Recruiting

HAWKINS INDIANA (MAYFIELD RESIDENCE)

The small cramped living room was quiet. Nancy had just explained everything Vecna showed her, or as they now know him as Henry Creel. Monsters, an army of monsters infiltrating HawkinsFour gates Four chimesFour victims

"And then he showed me..." A tear slipped down Nancy's face, as she sat on a chair, facing Steve, Dylan, and Erica who were all together on a couch. Eddie standing next to Dustin, Lucas across the room from Max, who was by the phone trying to call the Byers residence and Robin seated on the floor. "My mom... and Holly." Nancy trembled, they could all assume it was their deaths, Nancy saw. "Mike." She finished.

As she said his name, Dylan physically jumped, his own mind cursed with the image of Micheal Wheeler Dead, Dylan's hands wrapped out his throat.

Dylan quickly ran to the bathroom inside the trailer, closing the wooden door behind him as he turned the sink on, it wasn't long before Dylan had thrown up, quickly flushing it all way, before he sat by the bathtub, tears down his face, he didn't even want to blink. Every time his eyes closed thats all he saw.

He then heard a knock on the door "Dylan?" It was Nancy

Dylan choked, taking a breath "I-I'm fine, Nancy."It was a moment of silence before the girl opened the door, Dylan forgot to lock it. She turned the sink off and sat on the toilet lid, facing Dylan.

"I forgot to lock it." Dylan sighed, he wiped his tears away, the blood stained on his fingers, melting upon his face.

"Okay." Nancy stated as she turned the bathtub on. "I think you should finally wash the blood off your hands."

Dylan nodded, turning around to place his hands in the cold water. He unraveled the bandages on his hands, the dirt sticking to his wounds as he hissed in pain.

As the blood slowly left his fingers and down the drain, the pain in his palms lessened.

"What did he show you, Dylan?" Nancy asked, her hand laid gently on his back. Dylan's eyes stayed glued to the red water.

"Death." Dylan said "he showed me...all of you dead." His lip trembled, and his hands shook. "And I was the one to do it..."

"He's just trying to scare you." Nancy comforted "Like he was trying to scare me."

"He was warning you—" Dylan argued

"And. Scaring me." Nancy replied "He doesn't know what will happen. He can only give us fear. Because when we're scared, we make mistakes, people get hurt, or worse they die. We can't give him that, Dylan."

Dylan paused, the blood mostly gone from his arms and hands. "Before he showed me that, I had gone in the past too. It was like a different universe. One where everything was normal, I had no scars, everyone was happy. And I....was married." Dylan spat, with an unamused smile. "Then he gave me an offer."

"An offer?" Nancy questioned, her eyes widened with curiosity as Dylan looked at her, his expression stern. This was something the whole group should hear about.

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Max crossed her arms "He's been telling us his plan the whole time"

"Four kills.... Four gates..Lucas stated looking at Max, who met his gaze with a feared expression "The end of the world"

"If that's true..." Dustin said "he's only one kill away"

Eddie put his face in his hands, mumbling in fear as Steve looked at Max "Try 'em again. Try 'em again." He pointed to the phone.

Max typed the Byers home number again which was met with a busy line. Max slammed the phone back "The same shit. It's busy"

"Are you punching the numbers in correctly?" Steve asked

"Steve I think she knows how to use a phone." Dustin said

"Im just saying, she could've typed it in wrong." Steve shrugged

"How is it always busy?" Lucas asked "I told you, Joyce has that telemarketers job. Always on the phone. Mike won't stop whining about it." Dustin replied.

"For three days now it's been busy. Something's wrong." Max commented

As she said this Dylan walked in the room with Nancy. All eyes appeared on them. "She's right." Nancy said "it cant be a coincidence." She gently nudged Dylan.

Dylan looked at her, and then looked back at the group. He looked cleaner, the blood gone from his face, hands, and neck. With new bandages on them. Real bandages. "He gave me an offer."

"What?" Lucas asked

"An offer. Anything I wanted. A new life." Dylan stated. They all looked at him.

"What was the cost?" Dustin asked

"I would have to join him." Dylan admitted, the room mixed with confusion and frustration

"Join him?!" Steve raised his voice "what the hell." "Yeah." Dylan replied "apparently he said he saw me, or something, saw what I was capable of. So he wanted me on his side."

"What did you say? Did you say no?" Eddie asked

"I didn't say yes" Dylan bit back

"That was it?" Max asked from across the room

Dylan looked at her for a moment before nodding "After that it was the same thing. Everyone will die. Including me."

"Hold on." Steve started "I thought you said he didn't want you dead. Thats different!"

Dylan sighed, hoping Steve wouldn't have caught that "Okay, yeah, I guess rejecting him, pissed him off. So now he wants me dead."

Nancy walked up to the window looking ahead "Whatever's happening in Lenora, it's connected to all of this... Im sure of it.... But Vecna cant hurt them. Not if he's dead."

"We have to go back in there." She spoke "Back to the Upside down!"

"Woah woah woah! No, no, no" Steve protested as Eddie backed him up

"Let's think this through." Steve said

"What is there to think about?" Nancy argued

"We barely made it out of there. I don't know if you remember but Dylan was almost eaten alive by bats!" Steve yelled as Dylan rolled his eyes.

Dustin looked at Dylan with a raised eyebrow as Dylan simply waved his hand, not wanting to talk about it.

"Because we weren't prepared! But this time, we will be. We'll get weapons and protection. We'll go through the gate, we'll find his lair, and we'll kill him." Nancy finished

"Or he'll kill us." Steve replied "the only reason you and Dylan survived is because he wanted you to. Hes not scared of us." Steve said looking around the room.

"And for good reason!" Robin stood up "we were wrong about Vecna. Henry." Her words stumbled "one. Sorry, what are we calling him now?"

"One." Said Dustin and Lucas

"Vecna" said Erica

"Henry." Nancy replied

"Asshole." Dylan shrugged

"Right." Robin sighed "we've learned something new about Vecna/Henry/One/ the biggest asshole ever! He is a number like Eleven, Like Dylan, only a sick, evil, male, child-murdering version of them with really bad skin. But, my..." Robin rambled "my point is, hes super powerful. He could turn us inside out with a snap of his fingers. It's not a fair fight."

"So then why fight fair?" Dustin asked "you're right. He's a number. But that gives us the upper hand."

"He's got a point. We know Elevens strengths, but we also know her weaknesses." Dylan said

"Weaknesses?" Erica questioned

"When Eleven remote travels, she goes into this trance-like state. It leaves her vulnerable. So I'm sure the same thing applies to Vecna." Dylan explained

"That would explain what he was doing in that attic" Lucas said

"Exactly!" Dustin smiled "when he attacks his next victim, I'll bet you he's back in that attic, physical body defenseless."

"Defenseless?" Steve scoffed "what about the army of bats?"

"We're just going to have to find a way past them." Dylan shrugged "a distraction. Somewhere far away. Something loud."

"And uh, how do we do that, exactly?" Eddie asked standing up

"No idea" Dylan sighed, as Eddie nodded siting back down.

"But once we figure it out. And once they're gone. He doesn't stand a chance." Dustin exclaimed "it'll be like slaying sleeping Dracula in his coffin!"

"That all sounds good in theory but there is no pattern to Vecna's killings." Robin said, every one contemplating for a moment. She had a good point, they weren't sure when he was to be in his trance. "We don't know when he's going to attack next, we don't know who—"

"Yeah we do." Max's voice silenced the room "I can still feel him. Im still marked."

Dylan tilted his head down. He knew Vecna wanted him dead as well, but he just wished it was like this. That way, Dylan could be bait. And Max was safe. But he knew he wasn't like the other cursed. Vecna wanted him lifeless, but not like this.

"I ditch Kate bush. I draw his focus back to me." Max said as Lucas cut her off his voice shaking"Max.... You cant. He'll kill you."

"I survived once" she comforted him "i can survive again" her voice tinted with determination "I just need to keep him busy—long enough so that you guys can get into that attic. And then you can chop his head off, stab him in the heart. Blow him up with some explosives Dustin cooks up. I honestly don't care how you put this asshole in his grave. Just.... Whatever it is... whatever you do... try not to miss."

As a plan came together the group nodded, they knew what they had to do, how they had to prepare. And they expected to do it alone. But they didn't know that Eleven was watching them, understanding there plan. And making her own to help them.

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Eddie slammed a call book down on the table, everyone crowding around him. He flipped to a page "Check this out." He pointed to the bottom left corner "The War Zone. I've been there once. It's huge they got everything you need for, uh...well, killing things, basically."

Dylan stared at the image of a buff man carrying guns and grenades. It was pathetic to him, this place looked idiotic. Robin seemed to share the same opinion "You think fake Rambo has enough guns there?" She asked "is that a grenade? I mean, how is any of this legal?"

"Well, lucky for us it is, so.." Eddie states "This.. this place is just far enough outside of Hawkins. As long as we steer clear of main roads, we oughta be able to avoid cops and, uh, angry hicks."

"If we're trying to avoid angry hicks, maybe we shouldn't go to some store called the War Zone." Erica sassily replied

"Normally, I'd agree, but we need the weapons. So I think it's worth the risk." Nancy sighed

"Me too" Lucas added

"But is it worth the time? It'll take all day to bike there and back." Dustin said, as they nodded, it was too far from any gate, too far in general.

"Who said anything about bikes?" Eddie hinted.

"You got a car, Eddie?" Dylan asked, as Eddie straightened his back next to the boy, trying to make himself appear taller than he was. "It's not exactly a car, Dylan. And it's not exactly mine. But, uh...it'll do."

Eddie then turned around to face Max. "Hey, red, you got a ski mask or a bandanna, something like that?"Max pondered for a moment when she recalled her first Halloween here in Hawkins, glancing at Lucas.

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Eddie peered behind a trailer, holding a toolbox in his hand, as he wore a Micheal myers mask. The one Max had scared the party with, when they were the ghostbusters and a ghost.

They creeped behind trailers in broad daylight, looking around, making sure they weren't seen, and following Eddie. They came upon one trailer, that had its owners watching the news together right beside it. He creeped quickly and quietly to the other side, Eddie feeling all the windows when he stopped at the last one, opening it and jumping through. Steve quickly followed in after him. Dylan kneeled beside it, propping his one leg up.

"Hurry, come on." He hushed as Nancy, Robin, and Erica used his leg to get up easier. Dustin walked over as well but Dylan stopped him. Looking at Lucas and Dustin "You guys got this." He slightly smirked, jumping in, as he, with difficulty, landed on a rough couch.

"Son of a bit—" Dustin cursed as he also managed to jump in with some assistance from Lucas. As Lucas closed the window from the inside, Eddie locked the door. Before jumping in the drivers seat. And opening his tool box.

Dylan glanced out the window, looking at the people who lived there. Seeing if they noticed a group of young people jumping into their car/home. As Eddie hot wired the car, it jumped to a start. The radio playing "Up Around The Bend" loudly as the two people who were once unaware, began yelling and banging the windows.

"Okay guys, let's go!" Dylan yelled as Steve replaced Eddie in the drivers seat. Everyone else finding a place to sit. "Everybody, hang on to something!" Steve yelled

"Let's go let's go!" Lucas yelled as everyone's voices clamored together in a panic "Drive, Steve! DRIVE!" Dustin screamed, as Steve's bare foot pressed against the gas pedal, the trailer riding away across the fields of grass and roughly unto the gravel.

"Shit they looked pissed!" Dustin yelled anxiously

"I wonder why!" Dylan replied sarcastically "It's not everyday you lose both your house and car in one fell swoop!" Robin added

The tires screech and they hit one or two trash cans, but they made it to the clean road, the bumps and direct turns became smooth. As Dylan caught his breath, he relaxed his head on the interior of the trailer.

They all began laughing and cheering, and Dylan cracked a relieved smile.

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They had been on the road for a good period of time, the houses and people died down into the green trees of spring. Dylan had glanced over at Steve and Nancy talking. He thought back to what Vecna had shown him, and he wanted to show no fear. He then remembered before when he snapped at Steve, he never really got to apologize for it.He's never been able to apologize for being distant either.

"Hey Nancy?" Dylan said, walking behind the girl

"Yeah?" She responded gently Dylan felt nervous for no good reason "Can I have the passenger seat for a moment?"

"Of course" Nancy smiled as the two switched. The girl walked away until, Steve and Dylan's voices were out of range for anyone's ears.

"Hey." Steve said "hey." Dylan replied The two sat awkwardly for a moment, both wanting to say something. Steve's hands gripped around the steering wheel, and Dylan's hand fumbled with the seat belt. "I- Dylan started "I- Steve said at the same time as they both stopped

"You go first." Dylan said, as Steve shook his head, clicking his tongue. "No it's alright, you go."

Dylan wasn't going to win this battle so he nodded. Thinking about his words "I wanted to say, I'm sorry, for snapping at you, at the creel house I mean. Or anytime before that. Im also sorry for distancing myself." Dylan spoke, as Steve glanced over at him every time he could before having to look back at the road. "I learned that I shouldn't be scared, it only helps Henry, so I'm trying to not, be scared anymore and umm, it's really hard. Because I want to be with you guys—but every time I am,  I feel like something bad might happen." Dylan looked at his brother, his eyes glossy "and I don't want anyone to get hurt."

Steve listened to his brother, his fears "Do you remember when dad and mom brought you home for the first time?" Steve asked

Dylan's face slightly scrunched up in confusion, on where Steve was going with this. "Yeah, everything was so new." Dylan slightly chuckled.  

"Well, believe it or not, I hated it." Steve confessed "It sucks to admit it but I hated you, I mean I was a stupid kid, I was what, 12?" "And when I first saw you, you had bandages all over you and your head was shaven, I told myself, I would never love this kid, and this kid will never be my brother."

"Really?" Dylan asked with suprise and some amusement.

"Yeah. I know. And then one day, I was in my room. And I was crying.Dad had just yelled at me, for the fifth time. And I finally broke. But......I forgot to close my door, and before I knew it you were there." Steve's voice faltered and it shook as his eyes were glistening. Dylan had never seen him like this before. "And, I pushed you away, I ignored you, I did everything I possibly could to keep my distance from you, but...." He choked,  a tear falling down his cheek. "You still came back, and you hugged me."

Steve looked at Dylan, his expression bittersweet. "From that day forward, I swore to myself that I would never leave your side. That I would love you no matter what. And so far Ive kept it, no matter how much you've distanced yourself away from me, no matter who you love, you're always going to be my brother.....and I love you."He reached over, gripping Dylan shoulder, as Dylan held Steve hand there with a smile, and a few tears that escaped his eyes. "I love you, too." Dylan smiled truthfully.

"You're a good kid, Dylan. And because I know you, Im afraid you're gonna hurt yourself, trying to save more people than you can. I can't lose you, so for the sake of my heart not stopping can you try to be a bit less reckless and unpredictable?" Steve laughed with some seriousness still in his tone.

"I'll try." Dylan nodded with a laugh himself. Steve pursed his lips with a subtle nod, putting his hands back on the wheel and his eyes back on the road, as Dylan looked at the bright trees.

Steve had just spoken to Nancy about wanting a lot of little Harringtons, and in all honesty, Steve would hope all of his kids were exactly like his little brother.

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ARMY ZONE

As they stopped the trailer in the parking lot of this killer supermarket, Dylan could already smell the beer and neck sweat. The parking lot was littered with rusty trucks and political hats. Dylan was dreading the inside.

Lucas, Dustin, and Eddie had to stay back to keep watch, as well as staying hidden from anyone since they were a part of Hellfire. The rest reached the door, walking in, both Dylan and Steve were covered in injuries, and Steve had his jungle spread out. Despite this they blended in with the crowd the most, which said something.

"So much for avoiding angry hicks." Robin scoffed "Let's also pick up some clothes, maybe shoes." Dylan said looking down at Steve. "Let's be fast." Nancy said looking around, getting nervous by the amount of people.

"Definitely." Erica informed

Dylan split away from the groups, picking up bandages in his basket, and some clothes for himself,   He found a long sleeve black shirt that reached tightly around his neck, keeping his bandages in place—protecting them, a dark green bomber jacket, cleaner black hunting pants, and fingerless gloves that protected his palms. The outfit was something Dylan would never wear on a normal day, but it kept him protected and warm.

He dropped in a few more bandages and cleaning supplies for wounds, when he passed by an axe. This axe was big, and heavy. But to Dylan, picking it up was like picking up a small rock. Its handle was strong, and it was constructed from copper and steel. Two metals that work well with heat. He placed it in the basket, grabbing shotgun ammo and barbed  wire.

He glanced around for his friends when he noticed Jason Carver speaking to Nancy Wheeler at the gun counter. Her expression cautious and a bit timid, but keeping her posture strong.

He walked over.

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Nancy gripped her shotgun tightly as she kept her gaze strong on Jason who inched closer and closer to her, the white of his eyes red, his hair tussled. He looked insane, like he reached his breaking point.

"Want my advice?" Jason asked, setting his gun down "Shotguns are not good for much of anything past killing small birds." He walked close enough for Nancy to only be able to focus on him. "I mean, they got power, sure, but not much range. And it's just gonna force you into close-range combat, then someone can just grab that barrel like this.." Jason violently gripped the guns barrel, his lips perking at Nancy's suprised expression. "And redirect it."

Nancy, tried pulling her gun back but he kept his grip on it, tight. "Well, you look nervous." Jason chuckled

"Like I said.." Nancy replied "scary times." Jason stared at the girl for a period of time, they were in the same grade, he had seen her walking down the halls, working on the school paper, and now that hellfire was being hunted, She's buying a gun. "Your brother...is he uh, here with you, by chance?"

"Mike?" Nancy questioned

"Mike." Jason repeated

Nancy kept eye contact, making sure her voice was clear "No." She shook her head

"I only ask because he's, he's in hellfire, isn't he?" Jason brought up, seeing the boys face in the clubs picture. And seeing him at the lunch table with Eddie Munson wearing their club shirt.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Nancy replied trying to pull her gun away again, as his grip simply grew tighter "What about his friends?" Jason asked "they here with you?"

"Would you let go?" Nancy asked her voice hushed but serious. He simply stared at her"Let. go." She repeated this time with no hesitation.

Jason didn't listen as his fingers gripped so tight, his blood stopped circulating around them. Leaving his fingers white. "I think you heard her. She said let go." Dylan's voice interrupted their eye contact  as Jason looked at the boy. He had seen him before, just some quiet freak in his English class.

Dylan walked over taking ahold of the gun as Nancy stepped back, Jason raised his head in false confidence and aggression, before Dylan easily yanked the shotgun out of his tight grip. Jason's face faltered in suprise at the boys strength, seeing the freshmen give the shotgun back to Nancy.

"Have a nice day, Jason." Dylan smiled politely, keeping his gaze on him before walking away with Nancy.

They quickly walked across the store to get to the cashier. Leaving Jason behind."Thank you." Nancy said in appreciation "It's nothing, let's just get out of here." Dylan replied

As they quickly paid for their items, Dylan noticed a pack of Marbolo cigarettes in Red. He took the pack putting it in his pocket before pausing, he looked at Nancy who was right next to him and Steve's words of not doing anything reckless rang in his head. He didn't need them. He put them back on the shelf. Grabbing the brown bags given to him by the cashier and he and Nancy quickly fled the store, Steve, Robin, and Erica behind them.

They quickly jumped into the trailer setting their bags down as Steve sat in the drivers seat "What took you so long?" Dustin asked

"Jason and the guys are here, and they know me and Nancy are here. So we need to go. Drive Steve." Dylan said as Steve was taking his time "Drive!" Nancy yelled "Im going!" Steve responded as they drove away, back to the gate. Back to Hawkins. Jason's eyes followed the trailer as something about it didnt feel right. And something about Harringtons little brother, the one he had seen speak to Dustin, Lucas, and Mike.... being with Mikes older sister, didnt feel right. They were hiding something.

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NINA PROJECT (NEVADA)

"You can't leave Eleven..." Dr. Brenner's voice echoed through the place,  his shoes clamoring with the metal he walked on.

"Where is Dr. Owen's?" Eleven asked, her eyes glancing around the area once filled with scientists, now quiet and abandoned. 

"Dr. Owen's had a change of heart." Martin lied "I know you wish to go to him, and there's nothing I can do to stop you from forcing open that door. But if my men hear you coming, they will kill him. And alone, you will never find your way out of this desert to your friends." Elevens heart dropped, hearing his voice at a calm demeanor with such harsh words brought her back to the lab she was once trapped in. "Here's what we're going to do." He said "You and I are going to complete our work together. And when I decide that you are ready, we will return to Hawkins, together. Papa and daughter."

Eleven exhaled "Why are you doing this?" She asked

"Because there's no other choice." He responded

"There is a choice." She argued

"Only one that is right." He argued back, viewing her as a pet, something he can keep in a cage. "And you make the right choices?" Eleven mocked

"I try." Dr. Brenner nodded.

Elevens eyes stung with tears "Did you make the right choice with Mama?" She asked Martins expression faltered "Your mother was sick, Eleven. She was a danger to herself and to others. She brought a gun into the hospital. She killed a man."

"Hospital?" Eleven said, walking closer to the man"No." She shook her head "a prison."

"Everything I have done was for your own good. For your own protection." He stated

"And Henry?" Eleven began "You kept Henry in that lab. With the children." She whimpered "was that for our good? Was that a right choice?" She raised her voice.

"I had no idea what Henry would do. I cared for you. I loved you. I loved all of you." Martin spoke

"Even Henry?" Eleven asked "yes." Martin stated. A tear fell down her face "What about your son? Your real son! Dylan! Not 013. Dylan! You kept him there, hurting him for something that YOU did." She spat in anger.

Martins hands shook, shaking his head slowly as that was his only defense. He had hurt his son, for something he did.

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HAWKINS INDIANA

The group find a secluded place to get their weapon's ready, splitting into pairs and trios. Dylan sat next to Dustin and Eddie, in a large field of grass away from the public eye, as he helped push large nails into trash can lids for shields. "When did you discover your abilities?" Eddie questioned Dylan took another nail, heating the area that he was pushing it through before placing the sharp end in that spot and hitting it with his palm, pushing the nail through. "When I was in a stable home for the first time, and my memory of everything vanished."

"Probably a trauma response." Dustin addedAs Dylan tilted his head to him in acknowledgment "It took me until I learned how to properly speak again, to understand my powers. I would grab something and it would break in my hands or dent. And sometimes without knowing I would make my cups of water hot. So when Steve went to pick them up, well." Dylan pushed another nail through, as he finished it. "Here." Dylan handed it to Eddie.

Eddie took it quickly with a smile, waving it around "How does it feel?" Dustin asked as Dylan took his axe and begun wrapping barbed wire over the blade, careful to not cut his fingers.

"Light. But durable!" Eddie answered "deadly. But reliable." Dustin chuckled goofily as Eddie put his foot on a plastic carton "Hear me now!" He spoke dramatically in a grungy tone

"Oh jeez.." Dylan sighed

"There will be no more retreating....!" Eddie announced "from Eddie...the banished..." Dylan rolled his eyes as Dustin laughed, grabbing his own shield "Hey, I guess you're really ready for bat—tle." Dustin joked, as Dylan smiled at the corny joke.

Eddie turned around to look at Dustin who was chortling. "You get it?" Dustin asked as Eddie simply gave him an unamused look "Bat—tle... B-A-T" Dustin hopelessly explained, as he got no response, he groaned "no? Alright, I thought I had a good one." Before he could set his shield down Eddie tackled him playfully, as the two wrestled behind Dylan. Dylan watched them amused, still wrapping his axe.

Eddie grabbed Dustin and faced him, out of breath. "Never change. Dustin Henderson. Promise me?"

"Wasn't planning on it." Dustin replied

"Do you two want privacy?  because I can leave." Dylan quipped. Looking down at his axe when he felt  a smack on his face. Dustin threw a glove at him, quickly backing away after with a smile. Dylan stood up placing his axe down "Son of a bit—" Dylan laughed, before he could get to Dustin, Eddie tackled his legs, which didn't affect him at all.

"Really?" Dylan beamed before Dustin tried tackling him by his torso, Dylan pushed back not using any of his strength. "You're gonna tire yourselves out!" Dylan laughed. As Dustin and Eddie cheered each other on to take him down.

Then before Dylan could react, Lucas snuck up on him and pulled him down by his shoulder"Whoa!" Dylan yelped All four of them crashed to the floor in a fit of laughter.

Steve watched from afar with a smile seeing them run around laughing, chasing each other like how they did when they were still in middle school. When they were kids unaware of their future.

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NEVADA

Brown smoke rushed into the air from the fire of the helicopter that Eleven took down. Jonathan stopped the van as they all rushed out. Eleven stared at the smoke, her ears ringing as blood fell from her nose, her hands covered in dirt.

"El!" Micheal yelled as he rushed over placing his hand on the girls shoulder. Eleven faced him, seeing his face and then quickly smiling, hugging the boy."Mike." She sighed in relief.

The note she had left for him before, it had meaning to it. She knew Mike loved her, but she also knew he didn't love her the way she thought he did. And as she rested her hand on his cheek he could see it in her eyes that she was strong, and she didn't need him too.

She glanced over at Will, the boy she saw as family. Mike helped her walk to him as the two embraced "Are you okay?" Will asked, in tears

"Im okay." She nodded, she then felt the trap around her neck, it was only a second before it opened and she took it off. Looking to see Dr.Brenner. With the control in his hands.

She walked over to him, with profound control and power, she was now looking down at him. Bullet holes were on his body, as his mouth filled with warm blood.

"Eleven.... I know I have made mistakes... and I don't deserve your forgiveness.. or m-my son's forgiveness. But I'm sorry, and when you see Dylan, tell him I'm so very sorry. Im so proud of you Eleven. I am." He choked, his sentence cutting short.

"Goodbye papa." She declared, as she stood up and walked away.

As Dr.Brenner laid in the hot sun, his wounds aches, and his lungs filled with blood.  His mind went to one thing, the sound of his son's laughter, at home, while his wife cooked breakfast, and he was guilty.

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HAWKINS INDIANA

As the trailer drove down the smooth road, with the sun setting. It was quiet. Really quiet. With their weapons in hand, and armor protecting their bodies, they drove to the Creel house. Max, Lucas, and Erica got off, carrying lanterns, and Max listening to Kate Bush. Dylan watched them get off, hoping the next time he got to see Max she would be alive. Hoping they were all alive.

As they drove away to the gate, to get to the upside down. Dylan looked at all of his friends, his old and his new. "Hey Eddie." Dylan said as the man looked at him. "I just wanted to say the concept of Hellfire isn't horrible. It's a really nice club you have, actually."

Eddie smiled "Next time we have a campaign, would you be willing to join?" Eddie offered "I think my sheep need their rouge back."

Dylan looked at him, and then looked at the hand Eddie extended out to him. He wasn't one to make a promise before a fight but this one seemed harmless. "Um, Why the hell not..." he mumbled taking Eddie's hand

"Welcome to hellfire, Harrington." Eddie smiled, proud to find more sheep, especially one that had supernatural abilities.

Dylan smiled, it would be fun to be in another campaign, the last game of DnD he played was before Will had left to California. And as he shook Eddie's hand he was making the choice to reunite with his friends. And to stay with them, for as long as the universe let him.