Chapter Text
Time feels like it’s slowed down as Will gazes into Mike’s eyes.
Or, maybe it’s just because he just confessed to all his friends— and boyfriend, that he’s possessed, again.
Instead of supplying him with a response, he watches as Mike rips off his raincoat and kneels down to where he is curled onto the ground.
“Here.” Mike says, as he wraps his raincoat around his shoulders— pulling the hood on as well.
“Mike, it’s raining. I’m already soaked, you should just put it back on. I don’t want you getting sick cus’ of me.” He says pitifully, looking his boyfriend in the eyes.
“I don’t care if I get sick, Will.” Giving him those sad-pleading eyes. “Just let me help you up off the wet dirt, please.” Mike looks right into Will’s soul as he begs him to let him help.
And he can only resist the look of his boyfriend’s sad-kicked-around-puppy-face for so long— he rolls his eyes internally as he gives in, yet again.
Will’s resolve crumbles as he takes Mike’s hand in his— allowing Mike to pull him to a stand.
“We should all head back to mine.” Will says as he adjusts Mike’s raincoat so it covers the both of them. “We’re close, I know the way. Everyone just stay near by and follow me.” He and Mike head to the front of the group and start leading the others back to his house.
There hasn’t been much word from the rest of the party since Will’s confession. They’re all just keeping quiet— stuck in their own thoughts. Will just hopes they all still wanna be friends after all this.
When they make it back to Will’s house he lets them in and does a quick walk through to see who’s home. His brother’s room door is locked, and he can hear the sounds of some soft music leaking through from the gap underneath the door.
As he goes to knock on the door Will recalls a time before Jonathan had friends— had Nancy. He remembers when his brother would come back home from a particularly bad day of school —(or bad fight with their dad)— and he’d lock himself in his room with music playing. During one of those times Will decided to ask his brother why—
“Because the music helps to drown out everything that’s bothering me.”
Will drops his hand down to his side, decides he’ll fill in Jonathan in the morning—leaving him be for the night.
Before he goes back into the living room he grabs as many towels as he can find.
“Here. There’s as many as I could find.. so, you’ll probably have to share.” He says embarrassed, as he passes out the towels to his friend, back in the living room. “Where’s Mike?”
“Here!” He hears Mike call from the kitchen.
Mike walks back into the living room with a mug of something steaming.
Mike hands the mug to Will, and Will hands him a towel in turn. “What’s this?” Will questions.
“Tea. So you don’t get sick.” Mike says with a cheeky smile as he starts drying his dripping hair.
“You didn’t have to do that.”
“I wanted to.” Mike says solemnly.
“Well, thank you— my valiant knight.” Will leaves a peck on Mike’s cheek in appreciation. Mike blushes furiously.
“Gag–“
“Bleh–“
“Aww–“
Max, Dustin, and El all react at once.
“Oh, fuck off!” Mike says flipping them off. “Ow!” Will pinches him for his crudeness. “They started it!” Mike says like a petulant child. Will just fits him with a look in response. Mike straightens out immediately, “sorry” he grumbles not looking at anyone.
The party, all giggle in reaction. The silliness in the air quickly dies off, when someone decides to speak up.
“So much happened.” Lucas says— hanging his head with a sigh.
“Yeah, we all have a lot to talk about. I mean, me and El never even got to say what we needed to say earlier.” Max says— wringing her hair out with a towel.
“Yes, that is all true. But we’ve all had a long day. I think it grants us the night off.” Mike says, standing in front of the group. “We’re all okay–“
“For now–“ Dustin cuts in. Mike glares at him— he briefly wonders if it’s possible to explode someone with your mind.
“We’re all okay, for now. And that’s what’s most important. Let’s just sleep on it and regroup tomorrow.” Mike says with no room for argument— ever the leader of the party.
“Okay, new problem though.” Lucas starts— Mike audibly groans. “Where are we all gonna’ sleep? I mean… no offense Will, but we all can’t fit in the floor of your living room.” Lucas finishes with an awkward expression.
“Yeah, you’re right. Look my mom’s not gonna’ be home back home for the night, so why don’t you and Dustin take my mom’s bed.” He points to Lucas and Dustin, “Max and El can take mine.” He points at the two girls mentioned. “And, me and Mike can share the couch.” He chances a look to his boyfriend and is met with a scowl.
“Will, why should you have to sleep on the couch. This is your house.” Mike says.
“Yeah Will, me and El would be fine on the couch.”
“It’s fine. You guys take my bed.” Will says it with finality, and with stubbornness only a Byers could muster.
“Okay.. if that’s what you want.” Max replies unsure.
“It is. I’ll go find some extra blankets and some clothes you all can borrow.” Will says with a gentle smile.
He makes his way to his own room first to make up the bed for the girls, and pick up some old hand me downs from Jonathan— for Dustin and Lucas to change into. Then he heads to his mom’s room to make up her bed, lay the clothes out for the boys, and snag some extra sleep shirts for Max and El.
On his way back to the living room he makes another pit stop to his own room, to lay out the shirts and some extra pajama pants he has for them, too. While he’s there he eyes his sketchbook on his nightstand and decides to snag that for himself, too.
“Here.” He hands some of ‘his’ (Mike’s) pajamas to the boy mentioned.
Mike eyes him suspiciously, “Aren’t these mine?”
Will goes red in the face, “I made up mine, and my mom’s bed for you guys.” He directs to the others, “Laid out some clothes you guys could change into, too. You guys can take turns in the bathroom first.”
Max, El, Dustin, and Lucas all look at each other before they’re racing off to get to the bathroom first.
Will vaguely registers Max saying “Ha! Boys drool and girls rule!”
He laughs and decides to sit down and drink the tea Mike brought him earlier.
“So.. these are mine, right?”
Will throws a pillow at him.
After everyone gets their turn in the bathroom they all bid each other goodnight, and break off for the night.
“Hey.” Mike says once Will takes a seat on the couch.
“Hi.” Will takes a deep breath, “We should probably talk.”
“Yeah, okay. What’s on your mind.”
Will turns to sit crisscrossed on the couch— facing Mike. “Well, you know that this summer between us has been great.”
He starts. “Especially since everything that happened at the beginning of this year.” grimacing at the memory.
“But lately I feel like I’ve been.. not myself.” Mike nods in reassurance
“I’ve been.. forgetting things, and feeling things that don’t make sense.”
“Forgetting what?” Mike takes Will’s hand in his and scoots closer so their knees are touching
“My dreams.”
“Isn’t that what usually happens though?” Mike questions
“Not for me. I’ve always been able to remember them, but lately it’s all been blank.” He replies solemnly
“Okay.. So what does that mean?”
“I’m not sure, maybe it’s nothing, but considering what just happened today and last night I’m thinking that maybe it’s all connected.” He says tearing up.
“Yeah, maybe. But you know that no matter what’s happened, I’ll always be here for you. Even if it’s nothing, even if it’s everything. I’ll always be here for you.” Mike says bringing a hand up to wipe the tears off Will’s face.
“I know. There’s so much I need to tell you Mike.”
“And you will. Whenever the time is right. You don’t have to tell me anything you don’t want to.”
“You’re my best friend Mike, you know that.” Will says teary.
“You’re mine too.” Mike says, punctuating it with a kiss to Will’s knuckles.
Mike and Will take a moment to just breathe with each other before Will decides to speak again.
“I’ve been.. feeling things lately.”
“Things like what?”
“Like full body chills, my body locks up, and I feel– far away. Like I’m in the backseat control of my mind.” Will tries his best to explain what’s been happening to him lately.
“When did it start?”
“A few days ago, at the movies.” Will answers truthfully.
“I knew that there was something wrong. I could see it in your eyes. God! I’m so stupid I should’ve pushed. I’m so so–“
Will slaps a hand on Mike’s mouth, “Shush, there’s nothing to be sorry for. You didn’t know.”
“I’m still sorry.” Mike says all muffled
Will fondly rolls his eyes, drops his hand, and continues, “I don’t know if all this is connected to the mindflayer or– if it’s connected to something else..”
“What else could it be though?”
“I’m not sure.” He pauses to think hard for a moment, “One of those times– something more happened.” Will steels himself, and Mike grips his hands tighter. “There was this.. voice.” Will says ominously— terrified and shaking, as if the mere mention of the voice brings him right back to that moment.
“What– what did it say?..”
“Nothing important really.”
Mike notes the way that Will is shaking and clammy. “Why don’t we call it in for the night.. okay?” Mike knows he can’t protect Will from himself, but maybe he can keep him safe for just a little longer— he hopes.
Will nods and wipes the tears off his face. Will takes one end of the couch, while Mike grabs the pillows and blankets they put on the side earlier. Will lifts his head to allow Mike to slip a pillow underneath it. Mike takes the coziest blanket of the pile, and tucks it around Will’s trembling body. He leans down and leaves a kiss on Will’s forehead, “I won’t let anything happen to you, I promise.” He speaks it into Will’s skin like that in itself would make it true. “Night, Will.”
Will closes his eyes, and burrows his face into his pillow.
With that Mike stands and heads to his end of the couch. Mike feels like his head is filled with non-stop thoughts and worries for Will, but for right now he shuts his eyes and bids them all farewell for the night.
Will wakes up with a gasp. He blearily takes in his surroundings, quickly realizing he’s sitting at the dining table with his sketchbook out, and a pencil in his hand.
God he feels crazy. He knows he fell asleep on the couch last night, but he can’t ever be too sure about his own thoughts and actions at the moment.
“Will?”
“In here.” He says feeling exhausted and unrested.
Mike walks into the kitchen and eyes him confusedly, “Hey, you doin’ okay? Couldn’t sleep last night?” He takes the seat next to Will’s.
“Did I fall asleep on the couch last night?”
“Uh– yeah..”
“And you saw me fall asleep last night?”
“I did.” Mike seems more confused and worried by the minute. “Where’s this all going Will?”
“I think– no, I know I went into a trance again while I was sleeping.”
“And now? You feeling like yourself again?” Mike asks solemnly
“Yes.. he’s dormant, for now.”
“Okay..” Mike looks unconvinced, but he won’t push. “Why don’t I make us something to eat?” Mike asks getting up and heading towards the fridge.
“Like you can cook.” Will says with a snort. Thankful for the change in topic.
Mike throws a hand onto his chest— gasping in faux offense, “Aren’t you supposed to be a healer, my cleric. How can you be so cruel?” Mike and Will share a laugh.
Their heads shoot up as they hear footsteps coming down the hallway. A very rumpled Jonathan steps into the kitchen— absolutely confuzzled, “Hello..?” Mike and Will give him a half hearted wave. “When’d you guys get here?”
“Last night. We got caught in the storm and we were closer to home so I brought everyone back here.”
“Everyone?”
At that moment Dustin, Lucas, Max, and El all decide to start thundering down the hallway like a pack of wild animals.
“Couldn’t sleep last night with how much you were hogging the bed!” Lucas starts.
“Well I couldn’t sleep with how much you were farting last night! It’s like I was sleeping on a water bed with how much the mattress was rippling!” Dustin follows.
“Yeah well I’m surprised you didn’t get any sleep with how much bed and blanket you were hogging! You’re lucky I didn’t dutch oven your ass!”
“Yeah well–“
“Will you two shut the hell up already! You both were equally annoying and irritating last night, the walls are thin!” Max cuts in exhausted and annoyed.
Dustin and Lucas start pushing each other until they stumble into the kitchen.
Jonathan takes one look around the crowed kitchen and audibly groans. “I’ll get started on breakfast.”
A chorus of yeses are shared between the party.
As the party situates themselves into chairs around the table, Jonathan calls Will back.
“Hey bud, you doing okay?”
“Yeah. But.. there’s something we all need to talk about. You included.”
“Me included?” Jonathan questions
“Yeah, but it can wait until after breakfast. Trust me, we’re all gonna need it.” Will says all ominous and creepy. Jonathan’s never been scared of his brother but he’s definitely a bit of an odd ball— aren’t we all, he thinks.
Then Will turns around and starts to look for chairs, so everyone can fit around the table.
A few un-even stools and plastic toy chairs later and Jonathan is finally serving up breakfast and passing around plates to the party. The Byers’ were never very blessed financially but Jonathan sure did know how to whip up a good meal.
“Thanks Jon.” The boy mentioned ruffles Will’s hair in response.
“Thanks Jonathan.” Dustin and Lucas say with mouths stuffed with food. Jonathan grimaces and shoots them a thumbs up.
Max and El voice their own thanks, followed by Mike— “Wow! What a lovely meal, thanks Jonathan!” Uncharacteristically cheery and kind.
Max snorts, “Kissing up to the in-laws already, I see?” Mike sticks his tongue out at her and goes back to giving a big smile to Jonathan, who just ruffles his hair with a chuckle and goes to eat his own food.
Mike turns to beam at Will, who just rolls his eyes fondly and goes back to his own plate.
After everyone’s done eating, they all move up and start to clean up before they all head to the living room to discuss.
“Oh shit!”
Down goes Will’s sketchbook— which lands face down and open on the floor.
Max bends down to pick it up, “Sorry Will– uh– why do you have a drawing of my step-brother?..” she has a puzzled look on her face as she hands the open book to Will.
Will takes it and starts inspecting the page, “Uh– I’m– I’m not sure… I don’t remember drawing this..” Will then starts frantically flipping through the rest of the pages, “I don’t remember drawing a lot of these actually.” He looks up wide eyed and startled, locking eyes with the others, who are all sending him looks of concern.
Will walks out to the living room— sketchbook in hand, throws it into the table, and plops down on the couch, head in hands.
Everyone looks at each other uncertainly before they start moving too. Mike and Jonathan take the seats next to Will on either side. “Will.” Mike wraps an arm around Will’s waist. “Talk to me, please.”
“We’re here for you. You can tell us anything.” Jonathan lays his own comforting hand on Will’s shoulder.
The rest of the party all awkwardly stand around.
“I don’t know what’s happening to me.” It comes out all broken and defeated from Will’s mouth.
Everyone deflates at that.
“Will, I’m not upset. I didn’t mean to freak you out, I was just confused is all.” Max says guiltily.
Will looks up at her guilty admission and appears more upset by the minute, “No Max, you didn’t do anything. I’m just– I don’t even know.” He shakes his head, “I have no clue what’s happening.”
Lucas points at the sketchbook, “Can we take a look?”
“Sure, maybe some more perspective would help.” Will passes him his sketchbook.
Everyone besides Mike crowds around Lucas to peak at what’s inside. They start flipping through the pages
“Will, these are–“ Jonathan starts
“Creepy, I know” Will cuts in miserably
“No– these are, really good.” Jonathan finishes.
“He’s right Will, these are all really good drawings.” Lucas confirms
“I mean even Billy’s drawing is terrifyingly accurate.” Max agrees, then winces at her choice of words. “Thats how I knew it was him without a doubt.” She finishes.
“You said you didn’t remember drawing some of these. Which ones?” Dustin cuts in thoughtfully.
“The four most recent pages.”
Will thinks for a moment.
“You know there’s something I remember from yesterday… When I got up in the middle of the night and sat at the table— I pulled out my sketchbook I keep at Mike’s, but.. I don’t remember what I drew because when I came to it was gone.”
“Last night?” Jonathan questions.
The others ignore him in favor of brainstorming possible conclusions. Mike snaps his fingers— like he’s figured it out, “What if it’s related to your possession!” Jonathan makes a sound of alarm. “Think about it, last year when you were possessed you made a bunch of drawings of the tunnels. So.. what if this is like that.”
Everyone nods their heads in thoughtfulness. “That sounds like our most possible conclusion. Circumstances are similar, so evidence points to yes.” Dustin agrees.
“Okay, back up! What possession? What tunnels? What circumstances?!” Jonathan sounds more alarmed as he goes on. “Okay, okay, everyone sit down and start talking.”
The six party members all squeeze onto the small couch that’s meant for three people max. They all start talking at once.
“Not all at once! One at a time!”
“Okay well last night we had a sleepover at Mike’s–“ Dustin starts
“Not all of us!”
“Oh yeah, how could I forget? The boys had a sleepover together while the girls ditched and ignored us for the past two days! Which by the way, you missed our discovery and chance to be let in on our success in becoming American heroes!” Dustin argues back at Max.
“What the hell are you talking about? American heroes my ass! You guys probably just found another rock that you think looks like a meteorite again!” Max yells back
“It was one time! And you have to admit it was suspiciously accurate!”
“Okay! We’re off track, Dustin just explain to her what he heard.” Mike cuts in.
Dustin takes a pause for dramatic effect before beginning again, “Two nights ago me, Mike, and Will intercepted a secret-russian-telecommunication. The next day, we tried to gather everyone but you two,” he points to Max and El, “were M.I.A., only Lucas showed up. So.. me and Will went to the mall to get Steve’s help with translation. Long story short we figured it out and then we all decided we were gonna have a sleepover and mull over our options in the morning. Then that’s when shit went wrong.” Dustin throws his hands up
“Okay.. going back to all that later. Went wrong how?” Jonathan questions
Dustin looks over to Mike and nods at him to continue. Mike looks over to Will for conformation before he starts talking, “Well.. while we were sleeping Will ended up having a nightmare.”
“Okay that’s not super out of the ordinary.” Jonathan comments
“Yeah, that’s what I thought. But then things got worse. He started screaming and jostling around like he was in pain–“ Mike makes eye contact with Will as he says the next bit— the bit he’s still unaware about. “Then he got dragged across the basement by.. an invisible force..”
Will pales— his brother doesn’t feat much better.
“So.. that’s what you guys were keeping from me?” Will asks
“Yeah, sorry. We just didn’t want to.. freak you out more.” Lucas says guiltily.
“It’s fine. Just don’t do that again. I need to know everything I do, everything that happens to me.”
Everyone nods in conformation.
Jonathan looks at Will and softens his eyes, “You feeling okay?” Will gives him a soft smile and nods. “I honestly don’t remember much.”
Jonathan eyes him warily, “What else happened yesterday?”
Lucas decides to take over the conversation, “After Will’s nightmare, we all went back to bed, but then in the morning things were weird again. Will was just sitting at the table like he’d been there all night, and when we asked him.. he said that ‘he’ wouldn’t let him sleep. So we all freaked out and decided to talk about what happened the night before. Then, we all decided that we’d go back to the mall later and talk with Steve and Robin about the translation, but right as we were about to leave— Max and El barged into the basement like thieves in the night.”
Max rolls her eyes.
“We had important information to let you in on.” El nods her head in confirmation.
“Things got weird though,” Max continues, “Will started walking out the basement and acting– not like himself”
“He started talking in the third person again about ‘he’ and ‘us’— then, he rode out into the storm before we could even get our footing.” Dustin continues.
Will shrinks in on himself— the more they all continue.
“So we had to get those three–“ Max points at Mike, Lucas, and Dustin before continuing, “to get their heads out their asses so we could follow Will too. We found him outside of castle byers– so we.. came here.” She purposely leaves out the bit where they found Will broken down and castle byers destroyed— not wanting to embarrass Will any further.
Jonathan looks at them suspiciously, “And that’s all that happened?”
The party all look at each other to confirm that’s the story they’re going with— a resounding “yes.”
“Now it’s just my sketchbook and the unrecognizable drawings.”
They all take a moment to digest everything.
“That’s.. a lot.” Jonathan concludes
He looks to Will, “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m not being controlled right now if that what you mean.” Will answers truthfully.
“That’s comforting.. but no, it’s not. Really, are you okay?” Jonathan pushes.
“I will be once we.. figure this all out.”
“We need a plan” Mike states, “let’s start small— with Will’s nightmare. If we can somehow figure out what happened while Will was asleep, maybe it’ll help us with everything else.”
The group nods in agreement.
“I can help.” El cuts in. Everyone turns to her and waits for her to explain, “I can take you into the void and pull your memory from there.” Will nods in thought.
“Makes sense.. it’s worth a try.”
El nods once and moves to sit crisscrossed on the floor. “We need noise and a blindfold.” Jonathan turns the tv on to a staticy channel while Mike grabs a blindfold for El. Once that’s all settled she beckons Will over.
Will joins her on the floor— sitting crisscrossed in front of her, so that they’re facing each other.
Mike crouches down in front of Will, “You sure about all this? No one will blame you if you change your mind.” Will looks at him and nods, “I’m ready.” Mike stands and leaves a kiss on his forehead, “I’ll keep you safe.”
El starts giving him directions, “Close your eyes, and think about nothing— you need a blank mind.”
Will closes his eyes and focuses on the static in the background— the darkness of his blank mind.
“It might take a moment.” She tells him.
It does take a moment until Will starts to feel his consciousness slipping.
He opens his eyes and sees a vast plane of emptiness— dark, alone, and a layer of water covering the floor, up to his ankles. “El!”
“I’m here.”
He whips around to see El. “What now?” He asks.
“Now you trust me, can you do that?” She asks, and holds her hand out to Will.
“I trust you.” Will takes it.
El closes her eyes again and Will starts to feel like his mind is being poked around in.
She opens her eyes, “I found it.”
The scene around them begins to take shape: wet, metal, steel pipe warehouse basement.
Will and El stand off to the side as the scene around them beings to take place. They can only see what Will saw that night.
They see through ’Will’s’ eyes as he takes in his surroundings, they watch him take notice of his lack of mobility and catch the blonde boy holding him down. They watch him lean down and whisper into ‘Will’s’ ear.
“Don’t be afraid.”
“It’ll all be over soon.”
“Just try to be very still.”
Mike watches as El opens her eyes with a gasp. She wipes the blood from under her nose and rips the blindfold off. “Billy.” Is all she says.
She turns to Max, “Heather.” She says, and Max nods like she knows exactly what El means.
“What the hell does that mean?” Dustin asks
“Uh– guys.”
“It’s what we’ve been trying to tell you guys about.”
“Guys.”
“Last night–“
“Guys!”
They all look to Mike— who’s yelling.
“Will still hasn’t snapped out of it yet!”
They all rush into action.
At that moment Will starts convulsing— his eyes shoot open but only the whites of his eyes are visible. Blood starts running down his nose and he moves to stand up.
“What the hell do we do?!”
“Let’s wake him up!”
“No, we shouldn’t!”
“Just stop panicking!”
“We’re not panicking!”
“Okay! Everyone shut the hell up! Just let him do his thing— so, we’ll be able to get insight on how Will’s trances work.” Mike takes hold of the situation.
They all move out of Will’s way as he starts to walk towards the couch— where his sketchbook still lays.
Will sits down flips open the book, grabs his pencil and starts moving it across the page frantically. He keeps letting out noises of distress that have the whole party and Jonathan holding onto each other for support.
After a minute Jonathan makes a move, “We should wake him up now.”
But before Jonathan could make it to Will— he snaps awake with a gasp. Will looks frantically around the room, before landing on Jonathan in front of him.
“Will.” Jonathan speaks, “What happened?”
Will doesn’t answer and instead goes to inspect the page in front of him. “Guys.” He picks it up and flips it around for everyone else to see too.
Max takes that paper to inspect it, “They’re.. surnames.”
“What?” Mike
“Hargrove– that’s Billy, Halloway– that’s Heather, I don’t know who Driscoll is, but those are the big three in the middle. All the others around them I have no idea who they could be.” Max explains
“Okay, who’s Heather?” Dustin questions.
“Wait, you said Halloway?” Jonathan questions, she nods in confirmation. “That’s the last name of my boss.”
“From the Hawkins Post?” Will asks.
“Yeah, and this name Driscoll is an old lady who lives by herself. Me and Nance went to her house yesterday for a story. Things.. got weird.” Jonathan tells them all.
“Seems to be the theme lately.” Max comments.
Jonathan straightens out, “We have a phone book around here somewhere, let me go find it. Then we can figure out who all these other people are.”
While Jonathan looks for the phone book the party turns to Will.
Mike speaks up first— taking the seat next to Will, and wiping the blood from under his nose. “You okay?”
“Are any of us okay?” Will asks in lieu of answering.
“Will this drawing isn’t like any of the other ones.” Dustin cuts in. “All the others are scenes from somewhere. This one is just a whole bunch of information dump.” He finishes
The other unfamiliar drawings in Will’s sketchbook consist of: a drawing of a warehouse basement, a drawing of the Hawkins public pool, a drawing of the sauna, and a drawing of Billy— each in its own individual page. So this new one, sticks out.
“I know, and I have no idea how any of these correlate.” Will tells them all.
Lucas takes the sketchbook and inspects it, “There’s a page missing.” He points out.
“What?” Will questions, “How is that even possible, I never tear out pages— not even the bad ones.”
“Thats because there are no bad ones.” Mike says
“Oh my god, we do not have time for your flirting.” Mike sticks his tongue out at Max in response.
“Okay– I found it.” Jonathan announces, slamming the book onto the table.
A few hours later and the party plus Jonathan and Nancy —who they called in for reinforcements earlier, and caught her up to speed— have since finished matching first names to surnames.
“So using what we know about Billy and Mrs. Driscoll, and what we saw happen to Heather–“ Nancy explains, “It’s safe to say that all these other people on here too, are also ‘flayed,’ right?“
The others nod in agreement.
“And if we’re going based off conclusions–“ she continues, “then it’s safe to conclude that since Billy’s name is in the middle bold, and underlined– that he’s essentially patient zero, right?”
Everyone expresses their agreement.
“Well if everyone else on this page is connected to Billy through the hive mind, if we extracted the mindflayer particles from Billy– like we did with Will, could it also do the same to all the others?” She asks.
A moment of silence passes for everyone to think…
“Well.. theoretically it is plausible.” Dustin says, “All the evidence makes all of that sensible.”
“So it could work?” Jonathan asks
“Hypothetically.. yeah.” Dustin confirms
“Well it’s worth a shot, right?” Lucas asks
“Definitely. Now we just need a plan.” Mike says
Mike and Nancy lock eyes— a shared thought passes through their eyes. Nancy nods at Mike and he starts talking, “Okay, well.. the place that makes the most sense to extract the mindflayer from Billy would be sauna. He works at the pool so location:check. The sauna would get hot enough without killing him so that’s also checked. And it’s an enclosed environment, so we’ll never have to be in the same room with him as it’s happening, also check. I think it crosses all out t’s and dots all our i’s. Any protests?” Mike looks around the room.
“What happens once the mindflayer’s out?” Lucas asks
“We ask Billy what he knows.”
“You think that Billy Hargrove is going to be willing to help– us.” Lucas asks solemnly
“Who said anything about willing?” Max sends a smirk in Lucas’s direction.
An hour later— once it’s around the pool’s closing time, the party (plus Jonathan and Nancy) execute their plan.
They have a whole trap set up.
A walkie in the sauna, so they can lure Billy into there.
A cpr dummy to act as the fake person.
And a whole team ready to taunt, lure, and trap Billy.
Once the plan is in motion and Billy has been successfully trapped— they start to dial up the heat.
“Open the door.”
*Bang*
“Max, open the door.”
*Bang*
“Open the door!”
Billy falls to his knees and starts to sob and beg.
“Max, I’m so sorry, please Max. Please I didn’t mean to– he made me do it. Just open the door please and we can talk about this.”
Max appears sympathetic
“I know Billy, I know, and we will. Once it’s gone.” She cranks up the heat.
Will starts to feel a burning sensation fill his body, down to its core. He winces.
Mike looks over at him and takes note of the sweat pooling in his shirt collar— the sweat running down his face and neck.
Will’s body goes rigid and locks up right as Max steps closer to the door’s window.
“He’s here.” It comes out in a ragged whisper from Will’s mouth
“Max, get away from the door.” Mike says not taking his eyes off Will and his rigid form.
“What?”
“Get away from the door!”
Max steps away just in time to avoid Billy’s hand reaching through as he breaks the glass.
“El!”
El takes her stance in front of the group as they all start backing away from the door Billy is so desperately trying to break down.
He succeeds, and all hell breaks loose.
“Get down!” El yells at them
But Will can’t move and Mike won’t leave him. Mike steps in front of Will as a human shield.
Billy and El start fighting with El being at a physical disadvantage.
She uses her powers against him, and with every blow Billy takes— Will takes in turn.
“El, stop! You’re hurting him.” Mike yells
El keeps going, if not she’d be dead, and then so would all they.
“El!” It’s Jonathan this time.
But it’s too late, and as she delivers the final blow— Will goes down as well.