No more then three

(RUSSIA) KAMCHATKA

"We have a big fight ahead of us." The man said shoving scoops of peas into his mouth. All the men at the table looked at him with confusion not stopping their feast of delicacies that they haven't been able to eat in years, let alone smell.

"What are you talking about? A Fight?" Enzo grunted, glancing at the men all dirtied up with cuts and bruises not in the state to fight.

"I have been in this place one week. My first night, I saw six men enter this room. Six. Just like us. They came out happy and fat, faces smothered in grease." He smiled using his hands to express his story, as the other men sitting around the table looked at him through lit candles in a once gentle but now eerie ambiance. They grew scared

"But when night fell," he continued "they were thrown into that pit out there. But not alone...." His smile was gone as he leaned in closer to the table"Have any of you heard the tale of the demon from the KGB? The one with sharp yellow teeth, gray skin, strong and quick!" He waited around for any replies "with...a scar?" He traced down his face as the table seemed to finally understand. The other men quickly nodding.

Throughout his visit Hopper had picked up more Russian than expected. He found himself remembering that time Dylan was trapped by these Russian guards, who worshipped him? Explained by Dustin. Or instead feared him, feared him enough to want him on their side. But Dylan wasn't here, which left one other actual Demon.

He hosted up from the floor, taking the bigger bottle of alcohol as he coughed noisily, distracting the Russian guards.

"Thirty seconds it took! Thirty seconds....and all six men." He swiped his thumb over his throat slowly, signifying death.

"You speak no sense." A man spoke up from the other side of the table.  "If they plan to kill us tonight, why waste this food on us?"

"They want us strong!" He explained "so we can fight it. To test its strength, to train this monster for war." His voiced deepened "but last week, the men got their weapons....then scattered like fools. We stick together...perhaps we will stand a chance!" He raised his fist. "Perhaps we live to see another day!" He placed his hand in the middle of the table as the other men complied, forming a group alliance.

Till tomorrow, Hopper heard them say. Cheering and laughing, so full of hope yet they aren't even preparing themselves for the right thing. He chuckled letting his head hang as he rested his elbow on his knees.

"Let me guess...." Hopper spoke, the only one understanding him being Enzo, who questioned him, simply staring at the American. "This.... демон.. is also tall, about nine feet?" He asked "thick skin....no visible face." Hopper scoffed

Enzo, stared at Hopper, trying to puzzle what was going through his head, the man next to him shook his arm. "Come on, come on, come one, translate!"

Enzo began translating what Hopper had just asked, the prisoners listened in, the one knowing the most seemed to pale, nodding quickly at Jim. "How do you know this?" He asked, Hopper quickly answered him.

"Because Ive seen one..." Jim explained, Enzo muttering quickly to the men. "And I've fought one. And all your theories about it...even the ones about what it is..they're all wrong."

The men seemed to grow defensive, why was this American questioning them? Though they didn't stop listening or interrupt him. Their hands that were once gripped with food, sat on their plates, unmoving.

"You know why they feed captive predators live prey? Because if they don't, the predator gets bored and it stops eating. It needs the thrill of the hunt. We're not here to train this monster with swords and axes. We're here to entertain it." Hopper grabbed a walnut from a bowl in front of him twirling it around in his fingers "And this food...this food isn't to make us strong.." he grabbed the hammer, smashing the shell in half, as pieces scattered. The noise causing them all to jump. "It's to make us plump.....so we're full of the nutrients and protein that a growing monster might need."

The men all paled as Hopper continued, feeling sick to their stomachs. "And that..demon...you talked about with the scar. You wish he was here to help you...." Hopper looked up at them"But he isn't. So eat up boys....this is your last meal."

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HAWKINS INDIANA—FOREST

Wet leaves, and mushy mud. It surrounded Dylan's shoes as he walked through the forest, trailing behind his friends. Steve and Dustin were arguing in the front about directions, Steve using his memory and Dustin using a compass. Then Robin and Nancy walked together, their conversation much quieter. Lucas and Max walking in silence sharing a few words.

Dylan would walk closer, say something, but his ear was already being hacked off by someone he knew he shouldn't be hearing.

"Oooooh Dylan? Why won't you talk to me?" Cindy's sly voice surrounded him as he had no where to go. He found himself walking slower, seeing the group go a little further than him in the trees before talking as quietly as he could.

"When I talk to you.....am I talking to Vecna?" He asked "I know the reason I see you is because of him."

"Because of who?" She asked with a smile

Dylan stopped walking, looking at the girl, she looked older than he last saw her, as well as more alive. Her pupils were back to green, her makeup clean and crisp, as she suffered no marks around her neck. It was like he was actually looking at her.

"Vecna, because of Vecna." Dylan replied clutching his fist, nervously observing the girl

"Who's that? Your boyfriend?" Cindy giggled, as Dylan grimaced rolling his eyes before turning away from her. "Never mind..."

He tried to walk away before he felt her hands firmly on his shoulders. Dylan tensed up, his breath quickened as he felt sick to his stomach. "Hmm....you've gotten tall, and skinnier, though I don't mind...." Cindy's hands trailed to the outside of his arms "since you still have your muscle..."

"Don't touch me." He roughly said, jerking his arms away from her grip. Like an angel Nancy appeared at the top of the hill in front of him with a confused face

"Dylan? Come on. We're changing routes again." Dylan quickly ran to Nancy, seeing Cindy stand still as she watched him from afar. Nancy gave Dylan the bag of supplies she was holding, as she then wrapped her arm around his. "Let's hope they're not leading us in the wrong direction." 

Dylan slightly laughed before looking behind him to see that Cindy was still there watching them. Nancy caught his gaze looking behind him as well to see nothing. "Dylan? Is something wrong?" She asked

Dylan shook his head looking at Nancy before walking forward with her."Nope, nothings wrong...sorry I thought I heard something, let's catch up with them.

Nancy nodded staying with the boy, hiding her concern under a firm smile. Oh how Dylan worried her. From the day in the hot cabin, to his black eye in the mall, she worried. And it wasn't only her, she knew her mom worried for him, even when she didn't know half of the truth, and she knew Micheal worried.

Her brother, she began to feel grateful that Mike was in California. He was so different when Dylan stopped coming over, she knew the two grew apart as Nancy could hear it in Mike's voice when he said the boys name. She noticed, it wasn't hard. But to think of how Mike would be if he knew how much trouble his best friend was in....it was something she didn't even want to think about.

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Steve pushed the scratchy leaves away from his face, "Boom! Bada bing, Bada boom! There she is Henderson." Triumph in his tone "Skull Rock."

He brushed dirt off his clothes. "In your face, man. In your stupid, cocky little face." Steve mocked 

Dustin pushed through the bushes behind Steve, a look of confusion on his face seeing the rock. "Doesn't make sense."

Steve imitated Dustin with his hand, rolling his eyes "Yeah...even with it staring right at you in the face, you can't admit it. You just can't admit you're wrong, you little butthead."

The sound of a thud in the leaves got Steve and Dustin to simultaneously turn around to see Eddie Munson, his curly hair a bit messier, and his white shoes were now slightly splattered with dirt. "I concur." The man spoke "you, Dustin Henderson, are a...total butthead.."

Dustin goofily smiled "Jeez, we thought you were a goner." He quickly hugged the older man, latching his arms around him tightly as Eddie simply patted his back in a friendly manner. "Yeah me too man, me too." Eddie sighed

Steve gave him a little head nod, his hands on his hips as Eddie shared the gesture before the group caught up with them.

Dylan holding the food in his right arm, used his left to open the bushes as Nancy, Robin, Max, and Lucas walked through without the inconvenience of thorns.

Then walking through himself, Eddie seemed to immediately reach for the tan bag, his stomach aching from hunger. Dylan didn't notice Eddie's fast movement, his eyes on Steve.

When he saw hands flying towards him, getting a phantom stab in his ribs and a shock up his spine, he jerked back violently. Before seeing it was Eddie.

Eddie noticed the boys reaction, moving his hands back, hesitant to grab the bag. Dylan quickly handed it to him with a pursed smile"Sorry..." he mumbled "There's two cans of coke at the bottom, so don't shake it too much." before walking over to Steve.

Eddie nodded, watching the boy walk away. *He could probably kill me if he wanted to.* Eddie thought *why would he flinch?* He shrugged digging into the bag.

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"When I got to shore, I tried calling you guys, but, uh my walk-ie was busted." Eddie explained crouched underneath skull rock, trash covering the area from other kids and two cans of freshly finished coke laid by Eddie's feet.The group stood around him, Lucas and Max together, Nancy and Robin side by side, Dylan leaning against Steve who was by a tree, and Dustin walking around the area back and forth checking his compass diligently.

"Drenched." Eddie spat "so, uh, I did the thing that I do now, apparently." He smiled sarcastically "I ran!"

"Do you know what time this was? The attack?" Nancy asked, glancing at Dylan before giving Eddie her full attention.

"Yeah, no, I...I know exactly what time it was." Eddie nodded taking his watch off "my walkie wasn't the only thing that got soaked." He dangled it before throwing it at Nancy, who caught it against her chest. "9:27." She muttered

"Same time, the lights went kablooey." Robin replied "And when Dylan..." Steve made a face, shaking his hands around and mimicking his brother's scream. "Thank you, Steve." Dylan blinked giving Steve a look.

"So that surge of energy was Vecna attacking Patrick." Nancy said "and Dylan was able to observe and feel it, which before he could only hear..?"Dustin's footsteps behind her getting louder

"Well, we're one step closer. We know how Vecna attacks." Robin stated

"And where he attacks from." Lucas finished

"So now we just need to sneak into his lair in the upside down and drive a stake through his heart." Max joked

Robin huffed "if he even has a heart."

Dylan observed Eddie as he continued eating, looking around ever so often in fear, as he kept blinking in patterns. Dylan knew that Eddie didn't need to be involved in this, he felt embarrassed for flinching but Eddie probably wasn't going to remember that. It was the least of his problems at the moment.

"A stake? Is he like a vampire? Is he a vampire?" Steve asked with genuine curiosity "It was a metaphor." Max expresses

"A bullet should work on him, right?" Eddie asked

"I say we chop his head off." Lucas added

"Good luck." Dylan sighed

"Yeah, I say all of the above expect we can't do any of that until we find a way into the Upside down. And even if Dylan still had all of his powers, he's never opened one before." Nancy responded

"We need El." Dylan said grumbling to himself, missing his sister. "Yes, we need her powers." Max added "Everything would be so much easier." Dylan sighed as Steve placed a hand on his back.

"Right the girl..." Eddie mumbled before looking back at a Dustin in concern "Hey, Henderson's not, uh, cursed, is he?" Eddie asked

"Cursed? No, no. He's fine." Steve answered "Mental? Absolutely."

With a moment of silence they all jumped as Dustin screamed "BOOM!" He yelled, the sound echoing as he turned around, facing them, especially Steve. He pointed his finger at the man. "Bada....bada...boom." Steve gave Dustin a contorted look, his arms crossed "I was right." Dustin expressed, Steve rolled his eyes in surprise and disbelief "Skull rock was north." Dustin spat "Seriously?" Steve replied "you're serious?"

"Mm—hmm." Dustin nodded

Steve pointing at the large rock"This is skull rock! Okay?" Dustin simply nodded once again with a smile as Steve grew more annoyed "You're totally, absolutely, 100% wrong. Right now."

"Yes." Dustin said "and no."

"Oh my.." Steve put his face in his hands "I'm gonna kill him." He muttered

"This compass worked correctly when we left the Wheelers. It was correct when he got in the car on Kerley. But it started to slip the further east we went." As Dustin started to explain, Dylan and Lucas looked at each other, familiar with this topic as friends. "Now it's way off, so when I was leading us here, I wasn't wrong." Dustin lifted the compass to view "this was."

"So you're using faulty equipment. Dude you're still wrong."  Steve maddened "No...he's not." Dylan replied "What—" Steve started before Dylan shushed him standing up and taking Dustin's compass as Dustin goofily smiled looking at Steve tauntingly.

Dylan looked at the compass, Dustin was right, the needle wasnt pointed towards the Earths north magnetic pole like it was supposed to. "Lucas, come here, please." Dylan said as Lucas stood by Dylan the two observing the needle, smiling before facing the group again.

"So it's not a faulty compass?" Robin asked

"No." Dylan stated "something else is messing with the compass." Dylan looked at Lucas. "An electromagnetic field." The boy finished

"Sorry, I must have skipped that class." Robin raised her eyebrows.

"In the presence of a stronger electromagnetic field, the needle will deflect towards that power." Dustin explained

"So either there's some super big magnet around here." Lucas said

"Or a gate." Dylan finished

The three boys smiled excitedly, falling back into their old ways, expressing their joy for science like how they did in middle school.

"But we're no where near the lab." Nancy stated

"But what if, somehow, there's another gate? A gate that we don't know about. I'd have to be smaller, way less powerful." Dustin said

"Snack—size gate." Robin added

"How? Why?" Steve asked

"No idea. All I know is that something is causing this disturbance, and the last time we've seen anything like it, it was a gate." Dustin replied "And I hope it is because then we'd have a way to Vecna. And a shot at freeing Max and Dylan from this curse." Dustin began walking away

"Where are you going?" Steve immediately questioned. "We can't just hike in the woods, Eddie's still a wanted man!"

Dustin faced them once again, his heels hot."This steel capsule might be the one key to saving Max, Dylan, and Eddie all together. What say you, Eddie the banished?"

They all looked at Eddie for a response "I say, you're asking me to follow you into Mordor." Eddie spoke, only three people actually understanding him "Which, if im totally straight with you, I think is a bad idea.....but the shire....the shire is burning."

Dustin jumped in excitement as Eddie stood up "So Mordor it is."

Dustin began walking down the trail as the rest followed him, Nancy linking their arms together with Dylan as they were before—Dylan didn't complain.He kept his eyes down towards the dirt and leaves on the ground, listening to the voices of his friends.

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LOVERS LAKE The blue sky grew dark faster then a blink, as they trampled through the woods following Dustin who was going faster then any of them wanted too.

"Henderson, can you slow down!" Eddie complained

"We're getting close!" Dustin replied excitedly his eyes on his compass.

Dylan passed through branches with thorns and leaves trying his best to open them up for his friends so they wouldn't get cut, getting poked himself in the process.

They finally passed through into an open space as Dustin almost fell into the water"Watch your step, big guy." Eddie said pulling him back

"Ahh man." Steve huffed looking over the large body of water "you got to be shitting me."

"Yeah, I thought these woods were familiar." Eddie sighed looking at the location he saw Patrick get brutally killed

"Lovers lake." Robin said

"This is....confounding." Dustin commented

Dylan saw the reflection of the trees over the dark water, he's never been the one to swim. He knew how thanks to Steve. But going to a pool or a lake where everyone expects you to take your shirt and jump right in to the cold water. Not for him.

"There's a gate in lovers lake?" Max furrowed her brows as Lucas seemed to share the same confusion next to her.

"Whenever the demogorgon attacked, it always left an opening." Nancy recalled "maybe Vecna's the same way."

"That would make sense.." Dylan agreed nodding along.

"Well only one way to find out." Steve patted Dylan's shoulder shaking him. "Where's that boat?"

Eddie led them all to the hidden boat behind a bush, two oars inside and a two chairs, big enough for around 4 adults, or 6 kids. 5 adults if you pick wisely.

"Here, step back..." Dylan said as they all listened, all except Eddie. "Woah, the boats a little heavy...here let me help—" The man began reaching out before Dylan gripped the boat tightly one hand on the edge and the other on the side. Dylan lifted the boat with ease as he walked and placed it in the water, a bit of it splashing his pants. "Awwwh." Dylan complain feeling the water on his ankle.

"Never mind.."Eddie mumbled as Steve walked past him patting his chest with the back of his hand "You'll get used to it." Steve said

Robin walked up first as Dylan helped her on the boat, then Eddie, and then Nancy. All with the aid of Dylan. As Dustin was about to also use Dylan's hand to get on the boat Eddie stopped him flicking his hat as Dustin backed away. "Hey, hey, hey you trying to sink us?" Eddie asked "This thing holds three people, tops, okay?"

As Eddie said that Dylan stepped in the boat, Dustin extending his hands in disbelief as Eddie allowed Dylan on the boat. "You just said—" Dustin started as Eddie cut him off "The kid just picked up a boat...like off the ground. I want him on it."

"Im not sure if I want him on it." Steve replied looking at his brother who sat next to Eddie and Robin. "Hey, you heard Eddie...he wants me on the boat.." Dylan replied snarky "so I'm on the boat."

"What the hell." Dustin said offended as Nancy tried to defuse the situation "It's better this way, okay? You guys stay here with Max. Keep an eye out for trouble."

"You keep an eye out!" Dustin argued as Nancy gave him a look before he reciprocated "it's my goddamn theory."

"You heard Nance." Robin replied

"Who put her in charge?" Dustin asked pointing at Nancy

"I did." Dylan replied, as Dustin flipped him off, which only caused Dylan to smile.

"Compass." Nancy extending her hand out to Dustin as he begrudgingly handed it to her with a pout.

As Steve pushed the boat into the water, he jumped in exceeding the limit by two now. Dustin scoffed "You said three!"

Steve gave him a little wave as Robin rowed them "Sorry...." Steve said looking at Max, Dustin and Lucas.

"Bed time at nine, kiddos!" Robin yelled at the three still on shore, before looking at Dylan"I'll let you stay up thirty more minutes." She joked

Dylan chuckled looking in front of him as Steve awkwardly looked at the water, his knees pushed together to not accidentally touch Nancy's who was seated right next to him, her posture more relaxed.

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They continued rowing, Robin and Eddie, as midway through their journey Nancy and Dylan had switched spots, Dylan's shoulder pressed against Steve as Steve was visibly more comfortable, shining the flashlight at the compass his brother held instead of his ex-girlfriend.

As soon as the boat hovered over an area far from shore, and towards the middle of lovers Lake the compass began to spaz out, the needle going crazy, as Dylan could feel the compass shaking in his hand.

"Woah, woah, guys... slow down." Dylan said as Robin and Eddie stopped rowing, they all looked at the compass before looking around.

As they stopped Dustin spoke from the walkie talkie*Guys talk to me, whats going on?* he asked *guys?*

Robin picked it up "uh, Dustin, your compass has gone from wonky to wonky with a capital "aah!" She explained

Steve began to take his shoes and socks offBefore Nancy looked at him bewildered "Steve what are you doing?" She asked

"Somebody's gotta go down and check this thing out. Unless one of you can top being a Hawkins high swim co-captain and a certified lifeguard for three years, then...." Steve removed his last sock.

"You're so cool Steve." Dylan sarcastically replied as Steve threw his sock at his younger brother, Dylan quickly throwing it off of him with a grossed out expression.

"It's got to be me. No complaints, all right?" Steve said standing up as he propped his foot on the seat like a pirate

"Hey, I'm not complaining, I do not want to go down there." Eddie said peering down at the dark water.

"Well I wanna complain, it's my turn being anxious. This is a gate we're talking about Steve, who knows whats down there." Dylan said

Steve didn't reply, taking his yellow sweatshirt off, as he once again threw it on Dylan who quickly threw it off. "Really? No one wants to see that jungle." Dylan said looking away from Steve's chest.

Robin looked at Nancy beside her, who's eyes seemed glued to Steve's jungle. The girl smiled at Nancy, chuckling to herself.

Eddie wrapped the flashlight in the plastic bag, holding the cigarette box with his teeth. "Here....good luck."

Steve took the flashlight"Thanks.."

Eddie placed a cigarette in his mouth, Dylan could feel his heart racing for the smell of the smoke, though he was quickly disappointed as Robin grabbed it from Eddie's mouth throwing it in the water "Gross, theres a child here." Robin said as Eddie looked at a Dylan with a knowing glance "Right, wouldn't want to damage his..clean lungs." Eddie said with a smirk as Dylan glared at him to keep quiet.

"Steve.." Nancy said quietly as Steve looked at the girl "Be careful." She said with a small smile, Steve nodded quickly with a smile back, his muscles gaining a bit more confident from Nancy's words.

Steve was about to jump in when someone grabbed his hand, compared to the chilly air, his younger brother's hand was like a heater. "If your not up by a minute...I'm coming down to get you." Dylan said

Steve eyes grew soft, he placed his hand on Dylan's head, ruffling his hair gently "I won't be gone long. I promise."

Dylan nodded as Steve smiled. He turned back towards the water and dived down. Some water splashing on Dylan but the boy didn't flinch, watching the bubbles left behind on the surface he picked at his skin, waiting for Steve to return.

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Dylan's eyes stayed on the surface. "Whats the time Nancy?" Dylan asked

"Closing in on a minute." Nancy replied carefully standing up as she sat next to Dylan, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder.

Dylan gave her a small smile, not being able to hide his concern for his brother.

Dylan took a breath, getting more worried by the second. He thought of all the possibilities. Steve could be caught on something, he lost air and couldn't swim back up, or he found the gate....and...

Dylan shook his head, he knew Steve was fine, he swam better than anyone he knew. He used to have breathing competition with him, and Steve would always win. His brother was fine.

"A minute and 10." Nancy mumbled as Dylan looked at her before taking his coat off, leaving his long sleeve white shirt. "Okay. Im going—" Before the young boy could finish his sentence, Steve appeared with a gasp.

"Oh shit!" Eddie yelled as they all sighed in relief.

"Are you okay?" Dylan asked nervously, as Steve took deep breaths "Yeah, I'm okay buddy." Steve looked at Nancy who was also worried and relieved "I found it..."

"You found it?" Nancy asked as Steve gripped the boat "Yeah, I found it.

Robin picked up the walkie talkie "Dustin, you're a goddamn Einstein. Steve found the gate—" the connection was then cut of as Robin looked at the super comm with confusion.

"It's pretty wild." Steve panted "it's more of a snack-size gate than a mama gate, but still it's pretty damn big." The man was then violently jerked down, as he gasped. They grew silent. Steve looked around before he was then jerked again. This time it pulled him underwater.

They all began screaming as their voices morphed togther in panic.

"Steve!" Dylan yelled as he stood up. He was about to jump before Nancy stopped him. "Wait Dylan—"

"I can't let him die Nance. Stay up here." Dylan instructed as he looked at all of them.

Dylan then dove in. Hearing there yelling above the water turn murmured as it was replaced with the deep sound of darkness. The water was freezing cold, but Dylan felt his body heat up against it. He swam as fast as he could. Seeing his brother being pulled down into the medium sized red gate, the water around him glowing red.

Dylan swam faster, cursing at himself as his shoes and clothes dragged him behind, the pressure of the water pulling Dylan up. Before he knew it Steve was gone. Dylan swam around the gate before grabbing the red center with his hand, pulling at it, as it opened, he reached forward, his body was surrounded with water, but he felt the clear air in his hands as he pushed through, it felt like his body turned upside down as he fell on rough ground. Taking a deep breath. He stood up looking around.

His clothes stuck to his body along with his hair, as the dark sky thundered with red lightning. He was in the Upside Down. His body was smoking from its warmth. There were black vines everywhere as he then heard the sound of screaming. He looked to his right, seeing Steve thrash around.

"Steve!" Dylan exclaimed running to him, as he came closer he saw what looked to be three bats. Two were bitting down on the sides of Steve's torso and one had wrapped its tail around Steve's throat. Dylan's skin crawled at the sight of the bats but with no hesitation grabbed the bat that was wrapped around his brother's neck. With a tug he pulled it apart, as the tail weakened around Steve's throat. The man breathing once again.

One of the bats had moved from Steve's side and jumped on Dylan, as it wrapped its tail around the boys arm and bit harshly on his hand, Dylan screamed before hitting the creature against the floor, its head popping like a ballon, as it's dark blood sprayed across Dylan's face.

Steve had stood up grabbing the bat  that was on his other side as he struggled to fight it with his hands, Dylan was about to help him but three more bats then flew at him, as they all gripped tightly unto the boy. Biting on his neck and hands, Dylan thrashed around to get them off, but he struggled, his mind going into a panic at the sight of the bite on his hand. He really hated bats.

Steve yelled for his brother as Dylan grabbed the one on his left hand that had reopened the cut on his palm, he gripped its body tearing it apart. He reached back for the one on his neck but he couldn't grab it. The pain of its teeth piercing into his skin was excruciating, it was more than a burn, he felt it in his spine. Dylan then saw more flying at them as he could only brace himself with his hands—shaking.

Then like a miracle he felt someone smack the bat on his neck, and the one on his side that he hadn't noticed—off of him. He turned to see Nancy, Eddie, and Robin.

"Hey." Nancy huffed as she split the bat with the oar.

Dylan shook his head, seeing Steve standing up and all of them looking around at the creatures swirling around them. Dylan felt another one on his left hand as he held unto it. He gripped the head pulling it off of its body, as he then turned to see another one, grabbing its wing and tearing it off.

The sound of flesh dropping on the floor made Dylan want to vomit, but he persisted. He felt the left side of his neck, it was like a deep gash, all bloody and messy.

The mark was in the back of his neck, close to his spine as he felt even more sick. He looked around to see all of them fighting off a creature, each struggling to kill the violent thing.

Dylan raised both his hands, despite them bleeding down his arm. Nancy, Steve, Robin, and Eddie all stopped fighting the bats around them as the creatures began squirming and fighting themselves in pain, they looked to see Dylan as blood dripped from his nose, like a paint bomb the creatures all simultaneously exploded, there blood splashing on them. 

Dylan staggered on his knee, as he tried to wipe the blood off his face, but failing as his hands were covered in it. He heard Steve run to him as he was gently grabbed by his face"Hey, hey, stay with me." Steve asked looking at the blood down his brother's shirt, the sides slightly torn and his sleeves almost ripped off as well, seeing his brother's scars that he tried so hard to hide. He moved Dylan's head seeing the gash in his neck. "Oh..Dylan.." Steve muttered. Dylan could only shake his head seeing the gashes on Steve's side "are you okay?" He asked Steve looked down at his own injuries "They took about a pound of flesh...but yeah im good." Steve awkwardly chuckled "Hope our flesh was worth it."

Robin peered down at the bits of pieces left of the creatures "Uh, do you guys think these bats have, like rabies?" She asked.

Steve looked at Dylan quickly trying to distract him with something as he could see his younger brother go green, knowing his phobia. Dylan couldn't control how he bent over and puked. Steve rubbed his back, as he gave Robin a look. "Im sorry! It's just rabies is like my biggest fear, I completely understand Dylan. And so I think we should get you two—to a doctor, soon." Robin rambled

Dylan sat up taking a breath, his knees still pressed harshly on the floor, as Steve kept his hands on his shoulder. "You good? What am I asking? You're not good." Steve scoffed as Dylan tried to not think about the bites on him, the pain making it difficult to do. 

"Once the symptoms set in, it's like too late. You're already dead." Robin continued as Dylan bent over and puked again. "Robin!" Nancy scolded her as she went over and helped Dylan stand up along with Steve.

A loud screech was heard as they all turned to see six more creatures come flying down by the gate, Dylan looked at them alarmed, as Steve placed his hand in front of his brother. "Okay..." Steve whispered "Theres not that many...I think we can take them."

As the man said this, more screeching was heard as they looked up to see more then 4o flying there way. "Can we take..t-them?" Eddie asked as he looked at Dylan.

Dylan shook his head "No." He whimpered before looking around him and seeing the woods, he then looked at Nancy who seemed to share the same idea."To the woods!" She instructed running ahead, as Dylan quickly followed her.

"Great, more running." Robin complained

They dodged the big black vines spewed over the ground, running as fast as they could away from danger. As Dylan looked at the swarm once again, he could only remember the creature in the lab. The large bat. It was them but none of them were as big as the one he was shown. He hoped he just hadn't found the big one yet.

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NINA PROJECT (NEVADA)

"Im asking you to trust me again...." Martin said calmly, looking at Eleven whose hair had been cut, and tears he remembered from long ago spilled from her eyes. "I know it's hard. I know I hurt 01—Dylan..." Martin coldly looked away, the name making his blood boil. "I hurt you......but I need you to trust me, journey with me into the past one last time....."

Eleven's face hardened as she looked at the man, being in this place made the girl want to scream. Knowing what he had done to her brother. Her friends.

Martin knew what his plan was. Eleven would stay with him after she discovered the truth. The marks on 001, deep burn marks. The monster.... that Eleven will soon remember. As it was her who found it in the bloody hallway of the lab the day it escaped. The thing who killed its own mother. His wife, his Linda. Martin could feel tears swelling up.  Dr. Brenner's own son. Dylan. 013.