WILL POV-

The brunette's eyes fluttered open; the recollection of events finally dawning on him, seeing bright lights overhead. Now he was sure he was dead: they say the afterlife is bright, perhaps that's why they say to go toward the light... because that symbolised Heaven?

But something broke that illusion, a faint smell; one almost sterile. Taking a big sniff Will thought hard; it smelt like... a hospital? But how and why?

The bright lights subsided. The normal colours returning as he looked around, laying on a hospital bed. It wasn't soft or comfortable by any means, but for someone who just fell off the building it was a luxury. The brunette couldn't remember at what point his body fell to the floor; he didn't feel it, that was the strangest part of this whole ordeal.

The restless Will shuffled on his bed, averting his gaze to two figures beside him; an older female with auburn hair and a boy who had his head down. Immediately, Will recognised who they were, "Mum? Johnathon?" The brunette questioned, his voice wavering as this was the first time he had seen his family in over two weeks.

The boy shuffled out the bed, not even noticing the tubes sticking out is arms making his movement constricted. But he didn't care... not at all. Enveloping the pair into a hug, not wanting to let go; he could hear the wailing of his mother, and faint sobs from his brother, relieved to be reunited.

Joyce worried for her son's safety, she was told he lost a lot of blood and may need intense surgery. Pulling him deeper into the hug, smiling bright; brighter than she had in a very long time.

The embrace lasted a long while; the peaceful tranquillity emitting from the room in contrast to the busy hospital halls was calming, almost therapeutic in a way.

Letting go from the hug, Will wiped his face. The tear streaks almost permanently staining his cheeks, but the brunette didn't care, he was back home.

He was back home!

The joy overflowing from every pore; the happiness radiating from his being. But the intimate moment cut short...

"Ahem" a voice called from the doorframe, seeing three men- probably armed entering the room. The tallest male wearing a sheriff uniform, distinct from the other two. Will recognised this man as police chief Jim Hopper; a burly, rugged chief, usually relaxed, but when the situation calls for it, he is a beacon to be messed with.

Hopper walked into the room, his officers closely behind "Nice to see you awake!" He exclaimed sighing a sigh of relief. The colour behind his eyes returning, seemingly stressed for a long time before this- just glad to see him return.

"How are you feeling kid?" His voice soft, something unexpected from the burly man

"I'm good?" The brunette confusingly answered

"Good, good!" Hopper repeated

"Thanks again Hopper!" Joyce added, wiping her face with a soft tissue

"Hey, that's just the job of the police! We promised to bring your son back and we delivered!" Hopper said.

"Is there a reason you're here now?" Joyce replied on the edge of her seat "Did you find the toe-rag who took my boy away from me?"

"Away?" Will muttered under his breath

"Cause if you have, I swear to God I will stick my boot soo far up his a-" the woman continued ranting passionate about the crimes she will commit.

"That's what I'm here to find out" Hopper answered, taking a notebook from out his belt. "I need to ask Will some questions!"

"Hopper he's in shock!" Joyce remarked, "he's just been in a coma for three days!" She shouted, getting her point across about unethical practises. She wasn't angry at Hopper; after all, he was the only one who stood by her in her time of need; just worried that her son would have to relive whatever tortures he's been through the past few weeks, and judging by the gaping wound on his leg, it must be bad.

"I know! I know!" The burly man sighed deep

"Can't you do this later?" Johnathon, who had been silent this entire time chirped, his voice concerned for his younger brother

"The faster we do this, the more he can remember and possibly link this to other missing children cases!" Hopper fought back, his voice stern, "but it's only if Will is comfortable with it obviously"

"I'll do it!" The brunette raised a hand to the air, alerting the attention of everyone in the room.

"Are you sure honey?" Joyce questioned "you don't have to if you don't want.." hoping the reason her son was complicit, wasn't because he was scared of the police.

"No... I want to" the brunette nodded, a smile bright on his face,

"Can we talk alone?" Hopper directed a glance toward The small boy on the bed, seeing him nod.

"No I want to be in here! This is my son! Are you kidding me?" Joyce threw her hands in the air.

"Joyce!" The burly man said stern, "I'm doing this for your own good!" knowing that most parents wouldn't want to hear what happened to their children if they went missing, especially not the gory details.

"What the Hell Hopper! For my own good?" She mocked, not wanting to hear this right now.

"Mom." Will spoke soft hearing the woman cause a ruckus in the hospital, "Mom!" He called louder "Just listen to him..."

"I know honey but..." She defended defeated.

"Please?" The brunette pleaded, hoping his mother would be complicit and listen to the police.

"Fine!" She sighed, "but if you feel uncomfortable at any time just let him know"

The officers ushered everyone else out the room, including Joyce who wanted to keep one foot in the doorframe so her son could feel at ease with her being there in some capacity. She didn't want to eavesdrop, just wanting to be there for her boy. But unsurprisingly she was not allowed to do that, but keeping close to the outside of the closed door, ready to pounce at a moment's notice.

On the inside of the room, Hopper and Will kept the silence for a few short moments. All of Will's confidence disappearing into a disappointing puddle of goo.

The burly man cleared his throat easing into the investigation; first asking random questions, including: popular media and favourite foods, to help the small boy feel comfortable; Hopper wasn't heartless, he knew something bad happened, but couldn't pinpoint what it was exactly.

"So, what's your favourite chocolate?" The burly man questioned

"Umm Reese's Pieces!" The brunette quickly answers

"I'm more of a Snickers guy myself!" Hopper chuckled, "Can't go wrong with caramel and nougat!"

Will laughed, it wasn't a funny joke by any means, but the way he felt comfortable in this environment made him smile.

Upon seeing his reaction, Hopper's voice softened, "Is it okay if I ask questions about what happened?" Seeing the brunette nod, he cleared his throat.

"So, what exactly happened, the day you went missing?" The burly man questioned.

"Missing?" Will furrowed his brows; he was confused, when he first awoke in the hospital, he assumed that everything that happened to him was some sort of coma dream; a figment of his imagination. As even if the comic felt so real, the moment his eyes opened, he started to doubt it...

"Yes..." Hopper quietly nodded, "You were missing for over two weeks"

"I was?" The brunette asked again stunned by the notion. That was the same amount of time he was in the comic for; did he move back and forth between dimensions? He was like Doctor Who! Rejoicing for a moment, but realising the situation he was in, "I mean, yeah, I remember! Well not everything, but I remember some things!"

"Go on... take your time!" The burly man spoke calm.

"The last thing I remember was that I was running away from the cafeteria at my school!" The brunette explained.

"The last place you were seen?" Hopper whispered scrawling down on his notepad. "What events led up to you running away?"

Will hesitated for a moment, what would the police chief out of all people say when he said he was being mocked for his sexuality and his unusual mannerisms?

The burly man, upon seeing this hesitation, spoke up. "Do you know why I'm so passionate to solve the case?" seeing the small boy shake his head, he continued, "I-I have a daughter... One day after a particular harsh day at school... she disappeared. I blamed myself, because I wish I could've helped her! But if by finding whoever took you, I could save other children, then that's an accomplishment. Her name was Jane... but she liked being called by her middle name, El!"

The brunette was taken aback from the words. This was something he never knew about the burly man, never hearing this backstory before; it wouldn't really be a conversation starter. Sighing, Will spoke, "I was getting bullied at school; so, I left... I ran far as I could and then... I- I don't know," His voice came out weird, unable to explain the rest, "I-I can't explain the next part."

"Try as best as you can!" Hopper said

Will sighed taking a deep breath, sharing his experiences with the old man. Leaving no detail; describing how he suddenly found himself transported to a world reflecting a romance comic book. The burly man's eyebrows furrowed as he listened, scrolling down notes and trying to make sense of this fairytale.

Explaining how in his new world, Will had become the villain of the story; encountering various romantic scenarios and challenges. He met fictional characters, experiencing heartwarming moments as he transversed the world; making new friends and everlasting bonds. It was a situation completely detached from reality but somehow Will had lived it.

Hopper's scepticism was apparent, but he knew better to at least listen to everything the brunette had to say before dismissing outright. He dug deeper, following up with questions to uncover more details about this alternate reality; scrawling down notes. Will struggled to articulate himself trying his best, unable to remember the specifics.

As the interrogation progressed, Will felt lost in his own thoughts; his mind kept casting back to the other world, he couldn't shake the feeling of what happened, but a thought lingered in his mind...

Where was his comic friends? 

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1748 Words

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