Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

~ Friends From Below ~

🚲 Escape 🚲

~ Powder ~

“Dear friend across the river…My hands are cold and bare”

Fire… so much fire and smoke. I felt my little body move through the gray passage of smoke and debris. My tiny hands shaking but holding onto one hand..sister..sister..vi, vi, vi-

“Keep singing Powder” she would say, her voice trying to stay calm but shaky “Were almost there”

I continued to sing

“Dear friend across the river …I'll take what you can spare”

So many sounds around me as I continued to sing in the chaos, my parents screams, my sister's voice trying to keep me calm as we continued to walk, the sounds of gunfire and chaos. Then-

BOOM!

“POWDER!!”

I ask of you a penny….My fortune it will be…I ask you without envy…

Eyes snapped opening hearing the sounds of the alarm going off. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding as I slowly sat up from my bed. My breathing is becoming shaky. I felt a shadowy hand touch my shoulder.

“Breathe slowly” it said…Evelyn..one of my many friends that I talk to.when Im alone. The doctors mention her..but she only appears to them when she wants to. I don't control her..but she likes me..but..she also enjoys pain.

“Someones coming,” Evelyn said, ignoring the sounds of the doctor's screams and cries as I covered my ears. The door slowly opened as I stayed in my corner. I can feel the walls moving like a shadow as I try to keep my breathing calm. I looked up.

“E-el..” my voice was tiny and unsure as I whispered “Are you real..?”

Eleven slowly nods as she takes my hand.

“Escape” she whispered before we ran out of my room. I felt my emotions run high as Eleven took me away from my dark tower amongst the chaos that the bad thing was causing. It reminded me of my sister who would pretend to slay monsters with her firsts or when she took me to get ice cream..I almost forgot about her appearance.. 

“Were almost there powder” Evelynn’s voice whispered as Elven opened the door with her powers, ignoring the sounds of the flaring alarm in the process. The feelings of the wind brought me new sense of clarity and realization at the same time.

We were outside..truly outside

“Come on” Eleven said as we ran into the forest together, away from the tower for the first time

~ 🚲 ~

~ Lux ~

It was another night in the Wheeler household as Lux gathered around a table in the Wheeler basement. Luxanna Crownguard, the one who will gain some parts of the Crownguard. The one with her signature blonde hair and blue eyes…taking the side of her mothers eyes and fathers hair. This girl was playing a board game with her friends. Wearing her usual casul clothes with a mix of light blue and dark blue.

Her fake crown on her head, prepared to finish this battle in the game her and her friends love so dearly.

Dungeons & Dragons…

With Mike being the Dungeon Master and taking control over what happens next. He speaks the next part of the campaign with seriousness and mystery.

“Something is coming …Something hungry for blood”  he says, the room goes quiet waiting for him to continue “A shadow grows on the wall behind you, swallowing you in the darkness. It is almost here.”

“What is it?” Will asked, clearly interested.

“What if it's the Demogorgon?” Dustin asked, his voice laced with concern  and uneasiness “Oh Jesus, we're so screwed if it's the Demogorgon.”

Lux rolled her eyes at Lucas denying that it is “It totally is from the way Mike is telling the story”

“An army of troglodytes charge into the chamber!” Mike says, continuing the campaign as the relief washed over.

“Troglodytes” Dustin says, slightly relieved as Lucas did a sly smug.

“Told ya” he said proudly as everyone but Lux shared a small chuckle in the room. Happy with the outcome however..Mike wasn't done.

“Wait a minute, did you hear that? That... that sound? Boom... boom... boom! That didn't come from the troglodytes.” Mike says, causing tension in the room once more.

“Spoke to soon Sinclair” Lux mumbled under her breath, her interest clearly peaked now.

“No, that... That came from something else... The Demogorgon!” Mike proclaims, causing everyone in the room to groan.

“We’re in deep shit” Dustin exclaims 

“Will, your action” Mike says as Will looks unsure on what to do as his next course of action.

“I don't know,” he says as Lucas suggested to use fireball.

“Fireball my butt!” Lux says, clearly not liking the odds “Use protection!”

“Fireball him,” Lucas insisted.

“I'd have to roll a 13 or higher!” Will explains, clearly showing that the fireball was risky. 

“That's risky as heck Sinclair!” Lux agreed as Dustin does the same suggestion Lux made earlier.

“Use Protection '' Dustin suggests as Lux nodded her head but Lucas wasn't having any of it as he continued to tell Will to cast a fireball. This caused Dustin and Lucas to go into a small argument over Will’s next course of action. Mike took control of the reigns in seconds.

“The Demogorgon is tired of your silly human bickering! It stomps towards you! BOOM!” Mike yells, clearly giving the group a timer.

“Fireball him!” Lucas yells as Mike continues the timer for a few more moments before Will makes his choice.

“Fireball” he yells as he rolls the dice however it slides off the table causing the group to go into panic mode. Lux scrambled to look for the dice not even noticing two pairs of feet near the door until a voice spoke up.

“Mike” Lux looked up to see Ms Wheeler standing with her brother Garen. His arms were crossed but he was clearly amused by the situation playing out in front of him as Mike spoke.

“Mom, we're in the middle of a campaign.” Mike says however Ms Wheeler wasn't having any of it.

“You mean the end? Fifteen after.” she says as Lux got up on her feet.

“Having fun?” Garen asked, the smile never leaving his face which clearly showed his amusement over his sister.

“Oh haha very funny” Lux says, rolling her eyes as she got her stuff together. She turned to the other boys with a small smile.

“See you boys tomorrow” she said as the boys continued to get ready to leave themselves before she walked to her brother. The two of them walked out the Wheeler house. Garen helped his sister into his car as he let out a sigh.

“Did you have fun?” he asked.

“Yea..I did” she said as the silence continued “Has..mom called?”

He shook his head as she looked down.

“I'm sure she will be alright” he insists “Besides I'm more curious on your closeness with that boy”

She scoffed “Will? No way” she proclaims “He's like a little brother to me”

Garen does a small hum in response before starting the car. Lux looks out the window as she notices the flicker of the street lights. She raises her eyebrow a little but ignores it as her and Garen drive home for the night.

Not knowing it was the start of a lifelong mystery…and conspiracy

[  end of chapter 1 ]

Chapter Text

~ Friends From Below ~

🚲 The Vanishing of Will Byers Part 1 🚲

~ Lux ~

“Lux , c'mon you have to get up!” a voice called out as the blonde laid on her bed fast asleep. She let out  a groan turning her body around in her sleep not wanting to be woken up. A pillow soon hits her causing her to let out a gasp and open her eyes. Garen stares at her across her room, the door opened with his arms crossed.

“C'mon you deep sleeper, you have school” he points out before she lets out a groan.

“School is the bane of my existence” she calls out earning nothing in response before she gets out of her bed.  Lux quickly puts on her casual clothing which demonstrates her color palette of blue, silver with a shimmer of gold. Her long golden yellow hair was straightened to the tee with a black headband on her head. She looks at herself in the mirror not noticing someone walking into her room until a voice broke her focus.

“There’s my perfect girl” a warm voice says, making her stare at the reflection behind her. A female woman in the splitting image of her, differences being her hair texture and eyes. Hands touch her shoulders “Are you ready for today?”

Lux nods soft “Of course I am mother” she says with a forced smile 

“Make sure you give it your all okay sweetie?” she whispers, kissing her cheek as Lux nods slowly.

“Okay mother” 

“That's my girl..”

~ 🚲 ~

“See you after school!” Lux waves as she watches her brother Garen drive off as kids begin to arrive at the school either through the school busses or cars or even their bikes. She walks letting out a bright smile as she couldn't wait for her day. She walks up to the trio in front of her as they place their bikes on the metal racks. 

“Hey boys” she greets as they all let out a hey '' in response. She couldn't help but notice a member missing from their friend group.

“Say where’s Will?” she asked “Its normally the four of you arriving together”

“We don't know” Mike responds with a frown on his face “We didn't see him this morning” 

“Mike, he probably just went to classes early again” Lucas proclaimed “Just like his mom had said when we arrived at his place”

“Maybe..”

Lux turns around walking with her friends “If he is then we will see him Im sure its probably because he doesnt wanna see-”

“Step right up ladies and gentlemen!” a voice shouts from behind as Lux mentally groans but does a fake smile on her face.

“Spoke too soon..” she mumbled under her breath, clearly not wanting to be caught in the cross hairs of these bullies. She looked at the leader of the group Troy with a bored look on her face.

“Step right up and get you tickets for the freak show!” he says, a smirk on his face as he looked at the four “Who do you think would make more money at a freak show?”

“I doubt you’d make money at all with your mouth” she mumbled under her breath just enough for lucas to hear making him smile a bit from her retort.

“Frogface, Midnight or Toothless?” he says eyeing the boys one by one under he reaches Lux “How about you Cinder? Wanna be the star of the show and give me a show?”

“How about…no” she does a fake smile with iciness in her tone “Wouldn't even give you a show in death mouth breather”

He faked hurtness on his face “Awww bummer, oh well. What do you think James?”

He does a small hum “Tough call, tough call.” he said, before smirking at Dustin “I would go with Toothless”

Dustin rolls his eyes “My teeth are coming in.” He answers as if he had done this a million times “it’s called cleidocranial dysplasia.”

“I told you a million times” James says, mocking Dustin using a ‘dustin impression’. Lux places a hand on his shoulder to provide some sense of comfort before Troy decides to make the situation worse.

“Do the arm thing” Troy says with a smirk on his face.

“Don't you boys have anything better to do?” she asked, clearly not liking this situation but the boys persisted.

“Do it freak!” James says in a threatening tone. Lux glares at him and opens her mouth to retort when Dustin touches her arm.

“Its fine..” he mumbles under his breath before doing what the bullies asked, causing them to laugh at the display.

“Gets me every time” Troy says walking away while shoving the group away from his path along with James “Every time!”

Lux lets out a sigh “You would think those two would get bored by now..” she says as Lucas nodded in agreement.

“Assholes…” he mumbles as Lux hands Dustin back his book bag and jacket.

“I think it’s cool. It’s like a superpower or something.” Mike says, trying to cheer Dustin up as the group prepare to walk into school “Like Mr. Fantastic.”

“Yeah, except I can’t fight evil with it.” Dustin replies as the group walked into the building along with the other students.

~ 🚲 ~

~ Caitlyn ~

It was another day for Caitlyn Kiramman, a  good girl with good looks and a positive record on her. She was known for being one of the prettiest girls in the school. Most guys attempted to date her however they never work out with her. After all, a Kiramman is like getting the epic prize. She walks into the school with a calm look on her face before she does a small smile seeing her two friends. Nancy and Barb. She walks over as she overhears the end of the conversation.

“...Keep your voice down.” Nancy tries to say before Caitlyn walks on the other side of her.

“Well? Did he?” she asked as Barb was smiling.

“I told you both already  it’s not like that.” Nancy insists as Caitlyn raised an eyebrow at this.

“Denial is a sin Nancy” she points out as she groans. Nancy looks at the two girls who were given her a look before she caved in.

“Okay, I mean yes fine, he likes me, you know…” Nancy said as Caitlyn covers her mouth trying her best to keep her self from squealing with excitement “but not like that.”

Nancy lowers her voice as she trails her head to the side “We just made out a couple times….”

“Now if that isnt the most denial statement I ever heard” Caitlyn comments “Like my parents would say you are going into the big leads”

Barb nods in agreement “You better still hang out with me that’s all I’m saying. If you become friends with Carol and Tommy H.”

Nancy gasps and scoffs at the idea as she opens her locker  “Gross. And I’m telling you this was just a one time- two time thing.”

Caitlyn watched as Nancy placed her school books in her locker before noticing a note. She picks it up and stares at it as Caitlyn smiles with Barb. The note clear was from Steve based on his hand writing alone beside the clearly labeled STEVE at the end of the message asking Nancy to meet him in the bathroom.

“You were saying?” Barb asked, a smile never leaving her face.  Nancy rolls her eyes as Caitlyn leans her head against the locker.

“Enough on me, I wanna know about the relationship between Caitlyn and Jayce” Nancy says as Caitlyn looked grossed out.

“No way” she insists as Barb gasps.

“I thought you two werent a thing”

“It was arranged by my mother and no, we didn't work out anyway. End of story” she gives those two a pointed look as Nancy raised her arms in surrender.

“Okay…what about Garen? Didn't he and that girl break up over the summer?” Nancy asked. Caitlyn raises an eyebrow at this.

“You mean Katarina? Nancy, that's not happening. I'm friends with both” Caitlyn closes her locker as Nancy shrugs “Don't you have a Steve date to go to?”

Nancy gasps remembering before running off as Barb giggles.

“You know she's not wrong” Barb says looking at Caitlyn “You reject a lot of guys here”

“I just haven't found the one I like yet” Caitlyn shrugs as the two head for their classes “Maybe one day Ill say yes to more than one date…especially when its not those my mother tends to choose’

~ 🚲 ~

[ End of chapter 2 ]

Chapter Text

~ Friends From Below ~

🚲 Escape 🚲

~Powder~

It was still sunny in the town of Hawkins as the mid-fall vibe of November continued to bloom. Two girls, barefoot in smooth grass. I was one of them. My messy hair was laid out on my shoulder blades as I took in the sight of a male taking out his trash. Eleven’s hand touched my own. 

“Come on,” she says, as we carefully and slowly made our way inside of the building. The sound of the music playing inside is getting louder and louder with each passing moment. Taking in the interior, slowly but surely we made our way into the kitchen area of the place. My curiosity peaked.

“Such a…vulgar display,” Evelynn says as she takes in the sight of two males talking in one of the other rooms. I gave her a look “It's not like I wouldn't have to do much darling”  

I looked to the side to notice Eleven looking at a plate with fries. My mouth watered at the site as I slowly remembered. I hadn't eaten since papa’s last meal.

Eleven quickly tried one bite…and then another before taking a handful. I looked at her a little unsure as she remembered I was there. She gave me a few fries to try before my senses took over. I couldn't even remember something so good as I devoured what I was given. Everything else to me was a noise as I ate-

“HEY!”

Looking up we see the same man from outside glaring at us from the other side of the counter.

“Run” Evelynn hissed as Eleven grabbed the tray before we booked it towards the door…tried. I can feel the man’s hands on me and Eleven as he pulls us back and shook us. I can feel my heart racing as I grow scared of the confrontation. Evelynn hissed at the man’s treatment before his eyes softened at us.  He took in our appearance

“What in the hell..?” he whispered

~ 🚲 ~

~ Lux ~

Lux is still reading her books as the bells ring signaling the end of one of her classes. She gets up from her seat before walking out of math class. Her eyes light up with excitement as she rushes to a specific classroom, Mr. Scott Clarke’s class. She rushes into the class, ignoring students going past her as her friends look toward Clarke.

“Did it come?” she asked, staring into his eyes with a curious look on her face. His face doesn't change.

“Sorry kids,” he says “I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but..”

Lux quickly notices his facial expression change from sadness to excitement.

“It came” 

With excitement, he takes the group into the AV room containing the device as the children look at it. Lux stared at the object with curiosity. She already knew what it was the moment the teacher mentioned it was coming.

The Heathkit Ham Shack

She tunes out the others as she touches them with pure excitement on her face. Before she was brought down to planet earth by the boys goofing around with the device.

“Ella, this is Mike Wheeler, President of Hawkins Middle A.V. Club,” Mike says, with a fake accent in his voice making Lux roll her eyes. However, Dustin soon followed along with his phony accent.

“Ella, this is Dustin Henderson, Secretary, and Treasurer of Hawkins Middle A.V. Club. Do you eat kangaroos for breakfast?”

Lux sighs “You both are such knuckleheads,” she says, making them turn to her before she does a smile “You are doing it wrong”

The boys make sounds at her in response as if trying to bait her into making her attempt before they hear the sound of someone clearing their throat. Lux turned around. It was the school’s principal, Russell Coleman.

“Sorry to interrupt, but may I borrow Michael, Lucas, Lux, and Dustin?” he asked, his posture and tone serious. Lux looks at Mike confused before the teacher nods, allowing the kids to leave the room.

Lux didn't know this at the time. But in her mind, she knew it couldn't be good considering the police were outside of the room. The following few words that came out of his mouth made Lux’s heart sink.

“We would like to ask you a couple of questions about your friend, Will Byers,” he says seriously “He hasn't come home last night”

~ 🚲 ~

~Powder~

The next few moments almost felt like a blur to me. The strange man decided to have us stay in the area and give us food. Taking in the sight of the plain burger, I slowly began to eat, not fully trusting the situation although Eleven was eating more than I was.

“Why don't you just let me at him…he's so…dull yet eatable”

No Evelyn..you can't…I don't wanna…

I trailed off, I couldn't say it...

“Your parents forgot to feed you?” the man asks, breaking the silence.

I didn't respond, just continued to eat with El. 

“That's why you ran away?” He asks, trying to get some information out of us. Eleven just continued 

Run…away…? I slowly look at him slightly before he decides to ask one more question.

“They... hurt you?” 

I look towards him a little before he sighs.

“Least the other one is responsive..”

This man is…strange

[  end of chapter 3 ]

Chapter Text

~ Friends From Below ~

~ Lux~

“You want a search party?” Garen says as Lux stands from the top of the stairs “Alright sir, Ill get on that tonight with the other search party civilians”

A pause can be heard for a moment before Garen slowly nods.

“Alright, see you soon” he says before hanging up the wall phone. He lets out a sigh.

“They haven't found him?” Lux asks, making Garen jump.

“Jesus Lux!” he says, in shock from the sudden voice “You scared.”

“You sounded unsure on the phone.” she says, ignoring his reaction. Garen stares for a moment before downcasting his eyes.

“They…they found his bike-” he begins to say.

“And they still don't know where he is?” 

Lux stares from the top of the staircase of her family home, staring at her older brother Garen. Her expression is worried, her frown displayed on her face. Garen nodded slightly. The sun was beginning to set from the side window beside her.

“Don't worry, I'm sure he just got lost.” he reassures her.

“Gar, they found his bike,” She walks down the stairs “His..bike”

“I know Lux…I know,” Garen pulls Lux in a hug as she shakes from the fear and worry she was feeling in her gut “There gonna find him okay?”

She slowly nods 

“They're sending out a search team” he says “They're gonna find him…”

~ 🚲 ~

~ Powder ~

I take a bite from the tub of ice cream as I watch the man work. Eleven was eating her own ice cream beside me. Evelynn watched us carefully as I took another bite. It was…a good taste. It made me curious about many different foods. I ignored the small conversation between the man and Eleven for a bit.

“What do you think of your ice cream?” he asked me. I looked at him for a moment.

“...Good” I mumbled while eating more. He smiles a bit before we hear a knock from the front. Eleven looks at the man afraid as I tense up. He wipes his hands.

“You just sit tight.” he says looking at us “Whoever it is, I'll tell 'em to go away real quick, all right?”

“Sureeee” Evelynn says, rolling her eyes. I give her a look as the man walks towards the door. I couldn't help but try to listen to the conversation but the voices were so mumbled. Eleven looks towards me for a moment as I shake my head. She pats my hands as we hear the man slowly come back, his voice becoming more audible to hear.

“Your, uh, voice sounds different on the-” he begins to say before we hear the sounds of a gunshot. I freeze up. Eleven grabs my hand as we make a break for it. Suddenly two men emerge from the back door, guns drawn towards us. I stare at them before my eyes glow purple. Evelynn emerges before knocking the men on their feet.

“Come” Eleven says before we make a break line out of the restaurant, into the dead of the forest. I don't even remember how long we ran…

Ignoring the sounds of thunder emerging from the sky…but we didn't care..We just wanted to get away, get away from papa…

~ 🚲 ~

~ Lux ~

Rain began to pour down more and more as Lux and the others traveled in the forest on their bikes. Lux was invited gracefully to join the others in their own search for Will, despite some other parental figures. She was tuning the others out as Dustin began to speak.

“Did you ever think Will went missing because he ran into something bad? And we're going to the exact same spot where he was last seen?” he says as the group continues to go along the path “And we have no weapons or anything?”

“Dustin, shut up.” Mike says, making Lux turn to him.

“Rude much Mike,” she says “He does make a point.”

“Shut up. Shut up. Did you guys hear that?” Mike asks as the group pauses for a moment. The sounds of the rain were heard until the sounds of branches breaking were heard, causing the children to turn with their lights on. The light shines on the location before Powder and Eleven emerged from shadows…wet and cold…but most of all..

They were terrified…

“Oh my god” Lux whispers, surprised at the sudden discovery.

~ 🚲~

[  end of chapter 4 ]