Bound By Shadows 3 | Will Byers x Reader (Fem)

~ 23 ~

We rolled into the Hawkins hospital lot, the tires hissing against cracked pavement as Nancy eased the car into a space. The lot was empty, a single buzzing streetlamp casting us in pale, jittery light.

My stomach twisted with nerves — the kind that didn't have a name but warned we were walking into something waiting. I pressed my palms to my knees, grounding myself in the hum of the engine as it shut off.

Before dread could settle in fully, I reached for the energy always humming inside me. The spark flared sharp, static prickling across my skin.

I pictured a bouquet — simple, harmless. The air shimmered, then snapped, carnations appearing in my hands. Their petals trembled from the leftover shake of my power, and so did I.

Mike and Will were climbing out of the car when they froze at the crackle. Both turned back, eyes wide.

I held the flowers up, smirking to hide my trembling hands. "What? We need to sell the part." My tone came out teasing, lighter than I felt.

Will let out a soft huff — half laugh, half breath — but his mouth was tight, his expression tense. Still, his eyes lingered on the bouquet, the faintest smile tugging at his lips.

"Okay, everyone just be quiet," Nancy hissed, shutting her door gently and locking it. "Hopefully she doesn't notice us. If she does, follow what I say."

We nodded and made for the entrance.

The hospital doors hissed open with a hydraulic groan, spilling bright light into the night. Hawkins didn't need a big hospital — just four beige-walled floors smelling faintly of bleach and cafeteria food.

Nancy led us forward, squaring her shoulders like she could shrink the eight of us down into her shadow. The bright clothes and sneakers most of us wore weren't helping.

At the front desk sat a middle-aged woman with a phone cradled to her ear.

"No, that is not mean," she said sharply into the receiver, her voice carrying as we slinked by.

I ducked my head, gripping the bouquet tighter.

"That is honest. She won't find out," the woman went on, louder this time. Each word felt like a spotlight swinging in our direction.

"See, you're the only one who gon' tell— woah, woah, woah!"

We froze. Nancy halted mid-step, her whole body rigid. My chest lurched.

"Excuse me! Where do you think you're going?"

Nancy turned, her voice pitched in that nice, careful tone you used with teachers or cops. "Oh, um... I was just going to visit my grandma again. And— and this... this is my family." Her tone wilted at the end. Half of us looked nothing like her.

The woman's gaze swept over us, dragging across each face. My breath lodged in my throat when her eyes passed over mine. Beside me, Will tensed, our shoulders almost locking.

"Extended," Lucas blurted suddenly, grinning, desperate to salvage it.

"I don't care who they are. You know the rules. Two visitors at a time." Her voice cracked like a whip.

"Yeah, but—" Nancy started.

"Two!" she barked, stabbing two fingers into the air.

The words rang in the silence that followed. I glanced at Will, catching his eye just long enough to confirm what we both knew: there went plan A.

The woman sank back into her chair, snatching up the phone again. "Girl, this child lost her mind, she brought a zoo in here."

I inhaled slowly, steadying myself, the bouquet heavy and useless in my grip.