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It was a normal day in Hawkins - well as normal as it could get. No one had seen a demo-anything in over a week and although everyone was enjoying it, it was starting to get suspicious.
It was Mike’s turn to go on patrol, and he was supposed to go with Lucas, but he was out with his family. So, Will had volunteered to go with him, and Mike was more than happy with that.
They had done one round and saw nothing, but since no one had seen anything, Hopper had them all doing extra rounds in case they missed anything.
About halfway through, after some light and casual conversation that was on the edge of being awkward, they heard an unsettling noise. It was like nails to a chalkboard, making them both go silent. They turned around and wasn’t sure if it was good or bad that nothing was there.
They tried to brush it off, both deeply uncomfortable now. But they only managed a few steps in silence when it happened again, followed by a roar they both knew too well.
Mike immediately got out his Supercom and whisper-shouted to anyone who would listen, “We need backup! ASAP! Get us out of here!”
Meanwhile Will was getting out his gun as quietly as possible, even though they both knew it would be useless again this interdimensional monster.
They were both silently hoping that the demogorgan wouldn’t hear them, even though it wouldn’t matter, it could smell them.
They knew that their attempts were useless when they heard the crunching of twigs and leaves underneath the heavy weight of the disgusting creature, getting closer and closer. Through their fear, they couldn’t even tell what way it was coming from. It was disorientating and dizzying. They were almost back to back, when they heard another roar, and the evil monster finally can into view.
Mike saw it first, and grabbed Will’s wrist as they both broke out into a sprint. They both knew that they couldn’t out run the beast, but that doesn’t mean they couldn’t try. And they did try, but the demogorgan was too fast, too large and too strong.
It reached out a blackened claw and scratched along the back of Mike’s leg. There was blood, a lot of it. And they both knew Mike couldn’t run anymore.
Will turned and shot the creature, right in the ‘face’. It scared it off, to both the boys surprise, although Mike was in too much pain to realise. The only thing in Mike’s head was pain. And the only thing in Will’s mind was Mike.
Will put a hand on Mike’s shoulder as he helped him to. sit on the floor. Mike winced as he fell to the floor, but Will’s touch was grounding him.
“You need to go get help,” said Mike, breaking the silence.
“I can’t leave you here?!” Will exclaimed, “What if it comes back? What if it brings back more? What if you bleed out?”
“I’m no use in any of those situations, come on now Will. We have a better chance if you leave,” Mike countered.
“But…” said Will, try to think of an excuse.
“But what, Will,” Mike stated. “You know you have to.”
“But it’s dangerous to go alone,” Will murmured.
“Don’t do this Will, please,” Mike begged. He didn’t tell Will but his vision was getting dark and spotted. Will noticed anyway, but didn’t say anything trying to keep Mike awake but keep himself alert.
“I can try to walk,” Mike said when Will didn’t reply.
“Ha ha, we both know you can’t,” Will tried to joke and lighten the mood. “I can try to carry you though?”
“I don’t even think I can stand. Where are we anyway?”
They both looked around and realised they had come completely off the trail.
“Have you tried the Supercom?” Mike asked.
Will tried. All they got was static.
“‘m tired,” Mike mumbled, words slurring more every minute.
“Just stay awake for a bit longer, please,” Will begged.
All he got in response was Mike mumbling something Will couldn’t quite hear and his eyes slide shut.
Will checked for a pulse and sobbed when he could only feel Mike’s cold, bloodied skin against his. He didn’t even feel the tears roll down his cheeks as he sobbed into Mike’s dark curls.
After a few hours, he was all cried out and felt numb. He couldn’t bring himself to leave Mike, even though what that meant for him.
It was pitch black out now, evening had come and gone, and he was hungry, cold and scared. He lay his jacket over Mike’s body, and curled against the boy until he fell into a haunted slumber.