chapter thirty-one.
running up that hill!
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disclaimer: I hope everything in Spanish is accurate!! I used Spanishdict like someone told me too !! Hopefully it's correct :)) but thank you to that person (I forgot their username, my bad)
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STRANGER THINGS 4
episode four

NOVEMBER 18, 1985

JOSIE HURRIED THROUGH THE KITCHEN, searching desperately for something to blindfold herself. Spotting a tattered tie, she snatched it up and made her way to her room. Emotions welled up in Josie as she realized it was Charlotte's birthday and she needed to confirm her fate. Denial had consumed her for months, but now she was determined to find the truth. With her bedroom door closed, Josie sat on the floor, crossed her legs, and tightly wrapped the tie around her eyes. Focusing all her energy, she willed herself to be drawn into her void.

As Josie stepped into her bright white void, the world around her transformed. Thoughts of Charlotte consumed her as she navigated through the void, the sound of water echoing with each step. Suddenly, a strange, distorted noise reminiscent of Dart's creature startled her. She quickly turned her head and came face-to-face with Charlotte's lifeless body, covered in eerie Upside Down residue. Overwhelmed with terror, Josie let out a piercing scream, ripping off the tie and returning to the real world. Blood trickled from her nose as she ran her hands through her hair, trying to catch her breath.

As the sound of a truck reached her ears, Josie's lips trembled. She rushed to the window and saw Max standing there, clutching a box in her hands. Josie's heart swelled with sadness as she watched closely, seeing Max's mom embracing her tightly. Amidst the commotion, Neil's angry shouts pierced the air, warning them never to return.

Josie's eyebrows shot up in surprise. It dawned on her that Max's mom and Neil's ongoing fights had reached a breaking point, resulting in them being kicked out of their house. Concern washed over Josie as she realized she hadn't spoken to Max in weeks, and it troubled her that Max kept her emotions locked away.

PRESENT

MAX AND JOSIE EXPLAINED THE VISION THEY SAW. Not only did Josie saw a vision, but Max did as well. Max saw Charlotte while Josie saw a clock. The group pointed their flashlights at the wall. "It was here. Right here. The grandfather clock ticking at me and Vecna... he told me I didn't have much time left." Josie's voice trembled as Max gulped, flashing the light to the other wall in the same hall. "And... right here, stood Charlotte. She said... She said that I need to save myself.. and to kill — kill Josie." she stuttered.

Josie's eyes widened in astonishment as she realized that Max had also experienced a vision. While Josie saw a clock, Max encountered Charlotte. The group gathered, shining their flashlights on the wall. "It was here. Right here. The grandfather clock ticking at me and Vecna... he told me I didn't have much time left." Josie's voice trembled.

Max's voice quivered as she shifted the light to another wall in the hallway. "And right here... Charlotte appeared," Max stammered. "She told me to save myself... and to... kill Josie."

Josie's eyes widened in disbelief. "Charlotte would never say something like that," she asserted with conviction, meeting Max's gaze. Max's voice trembled as she admitted, "I know... it was a vision, a vision manipulated by Vecna... but it felt so real." Understanding, Josie nodded and added, "Yeah, once we got closer, we snapped out of it." Dustin chimed in, confirming, "It was like they were in a trance or something, just like Eddie said happened to Chrissy."

Josie and Max both shook their heads, pivoting to face their friends. The beam of lights illuminated their faces. Josie's expression grew serious as she pursed her lips, catching Victoria's suspicious gaze. "That's not even the worst part," she responded, piquing Victoria's curiosity. "What do you mean?" Victoria inquired, eager for more information.

They all moved back into Ms. Kelly's office, creating a tight circle. Max and Josie stood shoulder to shoulder, their voices filled with urgency. Josie took a deep breath, her eyes focused as she began to unravel the chilling events. "You see, Fred and Chrissy, they both turned to Miss Kelly for help," she started, her voice quivering slightly. Robin's eyes widened as she pulled the paper closer, eager to absorb every detail. "It all started with these unbearable headaches, the kind that never seemed to go away," Josie explained, her voice heavy with concern.

"And then came the nightmares, haunting their sleep, causing them to wake up drenched in cold sweat. These visions were so bad. It was something from their past... that traumatized them. They would keep getting worse." Josie's voice grew even more tremulous as she continued, "But it didn't stop there. They began to see visions, hallucinations that felt so real. And then, in an instant, their lives were snuffed out. He... he sucked it all away." She listed. The room fell silent, the weight of their words hanging in the air.

Josie paused, her anxiety palpable as she gathered her thoughts. "I've been experiencing these symptoms for three weeks now... and it's incredibly strange. Every single person who had these symptoms died exactly six days later. This vision I had today wasn't my first vision.. I've had many visions since last summer. I would randomly see Charlotte... or my dad." she revealed, her voice filled with a mix of fear and uncertainty. Max nodded solemnly, her frown mirroring the gravity of the situation. Robin's eyes widened as she looked up at them, her voice barely above a whisper. "Vecna's curse," she uttered, acknowledging the sinister presence that seemed to be haunting them.

Max's voice trembled as she spoke up, revealing the unsettling timeline of their symptoms. "Chrissy's headache started a week ago. Fred's six days ago. Josie's been experiencing them for three weeks... and I've been having them for five days," Max revealed, causing Steve to cover his mouth in shock. Josie's eyes filled with tears as she bit her lip, desperately trying to hold back her emotions.

"I don't know how much time I have left," Max continued, her voice filled with a mixture of fear and uncertainty. "All I know is that both Fred and Chrissy died within twenty-four hours of their first vision. I'm not sure what's different for Josie, but we've known since last summer that Vecna sees her as a threat. But when I saw that damn clock, it seems like... I'll die tomorrow." Max took a deep, heavy breath, her words hanging in the air, weighted with the grim reality of their situation.

Victoria's gasp escaped her trembling lips, a mix of fear and sorrow echoing in her voice. Tears streamed down her face as she locked eyes with Josie, her heartache laid bare. "Please, Josie, you can't leave me. You're the only real family I have left in this world. Charlotte... she's gone, and I can't bear the thought of losing you too," Victoria pleaded, her voice cracking with emotion. In that moment, Josie understood the depth of Victoria's pain and without saying a single word, she wrapped her arms around her, offering solace and reassurance in their tight embrace.

Max's lip quivered with nervousness as she spoke up. "I don't think Josie will meet her end tomorrow. It's me who's in danger. You see, Vecna can't harm her because she defeated him. That's why she's been experiencing these visions for three weeks, and it's been a year since they first started. Vecna has already attempted to take her life, but something stopped him. Now, he's after me," Max explained, her words filled with a mix of fear and determination.

The sound of a distant clang reverberated through the air, causing their heads to snap towards the source at the door. Sensing Victoria's unease, Josie took her hand and gently squeezed it, positioning herself protectively in front of the group as they made their way out of Ms. Kelly's room. With determination etched on her face, Josie led the way, ready to defend against any potential threat. To her surprise, Steve stood behind her, wielding a lamp as his chosen weapon. Josie couldn't help but give him a look filled with disbelief, silently questioning his unconventional choice for defense in this dangerous situation.

As the noise grew louder, Josie's heart raced with anticipation. Suddenly, a figure charged towards her, causing both of them to scream in fear. Reacting instinctively, Josie threw her arms out in front of her, and to her surprise, plants sprouted from the ground, entangling the person's ankles. Blood trickled down her nose from the strain.

However, her worry turned to relief when a light shone on the person's face, revealing that it was just Lucas. The Cortez girl groaned, scolding him, "Lucas! You should have warned us! I could have seriously hurt you." She gave him a stern look, using her hand to dismiss the plants, causing them to vanish.

"Jesus, what's wrong with you!" Steve screamed at Lucas.

Lucas gasped for breath, desperately trying to recover. "I'm so sorry!" he shouted back, feeling the weight of Steve's glare. "I could've knocked you out with this lamp! And Josie could've unleashed her superpowers on you!" His voice carried a scolding tone, expressing the potential danger they had all faced.

Lucas panted, his breath coming in ragged gasps. "Sorry, guys," he apologized, his voice strained. Victoria tilted her head, her eyebrows furrowing in confusion. "Why are you all sweaty and out of breath?" she asked, genuinely curious. Lucas pointed towards the doors, trying to catch his breath. "I just biked eight miles," he explained, holding up a finger to signal he needed a moment. He leaned forward, placing his hands on his knees, desperately trying to recover. "Give me a second... We've got a code red," he managed to say, his hands now on his hips as he assessed the situation. "What?"

Lucas made his way past Steve, Josie, and Victoria, coming to a stop in front of Dustin. "Dustin," he said, pausing for a moment. "I've been hanging out with Jason, Patrick, and Andy, and things have gotten crazy. They're convinced that you know where Eddie is and they're trying to capture him." he looked over at Josie, "They even think you have some kind of psychic powers because they overheard our conversation. And now they're spreading rumors that you're some kind of town killer because of what happened to Charlotte. They're calling you... La Bruja."

TRANSLATION; the witch

Josie's eyes widened in shock and anger, her voice filled with frustration. "What the fuck? Have those idiots actually gone to the police and spilled their insane theories about Eddie and me being killers?" she exclaimed, her disbelief evident.

Lucas nervously bit his lip, his expression confirming Josie's worst fears. "Fuck, you need to be careful. And you won't believe this, but your mom... she actually fell for their bullshit. When they talked to her, it looked like they've been suspecting you as an accomplice," he revealed, his voice laced with concern for his friend.

Victoria clicked her tongue and gave Josie a gentle nudge in the side, successfully capturing her attention. "Si todavía piensan que eres cómplice para cuando tenga que irme a casa, ven a casa conmigo." She suggested as Josie looked at her with a hopeful smile. "Maybe." she whispered, running her hand through Victoria's hair.

TRANSLATION; If they still think you're an accomplice by the time I gotta go home, come home with me.

Dustin nodded and replied, "Yeah, we've got bigger fish to fry at the moment..." His voice trailed off as he glanced at Max and then turned his attention to Josie. Lucas furrowed his eyebrows, clearly puzzled by the situation.

THE NEXT MORNING, Victoria went inside the Police Station to talk to Josie's mom and try to clear her name. Josie anxiously hid outside the Police Station, observing her mom emerge, but Victoria was nowhere in sight. She deduced that the cops must be interrogating Victoria. Overwhelmed with desperation, Josie rushed towards her mom, Estefina, and tightly grasped her arm. "Mom, please, you have to believe me! I didn't kill Chrissy or Fred!" she pleaded, her voice filled with fear and desperation. As Estefina looked at her, Josie noticed something strange in her eyes, an otherworldly and creature-like quality.

Josie's surroundings transformed into the eerie and unsettling Upside Down, and to her shock, Estefina vanished, replaced by the menacing figure of Vecna. Josie desperately attempted to free herself from Vecna's grip, but he pulled her into a tight and uncomfortable hug, leaving her visibly uneasy. Despite her struggles, Josie couldn't break free from Vecna's embrace. His chilling words pierced the air, as he menacingly threatened, "Josefina Cortez, this time you won't be able to save your friends. I'll make sure you're right in front of Max before I end her life."

Josie shot him a fierce glare, her eyes filled with a mix of anger and sadness. "What do you want from me? Why do you see me as a threat?" she demanded, tears welling up in her eyes. Vecna gazed down at her, a malevolent smirk playing on his lips. "Oh, Josefina... you have no idea of the untapped power within you," he taunted.

As the world around her returned to its normal state, Vecna vanished into thin air, leaving Josie feeling a mix of relief and disbelief. With a trembling sigh, she slowly moved her arms away from the empty space where Vecna once stood. Just as she was trying to process everything that had just happened, she heard her name being called.

Anxiously, she turned her gaze to see Victoria approaching with a wide smile on her face. "Guess what, Josie!" Victoria exclaimed excitedly. "You're officially off the suspect list! I managed to clear your name. I told them that you've been with me the whole time, and now they're focusing their suspicions on Eddie instead." Josie's eyes widened in surprise and gratitude as she nodded, a forced smile appearing on her lips. "Yay! That's amazing news!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with a mix of relief and excitement. "Let's celebrate by heading over to the Wheelers' place. It's time for some well-deserved fun!"

WHEN THEY ARRIVED AT THE WHEELERS, They were on their way to run Max's errands when they made a stop at her house. Now, they were headed to their next destination. Max guided Steve with the directions, and as they drove, they unexpectedly found themselves in a graveyard.

As they sat in the car, Max leaned her head against the cool window, lost in her thoughts. Josie's gaze shifted towards Max, catching her slight movement. Sensing the need to speak up, Max turned her head slightly and directed to Dustin, "Turn here." Dustin glanced at Max, seeking clarity. "Here?" he asked, his voice filled with uncertainty. Max nodded slowly, her eyes focused on the upcoming turn.

Josie's eyebrows furrowed in confusion as she realized that they were heading towards Billy's grave. As Steve pulled the car into the graveyard, Max stepped out. Victoria playfully nudged Josie's side, encouraging her. "Go talk to her!" Victoria whispered, urging Josie to join Max. Josie hesitated for a moment, but then mustered up the courage to get out of the car and follow Max.

"Max?" Josie called out, her voice filled with concern, as Max turned around. "Josie, please, just wait in the car," Max asserted, her tone firm. Josie gave Max a knowing look, her eyes pleading. "Max, just wait. Max, please," the Cortez girl pleaded, her voice filled with urgency. Max glanced at Josie, a mixture of frustration and worry in her eyes. "Josie, just wait—"

Josie's heart raced as she circled in front of Max, her hands reaching out to gently grasp her shoulders. "Please, Max," Josie implored, her voice filled with urgency and vulnerability. She locked eyes with the redhead, her gaze filled with a mixture of hope and desperation. Max's head tilted slightly to the side, a subtle attempt to avoid direct eye contact with Josie, revealing her inner turmoil and reluctance to engage in the conversation.

Max's body tensed, her fingers nervously fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. Josie's hands retreated from Max's shoulders, leaving a lingering sense of vulnerability in the air. The room fell into a heavy silence, the weight of unspoken words hanging between them. Finally, Josie mustered the courage to address the elephant in the room. "I know something happened at your moms house. Was it Vecna?" Josie gently acknowledged, her voice filled with empathy.

"I mean, I'm as fine as someone hurtling towards a gruesome death can be, right?" Max chuckled, a hint of sarcasm in her voice. Her smile, though forced, couldn't hide the fear and uncertainty in her eyes. Josie's gaze met hers, filled with concern and understanding, silently acknowledging the weight of the situation.

Max's gaze shifted downward, her eyes meeting Josie's empathetic gaze. "Max, you know you can always talk to me, right?" Josie reassured her, her voice filled with warmth and understanding. Max held Josie's gaze for a moment, a flicker of vulnerability crossing her face before she nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I know," she whispered softly.

"Okay, then why do you keep pushing me away?" Josie's voice trembled with a mix of concern and frustration. She closed the physical and emotional distance between them, stepping forward and gently grasping Max's hands. Their eyes met, and Josie held the gaze, her own filled with a blend of determination and vulnerability.

Max's gaze shifted to Josie, a flicker of a memory crossing her mind. She quickly shook her head, trying to push the memory away. Her eyes hardened as she spoke, her words laced with a mix of pain and frustration. "You're with Mike now, so stop worrying about me. Worry about him and El," Max snapped, her voice sharp. Josie took a step back, releasing Max's hands, hurt evident in her eyes. "Just wait in the car. This won't take long," Max asserted, her voice tinged with sadness. She turned away, tears welling up in her eyes as she made her way towards Billy's grave, feeling a sense of regret weighing heavily on her heart.

Cassidy's eyes remained fixed on Max as she walked away, a mix of disbelief and disappointment clouding her expression. She slowly retraced her steps, heading back to the car with a heavy heart. With a flick of her hand, she effortlessly commanded the door to open, using her mind to manipulate the physical world. Sliding inside the car, Cassidy closed the door behind her, the sound echoing her lingering frustration.

She crossed her arms, a physical barrier mirroring the emotional distance she felt in that moment. Victoria, perceptive as ever, could sense the tension that hung in the air. Victoria and Lucas' eyes met, a silent exchange of understanding and concern passing between them, as if they shared a secret language only they understood.

Minutes turned into an eternity, and Max still hadn't returned. Josie couldn't contain her worry any longer and let out a sniffling plea to Steve. "Steve, I'm getting worried." She spoke up. The concern in her voice was palpable as Steve met her gaze, understanding the gravity of the situation. With a quick glance at his watch, the Harrington boy confirmed Josie's fears. "You're right, Jo. It's been long enough." Determination filled the air as Steve swiftly opened his car door and smoothly slid out, prompting Josie to follow suit. The two friends were ready to face whatever awaited them, united in their quest to find Max.

"Steve, Jo, let's give her a little space," Lucas advised, sensing the tension in the air. Victoria shot him a meaningful look, silently urging him to understand. Josie's frustration bubbled over, her voice filled with emotion as she exclaimed, "We've given her enough time, Lucas!" Steve nodded in agreement, making a firm decision. "I'm calling it. If she wants a lawyer, she can have one." As Steve turned around, he walked backward, offering Josie a comforting rub on her back. Lucas sighed, exchanging a knowing glance with Dustin and Victoria, understanding the weight of the situation.

As they reached Max, Vecna had her entranced, her eyes rolled back. Panic consumed Josie as she desperately called out to her friend, "Max! Max! No! Damn it!" Steve swiftly grabbed Max's shoulder, vigorously shaking her and snapping his fingers in front of her face, hoping to break the trance. "No, Steve! We need to get her help, now!" Josie scolded him, her urgency evident. Steve nodded in agreement, fully aware of the gravity of the situation. "MAX, WAKE UP!" Josie knelt in front of Max, shaking her gently, while Steve called over Dustin, Lucas, and Victoria for assistance.

They sprinted towards Max, their hearts pounding with worry. Determined to bring her back, they gathered around her, their voices filled with urgency. "Max, you have to wake up! Can you hear us?" Victoria shook her gently, hoping to break the hold of the trance. Meanwhile, Steve snapped his fingers in front of Max's face, trying to jolt her back to reality. The group anxiously awaited any sign of response, their eyes filled with concern.

Josie's impatience reached its peak as she tightly grasped Dustin's collar, her voice laced with urgency. "Call Nancy and Robin immediately! We need them here now! Call Nancy and Robin! Go!" she demanded, her tone leaving no room for hesitation. Relinquishing her hold on Dustin, she watched as he swiftly darted off to fulfill her urgent request.

Tears streamed down Victoria's face as Lucas pulled her into a tight embrace, offering solace in his arms. "Max, you've got to find a way out!" Josie exclaimed, her voice choked with emotion, while Steve shook Max with urgency. Dustin rushed back, cradling all of Max's cherished mixtapes in his arms. "Can you hear—" Steve began, his voice filled with concern and hope. The group anxiously awaited any sign of response, their hearts pounding with worry.

"Dustin!" he called out, tossing the mixtapes onto the ground before Max. Josie's incredulous gaze met his, her voice dripping with disbelief. "What's the point of this?" Josie questioned, unfazed by Dustins reaction. "What's her favorite song?" he pressed on, determined to help Max. Josie scoffed, her expression bordering on exasperation. "Seriously, Dustin? Now?" she retorted, her tone conveying a mix of frustration and concern.

"Robin said if she listens... It's hard to explain right now!" he exclaimed, his breath coming in heavy gasps. "But what's her favorite song?" he repeated loudly, his urgency palpable. Josie's eyes widened in sudden realization. "Alright! It's 'Running Up That Hill' by Kate Bush!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement and understanding.

As they meticulously sifted through the collection of mixtapes, their anticipation grew. Finally, Victoria's eyes gleamed with triumph as she held up the coveted mixtape. Josie eagerly snatched it from her grasp and carefully inserted it into the walkman. "Alright, headphones on!" Dustin exclaimed, his voice brimming with excitement. Without hesitation, the Cortez girl swiftly placed the headphones on Max's head. In an instant, Max defied gravity, levitating into the air. Josie and her friends instinctively recoiled, a mixture of fear and awe washing over them.

As Max hovered in the air, a moment of weightlessness that filled Josie with concern, she nervously picked at her lips, her anxiety palpable. Meanwhile, her friends called out to Max, their voices filled with encouragement and unwavering belief, urging her to come down and assuring her that she could do it.

And then, finally, Max gasped, causing Josie's heart to leap in her chest. Without hesitation, Josie held out her arms, ready to catch Max as she descended. And catch her she did. As Max landed in her arms, panic surged through her, causing her to tightly wrap her arms around Josie's neck, her breaths coming in rapid bursts. In response, Josie gently cooed, her voice filled with tenderness and support, "I've got you, I've got you."

Max's gaze shifted towards Josie, her voice barely above a whisper. "Josie," she whispered, her eyes filled with a mixture of fear and determination. Josie nodded, her expression curious and attentive. "Yeah? What is it?" she asked, releasing a sigh of anticipation. Max took a deep breath, gathering her courage before revealing the startling truth. "I know why Vecna doesn't like you... he told me," she confessed, her words hanging in the air. Josie's eyebrows shot up in surprise, her curiosity piqued.

"You're a threat to him, Josie. Not just because of your incredible power, but because you possess the ability to bring someone back from the dead and, with a mere twist of your hand, take lives," Max quoted Vecna's chilling words. The weight of the revelation settled upon them both, a heavy silence filling the graveyard and the friends.

—
ash speaks!

yeah this is a lot to comprehend.
xoxo