear to God, I will prosecute."

Bailey faced Steve. "She possesses a valid argument; we cannot dictate her actions."

"Open the door."

"Uh..no." Steve scoffs.

"I know a good lawyer." Max threatened.

Steve contemplated the matter before ultimately acquiescing to her suggestion. He directed his attention on Dustin. "Henderson, that super walkie of yours better reach Pennhurst."

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𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿'𝘀 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀

- I would love to have known what was in those letters. Hopefully we get to know in season 5

To all the people that have supported me closely- Tags: @norasnetflix @wrensofvizla @KleeAlise11 @kiesluverr

𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘐 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘹𝘵 𝘶𝘱𝘥𝘢𝘵e