Running Up That Hill

Nancy and Robin come trampling down the stairs, Dylan shortly following them down as he took a seat on the couch next to Dustin who had made him room as soon as he came back from the kitchen. Dylan tried to ease himself back into the safe atmosphere, taking slow easy breaths.

"Okay..so..." Nancy huffed turning towards Robin as she finished her sentence "We have a plan."

__________________________________

Steve held one of the folders that Nancy had created for Robin as Dylan and Dustin observed the other folder.

"Thanks to Nancy's newspaper minions, we are now rock-star psychology students at the University of Notre Dame." Robin explained

"I'm now Ruth." Nancy smiled

"And I'm Rose." Robin shared the same smile

Steve looked up at Nancy, raising his eyebrow and slightly smirking. "Ruth?" He questioned. Nancy tilted her head towards him with a stern smile not showing her teeth.

Dylan looked at his brother through the corner of his eye before sighing still seeing his brother's desperation for Nancy.

Dustin glanced at the 3.9 GPA on "Ruth's" Education slot as he had a look of approval "Nice GPA."

"Thanks!" Nancy smiled, knowing she didn't have to change her grade

"And! you were a youth worker." Dylan smiled, seeing Nancy's smile stagger. "Ah..so only Ruth.....Gotcha."

Nancy playfully rolled her eyes. "So we called Penshurst Asylum, told them we'd like to speak to Victor Creel for a thesis we're co-writing on paranoid schizophrenics—" Nancy explained

"To which they said no." Robin added

"But! We landed a three o' clock with the director." Nancy said

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

"Then maybe, we can rid Max and Dylan of this curse" Nancy finished

Dylan once again felt the need to shift all focus on Max, he didn't believe he was "cursed" or at least not the way Max was.

Steve looked between Dylan and Max before clicking his tongue "Yeah, about that. We've been doing our Victor Creel homework, and, uh....we got some questions."

"Lots of questions." Lucas agreed

Nancy slightly shrugged "So do we. Hopefully, Victor has the answers." Steve shook his head confusingly at the girl "Wait...Wait..wait a second. Uh...." He looked up at Robin and Nancy furrowing his brows with a smile "Where's mine?"

Dylan saw the look on Nancy and Robin's face, he chuckled covering his smile with his hand, feeling the tough patch of skin from his cigarette buds, it quickly reminded him of what he was craving as his quickly smile faded.

Not as fast as Steve's feet following Nancy and Robin upstairs in frustration and anger of once again not being apart of the big action and simply watching the kids.

_________________________________

CALIFORNIA/ BYERS RESIDENCE

Will paced back and forth between his room, wearing a yellow flannel tucked into tan jeans, his hair cut in a familiar bowl shape.

His room littered with famous art pieces and references, as he had a blue shoebox in the corner of his room with red tape on top, Dylan's name written on the side.

"I...I mean, I don't think they've actually thought this through." Will rambled pouncing a ball off the floor. "I-I mean if this goes on for a month, or months, and people can't get a hold of us, they're gonna totally freak out. Meanwhile, my mom's probably having a panic attack. And what about Hawkins? That Lady's just supposed to keep it "contained." Like you can contain any of this without El. I mean........"

Will seemed to notice his friend Mike not exactly paying attention to him, he looked down seeing the boy holding the note El had written for him before she left. Mike had a frustrated look on his face along with one that was unrecognizable. Will was used to Mike and Elevens relationship along with the hardships just as anyone else in their group was, but something about it made him feel off, he wasn't jealous or upset, just confused.

He sighed having a look of sympathy towards Mike "despite staring at that, it's still won't change , you know?"

Mike seemed to break out of his trance looking up at Will "Yeah. Yeah, you're right." He admitted laying the letter on the bed next to him.

Will sat down next to Mike on his bed, as Mike took a deep breath "Before the cops came, me and El, we.....we had a bad fight. And we never fight...I mean, we've fought before, but just, like, silly fights, stupid fights. I don't know this one just felt more adult?"

Mike looked done at his hands as his tone lowered "I was hoping California would be..a break, a distraction, but being with Eleven and you guys......it's just more problems and more fights."

"More?" Will asked

Mike looked back up at him before sighing frustratingly. "Before I came here, Dylan and I got into another fight.....it was only because of how he was avoiding us, and acting different?"

Will matched his expression in confusion as all the letters he had received from the boy made it seem as if he was doing fine. Each word expressing great detail of success in Hawkins High—as well as company that kept him laughing.

"I shouldn't have yelled, but I was just tired of looking over at him, hoping that he would say....hi? Or at least wave, I don't know." Mike rambled, recalling all the moments of false hope Dylan had given him with silent glances. "What I'm trying to say is......I just wished I had done things differently, that way Dylan would still talk to me and El would have want me with her."

Will stayed silent as Mike picked the letter back up and handed it to Will. Will looked at him for approval as Mike nodded. The boy read the letter his eyes slightly widening. "When you said big fight, I didn't expect this."

Mike didn't respond as he kept his gaze on the floor, Will handed the letter back as Mike crumped it and threw it away in the trash. "I don't think it matters now." Mike responded Referring to the break up.

"Look Mike, you're gonna see her again, and you're gonna see Dylan again. And whatever you wanted to do differently, do it then. It's not too late." Will instructed, as Mike began nodding thinking about his friend's advice carefully.

"Okay?" Will asked

"Yeah, okay." Mike replied with a smile, his smile quickly turned sour at the thought of Hawkins "El's not in Hawkins, but Dylan is. Could Dylan potentially get involved in this?"

"If I'm being honest Mike when isn't Dylan involved in something dangerous." Will replied sarcastically as it didn't help Mikes anxious feeling. "But he's strong, and he always gets through it. Don't worry."

Mike didn't push away his thoughts about Dylan as he felt this was something he did need to keep in mind, but he tried to lift his spirit up and focus on what he could control.

He signed "Looks like it's gonna be up to us again." Mike said with a smile.

"It's always is, isn't it?" Will replied, as the two giggled together giving each other a fist bump that didn't feel awkward. It was nice to remember the old bonds between different duos in the party each with their own line of friendship and individuality. It's what kept them close and brought them together even through the toughest times.

"Which is why we can't stay here."

__________________________________

HAWKINS INDIANA/ WHEELER RESIDENCE

Max sat at the yellow lit table, quickly but thoughtfully finishing her last letter. Putting it in the envelope as she wrote Billy on the front.

Along with the fear she chose to hide she could feel the eyes of the four boys, or she just heard them stop talking for a brief moment giving it away.

"I know you guys are staring at me." Max said slightly turning her head, as she saw and heard them all quickly grab something in  panic clearing their throats "What, sorry?"

"Hmm?"

"What's going on?"

"Just hanging out."

She signed "How you think your eyes boring into the back of my head is protecting me from Vecna, I don't know." She commented, clearly frustrated.

Max stacked her letters together, walking over to the boys as they all continued to awkwardly look at something, Dustin "reading" a magazine,Lucas "reading" the news, Steve throwing a ball up to the ceiling, and Dylan was wiping air off his jeans.

"You can look at me now." Max stated, they all exhaled the breath they were holding in throwing whatever was occupying their minds.

"For you." Max handed Lucas a letter

"For you." She handed Steve a letter

"For you." One for Dustin

"And for you." She gave Dylan a thick letter, he could feel the difference in materials between the letter and envelope, the smooth paper that still had a fresh smell. "Oh...and give these to Will, El, and Mike, when you can," giving the rest to Dylan with a purse of her lips. "If you can ever get ahold of them." He nodded.

Steve and Dustin began opening their letter before Max raised her voice "No! What are you doing? That's not for now, don't open in now." She quieted down—not trying to have an outburst at them.

"Oh okay...um I'm sorry, what is this?" Dustin asked as he seemed to answer the question that racked everyone's mind

"It's uh....its a fail-safe. For after. If things don't work out." She distressed as Lucas immediately perked up

"Wait, wait Max.....things are gonna work out." He said before Max turned to him in anger "No! No, I don't need you to reassure me right now and tell me it's all gonna work out. Because people have been telling me that my entire life and it's almost never true"

Dylan could only silently agree, putting all the letters in the inside of his coat pocket, he then saw the drop of blood that landed onto his and Mikes letter cursing as it fell from the thumb he was subconsciously picking.

"I mean, of course this asshole curses me." Max spat. "Should've seen that one coming." She paused nervously grinding her mouth before grabbing the super-com on the table."If we go to East Hawkins, will this reach Pennhurst?"

Dustin nodded still a bit shocked from the outburst before "Of course." He said in a gentle tone as Steve budded in "Wait, why are we talking about East Hawkins?"

Max simply stared at Dylan silently asking for his help as Dylan stood up from his chair fixing his coat walking up to Max as he also looked at the other boys waiting for their responds.

"No." Steve stated looking at Max before giving Dylan a stern gaze "No. No!"

________________________________

Steve tailed behind Max and Dylan who were walking at the same pace, Lucas and Dustin attempting to keep up. "Max, Max. Seriously. Seriously I'm not joking. I'm not driving you anywhere." Steve bashed

Max rolled her eyes "Steve if you think I'm going to spend what is most likely the last day of my life in the armpit that is Mike Wheeler's basement, then you're out of your mind."

Dylan slightly smiled at the girl "It can't be that bad." He said as she gave him an unimpressed look.

"Either take me where I need to go, or you can tie me down." Max demanded walking over to Steve's car "which is technically kidnapping of a minor. And if I live to see another day, Steve, I swear to God, I will prosecute." Max threatened placing her hand on the door handle attempting to open it before falling short as the door stayed locked.

"Open the door." Max asked with a not so kindly tone making sure Steve knew she wasn't joking

"Uh, no." Steve replied

"I know a good lawyer." She glared at Steve until he scoffed taking his car keys out. "Henderson, that super walkie of yours better reach Pennhurst."

Dustin nodded before turning to Dylan "Can I sit in the front seat?"

"Let me think about." Dylan replied as he opened the passenger seat door getting in as he ignored the complaints of Dustin.

He buckled his seat belt before pausing, hearing the faint chiming of the grandfather clock. He looked behind him to see Max still not in the car—silently gazing towards the direction of the noise. Dylan closed his eyes facing forward again as all he could in the moment was hang on to the tiny bits of crumps called hope—and hope that sound didn't follow them.

__________________________________FOREST HILL TRAILER PARK

Steve drove into the neighborhood, quickly stopping his car in front of Max's home as his tires screeched "This better be fast, Mayfield."

"Twenty seconds." She responded, slamming the door shut. It was silent in the car for a moment before Dylan spoke up.

"Give her a break Steve, she just learned she was cursed." He muttered as Steve quickly replied "Which is exactly why she shouldn't be out and about like this, especially in this place." He suspiciously looked around narrowing his gaze at anything that appeared abnormal which was most of the trailers.

"That things got batteries in it, right?" Steve asked looking at Dustin through the rear view mirror. Dustin looked at his super comm before slowly looking up at Steve, disbelief apparent on his face. "I'm not even answering that question............................yes! It has batteries!"

"Yeah, I got it." Steve responded in the same manner

Dylan felt his lip twitch with amusement shaking his head as he looked out the window, in a split moment he felt dread all over again, it was so sudden he didn't even have time to get used to it. His hand began shaking—his breath quickened. He opened the car door as he stepped out, taking in as much oxygen as he could.

"Woah, Dylan are you okay?" Steve asked getting out as well—Dustin and Lucas following.

"Y-yeah...yeah I'm good, the car was just stuffy." Dylan said grabbing his hair and tying it up in a very short ponytail. The cool air touching his neck.

"Jeez you need a haircut....." Steve muttered, Dylan rolled his eyes tightening his curly ponytail. He stared at every part of Max's house, the cracked window—dirty tires. It was different than the house she had before Billy's death. Yet Dylan couldn't tell if either was a true home to her.

_________________________________

Max came strutting back to the car as she appeared to have redness around her eyes from salty tears that already dried up. "That was more than twenty seconds." Steve noted as Max ignored him getting into the car.

Their questions were shut down as the girl looked away from them all. "Just drive!" Max spat, as Steve nodded backing his car away from Max's trailer and driving out of the park.

Dylan's eyes trailed the road as they drove to the cemetery. Knowing every oddly bent tree down the path and curvature of the road he had been seen many times before.

Like before, Dylan's mind went to the blonde haired girl that haunted his life—rightfully so. And the boy that comforted him......

__________________________________

RUSSIA

Enzo pushed prisoners down the snowy cold line, the sound of shackles clacking against others. Russian being yelled.

"Antonov, phone for you!" The Russian man yelled placing the phone on top of the box.

"Don't you realize we just had an escape?!" He yelled back, keeping his face of displeasure to hide the feeling of success for the American.

"They say it's urgent." The man replied walking away. Enzo opened the gate as he approached the phone wearily—not expecting any calls.

"Hello?" He said

"Enzo. It's a Yuri!" Yuri joyfully answered

Enzo's face hardened as he looked round before face the wall, placing his hand over the phone lowering his voice "Why are you calling me here? Are you mad?"

"I know. I am very sorry. I just felt you should know that there had been.....a slight change in plans." Yuri stated, his voice lined with humor

"What? What has happened?" Enzo questioned

"I just got of the phone with your warden. A very productive call. It turns out, escaped prisoners are worth quite a bit of money. So Yuri thinks, why not keep the forty grand and make extra money?" Yuri chuckled

Enzo's heart dropped as his whisper increased in volume and spite. "That wasn't the deal!"

Yuri wheezed "But it is a better deal for Yuri, yes?" His voice lowered "And you know what is worth even more than escaped prisoners?"

"Corrupt guards."

Enzo's looked ahead of him to see the men he once called buddies start to point at him in anger yelling incoherent Russian as they began running towards him."What have you done?"

"And worth even more is Americans.....wanted by the KGB." Yuri said, the sound of blinds in the background opening and closing.

"May the scarred devil always be on your tail you traitor....." Enzo spat as he heard Yuri scoff.

"Awh! Now that's just mean, but I'm not too worried so I'll forgive you........Goodbye, Enzo." Yuri finished as he heard the sound of Russian guards slamming Enzo against the wall, cursing his name.

He laughed at the sound of beeping from the other line putting the phone down as he looked ahead, seeing Murray passed out on the couch and Joyce stumbling across broken glass and coffee.

________________________________

HAWKINS CEMETERY

Steve pulled into the solemn area, Dylan paying attention to the gravestone before seeing two familiar ones on the top of the hill. "Wait, Stop."

"What. Why—" Steve questioned before Dylan cut him off "Just stop.....please" he begged as Steve stopped his car, Dylan getting out. "Don't wait for me." He yelled nodding at Max as she nodded back. Steve driving away to Billy's grave as Dylan walked up the grassy hill.

The grass was seemingly darker, not enough to look abnormal, but enough for Dylan to notice. He walked a little faster once he was close enough to read the letterings on the graves.

He sat infront of Cindy's grave, looking at the shiny stone before taking a cigarette he had stashed in the edge of his sock. Placing the stick on his palm as he smelt the smoke immediately eased the headaches that had continued to pound from Mikes basement—the medication not helping him for a second.

He took a long drag, hearing the slight pops and feeling the hot smoke in his throat. The stick grew smaller and smaller So he grabbed another........pressing it against the same circle on his palm—not caring for the burn, in fact, living for it. He turned to lean against the gravestone, not feeling any connection or comfort, which only made him stay. He then looked to the side of it, where the bouquet of chrysanthemum lay. The vibrant yellow was now a dull brown, its petals crinkled and dry.

Dylan's brows furrowed at the sight placing his half used cig on top of Cindy's grave. Picking up the flowers—observing them. The one reason why he usually picked chrysanthemum was because of how long they lasted, he had just picked up the fresh flowers. Why were they gone already? He then looked to see the purple carnations on her father's grave was fine. They were the same color if not brighter compared to the dull flowers Cindy now had.

Dylan placed the flowers back in their place. Standing up as he brushed his pants off, he wiped dirt off his jacket seeing a black spider rested on his hand—he shook the bug off slightly stepping back as his foot caught on a rock he had not noticed before causing him to fall on his back and head.

"Dylan.......Dylan......013....." Dylan opened his eyes from the pain to see the world around him grow dark......the sound of the clock perked his senses as he stood up seeing Cindy's grave covered in thin vine like decorations, her name peeking through.

Dylan's breathing increase as his heart pounded out of his chest, he looked ahead not seeing Steve's car or any of them—except for Max. She was running.

"Max....? MAX!" Dylan yelled running after her, not seeing who or what she was running from.

"She cannot hear you." A voice stated, as Dylan swiftly turned around not seeing anyone. He then  tried to look for Max again before facing the voice.

He's skin was red and dull, his nose gone as all his features were covered in an armor like suit. Dylan had never seen him before in his life but he felt as if he had known him.

"013......." Vecna grumbled looking at the boy intensely his grey eyes not blind one bit.

Dylan's stomach dropped at the use of his number, recalling all the moments he had watched with that title. "You....you showed me that, my past."

"Your story...yes." Vecna tilted his head.

Dylan trembled "Why? Why are you doing all this? Tormenting my friends....hunting Max." Dylan glared

Vecna stayed silent for a moment not to process his question as he knew the answer but to rather let Dylan think about it himself. "I could ask you the same question. 013.........why torment them. Why not just leave?"

Dylan furrowed his brows. "What? What are you—? I can't even talk to them! I can't be with them! Because of you!" He found himself blaming Vecna, Dylan didn't exactly know why.

"Me? No. You managed to deprive yourself from your friends yourself, you managed to kill Cindy yourself, and now all of your friends will die because you can't get enough." Vecna said angrily, expressing more emotion than Dylan assumed he would be able too. Dylan could feel hot tears around his eyes covering his pupils. He could barely breath as all the guilt he had felt over the years came all at once. It was his fault. He needed to pay for it. "Then....kill me.....please." He begged "leave my friends alone, leave Hawkins. Just take me." His voice trembled.

Vecna simply stared at him, no emotion seen in his blur of a face. Dylan waited for something, his insides to burn, his eyes to burst, something. Dylan felt tears run down his face his breath slowing down as anger boiled in his blood. "What are you waiting for? I SAID FUCKING KILL ME!" He yelled.

"You think I want to kill you? I don't want to kill you." Vecna replied as he stepped closer, his footsteps vibration felt in the soles of Dylan's shoes.

Dylan scoffed"You don't want to kill me? Then what do you want? Why are you showing me my past, cursing me?."

"013.......I want to make sure that every single second of your life is met with torture. I want you to wake up with dread and sleep hoping you won't have to repeat it. I won't stop until everything is gone....you're home.....you're town.....and even the pest that give you strength." Vecna explained as Dylan seemed to understand why he was cursed and why his life was brought to shambles that every moment. And he only helped Vecna accomplish it.

"Which includes this one." Vecna finished. The graveyard then fell apart as if it was a simple hologram, the world around Dylan growing red, as he saw bits and pieces of wood floating around, big sharp spears growing from the wet slimy ground—vines covering every place he stepped.

Two large staircases that swooped to the middle, broken pieces of wood surround them. Dylan looked close to see each victim of Vecna's was attached to these spikes, their mutilated bodies sticking to the fleshy surface wrapped in vines. He then saw Max who was squirming and alive also stuck to one of these spears. Vines wrapped around her neck getting tighter and tighter.

"MAX!" Dylan screamed as he tried to run over to him before Vecna threw him, his actions not being seen by Max. As if Vecna was in Max's mind and Dylan was in his. Dylan rolled across the floor, liquid that smelt of blood covering his clothes, a piece of wood getting shoved into his shoulder as he cried out in pain. Dylan's jacket opened enough for Dylan to see the letter that was written to Mike.

Dylan grabbed the price of wood pulling out with a grunt as he threw it beside him. He then felt vines grab into his hands as he was lifted from the ground his back pressing against something that Dylan couldn't even see as he could barely turn his head.  Dylan glared at Vecna, knowing that he simply wanted Dylan to watch as Max was slowly being killed.

"And if I only could....make a deal with God and get him to swap out places~"

Dylan heard the voice of Kate Bush echoing throughout. As he looked to his left seeing a portal, Steve, Dustin, and Lucas yelling through it for Max to come back.

"They can't help you Max." Vecna said facing the girl "there's a reason you hide from them....you....belong here, with me." Max coughed as the vines grew tighter.

"Don't listen to him Max! Fight it." Dylan yelled, trying to pull away, using all his strength but he felt powerless.

"She can't hear you." Vecna reminded Dylan

The boy felt useless seeing Max so close to death and he couldn't even touch her. Dylan then paused, what if he tried to get into Max's mind. He was never able to do it before but if he tried there was a chance Vecna couldn't touch him. If he could he would've just put him there in the first place. All he could do in the moment was try, hope for a miracle.

Dylan closed his eyes, hearing the song that wrapped around him. Feeling the blood flow down from his nose. He then heard Max gasp as his eyes shot open, her blue eyes helplessly staring straight at him.

He slightly smiled, feeling his powers back in his control like electricity to a metal pole. He vines around him melted off as he fell into the floor not being noticed by Vecna, his guard down. Dylan lifted his hand asVecna was thrown and slammed into a piece of wood just as Dylan was before, the vines surrounding Max let her go as the girl ran to Dylan.

"Dyl—" the girl cried before he looked to see Vecna starting to get up, as he grabbed Max. "Run! Go Max! Run as fast as you can!"

Max began shaking her head as all Dylan could do was lie "I'll be right behind you! Just go!" The girl then started to run towards the portal, her clothes getting covered with every splash of red.

Dylan faced Vecna, as the he tilted his head, his clawed fingers tensing up. "You can't hurt me......." Dylan then looked behind him to see a large wooden spear aimed straight at Max, he redirected it in surprise as the girl continued to run.

"And if only could...."

Dylan grunted as he grabbed more flying objects that was meant for the girl throwing them aside for a safe path. His fingers tensing up as his head pounded, it was agonizing.

"Make a deal with God...."

Max looked beyond her to see Vecna staring at her as well as Dylan who was yelling at her to keep on running, feeling the hot tears down her face. As splashes of objects barely missing her sprayed on her clothes.

"And get him to swap our places...."

The objects shot faster and more often as Dylan felt weaker, but he saw that Max was almost there. He persisted.

"I'd Be running up that road, be running up that hill.....no problems.."

Dylan cheered as Max jumped through, the portal closing, getting there safely."YEAH! WOOHOO!" Dylan laughed "That's what you get you piece of shi—!" Dylan felt himself be slammed against a gravestone, as he grunted in pain, seeing it was Cindy's grave.

He was back in the quiet dark graveyard his clothes clean, his shoulder fine. Vecna infront of him. "Take this as a warning....013Nothing you do will stop me. I will not rest until everything in your life is gone." Cindy appeared next to Vecna And his faceless mother. "Everything......."

__________________________________

Steve kneeled next to Max and Lucas who were both scared out of their minds holding on to each other. Max crying as the headphones were still on her head playing Kate bush.

"Kate Bush saved your life!" Dustin exclaimed as Max looked at him, Steve stood up smiling in relief

"No, Dylan did." Max replied before she looked at  Steve "I don't know if he got out..."

Steves face morphed with confusion before his heart dropped, he was so focused on saving Max he had completely forgotten about his younger brother who was also being hunted by Vecna's curse. He immediately ran towards the area he dropped Dylan off. He cursed and prayed under his breath.

He ran up the hill, seeing Dylan passed out leaning against a grave."Dylan!" He yelled as he grabbed Dylan's shoulders shaking the boy profusely.

He checked the boys pulse to see it was normal, as his breathing was fine. Lifting his eyelids to see his eyes still intact. Yet the boy stayed unconscious. Steve continued to shake him as he grew worried, getting close to tears.

"Please...Dylan.....Dylan!" Steve yelled as with one more shake Dylan gasped, scaring Steve.

"Aaahh! Geez! What the hell!" Steve yelled pulling Dylan into a hug. "Don't do that."

Dylan hugged his brother back, looking ahead to see Max and Lucas along with Dustin running towards them, as he sighed in relief, seeing Max safe and intact. Lucas holding unto her.

He buried his head into Steve's shoulder as he did when he was younger. Steve pulled away placing his hand on the back of Dylan's neck in comfort. Dylan simply looked at Steve, his eyes tired but stern. As Steve knew what that look meant, he had found something out—and it wasn't good.