Memories

UPSIDE DOWN

Pain. That's all Dylan could feel as he hid underneath skull rock. Skull rock that was present in the upside down, not the one he was just at a few hours before.

Nancy and Steve were huddled to his right, Robin and Eddie to his left. He could hear the sound of bats screeching from above.

As the loud sounds of screeching grew quieter, Robin sighed with relief "That was close"

"Yeah, too close" Eddie agreed

Dylan stayed sitting on the ground as the rest stood up, his hands ached from the cuts all around them. His palms covered in blood that leaked past his elbows and were now dry on his skin. His shirt ripped to shreds, revealing his scars plus his ribs that showed due to malnourishment. All things he wanted to hide.

Steve noticed his brother's state, then looked down at his own stomach, his bites not as severe. He could thank Dylan for that. "Dylan." Steve said growing the attention of Robin and Nancy. Nancy came to his side along with Steve, the two next to him like divorced parents.

"I-it's okay" Dylan coughed "I'm just a little dizzy"

"No it's not, you're loosing a lot of blood." Nancy said growing concerned. She began tearing at her shirt.

"Hey, wooziness isn't a sign of rabies. So thats good. But if you start having hallucinations and muscle spasms then...well." Robin spoke fast, making Dylan even dizzier.

"Robin please." Dylan begged as he tried sitting up, before failing. Steve's hands immediately flew up to catch the boy. His hands meeting a bit of Dylan's skin as he realized it was really hot. And he was radiating heat like a heater. "Jeez Dylan. You're like hot."

"Appreciate it" Dylan smiled goofily before wincing one again. "No, I mean you're literally hot. Like heat" Steve laughed

"Humor is still intact. Thats a better sign." Robin commented again, as Dylan was brought back to the bites on his skin.

Nancy had finally torn off her shirt as she made herself bandages for Dylan's hands. Before tossing another part she ripped off for Steve's torso at Steve. The man caught it with a small thanks.

"Let me see your hands." Nancy said softly as Dylan lifted his hands up, Nancy wrapping them tightly."Thanks Nancy." Dylan said.  The girl smiled before looking down at a scar on his palm, it looked like a circle. She kept her thought to herself, pondering.

Once she was finished, Dylan gripped his hands together tightly. Feeling a bit better. Then Robin glanced over at his neck, seeing something poking out. "Oh my...what is that?"

Dylan looked at her confused "What? What is what?" Robin pointed at his neck from afar as Steve and Nancy looked as well—seeing it too. Dylan grew more anxious as he felt around his hair"I don't feel—" His fingers stopped at the wound on his neck, feeling something rough. He gripped it tightly before pulling it out. A tooth, left behind by one of the bats. It barely inched itself past three layers of skin, but enough to leave a small gap in Dylan's neck.

Dylan stared at the tooth for a moment before feeling even dizzier than before, only hearing the sounds of the four yelling his name before he hit the ground. Passed out cold.

"Dylan! Damn it!" Steve yelled, propping the boys head up off the ground and unto his legs. "Nancy what do we do"

"The bite on his neck isn't as bad as it could be. Calm down. He has a phobia of bats right?" Nancy asked as Steve nodded"I think he just got spooked, the tooth must of latched on when I hit the thing off of him." Nancy said calming herself down in the process as she examined the boy. 

"I know this is probably a bad time...but this place is like Hawkins, but with monsters and nasty shit?" Eddie asked looking around the dark forest.

"Pretty much" Nancy replied, tearing off another part of her shirt to gently wrap around Dylan's neck. She glanced over seeing Eddie begin his descent down a log he climbed "Wait, watch out for the vines. It's all a hive mind" Nancy warned "It's all a what?" Eddie asked

Steve still holding Dylan up, making sure the boy was still breathing, huffed, getting annoyed at Eddie "Everything is connected, they're, like, one or something. You step on a vine, your stepping on a bat, your stepping on Vecna."

"But everything from our world is still here, right? Except people?" Robin asked "As far as I understand it, yeah." Nancy replied, gently tying the bandage together.

"So theoretically, we could go to the police station, and steal guns and grenades and whatever we need to blow up these bat things that are guarding the gate." Robin used her hand to explain her idea as Steve simply looked at her. "I highly doubt the Hawkins PD has grenades, Robin. But uhh guns, yeah, sure."

Nancy eyes slightly widened in thought "We don't have to go all the way downtown for guns." She prompted "I have guns....in my bedroom"

Eddie jumped down from another rock, a look of suprise and confusion on his face "You, Nancy Wheeler, have guns, plural, in your bedroom?"

"Full of surprises, isn't she?!" Robin smiled, Nancy rolled her eyes with a small smile "A Russian Makarov and a revolver."

Steve was about to bring up the time Nancy almost shot him with the revolver, hoping for a small banter between them before his brother muttered something, moving his head.

They all looked at him "Dylan?" Steve said with hope.

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Dylan opened his eyes slightly looking around, his vision blurry. His eyes focused in on the first figure he saw. Curly hair to their shoulders, strong cheekbones. His heart softened as he felt a burst of energy through his chest. "Micheal...?" Dylan called out. Before his sight finally focused to see a confused Nancy Wheeler with a scrunched up face.

As Dylan finally realized he was in the upside down he sat up straight breathing heavily. "Holy shit! Fuck!" Dylan cursed looking around frantically "Sorry." He said again before standing up.

"Wait, are you good?" Steve asked, standing up with him. "You were out cold a minute ago."

"No, I'm okay. Everything hurts. But I'm okay." Dylan nodded. Shaking everything off, feeling the bandages on his hands and neck. "Thank you, Nancy" he said not looking at the girl in embarrassment. Dylan took a hair tie out of his pocket, tying his hair into a loose ponytail.

Nancy nodded with a small smile, almost teasing the boy without saying anything. The air clapped as Eddie threw Steve his Jean vest. "For your modesty, dude"

Steve observed the vest in his hands. He wouldn't be caught dead wearing this. But it was this or nothing. Robin looked at Dylans ripped shirt taking her buttoned shirt off, giving it to Dylan. leaving on her black shirt with a collar design.

"Here, that shirt is totally done for." Robin commented. As Dylan took the shirt. He looked at his own ripped shirt, hesitantly taking it off. As his bare skin was exposed for a moment.

Nancy, Robin, and Steve knew about the boy, Steve and Nancy had already seen the horrors that boy had faced, the memories slashed in his skin. But Eddie hadn't. Dylan could feel Eddie's eyes on him as he quickly buttoned the shirt up, the scars on his arms still showing. He knew he looked like a freak, even Eddie the "freak" Munson would think so.

Eddie the "freak" Munson took his eyes off the boy, not in disgust or judgment but rather respect. Dylan had already helped more times than he deserved. To him the boy was awesome.

As Dylan closed the last button, his feet felt vibration. That feeling rushed up to his legs, the ground shook. An earthquake. Nancy fell into his arms as he held unto the girl, backing into Steve who held on to the walls of the rock. Robin and Eddie together on the ground, stabilizing themselves.

As the ground shook less, all they could hear was the terrible screech of some kind of monster, Dylan tensed up. It didn't sound friendly.

"Yeah so, guns sound like a pretty good idea to me." Eddie commented"Yeah, me too"

"Then what are we waiting for?" Nancy said, walking ahead quickly towards the direction of her house, Robin and Dylan quickly behind her as, Steve and Eddie soon followed.

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Dylan followed the group, as they walked and walked, avoiding the vines that surrounded him. For a moment he was alone, until Eddie came up beside him.

"What's up Dyll." Eddie said with a friendly smile that was ignored by Dylan"Don't call me that."

"What? Dyll? Got a girlfriend that calls you that? Is that a nickname reserved for only her." Eddie joked, as Dylan could hear Mike calling him that nickname as a kid. The way it used to bring butterflies to his stomach and now it only hurt.

"No, I don't have a girlfriend, just don't call me that." Dylan replied. Walking a bit faster. Eddie kept up with him. "Can I ask you a personal question?" Eddie asked

"No" Dylan replied, as it was ignored by Eddie. "remember when you heated that beer bottle up? I do, it was like wow. Or how you lifted that boat with ease. And I saw how you fought those bats, like blew them up completely. I mean it was the coolest thing Ive ever seen—"

"Where is this going?" Dylan asked sternly Dylan stopped walking to face Eddie, as Eddie stood up straight. Eddie hesitated for a moment "Where did those scars come from?"

Dylan stared at him for a moment before walking without a word, Eddie being stubborn persisted "I think they're awesome! Like totally metal. You play the guitar? I just....want to get to know you man, I hear about you all the time! I mean sometimes Wheeler cant shut up about—"

Dylan stopped walking again, getting closer to Eddie in a hushed tone "Mike?" Eddie nodded"What has he said?" Dylan asked

Eddie noticed Dylan's face turned from annoyance to desperation. "Answer my question first, where did you get those scars? Is it from...like here?" Eddie waved his hands around signifying the upside down.

Dylan sighed looking around before looking back at Eddie "Some of them. But most of them, were from the lab I was in before I escaped. Don't ask me how I escaped I couldn't tell you even if I wanted to." Eddie thought for a moment before nodding satisfied with the answer. They continued walking.

"Alright, your turn." Dylan said, nudging Eddie with his shoulder, as the man stumbled with the push. "What has Mike said about me."

Eddie smiled for a moment, thinking of everything he remembered, as he did listen to his sheep. "Well, he talks about how you would love Hellfire. If you gave it a chance."

Dylan slightly scoffed, despite loving the game, the thought of being apart of hellfire just annoyed him. "Right, why have I never given it a chance?" Dylan sarcastically commented.

"He always talks about how you look different, not to sure how you looked before....so I don't know if that's a good thing." Eddie shrugged.

"Well I grew a few inches taller." Dylan made another comment, knowing how Mike used to be taller than him.

"And...he misses you." Eddie nodded, as Dylan seemed to stop breathing "What?" Dylan asked

"Well he's never said it, but you can tell...oh yeah, it's obvious. Im not sure what went on between you too but, I think you both need one another."Eddie said

Dylan for once felt a bit of hope in his heart, if another person noticed something between them, could him and Mike possible be...no, Dylan brushed that thought away quickly shaking his head "Me and Mike have been friends for a while, we never stopped being friends, we're just....different."

Dylan felt like he had more to say but was too afraid of saying more than he could handle. He walked forward passing Eddie quickly. As he could still feel the sting of his wounds and the cold air in the Upside Down. He thought of Mike. And while doing it, he felt dirty, guilty. But he couldn't stop, and unlike a cigarette he knew it didn't hurt him. Yet it was still so painful.

Dylan caught up with Robin and Nancy, when the ground begun to shake once again. "Not again!" Robin yelled. Dylan held unto her, as to not let her get hurt, looking behind him to see Eddie and Steve balancing themselves as well.

Nancy had run ahead despite the shaking, Dylan and Robin yelling after her. "Nancy!" Dylan yelled seeing the girl stop in her tracks. Red lightning booming through the dark sky. He followed her gaze to see the house he knew all too well. The Wheelers residence, covered in vines. Empty.

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The five walked cautiously into the cold home of Nancy. The vines stretched around every crevice in the home. But other than the particles, everything else looked the same.

"Looks like you need a maid, Wheeler" Robin joked shining her flashlight at Nancy.

"Come on." Nancy prompted "i don't want to stay here longer than I have too."

Dylan nodded as he followed Nancy up the stairs, Eddie and Robin behind them. Nancy quickly opened her room door walking in—The two following her except for Dylan who glanced at Mikes room. He looked to see the three were distracted when slipping away.

He opened the door with ease peering through to see his bedroom, which wasn't in the format he assumed it would be. He was just in Mikes room not long ago and it looked nothing like this. His bed was now smaller, vines around it. More organized. His blood then ran cold as he looked to see a sleeping bag on the carpet floor. His sleeping bag. His designated sleeping bag whenever he would sleep over at Mikes house. When they were young and nothing mattered.

There last sleep over was the day Will went missing. Dylan slightly gasped running over to Nancy's room, where he saw the three by Nancy's bed, Nancy holding a journal.

"Nancy...I think.." Dylan started "Were in the past" Nancy finished

"Im sorry, what?" Robin questioned

"Mikes room, it's how it was when I had my last sleepover with him." Dylan explained

"When was that?" Robin asked again

"November 6th." Nancy muttered "the day Will went missing." Dylan nodded fearfully, looking at them. His thought was cut short as he heard his brother screaming downstairs. Dylan immediately ran down the stairs.

"Dustin!" Steve screamed "Dustin?" Dylan walked into Steve being a madman, his arms stretched out, his eyes wide.  "Can you hear me? Dustin!"

"Steve!" Dylan yelled as Steve shined his flashlight at his younger brother, and then at Nancy, Robin, and Eddie who walked behind Dylan. "Maybe he does have rabies?" Robin whispered close by Dylan, as Dylan gagged "Euugh—Stop."

"Steve what are you doing?" Nancy asked, covering her face with the shadow of her hand.

"He's here. Henderson! That little shit, hes here. He's like....he's in the walls or something!" Steve exclaimed "Just listen...listen." Dylan could hear almost nothing, except the wet sounds made by the vines that sickened him. Steve seemed to hear more as he yelled once again "Dustin! DUSTIN!"

Dylan channeled all his senses towards his ears as he closed his eyesSilence.....and then. Dustin.

"I hear him."

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"Dustin!" Robin yelled

"Dustin!" Eddie screamed

Their throats felt dry, screaming with no answer. "Okay, either this kid can't hear us or he's being a total douchebag." Steve sighed

"Will found a way." Nancy commented, as she ran around the corner "What?" Steve asked. Nancy begun trying to turn on any lamp in her home.

Dylan looked at Steve "When Will went missing in the upside down, he found a way to communicate..." Dylan saw her trying to turn the lights on "Through the light. He spoke through the lights! Nancy you're a genius."

He began helping her, searching for a working bulb"It's not working" Nancy grunted

Dylan thought for a moment. Before realizing "Wait. Will didn't magically turn lights on in the upside down. He spoke through lamps and Christmas lights, that were...already on." Dylan looked around for anything when he saw the dining room lights, with a soft glow. "There." He pointed. The group gathered around facing the soft glow.

They approached it with curiosity. Dylan slightly reached up, his fingers still coated in his own blood. He traced the particles in the air, the ones like tinker bells fairy dust. It brought him back to a memory of watching Peter Pan for the first time. With Steve. It was why they were playing around the house most days. Dylan was Peter Pan and Steve was hook.

"Does anyone know morse code?" Nancy asked as they all shook their heads except Dylan.

"I learned some." Dylan said as they all backed up, giving Dylan room to work.

Dylan began strumming SOS and DUSTIN HELP. As Steve furrowed his brows "When did you learn Morse code?" Steve asked "I just picked up a few phrases after Will was possessed. Thought it might help us someday."

And he was right. Dustin, Lucas, and Erica on the other side. Watched the lights flicker reading what Dylan was strumming. Now they know where the group went.

___________________________________

Dylan never thought he would have to communicate through a lightbrite but here he was kneeling by Nancy's bed. As she held her little sister's light brite.

"How long are we gonna have to wait?" Eddie asked

"They need to essentially fill the light brite, plug it in, giving it the source of power. And then unplug it so that we can communicate through it." Dylan explained as they waited.

[okay! Are you guys seeing this?] Dustin asked his voice being heard by them faintly.

Nancy put her hand through the light dust, tracing it. As they could hear the faint sounds of laughing. [we're not moving it, but we're gonna unplug it. Stand by!]

As the light disappeared, Dylan gripped his hands into fist. This had to work. [try it now!]

Nancy put her hand through it again, this time the dust surrounded her finger, she was creating she was  channeling the power.

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WHEELER RESIDENCE

"Hi!"  Dustin smiled, Lucas and Erica beside him. "Yes! It worked!" Dustin yelled, hoping the group heard him.

The lights lit up again, as the letter S. "S... T..." they all sounded out "U.." "Stupid? Stupid?"

"C... K.. Stuck!" Dustin nodded. "Okay! Okay. They are stuck in the Upside down." Lucas said "Alright. You guys cant get back through watergate?" Dustin yelled.

They waited a moment before, GUARDED was spelt out for them. "We have a theory that can help with that." Dustin spoke "we think watergate isn't the only gate. That theres a gate at every murder site!"

___________________________________

UPSIDE DOWN

"At every site?" Dylan's eyes widened "yes! Why didn't I think of that!" Dylan took over the light, He spelt out OKAY. MEET US AT... "Eddie how far is your trailer from here?"

"Seven miles why?" Eddie asked as Dylan ignored him spelling out Eddie's name.

[YES! Okay! At Eddie's trailer!]

Dylan smiled, feeling hopeful about this. "Hold on! Why Eddie's trailer?" Steve asked as

"The murder sites. Thats what Dustin said. Chrissy died in Eddie's trailer, which means like the watergate, there should be another gate." Dylan explained

"Okay how are we gonna get there?" Steve asked "it's seven miles, and we don't have a car."

"I know we're in the past or whatever, but shouldn't this place have bikes?" Robin asked looking at Nance. Who quickly nodded. "But I think we only have four." Nancy said "and we won't be able to fit two people on a bike."

"Thanks Dylan, you just had to be a giant." Steve said sarcastically "Actually, if this is November 6th, and time has stopped. My Bike should be here." Dylan smiled "let's go!"

He immediately ran downstairs feeling pumped for once, as the four followed him down. Steve shaking his head with an amused smile. He could see his brother coming back.

___________________________________

Despite particles flying into his mouth and down his lungs, the fast pace of Dylan's old bike had him smiling. Nancy had slightly slowed down, as Dylan slowed hus bike down with her, following the group but still drifting behind.

"Having fun?" Nancy asked with a smile

"I-i know we're all in danger and I'm having the time of my life on an old bike." Dylan said feeling embarrassed

"No, it's good. I haven't seen you smile in a long time." Nancy replied, as Dylan glanced at her "We do still go to the same school, Dylan.  I see you in the hallways sometimes. You look....sad" Nancy said with caution looking to read Dylan's expression. As the boy didnt answer she sighed "I know you went through a lot Dylan. And I just wanted you to know, you're don't have to hide how you feel. You don't have to distance yourself—

"I did." Dylan expressed "After summer ended, and Cindy was killed, I realized how much danger everyone was in because of me. Sometimes I wished I never escaped that lab."

"Hey." Nancy said her tone growing stern "don't think that. You're the only reason why most of us, if not all, are still alive. You might not realize but you bring life to the people around you, Dylan. People like Steve. Me. Mike."

Dylan looked at Nancy, who smiled. "So I can confidently say, I'm glad you escaped that hellhole. And I know I'm not the only one." Dylan's eyes slightly welled up, as he smiled "Come on. Let's catch up." Nancy said speeding up,

Dylan followed her closely as they passed by the entrance of the trailer park, making it to Eddie's trailer. Abandoning their bikes. "I think I inhaled a bunch of particles." Steve coughed, they all walked into the trailer, their eyes immediately looking at the red gate that shined in their faces.

"This is where Chrissy died" Eddie said "Like, right where she died"

"I think theres something in there" Robin muttered, as they looked closer, seeing something hover over the top of the gate from the other side. Poking it, before pushing it against the gate, stretching the red webs out.

"What the hell is that?" Eddie asked, as no one answered him, all focused on the gate. Everything going quiet, before it broke open. Everyone jumping back in surprise. Dylan stayed put in defense, only calming down as he saw it was a wooden stick that broke it.

"Dustin?" Dylan said to himself as he walked closer, ignoring the protest from Steve calling him back

He stepped foward, Until he was able to see, Dustin, Lucas, Erica, and Max all yelling his name in excitement.

Dylan smiled with a wave. Looking back over at Nancy who gave him a nod and a "I told you so" look.

"We're so glad you're okay!" Dustin laughed "Where's everyone else?"

Dylan waved for them to come over before Steve, Nancy, Robin, and Eddie, stood beside him. Laughing and smiling as they found them.

"Holy shit, this is trippy" Robin commented as Dustin and them jumped and laughed

"Bada Bada boom!" Dustin yelled

___________________________________

Dustin placed Eddie's mattress on the floor, as the already tinted yellow thing appeared to have stains on them. "Those stains are......i don't know what those stains are." Eddie didn't look them in the eye, as silent judgment was passed around.

"Not quite sure how these physics are gonna work but uhhh, here's goes nothing" Dustin threw the tied bedsheets  through the gate like a rope, it stopped in-front of them and also stopped for Dustin. It was being held up by a force. Science

"There we go. And if my theory is correct...." Dustin said dropping the rope so it hung by itself. "Huh. Abracadabra."

"Holy shit." Max huffed

"Okay pull on it! See if it holds." Dustin yelled, as Robin did just that.

"This is the craziest shit I've seen in my life! And I've seen some crazy shit!" Erica commented giving Dustin a high five.

"Guess I'm the Guinea pig." Robin shrugged, climbing up the rope, before falling through the gate.

The four still stuck smiled, as Eddie waited for the next person to go. As no one took the rope Eddie coughed "Alright, I guess I'll go."

It was now Nancy, Steve, and Dylan left. "Okay Dylan." Steve said "You go"

Dylan shook his head "No, Nancy you can go."

Nancy could see Steve's face, as they were about to banter over this so she quickly took the rope "I'll see you two on the other side."

Steve paused before tipping his head to her"On the other side"

As Nancy climbed up, Dylan felt that sense of dread, it quickly wiped his smile away as he looked around, he glanced behind him not seeing anything, but when he turned back. Steve and Nancy were gone.

He looked above to see if Steve had went through the gate as well but he wasn't met with any of their faces.  Instead he looked through the gate to see a newspaper laid out on what appeared to be a porch.

"Steve!" Dylan yelled "Nancy!"

No reply. Before he could move, the ground rumbled again, before breaking. Dylan being swept off his feet and into the gate. He felt like he was falling forward, it was darkness all around.

____________________________________

Steve shook the shoulders of Nancy in a panic "Nancy! Hey! Nancy!" Her eyes were rolled to the back of her head. "Dylan! What—" Steves heart plummeted to the floor to see Dylan in a similar trance as Nancy.

Steve looked between two important people in his life. What were they gonna do?

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NANCY POV

Nancy glanced around the old Creel house she was once in, but this time. It was new. And bright. As she saw a girl running up the stairs with a smile, two parents holding each other close.

And a boy. With an indescribable look on his face.Henry Creel

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NINA PROJECT (NEVADA)

Dr. Owen's viewed the chart of Eleven. Seeing it go haywire, getting signals that her powers were coming back. They have come back. "It's working! We can pull her out now!"

"No." Dr. Brenner stated. "She still needs the entire truth."

"You just showed her the entire truth!" Dr. Owen's raised his voice. "What else is there? Im pulling her out."

"NO!" Dr. Brennen yelled. "She needs to see it!"

Dr. Owen's paused looking at Martin. The man's eyes were dark. He looked back at the girl in the water. This was bad. If he kept her in there for too long she could die. But that look in Martins eyes. It was madness.

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ELEVENS POV

El stared at the gate she had created, seeing it close up. She huffed, breathing heavily, blood staining her skin from her eyes.

She turned around to be back in another hallway. With her powers she felt no fear, she walked down the clean hallways which were once filled with death. She had gone back in time. This was a different memory. A memory with alarms. The alarms were ringing. Something was happening. She then heard a cry. That cry was familiar. She began running looking down each hallway until she came upon one that was darker. At the end of it she saw someone.

It was a boy, he was tall, taller than her. His head shaven. His skin pale. His hands dripping with blood.

She gasped, it was her brother. Dylan. A fresh cut on his face where a scar now laid the present day. And 013 was still on his wrist.

The boy looked like a monster. Elevens blood ran cold with fear. Kali, her sister's words rang back in her head. How Dylan was a monster. __________________________________

DYLAN POV

The darkness stopped, the force of being pulled ended, and Dylan was back on his feet. But where? He opened his eyes to look forward, he only saw a street, and he stood on a porch. The one he saw through the gate, a newspaper in his hand.

He looked to see he was by a teal door, and his clothes were different. He was wearing blue striped pajamas and brown slippers. He opened the news paper to see

September 8, 1971

"What?" Dylan muttered, he was in the past. Dylan walked inside the random home he was in, closing the door. He threw the newspaper on the orange couch, as he looked around the home. It was simple, clean. He then passed by a mirror. Stopping in his tracks.

He even looked different, he looked older. His curls now neatly cut, his face more mature with a small stubble. "What the hell.." and his scars, were gone. Completely gone. He lifted his shirt up seeing nothing. He couldn't help but stare at himself for a moment, this was him, without any scars. It was weird.

Dylan was so confused, he passed the hallways which were decorated with photos, as he passed by each one he saw all of his friends alive and well, in group photos, all older, all happy. He then stopped at one photo. It was Mike. Dylan was standing with him. They were both happy and smiling. At what appeared to be an office.

He looked closer at the photo to see his own hand, his left hand. With a silver band on his ring finger. He furrowed his brows before looking at his own ring finger to see that same silver band."Im..married?"

"Dylan!"

Dylan perked up, that came from the kitchen, and he knew that voice. It was Micheal

"Dylan!"

He heard it again, he ran around the corner and into the kitchen, stumbling along the way with slippery rugs and slippers. He looked to see Micheal Wheeler.  Cooking breakfast foods.

Dylan stood there in shock, Mike was cooking breakfast, his black hair in a low bun with some grey hairs.

"I made you breakfast, eat it while it's hot." Mike said with a smile.

Dylan looked to see Mike had the same silver band on his ring finger. Dylan was married to Mike. The thought brought warmth to Dylan's cheeks and ears but he quickly shook his head, this wasn't real.

He rushed past Mike and into the living room where he first was "Hey! Come out! I know you're here somewhere! What is this?! Face me!" Dylan yelled.

Mike quickly went to him, as he stood close "Woah, hey, what's wrong?" He placed his hand on the side of Dylan's face, in a very loving way.

Dylan jumped and moved back. "I said come out!" Dylan yelled once again. But Mikes hands held his face."Did I do something?" Mike asked

"What.....? No. It's....your not real." Dylan said, his voice faltering. Was this real? Or was it not? The warmth of Mikes hands were real, his voice.

"Not real?" Mike scoffed "did you sleep well, Dyll? You're freaking me out."

"Im sorry." The words just fell out of his mouth looking at Mike. He saw how Mike's scar that he had just gotten was now gone as well.

"You don't have to be sorry, I just want to know whats wrong." Mike stated, as he pulled Dylan into a hug.

Dylan slightly shook from the interaction, feeling Mikes hands wrapped around his neck, he loosely hugged him back. It felt so real, he was starting to believe it was.

"I love you Dylan." Mike softly spoke

Dylan's breathed hitched, he then felt Mikes fingers through his hair, it was gentle."I....I..Lov—"

Mike then gripped unto his scalp tightly and pulled. Dylan gasped with pain, his head tilted to the ceiling when all he saw was darkness again.

He looked around to see, nothing, looking back at his hands they were covered in blood, Nancy's shirt tied around his palms. His scars.....were back.

"How can one person..make you so weak." Vecna's voice boomed around him.

"There you are." Dylan muttered, his face growing stern and angry

"Like your father, your love slips you into madness." Vecna's said "Weakness."

Dylan kept looking around for Vecna, but he couldn't see him. "Where are you?"

In a flash, Dylan was sitting on a bench. A park bench. Beside him was a man. With blond hair, a sharp face and blue eyes.

"You were always different." The man's said, his voice softer. Dylan stared at him, before realizing he was looking at Vecna. 

"But, as I've seen you. And all that you do."  Vecna said "Ive come with an offer."

"An offer?" Dylan questioned, gripping his palms tightly, his breath shaking.

"I can give you everything that you could possible want." Vecna said smoothly "what I just showed you moments ago, you can have it."

Dylan scoffed "Whats the cost?"

"Join me." He said

Dylan paused, he wasn't sure what Vecna was talking about. "Join you..?" He asked

"Join me. We could be unstoppable." Vecna smiled. His eyes blank, and his smile cold.

"What happened to hating me? Wanting to kill everything I love?" Dylan asked, sarcasm in his tone.

"The past stays in the past. We should look towards the future. Together." Vecna stated.

Dylan thought for a moment, the easy life with his friends, with Micheal. But he knew that wasn't real, and the thought of joining Vecna made him laugh. He cracked up.

"Is something funny?" Vecna asked

"Yes actually. I mean, first of all, Mike cant cook. He can barely make toast without it burning. Im a better cook actually. " Dylan laughed as Vecna simply stared at him unamused "And my wedding band was a bit boring, no? It's just silver."

"These things can be easily fixed." Vecna cut him off, his tone growing harsh "Why waste time with this? Join me. And you can have the life you always wanted."

"The life I want.....is one where you're dead." Dylan replied, slightly raising his eyebrows. Dylan looked around the beautiful area they were in "Im not like you....and I think that scares you." Dylan said slowly. As Vecna didnt seem to have a reaction from it.

Then he spoke "I gave you a chance to turn away, but now you will watch your friends die, under your own hand." Vecna stood up from the bench as he looked down at Dylan. "And you will die as well. 013."

Before he could respond images flashes through his mind. Robin, Dustin, Lucas, Max, Nancy, Jonathan, Steve, Hopper, Joyce, Erica, holly, Will, Jane, and Mike. gruesome horrible deaths. Their limps snapped, their faces melted, their eyes gone. All dead. And it was his fault.

________________________________

ELEVENS POV

"Dylan?" She said, walking closer to the boy. The strumming of the labs lights gave an eerie effect on the white tiles. She didn't see any dead bodies. Only Dylan.

As she got closer the details of her brother's expression made her fearful. But she persisted, Dylan wouldn't hurt her, right?

Outside, Dr. Brenner and Owen's watched the girl closely, reading her charts as they began violently coming back "Martin! We need to pull her out!" Owen's yelled

"Just one more second!" Martin yelled back.

Eleven had walked up to him, the boys gaze left the floor and they were stuck on her. His pupils were black, with no light reflecting on them. And she could see flesh in between his finger nails.

"Dylan....." Eleven teared up, her brother looked like a monster. She felt her feet falter and inch away. But she was brought back. Memories of Dylan flooded her head. When she first saw him in the woods, when they found her. She recognized him. She felt safe around him. This was her brother.

She collided into him. Giving him a tight embrace. Burying her head into him. She knew he wouldn't hurt her. 

As she felt a hand on her back, her hands fell. Her head was no longer rested against Dylan. She opened her eyes and looked down to see Dylan but when he was no older then 8 years old. His eyes were not dark, they were puffy from tears, and he was not scary, he was simply scared.

"P-please don't tell papa." Dylan cried hugging Eleven. "I did something. And hes going to be angry. I have to run before he finds him."

Elevens expression softens as she knelt down, looking at the boy who was still crying "What did you do? Who will he find?"

Dylan hiccuped, and wiped away his tears before he brushed the cut on his face, flinching in pain. Eleven could see the boys hair was roughly shaven, and he had bruises up and down his legs. His number on his wrist was already burned off. "001. I hurt him. Badly. I hurt his hands....but I had too, I couldn't breathe."

Tears fell down Elevens face, as she hugged the boy again. Dylan wasn't a monster. Monsters hurt him. Eleven took a deep breath, closing her eyes. She was searching for more.

Dr. Owen's looked at the charts that suddenly grew stable "What is she doing?

Dr. Brenner looked at the screens. Seeing his son. He looked normal. He looked like his son. The man shook his head. "Shes searching for more."

Eleven came across, the horrors Dylan was put through, what her brother was put through, as she saw the actual truth—Dr. Brenner faced the same views, seeing himself push and kick 013 around. She was then brought to 001. He appeared younger. He wrapped his hands around Dylan's throat. She looked at 001s face. He looked frightened. As if he knew Dylan was not like him. And that scared him.

She ventured even further until. She made it to the first true memory of Dylan in the lab. Only she and Dr. Brenner saw it. The day Dylan's mother died. They watched the memory.

Dr. Owen's turned around as Dr. Brenner staggered backwards "Martin?"

His eyes welled up in tears, he took shaking breaths. "Dylan.....Dylan." He repeated "Get her.....get her out."

"What?" Owen's asked

"Get her out!" Dr. Brenner yelled. Elevens vitals began dropping, as they turned the machine off, quickly hauling the girl out.

Dr. Brenner, rushed downstairs to Eleven. As he held the girls hand. His own shaking. The memory played back to him over and over again. All Martin could hear was his own thought

What have I done?

____________________________________

UPSIDE DOWN

Nancy gasped as she woke up out of her trance, her legs weak as she collapsed, Steve caught her quickly, setting her down slowly "Hey, hey. It's okay. It's okay" Steve said as Nancy was panting in fear.

She leaned against the trailer wall, collecting herself. As Steve stood up, he heard the scream of his brother

Dylan cried out in anger, his nose bleeding. As he fell to the floor. Steve rushed over. "Dylan. Hey. Look at me." As Dylan looked at his brother the image of seeing his body mutilated made him cry. He buried his face in Steve's shoulder as Steve held him.

Dylan looked ahead in the corner of the trailer, to see Cindy staring at him, and his faceless mother beside her. He just stared back at them. He saw enough death to not be frightened.

___________________________________

DESERT ROAD

Mike sat in a surfer boys pizza van, Will right next to him. Argyle, Jonathan's friend in the passenger seat, and Jonathan driving the van.

Will sat as comfortably as possible leaning against the interior of the van. "Since Vegas is 90 miles away like Suzie said from El, once we pick her up we should stop by. She can make us rich, and we'll never have to work, we can just play DnD and Nintendo for the rest of our lives." Will joked with a soft laugh

Mike nodded with a small smile "Yeah..." he said solemly

Will slightly sat up, seeing Mikes sad expression "Mike? We're gonna get her back."

Mike quickly shook his expression off"Yeah, I know. I know"

"So what's wrong?"Will asked

"I just....I'm worried." Mike shrugged, folding the map up.

"I figured." Will replied "Els gonna be okay."

"No, well yes I'm worried about her too." Mike said "But I'm also worried about...Hawkins."

"Hawkins? What about Hawkins?" Will asked

"Im worried about our friends. I just feel clueless, I have no idea what's happening over there, but something feels off." Mike sighed, he couldn't truly hide the fear he felt. "What if the last conversation that Dyll and I have is me calling him a hypocrite?"

Mike scoffed, getting upset at himself "I just feel so..so stupid. I mean he's obviously upset because his girlfriend died, and I'm over here moping because he's not saying hi to me in the hallways." Mike exclaimed "And now I think Elevens broken up with me, I mean for good reason, I'm just her nerdy boyfriend that got lucky that she showed up in my life and I can't even write "i love you" in our letters." Mike felt himself tear up but he quickly pushed it down with a breath. "And.....now I just feel useless. Dylan probably hates me, and Eleven doesn't need me in her life anymore."

Mike took a moment to contain himself before realizing he over shared with Will. "Im sorry.."

"No, no. It's okay. It's good to get it out." Will nodded "can I show you something?"

Will took his painting out, as he handed it to Mike. Micheal opened the painting to see a detailed acrylic masterpiece of the party fighting a Dzalmus Dragon. Mike smiled looking at the group together. Seeing his paladin with a heart on his shield, Wills cleric, Dustin's Bard, Lucas's ranger, and Dylan's rouge.

"This is amazing." Mike smiled "you painted this?"

"Does that suprise you?" Will asked playfully with a smile "I painted it for us. For the party."

Will pointed at Mikes paladin. "You see your coat of arms here? It's a heart. It's what holds this party together. You help inspire us Mike." Then Will pointed at Dylan's rouge right behind the paladin. "And you see how Dylan's right behind you? It's because he always has your back. The entire parties back, but especially yours. Like them Mike, you and Dylan define odds. Despite being different, you guys always stick together."

Mike smiled with appreciation, as Will put is hand on his shoulder "You help El feel like she belongs Mike, and Dylan doesn't hate you, I don't think he ever could."

"Thanks, Will." Mike held Wills hand on his shoulder for a moment before they both let go.

"Im glad you opened up Mike, really. It's a good thing. Dont be afraid to do it." Will finished

Mike felt his shoulders grow lighter, speaking about it. But his fear didn't decrease. He had no idea what Dylan was going through. And it made his head hurt, and his chest tighten.