↣ 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘪𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘦

They observed Max entering Miss Kelly's residence and collectively exhaled in relief.  They were uncertain whether she would permit Max's entry, hence they were compelled to wait.

"Okay. She's in."

"I'm missing collarbones, not eyes." Dustin responded with sarcasm, while Bailey rested his head against the window as Steve and Dustin engaged in yet another argument.  Bailey sensed a mild headache emerging but disregarded it; he felt somewhat uncomfortable for an unknown reason.

Ultimately, after some time, Max exited the house, appearing quite despondent.  She entered through the door. "What'd she say?" Dustin asked.

"Nothing, just drive." She dismissed it with a wave. "Steve, drive."

Bailey gazed at Steve with concern as he continued driving down the road, when suddenly, Dustin's walkie-talkie activated.

"Dustin." Dustin heard Lucas's voice and brought the device to his ear. "It's Lucas. Do you copy? Dustin."

Dustin promptly activated the button to respond. "Lucas? Where the hell have you been?"

"Just listen...Are you looking for Eddie?"

"We found him, no thanks to you." Dustin spoke into it, while Bailey placed his fingers on his head, sensing the frustration. ''Don't worry. He's safe.''

''You guys know he killed Chrissy, right?'' Bailey's fist clenched at his statement; Eddie did not murder Chrissy. Lucas was a member of the Hellfire Club; he was acquainted with Eddie and has now accused him of it.

''That's bullshit.'' Dustin hissed.

''Lucas, you're so behind it's ridiculous, okay?'' Max seized the walkie-talkie from Dustin. ''Just meet us at school..We'll explain later.''

''I... I can't. I think some real bad shit's about to go down.'' Lucas articulates with a degree of reluctance. Bailey turned to face them as Lucas spoke.

It became utterly silent. Bailey redirected his gaze to the road as they proceeded towards the high school. His thoughts were now consumed with concern for Eddie, as peril approached.

𐬽𐬼𐬽

They all hurried into Ms. Kelley's office. He surveyed the room; Bailey did not precisely resemble a therapist, and he was uncertain about their methods of assistance.  He contemplated those thoughts, but then he glanced at Max while they all hovered nearby.

Max was engrossed in her own thoughts while the males sought to get her attention. "Max, come on." Dustin jostled her, as if trying to rouse her from slumber.

Max's eyes expanded, and she surveyed the room.  Bailey observed her from his position, contemplating her thoughts.

"It was literally right here." Max declared.  They were now gazing at a wall intended for a big grandfather clock.

"A grandfather clock?"

"It was so real." She elucidated while surveying the room. "And then, when I got closer, suddenly I just...I woke up."

"It was like she was in a trance or something." Dustin commenced his explanation to Nancy and Robin, who were presently in school. "Exactly what Eddie said happened to Chrissy."

"Fred and Chrissy, they both came to Miss Kelley for help." Max elucidated while surveying her companions. "Uh, they both were having headaches, bad headaches that wouldn't go away. And then... then the nightmares. Trouble sleeping. They'd wake up in a cold sweat."

Bailey could not conceive of anything more dreadful; he recalled Chrissy, who would likely awaken plagued by nightmares, unable to seek assistance.

"Then they started seeing things." Max states, her voice quavering slightly. "Bad things. From their pasts. These visions, they just... they kept on getting worse and worse, until eventually... everything ended."

"Vecna's curse." Robin gazed upward at Max.

Bailey glanced at Max while she embraced herself. "Chrissy's headache started a week ago. Fred's, six days ago. I've been having them for five days."

Steve covered his mouth, overwhelmed by the intensity of the situation.  Bailey was averse to this; he could not endure the loss of another somebody he deeply cherished in his life.

"I don't know how long I have." Max said as she tried to swallow a sob. "All I know is that, for Fred and Chrissy, they both died less than
hours after their first vision and I just saw that goddamn clock, so..."

"....looks like I'm gonna die tomorrow."

A sound from outside caused them all to turn.  "Stay here," Steve cautioned.  seizing a light to employ as a weapon to intimidate the intruder.  Bailey trailed closely behind him, accompanied by the others.  The sounds intensified as they proceeded down the corridor until an individual emerged from behind the corner.

Lucas Sinclair was before them as Steve initiated a strike but halted upon recognition.  "It's me!" he exclaimed.

"Jesus, what's wrong with you?'' Steve shouted. "I could've taken you out with this lamp!''

"Sorry, guys. Sorry. I was...I was biking for eight miles. Give me a second. Shit.'' In an effort to catch his breath, Lucas knelt down and let out a grunt. "We've got a code red.''

"what?''

"Dustin, I've been with Jason, Patrick and Andy and they've gone totally off the rails. They're trying to capture Eddie. And they think you know where he is. You're in terrible danger.''

Dustin nodded without pondering the matter deeply at that moment.  He pivoted to meet Max's gaze. "All right. Yeah, that definitely sucks, but we're got bigger problems than Jason now." All eyes were on Max.  Knowing that their actions would determine the outcome of her life and that time was of the essence.

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𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿'𝘀 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀

- Bailey worried about Max, the next chapters are gonna be tough.

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

𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘐 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘹𝘵 𝘶𝘱𝘥𝘢𝘵e