All Joyce wanted to do was get home to her kids. She knew that something was happening in Hawkins. Her kids are supposed to be in California but she bet that if she returned home they would be long gone.
Currently though she was stuck in the freezing snow, with no escape in sight. Murray and herself had made their way out here to rescue Hopper. After a lot of struggling on their part they succeeded.
Once they defeated the Demogorgon their plan was to rush home to their kids. They quickly had made their way back to the little town not too far from the prison but found some soldiers camping out there.
Originally they were just going to sneak around and make their way to the helicopter but then one of the guards saw them. With no other choice they ran and hid in the forest. They must have ran further than they thought though because they couldn't seem to find their way back.
Joyce was nervous because while they were running Hopper tripped and went tumbling down the hill. She was quick to rush to him but was horrified at the site.
The fluffy white of the snow was stained a bloody red. As she looked closer she noticed the giant slash against Hopper's arm. Murray helped them wrap it up but it didn't stop her worry from growing.
Murray and herself were quite certain that Hopper has hyperthermia- maybe if they were lucky the snow would cool him down. On the other hand she doubted that the cold would help him feel better.
Currently she was the only one awake, the others were both sleeping while she kept guard. They had both protested at the idea but she held her ground. Years of standing firm to keep control of her kids must have paid off because in the end they agreed.
They had stopped at a small cave, next to a frozen lake. The frozen lake had clearly been somewhat destroyed recently as they ice on top looked weak and new.
After a few more minutes of waiting around in the silence Joyce stood up from her spot. The worry was getting too strong for her to bare. The worry over Hopper, the worry over Murray, and especially the worry over her kids.
So she found herself walking around hoping to magically find something that would lead her back home. Of course she found nothing. The only thing in her vision was the white of the snow.
Feeling defeated she made her way back to the cave. She must have not been paying attention though because the next thing she knew she heard a large crack from below her.
By the time she looked down it was already too late; she fell through the ice at a blinding speed. Freezing water surrounded the entirety of her body in a blink of an eye.
She tried to swim out in panic but found herself struggling to move. Within seconds she found her lungs aching for more air. She needed to breathe- she needed to.
Suddenly something wrapped around the front of her and before it could escape she managed to wrap her arms around it. The object pulled her up and finally she was free to breathe again.
She used this new freedom to take deep long breathes. After a few seconds she took in who helped her out of the water.
"Joyce- Joyce, are you okay?" Hopper said.
Hopper was leaning over her, rubbing her arms gently. He was clearly freezing but seemed to be paying no mind to it.
"Careful with her." Murry said.
He was on her other side and had started lifting her up. Hopper joined him and together they carried her to the cave.
As soon as they arrived she watched as Hopper collapsed against the cave wall.
"Are you okay?" Joyce asked.
All she got back from Hopper was slight nod.
"He's as fine as he can be Joyce." Murray said.
Frustration swelled inside her at his answer- "What does that mean?"
"Well he does have a high fever and is injured; so as I said as fine as he can be."
Joyce sighed and turned away from him.
"How about we talk about you now, hmm. Let's see wondering off in the cold and walking on the fragile lake great idea. Now not only Hopper is sick but so are you Joyce. He has a fever, probably from some kind of infection and you are freezing." Murray ranted.
Joyce felt ashamed at what he said. She was stupid to wonder off and get herself injured. Now Murray was the only one who was fine and with the freezing temperatures and lack of food and water she doubted it would last long.
"I'm sorry Joyce. It's not your fault. I know you're worried about your kids." Murray said.
"No your right. It was stupid."
"Maybe it was but that doesn't mean this whole thing is your fault."
"Really because as I seem to remember I'm the one who lied to the kids and left them alone. I'm the one that dragged us out here. I'm the one who-"
"Enough Joyce!" Murray said. "I decided to come out here with you and whatever is happening to the kids I doubt is your fault."
"B-besides I'm the one that sent you the message Joyce. If anything it would be my fault." Hopper said,
Hopper who was blinking tiredly from against the wall. Hopper who had just gotten rescued from being held prisoner and tortured.
"That's not true- don't you ever say that." Joyce said.
"Then don't say it about yourself either." Hopper replied.
Joyce guessed he was right. She needed to stop blaming herself; besides her attention was better focused on escaping their current situation. She took a deep breathe before chanting a few encouragements to herself in her head. She would figure this out, sick or not. Nothing was going to stop her.
A/N: Thank You so much for reading! Thank you to everyone who liked and/or commented on this. Till next time!